"You're formidable, undoubtedly a marvelous gift, an outstanding swordswoman," Ley raised her arms, displaying the daggers she wielded. "It will be enough to compensate me, a valuable gift, a delicious meal, exquisite and wonderful."
"Stop talking and leave, cultist," Crusch declared with a firm voice, identifying the figure in front of her. "I'll have to kill you if you persist."
Ley let out a thunderous laugh and lunged toward Crusch at great speed. With a mysterious aura, exuding an atmosphere of danger, these cult leaders were a constant reminder of the threat they posed.
I explained to Crusch and the others the possible presence of cultists, as well as the appearance of the archbishops.
"A meal is delicious when you're hungrier; maybe I should move a bit to enjoy it more," Ley declared with a sinister tone, while hurling her sharp daggers in Crusch's direction.
She reacted with agility, skillfully blocking the attacks before stepping back and using her wind blades as weapons.
The movements were frantic and fluid, a deadly exchange of attacks and defenses. Ley agilely dodged each wind blade, closing in again with a wave of stabs aimed at Crusch.
She responded with speed, executing precise movements to repel each stab and cut coming her way. Although Ley was small in size, her agility made her a dangerous and swift opponent.
Her attacks carried a considerable force, complicating Crusch's task of staying on the defensive.
Confusion overwhelms me as I observe the battle. I can't fully grasp the situation. Ley knows about my knowledge of them... and their mysterious crystal, I don't understand it.
However, she has managed to heal my wounds, and strangely, I feel a revitalization in my body. Despite the complexity of gathering mana, it becomes more natural and comfortable with each attempt.
Uncertainty engulfs me; this situation surpasses the limits of my understanding.
"Damn it..." I thought I had reached an understanding, but once again, I find myself plunged into confusion.
It's too much for me.
I yearn for rest, for restful sleep.
I wish to forget for a brief moment. I want to escape, to flee from this place and never return. The agony of containing whatever is happening consumes me.
With difficulty, I stand up.
I feel that my body is different, my clothes in tatters, stained with blood and torn apart, a nauseating smell permeates the air. I try to channel my mana, despite the discomfort, seeking a spark of energy.
Despite the circumstances, a revitalizing sensation runs through my being, injecting new determination into me. However, alongside my growth in resolution, the deep desire to find peace in the midst of this relentless darkness persists.
Will I be a victim of some curse?
I never even had the chance to enjoy my adolescence or take the first steps into adulthood. I was forced to mature before my time, to close doors and isolate myself from everyone.
I developed instinctive distrust towards others.
The door responds to my call, allowing the water to refresh my body. I free myself from the jacket and soaked shirt, leaving me only in the sleeveless undershirt and torn knee-length pants.
A strange sensation runs through my bones, readjusting them in place. This goes beyond simple healing; my blood seems thicker, and my heart beats stronger to compensate for that density.
Do I even deserve this redemption?
I must have committed a massive sin in past lives to endure this present hell.
I use my mana to generate heat and evaporate the water covering my body, leaving me dry. Grímnir positions himself in front of me, his gaze reflecting genuine concern.
Continuing is my only option, no matter how much I suffer, regardless of my desires to die, my personal emotions, the pain that has ravaged my being.
My mind has faded into the twilight.
Now, at this precise moment, I must do what I need to do. In the distance, my vision is limited by the persistent fog suggesting that the whale has not yet been defeated.
Crusch faces this adversity with all her determination, employing every resource at her disposal.
While there is no doubt about Crusch's strength, I cannot underestimate Ley either, whose power surpasses mine and Crusch's combined. No one in this place seems capable of facing Ley on equal terms.
The battle continues, moving away from where I am, and I observe how Crusch uses her fencing skills combined with magic to cut through the air with lethal precision.
Her movements are graceful and precise, each strike aimed at a vital point of her enemy.
"You are truly amazing," Ley comments, his defiant smile contrasting with his ability to easily evade Crusch's attacks. "Unfortunately, this style is not at all novel to me, all because I am a great eater and an exquisite chef."
