Chapter 64 Aftermath

Ethan's POVThe swollen, aged face of a woman emerged twisted in disbelief and agony. Her chest had been completely frozen into a jagged crystal of dark ice, rendering her an eerie and lifeless sculpture.

Not wanting to leave any chance for recovery, I drew the broken saber from my spatial ring. I channeled all the icy energy coursing through my bones and muscles, coiling it tightly within me before hurling the weapon with all my strength.

The heavy saber which was forged from a rare grade-5 material shot forward like a cannonball. It struck the bloated old lady with devastating force and shattered her ice-encased chest into countless fragments.

The dark shards scattered across the ground leaving no doubt that the creature had been thoroughly destroyed. I had thrown the saber as I was afraid a grade 3 being would have some sort of last resort and I didn't want to fall into a trap due to some worthless reason.

As I approached the remains, I observed the aftermath of my assault.

Pieces of blackened organs, muscles, and splintered bones lay encased in dark ice, their surfaces marred by the effects of my dark energy and the snake poison that had infiltrated them. The potency of my Shadowfrost Nova had left no room for survival.

Amidst the wreckage, my gaze fell upon the creature's metal arm which was still intact despite the explosion.

I crouched to inspect it, running my fingers over its cold smooth surface. The arm's composition eluded me as it was unlike any material I had encountered before. Deciding it could prove valuable, I stored it securely within my spatial ring.

Turning toward my companions, I saw Virelle supporting a battered and weary Victor. His breaths came in heavy gasps and his eyes remained fixed on me with an unreadable expression. In his hand, he held a bronze flask from which he drank greedily.

It must be blood, I mused inside. It was vital for replenishing the energy and strength he had lost during the grueling fight. His injuries seemed severe and while his body appeared to be holding on, the toll of the battle was evident in every strained movement he made.

Victor's POV

I felt lightheaded as a wave of severe exhaustion rather than pain coursed through my body. The pain had become a familiar companion in the countless battles I had fought, from the blood-soaked fields of the continental wars to the grueling trial grounds.

Yet no matter how many times I faced it, the bone-deep exhaustion that followed still managed to unsettle me.

A desperate thirst clawed at my throat, and I panted for relief. Despite my weakened state, my gaze remained fixed on the young man named Eryndor, the mysterious figure I had met today in the bustling city.

From the very first moment our paths crossed, I had known he wasn't ordinary.

Though still in his teenage years as his youth was evident in his features, there was a gravity about him and a calmness that belied his age. His composure, intelligence, and the sharp gleam of experience in his crimson eyes intrigued me.

What trials had he endured, what battles had he fought, to carry himself with such unshakable assurance?

It wasn't just his demeanor that set him apart. Unlike the peers of my sister's age who often lost themselves in Virelle's captivating presence—Eryndor was different.

Even that fool Lucien, who brought shame to the title of a ducal prince couldn't resist openly leering at my sister yet Eryndor showed no such weakness. In this most turbulent stage of growth, where even the noblest and smartest often faltered his restraint was remarkable.

A soft presence at my side drew my attention and I turned to find Virelle holding out a bronze vial intricately carved with winding vine designs.

I gave her a weary smile and accepted the flask without a word. Lifting it to my lips, I drank deeply letting the rich and vital warmth of the blood flow through me. Slowly, strength returned to my limbs and my mind sharpened once more.

As I drank, a sudden thought flashed through my mind and I lowered the flask.

"Virelle," I said, my voice firmer now, "search the area for the moon elf girl. When the old woman attacked, she fell from the disk and vanished into the forest below."

Virelle nodded and disappeared into the shadows without hesitation. While I waited for my body to recover, I scanned our surroundings wary of any lingering threats or hidden enemies. Charging into the forest to search for the elf girl by myself prematurely would be reckless, especially if more assassins lay in wait.

Eryndor caught my eye as he sifted through the aftermath of the battle. His sharp, methodical movements reflected an unrelenting focus and practiced approach as if he had done this countless times.

I didn't interrupt him as he had earned his right to search for gains after his instrumental role in defeating the deranged countess. I watched as he lifted the severed metal arm and after inspecting for some time kept it in his storage ring.

Sensing my gaze, he turned toward me. I managed a faint smile and raised my hand in a thumbs-up before taking another sip from the Bloodwell Flask. The blood wasn't my preferred moon elf vintage but rather Virelle's chosen human variety. Her peculiar taste puzzled me.

Humans were indeed a formidable and one of the strongest species of the Agate Star world with numerous experts and a huge population due to the fact that they dominated a whole continent along with their almost unreal reproduction rate but they had no innate magical quality like the elves or dragons who seemed blessed by nature making them something similar to a natural treasure.

In this way, they were unique but also different from vampires, werewolves or demons whose power mainly originated from their bloodlines.

I was a little puzzled that Eryndor didn't even look a little bit exhausted even after battling continuous battles.