Chapter 300 - Winning Despite the Costs

'Of course, dragons exist.'

That was what Rynold thought as he watched the dragon rampage throughout the castle courtyard. Piles of flame appeared in its wake, singeing whatever Soul Dolls it could get its hands on. Rynold didn't know what else to do other than to stand back and watch the dragon take care of most of the work. Rynold knew better than to join in on the chaos, seeing as how he would just end up in the line of fire. Besides, looking at the man standing near him, Rynold thought of a task.

"You can do this all this time?" Rynold walked up to the man and stood beside him, noticing the concentration the guy was pulling for the spell.

"It is not something I like to boast," the man answered, sweat dripping from his forehead, "There are reasons I did not want to use this spell, primarily of the toll it has on my well-being. Creating a bridge for my familiar to enter this realm is, in a sense, exhausting."

Rynold imbued Mana into his eyes to get a more informed grasp on the situation. While the man had Mana emanating out of the wazoo, Rynold could see it noticeably dwindling. The amount of Mana to sustain the dragon's existence here was taking a toll, just like how the man had explained. Although, it was only now that Rynold realized how much of a toll it really was.

"Hopefully, this whole thing will blow over soon," Rynold extended his Mana Gauntlets into Strength-form as a Soul Doll got close, "And, well, we take care of that bastard." Rynold then slammed the Mana Gauntlets onto the Soul Doll, eviscerating it in one hit.

After which, Rynold looked over to where Skeem had been standing, only to see that he wasn't there anymore. Rynold felt his heart throb when he realized that the biggest threat to them had disappeared. Wherever the ogre had gone, it wouldn't have been good to either of them. Rynold had to know what the bastard was doing, even if he had to risk his life in the process.

"Do you see him? The ogre?" the man asked, too busy to check for himself.

"No," Rynold changed his Mana Gauntlets to Defense-form and blocked a barrage of projectiles, "I lost sight of him. I've got eyes on the well, though, and there isn't anything getting close to it. At least, for now."

"Right. Let's keep it that way, shall we?"

The man didn't even have to say that as Rynold knew what he needed to do. The Technomancer had to make sure things didn't fall through the cracks. He had to catch whatever came through the dragon's onslaught and bring them down. As daunting as it sounds, Rynold found it better than going out there and joining the chaos.

Simultaneously defending the man and the well, Rynold had his hands full. Even so, Rynold did his job without fail. The Soul Dolls didn't get close to either of the targets.

That said, it wasn't always going to be the case.

Out of nowhere, a lightning strike shot through the battlefield with Rynold in its crosshairs. Rynold didn't hesitate and set up his defensive shield. However, even then, he was too slow and got electrified, sending a jolt throughout his body. It had even bypassed the Mana Defense as pain shocked him to the very core. Rynold couldn't grasp how a spell could've done so.

Rynold, however, couldn't catch his breath as another blast of lightning made its way to him. Fortunately, Rynold managed to get out of the way this time, albeit precariously. Something about the spell said that Rynold would be in for a lot of trouble.

"You!"

"Oh? You're alive."

The moment Rynold looked to where the bolt of lightning had come from, his eyes widened in surprise. It came to him as a surprise because he never expected Skeem to be so clever. He had a group of Soul Dolls surrounding him, one of which had a shield. The others were supporting him, each in a different way. One of which served as the ogre's attack dog, throwing bolts of lightning wherever the bastard directed it to shoot. Rynold was, well, not let off easy.

"Better step back while you still can. Now that you're here, the big guy's got a target." Rynold pushed himself off the ground, disheveled in appearance.

"What makes you so sure? Hm?" Skeem smiled, confident in his approach, "You can't lay a finger on me, and you know it. Not only that, but the big guy isn't going to come near me. It couldn't even if it tried."

"You're talking out your ass," Rynold clicked his tongue as he readied himself for an attack, "Let's say that you're telling the truth. That doesn't stop me from putting you to the ground."

"Interesting. Humans, never could understand them. They fight tooth and nail over things they can't seem to understand. It makes them easy to manipulate. Some don't even realize it, even if it's right in front of their pathetic lives."

"Go to hell."

"That's the idea," Skeem smiled, "But, think about it for a second, huh? Why are you fighting? Let's say I give you the benefit of the doubt here, and you know that whatever it is you do, it wouldn't matter. You're risking your life here, fighting for a hopeless cause. You said you know me, correct? Then, you know what my superiors and I are capable of doing. And, assuming you know that, you know well enough that what you're doing is suicide. Do you even know what's inside the Nevermore you're so desperately trying to defend?"

Rynold paused, not responding right away. It wasn't that he didn't know about all this. No, it was because Rynold knew it all too well. Whatever he did here didn't matter. Rynold knew long before Skeem mentioned it. But, even so, Rynold had to fight even for the slightest of chances. Nobody could get to the Nevermore, not even him.

"Enough talk."

"Indeed," Skeem smiled and ordered the Soul Doll to shoot another bolt of lightning.

Expecting the attack, Rynold tilted his body ever so slightly. He knew the width of the lightning bolt was small, making it easy to avoid. That said, Rynold took the chance and charged forward. Drill out, imbued with Fiery Mana, Rynold didn't hesitate for a second.

The drill collided with the forward Soul Doll, making contact with its shield. Rynold didn't let up and attacked to the best of his ability, making a loud crunching sound in the process. Rynold didn't stop and proceeded to break through, desperation ever so clearly expressed on his face.

"GRAH!"

After breaking his sweat, Rynold managed to shatter the shield and end the Soul Doll's life. However, the cost was far from worth it. The drill attachment, the one he had had all this time, shattered as well. Rynold had broken his weapon, the one he had been so proud of using.

However, that didn't matter now, as he had a clear shot at the ogre. Skeem, however, was not at all impressed. Having expected the measly human would break through, the Soul Doll had orders to fire once Rynold did. A flash of light left its body and made its way to Rynold. The spell threw him back, barrelling to the ground as a result.

"You should have left when you had the chance."

A voice echoed in Rynold's head. It was a voice that he didn't recognize as his head wasn't in the best place to think. However, he knew it didn't come from his ears but instead a telepathic message. Nonetheless, Rynold pushed himself off the ground, using the last of his strength.

The ringing in Rynold's ears made it hard for him to stand up. However, Rynold, in his sorry and near-death state, had to push through and activate one last spell. He used up the last of his Mana, barely standing, and stretched out his hand to the ogre.

"Arena of Order!"

In an instant, a magic array appeared below both Rynold's and Skeem's feet. The spell needed no time to cast as activating it didn't even take a second. The light then swallowed both Rynold and Skeem and sent to the other dimension. Rynold smiled as he knew the spell would work. While the risks were substantial, more so than Rynold had before, he didn't care. He had to put a stop to the Association's sole agent's attacks. He couldn't risk Skeem getting closer to the well, not an inch closer. Rynold wouldn't allow Skeem to get what he wanted, even if he had to die.

"What did you do? What is this?" Skeem asked in confusion. The proud, smug look on his face disappeared.

"That look on your face right now," Rynold responded weakly, barely able to stand up, "It's priceless. You have no idea how much I wanted to smack that annoying look. Seeing that color on you right now, heh, it's all worth it."