Erik slipped into an alley, hiding to catch his breath, and watched the action go on all around him. A smirk appeared on his face.

Armed with their brain-crystal powers, citizen groups were wreaking havoc.

The real rebellion finally started. However, if it was going to be successful, it had to be seen.

Even if the citizens fought, they were still fighting the blackguards.

Most of them had been trained, since it was mandatory to enter the military, but basically everyone who were not among Volkov's troops now had been injured in the past or were old. That was coupled with the fact that the blackguards were many times more powerful than them, but they were even trained better, and a lot more at that.

However, there were many more people than there were blackguards. Even Volkov's soldiers couldn't do much, despite being in much greater numbers than the blackguards.

That was something already, but Volkov's soldiers-not everyone, of course-didn't know what to do at that point. Most of them were normal people, and many came from New Alexandria.

The situation got out of hand, with the chain in command in chaos, but still there, well, aside from Volkov.

They were basically fighting the people they swore to protect. Not that everyone did. A lot of the fighters were simply criminals the Crystal Cross Gang gave them.

Erik saw a gang of locals being overpowered by a small squad of blackguards. There was a terrible crunch as a blackguard swung a big mace into an old woman's head.

However, a younger man, just out of his teens, aided by at least 10 more, killed the blackguard.

The people's uprising had put the blackguards on the defensive. That was especially because the more soldiers and blackguards died, and the more citizens got their hands on their brain- crystal rifles or the fancy and valuable weapons they carried.

Slowly, things turned serious.

Erik, though, was unable to enjoy the occasion. He needed to reach June while keeping the blackguards away from Richard.

Besides, he needed to get news about the situation. The easier thing to do was to kill all the higher-ups on the blackguards' side.

That would push them to abandon the city. At that point, Becker could come back and mount a nationwide defense.

However, Erik needed June to get this information. He might know where the higher-ups were, and besides, clearing the northern gate a little more meant making the Chimaeric Demons join the fight within the city.

However, there was an alternative that required Erik to make something theatrical again.

Erik resumed his sprint through the city, observing the surrounding mayhem. Though the streets were a battlefield, that didn't make it easy for him to reach the northern gate.

<At least the blackguards are not attacking me anymore.>

He passed by additional scenes of uprisings as he ran. People were building barriers, obstructing the streets, and establishing chokepoints with cars and other debris. Not that they were going to be useful, but at least it granted some kind of protection, even if little.

There were many bodies around, but most of them either belonged to citizens or Volkov's soldiers. The absence of blackguards could only mean one thing.

<It looks like the blackguards are giving up. I wonder how they feel now that they see they can't really rule the world if the citizens do not comply.>

A grin spread across Erik's face, but it was soon replaced by a serious look when he saw a group of blackguards trying to block his way.

<Not again...>

But they were too few. They would not be a problem; what would be was that he was going to waste mana. A grimace appeared on his face when he thought about that.

Erik observed them. They were well-armed and, for sure, determined to make him suffer. Erik breathed and activated his Force Bastion brain crystal power again, feeling the familiar energy surge. He dashed forward, focusing on the nearest blackguard.

The woman swung her mace, but Erik easily avoided the blow. He countered with a punch to the blackguard's midsection, crushing her bones. The gauntlets in his hands got slick with her blood.

Two more blackguards attacked him using some weird mana-powered attacks Erik couldn't really describe and wasn't even interested in.

Erik faced them, ducking under the two attacks. He then electrocuted the first of the two blackguards, who convulsed and fell to the ground, twitching.

Then he focused on the second one. The man's thoughts were a mess of fear and shock as Erik's killed his comrade.

One of Erik's electricity bolts hit the blackguard square in the chest, electrocuting and charring him to the bones.

The stench of burnt flesh spread through the area.

Erik glanced down at the two smoldering figures and grinned.

"Well, that was shockingly easy," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Are you really sure you want to do this?" He asked to the remaining opponents.

"You, mother fuckeeeer!"

A fourth blackguard tried to flank Erik, but a single person didn't even pose a problem at that

point.

The young man ran past the blackguard and kicked his chest. A bone-crushing impact sent the soldier flying backward, skidding across the ground.

The last two blackguards struggled, losing confidence. Erik cut short their fight. Lightning bolts from his hands struck the remaining blackguards at once.

"This power is so fucking strong... No wonder Volkov was so confident in his strength. I don't even know how the fuck Becker could be considered his rival."

Erik checked the area for immediate threats, but aside from the dead bodies, there was no one around. Well, aside from the citizens fighting the blackguards and Volkov's soldiers on the other side of the street.

"Better move my ass... I can't stay here any longer."

With that, Erik resumed his march toward the northern gate, or better, toward the northern district, because it was really clear now that even if the blackguards held the northern gate, that would stay like that for long because of the citizens.

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