Chapter 525 - 471 : The Frozen Keep (1/2)
The rest of the trip, albeit gloomy and awkward, proceeded smoothly. They marched for half an hour before they arrived at the other side of the unusual mountain erected in the middle of the wasteland. From the girl's words, the human camp shouldn't be too far from here, however, entering it wouldn't be as easy as imagined. There is a relatively big bridge which was heavily fortified and always guarded by strong experts.
Vyncent, who wasn't in his best mood ever since the parasites joined, became a bit excited when they got closer to the resistance camp.
”How many survivors are there?”
Arthur first asked Vyncent, who shook his head in response, so he directed his question to the young parasite. This innocent looking girl was more knowledgeable than she looked. Not only did she know how the camp looked, but she was also aware of the defenses put around the entrance.
”You're coming too?” The young parasite curiously asked Arthur, who looked like a Lich. The humans were antagonistic against all the different looking races so they'll surely attack Arthur on sight. She was wondering why he's so brazenly going heading to the camp, appearing quite relaxed.
”What? You can come but I don't?”
As she heard his cold voice, she quickly shook her head and tightened her lips, choosing silence over the satisfaction of her curiosity. In fact, it wasn't only the girl who was intrigued, the other parasites wanted to know how exactly Arthur will enter the resistance looking like that.
Their unasked questions were silently answered by Arthur, who halted his steps and was abruptly shrouded by darkness. When the Dark Magic dispersed, what replaced the undead was a body that looked very similar to Arthur's previous body. He created it using the Dark Cloud and it can't technically be called a host but it worked, nonetheless.
Gawking, the parasites stared at the dark-haired man standing before them, a hideous scar on his left eye while the right one was blood red, like a vampire.
”As per our agreement, you'll manage yourselves once we arrive.”
Unfortunately, they couldn't hear his voice for they were too shocked. They genuinely thought he was an undead yet he altered his appearance so quickly and they couldn't feel the previous creepy aura of the previous host. It was truly magical. Parasites have high sensitivity so they can recognize their skin almost immediately but it wasn't the case with Arthur, who was a superior, unique variation.
”Yes, you don't have to worry about us.” The slightly older female parasite assured Arthur. The horned parasite, with one hand on his chin, examined Arthur from head to toe before mumbling
”Interesting… not a shapeshifter but maybe a Ratiga?”
He didn't mean as a question and was only talking to himself. He was the only one not afraid of Arthur, showing nonchalantness in his action and words. He was just too engrossed in his own world, pondering about anything unknown.
…
Beyond the mountain, the suffocating weather started cooling down and there appeared signs of snow, surprisingly. The ground was no longer scorched, it became snowy and frozen. The temperature had a drastic change as it plummeted to a dangerous degree, causing Lissandra and the parasites to literally shiver.
In the end, they clustered around Lucy, whose body was emitting a warm heat that melted the snow under her feet.
”It shouldn't be long before we arrive, Arthur.”
Vyncent suddenly stopped Arthur, his face showing some hesitation. The bearded youngster didn't whether to speak his thoughts or not. In the end, he convinced himself and resolutely spoke:
”Look… I think it'll be better for me to speak and allow us entry.”
His face still expressionless, Arthur retorted: ”And why is that?”
”Well… you could be a bit overbearing and I don't think they'll accept a behavior other than respectful.”
Actually, Vyncent hit the nail on the head. While it's true Arthur can be respectful, he finds no meaning in being so to random strangers.