Chapter 421: That (6)

Chapter 421: That (6)

..

After hearing the tale, Eugene was left unable to manage his expression, a task he had thought himself immune to by now, especially when it came to Melkith. He shook his head with a heavy sigh. Kristina raised her head and peered at Eugenes face while carefully aligning his twisted limbs.

"Oh, it's okay, I'm not in pain," he assured. However, his appearance suggested anything but.

Both his arms were cleanly broken, and his right ankle and left knee were twisted in unnatural directions. The sight alone was enough to send shivers down one's spine. In fact, Raimira had already created some distance from Eugene while rubbing her own limbs. She was clearly affected by the sight.

Eugene composed his features and emotions. With a crunch and snap, Kristina corrected the alignment of his leg. With a twist, the joint was fixed back into its place with a gruesome noise.

Hieeeek. Raimira let out a pained gasp while clutching her knees. Mer had been observing the situation with her eyes half-squinted. She suddenly felt a surge of mischief and began to shake Raimiras knee.

"Crack! Crack-crack!"

"Kyaaah! Kyaaahh!

Mer imitated the sound of breaking bones while Raimira screamed in terror. Amidst the chaos, Kristina continued her meticulous work on Eugene's bones.

Kristina wasnt just relying on her miracles to heal Eugene. Instead, she paid attention to Eugenes every shattered bone fragment and torn muscle fiber. She knew that this delicate adjustment would aid in improving her skills.

[Are you even listening? Huh? That bastard... what's his name... right, Harpeuron! Rank fifty-seven! That bastard said he's coming to kill me!] A voice was heard in Eugenes head.

.. Eugene didnt have the capacity to reply at this point.

[Isnt this enough already? Huh? A demon. Is coming. To personally. Kill me!] The voice enunciated every word carefully to make a point. [I was thinking about it too, and I dont think hes going to come alone. Think about all the black wizards Ive killed until now! It feels kind of weird to say it out loud, but Im sure all of them would just love to see me dead. Dont you think theyll come together?]

Lady Melkith, said Eugene. He wiggled his toes, testing the sensation in his now properly aligned leg. "You're... you're remarkable." That was all he could manage to say.

The matter of collapsing dungeons or burying black wizards alive wasn't a concern for him. He wasnt worried about Melkith regarding such matters. Apart from her being half-crazy, Melkith's prowess was beyond question. In all honesty, if Melkith summoned all three Spirit Kings to battle, Eugene felt he might need to draw the Moonlight Sword.

As such, he didnt think Melkith would face any peril in the desert, especially in Amelia Merwins absence.

The fact that Melkith had confronted and defeated a black wizard contracted with a demon of the fifty-seventh rank wasn't surprising, considering her abilities.

Rather, its natural, Eugene thought.

He couldnt help but marvel at Melkiths audacity. She had provoked the spirit form of the summoned demon as a weak piece of shit and a piglet. It wasnt anything short of remarkable. In this era, only Melkith could dare to use such brash and vulgar taunts.

[Right? Im impressive, arent I?] Melkith said.

Yes. Even Tempest is impressed, answered Eugene.

[Of course! So, Eugene, can I return to Aroth now, huh?] inquired Melkith.

No, you cant, came the answer.

[Whyyyyy?!] Melkiths outcry made it evident about the injustice she was suffering.

If Harpeuron has said he's coming to kill you, what will we do if you're in Aroth? Eugene asked.

[Whats the issue with that!?] questioned Melkith.

Lady Sienna is currently in Aroth. No matter how furious Harpeuron gets, he wont attack Aroth, stated Eugene.

Eugene recalled Harpeuron's name from memories long past. Even then, the demon had been well-known, and it was a surprise he had survived to this age.

Eugene wasn't worried. Rank fifty-seven? High in objective terms, but, as Melkith said, was it something to boast about when there were fifty-six others above you?

Eugene also believed that most high-ranking demons of this era survived only because they had never encountered Hamel of Extermination three centuries ago.

Sometimes, enemies offered more precise and reliable evaluations than allies. Eugene preferred the chillingly cool moniker Hamel of Extermination' to 'the Stupid Hamel.' It was much more accurate.

[Dont you care? Arent you worried about your big sis? Those monstrous demons said they're coming to kill me!] shouted Melkith indignantly.

Even if they come determined, it would be difficult, probably impossible, to kill you, Lady Melkith. After all, you're the most extraordinary master of spirit magic, the greatest in history. There is no one who can compare to you, said Eugene.

Now was the time to lavish praise upon Melkith. And it wasn't exactly a lie either.

[That is absolutely, completely true. But you know, Eugene, I'm a bit worried,] admitted Melkith.

Whats worrying you? asked Eugene.

