Chapter 1222 (1/2)

Randidly released a light breath and let his focus settle around that mysterious drop of violet liquid in his chest. Especially after seeing her adjustments so far, Randidly trusted Vualla. So now it was a matter of determining how he would strike out at Ileot Swacc. While he was weak, they needed to act decisively and take advantage of the situation.

If he could get close enough to place his hand on Ileot again and use Cursed Appetite of a Wraith and get rid of Ileot’s remaining Aether, that would be for the best. But Randidly somehow doubted that he would be able to close the distance enough to touch Ileot without exposing himself to extreme danger. And Randidly was even more nervous that Ileot would not be nearly as passive as he had been in the past when he didn’t understand Randidly’s ability to steal his Aether.

No, considering Ileot’s physical abilities, getting too close wasn’t an intelligent choice. And since Randidly wasn’t sure exactly how to strike a blow against Ileot, he quickly made his decision; he would use All Else Succumbs, Yet Time Whirls the Earth.

Although the general goal of wounding Ileot would probably mean the strain from using the Skill would be high, the effect of the liquid Aether would probably mean that the attack would still be quite powerful. That power would mean that Randidly likely would be able to eat the cost of such a reaching wish while using the Skill.

Honestly, using a drop of liquid Aether seems to have an effect quite similar to the Skill Inspiration. The effect of Inspiration is obviously a knock-off version, but still… Might be fair to say that as a last resort, I can also use Inspiration if I need to-

Time suddenly seem to skitter and slow rapidly down. Randidly’s eyes narrowed. Vualla pierced forward with enough speed to send ripples spreading outward through the Great Rift, continuing to push toward Ileot. Everything seemed fine. Then his eyes landed on Ileot himself and Randidly gasped. “Vualla-!”

The Aether in Ileot’s body was surging upward, rapidly rising. Within a split second, all of the Aether constructs in Ileot’s body that had been fading rapidly surged back to life. A tremor ran through his stiff posture. Immediately, the surrounding Nether in the air seemed to curdle as he no longer had an issue of forcefully suppressing his energy expenditure.

The sudden change in Ileot’s presence became a powerful suppression that spread out over the surrounding area. Another tremor ran through his body and then his muscles gradually began to relax.

Vualla noticed the sudden change but it was difficult for her to suddenly adjust all the momentum she had built up in a short time. And now that his body was continually strengthening itself with Aether after it had been depleted for so long, Ileot wouldn’t miss this chance.

His fingertips flicked forward, a huge pillar of white lightning roaring down toward Vualla. The river of lightning was so thick that even two of Vualla’s stacked on top of each other wouldn’t be able to stretch a pink outside of its diameter.

Damnit, why now? Was he hiding his strength the entire time?!?! In that space of time between his heartbeats, Randidly stared across the Great Rift at Vualla’s small form before that pillar of twitching and thundering light. As his emotions became increasingly chaotic, the liquid Aether began to pulse with increasing frequency along with his frantic fear. The sudden change doesn’t make sense! Why-

Randidly stilled somewhat as he flicked to Ileot’s face. The man was crying black tears that coursed down his cheeks and the throbbing veins in his forehead darkened to the point that it appeared that oil was pumping through his veins. His gaze was almost blank as it fixed single-mindedly on Vualla.

Roaring, Randidly tore his eyes away from Ileot and looked at the position of the branches and roots of the World Tree. Although they surged to life according to his will, they were too far away from Vualla and that horrible river of white lightning to make much of a difference. They seemed to be inching along like caterpillars through the Nether of the Great Rift to reach Vualla.

Despite having no useful option, Randidly gritted his teeth and teleported to a spot only a dozen meters away from Vualla. He raised Acri and prepared to activate Man is Proud, But the Chimera Takes to shoot across the intervening distance and knock Vualla out of the path of the river of lightning.

As though she knew exactly what Randidly was thinking, Vualla glanced sideways toward him. Azure eyes met emerald ones. Her opinion was clear; if you save me, who will save you?

Vualla’s aura surged upward and her piercing image seemed to manifest around her body, but the white lightning was so bright and overwhelming that it had already drowned out Vualla’s aura as it neared her.

Randidly felt numb. His arms twitched as he felt the impulse to use his drop of liquid Aether to assist Vualla but then acknowledge that there was very little that he could do even with the boost he would receive from the liquid Aether. The hesitation from Vualla’s firm denial had made Randidly miss the chance.

So Randidly stood frozen as Ileot’s image smothered everything in the surrounding area. The river of white lightning reached Vualla. Randidly couldn’t breathe.

Randidly watched Vualla’s face twist in determined agony as she punched forward but everything was steadily devoured by the white lightning.

Vualla is going to die. For the first time in a long time, Randidly completely froze. The thought was accompanied by such a wave of horror and fear that his processing ability stuttered to a stop. White noise replaced his ability to react. He became a mute spectator.

His face was slack as that river of white lightning covered Vualla’s arms-

An enormous shadow smashed into the side of the river of white lightning, deflecting a small portion of its power. Yet suddenly there was an avenue where there had been none before. Sneezing and smoking, Vualla was pulled away by the same shadow as both figures were knocked backward away from the huge attack that Ileot unleashed.

Those figures spun away almost helplessly. Finally, Randidly thawed out. His heart beat again, accelerating rapidly. Gritting his teeth, Randidly reached out and touched the branch of the World Tree next to him to teleport in the path of the two charred figures. With gentle hands, Randidly reached out and slowed them both.

“...thank you,” Randidly said solemnly, taking in Lady Iellaya’s rather miserable figure. His hands were trembling so badly he hid them behind his back. Aside from most of her skin showing signs of burn, Randidly didn’t miss that it looked like Lady Iellaya’s wings had been amputated from her back.