47 047 | Stalling

Arguably, it might have been a mistake to come back to see the end of their battle. Shortly after I had retreated, the three captains were fighting against the Grim Reaper.

Though, not long after, the Grim Reaper's magical power seemingly disappeared and got replaced with another stronger ungaugable power.

My name is Asher and I am currently running into a...dire situation to say the least.

"Even with five of the strongest people, you can gather in Yanalia," I said as I walked into the scene of Bridgette, the Captain of the Scouts, being held up by the throat by a dark silhouette, "You were this easily overpowered?"

Bridgette looked my way and shooed me away with one hand. One of her daggers was completely shattered by the blade near the dark silhouette's feet.

"C-Child! What are you doing here?! Run away! Hurry!"

The ticked me off, "Would you shut up, grandma?"

"G-grandma?!-"

"I was originally here to spectate but it seems that with your friend here..." I looked at the dark silhouette which turned its head in my direction.

"I don't think I can spectate any longer with that amount of killing intent."

The dark silhouette dropped Bridgette down after draining her magic power.

Yes, I said draining. I felt Bridgette's magic power disappear into silhouette.

"Human, you are strong despite your age. I humbly greet you, I am the Lord of Darkness."

Oh? A Lord? Interesting...Patricia didn't mention them during her lessons because she must've thought that the chances Rudif and I would encounter a Lord would be slim. However, I did my own independent research in their library and found some information.

It was enough to give me a general idea and that minuscule amount of data was enough to tell me that. generally, not even The Twelve Dukes would match up to a Lord's strength.

At least, that would typically be the case but I'm sure Calamno could probably take one down. Maybe with some time to prepare.

"Lord of Darkness?"

"Yes, human?"

"My name is: Go f*ck yourself."

"I myself, also enjoy a fair share of humor. Though, I do not take kindly to insults."

The dark silhouette teleported behind me and punched my gut.

Bridgette yelled, "Watch out!"

Though it was way too late. Not for me, but for the Lord of Darkness as all they hit was an illusion of my real body.

"You really fell for that?"

I said as I put my palm up to the back of the silhouette's head.

"Fire Spear."

Flames swirled around my magic circle before forming into a spear of fire. It launched itself and destroyed half of the silhouette's head.

Bridgette was limbing and when she saw that I inflicted damage, her jaw dropped. "H-how did you do that?"

I smiled but some blood crept out of my mouth. I quickly distanced myself from the Lord of Darkness, it was a good call as I managed to evade several of their attacks.

They stopped their onslaught after a brief moment in order to regenerate the missing part of their head.

"Interesting. To think that I would meet a disciple of Calamno's here."

Disciple?

"No, you're wrong. We're just...friends, I guess?"

The Lord of Darkness seemed incredibly confused.

"Friends? A young human boy and one of The Twelve Dukes are friends? It seems like many things have changed..."

The silhouette gathered an astronomical amount of magic power in their hand. A drop of sweat slid down my face and dripped from my chin.

The Lord of Darkness seemingly grinned.

"No matter. A human such as yourself won't be able to manifest many more spells of that caliber."

"Tch. I don't need that many chances to kill you."

"You should know by now that I'm virtually unkillable."

"We'll see about that."

I dodged a straight beam of magic power that went through several trees behind me. I conjured up a magic circle underneath the Lord of Darkness.

I coughed up more blood, "Pillar of Light."

An incredibly bright light began to shine underneath the Lord of Darkness, within a blink of an eye, a pillar of light shot up to the sky, engulfing the silhouette inside.

I took this chance to catch my breath.

I should probably explain how I'm capable of injuring the silhouette. Normal spells obviously wouldn't work on the Lord of Darkness in that form. Especially when I'm not even that strong of a Sorcerer.

But of course, there's always something beyond the wall. Just like how Raw Energy has the Profound State, Magic spells can also become exponentially stronger. To attain such power, you would have to go through intense and rigorous training to reach enlightenment. After that, you will find yourself capable of using Transcendental Spells, magic that is far stronger and lethal.

Calamno taught me how to use spells that reach Transcendental levels. By sacrificing my very own blood.

I weaved to the left, dodging a punch from a half-regenerated silhouette.

"Impressive, human. The old Dark Elf has taught you quite the tricks hasn't he?"

I smirked and pointed at the ground.

The Lord of Darkness stepped into the trap that I prepared beforehand.

"Chains of Hell."

This time, I spat out a good volume of blood. My vision was blurry for a slight second. I'm reaching my limit here and the Lord of Darkness doesn't even seem to be affected.

