The Sila-ir’s Catacombs have been compromised.
The possibility of spying items or spells within a corpse was unusual but still a chance Aiven would rather not make. Fast, but not recklessly, he took a spare [Identity Ring] and placed it on Larem’s still warm finger. Copying Simos’ earlier actions, he then placed the body--weapons and all, inside an empty inventory bracelet. He then equipped the bracelet on one of the more decent occupant of tombs. Hoping this will do, he changed one of the runes on the bracelet and added [Lock].
He was called paranoid by Simos multiple times for a reason.
He gulped down a number of mana pills and when he felt it replenishing his strength, he severed all mana traces he could found in this place while leading Maou-chan to a hidden tunnel that was supposed to be her original getaway with the Undead Seafolk.
“I’m ready.”
Maou-chan tightened her hold on his nape and Aiven nodded. She was hugging him tight and with a simple activation of a [Teleportation scroll], they were easily covered in light and their surroundings shifted.
They were on the wall of a cliff, carved in a semblance of a cavern. The cliff gave enough camouflage and shadows for hiding and below them was the river that cut across the Sila-ir estate. If they follow the river, they would find themselves back on the secret tunnels where they escape from the manor.
Aiven separated from Maou-chan and produced multiple scrolls.
“Simos is still holding. His mana is low but his life force is not yet critical.” Maou-chan reported.
As it happens, it looked like as one of the effects of accepting Maou-chan’s Quest, the three of them really did become her Guard(ians) in a way. Just like Delica’s ability to sense her familiars, Maou-chan could verify each of their status. It’s the very ability she used to help Delica find them when he and Simos was almost burned from the [Hades Underworld] spell.
Nodding, the scroll he released on the ground crumpled into nothingness. The etched circle from the parchment was still glowing, hovering just a few centimeters from the ground.
“Maou-chan.”
A light illuminated the spot where Maou-chan was standing, linking the small one on Aiven's palm.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be all right.” Maou-chan replied with her normal cheer. Receiving her consent, Aiven activated [Transplace] and swap Simos and Maou-chan's position.
Miracles are never questioned, by the witnesses at least.
With this thought, they moved with their original little scheme to fool the banners of gold.
Aiven didn't move at the flurry of light and mana and when it settled, his breathe caught.
On the dimmed cavern was his friend. The blonde strands of hair seem to catch light on its own. Aiven was relieved to see him until he saw the blood. There’s just so much blood. Simos slouched and with growing paleness, lifelessly fell on his knees. Aiven didn't expect to see a gashing hole on Simos' stomach! He stretched out his arm to catch Simos and was just as pale to see parts of his friend’s innards already spilling on the floor!
He fumbled on his inventory but his hands were shaking that he can’t hold anything properly.
Argh, fuck it!. He scattered its contents in desperation. The [First Aid] he was able to use on Simos was still in cooldown. Aiven almost begged for it to come faster. The healing potions were not fast enough compared to the worsening of his friend’s stats, Simos was almost bathing with the damn thing!
Then Aiven felt a wide area effect healing spell casted from the place where the battle was second ago, and some bordering effects reached their hiding place—immediately closing some of the internal injuries Simos had suffered.
Maou-chan?
But it was still not enough. Simos’ lifeblood continued to pour out of his body. Giving silent thanks, Aiven tried again. It took all Aiven's strength to patch him up until a collapsed lich appeared on top of Aiven! Struggling, he felt no weight on the girl and no sign of life on Delica. Her body was still whole, the [Phylacteral] was still beating with miasma, but he has never seen Delica unconscious in her new state.
Undead don't sleep.
Calm down, he murmured to himself, shaking away the queasy feeling of seeing Simos' intestines falling out of his hands and added by the helplessness of not knowing how to aid Delica.
The [First Aid] he was casting were failing. He started using conventional methods again. The bandages and stitches started to fall apart. Clean the wound, apply pressure--the first aid he learned from his old world. Focusing on what he knows he can do--save Simos. He'll deal with Delica later.
