Numbers x Casket-Chapter 39: Own Misery

From the highest floor of the Magic Tower, Riel Nightfall watched the scenery in the Arcane City. The brilliance coming from the fireworks above and the lights scattering throughout the whole place made the city feel so magical, added to by the orbs floating and drifting in the open air.

It was nighttime, but the ongoing activities of the citizens were still rampant. Their joyous laughter sent a feeling of accomplishment to the Grand Lord, making his lips curl into an upward grin.

Then, as he was busy watching his people through the window. A knock came, disrupting his thoughts.

"Come in," he uttered in a low voice, but enough for the person outside to hear his permission.

Seconds later, the sound of the door being opened rang inside, and the clacking rhythm of the heels followed.

"Grand Lord, a report just came in," Cecile stated with a scroll in her hand.

As soon as Riel glanced at her, he opened the roll of paper and read its content.

"The sea of fiends began their movements; they are now currently marching their way towards the city. With their current speed, their estimated time of arrival is four to five days upon writing this letter," Cecile said.

Then she reverted her gaze back to the Grand Lord.

"This was written the day before yesterday," she added, her voice dull and cold.

"So tomorrow or on the next day," Riel pondered.

Then, he turned around and looked at the window.

"Are all the pillars present in the city right now?" he asked without diverting his eyes away from the midnight scenery.

"Aside from the First and Third Pillars, who are still on a mission, everyone is present. The Second and Fifth Pillars already went out to chip down the numbers of enemies, while the rest are waiting for your command," Cecile replied.

Upon hearing her detailed response, Riel nodded in satisfaction.

"We’re still going to proceed with the festivity. Cecile, go with the Fourth Pillar and oversee the events later," he said.

Then he inhaled a deep breath and spoke again.

"For now, gather all the elite mages and the rest of the Pillar, excluding Celine. We’ll stop the fiends’ advance," he declared.

Cecile, who heard his order, bowed her head and turned around to leave. She went towards the door, and as soon as she walked through the hallway, away from the Grand Lord’s presence, her lips curled into a grin.

. . . . .

Efraim opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. He tried to move, but his body was screaming in pain; all the muscles he had were like being torn apart every time he made a movement.

’Great, I’m still alive,’ he thought.

Although he expected that the training would be hard, he failed to anticipate how hellish it was to the point that he saw Lindsay’s grandfather as a monster.

Lien didn’t hold back his attacks and didn’t even bother to hide his bloodlust, trampling the appraiser in every way possible. The old man kept on pushing him to the brink of death, leaving him with only a portion of life enough for Lindsay to cast a healing spell and save him from imminent danger.

However, even if his wounds regenerated in a continuous manner, he suffered mental and physical exhaustion.

"What time is it already?" he uttered, curious.

After all, he fell asleep like a log after the old man’s inhumane beating. Though, before he lost consciousness, he heard Lindsay nagging at her grandfather.

Then, he exerted his remaining energy and pushed himself to sit up while ignoring the tiredness of his body. Afterward, he looked around and saw the room in ruins, debris scattered, some parts of the walls broken, craters after craters plastered on the ground, and even the ceiling partially destroyed.

Efraim shook his head, and a smile flashed on his face as he remembered their bouts; the old man’s teachings, even though brutal, were deeply imprinted inside his mind.

"Who knew that aside from the Grand Lord, a monster like him is existing in this city?" he uttered.

Then, he stood up and walked towards the door while dragging his body in the process.

’Where are you, Lindsay? I need some kind of spell to eliminate the fatigue,’ he thought, doing his best not to collapse from exhaustion while sauntering down the hallway.

The next second, he felt two individuals’ presence in the backyard of the house. Thus he moved in its direction.

Upon his arrival, the first thing that came into his sight was Lindsay, who was busy setting up the table for a meal. On her right hand was a platter of food, while on the other was a pitcher of water.

The woman noticed Efraim’s gaze, making her put the things down on the table and approach the young equator.

"You’re awake. How do you feel?" she asked with a worried expression as she saw the discomfort on the appraiser’s face.

The next second, her eyes widened as his head fell on her shoulder.

"E-Efraim? Are you alright?" she stated another question and caressed the man’s hair.

"My whole body feels numb," the man whispered.

Upon hearing his complaint, Lindsay chuckled and placed her hand on his chest. A magic circle appeared on her palm, and as soon as it glowed a viridescent hue, Efraim felt a sudden surge of energy coming towards him, erasing the numbness of his muscles and revitalizing his body.

"How about now? Do you feel refreshed?" Lindsay asked again, while still caressing his hair.

However, Efraim kept his silence, and instead he just nodded while his head remained on the woman’s shoulder. They stayed in that position, no words, just the two of them standing still and the smell of the burnt meat coming from the table.

This scene lasted for a moment until a continuous coughing from a distance interrupted them. Lindsay smiled while Efraim lifted his head, and then, at the same time, they both looked at the direction where the cough came from and saw Lien leaning against the wall while stroking his chin.

"Did I disrupt something I shouldn’t have?" He asked with a playful grin.

Lindsay shook her head and went back to the table.

"Let’s eat; the festival will start at any minute now," she said, completely ignoring her grandfather’s teasing.

Upon seeing his granddaughter’s reaction, Lien burst into laughter and gestured for the appraiser to come.

Efraim stared at them with a satisfied look plastered on his face. He walked towards the table and joined the two’s company.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, while he was busy interacting with them, the Silver Hemlock, who was lurking inside his body, watched and observed everything in silence.

’Oh, little one, you’re digging your own misery,’ she thought, and her soundless giggle echoed in the depths of the appraiser’s soul.

. . . . .

"Good morning, wonderful citizens of Celestia!" a woman wearing a top hat screamed at the top of her lungs.

There was a floating orb next to her mouth that enhanced the sound of her voice enough for the large volume of people in front of her to hear her every word, loud and clear.

The place they were in was a huge open field next to the city. Due to the sudden influx of the crowd wanting to participate in the festival, the organizers decided to use the vacant space outside of Arcane City.

"Are you guys excited for the events?" the woman yelled once again, and the people showed their excitement as their voices reverberated throughout the place.

Aside from this, they found the woman in front stunning; the hue of her eyes and hair was gleaming like the ocean waves.

"Great! For those who are still wondering who I am, I will be your host for the upcoming events. Alleah is the name, and hosting is my game!" The woman introduced herself and roamed her eyes into the crowd.

Then whistles and a series of applause welcomed her.

"Do you want to have some coffee later?" asked a random equator.

"I’ll give up the Nightfall’s daughter if you’ll give me a chance to date you!" another one yelled, and laughter erupted around.

"Oh my! I know I’m dazzling, but Lady Lindsay is on a whole different level. Don’t give up your spot; who knows, you might be the luckiest one here," Alleah responded with a witty remark while still wearing her joyful expression, and another outburst of laughter echoed across the open field.

Afterward, the host pointed her hand at her side.

"Anyway! Before we proceed with our event, let’s all first welcome the overseer of our festival, one of Celestia’s pride, the Fourth Pillar of the Magic Tower, the man who stood outside, guarding and protecting the entirety of the city, the Radiant Sentinel, Zeyn Starblaze!" she announced.

Then, a man clad in long white clothing made his entrance, his deep blue eyes looking straight in front and his yellow-colored hair fluttering in the wind.

. . . . .