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“Erynthea…” Aera breathed. Her cheeks were flushed red but not of fury or anger. It was reverence and relief among many other things. “Is it truly you?” The traces of their kiss were still present with the bridge of saliva dangling between their lips neither of them paid it any heed.

Erin smiled in return and stroked her head. “Yes, it’s me, Erynthea.” Her gamble paid off. She wasn’t sure that it would work but knowing Nyx, Erin knew she wouldn’t want her Apostle to run around wreaking havoc and bringing a bad reputation to her name. Therefore, she sent her to Aera. What was even more surprising was that her Divine Gift had evolved. She had yet to read the description but she could feel it within her that something had changed and it was for the better in terms of power but she doubted it very much in terms of ethics.

Aera broke into a smile as tears began trickling down her cheeks. It was as if her ferocity and fury from before were all just an illusion. Though they had never met, it felt like they had known each other for a long time and this was some kind of long-awaited reunion. In a way, it was a reunion.

Tears brimmed in Aera’s eyes and her face melted into sorrow as she burst into a fit of bawling. It was like all her sadness came gushing out at once.

Erin was taken aback by the sudden development but it wasn’t as if she didn’t know why Aera was crying. Nyx had bestowed her enough information to get a sense of Aera’s background. Her family and home were razed to the ground by her very own blood father. Anyone would have broken down and sunk into a pit of despair. It was a miracle that Aera held it together until now.

“What do we do with him, Lady Erynthea?” Olivia asked as she approached.

Erin gently tore Aera away from her, stroking her head one more time, before turning her glance to the priest, who was at his final breaths and on his knees. His breathing was still ragged and the colour on his complexion was only getting worse. At first, Erin thought it to be odd that the priest would submit himself to his defeat this easily. He had lost an arm and he was up against two Apostles but looking at the Arcane Art he had, it didn’t make sense for him to lose. But she came to understand why as she noticed his status that read, Terminally Ill: Great. He was sick and he was dying. It also made sense now why he was a priest. Even in her former world, people turned to gods when they were faced with a problem that was beyond their mortal capabilities.

“Just kill me,” the priest said. He didn’t even glance at them as he said his piece. “I have already failed this task and I don’t have much time to live. Spare me or kill me, it makes no difference to me but at least if you kill me, you can be assured that I won’t stab you in the back when you turned your back to me.”

Olivia narrowed her glare while Erin kept a composed gaze.

“Will you stab me in the back?” Erin asked.

“...If I wanted to… I won't be able to. You cut my head off or this Dragon here will pulverize me before my chains can get anywhere close to you or your friends.”

“Shall I grant his wish, m’lady?” Olivia asked.

“No,” Erin said. She looked to Siv and beckoned for her to come.

Siv approached and Lyra trailed slowly behind her. For some reason, Lyra had a look that was the opposite of relief and mellow as if she was still in trepidation. Erin wanted to ask what was wrong but she held it off for now. She had a more pressing matter at hand.

“Siv.”

“Yes, mistress?”

“He’s all yours.”

At Erin’s words, Siv’s eyes turned cold as she locked her gaze on the priest. Her hands moved to the swords by her sides.

“Have we met, missy?” the priest asked upon noticing the anger boiling within Siv.

“No, we haven’t,” she answered. She drew her swords and pressed the edges against his neck. “But your brother by faith is responsible for my brother’s death.”

“Ah, I see… so that’s how it is. It’s revenge you want. Well then, get on with it.”

“You’re not going to beg?”

“Beg for what? My life?” He snorted. “If you don’t kill me, I would be dead anyway. If anything, you are doing me a favour here. It will save me the pain from witnessing the fate that would follow after.”

“You don’t feel guilt or anything?”

“Why would I? It is a sin of my brother, not mine. Moreover, people have been stepping on others to thrive and survive. Even animals and plants do this. This is the way of living beings. My brother by faith was just trying to thrive. I assumed he just wants to be acknowledged but granted, his method was misguided.” He laughed. “What am I even saying here? Ignored all that. That’s just the rambling of a dying man. Ignore it and end this misery of mine. Just be quick with it.”

