chapter 49
" you are special, baby girl"
" master! The flowers are growing!"
" this master loves you, there will be others who will love Maitea too"
" I will help!! Maitea will help fighting, so please master, stop!"
" Listen to your older brothers, and make good friends. This master wishes that his Maitea will live happily ever after ".
" MASTER!! STOP THE FLOWERS!! YOU WILL GET HURT!!"
As the branch on his head grew slowly with new peach flowers blooming daintily, the master buried Maitea in his embrace, whispering:" it's alright my dear, this master will take care of everything ".
With every word he said, Maitea's vision would go blurry and vivid, until she finally fainted.
Immediately, after she dropped unconscious, the master carried her out of the house. Not far away from their fence, a 20 meters height white Griffin struggling against seven rosy coloured thick chains.
' those won't hold it long'
The master tightened his arms around Maitea, rushing down the hill, Just as he was thinking of a safe place to hide the little girl with him, a voice sounded like a ray of hope echoed from the ruins around the hill.
"Master!".
"Bernard! Oh god, what happened to you!"
With half his face covered in blood, Bernard held into his shoulder and ignored the pain to run as fast as he could.
" it's nothing, master are you alright? What about Maitea?".
The master did not answer the question, instead, hurriedly gave his command:" take her and lead the others to the northern mountain it should be safe there".
" no! I will fight with you ma-".
Bernard was immediately cut off, the master pushed Maitea towards the other, then instantly pulled Bernard's head 'till their foreheads touched.
" listen here Bernard, this is not a regular monster, that one is infected by dead mana. I will have to deal with it alone, I know you want to help, but this is not something for kids, alright?".
As he spoke, warm rosy aura flowed from his hand to Bernard's head, slowly absorbing the pain and healing his injury.
Bernard pleaded in a distressing tone: "But master, you don't have much-"
Again, the master cut him off: "Instead, you should protect your sister and the innocent souls there. I am sorry I will have to leave you with a heavy weight on your shoulders, but please endure until Yoon returns".
The beast's roars became sharper as the rosy chains tightened around its broken wing. Hearing that ear-piercing screech, the master quickly pushed Bernard back, shouting: "now go!".
However, instead of backing, Bernard stepped forward with eyes shaking in despair, his lips trembled as he said:" master please don't....please....".
"THIS NOT ONLY ABOUT OUR LIVES BERNARD ".
Seeing his master shouting at him for the first time since ever, Bernard understood how serious the situation was. He backed the step he took earlier before saying: "I will be back, master".
He said this then quickly turned back and dashed towards the town's northern gate.
"Why are you choosing now of all the times to be a disobedient child".
After seeing his disciples' departing back, the master turned around to face the white Griffin that had already broken two chains.
"Elan Luscious"
From the ignited sparks on his palm, a rosy whip, with sharp pink leaves attached to it, appeared on his hand.
At that time, the branch on the master's head has grown to the size of an arm.
******
"Bernard!! Where are you?!!"
Among the chaotic mass, Jennings cut through them, calling for the missing Bernard.
' he was badly injured, I hope he hasn't collapsed somewhere....'
With the crowds' non-stopping pushes, Jennings decided to climb on a fountain to avoid being drafted by the crowd.
Screech-
Just as he stood on the fountain, a loud screams came from the southern side of the town, everyone stooped for a second. They could see the rosy lights going on and off, and every time it did, the monster would screech louder and sharper.
At that moment, A hurried voice demanded:" everyone!! Move the northern mountain! You will be safe inside the caves!".
That made the mass pour out of the gate even faster. However, Jennings quickly dashed to Bernard who was standing on the top a small building.
"For heavens' sake!! where did you disappear to?!! Do you know how worried I was thinking that you collapsed somewhere like a dead man and people stomped on you?!!".
Screech-
The monster screams became sharper, as magical circles appeared above it, hanging on the sky.
" We better hurry " said Bernard, narrowing his eyes on the direction where the screams came from.
"Is that ancestor fighting there? Shouldn't we help him" Jennings worriedly asked.
Bernard nodded with a slight frown:" yes, I will go once I am done evacuate the town".
" How can I assist you?".
"I already spread knights around the town to help the people evacuate, once it's empty I will have to leave Maitea with you "
Jennings looked at Maitea who was peacefully sleeping on Bernard's firm arms.
'She looks fine... maybe she is just unconscious '
"Tsk, this is taking too long" Bernard clicked his tongue, anxious, he jumped from the building to land on the gates' wall.
Bang!-
With the support of a magic crystal, Bernard kicked the wall to create a large hole on it, enough for three adults to go through at the same time.
"use this and move faster!!".
After people began using that hole, Bernard returned to stand next to Jennings. At that moment, a knight came to report to Bernard.
" Sir, we have successfully emptied the town, those are the last group "
Instantly Bernard pushed Maitea's to Jennings, saying in a solemn tone:" please take care of her".
Jennings nodded as a response, he would do even if he was not told to.
Bernard then unfastened the bag around his waist and handed it to the knight.
" first, escort them to safety, then use this, it has a considerable number of medicines, food and other supplies. After reaching the caves, isolate those who are infected by the dead mana, no exception, be it an old man or a little child, everyone!".
The knight affirmed loud and clear.
Bernard patted Jennings on the shoulder, then instantly dashed towards the south, to where his master is.