Chapter 33 <Corollary>

Everything paused as though time has come to a halt.

Buildings all around ceased to smash into one another. The ground which had been breaking, cracking and disintegrating stopped in their tracks. Where the boundaries of Flurea is, the earthen tentacles born from the ground grinded to a stop.

Everyone becomes confused and shocked at what is going on. Some stood unmoving with mouths agape while others turned their heads about in confusion, trying to get a grasp of what is going on. The only thing I am sure of is that time hasn't really stopped. A warm breeze blew past my face, tickling my cheeks while I stood atop the motionless hydra.

And then, slowly but surely, things begin to move once again.

First, unable to withstand their own weight, the earthen tentacles in a distance begin to crack and collapse.

Next, the building within our vicinity slowly collapsed from pressure, turning into rubble and debris.

Then, the magic circle which had been expanding under our feet all these while, begin to shrink at an extremely fast pace with the Erden Hydra in the centre. Guessing something, I immediately leapt off where I am, far away from the beast.

The next moment, a roar of agony resounded.

A huge shadow loomed over us. Realising why I am running away at full speed, people begin to similarly escape the possibility of being buried under.

A large crashing sound is heard, accompanied with the shaking ground. Some people wobbled and failed to stay on our feet. Turning around, I reconfirmed my theoretical guess.

But first, I should continue where I left off.

I made eye contact with Princess Violet and signalled her. Eyes open, she gives me a subtle nod and swings her hand down which had been raised high in the air.

[Behemoth of darkness! Heed my call and devour the creation before you!] (Violet)

I stopped a few brave souls who decided to venture forward to check on the Erden Hydra whilst continuing my retreat.

Not yet. We can't be sure of our own safety when we can't even be sure of its death. That's why as a form of insurance, we will eradicate it entirely. The magic which Princess Violet never gave up from the first place, granted the intended phenomenon and brought it about in our world.

The ground underneath the collapsed hydra dyed itself in a shade of black.

Following that, it begins to froth and bubble as if it has turned into a boiling liquid.

["£$%^&*()_+{::@:_"}&^£!!!!]

A sound that no one recognises smashed into us like a shockwave. Unable to brace myself in time, I could only raise my hands in a meagre attempt to shield my face. It sounded deep yet shrill, enticing yet revolting, all at the same time, sending chills down my spine. I feel something leak out of my ear, and it did not take me long to realise that I had bled from my ears.

It all happened too quickly afterwards.

The frothing ground shot up like a geyser, and within that chaotic mess we could all see a huge pair of jaws shooting up wide open, enveloping the entire hydra inside.

CRUNCH.

With that bone-chilling sound, the jaws snapped shut in an instant and dropped itself back into the abyss. Taking that as the signal, the boiling ground gradually fades away, returning the earth back to normal; barren, but normal. Just like that, the Erden Hydra is gone.

I quickly ran past many people, who had fainted or wet their pants looking at that dreadful scene, in order to reach Princess Violet, who is stumbling and on the verge of collapsing. Catching her while she fell, I gently held her up and supported her.

[Thank you.] (Violet)

[No, it should be I who thanks Princess Violet.] (me)

The curtains of the rampaging Erden Hydra comes to a close.

***

The casualties from this battle are tremendous.

Buildings and structure are wrecked, lives were lost, and the aftermath cannot be said to be any better. Resources and morale are rock bottom as the Erden Hydra who has turn out to be capable of Earth Magic has crippled several water sources in Flurea. Most of the beautiful flora, characteristic of Flurea, is devastated. Loved ones were lost in this seemingly meaningless fight.

My head painfully throbbed and ached as I took in all the mess around me. The screams, cries, wails, lamenting, signifying the sadness, grief, anger, confusion, despair, loss, all echo about my ears. I can visibly imagine the scene around me even with my eyes closed; while there may be conflict about in this world between races, a disaster such as an Erden Hydra popping out in the middle of a populated area is unprecedented.

Additionally, Violet and I who are tracking the Earl's whereabouts are still unsuccessful. Before a full day even passed, we are already hit with something huge and unexpected. This chaos that was created has completely destroyed our capability to gather information and get us closer to the Earl.

On top of all that, Violet and I are not completely unscathed from this event. Even after being brought from the brink of death from Zenador, I have ended up beaten and bruised. Worse, Princess Violet seems to be incapable of any major movement.

