Chapter 22: A New Actor Joins
"Neutralize with water attributes? Is that really possible? After all, performing spell filtration out of thin air while ensuring the stability of the spell model is quite a feat..."
Upon hearing Wiz's words, Durin nodded after some thought. "Of course. Trying to neutralize spells directly in the air is extremely difficult, but what if we have someone who can accept magical energy completely without any expenditure to act as an intermediary?"
Surprised by Durin's suggestion, Wiz pondered for a moment before responding. "Certainly, if what you say is true, then it's definitely feasible. However, does such a person truly exist? If there is, they would likely be the most gifted magician in history. Even someone like you, Mr. Durin, might struggle to match such a person."
Durin, feeling a mix of emotions, swiftly moved past the topic and continued, "Regardless, if I can find someone like that to assist in neutralizing the Holy Light spells, the task you mentioned earlier would still stand. How does that sound?"
Hearing his words, the undead knight couldn't help but show a glimmer of hope and cautiously asked, "Can you really cure me?"
"Well, although I've never lifted a curse from an undead before, theoretically, this method should work."
Encouraged by this possibility, Beldia's expression softened, and he nodded. "Understood. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, I won't give up. I've been hypnotizing myself like this for so many years just to survive until now. This time, compared to before, it's much easier. After all, the worst-case scenario is just death, which is already a better outcome than being turned into a puppet."
Surprised by Beldia's resilience, Durin shook his head silently with a smile and then turned to Wiz beside him. "I'll go get someone. Wiz, you can help this headless knight prepare, maybe take some protective measures as well. Even if we neutralize it, Holy Light is something undead can't handle."
"I understand."
With Wiz's acknowledgment, Durin quickly left the temporary residence of the two undead.
...
Soon, with Durin bringing a reluctant blue-haired girl over, Wiz had also made some preparations on her end.
"Is this the person you mentioned, Mr. Durin, who can transmit magic completely?"
In response to Wiz's question, Durin smiled and said, "Exactly. You can confirm it yourself. This girl has a completely unimpeded magical conduit, aside from elemental affinity, making her the perfect magic filter!"
Upon hearing Durin's words, Aya's displeasure was evident in her voice as she exclaimed, "This is outrageous! Not only am I supposed to help undead, but now I'm being used as a filter?! This is exploitation! An unscrupulous boss exploiting employees!"
"Well then, you can leave if you want. I'll pay someone else ten gold coins for the labor."
"Um, leave it to me, Lord Durin! Just being a magical filter is no problem at all!"
Understanding that she was simply venting, Durin turned to Wiz and said, "Anyway, preparations are done. But even with good preparation, there's still a possibility of failure. However, Beldia, your curse has worsened. If we don't take a chance now, when will we?"
"Of course, go ahead. Even if it doesn't work out, I've accepted that fact. Hahaha, after all the wrongs I've done in my life, death, though cunning, may still be a good outcome."
Despite holding his head in his hands, Beldia displayed remarkable composure, showing the dignity of the knight he once was beyond his strange appearance.
Without further hesitation, Durin opened his hands, and a faint magical energy erupted from him, along with the radiant light of Holy Light forming a spell model in the air.
"So this is Holy Light..."
Watching it for the first time, Aya stood frozen in place, while Durin, with the completed Holy Light spell model, placed his hands on her.
As Holy Light gradually flowed into Aya's body, her expression became peculiar. She asked, "Hey! Hey! Is this really okay?" as she watched the magical energy of Holy Light traversing her magical circuit.
At that moment, Durin spoke up, "Wiz, mimic my spell model and release a water-based spell to neutralize it inside Aya. Once it's done, Aya, remember to release the neutralized spell onto Beldia. Don't worry, just follow your instincts."
Although Aya's behavior was unconvincing, Beldia still showed an expectant expression. However, deep down, he still harbored a shadow over Holy Light, an instinctive reaction common to all undead.
In this moment of conflict, the man who had fought countless battles showed signs of nervousness, while Durin had already completed the rudimentary version of the neutralized Holy Light spell within Aya and urged her to release it.
Although somewhat bewildered, Aya instinctively understood what to do. After a moment of hesitation, she released the magic infused by Durin and Wiz from her body.
With a blue glow radiating around the headless knight, Beldia, who had been feeling bound by invisible chains, showed a surprised expression. He could clearly feel the chains slowly falling away, yet the light of Holy Light did not cause him any pain. On the contrary, he felt a warmth he hadn't experienced in a long time!
The gentle sensation, akin to sunlight on his skin, which he hadn't experienced since becoming undead, nearly overwhelmed him with emotions. Meanwhile, Aya, who was releasing magic in the distance, gradually ceased her actions.
"This feeling is so comforting..."
Before Beldia could express his sentiment, Wiz spoke up first, "It's Holy Light, yet it doesn't harm us undead at all. Mr. Beldia, how do you feel now?"
"It's incredible. I even doubted if I had reverted back to being human, albeit just an illusion..."
As he rose slowly to his feet, Beldia, once the strongest human and now one of the top undead, suddenly exuded his aura. He then gently grasped Durin's hand and said, "Thank you for your help, Mage Durin. Even if it's just to feel this warmth again, I am grateful."
"No need for thanks. I mentioned the reward was for completing the job, didn't I?" Though he felt the weakened version of Holy Light was too effective, Durin continued, "Moreover, you must also desire recognition from human society, right? Though other places may still harbor hostility toward undead due to the church, I believe that if you complete my task, the people here in the South will see you for the headless knight with a human heart that you are, despite your terrifying appearance!"
"Really? Can that be achieved?"
If Beldia had some doubts about Durin before, witnessing him curing himself had sparked a glimmer of hope. After all, he had been isolated from human interaction for too long. Adults and children alike would run away in fear at the sight of him, a social death as a monster he found unbearable. Consequently, he had gradually abandoned hope of returning to human society.
Upon hearing Durin's words, even if it was just a tiny bit, he felt a faint and insignificant glimmer of hope.
To this, Durin simply smiled and said, "Just like this time, you never know if you don't try. Approach everything with the attitude of at least trying, regardless of the outcome."
"Haha, you humans are indeed amusing. Perhaps the luckiest thing in my life is meeting you."
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