Rogue Villain-Chapter 374: Thorny

Fire raged around and within what remained of Ackster. After his body evaporated, all that could be called part of his existence was a drooping marble of Ichor. However, the heat outside Ackster’s body couldn’t compare to the one inside Smelting Furnace.

It took a while, and Ackster would have died if not for Limit Breaker and the reinforcement his Ichor had undergone during Mastrax’s experiments.

But Ackster would have died if not for many reasons during his journey. It was barely worth mentioning.

As soon as Smelting Furnace devoured the Core flame and stole its heat, Ackster redirected the power of Limit Breaker toward Stubborn Well-Being. The ordinary Smelting Furnace was enough to deal with the ramifications of stealing from the world’s Core.

The heat leaked out of Smelting Furnace when Limit Breaker stopped supporting the walls. But it was because the skill had yet to adapt and refine materials to fortify itself. That would happen in due time.

However, it wouldn’t happen if Ackster’s existence ceased when the core of his being melted into a puddle of dissolving Ichor. So, restoring his core and body was of utmost importance, even if his body was just going to melt and evaporate after a little while.

After that, Ackster rested.

He wasn’t done yet.

But if he wanted to continue, he would have to let his soul, body, Ichor, and Smelting Furnace rest and prepare for the next round.

***

Arboria.

"Willow, are you sure this is going to work? We haven’t heard a word from... that guy in months. What if something’s happened or gone wrong, and they decided to take a step back?"

Willow looked at Tenrick as they left the ship and entered the forest-covered homeland of the elves.

"I appreciate your concern, Tenrick. But he and his people aren’t like that. Even if something happened, they would at least let us know."

"What if that something prevented them from letting us know? What then?"

Willow shrugged.

"Then we’ve made a bad bet. But would you rather bet against the person who got his hands on the Alchemaze? You remember what he was like all those years ago, right?"

Tenrick shrugged.

"Barely. I got hit pretty hard."

"Well, he was just a little foolish. But, most importantly, he was weaker than me. Weaker. Now? It’s impossible for me to get a read on him, even with Friends of the Forest. I can vaguely sense that he’s honest in wanting to help him. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he could fool my skill."

"So what if he’s strong? That doesn’t change the fact that we’re dead if this plan doesn’t work."

"He’s not just strong, Tenrick. He became that strong in the same time you’ve gone from a D-rank adventurer to an A-rank. He could have been what? B-rank? Now, he’s SS-rank. At least."

"Okay? He got strong quickly. Doesn’t change the fact that we haven’t heard anything from them in months."

"You know they’re busy with their own preparations."

"And I’m saying, what if those preparations have failed?"

Willow shrugged.

"Doesn’t matter. We’ve gone too far to back down now."

She turned around and looked toward the coast.

"Though, if you swim fast, you might catch up to the ship."

Tenrick sighed.

"No. It’s as you said. It’s too late. Besides, if anyone’s going to save you from the shit you’re getting yourself into with this succession battle, it might as well be me."

Willow smiled.

"Thanks, Tenrick."

Tenrick avoided her gaze.

"Words of gratitude are unnecessary between us. We’re too close. Just buy me beer or something."

"Sure. If this succeeds, I’ll give you unrestricted access to the Forest’s wine cellars."

"Fancy-schmancy wine, huh? I guess that works."

"Good."

Willow and Tenrick walked through the bountiful forests of Arboria without wasting time. They didn’t want to be late for the meeting, after all. It wasn’t necessarily a deciding moment for whoever would become the Spokesperson.

But it was an opportunity for everyone aiming for the position to stake their claim, make their case, and challenge everyone else for the position. The challenge could be verbal or physical. It was up to the challengers to decide.

However, the result would be witnessed by the majority of the tribes on Arboria. Even some Elders from the Forest would come.

Since it was one of the first meetings to give this opportunity to everyone, no one thought it would be the final one.

However, since it would be a few years to the next one, Ackster wanted Willow to become the Spokesperson in this meeting.

Fortunately, his party had been quick enough to avert the encounter between The Hero and his elven companion in time. Otherwise, a previous meeting only a year ago would have already made that elf the Spokesperson.

"Well, well, well. Look who’s here! Surely it isn’t because you’re aiming to become the Spokesperson, still?"

A beautiful elf with long blonde hair down to the low of her back chuckled upon seeing the armor-clad Willow and her martial artist companion.

Tenrick bowed his head slightly, afraid to catch the elf’s gaze.

"...Sister."

"Tch. Don’t call me that."

"Fine. Warthog. What do you want, Rose?"

Rose glared at Willow before smiling.

"Nothing. I’m just here to gloat. It’s always entertaining seeing you struggle at the bottom like the worm you are."

"Sure. Do it while you can. I’ve got better things to do."

Willow walked past Rose, brushing against her with her shoulder. Rose just chuckled and stepped aside, unwilling to touch Willow.

"Heh. Why’re you hiding your face, huh? That alone will make it impossible for the other elves to accept you as the Spokesperson, you know?"

Willow ignored Rose and marched away, Tenrick awkwardly hurrying behind her. It was the first time in Arboria. But he wasn’t a stranger to Willow’s relationship with her family.

Still, it was painfully awkward, and he didn’t like how he couldn’t do anything for her.

But he was looking forward to how Rose and all the other elves would have no choice but to shut the fuck up and bow like beggars when Willow became the Spokesperson.