25 Art of Grace

This could be troublesome.

The power that I was sensing from this woman was different from others. Usually everything in the world was comprised of Aspects, even the gods. However, the gods possessed exclusive authority over their Aspects and also their area of influence. Like Thor, whom I had killed. Other than his divine treasure, which could summon lightning, he could manipulate his energy aspect using his hammer as a conduit.

The same went for the other gods. Primordials controled Aspects, while gods controlled various subcategories of the Aspects. This art, it seemed to function the same way. There was no way a mere human could achieve this level of power, and I didn't sense it coming from a relic either. Which left only one explanation.

A god had granted her that power.

"But which one?" I asked myself.

"Begone" She said, releasing the light which she summoned from her hands. The burst of radiance charged toward me in multiple directions. I leaped from my location, dodging them as they intertwined and chased me. They seemed to have a homing function. In that case,

"Hex #94, Orb of Protection" I said, releasing a barrier around myself.

The lights proceeded to attack me, inevitably clashing with the barrier. However, instead of being stopped by it, they shattered it, causing the lights to penetrate and clash with me.

**Boom**

The explosion caused a blinding light to surge, brightening the dark night around us.

"It's pointless" The woman said, walking closer to me.

I had to say, I was impressed. The barrier failed, or rather. It was invalidated.

"Impressive, to have nullified my barrier" I said with a smirk, appearing from the smoke.

"How can this be? You are unharmed?" She said with a shocked expression.

"That level of attack won't be enough, little girl" I said to her.

"In that case, I will just have to take you even more serious" She said with vigor.

I smiled. Let's see what she could do. I would like to see more of this new art.

She clapped her hands together, and the floor beneath her shone with a brilliant white light.

"Huh, that's interesting" I said.

It was clear that the Hexes I'd been using aren't working, however, there was another one I'd like to try. "Hex #90 Haze" I whispered.

Purple smoke immediately filled the area and crept up to the woman. I smiled, wondering what effect it would have.

"Like I said, your actions are pointless" She said.

Immediately the white light beneath her shone, dispersing the purple smoke that was surrounding her.

"Where I stand is holy ground, no evil of the enemy can befall me, no curse of the wicked can afflict me." She recited.

Like a violent wind, the light sent the smoke flying and in no time everywhere was clear. The Hex that would drive anyone to madness was so easily handled by this human, or rather, her art. I now understood why many, including herself, considered this an invincible art. In the first place it was a power unachievable by a human. A power granted by a god. How interesting.

"You've shown me something interesting tonight, little girl" I said with a smile.

She frowned at my words. Her glare told me what was going on in her head. She saw me as an enemy that needed to be exterminated. But why?

"I have a question for you" I said to her.

She looked apprehensive but remained quiet, as though telling me to proceed.

"Why do you despise Hex so much?" I asked her.

"W-Why?" She said in a mocking tone, as though she couldn't believe I had asked her that.

"It is an evil art, contrary to the will of the gods. It's contradictory to the very nature of the world, and as such it cannot be allowed to exist." She said to me.

"Really? I'm guessing your so called gods told you that" I smiled.

"You would do well to mind your tone" She spoke in anger, glaring at me.

Huh, this girl was quite confident.

"The gods have indeed denied their association with the evil art of Hex. They are displeased by it and have ordered us to erase every trace of its existence from this world." She said.

As expected of them, those gods could be shrewd in times like these.

"But why? Hex allows even regular humans to possess power, no matter how little. With enough knowledge and practice anyone can use it. Isn't it a liberating power?" I asked with a smile.

"Liberating? What else could I have expected to hear from someone who is a slave to darkness" She said, shaking her head.

"Only a few know this, but Hex is the art created by the wicked one, Hexarion the Evil Lord himself. There is no good that could ever come out of obtaining power from evil" She preached to me.

I sighed.

Looks like this one had been brainwashed by the teachings and doctrines of the gods. I would like to know more, but I doubted she would be willing to divulge all her secrets to me. In that case there was only one thing left to do.

Trying to reason with her or talk things through wouldn't work. She was too far gone in the stupid and holy doctrines of the idiot gods. Nothing I said would get through to her. After all, I practiced the evil art, Hex. However, I was surprised by her relationship with the royal behind her. Didn't the Imperial Army use Hex? After all, that Imperial Knight used two low level ones on me. And he learned them from the Army.

This woman was associated with that royal. Didn't that mean she was working hand in hand with the Imperial forces who practice Hex? I guess I would have to ask her.

"You claim Hex is evil, yet you work for a nation who incorporates such an art in their military forces" I said to her.

"W-What?" The woman's face expressed surprise.

I smiled. As expected she knew nothing. She was chosen one by the gods and was fairly powerful, but it turned out that she was just as naive. I guess that was what made her a perfect tool for the gods to use. Stupid humans who would be willing to follow their every whim without question. How utterly pitiful.

"Why don't you ask your royal friend over there? He should know a thing or two about it" I said, referring to the royal she was fighting for.

He looked nervous as he tried to hide his expression.

"Lord Phobio, is this true?" The girl asked him with an innocent face.

"O-Of course not. How can you believe the words of the servant of darkness. The royal family is an ally to the Holy Fellowship. We follow the doctrines of the gods and heed the words of the Apostles. In exchange, we lend your power in defeating the threats to the kingdom and exterminating the scourge of the evil" The man blabbed.

The woman, as though reflecting on her actions nodded her head and turned back to me.

"You're right sir. I apologize for wavering and falling prey to the words of this unholy man" She said, glaring at me.

The royal heaved a sigh of relief and looked at me with a confident and wicked smile. This woman was definitely just a pawn to him, contrary to her opinion of him. Maybe I ought to say more.

"Look around you, little girl. Look at the lives lost thanks to the order of your royal friend. Surely you are aware he sent these people to attack us, causing them to die brutally" I retorted.

The woman shook her head and frowned even more.

"No. Do not try to use words to cover up the truth. Wasn't it your ally who killed these people? Why blame your actions on Lord Phobio? You caused the death of these men here. Besides, as servants of evil, they were well within their rights to eliminate you. No evil one or practitioner of evil must be allowed to live" She said to me, reciting the words as though they have been programmed into her.

For real? Her devotion was admirable, but it seemed she was even incapable of personal judgement. I should've known better. Oh well, I'd get my answers, one way or another.

"Enough conversing. I shall end this battle right here and now!" She said.