Chapter 444: The Fake (9)
Was it possible to be reduced to this state merely by her killing intent?
Melkith rubbed her forearms. She could feel goosebumps. Despite her fear of recalling the moment, when she thought about it again, Melkith felt as if it had been more than simple killing intent.
When their eyes met, something... something happened. How could she explain it? It wasnt an entirely unfamiliar feeling. She had experienced it once before.
That's right, Melkith thought.
It came back to her while she was still calming her pounding heart.
Years back, when she first entered Akron, ascended to the top floor, Sienna's Hall, and saw Witch Craft and the Eternal Hole for the first time, Melkith felt completely overwhelmed. She had felt as if she had beheld something transcendent, something not meant for her eyes, something beyond her comprehension and her current capacity.
She had felt something similar in that brief moment she met Siennas eyes. It wasnt just the killing intent that overwhelmed Melkith. Instead, for an instant, Melkith had glimpsed into the essence of the wizard called Sienna Merdein. That was what had caused her to crumple to the floor.
Magic? Melkith pondered.
Was it some kind of magic? She couldnt be sure. It had only been for the briefest of moments, after all. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com
What was clear, however, was that this Archwizard, the Wise Sienna, had transcended beyond Melkiths wildest expectations. While she was tumbling around in the sands, the Wise Sienna must have pursued something to reach such heights.
Still, I've made progress since then, Melkith reassured herself.
She felt a sense of pride in herself, along with awe for Sienna. She fainted when she first came to Akron and saw Witch Craft. But this time, she managed to stay conscious. Though her legs had given out under her, she had avoided further embarrassment.
Uh-hum... Melkith cautiously lifted her head and looked forward.
This was the top floor of Akron, Sienna's Hall. It was a place lined with the portraits of Sienna and Akasha, as well as her comrades from three hundred years ago. Now, several things had changed from before. Melkith observed Sienna, who was sitting in the main seat with her chin resting on her hand.
Sis... are you angry? asked Melkith.
No response came. Sienna kept gazing ahead, not even sparing a glance at Melkith. Melkith felt her heart pounding with anxiety as she spoke again.
Sis, it was really just a joke! Do you think I would seriously do that to you? It was just... just... thats right! I wanted to show you the latest prank trend since we haven't met for a long time! Yes! You wouldnt know being in Aroth, but in Nahama, this kind of prank is trendy. Everyone from kids to the elderly enjoys it.
It was a desperate and obviously flimsy explanation, but Melkith clung to it fervently.
However, there was still no response.
Lovellian kept glancing at Melkith from his seat near Sienna, but Melkith was too preoccupied to notice his gestures.
I've suffered so much in that scorching desert for you and Eugene! Yes, yes, I know I was wrong. I wont play such pranks on you anymore. So please, sis, let go of your anger. Relax your face! Please respond to me, pleaded Melkith.
And who are they? Melkith took notice of some unfamiliar faces in the midst of her desperate pleading.
Among them were Herington Carage, the chief court wizard of Kiehl, and Rynein Boers, the hermit. Though she had never met these two new Archwizards, their presence in those seats clearly marked them as such.
Im kneeling on the floor while these juniors sit comfortably in chairs? Melkith thought indignantly.
She couldnt believe the audacity. How could they remain sitting when she was on the ground? The least they could do was to stand. Despite boiling inside, Melkith maintained a servile smile.
Sis..., she called out once more.
Ahem! Unable to bear it any longer, Lovellian loudly cleared his throat. Only then did Melkith turn her head to look in his direction.
He met Melkith's gaze and immediately placed his index finger on his lips. Even in her distracted state, Melkith recognized this overt gesture. She stopped her jabbering and just pouted.
"Quite impressive," Sienna finally spoke after a long period of silence. Her lips curved into a smile. She stretched out the hand that had been propped under her chin. "Is your mental strength exceptionally strong? Or is it a privilege of Incarcerations dark power?"
Balzac couldnt reply in his bound form mid-air. He managed to stay conscious, but that was the best he could do. Even relaxing in the slightest would have made him lose his mind.
