Should they take the risk of potentially damaging Thurans remains in order to verify the presence of Geonis remains?
Evelyn had a valid reason for contemplating this course of action.
To promptly convey the situation to the wizards at the tower, the most straightforward approach would be to present them with Geonis body contained within Thurans abdon.
Lennok, as he gazed upon the lion giants lifeless body sprawled on the ground, remarked,
The power used by the White Lion was to borrow the mana of those it imdiately consud, on the condition of cannibalism. It was powerful and imdiate, but the downside was that the obtained mana wasnt permanent and would evaporate over ti.
Just hearing about it makes feel sick. How vile must one be to be capable of such a thing
Thurans claims of being a predator seed nonsensical, given that Croken and Felix exhibited thought processes similar to other humans. It appeared that Thuran was, in fact, insane.
Thats probably why he put the mbers of the Council into comas and hid, eating them one by one. Ready for battle at any signal from Geonis. Lennok suggested, pausing briefly before continuing.
And I think Thurans cannibalism probably didnt follow a normal digestive process. The fact that he could use Geonis magic imdiately after consuming him suggests simultaneous breakdown and digestion within his body.
Okay. Evelyn responded, her expression easing. Then lets just transport it to the tower as it is. We need to contact the central continent headquarters of the Blaiver Tower and wait for their response.
With that determination, she lifted the giants body, which stood twice her height, though it was nearly hidden beneath its thick fur.
What an annoying guy even after death Ugh, the sll Evelyn remarked, her voice tinged with annoyance.
Lennok chuckled at the grumbling voice emanating from the lifeless giants body.
The two soon departed from the molten basalt area and headed toward the slate crash site where other agents awaited them.
While nothing could be done for the Council mbers who had already perished, those still alive needed to be rescued.
It seems difficult for them to regain consciousness imdiately.
Still? Evelyn inquired.
While you two were in battle, we examined their condition Right now, theyre practically living corpses. They cant even walk on their own.
Among the Council mbers, the one who had fared the best was an elderly man, albeit with one arm partially consud. The extent of the damage was evident.
The necromancy employed had been so potent that they remained unconscious despite having limbs consud while alive.
Irrespective of Geonis Verbanes motivations, the aftermath of the incident he left behind was profoundly impactful.
Present at the scene were six individuals, including Lennok and Evelyn.
Out of the fifteen Council mbers from the Western Continent branch, only five had survived.
Furthermore, considering the hundreds of books and magical texts stored in the collapsed witchery, along with the hidden artifacts, it was impractical to move everything at once from this location.
Have you contacted the tower?
Yes, Evelyn confird. They said they would send reinforcents imdiately to assess the situation, but theres been no word yet.
Lennok and Evelyn exchanged aningful glances before rising to their feet.
The towers crater wasnt far from this basalt area.
If they had indeed sent soone to evaluate the situation, their magical senses should have detected them by now.
However, the fact that they hadnt sensed anything raised concerns.
Theres been a problem.
Which side do you think? The tower? Or the pandemonium?
Its not the tower. If the towers wizards had joined Geonis, it wouldnt have co to this.
Then
Do you rember what Geonis said?
Click!!
Lennok muttered, loading his shotgun.
He said two mbers of the pandemonium infiltrated the furnace and caused a disturbance. I overlooked it at the ti
If those two infiltrators werent Thuran and Geonis but Thuran and another pandemonium mber, there was no need for further explanation.
Evelyn swiftly retrieved her quiver and began making her way out of the basalt area.
The only direct path from the tower to here is through a withered forest.
This forest was a lifeless place, with trees that had dried and twisted unnaturally, having absorbed iron rather than water from the basalt area, leaving behind eerie remnants of contorted vegetation.
If soone is hiding and waiting, its definitely
As Evelyn entered the forest, she paused, her steps faltering. There was no need for an extensive search. The presence of dozens of living beings beca unmistakably palpable, as if the space itself had shifted.
Among the branches of the long-dead and petrified trees, nurous wizards were bound with an unknown material, hanging upside down. Most of them appeared unconscious, their struggles feeble at best. The scene resembled a macabre tableau, as if prey had been ensnared and stored for later.
And at the heart of this eerie forest, a giant spider hung upside down, fixating its gaze upon the two intruders. To call it a spider would be an oversimplification; it was more accurately described as a creature resembling a spider. It boasted ten legs, a robust body, and its upper half resembled that of a young woman. Its eyes were obscured by a thick blindfold, and its long hair cascaded down to the ground as it observed them. The creatures mouth twitched slightly.
Evelyn recognized this entity instantly and stiffened.
Agnetta Were you the one who infiltrated the tower with Thuran?
Soone you know?
Evelyn whispered softly as she turned her head.
One of the official ssengers representing the position of Pandemonium. Among them, shes sowhat moderate.
Despite their scrutiny, Agnetta remained indifferent.
I was waiting for you. I thought youd realize quickly, given your keenness.
Are you here for revenge on Thuran? Evelyn asked.
No, Agnetta replied. If that were the case, I would have intervened when that lion was rampaging. I was actually eagerly waiting for that idiots death.
