Chapter 174: Fleeing (1/2)

The events that transpired in this year's Apprentices Cup could only be labeled as world-shocking. First was the Calamity Spider that has started a war and worsened the relationship between the two countries and there are today's events: Mistletoe's appearance and the Nether beings.

”Have you seen that attack, Grandmaster Jumana?” Grandmaster Kiren asked as he stood with the woman. The reason that the association wasn't hell-bent on chasing after the members of Mistletoe was that attack exactly. ”Do you think they got their hands on one of the artifacts?”

”Do you think those artifacts grow on trees?” Jumana snapped at him with her hair slithering in the wind. ”I don't know what it is, but if they have one of the artifacts, then we'd have seen more than just these ruins.”

Her eyes lingered on the arena. She had felt it, the power contained in that single punch. It was something otherworldly, overbearing, and terrifying to behold. She craved it but also feared it, thus wanting to destroy it lest it falls into the wrong hands.

'Mistletoe, what is your secret?' Jumana wondered to herself as she allowed herself to be immersed in the lingering, vibrating existence of that power.

”What do you mean?” A voice dragged her out of her thoughts. It held confusion and terror. She looked at the pair of old man and girl standing a distance away as the girl asked again. ”What do you mean Arthur is gone? Has he left the city?”

”No,” Grandmaster Venkov shook his head. ”We tried, Emma. However, it's useless to use mana against these creatures. By the time we were able to break through, Arthur has already chosen to sacrifice himself.”

”No,” Emma shook her head as she took a step back. ”No. No. No.” Her eyes welled with tears. ”This is a lie. He can't be dead.”

”Emma, I'm sorry.”

”No.” Emma used her sleeve to wipe away her tears. ”I'll find him. He can't be dead. There's no way that he's dead.”

With that, Jumana saw the girl try to walk into the flames that were left by Arthur as if burning with his rage. They burned so powerfully that she wondered how can a runes apprentice create something so destructive.

'A shame.' She shook her head regretfully. 'He would have ruled Runera with his talent. The past is gone now, and all we can do is revenge his death. We failed to protect him, so it's time to compensate his family and protect them instead.'

With that in mind, Jumana began giving orders to take care of the mess. The crowd was evacuated from the coliseum and was taken to a proper shelter until the ordeal passes. The broadcast that shook the world was cut off with an apology as the association began to assist the damage.

Multiple causalities and missing people. The arena was obliterated as even the runes were destroyed. The space-locking artifact was damaged as well by the distortion of space that rendered it defective.

”Grandmaster, we should chase after Mistletoe.”

”No, simply monitor the Paladins. They said they were here to apologize and mend the treaties they have broken with the war, but I doubt that was their only aim. The whole thing feels too orchestrated to be a coincidence.”

”Should we treat them as suspects as well?” Grandmaster Kiren asked with hesitation.

”Hah,” Jumana laughed helplessly. ”Do you think those geezers would approve? We would simply stir the stick up their asses and a load of shit would fall off.”

”Grandmaster, please mind your language.”

”Whatever,” Jumana said with displeasure. ”Simply monitor them for now. Make sure that Mistletoe's members aren't hurt if captured, especially the one with the demonic mask. He might have the answer that we have been seeking.”

***

The moment the flames touched his skin, Reece severed the connection he had with the snake. With this, he should have achieved his goal. He stood up from the capsule that Ruby has created for him as his body dripped with mana fluid.

”You're back early.” Ruby glanced his way as she kept working on a prosthetic arm. ”Did you get the newbie out of there?”

”No, junior refused.” Reece shook his head. ”He surprised me with his plan, but I can't say I didn't like it.”

”What plan?” Ruby turned toward him and asked curiously. Reece simply smiled and pointed at the TV. With a frown, Ruby pressed a button on her bracelet and the TV was on.

”Urgent.” The reporter held his finger to his head as he held a microphone with the other. ”The anticipated Runes Apprentice Cup has been attacked by an unknown group of fallen ones. We have just received notice that the envoy of Ilios Empire, sent there to renegotiate peace, has taken it upon their hands to stop the unknown group.”

”What?” Ruby's eyes widened. ”The Ilios Empire are there?”

”Yeah, I've seen them try to get past the Enders.” Reece nodded his head. ”I think they're looking to redeem themselves in the public's eyes?”

”Robo!” Ruby suddenly shouted making Reece flinch.

”Yes, boss.” A small robot dressed as a butler came forward on its tires.