Chapter 521 - 467 : Summoning (1/2)

”What, my dear guest? Are you not convinced? Just like any other being, my children were born innocent. The cruel environment they've been set in is exactly what twisted their minds. Mind you, we're talking logically here… there is no room for emotions or biased perspectives.”

'So? Do you want to defend their actions? Or are you trying to explain to me the process they went through to become like this? I'm not interested.'

Arthur retorted. He felt a chill run down his exposed spine, harmless but dreadful. He could feel Timos' gaze lock onto him, pierce his shrouded mind and peek into hidden thoughts.

”Do not misunderstand. Please. I'm bored so I'm voicing opinions, which are, undoubtedly, facts.”

'Hmpf! Just because you say they are facts doesn't mean they are. The Cthulhu may have evolved, mutated, it makes no difference. I'm judging them based on what I've seen.'

”Honored invitee, you're getting a bit agitated so I'll refrain from saying anything else. Let my words sink in. Plus, you'll be staying here for a bit longer so why don't you look around. Explore. Only then will you make sense of something, perhaps even everything.”

”Hey.” Lucy stopped Arthur, her face showing a look of worry, clearly from his eerie silence and the visibly perturbed train of thought. ”Are you okay? Tell me.”

Through his non-existent lips, Arthur spoke with a warm and reassuring tone: ”It's nothing. Just pondering about the parasite camp. Back then, I'm sure we eradicated them.”

Vyncent, who was close enough to hear Arthur, said: ”Either a few slipped in or they came from another world. I'm more inclined to the second probability, though.”

”They are normal parasites, not as many as the Cthulhu. Now that we got rid of the real danger, getting past them won't be that bothersome.”

Lissandra cut-in, her hands releasing a pulsating white glow which beautifully danced around her, seemingly searching for something.

”At most, there a few dozen of parasites. They are protecting an artifact… the powerful kind.” She continued while mysteriously moving her hand, injecting a speck of light in each of the other three.

Seeing their confused expression albeit their non-resistance to the incoming light, she explained: ”It's a trivial thing that be handy in desperate situations. Basically, it grants you a minor immunity to the mental attacks of the specialized parasites.”

Arthur, for one, didn't need it thanks to his special race. Not only is his mental much stronger than the rest, but his Magical and Soul defense are also higher than an Overgod's. Moreover, Curtis is guarding his soul, which is the main target of mental attacks.

Generally, there are three kinds of attacks; physical attacks, mental curses and soul strikes. The last two are closely tied to each other, in fact, mental curses are considered a sub-category of soul strikes. So, as long as one has an impenetrable soul, he or she should not fear meager curses.

Lucy's Physique partially affected her soul, causing it to become filled with Yin power, the main catalyst for mental curses. Besides that, her stats are high enough to negate any mental assault.

Vyncent can fend for himself using his cultivation, however, Lissandra is but a mortal, a frail one. Were it not for her mysterious ability, she would not even be able to walk properly in Riarravar.

”Any idea about the purpose of the tightly-protected artifact?”

Arthur asked the bearded man cautiously walking behind him. In response, Vyncent stopped warily glancing around and turned his pair of eyes to the tall undead in front of him, his expression unreadable.

”A large crystal. It's to be used a fuel for a summoning ritual.”

”Summoning? Summon what? Their God?”

Vyncent shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he also doesn't know, oblivious.

'That can't be right. Timos is here, why would they summon Zaarae? Didn't she lose her powers?'

Arthur returned to being lost in his thoughts, trying to figure out the parasites' plan. The old man with flaming skin refused to speak a word so he was immediately killed.

'If she's coming here then there must be a change of plans… damnit!'

Unlike Timos, who doesn't recognize him, Zaarae is another matter. She hold a personal grudge toward him and would definitely pursue him to the end of the world. She's known to be a ruthless and powerful Empress, a peak fighter even without her racial abilities.

”Worried about Zaarae?” Lucy asked him, her eyes staring at the open scorched field all around them.

”It seems we can't just pass through the parasites. I need to make sure they won't summon her. However, I can't find a good reason they'll summon her here. There's nothing left to obtain.”

”Maybe they knew about your arrival beforehand.”-Lucy

”I don't know. Having her come here will complicate everything.”