After going through a struggle that was not easy, Joshua and Iris were finally where they were going. It wasn't easy not just because it was facing the knight army but more because Joshua didn't want to…. Iris saw the brutality that was happening around her.
But Joshua knew he couldn't prevent it all.
Joshua remembers how terrified and traumatized Iris was when she was attacked while at Red Peak.
Right now, even though Iris' face looked calm but Joshua could see that Iris was forcing herself. Several times Iris held tightly to her own trembling hands when she saw a scene that was too sadistic for her.
"We can take a break if you want. I think we're out of the Abminster Monastery area." Joshua said while looking around him.
Currently they were in the cave according to what the priest said earlier.
Iris shook her head.
Joshua sighed with concern. Every time Iris saw something brutal, her condition only got worse.
Joshua took Iris in his arms and started to run.
"Don't push yourself, Iris. You know I don't wanna see you suffer. You can rely on me…"
"Okay…. This is enough for me, Joshua. Thank you…."
Then they went on their way. Looks like their journey is almost over. The end of the cave has begun to be seen.
Joshua narrowed his eyes. It seems that something is happening up ahead. With Seraphine Aile, Joshua could see more clearly what was happening ahead.
Right in front of the cave he could see Archpriest Jerome who was busy casting a spell that made the cave's exit closed by a barrier. The knights chasing him were busy hitting the invisible barrier he had made.
"Damn you HERETIC!!! You think you can escape?!! Duke Albert promises a hefty bonus if anyone can bring your head!!!"
"We will patiently wait! Until you run out of energy and your magic disappears!"
Joshua immediately stopped running and put Iris down.
"Iris, wait here. There is an army of knights ahead and Archpriest Jerome needs help."
"Be careful Joshua…"
Joshua immediately ran fast and easily killed all the knights chasing Archpriest Jerome.
Archpriest Jerome seemed shocked by the scene before him.
"What happened?!! Who's there?!!"
"It is I, His Holiness. Yours guest."
Joshua drew closer to the end of the cave so his face could be seen.
Archpriest Jerome immediately recognized Joshua's face but the incident had made him hesitate.
"Sorry. But how did you get here? Shouldn't you be in the altar room with Lady Elizabeth?"
"We managed to escape and met up with two of your disciples. The two of them told me this route and asked me to help you before died."
After hearing Joshua's explanation, Archpriest Jerome lowered the barrier covering the cave opening. He immediately fell to the ground with a face of exhaustion.
"Forgive me, young man. I thought you were the knights to come after me. Where is Lady Elizabeth? Is she safe?"
Archpriest Jerome seemed fine. It only got a few abrasions and sprained his leg.
"She's safe and waiting in the back. I'll fetch her first."
Joshua came out while holding Iris in his arms.
When Iris saw Archpriest Jerome's condition, she immediately approached him.
"Your leg looks sprained. Let me heal you, Your Holiness."
But Joshua immediately stopped Iris.
"No need, Iris. It was only a light wound. His Holiness can hold on. Your body is currently weak. You'd better save your strength."
"But Joshua he needs his legs to walk…"
"Then I will help him."
"But…"
"That's all right, Lady Elizabeth. I can still hold out. It's true what your friend said. You look paler than usual. Are you sure you are okay?"
"I might just be exhausted Your Holiness…."
"..."
Joshua took a glance at Iris without saying anything.
"We'd better hurry and get out of here. We're still not safe. The knights are still looking for you."
In front of them lay a vast karst landscape. Without a horse, it's impossible to be able to go along it quickly. And the open nature makes it difficult for them to hide from the pursuit of enemies.
"You're right, young man. Right now, all we can do is walk northeast. There's a forest over there so we can hide."
Joshua immediately approached Archpriest Jerome to help him walk.
"Iris, you go ahead. Remember, don't push yourself."
Then they continued on their way. Joshua purposely matched his steps with Archpriest Jerome.
With a quiet voice, Jerome asked Archpriest Jerome.
"Your Holiness, there is something I want to ask you earlier. Something that's been bothering me."
"About what, young man? You can ask anything. My life might not be long now with all the knights chasing after my head."
"About the Seraphine Aile transfer process…. what exactly happened when we fainted?"