The space beside him lit in elaborate pattern, Maou-chan just used the second [Teleportation Scroll] before she appeared but he was too far gone to notice. When he felt her hand tapped him on his shoulder, Aiven glanced at her. The girl was already saying a prayer for Simos to heal.
When everything that needs to be bandaged were dealt with using healing magic, Aiven collapsed as if his body finally gave way to the tension. Then another tap, Maou-chan was pointing him to their escape route. There's still a lot of things to be done.
Aiven tried not to think as time trickled by.
Carrying two children was hard. He could use scrolls again, but with his state of mind, he just selfishly decided that he can’t lose sight of the two of them again. Not now, when he doesn’t know if the destination point was as safe as they presume. If they’re going to die, they’ll die together.
He tried checking on Maou-chan, reeling the little girl on his side as much as possible but instead it feels like the sealed demon lord was the one leading them to safety. Thankfully, Delica was unnaturally lighter than she looks, and Aiven was already used at carrying Simos' weight even before their adventurer days. Simos always get himself in bad situations that Aiven always ends up cleaning after him. Isn’t that right?
The exhaustion was creeping on him but he pushed it at the back of his mind just as much as everything that threatens to shake the little calm he has left. Everything is finally ending. That's what's important. And everyone is here with me.
The glooming threats of Rust-Irons were gone. Delica's familiars were well and still existing. Though he wished they didn't. Extra baggage. Additional headaches. Argh.
The Lion Golds were pacified, somehow. From the start, this was the best they could do for them.
Now all they have to do was get away from this prison hell.
It was minutes later when Maou-chan was able to look after Delica. They were finally inside a more spacious part the abandoned tunnel. He stayed at the entrance, looking out for anything suspicious, but his eyes were just dazed in one direction. The quietness unnerves him.
Simos was lying on one of the bedsheets he took out from the black box, the color was starting to return to his face. Maou-chan was kneeling beside Delica and used another of her prayers, asking for the spirits for help. There were times he caught her talking to herself but he just let it pass.
Delica’s soft features and downcasted eyes started to move while her body continuously emanates miasma. The parasitic runes (namely the shadow of Delica latched on the Soul Gem) were slowly manifesting again on her body but Maou-chan just traced the symbols with her finger and they calmed down, meticulously changing its affinity to light.
Maou-chan was sealing Delica, using her named shadow as a catalyst. He was watching closely and reading the seal she was placing.
“Can you read the runes?”
“Umu, no. I can’t, but Cil said I should just put my hand on these runes and let her do it.”
That name again.
“Cil?” Aiven asked, this time he was fully prepared to question Maou-chan thoroughly.
She was looking a bit concerned; since the past hour has been the most time they have conversed with each other. It was mostly Delica who would monopolize Maou-chan and during discussions, the demon king was happily listening to everything they were talking about that she hardly pitched in (actually it was mostly just Simos and Delica doing the talking).
“She’s a friend. She helped me in making magic! But she said she can’t be left out because there would be ‘complications’. I don’t know.”
An imaginary friend? A voice in her head? Her other self? What is it? “Is she dangerous?”
“Eh? Of course not! She won’t hurt a fly! Right, Cil? See? She said ‘yes’ right away!” The girl defended, she was not even looking at her handiwork as her hand moved like it has a life of its own.
It’s more of a question if ‘she’ can. “Where is she?”
“Ahhhh, I—she said I can’t say that. But she’s really good.”
“She won’t take over your body? Transform you into an older/demon version of yourself? Go berserk? Self-destruct?”
“What? No—“ then she started whispering to herself, “can you? Really, but…I see, is that possible?” then as if coming to a conclusion, she faced Aiven and replied, “Nope, she promised!” Maou-chan replied getting flustered at his incessant barrage of interrogation.
He can’t help but doubt it. None of the public records have any in-depth record of a demon’s physiology or psychosis so he cannot be sure what to make out of this new information.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
When the seal ritual was finally over, Delica mechanically came to life, her joints creaked as if shifting the rigor mortis that settled on her body. It was her eyes though that made all the difference. It was pure blue like her deep azure iris and pupil have expanded to dominate all space of her eyes. Then her lashes fluttered as she blinks multiple times and were at last turned to her normal human eyes.