The gaze fixed on him was so fierce and powerful. It might be an odd comparison, but Balzac felt a power similar to the Demoneye in Sienna's green irises. However, humans could not possess Demoneyes; they were characteristics manifested only in some high-ranking demons.
Therefore, he was sure this gaze was not a Demoneye but magic. Even so, understanding it wasnt easy.
Could magic artificially create such demonic charm? Siennas eyes drew out many emotions from Balzac, including awe, admiration, and a sense of enchantment. But they all culminated in one thing.
"Can you swear it?" Sienna stood up. She slowly approached Balzac, continuing, "I won't force you. Even if you don't swear, I won't kill you right now. Since you've contracted with the Demon King of Incarceration, there will come a time when I must kill you."
"...I understand," Balzac answered after a moment.
"If you cannot swear, then I'll consider you... as just a black wizard. It won't bother me too much. But I would prefer you to disappear from my sight right now, Sienna said.
"What happens if I swear?" asked Balzac.
"I think your aspiration is splendid, said Sienna, If you're truly pursuing it and prove your sincerity with a vow, then I... will consider you not just a black wizard but a wizard."
"I will swear." Balzac didn't hesitate. He placed his hand on his chest, infusing his words with magic and mana. "I will never abandon my humanity."
Only after hearing his vow did Sienna finally give a sly smile. She stopped in front of Balzac. He was still sitting on the ground.
"I will surpass humanity, declared Sienna.
Balzac felt the same transcendence in Sienna's eyes as before. The light swirling in her eyes created stars. Her eyes, twirling with light, formed galaxies.
Balzac looked at Sienna with a stunned expression. She wasn't joking. He shuddered and nodded. "...Yes."
"I won't involve you in research. The Demon King of Incarceration might use you to spy, Sienna continued.
"Though I don't think he would do such a thing... but yes, I understand, responded Balzac.
He was disappointed, but Balzac didn't ask for more. His aspiration was acknowledged. He heard the words that he wasn't just a black wizard but a wizard. To Balzac, these words were as precious as salvation.
"...I thought I could be of help with the Nahama issue, Lady Sienna, said Balzac.
"I received the memories extracted from Harpeuron. Not much help, though, came Siennas response.
"So it seemed," said Balzac before glancing outside to the vampire familiars. "I thought I had identified all vampire clans active in Aroth... seems like I was mistaken, he admitted. bender
"You probably did," Sienna chuckled, also looking outside.
The vampire watching the meeting at Akron and spying on Sienna belonged to the Odoth Clan. But at some point, the owner of the gaze changed.
To act or ignore? Should she look into it or leave them untouched? But before she could come to a decision, the vampires dared to reach out first.
Betrayal.
Though contemptible, there was no need to refuse when enemies betrayed each other and offered information. Thanks to this, Sienna knew what was happening in the depths of Nahama. She knew which demons had crossed over, as well as what was being prepared.
"Sis..." Melkith pleaded pitifully, seeing Sienna chuckle, "If you're acknowledging a black wizard, can't you do the same for me?"
"Don't call me sis, Miss Melkith," Sienna snapped coldly.
Melkith crawled on her knees to Sienna's feet, clinging to her legs. "Sis! How can you do this to me? Sis, please, I worked so hard for you!"
"Shall we go outside?" asked Sienna.
"Sis! I already told you it was all a joke! Why would I go outside with you?" Melkith wailed while shaking Sienna's leg.
Sienna considered kicking her away but sighed. After all, Melkith had struggled in the desert for almost a year.
"If you mess around one more time...," Sienna warned.
"Never again! Sis, sis, but what was that earlier? The thing that made me fall! No matter how much I think about it, it felt like magic. Is it your new Signature?" asked Melkith.
"It's a secret, was Siennas answer.
It was still incomplete, so Sienna wasn't ready to boast about it yet.
"As I thought...! I never imagined in my wildest dreams such magic existed, said Balzac.
"Right! It was like sis herself became magic. That's what it felt like, Melkith chimed in.
Sienna didn't respond, but Balzac and Melkith continued speculating about her Signature. Listening to their guesses, Sienna's lips curled up, her shoulders shrugged, and her chest puffed out with pride.
This chapter is updatd by f(r)eeweb