Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :-D

My apologies, it seems I had been becoming quite rusty ever since I came back from the hospital so I started to reread my work. XD Now I tried to reread my work, once I get used to it, I will return to my usual speed. I am rereading my work so that I won’t miss any secrets I had In stored for the future chapters.

Also... college as usual... hahh...

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Chapter 96 – Conscious Disaster

Nelus: Be ready.

Taln then gritted her teeth as killing the innocent is something she cannot tolerate. All she knows is that they are in the mercy of this disease and that is why they are like this.

???: Oh! Look what we have here, more people that can become one of us. Let us contaminate them.

???: All of you, be sure to capture them alive, only kill them when we have no other choice. Of course… you can break a bone or two while you’re at it… fufufu.

One of the beastmen said with a dark grin, the wood apes that aren’t contaminated then ran away in fright. Nelus felt that what they said was quite weird. Normally, those who are infected don’t realize they are, and he also felt that this is also one of the reasons why it was spreading so fast.

???: Formation! Quickly and capture the children first!

One of the beastmen shouted as the magical beast surrounded Nelus and Taln while the beastmen surrounded Tania and Lina thinking that it was easier to capture them first.

???: Even when so young they are quite beautiful, I’ll be sure to treasure you two, huhuhu!

???: Haah… there you go again with your “love” of children…

The man didn’t deny the statement and just grinned and drew their weapons. All of them seems to hold metallic weapons of different kinds and forms, but it isn’t to hurt the two but to surpress them and make them obediently follow them.

???: You two come with us or you’ll know what happens next.

They then laughed thinking that it will just be easy pickings but to their surprise neither of the two seemed afraid and looked at each other confusedly as Lina’s eyes grew fierce while Tania just sighed.

???: What is up with their reaction?

Suddenly, a burst of light activated that spread throughout the area. Some of the beast that seemed to emanate a dark aura as well as the beastmen started to dim as their miasma dispersed. It was Nelus’ Restore as he used it in a large area using a large amount of mana, of course because of Nelus’ abnormally large mana capacity; it didn’t even tire him at all. So that they wouldn’t notice, he told Calice to warn them and run from this place as for the magical beasts, she made an illusion of delicious cooked meat was floating from a distance making the carnivore beast drool. Sadly, only some of them managed to escape as the contaminated ones killed some of those who were cured. Those who were cured have only been contaminated by a short time.

As for the herbivore ones like the wood apes, she made the floating meat in their direction so that the others will chase them away. Restore seemed to work on a few of them nearing dozens as all of them dispersed quickly leaving the contaminated beastmen confused. As the beastmen were looking at this spectacle, a burst of flames suddenly erupted from the middle of their encirclement making them back away instinctively.

???: What the…

As the flames subside, in front of them was a beautiful red haired woman wearing a crimson dress armored by scale on some parts. The men then went into a daze as they then shook their heads and clear their thoughts. The one in front of them was Tania, in her older form as well as berserk mode.

She then appears in between to of the beastmen and kicks the two as they went flying and crashed into a tree. The other beastmen then awoke from their daze and gripped their weapons tight as they then attacked her. One of the beastmen activated their weapon’s skill, Binding Slash as it then makes contact with Tania’s skin. As the weapon collides with Tania to their surprise sparks flew about as it didn’t even do any damage at all.

???: No matter with my Binding Slash, as long as it makes contact with you it will imprison you in bindings made of mana.

Tania then felt a pressure wrapped around her as the beastmen smiled darkly and said.

???: Take her away!

Lina: Tania!

Lina shouted in worry as one of the beastmen then grabs hold of her as she struggles.

Lina: Let go of me you meanies!!

???: Aww, don’t talk like that, don’t you see I love you? Come, on just obediently come with me and I’ll treat you well.

Lina: No!

The man’s expression then became dark as the miasma around him thickens.

???: Then I’ll make you come with me!!

The man then drew his sword and points it towards one of Lina’s leg, attempting to slice it so that she will be unable to escape. Seeing this Tania then walks towards him as the binding disperses as if it were just string that tied her while making the beastmen dumbfounded especially the one who cast is as so far no one has managed to escape it this easily as the man was after all an S rank with an A rank metallic weapon. Tania then snapped… she went on a rampage defeating all the beastmen except for the one holding Lina. Seeing that Tania approach the two…

???: Stop where you are or I’ll kill this girl!!

Tania then glares at him but stops; the man then smirks as he then felt Lina stop struggling.

???: That’s right, just be obedient and follow…

Lina: Fall…

Lina then became solemn as her aura seemed to change, a burst of pressure then emanated from her making the man unable to move as she then pushes his arms away and went to Tania as her aura returns. It was because of Llyra’s intervention that Lina went free. Tania also felt this immense pressure but was not surprised at what just happened. She then stood in front of Lina as the man started trembling…

???: (What is up with these people!? I need to get out of here or… I’ll just use the magical beast to stall them to make an escape then I can tell my liege what has happened.)

