Chapter 169: Warrior's Duel
Chapter 169: Warrior's Duel
"Alright, I'll do it!! But let me Declare/State beforehand, I don't have absolute Confidence. If it touches upon Life Danger, I will temporarily retreat. Anyway, you've waited for several thousand years, so it won't matter if it's just this moment, right?"
I looked at Alice with Calmness, my Tone containing a pity and doting that I myself couldn't detect.
"Yes, thank you for your generosity."
Alice bowed deeply to me. That elegant and noble Movement made me feel as if I saw Lady Yeris's figure overlapping hers.
I took a deep breath, no longer paying attention to the Ghost Maiden who was watching me intently with a Gaze that could intoxicate people. I forcefully turned my face to the Battlefield on the other side. I admit, facing this Maiden with both the Appearance and Soul of an Angel, I was indeed a little moved. But she was a Ghost after all, and I wasn't in the Mood to stage a Diablo Black Version of 'Ghost Love Story'.
Doing my best to suppress the chaotic Feelings/Emotions, I began to carefully consider the next steps. Alice said that the source of Bone Ash's Strength was the Blood-colored Magic Array In Front of me. So the answer was simple: either completely destroy this Magic Array, or lure the Bone Ash outside, letting it escape the protection of the Magic Array. However, neither of these was easy to achieve.
First, destroying the Magic Array. I almost blew up a perfectly good Saber just to Reluctantly destroy one part. To truly destroy the entire Magic Array, I didn't know if the Weapon in my hand would be enough. Even if it was, Light Snow and the others might not be able to hold on for that long.
Then, luring the Bone Ash outside. The difficulty of this was absolutely no less than destroying the Magic Array. Because there was only one way out of here, which was the Spiral Secret Passage that Lady Yeris and I came through. But the size of this Secret Passage made it impossible for the Bone Ash to enter or exit. If I wanted to lure it out, I would definitely have to expand this Secret Passage first. Thinking of this, for the first time, I felt resentment towards the craftsmen who built this Secret Passage tens of thousands of years ago with such serious and Responsible work Spirit. Didn't you know that thrift is a virtue? Didn't you know that tofu-dreg projects help stimulate economic growth and prosperity?
"Lord, Lord?"
Just as I was deep in thought, comparing which method was more convenient, Alice suddenly gently tugged at my arm.
"If you are having a Head-ache about how to truly let them rest in peace, why not Give it a Try this?"
She pulled out a Necklace from her swan-like neck, took it off, and placed it in my palm.
This was a silver-white, Pentagram-shaped Necklace that still carried the Maiden's sweet and warm Aura. But what surprised me the most was the overflowing Light Power on the Necklace, almost dyeing the entire Necklace into a white Energy form.
Pure White Monk's Necklace (Gold)
Required Level: 18
5% Chance to Cast Level 4 Charged Bolt when Struck
+2 Radiance (Monk only)
+30 Life
+ Mana
+5 Energy
+30% Damage to Undead
+30% Damage to Demon
Radiance: One of the Monk's basic Skills. It bestows Holy Power upon teammates or oneself. Mana Consumption: 8 points. Grants the Target's Attack +50% Damage to Undead and +50% Damage to Demon for 3 minutes.
Radiance? Monk?
Faint, blurry content from Cain's Book surfaced in my Brain. It was said that several thousand years ago, before the Hell Forces invaded, Sanctuary was extremely prosperous. Under the rule of Divine Authority, many Classes based on Light Power emerged. The current Paladin was one of the extremely popular Classes at that time. As for the Monk Class, although it was mentioned in the Book, it seemed to have long since become extinct. I never expected to see Equipment of this Class here again.
However, why would a Gold Necklace flash with Holy Light? I looked at Alice curiously. She seemed to see my Question and smiled sweetly.
"Perhaps it has something to do with the song I've been singing for thousands of years. The song is called 'Avellina's Redemption', one of the famous Sacred Songs of the Cathedral at that time. I think that brilliant white Glow must be the Holy Power attached to the song injected into it."
Avellina's Redemption? I looked at the Necklace in my hand with admiration. But one thing was certain: what was injected into it was not the Holy Power attached to the song itself, but Alice's own longing. The song itself had no Life or Strength. What gave it Soul was the one singing it, and the people listening to it.
