Chapter 196: Nymphime’s Breath (2/2)
In less than ten minutes, a massive pool of crystal clear and slightly glowing pool of water was formed underneath the castle. The high concentration of ambient mana and nature's essence around the crater that was now an actual lake had enriched the pool of water to the point that it was actively affecting the area around it. Providing nourishment to the desolate land.
Although the walls of this cavern held green life, the ground itself was completely barren. Almost as though someone had completely drained every ounce of energy from the soil itself. However, the water surprisingly did more than expected as it rapidly absorbed the mana in the air and enriched the ground around them.
The dull greyish brown soil seems to return to a rich dirt brown color as grasses and flowers sparsely grew around them, creating an enchanting atmosphere around the new lake.
”Lord Ty. My preparations are complete.”
”Alright.”
Nodding in affirmation at Albert's words, Tyler moved over to the lake and after walking in knee-deep, he placed the sleeping Erin on the surface of the water and she just gently sank into the lake. After Tyler moved out of the way, he handed the bottle of water he had just retrieved from his storage to Albert and he simply placed it at the center of the magic formation.
Reciting an incantation, the bottle gently floated above the lake and it disintegrated as the water in it fell and merged with the lake. The moment that happened, Erin's body became illusionary and she disappeared completely.
A look of shock was plastered on all their faces although Z's face was hidden behind his mask. However, Tyler could still sense her presence and right now. The weak presence she had been giving off was gone as her presence filled the entire cavern, increasing the vitality of everything within it.
The water in the lake soon started spiraling as a figure suddenly arose from the center of the gentle whirlpool. It was non-other than Erin who no longer looked like she was in a half-dead state as her figure was actually glowing in a divine aqua blue light.
As she floated above the lake, her eyes gently opened and scanned her surroundings in slight confusion. Her tranquil voice then rang out to the four of them in a questioning tone.
”Hmm... where am I? Why's everyone staring at me like that?”
For some reason, she didn't seem to realize she was glowing until Albert pointed that out with a relieved smile, and she shyly panicked as she tried to turn it off. Her aura was already strong, to begin with, but now that her life force had been completely restored, it dominated the entire space like a true demigod. Her powers must've increased several folds as well. But Tyler didn't ask about that right now.
Floating down to stand in front of the four, Albert couldn't restrain himself but hug her as he felt happy she had survived. It wasn't until now that she realized that her connection with Albert's soul was gone.
”What happened. We've been disconnected. Are you okay? How I'm I even still alive.”
Tyler allowed Albert to explain what had happened to her even though he felt they should've waited until they were back in his office to do that. Rain also rushed in to tease the shy nymph while Tyler observed the lake as he thought of something.
He needed to find a way to keep this place safe as the several tunnels on the wall lead to the forest and who knows where else they led to.
If anyone were to find out about this, they may be able to bring down the castle from here. It was imperative for him to task someone in finding out where all those tunnels lead to and whether it was necessary for them to immediately block the entrances or may convert it into some kind of labyrinth.
As Tyler thought of all this, Albert had finished explaining what had happened to Erin whose memories had been jogged by his explanation and she shyly rushed over to thank him and apologize for not mentioning the soul-binding stuff with Albert. She was still awkward around him so Tyler tried to dismiss her worries.
”It's fine don't worry about it—” Tyler was in the midst of his sentence while dismissively waving his arm when Erin suddenly noticed something and could not help but exclaim, interrupting the rest of his thoughts.
”Oh my! Lord Ty what happen to your arm! This is all my fault, isn't it... I'm so sorry, please allow me to heal you.”
Being startled by Tyler's lack of a second arm, Erin hurriedly rushed closer to him and quickly cast a spell to fix it. ”Aqua Regen.” Water molecules gathered around Tyler's missing arm and it quickly began its regeneration. Even the negative corruption was pushed back even though she still could not completely erase it as it had taken a deep root in him.
She had completely regenerated his arm all the while apologizing to him for being useless in the fight against Mammon which was starting to make Tyler uncomfortable.
”There's no need for all that, my mistake led to the situation escalating as far as it did so it's only natural I take responsibility. Your issue played no factor in my missing arm or Mammon's attack.”
Tyler had said that trying to emphasize the point that he had made a mistake so there was no need for them to always expect so much from him but his plan had been completely squashed by Albert.
”No, there's no way for Lord Ty to make a mistake. You had left this place while trusting us to defend it and we failed you. Our surprising weakness was the cause of this plunder and while we may not deserve it, please forgive us. If you will it, I shall atone for this with my life.”
Tyler was rendered speechless by Albert's proclamation as he took a knee and was mirrored by everyone there. Even Rain who had been sticking close to him after she was done teasing Erin still knelt with a bitter expression as she felt the same way.
To them, everything had gone wrong simply because they lacked the strength to stand beside their master and thus had fallen short of his expectations which almost lead to the loss of the Castle. A blunder they would never be able to make up for even if they sacrificed their lives thousand times.
For their master who had placed his trust on them and had presented them with the perfect opportunity to improve themselves by permitting Mammon's attack. They had done nothing but fail him. Therefore, they had resolved themselves to accept any punishment he deemed necessary even if it was their lives.