Siv had been resolved to exact his vengeance but now it was before her hands, she could not do it. It was wrong, her heart told her. The person in front of her wasn’t the one that wronged her. It was his master. Taking out her rage on him would make her no better and she doubted it would even be satisfying considering his circumstances. She gritted teeth as hesitation seeped deeper into her bones. This man was not a scum like his siblings-in-faith. He was not evil. He was just doing what he thought was necessary for the survival of his village.

Eventually, Erin intervened. She placed her hands on Siv’s and shook her head. Siv heaved a deep breath and lowered her swords from the priest’s neck.

“Changed your mind?” the priest asked.

“No,” Siv answered. “I have merely clarified and sorted out my thoughts. You are not my subject of vengeance. Your master is,” she said and sheathed her swords. After giving Erin a slight bow, she retreated to a shade under a tree with a gloomy expression.

“Well then, my lady.” The priest glanced at Erin, curiously. “What will you do now?”

“What I need to,” Erin answered and brandished her spell sword in a streak. Her movement was so swift that even Olivia gasped at her sudden action.

The priest retained his curious expression as his head slid off his neck.

[Experience gained +50% - Level Progression: 90%]

“W-why did you do that?” Lyra asked, startled by Erin’s decision. A few drops of blood even splashed onto her face.

“Insurance,” Erin replied and dispelled her spell sword. She wiped the blood off Lyra’s face with the sleeves of her robes.

“Insurance?”

“He’s desperate and dying. His fate was decided the moment he was threatened to kill me. He had nothing left to lose. He was at rock bottom and there is nowhere else to go but up.”

“You think he will try something insane?”

“I do not think. I know he will because I would make the same choice as him. Better to die trying than to die standing.”

Lyra stared at Erin with a ghastly face but as she noticed how Ern’s hands were trembling, she knew Erin had made a decision she herself didn’t approve of.

“I frightened you. I’m sorry.”

“No, you need not be sorry,” Lyra said, turning her eyes away. “You did what you have to for our sake. You did it because… because we’re weak.”

“Lyra…”

“If we were strong, you wouldn’t need to make such a hard decision.”

“It’s not a hard decision, Lyra. It was your life over theirs’. I would pick yours without question even if I’m given another chance.”

“It still doesn’t feel right…” Lyra muttered. “He wasn’t a bad person. He was just unfortunate.”

“It doesn’t matter, Lyra.” Erin looked around her, the sight of blood and ruination entered her sight wherever she turned. She didn’t want to admit it but she was more affected than she realized. She kept imagining someone she knew was involved in bloodshed like this. “We’re not back in Green Scar or Maven’s Creek. Where we will be going, the stakes will only increase and I can’t afford to constantly weigh my principle against the lives of you and Siv.”

“I understand.” Lyra nodded. “But it doesn’t take away how useless I was.”

“Don’t say that, Lyra. You’re—”

“I know where I stand, Erin. Look at me. Look at my level and my stats. Look at them properly and tell me that you don’t think I’m out of my boundaries.”

Erin glimpsed at her stats. Lyra was currently level thirty and she had a Unique Talent, Seeker. If she was to be compared to the average individuals, her stats would be impressive but since her subject of comparison was Erin, her stats were dwarfed. The discrepancy was enhanced further with the addition of Olivia into their party. It wasn’t to say Lyra was weak. She wasn’t. In fact, people her age that was level thirty and above were one in a thousand. Increasing one’s level wasn’t easy and most often died in the process. Erin would have been the same if it wasn’t for Revenant. Lyra wouldn’t have felt so inferior if their opponents were at most around the tier of the Razor Grizzly but that was not the case. Their foes were Demons, Apostles, and thugs from a vast underworld faction.

“Miss Lyra, you are an idiot if you compared yourself with Lady Erynthea.” Olivia was blunt with her words.

She shot Olivia a glare. “I’m an idiot?”