"Ah about that…. I'm sorry, young man. I guess it was because of my negligence. When carrying out the transfer process…. When I had just started a part of the incatation….. I got news from my disicple that someone wanted to force their way into the Abminster Monastery. I was forced to leave you there with the incatation only half activated..."
"So that's why Seraphine Aile is still with me. Are there any side effects from the unfinished transfer?"
"I don't know. I've never failed to finish my incatation before. But as far as I know once the incatation is cast… it can't be undone…."
"Back again regarding Seraphine Aile. How have you guys been carrying on the traditions of the Chosen Vessel during the absence of Orifiel's lineage? You yourself said that an ordinary person would not be able to."
"About that…. We are using people who have high magical abilities…. In the beginning humans could not have magical abilities. But there was a time when the Winged race and humans once lived peacefully side by side… even if it was only for a short time. The Winged Race passed their magic abilities on to some humans. St. Varos himself is a descendant of those who received magical powers. Starting with St. Varos, the Chosen Vessel was no longer the Seraphine's direct descendant. But…."
"But what?"
"After all the original is always stronger than its copycat. No matter how strong the humans were with their magic power... they degenerated faster than Seraphine and her descendants. Because of that St. Varos gave a mission to find and even try to make candidates for The Chosen Vessel. But the number of humans who possess strong magical powers known as the Ash Tribe are becoming scarcer and only humans with weak magical abilities are left who are no different from ordinary humans."
"The Ash Tribe?"
"Correct. That's the name for those who are the direct descendants of the recipients of magic from the Winged Race. As their name implies, they have ash or silver hair due to receiving magic. They were also the ones who created the shadows of darkness when fighting the Winged Race."
Joshua was stupefied at Archpriest Jerome's story. But Archpriest Jerome told his story in an excited tone. There is no visible guilt or regret.
There seemed to be something odd about Archpriest Jerome's condition.
"Shocking fact, isn't it? That's why when we found Lady Elizabeth…or Iris who is the lost descendant of Seraphine. We feel like we've found hope. With her around, Seraphine Aile's survival will be maintained. We even have plans in the future to marry Iris so that she will have children. Not just one but many. So that the continuity of the St. Varos church is maintained. Having a lot of strong mages will strengthen our position in the kingdom. Like in the golden age of St. Varos when he became an Archmage."
"But everything fell apart since the Nova Mesto tragedy?"
Archpriest Jerome's face immediately turned full of rage.
"Correct. After that, we tried to find Seraphine Aile in Nova Mesto. But we couldn't get any information because the place was covered in fog which prevented anyone from entering. Iris who had become Lady Elizabeth was always under strict guard by her guardian. So that makes it difficult for us as well."
Suddenly Archpriest Jerome's face lit up as he grabbed Joshua's collar.
"But today Lady Elizabeth came with even Seraphine Aile. Everything is not a coincidence, right? St. Varos has helped me so that I can complete my mission."
After saying that, Archpriest Jerome chuckled.
"Losing everything he had in an instant made him crazy.", Joshua muttered in his heart.
Iris who heard Archpriest Jerome's laughter looked back.
"What are you guys talking about? It looks like so much fun."
"It's nothing important. You just keep walking, Iris."
"Okay…."
For a moment, the only sound was their footsteps.
"There is one more thing that I want to confirm to you, Your Holiness. You said that Iris was the perfect Chosen vessel. What does it mean?"
"As long as Iris holds Seraphine Aile we don't need to worry because Iris' magic can suppress the power of shadows. Even she can use the power of the shadow. Unlike other vessels, there is a possibility of being corrupted and mentally affected by the shadow. Seraphine and her descendants were immune to it. That's why no one has ever held Seraphine Aile for a long time besides Seraphine and her descendants."
"But… in the end, is Iris's fate like Orifiel's too?"
"That's right because usually the descendants of Seraphine and those who become The Chosen Vessel are bestowed with long and youthful lives until degeneration arrives and they are ready to be replaced by the next The Chosen Vessel. Therefore, throughout their life the holder of Seraphine Aile must live in strict isolation and protection in order to focus on carrying out their duties."
Joshua stopped in his tracks. At first, he had thought that Archpriest Jerome had misunderstood his meaning but somehow…... Archpriest Jerome's answer only made Joshua even more sure of what he wanted to do.
