We wait in the cave for the Trentechas to calm down as Julius updates me on the situation. Julius is the youngest in his family. Naturally, his position of inheritance is the lowest. Thus, he needs to prove himself to be more capable than his siblings, which is succeeding. His older siblings noticed and started to act to eliminate competition from the youngest. It was first mere threatening actions that may potentially kill Julius' reputation but they resorted to assassinations after their plans backfired. It propelled Julius to recognition of his ability and insight.
"That's about it," Julius says.
...
"What about your plans to escape this situation if you predicted it?" I ask.
He points at me nonchalantly. "You are my plan."
I furrow my brows as my jaw drops. "You gambled your life on me?" I exclaim.
"Unlike my siblings, I don't have any grandmaster trump card at my disposal, you are my strongest wild card." Julius stares daggers into me. "Do you know how much I invested in you?"
This guy...
Sometimes, he puts on an almighty demeanour, exactly how I remember him from my past life, and other times, he becomes my friend. I can't tell which side is real or fake.
"Don't worry. Unless you try anything funny, I will repay you for your help."
Julius nods. "I know, we both need each other so I trust you."
...
I see...
"But...I can't fight Trentechas. I will die." I say.
"That's a last resort, I don't think any of us will survive if we meet that monster. They say you won't be able to use your aura in its complete domain and should simply wish for a peaceful death. Anyways, who is that kid?"
"I don't know. He won't tell me his name. Some circumstances happened and he is following me."
Julius furrows his brow. "Hmmm..."
"Don't worry, at the very least, the kid can take care of himself," I say.
"What?"
"The boy was the one that found all of you."
...
Julius figured asking further to be unnecessary. With no way to tell the actual time, we waited until night fell to move. Jay and the other men have not arrived, most likely obstructed by the forces I met before. Julius says they belong to the second eldest princess.
We push our bodies through the thick snow, leaving several trails across the landscape.
"Loi, the people you met might have secured the perimeter of this forest to prevent our escape. You know what to do. But I worry they may cross the line from sheer loyalty..."
I don't understand Julius' last line. As he predicted, I start to detect many presences as we approach the edge of the forest.
"Loi, I can handle ordinary masters or elite warriors myself so hide your power. We need to bait out the leader-"
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"Attack!!"
Julius wasn't given the chance to finish and a barrage of ambushes rains from above.
Three blades dive towards Julius, almost touching him before Julius unleashes a golden aura, rebounding all attacks with a spark.
"KEGH!"
His blonde features glow strongly, shining light in the night. That's the imperial arts taught to every Darto royalty. Most of the attackers focus their efforts on Julius even though his group attempts to keep every force away but Julius seems to have no problem cutting everyone down. His golden aura and unpredictable sword movements cleave through enemies with ease, leaving behind graceful glitters of stars.
"W-What..." The man attacking me mumbles. Despite his ferocious bashing, he cannot get past my defence. "How can I not get past a guy without an aura!" He exclaims.
His aura spews with every cling from every direction. The blade swings from his legs, jumping a diagonal slash, yet a simple flick of my weapon blasts his sword away. "KAUGH?!"
The man could feel the overwhelming difference in the physique that his aura could not cover. But it is too late. I end the lasting fight with a trail of blood ranging across his torso, my blade high in the sky drenched in blood.
...
Unknown to everyone, the battle alerted the predator. Its movements swiftly rip through the air.
!!
My sixth sense immediately screams at me as the temperature rapidly drops.
"Julius! The creature is-"
"Damn, I know...ugh fuck baiting the leader! Loi rip through them!"
A burst of aura erupts from my body rippling shockwaves of blue snow around me.
"UGH!!?"
"NGHH!!"
The sheer energy pushes and inflicts cuts on anyone too weak, shredding their body with wounds.
I pull back my arm and shoot one thrust from the tip of my blade.
*BOOOOOM!!!*
Blinding light pierces the atmosphere and opens up a path until someone jumps in and counters my aura with his own. The reaction dissipates the power into the environment.
"...A peak master," I mumble.
"Hey! Stop! Trentechas is coming, fool!" Julius yells at the mysterious person.
"Exactly, we shall all die here. That's my mission." A coarse voice says. The peak master wears the same attire yet has a few badges attached to his coat. By his bearded appearance, he seems to be in his thirties.
"Crazy fuck!" Julius exclaims.
"Tch." Without wasting a second, I leap in and clash swords with the peak master, instantly pushing him back.
?!
He is sent flying through several trees. Some traces of blood drip down his nose and mouth. When he realises I'm stronger, he resorts to mere trickery and injects all of his aura into the snow, ejecting large piles of nature into the sky.
I bring my sword up and swing down. A loud whoosh is accompanied by an explosion.
*BOOOOOOOOMM!!!*
My attack cuts the obstacles into two and shakes the very land; An eruption of energy bursts forth, a brilliant flare illuminating the white glade into ethereal twilight.
When the aftermath clears, a small silhouette stands in the distance surrounded by destruction.
"W-Who are...you..." The peak master stands still with his sword up and blood pouring down from every inch.
...He took my attack head-on!
"Heh...it...doesn't matter." He smiles. "It's...here..." And the peak master collapses to the ground, staining the snow with red.
I feel a sudden suffocating chill permeating my body, stripping my authority of my aura. The entire area becomes a domain of icy ocean, every movement slow and weak.
I look back to see a majestic towering abomination of icy blue and silver, every fur glistening with frost. A huge wolf emerges before us. Gazing into the twin shards of sapphire-piercing eyes freezes my entire body, overtaking my consciousness. As it steps, the ground beneath folds into a beautiful cluster of ice gems. With every breath, clouds of mist escape its maw and swirl in the sky like enchanted snowflakes. Around its neck, a glowing collar of ice encircles its throat, resembling a crown of flowers.
There is no thought in my head as death stares at me. I am simply forced to admire this beautiful creation in awe.
"...Miss Trentechas." The boy says, somehow able to move. His crossed pupils glow brightly when the boy communicates with the wolf. "We are sorry for disturbing you." He simply says.
...
The wolf looks at the boy.
...
Unexpectedly, the wolf lowers its head, a gesture poised with reverence.
!!!!
The moment strikes jolts within everyone present.
"Ah, there is no need for such..." The boy waves his hand. A silence follows and he nods. "Thank you." He says.
Is he talking to Trentechas?
The creature turns and jumps away, lifting the shackles on my body.
"Hah!!! Huff huff...what the...fuck?" Julius mumbles.
He turns to me. "Loi...what is the true identity of this boy?"
I shake my head slowly. "I...don't really know."
"..." The boy stares into the forest with a hint of sadness. He turns and starts walking away. "Let's go. It's getting cold."