Barca's scheme had been detected by Fron, Finn, Asfi, and the others, but it was clearly already too late.
"If we'd known his plan, we should've killed him the moment he used that Cursed Daggers to injure himself!"
Asfi was filled with deep regret. If only…
While maintaining the barrier, Fron lifted a hand to interrupt Asfi's thoughts.
"Don't let your mind wander. There are no 'ifs' in this world. Look forward, Asfi. Even if we've fallen into the rhythm of that 'Monster,' it doesn't mean we have no way to break through."
Hearing this, Asfi blinked, startled.
"Don't even think about calling for support from the other squads. It's meaningless."
"Huh?"
It seemed everyone had been thinking the same thing. Finn also looked at his companions with a stern gaze.
"Fron is right. We absolutely cannot call for reinforcements. Just like she said, even if we bring more people, in a cramped battlefield like this, it's completely pointless against that 'Monster'!"
Feeling how difficult it was to hold off the attacks, Fron increased his mana output. His expression was steady, his eyes calm as she scanned the surroundings before speaking:
"Don't forget the strength of this curse. It's something so terrifying that only the city's number-one healer, Amid, can cure it. With that in mind, no matter how many people we add, the result will be the same! It'll only increase the number of casualties!"
Meaningless!
Those words instantly made part of the group waver, despair flickering in their eyes.
"Don't be fooled by the situation in front of you. What is our mission objective? It's to capture the enemy commander, that is our top priority!"
Fron's calm words brought everyone back to their senses. Their stalled minds began turning once more.
"Originally, Barca was one of our capture targets. But unfortunately, he's turned into this. So he's no longer someone we can capture. That means destroying him with the strength we have is the only way."
As he laid out the situation clearly, everyone finally understood… they were not fighting here for nothing.
Don't forget: the other squads were encircling the enemy's stronghold.
Thanatos, one of the gods of the Evilus, would soon be captured and brought before the Guild for judgment.
"Let's go!"
With Finn beginning to rally the troops, his familia members instantly understood his signal, Finn was going to take the lead himself, shifting from commander to frontline warrior.
That alone was a message. The others drew their weapons with renewed resolve.
"Go, goooooooo!!"
"Follow the Braver!!!"
With the Braver's shout, their morale somehow surpassed their fear.
They would break this cursed power, this time, the adventurers who'd been knocked down before roared with burning fury!
"Looks like I'll need to show some real skill too, otherwise people will start questioning the worth of my title…" Asfi muttered through clenched teeth, glaring sharply at the 'Monster.'
With morale soaring, the adventurers formed a massive steel wall with their shields. Fron withdrew his barrier, met Amid's eyes, and once again unleashed a magic circle.
"[Healing droplets, tears of light, eternal sanctuary.]"
"[Compose a medicinal hymn-three hundred, sixty, and five.]"
"[The melody of the healer's almanac saves all things.]"
"[Come, destruction of evil. The burial of wounds, interment of disease.]"
"[Curses be gone in the light of vitality.]"
"[In the name of all that is holy - I heal you.]"
"[Dia Fratel.]"
Hummmm.
A deep, resonant hum of mind burst forth.
Miraculously, it merged with Amid's "domain" as if naturally blended, and together, like an unstoppable tide, they surged into the pitch-black cursed domain, eroding and suppressing it like crashing waves!
"Amid's magic got stronger?"
The adventurers charging forward felt the warm holy light washing over them, stunned for a moment.
"Idiot, look behind you!"
And then… in their dazed vision, two overlapping diamond-shaped holy magic circles resonated with each other, dominating most of the hall.
Any curse that tried to cling to them was instantly burned away by the warm light, soothed, healed.
Their bodies felt like soaking in a hot spring, comfort replacing what should have been unbearable suffering, reduced to a mere instant!
"The Nightweaver, Fron Argon… finally decided to show his hand, huh…"
"Wait, since when can the Nightweaver use Amid's magic!?"
The adventurers could only stare, their worldview cracking apart.
Meanwhile, the Loki and Hermes Familia members simply smiled knowingly.
"If one Amid isn't enough, then we just double it!"
Asfi hurled over ten explosive vials at the 'Monster.'
Boom boom boom boom boom, !
"Gyaaaaaaaa!!"
The superheated blasts made the monster let out a shrill, agonized scream.
"Good, our attacks are working. The Perseus will suppress its counterattacks. Aim for the orb, that's its weak point!"
Finn issued his orders coolly. With Fron and Amid holding the frontline with their magic and everyone's morale burning high, they would take him down in one push!
Even if they had to endure immense pain and curses, they had to finish this!
Thinking that, Finn pressed his thumb to his forehead and began chanting his own spell.
"Magic spear, penetrate my forehead offering blood."
"YAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!"
The calm commander was gone. With a burst of crimson mana, the blood-eyed berserker stood fully armed in his place!
"Finn…"
Maintaining the magic at full output, Fron couldn't help but click his tongue at the sight.
"Damn… he's going all out. Fine, I won't drag us down."
Glancing at the steady light eroding the curses, Fron frowned.
"Amid, do your best to synchronize your mana flow with mine."
"Y-yes! I'll try!"
Sweat pouring down her forehead, Amid nodded with difficulty.
Even she was struggling against such an overwhelming rain of curse, if Fron hadn't joined her, her mana would've run dry long ago.
"Full Concentration, activate!"