Through their combined efforts, Seraphine, Damian, and with Iris providing support, managed to hold Count Gabel in place.
The battle raged on with intensity, its impact rippling across the entire battlefield. Other knights and the chaos members, though present, could only watch from a distance, knowing better than to risk intervening.
Seraphine wielded her firearm to counter-attack while Damian stood at her side, his Flower Dance Art skillfully parrying the assaults.
He refrained from utilizing his full strength with the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts, conserving energy to prevent potential backlash.
"I can't believe I am being held back by a mere kid," Count Gabel muttered inwardly as he grappled with the relentless duo.
Though Damian and Seraphine's individual might couldn't compare to his, their coordinated efforts, augmented by Iris's assistance, made advancement an arduous task.
As the battle wore on, fatigue gradually took its toll. Beads of sweat formed, and the ache of overworked muscles set in.
Finally, Damian's endurance reached its limit. He narrowly evaded a punch, the attack grazing his face and leaving a scratch.
"It seems you're reaching your limit, you brat!" Count Gabel sneered, seizing the opportunity to unleash a relentless barrage of blows on the now-weakened Damian.
Then, just as the situation seemed dire, a savior arrived. Adrian, partially recovered from his injuries, joined the fray wielding his longsword.
His mana aura expertly parried Count Gabel's attacks, and with a decisive swipe, he sent the foe hurtling away.
"Are you alright, son?" Adrian's concern was palpable as he turned his attention to Damian, who had collapsed from exhaustion onto the ground.
"Yes... father," Damian replied, rising from the ground with labored breaths.
As Damian got to his feet, Adrian handed him a bottle of another potion and tossed one to Seraphine, who stood nearby.
"This is..." Damian inquired, curiosity piqued as he inspected the unfamiliar potion.
"Drinking this will unleash every ounce of strength within you. There will be a backlash later, but it's necessary for the current situation," Adrian explained, having consumed the potion himself to counter Count Gabel's onslaught.
"Iris will be casting an ultimate attack magic. It will take some time to take effect, and we need to defend her. She won't be able to provide support magic while she's casting, do you both understand?"
Damian conveyed the plan to Seraphine and Iris. Both nodded in acknowledgment, though their eyes betrayed their concerns about their ability to hold off Count Gabel's assault.
Before long, a magic circle appeared in the sky above the forest, its vibrant purple hue exuding potent mana. Iris, positioned behind the trio, was the caster, channeling her energy into this last-ditch effort to combat Count Gabel.
"This is it! I'm initiating the spell now! Everyone, stop Count Gabel at all costs!" Iris's directive echoed in their minds as they assumed their battle stances.
As Count Gabel regained his footing after Adrian's counterattack and observed the manifestation in the sky, realization dawned upon him.
An ancient magic from the era of the great war—the Profound Barrier of Death—loomed above. From the records of the Chaos Order, he knew one thing for certain: he had to halt it, or he would be the one meeting his demise.
"It looks like I'll need to give this my all!" Count Gabel declared, infusing the battlefield with his surging demonic energy. His physique underwent a staggering transformation, muscles bulging as he morphed into a hulking, powerful figure.
The intensity of his malevolent aura and raw power reverberated throughout the area, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
"Let the feast begin, shall we?" Count Gabel's chilling words hung in the air before he launched himself into the fray, charging directly toward Iris, who stood steadfastly behind her companions.
But they were not about to let him have his way. They knew they had to defend Iris and halt Count Gabel's advance at all costs.
Empowered by Iris's potion, both Seraphine and Damian felt a surge of strength and renewed energy coursing through their veins.
With unwavering determination, they threw themselves into the battle, attempting to intercept Count Gabel's onslaught. Yet, his focus remained fixed on Iris, as he understood that taking her out would likely end the confrontation.
"Not on my watch!" Adrian bellowed, his sword slicing through the air with a formidable aura of mana. The potion had enhanced his abilities, enabling him to more efficiently unleash his power. Count Gabel found himself hard-pressed by Adrian's resistance, forcing him to divert his attention and contend with this unexpected obstacle.
The battlefield erupted into a frenzy as Count Gabel relentlessly pushed forward, his immense power and ferocity unmatched.
Seraphine's firearm spat bullets of fiery destruction, creating a powerful explosion that forced Count Gabel to swerve and dodge.
Damian's swift and precise swordplay danced in harmony with Adrian's mana-infused strikes, their coordinated efforts forming an unyielding wall of defense.
Amidst the chaos, Iris chanted incantations, her eyes aglow with mystical energy as the vivid purple magic circle in the sky continued to shimmer and grow. Her concentration was unwavering, but the strain of casting such a potent spell was evident.
Count Gabel's eyes glinted with frustration as his attempts to breach their defense were repeatedly thwarted. His thunderous attacks collided with fiery barrage, swift blades, and mana-infused strikes, creating a symphony of clashes that echoed throughout the forest.
Yet, his determination remained unshaken. Count Gabel exploited every opening he could find, exploiting any vulnerability in their defense. He deflected bullets with the sheer force of his fists, parried blades with brutal efficiency, and evaded strikes with unnatural agility.
As Count Gabel's assault intensified, a momentary lapse in coordination between Seraphine, Damian, and Adrian created an opening.
Seizing the opportunity, Count Gabel lunged forward with unparalleled speed, his massive fist crackling with demonic energy as it hurtled toward Iris.
A horrified gasp escaped Iris's lips as she realized the danger that loomed before her. But before she could react, an earth-shattering impact rocked the battlefield.
With no time to waste, Adrian quickly blocks the attack from Count Gabel to defend Iris. Eventually, Count Gabel's fist collided with Adrian's abdomen, sending the noble knight hurtling through the air. Adrian crashed into a sturdy tree, his form disappearing among the splintering wood and leaves.
The world seemed to slow as Adrian's body struck the tree, then fell limp to the ground. Shock and disbelief washed over Seraphine, Damian, and Iris as they watched their valiant protector lay still amidst the wreckage.
" Father!" Damian's cry was laced with anguish, his heart pounding as he saw his father lying on the ground under the tree.
Count Gabel's triumphant laughter echoed through the air as he saw Adrian defeat. Oblivious to the looming threat, he reveled in his moment of victory.
However, his ecstasy was short-lived, as he suddenly felt a surge of intense energy and looked up to see Damian's eyes ablaze with a fiery rage.
"You bastard! You're going to pay for this!" Damian's voice crackled with fury as he turned his gaze back to Count Gabel. His entire being radiated a potent aura of hatred and determination.
In that moment, a transformation seemed to overtake him. His stance shifted, his movements became more fluid and predatory, and his once controlled energy now surged with an ominous intensity.