Chapter 207: Interesting. (1/2)

”Since I must protect Melumnia, I have to say something at least; is your magic dangerous for my people?” Ambrogio questioned Arima with a solemn expression.

”It isn't,” Arima shrugged. ”As long as I don't want it to be.”

”I see,” the vampire nodded. ”Allow to me ask something else then. If I kill you, will those crosses disappear?” He uttered and Raylein shuddered. Arima's companions immediately tensed but he just smiled.

”They will indeed go away,” he answered and Ambrogio scowled. ”But I dare you to try,” he added and Shiva's expression contorted.

”Don't be arrogant. Anyone among the Guardians could easily kill you.”

”That's not what I meant,” Arima retorted and Shiva fell silent. ”I'm just warning you,” he looked back at Ambrogio and reiterated: ”I dare you to try.”

The vampire's eyes glowed for a second as he lifted his chin. He observed Arima for a few seconds and turned around.

”I do not want to kill someone with such a copious death aura. We can never know what would happen. I would even speculate that you have set up a booby trap directly inside your body,” he said. ”In any case, you are here to become one of us, correct? Follow me, I will call the rest and we will be able to proceed when everyone is present.”

Ambrogio told and walked away. He waved his hand and a mirror appeared in front of him. His figure was not being reflected on it. He reached for it and went through the glass. Shiva clicked his tongue and went after him along with Shakti. Raylein went next.

”See you in a moment,” he said before leaving.

”Did you actually do it?” Ganesha asked Arima just after. ”That booby trap thing.”

Arima shrugged. ”Kinda,” he gave an ambiguous answer and Ganesha snorted in amusement before going through the glass as well. Arima sighed and cracked his neck.

”I'll be honest, I think this whole thing's gonna be a hassle,” he grumbled then turned back. ”So? What the hell are you doing?” He asked both Karma and Layla who were orbiting around Gilgamesh as if he was some sort of pet.

That 'pet' in question was not even struggling and let himself be hugged and petted. It was sure that Gilgamesh was a really old entity but at the moment, he was just acting like a timid child.

”Ahem,” Layla cleared her throat when she heard Arima and straightened her back. ”It's nothing.”

Arima deadpanned as she said that while holding Gilgamesh like a baby.

”W-What? He's cute,” she stuttered and Arima sighed.

He stood up and stamped the cross below him. The whole structure trembled and the chains expanded before burying themselves. As they did so, the cross slowly started sinking underground. This was happening for every cross on Melumnia.

After a minute or so, all of them had left the surface of the planet. Arima sensed some of the residents looking at him and saluted them with a smile.

”You can go back to your daily lives,” he declared and beckoned his group to follow him.

Gilgamesh couldn't even say something and he was almost forced to go with them. ”You could hide them… Why didn't you do it before?” But that didn't prevent him from questioning Arima.

”Intimidation factor, Gilga,” Arima stopped in front of the mirror and responded.

”Gilga…?” Gilgamesh mumbled and blinked several times.

”Since I think you're a pretty quiet kid, I'll tell you a secret,” Arima grinned. ”This magic I used is not only made to support me with the souls around it. It has a second purpose; alter the psyche of the people around it over time.”

”In other words, if no one kills me in time, this whole planet will soon know about me and trust me as if I was their godfather. But in compensation for that, I need to do something too. First of all, I can only have one sanctuary active. If I cast this Art again on another planet, this one will disappear. That's one thing, but the most crucial aspect is that I have to protect this planet”.

”Because of the theory I used, I am forced to defend it and its inhabitants. Otherwise, the magic will dispel by itself and I will suffer a rebound. But at same the time, if I die, these crosses will explode and bring everyone else with me to the tomb.”

Gilgamesh was making a really strange face. ”Why… are you telling me this?”