For awhile she was staring at Maou-chan’s face and just like the very first time she was revived, she screamed.
“Nuuuuu! M-master! Master I’m sorry! I fail!”
She started bawling her eyes out and saying apologies after apologies to everyone especially to Maou-chan. She kept on hugging the little girl. Leaving Maou-chan unprotected with the Serpent Vent took a huge toll on Delica's pride as a [Vassal Lich] that she took up her role once more with a burning passion.
Ah she's back. I didn't thought how much I'll miss her noise.
The fact that she was sealed was never brought up, probably since she already know the details. She could assess her own status and Delica could hardly complain because the seal was special on its own right. The seal also has little effect on her since it was just the permanent severance of her two cores. This would have killed any normal Undead but since the core was split from the very beginning, its existence was continuously linked by her shadow. The same state she was before she rampaged. Since the light-attributed runes were originally from her creator her body readily accepted the spell without much resistance.
Right now, instead of saying seal, it’s more like a blessing since it means that even if she lost any one of her cores, she could still survive.
“Thank you master for bringing me back. I’ll serve you with the best of my capabilities.”
“Of course, I expected nothing less!”
“Hear that Aiven? She has the making of a great Lord!”
Their eyes met and his heart almost lurched when he heard her say his name. She’s really back, right? This is Delica.
“And uh, also thanks for the help.” She added momentarily conscious at the gaze she received from her friend.
Aiven just answered her with a pat on her head and Delica beamed her normal cheerfulness on full marks.
And with that she concentrated on summoning Ilium for them to escape.
With the loss of the terrain's natural dark mana, Delica became noticeably weaker and needed more time to create the necessary preparations for her summoning.
It took longer than was expected when Simos came to, and Delica started tearing up again. Simos was fully healed but he was still in much pain with his muscles and organs still fresh from a beating. If Aiven didn't headchopped the young lich, she would have continued stacking negative status on Simos' recovering body!
“You don't deserve pity.” Because you are not a pitiable creature. You are better than that.
“Cruel. Aiven is really cruel,” Delica said sobbing as she goes back to her corner.
“Don’t be too harsh on her, even if she did went overboard.” Simos defended, cloaking the bedsheet on his shoulder. He started to sit up but groaned as his muscles were still aching in fatigue. Even if he was healed, the new flesh wounds were still raw.
“I am deeply reflecting on my actions.” She replied almost stammering.
“Say Delica, now that I'm awake and all, were you really serious killing me off?” Simos asked, as Delica lovingly strokes Maou-chan's hair to calm her down. Can you not make Maou-chan your stress-reliever?
“I already said I'm sorry! You know I was not myself, my Phylacteral not really able to mend and...my soul gem fracturing into two incomplete cores and started to--”
“Hey, not that again. By gods, I am not blaming you. I was just saying how it took you half an hour and I am still left standing in the battle. That habit of yours should stop.”
“Hmph. Is it wrong to play with your food?”
“Give your enemy enough time and they'll find a hole in your silly games”
“Mind you, that very habit saved your life by a margin. If I was serious you wouldn't have lasted more than a minute.”
“You're too generous dear sister. Why don't you be more accurate and apt it to seconds, eh?”
Sheesh, Delica is still a crybaby.
Aiven noticed Maou-chan who was trying to catch on their conversation. She would lighten up whenever they mention something foreign to her ears.
When she caught him looking at her, she smiled and stood up. Just a few steps and she was able to sit on his knees with a contented expression on her face. She has been doing that lately. She also used Delica as lap pillow whenever possible, and would turn to Simos for him to carry her whenever they move.
It's like she's always seeking someone to cling to.
He sighed, but it put a relief on him knowing Delica was back to normal. No matter how stretched his definition of normal is.
Then Simos and Delica came to a full stop as they realized again that they went ahead in their arguments about roundabout things as if everything was all right. Looking at everyone apologetically, they started laughing.