Not even Transcendental Magic can do much harm to a Lord.

Chains of the darkest shade of black came from underneath the ground on the magic circle that the Lord of Darkness stepped into. Each chain circled and wrapped around each of the silhouette's limbs as well as their torso.

The silhouette struggled to break free.

"Binding Magic? Do you think a measly spell like this can hold me?"

I looked at the silhouette in the center of its face.

"No. Though, it should buy some time."

The Lord of Darkness threw its body around and the chains were still holding tightly. I know it that won't last much longer. I can already see the chains cracking.

"What a monster..."

I ran over to Bridgette and helped her lean on my shoulder. Luckily, she wasn't a very tall woman so it wasn't that uncomfortable.

"Let's get you out of here."

"No! Escape by yourself first! I'm staying with everyone here-"

"Would you shut up already? I'm just stalling for time."

I feel another magic signature approaching fast. I'm not sure whether the binding spell will hold much longer. I can't risk another Transcendental spell or I'll for sure lose too much blood.

"Any distance we create is a few extra milliseconds closer to surviving."

Bridgette didn't seem to get what I was doing but she was able to comprehend my goals. She silently nodded and we both limbed away slowly.

I heard the sound of metal snapping.

"F*ck."

I utilized a small amount of mana to push Bridgette away from the beam of magic. Although she was safe and lying with her back against a tree, a good chunk of my side was obliterated by the Lord of Darkness.

"Agh!-"

I dropped down face first and felt myself bleeding out.

My mana pool was already completely dried out. I can't do anything to apply first-aid to myself. Bridgette seemed to be trying her best with whatever little mana she had. I felt her Water Magic attempting to stop the bleeding but it was only delaying the inevitable.

"...Heh...Luckily, they...came on time..."

I felt the presence of the Lord of Darkness right above me, ready to thrust an attack straight through my skull.

"Tidal Wave."

I felt a flurry of water-related attacks right above me. Whatever it was, it was successful as the Lord of Darkness' attack was nullified.

A man's voice spoke. It was calm like water but also had a graceful feel to it. He sounded quite young.

"I apologize for being late."

Bridgette stuttered as she continued her attempt at stopping me from bleeding out.

"W-who are you?!"

The man put his hand on my back and I felt water surround my entire body. There was a warm and tingly feeling around my sides and before I knew it, my wound was fully healed. Recovered good as new, as if nothing ever happened.

Bridgette was shocked after witnessing that, as one should be, "What tremendous healing power!"

I hurled myself up and managed to stand to see the face of my savior.

He was a tall man, probably around 184 centimeters, wearing white armor that had a blue hue. He was helmetless so I could see his face. A sharp jawline and notable facial features. Light blue eyes that seemed to be glowing. No signs of any facial hair and his wavy baby blue hair was almost pale. He was holding a golden handled and blue bladed greatsword in one hand.

The man stabbed his greatsword on the ground and bowed slightly. Was this his way of greeting?

"I once again apologize for the late arrival. My name is Liang Hai, I am a Paladin of the Water Temple. I'm dispatched here on behalf of the Lord of Water to solve this."

Before I could introduce myself, the Lord of Darkness teleported right next to the Paladin.

"Solve this?! Who do you think you are? A mere paladin dares to stand up to me?!"

Liang Hai gripped his greatsword and swung upwards, causing a small tremor that was felt in the area. It created some sort of shockwave as it sliced the silhouette in half and sent both sides of the body back.

"I sense that many innocent people have suffered grave injuries here. Do not worry, I shall not let them die!"

This Paladin seemed like a man of justice. Someone that is very serious when it comes to their duties. Responsible as well. Not only that but also...very strong.

There was no Raw Energy or Magic in that swing of his that managed to cut the Lord of Darkness in half and send them flying.

Liang Hai disappeared, leaving an afterimage and he quickly gathered all the unconscious captains as well as Pen and some skinny Sorcerer-looking guy.

He applied the same healing technique he used on me. Water covered their body before healing their wounds.

The Captain of the Scouts seemed envious.

"How is yours so much...better?"

Liang Hai smiled at Bridgette.

"I see you are also a user of the water. I have been gifted the strength to protect the weak. Bestowed by the Lord of Water. If you become a devoted follower of the Water Temple as well, you may also have a chance of attaining such skills."

Bridgette had no reply but she nodded her head. Everyone was fully healed but they stayed unconscious. Probably because they were already knocked out unlike me who was still fully awake by the time the Paladin came.