Meeting Cassandra (2)

As Shui suspected, Cassandra had only been keeping tabs on him recently so she couldn't verify whether he was telling the truth or not. In fact, she only mentioned Nathan because she had a feeling that there was some connection between Shui and his disappearance. While making a mental note to continue investigating, Cassandra played her next card.

"I see, still, it's a shame. Considering the state of your clan, wouldn't it be better if you two patched things up? There's not many of you left after all."

"..."

As she targeted one of his few sore spots, Shui chose to stay silent. The near annihilation of one's clan was a severe matter, so no matter how aloof he acted it would be difficult to prove that he was truly unaffected. Instead, he chose to show a hint of weakness so that he could see what she would do in response.

"I'm sorry if that reopened old wounds, but I want you to know that I'm your ally. If you need any help," Cassandra slightly emphasized her words while gently laying her hand on top of Shui's, "you can seek me out."

Her voice paired with her touch along with her sincere gaze, was a devastating combo that even Shui had to be wary of, but he was able to resist her charm. However, he didn't feel like remaining passive this time and chose to go on the offensive. He held the hand on top of his and looked straight at her with a grateful yet lonely smile.

"To think you would be so kind to someone like me. I'm glad Kate has a senior sister like you."

Shui knew little of charm spells, but he had no need for those tricks. By drawing in some of his aura, his divinity was now in effect. Charm spells could be actively resisted, but divinity would have some degree of effect regardless of preparation unless the other party also possessed divinity. Shui's divine nature and soft expression melted her cunning and dragged out her maternal instinct.

"You can call me senior sister as well. We are both members of the manor after all."

"Really? Thanks, Senior Sister."

Cassandra felt like an arrow had pierced through her chest. Fortunately, the sensation shocked her out of her entranced state and she hastily pulled back her hand.

'Th-this!'

Even if she failed to pierce through his defense, Cassandra had never imagined that she would almost fall for someone else's charm. Thanks to this incident, her caution sharply increased and she quickly made up an excuse to send him off while trying to look as calm as possible. Once he was gone, she looked at the hand he had touched while recalling how she felt at that moment.

"He's more dangerous than I thought. I was hoping to use him to get closer to Kate, but perhaps I should..."

The maids that had been waiting outside the courtyard had no idea about what happened between the two, but when Shui appeared he was still barraged by glares filled with killing intent.

"You."

"Come with us."

The maids only stared as the twins that had delivered him took him away. Their glares weren't any better so Shui kept his guard up and his suspicion was proven correct when the cave they went through to enter the core section was in sight. Suddenly, Sally fired a Tempest Spear while Mari cast a giant fireball. Before reaching him, the spear and fireball fused into a fiery bird that charged at him. Considering the short distance between them there was almost no time to react appropriately, but even if he hadn't been prepared, he would have been notified of their thoughts the moment he sensed them constructing the spells.

Without a hint of anxiety, Shui summoned a wall of dirt to defend against the fiery bird. The wall wasn't very durable so it exploded on impact, but any flying debris could hardly scratch Shui's barrier.

"I feel like murder is going too far when your motive is plain envy, but I can forgive this much. However, if you keep attacking then bear in my mind that my mercy will be limited."

Both twins were in late Soul Realm so his 'advice' seemed like a joke, but they were aware of how he won against the Disciplinary Squad. They had taken the news with a pinch of salt, but seeing as how he blocked their combination spell it was clear that this wouldn't be an easy fight. Even so, they took out their weapons.

" "No man shall stain our mistress' presence!" "

"Ugh. Fanatics, huh?"

Shui wasn't sure if she had done this on purpose, but the girls' admiration for Cassandra seemed to go beyond the feelings someone could have for a person. With the amount of devotion they had, he wouldn't be surprised if they had some sort of shrine worshipping her. He would still be disturbed, but not surprised.

While Shui was lamenting his misfortune, Mari rushed towards him with a sword and Sally followed close behind with a spear. They had likely given up on barraging him with spells though that would normally be to their advantage, and focused on close range combat instead.

'Normally I'd consider killing them, but in this case I'm not sure. I guess I'll just knock them out this time.'

As the twins had basically been brainwashed Shui didn't feel much of an urge to kill them despite the hatred they directed at him. Furthermore, he could sense the multitude of eyes on them so it was likely best if he settled this without too much bloodshed if he didn't want to cause trouble and end up disturbing Kate.

When Mari was finally in range, she swung her sword down at his neck. A simple sidestep was enough to evade, but then Sally's spear cut off his escape route. His body would likely be unharmed even if it struck, but he used a barrier spell not only to block, but also to push the two back. After gaining a bit of distance through this method, Shui aimed to finish this fight quickly.

Luckily there was already mist everywhere, so once Shui actively gathered it his image quickly became buried beneath the mist. Once they noticed the phenomenon, the twins hastily tried to disperse it with the wind, but then it clung to their weapons like some form of gaseous sheath. They used the barrier spell to protect themselves, but that didn't help their vision and he was invisible even to their spiritual senses.

"Sally, are you there?"

"Sally?"

"Mari? Where are you?"

The two called out to each other, but neither could hear or see the other. While stuck within the clingy mist, they struggled to reunite, unaware of the moment when they had fallen unconscious. Shui's soul cultivation was high enough to impress even Masters, so trapping the aggravated girls was easy once he isolated them. 

Shui wondered what to do with them after they were defeated, but since he sensed incoming presences he decided to leave them there and return to the inner section.