Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 112 - 108 Aryan Requests External Assistance
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Beyond the dazzling splendor of the Golden City, feeling the heft and grandeur of the enormous disk before him, Raymond reflected on the sky Atlas carried on his back in Greek mythology. However, the real "Atlas" lacked the majestic stature of the Titan God.
He stood in front of the disk, motionless, his appearance akin to a statue, adorned in a richly decorated gown with a red base and black border, a cross stitched into the fabric on his left shoulder, and a clasp of bright red gems on the cape across his chest, with slender legs protruding from beneath his velvet hose. There he stood, with an air of solemn reverence, yet with a hint of indolence, like a divine piece of art carelessly left in the mortal world.
Black, wavy hair like surging waves surrounded his beautiful face, embedded with a pair of eyes as meticulously polished as droplets of blood. His expression was neutral, touched by a trace of sorrow, the slight furrow in his brow enough to shatter a beauty’s heart.
He exuded a charm that was not of ordinary men, like a tragic beauty. In front of Lyle, there was also a pressure, the fear of a herbivore caught in the gaze of a predator, and a magical force, a chilling cold that made one’s blood flow smooth and start to coagulate.
Lady Eliane noticed the change in Lyle, and a blessing of holy light suffused his body, which helped him recover considerably.
"Thank you, Lady Eliane."
"It’s quite the trouble," Eliane paused, showing no desire to move forward, "To appear with the magic power to manipulate blood, it seems we’ve hooked a big fish, a Baron of the Blood Clan."
As if he heard Eliane’s voice, the man moved his palm and made a gesture before his chest, "Joshua Loshutar, that is my name, my... guests." Joshua paused slightly on the word guests, as if struggling with what term to use for his prey.
Lyle had already developed a physiological fear of the Blood Clan Baron. Joshua unleashed his aura fully, like a swarm of leeches feasting upon one’s skin.
Eliane became the main conductor of the conversation.
"Is this the etiquette of a Shadow Hunter, to proclaim yourself the master in someone else’s tomb?" Shadow Hunter, a term of respect for all creatures wielding the power of darkness. You might wonder why such respect is necessary—because power is everything. You have the right to refuse respect to others, and they have the right to tear you to shreds the next second.
Joshua wore a melancholic expression, "This was not my desire," Porifan emerged from the shadows behind him, his eyes as if wanting to devour someone, "My sisters seem to have caused some slight influence on you. I apologize, we are merely reclaiming our family’s lost property; any inconvenience caused to you by occupying this beautiful residence was out of necessity."
Joshua’s expression did not seem very apologetic—it was like that of an overacting opera actor.
"She killed at least ten people," Lyle said, irritated by Joshua’s minimization of the crime, forcing out the words through his teeth despite his fear.
Joshua turned his head to look at Porifan until the female of the Blood Clan nodded, then he turned back to Lyle.
That wasn’t to confirm her act of murder, but to confirm Lyle’s identity.
"So, you are a friend of my rebellious sister Beatrice."
"Since I will need your help next, I shall generously answer your question."
"In our clan, Beatrice is considered an outlier. I hope you, who wish to associate with her, won’t mistake the Blood Clan for graceful, herbivorous beauties. She is talented, but her refusal to feed on blood makes her the butt of many sisters’ ridicule."
Joshua gently brushed his forehead, looking melancholically at the silver mirror hanging from the ceiling, "It’s my fault, as an elder brother, for showing too little care for my sisters. Perhaps the loss of the Divine Artifact is a warning to us. However, everything will be alright. I will find the Divine Artifact and bring back my rebellious sister. Worthless as she is, she still has a mesmerizing form, right?"
"Would you feel guilty for stepping on a few ants? Furthermore, it wasn’t my sisters who killed them. We mercifully granted their pitiable lives an uplifting end. The ones who truly cut short their happiness are you self-righteous people."
"You call a life-form that drinks blood and consumes flesh like a wild beast an uplifting end?"
A cruel smile surfaced on the corners of Joshua’s mouth.
"What’s wrong with that? That’s one step closer to us, the divine. If you can’t understand the truth of it, no matter. Afterwards, I’ll transform you into a blood servant. Maybe, after my poor Beatrice suffers her punishment, she might find some solace in tormenting you."
This fellow’s heart, like his race, was filled with malice—the pure enemy of humanity.
Joshua untied his cape’s shoulder strap with a finger that sported sharp nails, "I will search your memory, and extract what I desire from your brain. Although the process will be quite pleasant, you won’t need a brain for your future life as a blood servant."
Joshua stepped forward, and in Lyle’s eyes, he was like a tumultuous, surging wave.
Holy Light Punishment.
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A spear of light flew towards Joshua, he couldn’t dodge in time, and it struck his left arm, burning a hole the size of a bowl.
Joshua didn’t change his smile, "Is that all? Priest, that Paladin hiding in the corner, step out now, or you’ll lose your chance."
Joshua cast his first spell.
Tentacles from the void engulfed Sister Eliane, no matter how bright the inner light was, it never collapsed.
"Flower of Darkness, a spell I’ve recently learned, targeting the Holy Light. The cage it forms reinforces itself with low-tier Holy Light, and unfortunately for that Light Chaser, he happens to be slightly weaker than me."
"Now it’s your turn, human."
That open palm kept approaching, Shuishui gathered in front of Lyle, compressing into a mass.
But in the end, that hand did not make contact.
Shadows blossomed.
Black energy shattered Joshua’s spell cage like a tidal wave.
Eliane’s silver armor turned a light grey, extending her hand towards the nearby Joshua amidst the scattering energy fragments.
Whip of Fear.
The long whip of shadow energy struck where Joshua had been moments before.
He unfolded his form in the distance, looking at Eliane shrouded in shadows, those floating shadow fragments like withering petals.
"Truly stunning beauty, a Light Chaser embracing the shadows," Joshua stretched out his hand, "Beautiful lady, become my collection, and I will love you without reservation."
The shadow-form Eliane did not respond.
"This is my last act of mercy, dear. Even if your power becomes shadow, you cannot defeat someone stronger than you. Why not accept my kindness?"
Eliane glanced at the confident Joshua.
"Because you are on the verge of death."
Eliane looked at Lyle, unshadowing herself.
She picked up her Ring of Andariel, turning to Lyle. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
"Plague Doctor sir, let me tell you a little trick about the Ring of Andariel," Miss Eliane showed him her ring, which had a distinct golden line, "If someone agrees, the Ring of Andariel can actually connect with other Rings of Andariel."
"Just like this."
Eliane caressed the golden line, and the Ring of Andariel burst forth with a dazzling light.
"In the name of Andariel."
"If you don’t come now, your Child of the Holy Light is going to change professions and become a vampire!"
"Your Excellency Raymond!"