Judging from her heavy breathing, slight shivering and limp body, she seems to be suffering from mana exhaustion. The magic which she last deployed must have drained her of all her mana and strained her body. Even as a non-practitioner of magic, I could guess that she isn't looking too well. The only thing is, her face has always been pale due to her race's characteristic, so there isn't much I can use to tell from.

It would be wise of me to seek help from Zenador, but there are two reasons that have stopped me from doing so.

Firstly, objectively looking at the greater picture, the masses of Flurea definitely needs capable men like Zenador more than the two of us. I want to use this opportunity to sneak away from any unnecessary attention after my rash mistake of making myself known to public.

Secondly, I remembered the healing magic Zenador used had an element of light. It isn't surprising since I had already known his identity as an elf, but it is a significance that someone like Princess Violet cannot ignore. Vampires are part of the group called Arksas, who normally possess or wield the element of darkness. Simply put, due to the nature of elements, the light natured healing magic from Zenador may be more detrimental than beneficial for Princess Violet.

Besides, I, who am not knowledgeable in the field of magic, cannot confirm that the characteristics of healing magic are helpful to a person who suffers from mana exhaustion.

It is possible that as a person who holds such a grand alias of 'Divine Healer', Zenador may be able to alleviate mana exhaustion. He may even possess different elements of healing magic. General magic such as healing magic can materialise from different elements; it is just a matter of which element the caster is most adept at, and which element the magic brings out its intended phenomenon the best. Just like the healing mage back at the orphanage, his element of healing magic is wind.

However, elves are known to despise the Arksas and actively hate them. If I try asking for another element of healing magic for her, Zenador may have roused suspicions and I may have to prepare for the worst. It is a surprise how he never noticed when Princess Violet was around while he healed me.

Right now, I don't want anything to happen to this girl that lay weakly in my arms.

I could still clearly remember her words when she saved me from the Erden Hydra.

[…I don't have to ask to know how you feel right now. But I feel that the only right answer I should give to you is this. You are definitely not someone insignificant in my life.]

I grit my teeth and looked to the sky. The clouds that have been smashed to an irregular pattern from both the Erden Hydra's rampage and Princess Violet's magic casting seem to paint a portrait on the orange sky which nobody could tell or appreciate. Such a scene, right now, closely resembles the indescribable emotion in my heart.

***

After I silently left with Princess Violet in order to hide from Zenador, we wandered around looking for shelter that is preferably with less people. Unfortunately, wherever we went, casualties filled the area. That was how much damage the Erden Hydra has caused.

[Please hang on. I will find us a suitable place to rest.] (me)

The only reply I received from her is a nod. Her condition really worries me. I know that mana exhaustion is nothing rare or fatal, but I could not bring myself to stop being anxious when I know Princess Violet looked like this.

Why?

…I don't know it myself.

Just as I took another turn around a corner, I caught sight of familiar people not too far away.

"Jane! Urkahn! You two are alright!" (me)

There's a kind of small joy that jumped in my chest when I discovered the safety of the owners of The Ivy Cottage. With Princess Violet still in my arms, I went to the couple who stood in the middle of everyone else sitting or lying down. On the hulking back of Urkahn, is a sack of what I presumed to be rations, while Jane beside him seems to be conversing and comforting an injured person.

When they heard my voice, their faces lit up and looked at me. But when they saw Princess Violet in my arms breathing hard, they stopped their waving and quickly came over.

[Oh no… What happened!? Are you alright?] (Jane)

Princess Violet tries to reply, but her lips that tried to move only trembled.

I was overcome with the thought of their safety that I had forgotten how to cover our grounds. While pondering over how I should answer Jane and how much of the truth I should reveal, Urkahn suddenly spoke.

"Come, I will help." (Urkahn)

These simple words uttered by the ogre held a strange conviction that I could not resist. There is a strange agreement within me that urged me to comply urgently without holding any suspicion. Before I can stop myself, my body starts to move without much realisation.

We were led back to where The Ivy Cottage is, with Jane worriedly tailing us. When we reached, I secretly grimaced inside.

The serene place that I love has fell prey to the disaster. The fountain which was a playground for little animals has been smashed beyond recognition. The inn itself is half demolished and only two corners of it are left. It is simply miraculous how even half of it remains standing, and how what remained of the second floor has yet to collapse inwards.

Without a word, Urkahn leaves the sack he has been carrying and opens the door of the main entrance. He swiftly enters and in no time at all appears with a blanket.

Urkahn folds the blanket in half and quickly lays it on the ground. He motions for me to rest Princess Violet on it. I do so as per instructed.

