Chapter 48: Just Ran Away
“Phew, that was close! Arthur, thanks for the reminder back there. If it weren’t for you, we both might have faced-planting issues!”
Looking at the stout chains, Weirafiya shivered in fear. Bringing Arthur along was definitely the right choice.
“Yup. It’s my job to protect you, Miss. So don’t worry and just move ahead.”
“Alright then! My life rests in your hands, so be careful! If I accidentally kick the bucket here, you’ll be joining me! Got it?”
The only way out of the God Palace was that entrance we just used. If Weirafiya, the only one who could fly away, were to die, Arthur would have to stay here and be buried with her.
Meanwhile, Yake had also fallen right in front of Gilbaris. And I mean literally fell without using Wind Magic to cushion the blow.
“Oww! My foot, it hurts so bad, it feels like it might crack! Aier, what are you doing? Where’s the Wind Magic? Why didn’t you use it?!”
Yake clutched his foot, wailing in pain. Jumping from that height and landing straight down really packed a punch! Ouch!
【I just wanted to check on your body’s strength! Hmm, seems your body is still quite sturdy—it’s just your foot that’s feeling the burn from that drop.】
“What? Is now really the time for that? What if I hadn’t held up and fell to my doom?”
Knowing Aierjisi had intentionally skipped the cushioning magic made Yake’s face turn green with frustration. How could she betray him like this? Aren’t they supposed to be one?
【Okay, okay, I just wanted to see! Besides, didn’t we land safely? No problem here; if we survived that fall, the upcoming battles will be a piece of cake. First, let’s take care of this guy before us!】
“Good point! Gilbaris! You remember me, right?!”
Yake yelled, puffing out his chest, trying to act tough.
“Sorry, but who are you again? The name’s a bit fuzzy, but I can definitely feel Aierjisi’s presence coming from you.”
If it weren’t for the Contract that shared their life force, Gilbaris probably wouldn’t even spare Yake a glance, let alone remember him!
“Allow me to remind you! My name is Yake. Yake Boland. A servant of Aierjisi, and now we’re fused! I’ve come to settle the score! You really gave us a beating last time, and this time we’re making it right! So brace yourself!”
Yake cracked his knuckles, determined to turn the tables this time!
“Ah, thanks for the intro, but I won’t remember your name. I’ll only remember the name of the princess you’re fused with—that’s all that matters to me.”
Even with Yake’s bravado, Gilbaris didn’t flinch. Come on, he’s the Ultimate Life Form—why would he fear some human?
“Alright then. Aier, you ready? It’s time to unleash our fury!”
【No need for your encouragement; let’s take him down in one go!】
Aierjisi and Yake both got their combat stances right and charged at Gilbaris. Not one to back down, Gilbaris shot out two bolts of blue lightning to attack them.
“Huh?”
Gilbaris suddenly froze; Yake had just vanished from his sight. His attack missed entirely.
“What are you looking at?!”
Yake’s voice came from behind. Instinctively, Gilbaris turned to counter the incoming Yake, but he didn’t have a chance! Yake struck him right in the back, sending him flying.
“How’s that? This is our current strength!”
Yake boasted, watching as Gilbaris descended gradually.
【Yake, stop showing off; he’s not going to be taken down by such a low-height fall! Hurry down and finish him off!】
Aierjisi had dealt with Ultimate Life Forms for years and knew the importance of making sure they were finished off completely—no chances for recovery!
“I got it! I’m going down! Just remember to use magic to cushion my landing this time, alright?”
Worried Aierjisi would backstab him again, Yake made sure to remind her. He really didn’t want to go through that pain again!
【Alright, alright, I promise I’ll cushion your fall! Now jump down quickly before he gets away!】
With Aierjisi’s assurance, Yake leaped down, and sure enough, Aierjisi used Wind Magic to cushion him, allowing a smooth landing this time.
“See, that’s how you land properly! If you’re trying to make it torture, it’s not cool!”
【Enough with the talk! Go find Gilbaris and see where that jerk ran off to!】
“Right, let’s see where that guy has disappeared to.”
Yake scanned the area at the foot of the mountain, searching for signs of Gilbaris but found nothing.
“This is strange. Where could he have gone? He wouldn’t have used a Teleportation Gate to escape, would he?”
After some thought, that seemed like the only reasonable explanation. Those Ultimate Life Forms were pros at using Teleportation Gates to flee.
【No, I don’t think it’s that simple. Be extra careful. Gilbaris isn’t the type to retreat so easily.】
Aierjisi felt this situation was more complicated. After all, she was one of the six tributes they were after, so they would not just give up that easily; he might be calling for help.
“I think he must have been scared off by our newfound strength! I mean, remember how we smashed that other Ultimate Life Form to bits before? Gilbaris must be trembling in fear of us! Absolutely!”
Aierjisi’s words did nothing to dampen Yake’s bragging as he burst out laughing at his own claims.
【If that’s true, then great! But still, stay cautious. Better safe than sorry.】
Aierjisi remained skeptical that Gilbaris would just run off. He surely had some scheme up his sleeve against her and Yake!