From a distance, Iris kept walking even though she looked tired. The distance between them was already quite far.
Joshua suddenly turned one of his hands into a claw and stabbed Archpriest Jerome in the neck. Quickly seated Archpriest Jerome behind a large boulder before them.
Archpriest Jerome held his neck which was bleeding. Tried to scream but couldn't.
Joshua looked at him coldly.
Then Joshua rushed after Iris and directly carried her.
"Jo-Joshua? You startled me. Where is Archpriest Jerome?"
Iris tried to look back to find Archpriest Jerome. But Joshua's hands held Iris' head down.
"Archpriest Jerome decided not to come with us."
Iris looked surprised to hear Joshua's answer. As if you can guess what happened…. Iris was silent. Not a word came out of her mouth.
For a moment the atmosphere is in silence. Only Joshua's footsteps could be heard.
"How are you? Are you feeling better?" Joshua asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Iris nodded and gestured for Joshua to put her down.
"I've been feeling better since we left Abminster Monastery."
"Thankfully."
They walk holding hands.
"What about you, Joshua? Do you feel any pain?"
"No. I feel fine. Looks like I've gotten better since I woke up at the altar."
"That's great. Although the transfer was not successful. At least you're feeling better than before..."
"Uh uh…"
"Joshua?"
"Yes?"
"Now what are we going to do?"
"About what, Iris?"
"Seraphine Aile…. are still in your body. I…. don't want anything bad to happen to you. If my magic can't help relieve your symptoms like earlier…"
Joshua stopped walking and hugged Iris.
"Iris, forget about Seraphine Aile. Stop worrying about me. As long as I'm still okay…. How about we have some fun. I'll take you to visit places you've never seen before?"
"But…."
This time Joshua released his hug and looked at Iris with a straight gaze. There is no doubt that Joshua no longer cares what happens to him.
"Or when things are safer, we can go back to my house and spend some time there?"
Iris was not able to answer Joshua's question. She bit her lips.
"I do, Josh. But can after you-"
BANG!
Suddenly a gunshot was fired at them. Joshua quickly pushed Iris away. Luckily Joshua realized it before it was too late.
BANG!
Another gunshot was aimed at Joshua. Joshua moved backwards away from it. It seemed the shooter was aiming at him.
Joshua glanced at Iris. Iris looked at Joshua worriedly. Though they are not far from the forest.
"DO NOT COME CLOSE!!! He is after ME! GO to the forest and take shelter!!!"
Iris seemed hesitant to leave Joshua.
BANG!
"HURRY!!! I will follow you soon!!!"
With a heavy heart, Iris got up and ran.
Joshua watched where the gunfire was coming from. With Seraphine Aile, he could clearly see someone's silhouette behind the rock.
Immediately Joshua ran towards it.
BANG!
Joshua dodged easily then jumped while turning one of his hands into claws.
Simultaneously Joshua aimed his claws at the neck of the shooter. At the same time the shooter also aimed his musket at Joshua's head.
The two stares at each other.
"I knew it was you, Angus."
"Who else could it be if not me, Joshua?"
Angus's shadow suddenly moved and transformed into a Phantom that attacked Joshua.
Joshua parried and split it open. However, the Phantom actually multiplies into two.
"Your friend seems to have a new style, huh."
"Thank you for your compliment. I hope I don't let you down like I did before."
Morrigan's voice came from behind Joshua. She then cast a spell. Two new Phantoms appeared behind her.
In front of Joshua stood Angus with his two Phantoms and behind him Morrigan with her two Phantoms too.
BANG!
As Angus fired his bullets, all of them simultaneously attacked Joshua.
Joshua jumped high up but Morrigan cast a spell and a pair of black tentacles appeared and pulled him down.
When Joshua was about to get up attack. The two phantoms attacked both of his hands. Until he couldn't move. The third Phantom attacked Joshua's chest.
Joshua tried to endure the pain. His eyes blackened as he tried his best to break free from the clutches of the two phantoms that attacked him.
The two phantoms were split apart by Joshua's strength. Morrigan and Angus stared in disbelief.