As the man looks over towards the magical beasts, all of them were lying on the ground motionless as two figures stood in the middle unscathed.

???: Hiiiikk!!

The man then shouted in terror as he saw Nelus and tried to run away for his life as he turns around to make a run for it, Nelus was then in front of him as if by teleporting as Nelus used Divine Combat Style: Stance 9, Flash Assault as everything went black for the man…

Moments later the man wakes up and started to struggle as he panicked, he then saw Nelus and the others in front of him as his face went pale. He then looks around and saw that all of his companions’ body were gone with no remnants left behind and freaked out even further, before the time he woke up Nelus and Murix already destroyed the tainted souls within them as well as their bodies.

???: Wh-who are you people… c-come one, have a heart, just release me and then I’ll forget this ever happened.

As he said this Taln scowled at him as he pursed his lips immediately as he felt Taln’s cold gaze, this was quite understandable since he tried to use Lina to threaten Tania as well as try to cut her legs off making him a villain in Taln’s eyes not worthy of her sympathy. Lina then slaps him ands walks away while showing she lets out her tongue and walks away. Surprisingly, the man enjoyed Lina’s action as he blushed while Lina’s spine tingled as she immediately hid behind Nelus while peeking at the side.

Lina: Uncle… I don’t like him at all!

???: You cutie, I could just gobble you up!

Lina: Eeep!

Tania then rubs the head of Lina to calm her down and kept her older form as she felt discomfort with the man also.

Tania: Who sent you here, with a group of beastmen and magical beast surely with a group like yours there has to be someone leading all of you?

Tania said with a glare while using her pressure to make the man tell her.

???: I-If I tell you… then will you let me go?

Tania then made her glare fiercer but said…

Tania: Tell us and I will untie you.

He hesitated but talked after thinking for a bit.

???: Alright… I am one of the minor leaders of our group called the “Chosen Night”. There are rankings of leaders within our group which are the minor leaders, major leaders, high leaders and the one leading us, the crowned leader. I have only met with the major leaders as I don’t have a rank high enough to even see the ones above them.

Nelus: When was your group made?

???: Some days ago…

Nelus: What is the goal of your group?

???: We were beastmen and magical beast that were chosen by the darkness which is why we are called the “Chosen Night” it meant that the darkness has chosen us and gave us powers. We then felt that the more evil we are the higher the power given to us but it was only of a small amount. We also found out that some individuals are gifted of the darkness and can be already instated as a major leader or even higher.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

He said with admiration in his eyes as well as a sudden burst of bloodthirsty aura which subsided immediately.

Murix: (Of course it won’t increase by much, the amount the contamination make the body destructive depends on how corrupt your soul initially is and the more your soul is corrupt the greater the strength you are given though there is a disadvantage of losing yourself fully.)

Murix thought to her self as she uses the scale she gave Nelus to look over them even when far away while Nelus injects some mana, he thought that it would be best if Murix can hear what he says as they were both troubled at the speed of the contamination in these past few days. The man then gave a seemingly innocent smile and said…

???: Come on, just join us already! It would be pretty fun! You can do anything you want and you can kill anyone and we will even help you, I know you you have someone you want to kill, hehehe!

He said while laughing as Taln looks at him with disgust as he then looks at Lina while drooling. Tania then felt annoyed and said while cutting his rope...

Tania: We decline, you can go.

???: Heh! It’s your loss!! (I will tell one of the major leaders to kill you; I will remember your faces! Of course I will leave that cutie for myself then… fufufu!)

The man thought to himself while grinning as he ran.

???: Wha!! I thought you…

Tania: I only said I will untie you… Incinerate…

Tania said while she appeared out of nowhere as she lands from the sky and released her draconic flames from her palm, the man was covered in deep crimson flames not letting him even scream in pain as not even a speck was left. Taln then smiled wryly…

Taln: I never knew Tania was this cunning…

Tania then silently returned to Nelus’ side as she returns to her normal form. Nelus then felt Murix’ connection from the scale as he then heard a voice.

Murix: (This is much more complicated than it looks Lord Nelus… it seems I will trouble you for a while, I don’t think I am enough to handle this… I thought I can cover this contamination but at this rate it might be too late…)

Nelus: (If someone is purposely spreading this then it truly is troublesome.)

Murix: (I will make sure that my maidens will guard the borders around the land of earth, please continue as always Lord Nelus.)

Nelus: (I will, it is my duty too after all.)

Murix: (Oh, and be sure to tell me if you have found any important matters about the current situation.)