I notice how the three-horned ogre Urkahn manages to be meticulous about things. He picks out a blanket that is free of dirt and dust. He also makes sure that Princess Violet is lying atop a double layered cushion above the rough ground. I slowly begin to understand how Jane and Urkahn got together. It is a small, but pleasant, shock.

What I see next, however, gave me an even larger shock.

Putting his hand out, he hovered his open palm above Princess Violet who continues to shake ever so slightly. I felt myself instinctively grab the dagger behind my waist, but the only change was the dark purple aura that emanated from his open palm.

However ominous it may look, I recognised the good will from the gentle giant.

"Is that, healing magic?" (me)

A three-horned ogre, an incarnation of destruction, is casting healing magic before my very eyes. On top of that, he is using it for someone other than himself. He even took into consideration Princess Violet's racial characteristic and used the most appropriate element for the healing magic.

At this point in time, I really begin to doubt the records of the old.

Were the scribes then, sane? Or are they just filled with hatred? Or boredom?

"No. This is, not healing. Healing, cannot work, on exhaustion." (Urkahn)

Urkahn shakes his head while giving me a small smile.

"Give mana, slowly. Then, recover, by self." (Urkahn)

I see, so that is what is happening. I slowly nod my head to show my comprehension, and give Urkahn a grateful bow.

Beside me, Jane gently touched my arm which had still stayed on the hilt of the dagger. She looked at me gently and spoke to me in a manner that relaxes me.

"Please calm down Raycent. I understand how over-protective you are over her, but I am sure you can see my husband means no harm at all." (Jane)

Me? Over-protective? But…

The thought of this foreign nature that seems to somehow sprout from me felt strangely revolting. Nevertheless, I placed my hand down and gave Jane a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. I was probably still on the edge from this unexpected situation in Flurea." (me)

"Nobody in Flurea isn't… Don't worry, I understand." (Jane)

Shortly after, I see Urkahn get up from kneeling and walk over. He handed me some rations and then proceed to sling the big sack behind his back once again. Jane, who saw everything with her eyes, can now smile in relief as she skips towards her husband.

"Take good care of Violet alright? Please rest well too." (Jane)

I can only give them a smile of thanks as I see them off. To the end, Jane never questioned us about what happened, and Urkahn wordlessly helped us without a shred of hesitation. The couple slowly sauntered out of the non-existent gate and back towards where they come from to provide aid to those in need. Inside me, I felt myself being a little moved by their gentle kindness.

When they moved out of my sight, I turn around and quickly kneel beside Princess Violet. Seeing her eyes closed still, I feel myself panic. I reached out wanting to hold her hand, but subconsciously stopped myself and retracted my hands. I clenched my fist on my knee and turned my head to the side.

The unknown emotion within me emerged once again.

I could not understand this feeling. It is a strange sour feeling in my chest that could not be ignored. It grips onto my heart as if it were chains, constricting it. But I don't feel breathless, nor do I feel uncomfortable. There is a strange longing for this feeling – no, it is a desire for something else to quench this sour feeling reverberating in me. But I know not how to discover or search for it.

My thoughts begin to run rampant the moment I pause to try comprehending. It puts my head in a mess, and because of that I feel extremely not like myself. The usual calm and collected self I possess is now gone. All I felt like is being a vulnerable existence that is bombarded by a dancing pandemonium of thoughts.

Grab.

I froze for a moment before looking at my fist. A pale hand lightly grabbed it, and the owner looked at my eyes with worry.

[Rey? Is everything fine?] (Violet)

I could only look at her blankly.

I could not find myself any way to reply her. All I could do is look down at where our hands are connected by the subtle sense of touch. All that came to me is a reflection I did not want.

Look at yourself, Raycent. Is this what you are? What you seek to be?

No, of course not. Look at me. What I once was, though morphed by the damned orphanage, is resilient and strong. Right now, I am nothing but pathetic and exposed. Instead of being calm and analytical like I was, now I am panicking and lost.

Is this what I want?

No… A weak existence cannot possibly wish to chase his goals and fulfil his dreams.

But…

But…

…right now, I don't want to care.

I mentally threw away the internal monologue and moved. Slowly, I relaxed and unclenched my fist, turned it around and softly grasped onto the hand that held mine. Gently, but tightly, holding onto her hand, as though having a façade of strength blanket over my uneasiness.

Unwillingly, I know it all too well.

[Rey?] (Violet)

Lifting my head ever so slightly, I made eye contact with her and gave a bitter smile.

[I'm fine.] (me)