I slowly put on this Gold Necklace. In an instant, a milky-white Energy emitting Alice's unique sweet Aura surged out from my chest, making my entire Body emit a hazy white Glow, just like Alice. This was the vast Strength she had accumulated over thousands of years.
Looking at my glowing Body, if I were to play the role of a priest or missionary at this moment, perhaps I wouldn't need to say anything good like 'the Lord bestows Glory'. Just standing there might earn people's faith.
"It feels like a plot from those overly dramatic Hero Novels, where the Brave Warrior gets a Weapon gifted by the Princess and defeats the Demon King, ha..."
I smiled bitterly and shook the equally glowing Scepter in my hand at Alice.
"Isn't that perfect? But let me correct you, my parents are not Demon Kings."
Hearing my spontaneous remark, Alice smiled lightly and tilted her Head as she replied. I couldn't tell that she was also one of those addicted to Knight Novels.
"Last Question, Alex... you were there when your father personally killed your Mother, weren't you? Did you ever hate him?" I turned around and slowly walked towards the Battlefield.
"Yes, at that time, my heart was filled with Fear and resentment. I didn't understand why Father would personally destroy our happy Life. But when I saw Mother's happy smile before she died, for some reason, I just couldn't bring myself to hate him..." The Voice from behind replied.
"What a pair of selfish parents..." I paused my Footsteps, then quickened my Speed.
"Perhaps that's the case. They would always unconsciously leave me behind, immersed in their own Act. However, I feel very proud to have been born into this Act as their Daughter - Alice El Quinton..."
"I really envy you. I don't even know what my parents looked like..."
The Voice gradually faded in my ear. Alice didn't hear the rest of my words. Looking at the receding Back View, no matter how dazzling the Glow on his Body was, Alice could still feel the heavy loneliness and Responsibility carried on those thin shoulders, hidden beneath that always indifferent Appearance...
"Bone Ash... no, Lord Alexander. The Game Time is over. How long are you going to keep deceiving yourself? Do you still want to continue being willful In Front of your Daughter...?"
I raised my Head and looked at the Bone Ash standing In Front of me with a Cold Gaze. With a gentle wave of the Scepter flashing with Lightning Glow in my hand, the surrounding Air instantly erupted as if compressed to the extreme. Smoke and dust filled the air, and Stone Fragments flew everywhere. A deep Ravine appeared at the foot of the Bone Ash, following the path I had traced. So Powerful, is this Alice's Strength? Feeling the powerful Strength filling my Body, I gripped the Scepter tightly. An unprecedented Confidence made me feel that even the solid, mountain-like Bone Ash In Front of me was just a pile of paper mache, so simple that I could push it over with a gentle wave of my hand.
The Bone Ash, already covered in Scars under the pincer Attack of Light Snow and Poison Creeper, seemed to be struck by a paralysis spell upon hearing my words. Its movements, which had been wildly roaring and raging, suddenly stopped. No matter how the Blood flowing on its Body and the flashing scarlet in its eye sockets issued commands of resistance and Fear towards the Holy Power emanating from my Body, it still stopped. It quietly turned its Body and met my stern Gaze.
My guess was indeed correct. From beginning to end, I couldn't believe that Alexander, a Strongest Expert of his generation, would be so easily Devoured by this insignificant Dark Power. The moment he appeared, the Warrior's Soul bursting from his Body was so intense it was terrifying. He was still the powerful Warrior from thousands of years ago. Time could not erode his Soul, nor could Dark Power. He was just escaping, allowing the Diablo Power to control his Body, while he himself hid in his shell like a turtle, unwilling to face Reality.
"Stop running away. Be like a Strongest Expert, like a Husband, like a Father. And let me, as a junior, have a little more Admiration, okay?"
I shouted loudly at him, lamenting his misfortune and angered by his lack of ambition.
Quietly, the Bone Ash just stood there. My upward Gaze met its downward Gaze in Mid-air, neither willing to yield.
"I'm sorry, Young Person..."
From within the Bone Ash, a long, Vicissitudes-filled Voice suddenly came, a hoarse, mature, and Authority-filled Man's Voice.