"I can't stand being underestimated!" Crusch exclaims, accumulating mana in her sword.
She presses her foot on the ground and executes an upward movement. At that very moment, a colossal wind blade rises from the ground, extending several meters into the air.
With impressive speed, it heads towards Ley.
"That's good, yes! Very good!" Ley laughs, his expression widening as he faces Crusch's attack.
When the wind blade is about to cut Ley, his smile grows even wider.
"Leaper."
In the blink of an eye, Ley glides through Crusch's attack and appears in front of her. Crusch's eyes widen with surprise, but she reacts immediately, adjusting her posture and launching a thrusting attack.
Ley blocks Crusch's attack using his daggers and relies on his skill to quickly retreat.
"Marvelous, such refined skill, a delightful feast... A strong and resolute woman, a great individual, but you know..." Ley gracefully deflects each of Crusch's attacks, causing sparks to fly with each clash of their weapons.
"Well, I'll tell you later. I was trained to eat, eat, and eat, meticulously instructed. I came to understand that I wasn't a true eater."
Ley begins to murmur as he gazes at Crusch with a defiant smile. The sparks emanating from their sword clashes are the only light in this artificial night.
"We must eat, but to taste something truly exquisite, we must cultivate it with our own hands. I'll make an effort with you." Ley licks his dagger, locking his eyes onto Crusch with palpable arrogance.
Crusch adopts a combat stance, her gaze fixed on Ley. She knows the identity of her opponent, as well as some of the abilities I mentioned.
"My hunger knows no bounds, but under his guidance, I've managed to expand my horizons." Ley begins to caress his belly, making his insatiable appetite clear. "I'll take my appetizer before I retire, as a delicious feast awaits me at home."
"I don't need to hear your nonsense!" Crusch lunges at Ley, her shouts resonating as she attacks ferociously.
Each thrust is a display of experience and overwhelming power, but unfortunately, no matter how much effort she puts in, it won't change the outcome.
Experience is valuable against formidable opponents, but Ley is not only stronger but also more experienced than Crusch in the art of combat.
As I watch Crusch face off against Ley, I feel determination burning within me. Although I lack the fencing skills possessed by both contenders, I know that Ley's weapons are not traditional swords.
I must think of something he cannot foresee, something that sharpens his insatiable appetite. His abilities, which were so challenging in the series, don't seem to affect me in the same way.
I get the impression that Ley is aware of this situation, but I don't trust that he will reveal the reason behind it.
But... can I believe what he says? In the series, Ley was known for his madness, but what I see here is not simply madness.
Something has changed, something is transforming everything around him.
I grip my kukri tightly and start channeling mana, focusing with all my strength. My gate feels lighter, allowing mana to flow through my body more easily.
As I gather more mana, the oppression of the miasma begins to gradually decrease, but I sense a difference. I feel something within me. Beatrice already spoke to me about it, but only now am I able to experience it.
Crusch begins to pant due to the prolonged battle; maintaining the pace is taking a considerable toll on her.
On the other hand, Ley seems bored and uninterested. The fact that Crusch has not managed to force Ley to use his abilities demonstrates the astonishing strength of the archbishop.
"Leaper!" In an instant, Ley is over Crusch, who is caught by the neck and forcefully thrown to the ground. "Kekeke, you have been a great exercise, delicious, nutritious, and a great seed."
Despite her pain, Crusch attempts to use her wind magic, but Ley thrusts his dagger into her shoulder, eliciting a painful groan.
The situation is critical, and I feel that something has changed within me. I must intervene.
"Fu murak!" I quickly gather mana around me, focus, and assume a combat stance.
I lessen the pressure on my back and alter gravity in my favor, generating a momentary void. With a powerful gust of wind, I leap, propelling myself at great speed toward where Crusch and Ley are.
The distance shortens in the blink of an eye, and I dispel the spell just before impact. I attempt to stab Ley by surprise, but he turns his gaze in my direction and disappears from my field of vision, causing me to miss.
However, I position myself in front of Crusch, determined to protect her.
I observe the wound on her shoulder where Ley stabbed her. Blood flows abundantly and is thick, indicating that it must have affected major blood vessels.
