He advanced on Pervard, his aura flaring with renewed intensity, prepared to deliver the final blow.
Pervard, blinded by rage and fear, roared as he threw everything he had into one last desperate attack, but his movements were wild and unfocused.
Riftain easily dodged, stepping inside Pervard's guard and delivering a devastating strike to his chest.
The impact sent Pervard crashing into the ground, his body convulsing from the blow.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Pervard's chest heaved as he coughed blood, his body barely able to keep itself upright.
Riftain advanced toward him, his eyes cold with the intent to end it all, prepared to deliver the final blow.
Pervard, blinded by pain and rage, could barely comprehend what had just happened.
How did he get this strong? Pervard thought, blood seeping from his mouth.
We were almost of equal strength. I've been active while he was sick... He grimaced, spitting out more blood, his thoughts racing with confusion and despair.
Oasis stood back, watching the scene unfold.
I guess it's over here. The elixir from the pond really did enhance this old man's strength.
Oasis's gaze was calm, his thoughts detached as he observed the battle's end.
Just as Riftain raised his arm to deliver the finishing blow, Oasis's voice cut through the tension as he began walking toward them.
"Oh, Lord Riftain, don't kill him just yet."
Pervard let out a weak, mocking laugh through his bloodied lips.
"Ha... ha... ha... ha! A kid spares me the cruel hand?" His voice trembled, but there was bitterness in it.
"If it's information about my Crimson Hand you're after, forget it—over my dead body."
With a burst of desperation, Pervard summoned the last of his strength, focusing it in his fingertips.
He attempted to stab his own heart, seeking death before they could extract anything from him and with other motive.
His action was swift, but just before his fingers could pierce his heart, a searing flash filled the air.
!!!
Oasis, with a flick of his wrist, unleashed a string of mana.
This time, it burned blue with a fiery intensity, the mana string crackling through the air with a heat that warped the space around it.
The mana string, imbued with the fire attribute, was impossibly hot. It sliced clean through Pervard's arm, severing it in an instant.
The heat cauterized the wound at the same moment, leaving Pervard without a single drop of blood spilling from the wound.
The pain hit him like a lightning strike, but it was so fast that it took a moment for the reality to set in.
Both Riftain and Pervard were momentarily stunned. Neither had seen the movement, and the speed at which Oasis acted left them breathless.
"Who told you to die, huh?" Oasis spoke, his voice icy, and his eyes devoid of warmth as they bored into Pervard's.
"You cannot die yet. It's not even about your fearlessness—you didn't even scream when your arm was severed. Truly loyal to the end, aren't you?"
Pervard gritted his teeth, holding back a groan of pain.
Oasis turned toward Riftain, his tone more composed now.
"Lord Riftain, we mustn't finish him off now. Let's wait until around this time tomorrow."
This time tomorrow? What does this kid mean? How can he be this strong? Riftain thought, his mind reeling.
That string... if he had aimed it at me, could I have dodged it?
The night had crept past midnight, and the moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the manor.
Oasis's barrier continued to hum quietly around them, untouched by the violent skirmishes inside.
"I'll explain everything in the morning, Lord Riftain," Oasis said, casting a quick glance at Pervard, whose vitality he could see clearly with his azure eyes.
"He won't die anytime soon, even if we leave him like this."
"I can tell you won't give us any information," Oasis said aloud, "but I don't know about your second-in-command."
His eyes sharpened as he examined Pervard's reaction.
Pervard's face twitched as Oasis mentioned Rex, the subordinate he had hoped would take care of Oasis.
Damn this brat... He left Rex alive for this. Who on earth is he? Pervard thought, his heart sinking further.
No human could be this strong at that age. What's with those eyes of his?
Within minutes, the guards had cleared the courtyard, burning the bodies of the dead Crimson Hand members to ash.
Only Pervard and Rex were left for interrogation and execution.
Oasis's barrier remained intact, silently protecting the manor as the guards and servants gathered in the living area for a hastily called meeting.
Every guard, servant, and member of the Riftain household gathered, including the city lord's children, who were now clean and fed, thanks to the servants.
In the hall, Riftain addressed them, his voice grave but steady.
"I understand most of you weren't aware of Pervard's betrayal. Even if you were, there wasn't much you could do about it."
His eyes turned to one of his loyal servants, Alto.
"And thank you, Alto, for being loyal, even though it was risky. I could hear every update you brought me while I was bedridden."
"I couldn't answer, but I heard it all—the state of our town, the mistreatment of the citizens, and the corruption of the town elders."
Riftain's voice grew stronger as he spoke. "We'll deal with them soon"
He paused, then declared,
"But most importantly, we owe our deepest gratitude to our benefactor, Oasis Volacris of Lunaris."
Riftain bowed slightly, paying his respect to Oasis, who stood quietly in the hall.
The guards and servants followed suit, bowing their heads toward Oasis.
Volacris?! Pervard, who was tied to a pillar, thought with a jolt.
This explains it... There's no way a kid his age could be this strong and possess such an aura. This brat is no human.