"There's nothing to apologize for..."
I sighed. Indeed, there was no need to apologize, because, in a moment, I would end you with the Weapon in my hand.
"I must express my apology. Because of my willfulness, my Beloved Daughter Alice has endured thousands of years of loneliness and boring Torment. My most loved Wife Yerith, even in her sleep, could not find peace. It is all my fault..."
Although the Bone Ash didn't move a single point, I felt Alexander's Gaze silently sweep over the Foul Crow in the distance and Alice.
"It's time to end this. I am very fortunate to have met you."
Alexander said to himself, giving me no chance to interrupt, showing me his consistent style as a former Legion Commander.
"However, before I die, please allow me one last act of willfulness. At least, let me rest in peace like a Warrior."
Towards the end, his Tone suddenly changed, as if in an instant he transformed from the role of a Husband and loving Father into an iron-blooded Warrior.
"As you wish."
In an instant, I felt my Blood boil. A Strongest Expert from a thousand years ago issuing his final challenge to me – what great Glory this was.
"Good, very good, thank you, haha..."
Alexander suddenly threw his Head back and burst into laughter. He only made a Presence-filled stretching Movement, and the Blood on his Body, as well as the scarlet Glow in his eyes, were easily driven out like Maggots clinging to ice. A green figure, green eye Glow, and overwhelming Presence reappeared In Front of me. Within a radius of dozens of meters, including myself, we were completely Devoured by the Storm Domain formed by his Presence. Light Snow and Poison Creeper nearby were tightly pressed to the ground, struggling against the Storm. In the end, they could only helplessly whimper and were mercilessly blown away. Even the Holy Light that was originally surging and expanding on my Body was suppressed to the Skin surface.
"Let's finish this quickly."
Alexander's bold and steady Voice penetrated the black Storm in the middle and reached my ears.
"That's exactly what I intend."
I roared back without showing any weakness.
"Young Warrior, don't die young!"
"Lord Alexander, do you have anything else to say to Lady Yeris and Alice? I will convey it for you properly."
"Hahahahaha..."
After speaking, the two of us laughed like madmen, needing no reason, only for this appreciation and exhilaration in our hearts.
Instantly, the Storm In Front intensified. The Frenzy Wind Blades scraped across my Body like countless black blade Glows, as if my entire Body was being gnawed by countless Ants.
Alexander on the other side of the Storm was Making a Move. Although the Degree of his Strength in terms of quantity was not great, I dared not underestimate it in the slightest. With his Experience and Technique, he could completely compress his entire Body's Strength into a Single Point, bursting out several times, even dozens of times, in an instant.
"Haya—" I can't lose either!!
I desperately squeezed the Strength from the Necklace. That milky-white Strength carrying Alice's Aura continuously surged into my Body, concentrated in my hands, and transferred to the Scepter. The gold-inlaid hammerhead of the Scepter, like a thousand-watt incandescent lamp, emitted needle-like white sharp Glows, forming a white Halo several meters in diameter, and it was still expanding. Even the tyrannical black Storm In Front had to retreat before it.
Perhaps, if it were the previous me, I might not even be able to stand In Front of the current Alexander. But everything was different now. Did you hear? Alexander, Alice's prayers for thousands of years, her wishes for thousands of years, they are all here!
"Ahhhhhh..."
When the last drop of Strength gathered from the Necklace onto the Scepter, I tightly gripped the Scepter that was constantly trembling and almost flying out of my hand. With bloodshot eyes, I roared and tore open the black curtain In Front, charging straight towards the center of the Storm.
The Storm was forcibly torn open, revealing a gap. The source of the Strength, the tyrannical center - Alexander's two hands were holding a dark green Energy Ball compressed to the extreme. Compared to the violently tumbling Energy Ball in his hands, his green eye Glow appeared so Calm, like an old man who had seen through the Vicissitudes of life. He quietly watched as the other party broke through the Storm Domain formed by his Presence and rushed In Front of him. A trace of admiration and gratitude flashed in his eyes. Facing the Scepter that was Devouring towards him like Thor's Hammer, he unhesitatingly met it with the Energy Ball in his hand.
"Boom..."