After the call we then continued on to the nearest village which is the Urpasa village. We then say the sea of trees around us getting lesser as we continued forth. Taln said she had been to this village before and wanted to treat us to some fruit juice which is this village’s

Specialty and that her grandfather lived here, he was the only one left in her family after her sister was killed by a swordmaster she challenge and that her brother was actually one of someone who was adopted. Before we head here, she told us that he father was a famous swordmaster while we were at the inn before we let off. Taln then turns her head as she saw that we had passed the forest… she then became silent as she gripped her fist until a drip of blood could be seen. Fury was emanating from her eyes as rage fills her. The entire village was in chaos. People running everywhere and some where killed by the contaminated.

We then saw that in the middle was a beastman of the upper felis race that resembles a tiger wearing metalia armor that came from the metalia tree that resembles metal in texture but ordinarily in durability. He was ordering to contaminate all the beastmen they can find and we saw a bunch of corpses of beastmen lying on the ground with their weapons. Those who were running couldn’t help but be in despair as there was an encirclement of contaminated beasts and beastmen around the village as they killed or capture whoever passes their way. The female beastman that is from the same race then talked to him…

???: Captain Kija, its too bad the metallic weapons are bound to them or we could’ve struck the mother load.

Kija: Metallic weapons are precious; including the power they hold they have consciousness. It seems none of us contaminated ones can wield these weapons as it has remembered our presence. We can always leave them be then let it get taken by their chosen beastmen then contaminate them afterwards! Hahaha!

???: But what if those who rebel against us uses it?

Kija: As if even with those weapons can those weaklings kill us, I a major captain is ten times stronger than even an S rank being! Even if I haven’t reach x rank my power equals the lower X ranks!

???: Wonderful captain! Hehehe!!

Taln: Those bastards!!

Taln said as she ran with her platinum estoc on her hand as she thrust it towards the captain as he unsheathes his sword speedily and clashes with it. Sparks flew as Taln backs away immediately.

Kija: Oh? It seems we have a very powerful one!

Taln: Where is my grandpa!!

Kija: Hmmm…?

Taln: Sordmaster Tyrell!!! Where is he!?

???: I think she is talking about the one wielding the twin swords, the one who named himself before fighting you.

Kija: Ah! The old weakling!! Do you mean… the owner of these swords?

Kija said with a wide grin as he takes a bag from the man woman besides him and takes out two black swords from it.

Kija: Even if I can’t use these swords, this will make a good trophy, I mean metallic weapons that are made of dark platinum are very rare. Also, when he fought with me he was always saying “I must live! I will defeat you and wait for my grandchild to come home!”. What a pitiful old man!

Kija said with a laugh as Taln felt powerless as she lets go of her estoc.

Taln: Grandpa... grand… pa… I-I…

Taln then drops on the floor on her knees as despair fills her completely, she couldn’t help but let loose a torrent of tears as she remember the last time she spoke to him… it was years ago… before she pursued the road to become a swordmaster despite her disposition…

Taln: Grandpa… I wish I was as strong as sister then you can be proud of me…

Taln in her childhood said with a bit of tears forming on her eyes.

Tyrell: Hahaha what are you talking about! I am already proud of having two wonderful grandchildren with me. No matter who or what you become your grandpa will always love you.

Tyrell said with an elderly smile as he held Taln on his broad shoulder.

Taln: But grandpa! I really want to be a swordmaster then I will become a great swordmaster! After that I will surely return! I will be trained by sister after all. Even if mom and dad aren’t with us anymore I am sure with grandpa there we would become super strong!! Grandpa, come with us!!

Tyrell: Why don’t you just stay with grandpa, I am already retired and too old even if I am still a bit strong… compared to the past I am very weak.

Taln then pouted and said…

Taln: To me grandpa is still the strongest swordmaster in the world!

Tyrell then laughed as he looks at her softly and worry filled his face.

Tyrell: It’s dangerous out there what if something happens to you?

Taln: Don’t worry! Sister can protect me while I train! I will surely return one day.

Tyrell: Hahh… alright, just don’t make your grandpa wait too long.

Taln: I promise grandpa!!

Tyrell then smiled with a hint of loneliness behind it.

Taln: Grandpa… grandpa… grandpa… did you know… I became the swordmaster… are you proud? U-uuu… now I am… all alone… sister is gone and n… now…

Taln said while stuttering as Kija raises his sword with a grin and swings it towards her. She then closes her eyes as she waits to join her family. Thoughts filled her mind like what if she stayed that day; she could’ve had more time to spend with him. She remembers the stories he told her and the times where he took care of her. She hasn’t met her parents but he told her that they were once powerful swordmasters. To her, Tyrell was not only her grandpa but also her father… she then continued to cry…

Suddenly… a clanging noise was heard. She then opens her eyes and saw Nelus appeared in front of her grabbing Kija’s weapon with his cloud clad hands filled with lightning.

Nelus: Don’t just throw away your life. Live…

Nelus said as he glared at Kija.

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My mind is still a bit rusty but I think my rereading is making a good progress.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!