"What?" Gravana questioned, only for his eyes to widen and leap backward.
Moments later, a tree trunk was thrust into the ground, nearly smashing Gravana into a pancake.
Then, a young girl gracefully landed on the stake in the ground, the sun behind her illuminating her porcelain skin.
"I missed? What a shame. Next time, I won't." She scoffed.
Jumping down, she rushed toward Alchemy.
"Mother Goddess! Are you okay? You're still breathing, right?!" Her cold, calm demeanor shattered instantly.
"Welcome to… The party… Nera." Alchemy gave a thumbs up, blood still rushing out of her body.
Around the time Alchemy checked the timer for [Supplication], she also took a look at her map. There, she had already seen Nera rushing toward her.
"Damned dog. I'll finish the job for you, Mother Goddess." Nera cursed, turning to face the werewolf who was patiently waiting.
"You're the shapeshifter then? Your master was strong, shapeshifter! Can you live up to her?!" He laughed, signaling for Nera to come at him whenever.
Picking up the tree trunk, Nera casually placed it over her shoulder like a massive spear or lance.
As she was about to dash toward Gravana, the sound of wood striking rock echoed throughout the area. The source is an old monkey using his staff as a walking stick.
"Now, now. That's enough toying with the young girl, Oversized mutt." Rio said, caressing his beard.
Behind him, the three Wingrazers who were blown away.
They were alive!
"What?! Why are you here, old fogey!? Can't you see I'm playing here?"
"Oh dear, oh dear. Your wounds are quite severe, young miss. Any mortal would surely die from this. Am I to assume this is proof of your Divinity?" He chuckled, walking over to Alchemy.
Before she could say anything, Rio waved his staff before casting a spell on her.
"Grand Restoration!"
|
'That's... Mid-tier magic… Is he… The leader of the Monkeys?' Alchemy asked herself as she felt a warmth encompass her whole body.
|
| | | | | Regaining the ability to stand with the help of the tree she leaned against, Alchemy confirmed her suspicions. 'Nera did it!' "Thank you? For the help." She asked, still not entirely sure about his motives following Nera to the sight of battle. "Ho ho ho ho, don't worry about it, young lass. I couldn't let the master of such an interesting person perish so easily, especially not because of the likes of that puppy's games." "Games? What do you-" Before Alchemy could talk, Gravana vanished from his location and attacked Rio, only for Rio to cast a barrier and block the hit. The eyes of both Alchemy and Nera widened at the speed. Nera couldn't follow him at all, while Alchemy could only vaguely see his trajectory. The rest was barely a blur. "Because dear. If he wanted you dead, you wouldn't have lasted long enough for your aid to come save you." Rio sighed, turning his attention to Gravana. "This is why the Dryads ousted you from the inner forest. You keep terrifying the younglings in your pursuit of strong opponents, and you damage the forest ecosystem!" "Haah! It's not my fault those Tree Lovers are so against change." Gravana cursed. The two [Hero++] beings glared at each other before they both turned. "Whatever. Because of you, I've lost my appetite." The large werewolf sighed. Turning to Alchemy, he eyed her up and down, causing both her and Nera to put up their guards. "Oi, Little Goddess. What is your name?" Seeing as how her Wingrazers were still alive, Alchemy's glare softened slightly. "I, too, am curious about your name, little goddess?" Rio added with a chuckle. 'Christ. My first proper meeting with the powers around me, and this is the state I'm in. So much for a Goddess's authority.' Alchemy sighed. Alchemy stood tall, hoping to maintain even the smallest amount of dignity in front of these two freaks. "I am Alchemy Ennis, the Seraphim Verminae of the Verminae. That is to say, The God of Insecta and Arachidna. However, my acquaintances call me the [Monarch of the Myriad Swarms]." She answered while dusting off her shirt, lamenting that it needed to be repaired again. "A Monarch, huh? Good! It's a deserved title for the one I, Gravana, acknowledge as a valiant warrior!" | Surprisingly, Gravana's words made both Alchemy and Rio visibly react. Alchemy was so surprised by the completion of a mission that she didn't even realize she had, causing her to look stupefied. Meanwhile, Rio's eyes shot open, revealing their bright blue hue, which almost looked like they were glowing. "You actually acknowledged someone? After years of ruling over the outer forest, you acknowledge a young lass with an unknown origin?" Rio questioned, dumbfounded. The expression the two made caused Gravana to laugh. "Even you in your old age would acknowledge her if you saw how she moved! It's clear that she's never had formal training, yet her eyes could keep up with my speed! If I had to guess, she probably hasn't been fighting for long! Maybe 5 to 7 days at most!" Gravana nailed the exact point at which she arrived in this world on the head. Alchemy's face twisted in panic, unable to keep her cool anymore. "Hahaha! Don't worry, little Goddess. I already told you I don't blame ya' for attacking my subjects. Instead, I'm far more interested in your potential as a combatant! How about it, Monarch? Wanna become my disciple?" The forest went completely silent as everyone processed Gravana's words. Nera was the first to speak up. "Like hell! I'll never allow you near Mother Goddess!" She shouted in protest. Then Rio. "You're truly insane, puppy. Asking someone you just tried to kill to become your disciple? Do you not fear her growing stronger and exacting revenge?" "You call me Puppy, but all you do is bark, old man! And you, Shapeshifter! Are you going to take the option of choice from your so-called Mother?" "That…" Alchemy spoke, still dumbstruck. "Nera, tell the Granitects to make a makeshift conference area. If you wish to continue this conversation, we can talk over Lunch… Or breakfast, whatever time it is.