72 Chapter 72: Watery Grave (1/2)

”What the hell is that?” one of the Black Roses murmured as they watched the creature behind me manifest in reality, its black form still shimmering.

”Black Tortoise,” I commanded. The majestic Celestial Guardian reared his head up and lumbered forward, its thick legs leaving tremors as they stomped against the ground. ”Destroy that Fiery Ape.”

The Fiery Ape instinctively recognized the danger, beating its chest as it roared defiantly in Black Tortoise's direction. Gathering flames in one hand, it hurled the colossal fireball at the approaching giant tortoise, but a geyser of water sprouted up between them, the curtain of water boiling and steaming as it swallowed the fireball, but this time it successfully extinguished it.

”Amazing,” Elliot muttered, lowering his axe as he watched on in awe.

”You haven't seen nothing yet,” I muttered under my breath.

Realizing that it was outmatched in terms of magic spells, the Fiery Ape glanced at us puny humans and quickly came to a decision. I realized that the monster was highly intelligent to the point where it could comprehend that taking out the summoner would mean the demise of Black Tortoise. However, it clearly couldn't tell which human had summoned the formidable soul beast that was now before it.

Not that it mattered.

With a growl, the Fiery Ape hammered the ground with both hands, casting another area of effect spell to incinerate the entire area. The trio of defensive mages from earlier tensed as they began to quickly cast their barrier spell, but before they could complete it, a curtain of water rose in a circle around the Fiery Ape, capturing the expanding flames. Steam clouded our vision, but it was obvious that the area-of-effect spell had been contained and nullified.

”Grr…?!”

The Fiery Ape growled again, frustrated and bewildered when it saw its technique thwarted. Nearing the end of its rope, it resorted to its baser instincts, abandoning all pretense of casting spells and physically charging at the approaching Black Tortoise. Flames erupted around its massive frame, wreathing it in a fearsome halo of fire.

My Black Tortoise did not halt his advance. He merely watched coolly, and conjured another magic spell.

Splash!

A massive waterfall descended from the heavens and crashed onto the charging Fiery Ape, smashing it into the ground and crushing it under tons of water. Unexpectedly, the tremendous water pressure was able to obliterate a good chunk of the Fiery Ape's body, squashing bones flat and twisting the poor monster out of shape.

”GUOOOOH!”

The Fiery Ape roared in pain, writhing with what was left of its mangled limbs. Fire continued to spark around its head, the majority of it sadly extinguished by the celestial waterfall. In one last display of defiance, it spat flames at Black Tortoise.

However, it never reached the Celestial Guardian.

A serpent snaked out from behind Black Tortoise's enormous shell and bit down on the Fiery Ape's neck. Its fangs crushed down, causing geysers of blood to fountain out, and with a sickening crunch, it ripped the poor Fiery Ape's head off.

The fire in the rank C beast's eyes died along with its owner, snuffed out as surely as Black Tortoise's water against the monster's flames.

”…”

The surviving Roses stood or sat still, watching the macabre scene with horror or amazement, or both. They still couldn't believe what had just transpired.

”That's crazy!” Elliot blurted out. ”All that spells and attacks we did, and we didn't do much damage to the Fiery Ape. Then your soul beast comes along and takes it out in just a couple of attacks!”

”It happens?” I responded flippantly with a shrug. Currently I was more preoccupied with dismissing Black Tortoise. My colossal Celestial Guardian was fading away, returning to whatever ethereal dimension he resided in when I wasn't summoning him.

”How did this guy not get invited to Black Roses?” Nicholas murmured in disbelief. Jin Hao snorted.

”President Alicia invited him…or tried to, but Vice-President Miranda protested and overruled that.”

Not to mention I also rejected the invitation, but I saw no reason to mention that. I was much too exhausted for small talk.

”That witch…” Nicholas muttered, and I wondered if he was joking. That was Miranda Miriam's nickname. She always had this motherly air to her, but her fussing about and draconian adherence to rules and protocol turned people away. There were more than a few people who nicknamed her the Witch behind her back, but the title caught on because of her superlative spell casting abilities, and many of the Black Roses embraced that title for their revered vice-president.

”I'm sure she only intended to do what was best for the Black Roses,” I said wearily. Nicholas smiled and shrugged.

”I have no doubt about that too. But the vice-president isn't always right.”

”And it's twice that you've saved us now,” Elliot added. Looking around at his confused party members, he cleared his throat. ”I mean me, Nick and Jin Hao.”

”This time it's mutual. If you didn't help me out, I would have died too.”