The Eminence in Shadow: The Dark Swordsman

Chapter 42: Confrontation In The Holy Ground

Kirito, Cid, and Aurora stood together, their gazes fixed on the imposing figures of Archbishop Nelson and Olivier. The Holy Land of the Sanctuary loomed around them, its ancient architecture radiating an aura of solemnity and power. The tension in the air was palpable as the two groups faced off.

Kirito's hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, his eyes narrowed in determination. Cid, with his usual nonchalant demeanour, stood slightly behind, his dark aura subtly flickering. Aurora, poised and resolute, stood between them, her presence both serene and formidable.

Archbishop Nelson regarded them with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. Beside him, Olivier stood tall, her expression cold and unreadable, her blade gleaming ominously in the dim light of the Sanctuary.

"How amusing," Nelson finally spoke, his voice dripping with mockery. "That you, Aurora, were able to make it here. I must admit, I am surprised."

Nelson shifted his gaze to Kirito and Cid, his expression hardening with disdain. "And I see you brought along some help," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "These two bastards over there. How pathetic."

He took a step forward, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed Kirito and Cid. "Hey idiots," he spat, his voice echoing in the solemn silence of the Sanctuary. "How in the hell did you manage to enter this place with one of the highest securities, nearly unbreachable?"

Kirito and Cid exchanged a glance. In perfect synchrony, they both pointed their thumbs over their shoulders.

"Through a door," Kirito said bluntly, his face completely straight.

Cid nodded in agreement, his nonchalant demeanour unwavering. "Yeah, through that door," he echoed.

For a moment, there was stunned silence. Archbishop Nelson's face twisted in a mixture of disbelief and seething anger.

"Sons of a bitch," he muttered through gritted teeth, the words dripping with hatred.

Archbishop Nelson glared at them, his eyes blazing with fury. "You fools don't know your place," he sneered. "To someone like me, you're just mere ants, and there's nothing I love more than crushing ants."

He turned to Olivier, his expression softening into a cruel smile. "Today, it will be your pleasure to do just that."

Olivier nodded, her cold demeanor unchanging. Nelson turned back to Kirito and Cid, only to find them completely ignoring him.

Kirito leaned closer to Aurora, trying to whisper but failing to lower his voice. "Hey, Miss Aurora, do you know who that old man is?"

Aurora, maintaining her poised stance, shook her head. "No idea," she replied casually.

Cid shrugged, adding with a smirk, "Ugly bastards always have some unknown background."

A beat of stunned silence followed, then Archbishop Nelson's face contorted with a mix of rage and bewilderment. "OLIVIER, fucking kill them!" he muttered through gritted teeth, his words barely audible over the echoes of the Sanctuary.

Olivier, her blade that looked like the Holy Sword glinting ominously, began to stride purposefully towards them. Kirito tensed, readying himself for the impending clash. But just as he prepared to engage, Cid lightly touched his shoulder, causing Kirito to glance sideways at him.

"Hey, Kirito," Cid said casually, "why don't you let me handle this one?"

Kirito raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You sure? She looks tough."

Cid chuckled, flashing a confident grin. "Of course. Remember, the key to growth is facing things greater than yourself."

Kirito couldn't help but cringe at the unexpected depth of Cid's wisdom in such a bizarre moment. "Yeah, yeah," he muttered, shaking his head. "You always manage to drop some deep quotes at the weirdest times."