Ive just co to discuss our terms.
A tense silence hung in the air.
After a mont of contemplation, Evelyn shook her head.
If youre asking for the embers of the furnace, I cant help you. Its not my decision to make.
Oh, I dont need that anymore. Agnetta responded casually, her hair swaying as she dangled from the web. I found sothing similar in the deep sea of the Northern Hemisphere. Oh, should I not have ntioned that?
What? Evelyn echoed, bewildered, while Lennok bowed his head slightly, closing his eyes in deep thought.
This statent provided so clarity regarding Pandemoniums global activities.
Indeed, they were in the process of collecting relics from the ancient world that had persisted in this realm.
Agnetta smoothly shifted the conversations focus.
Anyway, thats not whats important. What I want is this. Thurans body. Do you still have it?
Just return that, and Ill leave peacefully.
Why do you want his body?
Its a pity for such a body to just vanish into dirt.
As Agnetta raised her hand, one of the cocoons suspended from the trees fell beside her, a strand of web snapping.
Though his head was filled with nothing but vile cravings for human flesh, his body can be useful in many ways.
Do you think Id make a deal that benefits you?
Maybe. But you might change your mind after seeing this.
A lengthy spider leg gracefully sliced open the cocoon, revealing its contents.
An unconscious man with a short beard, his eyes rolled back. A familiar middle-aged face.
Mausers countenance was unmistakable.
.!!
Evelyn grimaced subtly, realizing that Agnetta had ticulously prepared for this encounter.
She hadnt rely been waiting for the skirmish nearby to conclude.
Her infiltration of the tower had been motivated by the aim of retrieving Thurans remains, as well as capturing Mauser, who had been stationed in the furnace control room.
Ive heard the stories. A famous craftsman from the chanical city?
Snap!
The tip of Agnettas leg brushed Mausers forehead lightly, and in an instant, his skin split, bathing his face in bright red blood.
I dont ask for much. Lets end todays matter here.
Evelyns expression beca intricate, but she didnt deliberate for long.
Regardless of Agnettas moderation, she remained a mber of Pandemonium.
There was no room for hesitation or indecision when it ca to taking or sparing a life, nor for casual ntions of such matters.
Even if Thurans corpse held so value, it could not surpass the importance of saving a living individual.
Okay.
Evelyn nodded and promptly turned away.
Ill bring Thurans corpse. If you harm the craftsman Mauser in the anti, I wont leave it be.
With a swift motion, she disappeared into the forest.
Lennok, naturally, crossed his arms and positioned himself, facing Agnetta.
Evelyns confidence in leaving others behind and departing was likely grounded in her trust in Lennok to hold the fort.
Without uttering a word, Lennok withdrew a cigarette and lit it, his countenance displaying indifference.
Though displeased with Agnettas proposal, the reality was that there were no superior alternatives in the current predicant.
They couldnt sacrifice the healthy Mauser for the deceased White Lions body.
With the adversarys strength still not fully assessed, ignoring the hostage and engaging in combat was an untenable option.
Moreover, both Lennok and Evelyn found themselves severely depleted of mana, rendering continuous combat unfeasible.
Ultimately, this entire situation had evolved as a consequence of Geonis betrayal of the tower and his alignnt with Pandemonium.
A sorcerer specialized in manipulation
Lennok cast his gaze around at the intricate spiderwebs enveloping them, his eyes reflecting deep contemplation.
While Lennok possessed a proficiency in employing mana, the mastery of high-level manipulation magic was an entirely different matter.
Manipulation magic constituted one of the most expansive and enigmatic categories within the realm of magical disciplines. Its level of proficiency and specialization could vary significantly depending on what it manipulated and how it did so.
Lennok employed mana to interfere both physically and magically, but it wasnt uncommon for a manipulator to delve into entirely distinct concepts unrelated to conventional magic.
For instance, a sorcerer who manipulated minds rather than magic.
Lost in thought, Lennok suddenly voiced his realization.
The necromancy on the Council mbers. That was your doing.
Correct.
It wasnt originally necromancy, was it?
Right.
Agnetta nodded nonchalantly, her blindfolded gaze fixed upon Lennok.
Suddenly, the spiders body inched closer, closely scrutinizing Lennok from re inches away.
Unable to endure the intense scrutiny, Lennok coughed.
Why are you staring at like that?
Im curious why Fa is interested in you.
What?
That old guy has no taste in people, but he seems to have taken a liking to you. I want to get close to him too.
If you tell why hes interested in you, Ill share the ssage the leader left for you.
Lennok sighed without uttering a word.
The fact that the head of Pandemonium had left a ssage for Lennok was surprising enough, but now she was only contemplating sharing it?
It was rumored that sorcerers specializing in manipulation often exhibited eccentricities, but her peculiar and unconventional deanor surpassed the usual bounds of eccentricity.
Fine. Tell this ssage.
Youll tell?
As Lennok maintained his silence, Agnetta raised her hand and lifted her blindfold.
Her eyes, marred with scars as if slashed in various directions, opened, and Agnettas expression underwent a dramatic transformation.
(To be Continued)
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