Morrigan then began to cast her spell again. Meanwhile, Angus immediately replaced his musket with a gun and shot at Joshua.
Joshua screamed in pain. Joshua then grabbed the phanton that was attacking his chest and gripped it until it shattered.
Slowly Joshua got up and tried to attack Morrigan. The only remaining Phantom was trying to block him.
Joshua split it with his claws. Suddenly his movement stopped. Morrigan had finished casting the spell. The lower half of Joshua's body was frozen covered in ice. Not only that several shadow tentacles wrapped around Joshua's hands and neck. Some even blindfolded Joshua.
"You really are troublesome."
"FUCK- "
Click!
Before Joshua could continue his words, Angus pointed his gun at Joshua's head.
"What about his friend who ran away? Shall I go after her, Lady Morigan?"
Morrigan then grabbed Joshua's face.
"No need, Angus. I only need him."
"You… do you really want Seraphine Aile that much? Even though you lost your brother because of that."
Joshua tries to free himself.
Morrigan ignored Joshua's words and cast a spell that further tightened his shadow tentacles with the aim of making Joshua lose his consciousness.
But suddenly a knife was thrown at Morrigan. Angus who noticed it immediately fired a bullet to fend it off.
"Joshua, hang on!"
Isabel ran towards them while swinging her knife
Angus parried it with his gun.
"Lady Morrigan, let's get out of here at ONCE!!!"
Morrigan nodded and began to cast her spell again. This time a shadow portal appeared and tried to pull Joshua who was still trying to fight back.
Isabel tries to help Joshua but Angus gets in the way.
Isabel tries to beat Angus but Angus doesn't give Isabel a chance. He fired a shot with a sharp and wounded one of Isabel's legs.
This made Isabel unable to move quickly. But Angus didn't have time to load his gun either. He also took out his sword. They clashed with each other. Both attack and parry each other.
CRANG!
Leon came slashing his sword quickly to knock Angus back.
Feeling overwhelmed, Angus glanced at Morrigan hoping she could help him.
But Morrigan is still struggling with her own situation. Joshua with all his might fought the shadow magic of the tentacles that bound him. Until at one-point cracks started to appear in the ice.
CRACK!
The ice that was freezing Joshua broke and along with that the shadow of the tentacles that bound him broke.
Joshuapun freed himself and fiercely attacked Morrigan using his claws.
"Look out, Lady Morrigan!", shouted Angus.
In the last seconds, Morrigan managed to teleport herself so she could avoid Joshua's claws.
"It seems that I really underestimated you!!!"
Morrigan then stared at Angus for a moment. As if understanding what Morrigan's gaze meant, Angus nodded.
Morrigan then dived into the ground as a shadow and moved away from the battle area.
"Joshua, don't let her run away!" Isabel shouted.
BANG!
A shot went right through Joshua. Joshua fell to his knees. Blood was pouring from his chest.
While the others were off guard, Angus loaded a bullet and fired it at Joshua.
"JOSHUA!"
Isabel rushes to him.
Even though Joshua was seriously injured, he was still alive.
"I… it's alright… Isabel. Is that witch still around?"
Morrigan quickly disappeared into the forest.
"She fled into the forest."
Joshua immediately widened his eyes in fear.
"She's after Iris!"
"Wh-?!"
Before Isabel had time to get up to catch up to Iris. Suddenly Joshua stood up and darted away.
Joshua ran as fast as he could while holding his injured chest. Blood splattered as he ran.
"IRIS! IRIS! IRIS!"
Joshua ran in the middle of the forest screaming and calling Iris until he was exhausted.
Only the silence of the forest and the sound of birds squawking could be heard.
"No…...did she manage to catch Iris?", Joshua was depressed.
The forest was too wide and he didn't know where Iris was hiding.
"Jo…shua?"
Suddenly Iris' voice came from behind Joshua.
"Iris?"
Joshua immediately turned his head.
"Jo-Joshua, you are badly hurt…"
Iris covered her mouth when she saw Joshua's condition.
But suddenly Morrigan appeared behind Iris and quickly pulled her into a dark portal.
"NO!!!"
Joshua ran to reach Iris but was too late. Morrigan had vanished with Iris.
"I-Iris…."
Then Joshua fell unconscious.