Lacking magical healing abilities, I must act quickly to control the bleeding and take Crusch to a safe place.
"Bite my hand." I place my hand in Crusch's mouth, looking at her wound with seriousness.
We need to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. Crusch's surprised look transforms into understanding when she notices my expression. Time is of the essence, so I act decisively.
The wound, about ten centimeters long, continues to bleed profusely, so I use water magic to clean it and temporarily halt the bleeding.
The thick blood accumulates at an alarming rate, and though I lack a deep knowledge of anatomy, I sense that the wound on the clavicle is dangerous.
I carefully remove the upper part of her attire to better access the wound and assess the extent of the damage.
Crusch's worried gaze reminds me that, amidst all this, we are vulnerable beings, susceptible to harm and death at any moment, no matter how strong we may be. I create a water sphere that traps and absorbs the blood, keeping it contained.
I remove the water sphere and place my hand back on Crusch's wound, eliciting an expression of intense pain on her face.
The wound on her clavicle appears severe; I can see the break in her bone and the torn muscle from where I am. I focus my magic on heating my hand, quickly raising the temperature until smoke starts to emerge.
Crusch begins to bite my hand, her scream mixing with the strong bite she delivers.
Blood spurts from her mouth, originating from my hand. Despite the circumstances, I maintain my focus on stopping the bleeding. The fire I use cauterizes her wound, halting the bleeding, though I know this is a temporary solution.
Amidst this tension, Ley begins to laugh, his arrogant laughter surrounding us.
I maintain my determination, even though the pain from the burn is agonizing. Her nerves are being consumed by the fire, but it is necessary to prevent further damage.
Healing magic can deal with the damage caused by the fire, but at this moment, my priority is to save Crusch's life.
"You are an exceptional servant, yes, a great assistant to maintain my feast," Ley continues laughing, while I keep my focus on the burn. "I should reward you, I should, but hunger consumes me... You know? There's a way of eating that involves consuming someone in parts."
Once the burn serves its purpose, I can see Crusch's wound sealed through the charred crust. I know it's a temporary solution, and any sudden movement could worsen it.
I quickly tear my shirt and use a piece of fabric to cover the wound. Finishing with a tourniquet, I look at her face, aware of the pain she is enduring.
The blood in her mouth is cleansed with magic to provide her with some relief. I don't want to think, I don't want to remember anything.
I must seize this moment to be blank, only do what I must do. If I think, if I remember, I won't stand up again.
"Come on, we need to get out of here." I lift Crusch carefully. My mind is focused on one thing: finding an opportunity to defeat Ley. "We have to find a way to beat him."
Crusch switches her sword to her other arm to compensate for her injury, now with her right arm out of combat. I position myself to her right, while Ley seems delighted with our presence.
A sinister grin crosses his face as he sticks out his tongue amid his laughter.
"There's a way to 'eat,' especially people with a future..." Ley licks his left hand in a macabre manner as we prepare to face him in a decisive battle. "You must take a bite first."
Crusch and I don't need to say anything; our gazes meet, and we share a silent understanding of how to approach this joint battle.
Although we have never fought together before, we know this is our opportunity to work as a team.
"Ley!" Both of us launch ourselves at full speed toward Ley, who looks at us with a smile and charges towards us. Crusch summons wind slashes, but to my amazement, they not only stop in their tracks but are halted halfway.
"I can do that too; I'm a good 'eater.' For me, eating is everything," declares Ley, generating more wind blades that approach us.
I jump in one direction while Crusch does in another to dodge the attacks. Ley focuses on me and attacks with a stab.
I quickly interpose my kukri to block his attack, but Ley uses his other arm to try to stab me in the chest.
I cannot allow it.
"Goa!" I shout as I hurl multiple fireballs at him.
Ley moves with dexterity, dodging and cutting the fireballs in the air. In that moment, Crusch seizes the opportunity and lunges at Ley, attacking him with determination.
Her cry denotes her firmness in winning this battle. I understand that I must give my best.
If I want to prevent the past from repeating, I must be better than I was.