“Thank you Aiven, for everything,” Simos said, his hair was still in disarray, dried blood stick everywhere from his clothes to his trousers. He looked like something shredded him.
“Thanks. To all of you, for surviving.” He finally word out for everyone to hear. For some reason that put a relaxed atmosphere to the place. They survived. That is all that is needed.
“But, um,” The blonde started again. Catching Aiven’s attention, Simos pointed at the embedded threads lined on his skin from his abdomen, “what is this?”
“Sutures.”
“Sutures?”
“Stitches.”
“Uh, why?”
“Open wounds, they need to close.”
“I see.” Simos was still looking confused.
Before Simos could ask another question, Aiven took his scissors and started snipping and pulling the threads off Simos' skin. It was uncomfortable at first but when he moved on his back, the blonde already stopped fidgeting.
“I really don't mind. But was this for your experiments again?”
“Hm?” What did you say?
“I don't know what you'll get from stitching people up, but who knows...”
Aiven groaned in irritation. You were dying and that's what you think I’ve been doing?!
“Okay! I'll shut up. So it's not your experiments. Got it,” Simos true to his words, didn't brought the topic again and was silent.
Then Aiven pointed at Maou-chan. Save your thanks to her.
Realizing what he meant, Simos' face softens “Thank you Lady Maou-chan for fixing me up.” Simos said petting the girl as they rested while Delica went back in creating the summoning circle.
“Don't mention it! Every time you get injured, my level rises! So it's great.”
“I'm glad to hear I am of some use to you my lady,” Simos smiled genuinely.
“Just continue doing what you are doing. I'll definitely look forward the next time I heal you!”
Maou-chan. Please don't say such morbid words so cheerfully.
Not wanting to imagine the twisted direction their relationship was headed, Aiven finished cleaning Simos and applied a small [First Aid] to close the wounds. Then Aiven decided to rehearse to them their plan since it looks like they still have time. Just like earlier, he appraised everyone and severed all traces of mana and negative miasma clinging to them. Delica was really being thorough with her circle.
By the time he was finish placing concealment magic and distributing [Identity Rings], he finally checked on Delica.
He knew that summoning animate and reanimated creatures were one of the most complex circles he has encountered so far, but what's taking her so long? This was the very reason why Aiven steered his studies away from [Summoning Familiars] and never looked back. The circle was tedious and the chanting was too much. Just the summoning itself was already a hassle and sucked so much mana. Maybe he could have helped Delica in the circle. He should start reading about them.
“Delica...”
“Before you gave me that tone... “
“Tone?”
“Please, as if you haven't glancing my way as if I'm a useless creature not being able to finish my summoning circle as fast as you do your impossible runes.”
“But before you could...”
“It was the Serpent Vent's help, okay?”
Just how strong was the Serpent Vent, to be able to increase Delica's strength and summon an army?
With Aiven's look of bewilderment, Delica was sure he doesn't know anything about Manaline connections. “First of, Serpent Vents were phenomenon that produces labyrinths and dungeons! The concentration on the surface was immense. When I connected into it, I was...ahh the sensation was just amazing! I even shoot up to two tiers higher.”
“Wait, two tiers?!” Simos asked, “You reached Calamity class?! That's awesome. No wonder I could barely read your status!”
“Huuu, I know, I miss the feeling of power.” She said feeling dejected as she scribbled on the ground.
Calamity class was fifth tier magic class. Then that makes it...
“500..”
“Eh? Hm, if it's raw levels then yes, I was about Level 534 when my connection to the vent was cut.”
Shit. He looked at Simos. He was fighting this monster? And he survived? No wonder she wiped out a whole army!
“Level?” Aiven asked, his eyebrows scrunching as he scrutinize Simos.
“Level 56, why?”
You got to be kidding me, Simos can't possibly fight ten times his level stat?! Then he remembers something.
“Tier?”
“Base. What, you think I'll jump to a hundred level overnight? Don't be stupid.”
“But with Delica...”