“Are you not?” Olivia shot back. “Your concerns are understandable but you seem to forget that you are only a human.”

“You’re saying that I should just roll over and accept that I’m weak.”

“I said nothing of that sort. I’m saying that you are using the wrong subject of comparison. Aside from Lady Erynthea, Demons, Apostles, or those people from the Covenant, how do you think you will fare against the average people?”

“How would I know?”

“Exactly. You do not know. So take it from someone who does know. You are stronger than a lot of people of your level and age. Do you even know what kind of people reached your level at your age?”

Lyra did not shake or nod her head.

“The people with money and resources. Highborn children. Your growth may not be anything special compared to Lady Erynthea but I can assure you, you’re very special in your own right. You just get yourself out of your pit of doubts.”

“Let’s say you’re correct, Miss Olivia. Even if I’m special and stronger than most, it is still not enough.”

Olivia scoffed. “If that’s how you feel, nothing will ever be enough for you. You would only keep wanting more.”

“I don’t deny that I can handle a bow better than anyone here but that’s all I’m capable of. Have you seen what Erin’s capable of?”

“There is a reason that expeditions and excursions are in groups and parties. If you think you should be the only one handling everything, then perhaps it’s time for you to spend some time away from Lady Erynthea to get back your senses of normalcy.”

“No!” Lyra cried. “Absolutely not!”

“Then I sincerely wish you would stop whining from now on,” Olivia said and take her leave, joining Siv under the tree.

“Can you believe her, Erin?” Lyra complained.

“She has a point, Lyra. You’re overthinking it.”

“You agree with her?”

“Lyra. I’m an Outworlder. I have experience and memories from my past life. I was a man obsessed with the sword to the point that I even neglect what makes me a man. I have made sacrifices and I would be lying if I said I didn’t have any regrets. If I haven’t met you, I would think that the sacrifices are all for naught. It’s alright, Lyra.”

“I understand your point, Erin, but it’s not that easy. I can’t help it.”

“Nothing’s ever easy, Lyra. That’s just life but we’re here for each other, are we not?”

“So you say…” Lyra’s gaze wandered to Aera, who had been hiding behind Erin like a girl hiding behind her mother’s skirt. “Anyway, who is she?”

“Aera?”

“Her name’s Aera?” Lyra raised an eyebrow. “You two seemed to have known each other for a long time. You even kissed her so passionately.” Jealousy was apparent in her voice.

“She’s the Apostle of Wrath. My sister by faith.”

“An A-Apostle of W-Wrath?” Lyra stammered. Suddenly, her sense of inferiority disappeared and a dreadful premonition took its place. “W-wrath… you say? Is she… safe to be around us?”

“You’re being rude, Lyra.”

“Surely you have thought the same, no?”

“I did but not anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because I can control it.”

“I deeply apologize if I cause you any trouble,” Aera said. Her voice was so small that Lyra thought she misheard something. “I know how much of a burden and inconvenience I must be considering my sudden appearance.”

Aera’s mellow tone and gentle expression was a stark contrast to her demeanour not a few minutes ago. Seeing such an Aera, even Lyra felt she was too harsh with her.

“Speaking of your appearance…” Erin finally looked at Aera with scrutiny. She had expected Aera to look worse for wear but she wasn’t. Her face was slightly dirty and her robes weren’t as filthy as Erin expected. Someone had taken good care of her. However, what really pulled her focus was the fabric of Aera’s robes. It was Faerie Silk. And as she took a whiff of the robes, her shoulders jumped at the familiar scent. “No way…” she muttered.

“You were travelling with someone else?” Lyra asked.

“I-I was… How do you know?”

“Your back isn’t filthier than your front, which means someone was always watching your back. People who travel alone tend to have a filthy back because no one pointed it out to them. Where are your companions?”

“I’m not sure… I left them in a hurry after I sense Erynthea was in danger. I rushed here without looking back. I hope they are fine. I shouldn’t have left them without saying anything.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Erin said. “They’re here.” She glanced over to the rustling bushes to her left, amidst the dense woods.