[You know, the Black Tower Master, that guy is so sly. I told him to leave once he was done, and he just took off, suspiciously fast. Hes so dubious,] responded Melkith.

He left because you told him to, so how is that suspicious? asked Eugene.

[You shouldnt think he just went away! He must be lurking somewhere. Im sure hes spying on me,] said Melkith.

If that were the case, it would be better for me to stay holed up in this mountain and ask Molon to fight in my stead Eugene thought mockingly.

Eugene could open the boundary of Lehainjar with his Moonlight Sword. Although it was impossible for him to immediately sense the emergence of the Nur, he could respond somewhat similarly if he scattered feathers of Prominence throughout the mountain.

It was an idle, useless thought. While Molon's strength was undeniable, his power was too straightforward. It possessed clear weaknesses.

Even if he could handle Gavid, facing Noirs determined assault of mental attacks through unleashing the power of the Demoneye of Fantasy would leave Molon helpless. Moreover, Molon's mind had once been pushed to the brink of sanity by the Nur's poison. He was particularly vulnerable to such mental onslaughts.

In the end, it was up to Eugene to become stronger. The several months of dancing on the edge of life and death with Molon's axe were not for naught. Eugene knew this better than anyone.

'Have I ever danced this close to death since my rebirth?' Eugene wondered suddenly.

It wasn't that he hadn't faced formidable enemies before. But the opponents Eugene had encountered whether it was Barang, the demon who had compelled him to first unleash Ignition, or Jagon, the Beast of Ravesta neither had been stronger than Hamel.

Even Eward, when possessed by the shadow spirit, and Edmund, who had been completely nullified by the Moonlight Sword, hadn't outmatched him.

There had been only two beings who could be deemed stronger than Hamel, than Eugene himself.

One was Raizakia, the Demon Dragon.

The other was the newly birthed Demon King of Fury, Iris. However, his battles with both of them had ended in a single encounter.

Battles with Molon did not end with a single encounter. As long as Eugene or Molon didnt die, they could repeat their clash over and over again. Even if it took them to the brink of death, they could always rely on the healing of Kristina and Anise.

With each brush against death, I feel like Im becoming sensitive to new sensations. I learn how to move my sword better to receive his axe and how to swing it to penetrate his defense, Eugene observed.

He had thought there was nothing left to add to his combat senses. Now, he knew it had been absurd arrogance. Although Hamel had indeed survived many battles in the past, what Eugene considered the extreme was not the absolute limit.

He saw it not as engraving a known sensation but as discovering anew. It was a new discovery.

He recalled Agaroths divinity and intuition and blended both Hamel and Eugenes experiences into one. Then, he poured Hamel and Eugene into Agaroths combat techniques. He fused everything in his mind to a sublime unity.

Through this process, over months, he now was certain.

I am growing stronger.

He emerged from the cave.

Molon greeted him with a grin as he rose from the ground and swung his left arm.

"That was close, Hamel, said Molon.

Eugene had sustained broken limbs, but Molon had only injured his left arm.

However, comparatively, Eugene felt the wounds he had inflicted were far graver. Although his limbs had been broken, they had still been attached. On the other hand, Eugene's blade had nearly severed Molon's arm.

'Had his muscles been just a bit less thick, I would have completely cut it off,' Eugene thought as he gave Molons left arm a look.

Wouldn't that mean I had won? Eugene came to a conclusion in his mind and slung the Holy Sword over his shoulder.

"Since it's nearly evening, let's keep this session short," Eugene said.

"Agreed." Molon laughed heartily while hefting his axe.

Kristina, who had followed Eugene out, could hardly understand the emotion that allowed them to laugh off such brutal sparring once it was over.

[There's no need to understand, Kristina. I too cannot fathom their madness, and Sienna wouldn't be able to either,] said Anise.

'Lady Sienna... I wonder how shes doing?' Kristina said.

[You dont need to be concerned about that girl. Too many wizards follow Sienna, so she's probably sitting comfortably among her disciples in Aroth. What matters now is us, not Sienna,] said Anise.

Kristina retorted, 'But Sister, my miracles and the power of the Stigmata are growing stronger. Sir Molons arm was almost completely severed, but just now, I'

But Anise interrupted her with a shout, [Kristina! That is not what I am referring to. Three months have passed since Sienna went to Aroth, and we've done nothing with Hamel!]

'That's... unavoidable... Si-sister, we dont always need to be doing something, right? The time we're spending with Sir Eugene now has its own beautiful significance,' Kristina said haltingly.

She crossed herself to banish the insidious desires clouding her mind while Anise heaved frustrated sighs.

***

Meanwhile, in Aroth.

"I want to become a goddess."

The Wise Sienna, a figure who could be considered the mother of all wizards of this era, sat alone in the high seat. Her chin was propped on her hand as she murmured to herself.