“I was being pummeled in a corner. And I have 6th Tier World class equipment so I lasted like what? Minutes?” The blonde said laughing at himself. 600 level requirement. It was a great boost but Simos couldn’t still use it to their full potential.
Then Aiven's mind started calculating Delica's level...then she's currently a third tier--A Champion Class.
“What raw levels are you?” Aiven was looking at Delica directly.
“Currently?...hm, let me see, I'm a level 67 Lich. Oh right, raw levels, that'll make me 367, more or less.”
He almost blanked out from the staggering level gap of him and his party members. And I reset my level as a Tailor!
But right, Delica has familiars so she’s weakened to the point that even beginners can put damage on her but if she has all her ‘babies’ and she started giving them maxed equipment…
What sort of Boss Raid Level are you?!
Lich were three tier class creatures. Even at their starting levels, they were already strong. Of course, that's to be expected. And she was already on the verge of a class up! About half more she'll reach Legendary Tier.
Aiven needs to be careful from now on. He's been focusing on runes and Babel language for the past ten years and recent events just proved that those were not enough. He really needed to catch up on Dark Arts on his reading list. He can't imagine Delica's retaliation if he pissed her off, big time!
They end up talking amiably for another twenty minutes until Delica finished all her preparations for her summoning.
Just looking over the spell, he can't help but scan how wasteful it is. He really needed to help Delica to work on the [Undead Summoning].
----------------------------------------
Afterwards was all a blur to him.
When all was done, Ilium was summoned for the second time that night, sending dark gusts of wind and miasma hovering all around them. His appearance made a huge commotion on the surrounding forest. They were at the edge of the River but their location was easily seen.
The dragon's wide back made it possible for the four of them to sit steadily along. Thankfully, they were in the Cessine City Fortress, the southern defense of the Kingdom which has monopolized the combat warfare. If they were in any other fortress--the West Trissine with their fleet of Wyvern Riders or the East Exine's Magic Carriers, they would have been doomed.
With most of the fighting power of fortress concentrated on the Cessine Castle and the Higher Bloods' estates, their escape were greeted with nothing more than the typical screaming of the good people of the lower and merchant's district and the old fashioned cannons.
“Tch. There's still too many guards at the walls.” Simos muttered under his breathe seeing the lines of fortress guards that were stationed on the gates. “As expected of the biggest army in the four fortress of Arvalar, we really do have overwhelming manpower!”
Still, they were unprepared. They have just received a report that the Undead subjugation has been successful, and now an Undead Dragon just raised out of nowhere! Their orders were to expect incoming attack just in case the neighboring Empire decided to give them a visit. Since the guards weren't expecting a breach from the inside, they needed more time to recalibrate and reposition their massive cannons.
Ilium continued rising atop the rooftops on the districts. Adventurers were starting to pool on the city’s main square, readying themselves after the alarm.
Gugh, not this again. "Up! Go up!" Aiven shouted, then Delica nodded as she started to give specific commands to Ilium.
Curses, the adventurers started using appraisal magics, trying to gauge their party’s status. If any of them has a higher level than their [Identity Rings] and multitude of concealment scrolls, their status could be leaked! They used the typical [Identity Rings] because that would be the safest. His name and Delica was on the wanted list so it’s not much a loss. But Maou-chan and Simos was a different issue. They have to protect Maou-chan's existence at all cost.
The dragon rises higher and higher until they reach the highest flight altitude.
“Simos, make an air packet around us, now!” Simos didn't miss a beat and started chanting. “Air pressure, same levels. Temperature, same. Ilium, when you feel the air magic completed, fly higher!”
Aiven dug his nails on the dragon's scale. Delica was caging Maou on her arms and Simos was also crouching as the winds lashes. But the moment the spell was casted, the surrounding air became peaceful, while outside the air bubble were the streams of clouds violently moving against them.
The people underneath looked like ants, then magic started to fire.
Too late, they were already on the skylines. They hid over the cover of clouds and drifted away from the City Fortress and they were gone in an instant.
Their exit was more peaceful than he could hope for.
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