Instead of charging at her, Walter kept his distance.
It would be ill-advised to attack a master of a lethal martial art like the Fist of Death despite her strength declining due to old age.
One wrong move and he too wouldn't get away unscathed.
His eyes were focused on each move, each twitch of the woman's muscles.
He quickly removed his helmet, something that was rather useless against the art of Death Fist, however.
He threw it in the air before hitting it with the broad side of his sword.
The helmet was launched at immense speed towards Anna, giving her barely enough time to dodge.
And yet that slight moment was enough for her reflexes to kick in.
With a step, she moved out of the way, something that Walter anticipated.
He cleaved to the side, aiming at her legs; however, with a jump, she landed on top, forcing Walter to drop the blade, which promptly dissolved into the dark mist.
"Smarter than usual younglings, huh?" She jumped back.
"I know better than to let you hit me... Anna. Even I would be in a world of hurt." He frowned before lunging forward.
His blade was steady, however, just as it seemed Anna was about to be hit, she ducked underneath and hit the blade, forcing it out of his hand.
An act that the powerful paladin anticipated as he raised his knee, kicking Anna up in the air.
"Gah!" Air was forced out of her lungs as she crashed into the ceiling.
"No matter how skilled you are, a single hit from someone of my level and you are already down for the count." His mockery cut deep.
If she were younger, then perhaps she could even hold her own.
But right now it was not possible.
She collapsed on the ground as the Paladin approached.
His steps were careful and deliberate; no matter what, he couldn't underestimate Anna.
How right he was?
Anna rolled over before landing back onto her feet, hiding the pain like a true master.
'I need to find a way to escape.' She gritted her teeth as she scanned the area.
While she wanted to rescue the Christians, it was impossible right now.
If she died here, it would be useless.
Nothing of worth would have been fulfilled.
And worst of all, Aury wouldn't know about Walter.
"You should realise, know, former Death Fist, Anna. There is no escape from judgment of Chrunus."
She smirked. That was it.
If she provoked him, it would surely give her a chance.
"But there is, Youngling~" She teased as an orb of gravity formed in Walter's hand.
He sighed in annoyance before launching [Lesser Gravity Orb] at Anna, "Just stay down, you will be sacrificed to Chrunus."
With an elegant backward step, she dodged the clumsy orbs of gravity.
"Don't you realise, even Chrunus will be judged soon by the true God." Her grin widened.
She saw Walter's brow twitch.
'Good.'
"I guess you won't need that tongue while being brought to Chrunus." He materialized a great spear in his hand before swiping at Anna.
Anna lunged forward, dodging the spear narrowly, "You will see soon." She winked before sliding under his legs.
She launched an open palm strike at his back, however, the man twisted in such a way that it made it impossible to hit his vital.
She rolled backward, narrowly dodging another kick.
"You are just wasting your energy." Walter mocked her as he let go of his great spear, letting it dissolve into mist before launching another orb.
"Not at all, every moment you aren't torturing Christians is good." She leapt away.
It seemed that she truly did need to rely on skills.
'A shame.' [Mend], [Rejuvinate].
Her form glowed green as she mended her body and restored her energy.
"Oho, old hag has some tricks up her sleeve, huh?" He grinned.
Anna winced, "Younglings really need to learn respect."
[Entwinning roots], She cast the spell as the ground beneath them cracked, making ways for a mass of green roots.
Walter slashed at the roots, giving Anna just enough of an opening to strike Walter right in the chest with her palm.
He gasped as vibrations overwhelmed him.
However, he did not die.
"ARGHHHH!" He screamed in pain as he struggled against the roots.
"YOU HAG!" With a scream, his form was covered in dark miasma, making the roots wither and crumble.
'Chrunus is always such an anathema, huh?' She asked herself as she saw her roots wither.
However, it did not matter; she launched forward, aiming another strike.
However, Walter moved to the side, his hand gripping her wrist before pulling her close to him and hitting her with his elbow.
While breaking Anna's nose was a good start, he did not stop there; he lifted her in the air before spinning and throwing her into the wall.
Anna gasped for air, her old body barely holding together.
But she knew this man was getting angry.
An angry opponent could be dealt with.
"You know that Chrunus is a tyrant god, right? You are merely a puppet! You should convert to worship Natura, you know~" She smiled as [Mend] repaired her body.
Walter stopped for a moment, his wrathful gaze fixated on her, "I will kill you now."
In a moment, [Invert Gravity] hit her like a truck, smashing her into the ceiling before pulling her down with immense speed.
'Too Angry... whoops.' She endured the beating before rolling towards Walter, fortunately distracted enough for her to cast [Rust Metal].
His gauntlet crumbled into dust as she jumped backward to make distance.
However, she couldn't keep this for long; this man was too powerful for her to kill, and her own energy was leaving her rapidly.
She felt herself get slower.
"You..." He clenched his fist.
Good, she would be able to escape.
"What's wrong, can't beat an old lady?" She smiled warmly.
"You are dying now!" He screamed before charging recklessly at her.
'Good!' Just as he was about to swing, she ducked down and struck his chest with her palm again, vibration sending him reeling in pain.
Or it was how it was supposed to be.
The dark miasma around him grew more powerful as he suddenly twisted his body to hit Anna with his fist.
'Shit...' She clutched her stomach, [Mend] failed to activate.
She was out of energy.
'Old Age be damned... God, I hope your embrace is worth it...'
However, as Walter approached, she heard a voice she recognized well coming from the entrance.
"So it was you who ruined my date?!" It was Aurelia's voice.
'Stupid! Run Aury!' She screamed in her mind.
Aurelia's eyes wandered to Anna, "And you hurt Granny Anna? I'm gonna cut you into ribbons. As my beloved says, only God has mercy in abundance."