Ch. 20: The Chase [2]

Trickster stood a few meters away from him, then he walked to the side while juggling his dagger. Damian's eyes followed every step he took.

"What's with the serious look? You scared me. Kekeke."

Ignoring his trash talk, Damian wondered how come he wasn't affected by the paralyzed fog at all? Trickster stopped everything he did and looked at the white-haired boy who was sitting on the ground whilst clutching his wound. When their eyes met, Trickster's smile widened.

"Are you curious as to why I can still move freely in this fog?"

Trickster made a thinking pose and chuckled.

"But, since you're going to die. I'll tell you. Be grateful because I'm generous. Kekeke."

Damian's expression darkened. Upon seeing the boy's annoyed expression, his laughter grew louder.

"You are not the only one who has Lightning and Earth Elementals here."

"You're a Double Elementals Bearer?"

"Correct."

Trickster clapped happily.

"Oh, but there's more."

He stopped and smirked.

"My Tier is higher than you, who's only on an apprentice level, Your Highness."

Now Damian understood. Just like fighting an enemy in video games, even if you and your opponent had the same Elemental with both 50% Elementals damage reduction, Tier also played its part.

The higher the Tier, the more damage you could inflict, and the more damage you received could be reduced. With this, we could easily decide who was going to be the winner.

"What I want to say is; that your surprise attack just tickled me."

Trickster grinned innocently and then shrugged.

"But, I can't blame my men because most of them are Warriors."

He readied his dagger.

"Now. Shall we finish this, then?"

Nevertheless, his smile suddenly evaporated the moment felt something that he shouldn't and he could vividly see how the little boy snickered in enjoyment.

Trickster cursed inside and immediately ran towards Damian. But, a strong wind that unexpectedly blew, forced him to cover his face and plant his feet deep on the ground. The scenery became clear as the mist was swept by the wind.

Trickster gritted his teeth when heard how that little bitch chuckled happily while casting Wind Elemental to prevent him from coming.

Annoyed, he created a spell and shot lightning from his hand at Damian but, before the bolt could strike the boy, an earth barrier emerged from the ground.

–Tzz.

Trickster's attack hit the wall and from the crack, a fireball appeared and ran after him. As the wind was still blowing, it grew bigger and faster, without thinking much Trickster instantly leaped backward to avoid it. Right after he landed, he manipulated the soil into a spear-shaped and pierced Damian's earth shield.

–Boom!

However, when the barrier crumbled, the boy was nowhere to be seen. Trickster clucked his tongue in dissatisfaction. He just realized how stupid he was, he should have finished that little bitch instead of chatting with him. But, who would know the Mana Disruption Device would run out of time?

"Ah, dammit."

He massaged his temples and now the little cat was running away, once more. Trickster got up and started sprinting to chase after the cat.

.

.

.

Thick red liquid dripped from the tip of the sword and Chislon swung the blade to get rid of the blood that tarnished his weapon. He took out a handkerchief and used it to wipe its remnants, after making sure the sword was clean he sheathed it back.

"Now, it's time to catch up to Fedel."

He peeked at his back before jumping and leaving the area.

Down below blood drenched the ground as assassins' bodies separated from their heads. Chislon gazed at his telesphere and saw the blinking red dot still moving. He heaved a relieved sigh, at least he knew that the Prince was still alive out there. He quickened his feet and moved faster.

"Hm?"

Nonetheless, he couldn't help but turn his head to the back when he spotted something. He frowned and returned his attention to the front again.

'Isn't that an arm? But, whose arm?'

"Tsk."

Chislon clicked his tongue. He hoped that Fedel was all right. 

Again. 

Chislon discovered another piece of the human part, a leg lying on top of the branch he just passed. No, something wasn't right, something weird was going on!

After many minutes passed, he was finally able to catch up to Fedel. As the old man stood on a tree branch with his back facing him, he immediately landed not too far away.

"Fedel. Something's not right."

Yet, what he heard was a spurting liquid followed by a headless body falling behind Fedel's body into the fog. However, Chislon was stunned to death the moment he turned his body to face him.

His white shirt was dyed red, even his gloves were coated the same color! Not to mention that his face was also decorated with stains!

Just what exactly in the world had this man done? Was he perhaps rolling in the pool full of blood?

Chislon's green eyes moved downward and found a human head being held by Fedel by its hair. Red fluid oozed out from its neck and it dirtied his shoes.

The Count scoffed in disbelief. Ah, he got it now, those scattered human parts in the forest were none other than this old man's doing.

"What's not right?"

Chislon shook his head and eventually smiled.

"No. There's nothing."

Chislon sighed in relief, it seemed he worried for nothing. But, damn, did Damian know that his head butler was an assassin? Theresa was not joking when it came to her son's safety.

She assigned an assassin disguised as a head butler to watch over him without making him look like a prisoner.

"By the way, Count Andreas, would you like to join?"

Chislon frowned and glanced at Fedel.

"Join what?"

Fedel smiled and threw the head far away to the front. Chislon hastily moved before the splattered blood could get on his clothes. The flying head was promptly kicked to the side by an assassin.

"You should pay your condolences, not kick his head."

"Shut up you fucker!"

Chislon scanned the surroundings and five assassins were seen standing, scattered above the trees.

"I see. You have company."

The Count walked to Fedel's side and chuckled.

"Sounds fun. Count me in."