Chapter 758 Return Of The Nether [Pt 1]

"He's here! He's here! He's finally herreeeee!!!"

I began to notice subtle changes in the Cult Leader. He was always a talkative, but he had this condescending and composed vibe.

However, now he was simply gushing and laughing like a madman. His eyes widened, and his loosened jaws flapped as he laughed and declared the presence of the almighty cluster of despair, given form.

pαпdα`noνɐ1`сoМ 'Haa… would you look at that thing…' I couldn't take my eyes off it.

This personification of all the world's malevolence was, at least, a hundred meters tall. It had a somewhat incorporeal body, consisting of purple and black mist. Its purple eyes glowed from its deep darkness, though, a bone-chilling experience.

I felt myself shudder in the presence of the Nether, almost falling to my knees. Fortunately, Karlia held me and pulled me together.

"[The Pope]..." Fortunately, with enough support from her, I was able to cast my Original Magic and utilize the stored Arcana ability within.

Mixed in with [Strength], it was filled with Aether, and I used the dome of light of [The Pope] to grant me and my friends sanctuary.

The bright white dome chased off the pressure I felt, though I still felt scared just by looking at the towering figure.

"MOTHER! Did you see everything? I did exceptionally well, did I not?" The Cult Leader yelled into the air, a brilliant gleam in his eyes.

'Eh?'

Even though he had all twenty-two Arcanas currently at his disposal, and he still had a terrifyingly strong presence, it seemed like he was a different person. His personality had ben warped too much.

"Indeed, you have…" A voice suddenly appeared.

It was calm and soothing, feminine too.

I felt like I could get entrapped into those words as I heard them—and even more in the woman who spoke them.

Donning a white robe, and having pristine beauty, a woman manifested from thin air. She drew closer to the Cult Leader and buried him in her bosom, smiling with delight as she hugged him. Her pure expression remained unsullied, though a pink hue permeated her cheeks.

"You did well." She whispered.

To call me confused, at this point, would be an understatement.

Firstly, the towing Nether simply stood still—unmoving. As for the exchange between mother and child—which confused me even more—I simply could not fathom it.

"What's going on Kazen? Why isn't the Nether attacking? And what's going on between those two?"

Could this be our moment of opportunity? The perfect time to strike? Their trump card was docile, and the enemies seemed distracted. Wasn't this the best time to attack?

'Wait a minute… no. Why would they be so relaxed right now? They must be confident. Even the Martial Blade God…' My gaze went to a patch of land beyond the cater, where the Martial Blade God currently sat.

'... Is he meditating?'

His eyes were closed, and he was completely still—so immersed in whatever he was doing.

With him out of the picture, and in such an ideal situation, it would be most advantageous to strike. Unfortunately, the whole set of circumstances seemed far too convenient.

'Damnit! What's going on?'

"That's… the Nether is still because it's being assailed by Aether. That's the last resort. It's a foreign being from another world, so this one is rejecting it. As for the woman, she is… Ciel."

My eyes widened as I focused them on the loving mother above. That… was Ciel?!

I would never have expected it in a million years.

"Now, then, my child. It is time for your reward. Are you ready for your inheritance from your father?" Ciel placed her hands on the Cult Leader's face, her smile widening with each syllable.

"Yes. I am!"

The excitement from the two made the nervousness I felt seem like a dream. With such tension permeating the air, wasn't it unfair that this was going on right before my eyes?ραпdα `nᴏνɐ| сom

"Very well. I am so proud of you…"

Suddenly, the first twenty-one Arcanas converged on the Cult Leader's body. The cards all plastered themselves on his body, glowing brightly as they all seeped into him.

"GAAAAAHHHHHH!!! IT HURTS! MOTHER, IT HURRTTTSSS!!!"

"It should." The woman called Ciel responded with her usual smile, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

>VWUUUUUUSSSSSSHHHHHHHH!!!<

The Cult Leader's power rose to a terrifying degree—like he was the personification of all the Arcanas. No, this was even more threatening than that!

The final and biggest Arcana, [The World], also sped toward him, completely melting into him. I heard constant screams from the boy, yet Ciel remained smiling.

"Hush, my boy. It will all be over soon. It will all be over." The Cult Leader seemed to be holding everything in, trying his possible best to smile back at his mother.

"You just need to take in one more…" Her gaze traveled as she spoke, and I followed it.

Ciel's line of sight… was heading towards the Nether itself!

'What? She's going to stick it to him too? It's too big!' My eyes widened.

At this point, multicolored veins were already appearing all over the Cult Leader's body. His body was surging with so much power that I feared it would destroy him.

But then—

"Take your place, my master and one true love. The vessel is ready!" Ciel raised both hands and loudly declared toward the purple mist.

"What?" My voice echoed across the area. However, it wasn't just me that expressed surprise.

No, even the Cult Leader's eyes widened in shock.

"V-Vessel? B-but I thought we—"

"Yes, my son. This way, you and your father will become one. And I can love you both forever."

Her twisted words caused even me to tremble.

"B-but you said—"

>VWUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!<

The mist swiftly moved in the direction of the young boy—all hundred meters of it—and enveloped the shocked Cult Leader. Tears fell from his eyes as his body was swallowed by darkness—a darkness so deep that it swallowed him whole.

"T-this isn't… what you promised…" His voice vanished deep inside the dark mist—gone forever.

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[A/N]

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