Chapter 545 That Man III (2/2)
”Sir! In front…!”
A startled scream dragged the man back to reality. He waved the torch before him and his expression turned ashen instantly. The tunnel had been completely buried in gravel.
”This…” The Elf Mage tugged the man's sleeve anxiously and looked on with a pale expression. The man turned around with a hesitant expression. He gaped, and…
”…”
There wasn't any wind, but the torch extinguished abruptly. Then, darkness filled the entire tunnel.
The Elf Mage said with a shaky voice. ”… Earth Elemental Spirit… has awakened…”
A sharp sound of wind sounded behind them.
Rhode carried Emily in his arms and rolled forward, crashing into the ground heavily. The frantic wind merely brushed them. The warm, beautiful sun shone on them, reminding them of how much they had missed it. Rhode heaved a sigh of relief and stood to his feet. He gazed into the deep, pitch-black tunnel from its entrance. Although there were no strange occurrences, Rhode knew that the underground world had become an entirely different place.
The Earth Elemental Spirit had been fully awakened and his mission was accomplished. No matter what happened next would have nothing to do with him… Come to think of it, who exactly were those people? Judging from their appearance, they should be from the Country of Light. But why did they come here to threaten the Howard Family? It's a pity that I need to rush off without socializing with them. Anyway… Whether they're alive or not has nothing to do with me anymore.
Rhode turned to face Emily with a warm smile and extended his arm. ”Are you okay, Miss Emily? Let's go back to the city.”
The forest was in complete silence.
An array of green light rays projected from the underground. Shortly after, a dozen magical markings swiftly arranged and assembled into a tiny ritual circle on the ground. Then, two exhausted figure emerged from within and collapsed to the ground.
”Haa… Haa…”
The pale-faced Elf Mage panted, holding onto her dim staff and kneeling on the ground. The man in black swordsman armor beside her gritted his teeth and pushed his clenched fists on the ground. He glared with bloodshot eyes and an unprecedented wrath and pain emerged between his brows.
”Damn… Why has it become like this… Uncle Raul has…”
”Sir, please… don't blame yourself…”
The Elf Mage forced herself to her feet and tottered to the man. She pressed on his shoulder and consoled softly. ”It isn't your fault, Sir… My teleportation can only transport two people. And Uncle Raul and the guys are willing to stay in there…”
”I know!” The man bellowed.
His arms trembled as he clenched his fists tightly. He couldn't forget that scene. In the darkness, countless Earth Elemental creatures attacked them and they were convinced that the horrifying underground world would be their deathbeds. However, Uncle Raul gave up his hopes of survival and led his men to fend off the creatures in order to buy time for both of them to escape using teleportation. The cruel image of his close companions devoured and ripped apart by the monsters before him was permanently imprinted in his mind.
”I know… But… This is all my fault. If only I didn't seize the chance to manipulate the Earth Elemental Spirit that was sealed peacefully underneath, then maybe things wouldn't end up this way!”
”…” The Elf Mage revealed a hesitant look and sighed slightly. Both of them stood in the dusky, silent forest without speaking a word.
The day had approached its end, and the man let out a deep, long sigh. ”I'm sorry, Cheryl. I didn't mean to vent my frustrations on you. I feel that… I'm too useless.”
”Do you regret it, Sir?”
”No… I know what you're trying to say. Thank you, Cheryl. I just lost my self-control at the moment, I'm sorry…”
The man said that and he realized that he had been leaning on the Elf Mage closely. A blush smeared across his face and he drew a distance between them hurriedly. ”S-Sorry, Cheryl. I didn't do it on purpose…”
”Ah. It's okay, Sir. I don't mind.”
The Elf Mage let out a bitter laugh as she gazed at the bewildered man with a trace of disappointment revealing in her eyes. However, the man didn't realize his companion's strange behaviors. Instead, he remained silent for a few moments and turned toward the range of hills with knitted brows.
”… Cheryl. That woman who has spoiled our plans. Do you know anything about her?”
”… You're referring to… Miss Miranda Seren? I'm sorry, Sir, I'm not familiar with her. The Seren Trade Association isn't considered a powerful financial group in the Country of Light… But, I think that she isn't just an ordinary merchant… If she indeed came from the Country of Light, perhaps Dante has some information…”
”… You're saying that she may be a lackey of the financial groups?”
”… Sorry, Sir. This is only my guess…”
”You don't have to apologize, Cheryl. No matter what her true identity is, I will not let this matter end just like this. I don't know what she wants exactly. But it's fairly obvious that she isn't standing on our side… We have to hurry back to the town of Fiat, so we have a chance to seek revenge on her!” The man swung his fist with all his might. He looked on with a determined expression and burning wrath glinted in his eyes. ”I will not let this matter off! Uncle Raul and the guys shall not die in vain. No matter who she is, she will pay the price!”