============================

Chapter 45: Lighting the Darkness II

============================

From the darkness, the silhouette covered my vision.

Body height about twenty-metre, it had eight arms, and two long feeding tentacles. One tentacle had its end wrapped around me, its sharp-toothed suckers latched onto my right thigh, then my body.

Its two eyes were glistening, focusing on my hands, the lights on my hands.

‘Ugh!’

I felt the pain, the small suckers held me. It was as if needles being pinned on my skin, in circles.

Fortunately, they could not go deeper, hindered by my aura. Having a look at the monster, I felt the menace. Its arms wobbled, so big. Even the leaner tentacle holding me, was as thick as my thigh.

My body shivered.

‘Giant squid..!'

I wondered how it was possible, for giant squid to be here?

It was still a month from winter, but for this one… I put it aside. That did not matter, I was weaponless, so my right hand held my left.

Only to disappoint.

‘Mother of Khar— My spatial ring, in my room!’

It was rather uncomfortable having a ring that big while asleep, so I took it off.

Having rushed here, I totally forgot to equip it back. Having no weapon, my attack would be weak. I strengthened my Aurelian Arte, yellow mana covered my body.

That would act as a shield, though I knew it might not be enough.

‘Dammit, what to do!’

The squid’s tentacle jerked my body, pulling me in.

‘Ah, whatever!’

I clad my hand with Ivra Illymus, my hand vibrated violently. With it, I slashed the thick tentacle wrapping my body.

SHA!

GRUU—

The squid reacted, waving me around.

Violently.

‘Ughh!’

Left and right, all around.

That really dazed me, but I managed to keep thinking.

Clearly, I left a mark, yet it was nowhere enough to cut it off. It was rather soft, yet bouncy. I tried to use Arra en Noir, arrows of light materialized, hitting the squid's eyes.

GRUU—

Yet in the water, my light could not materialize a strong arrow. It was meant to be used with a real arrow anyway.

Seemingly angered, a tentacular club came, hammering itself onto me. Without equipment, I used my hands, activating Ein Gard.

Dense mana covered them.

Ka!

Stinging.

It was so damn stinging.

Ka!

Another one.

My hands felt like cracking.

Ka!

And another, my mana dispersed.

That last attack, was it. My hands, I could not feel them anymore.

At the time I knew, me without air, had been pushed to the limit. I became weaker, it became harder to think straight. Seeing how I had been pacified, the squid attacked no more. Instead, another of its tentacles, wrapped me up.

Trying to seize me, or squeeze me, I was not sure.

No, it was reining me in.

‘I… Will I... die?’

At the time, I realized.

My right hand, there was still that ring. That beautiful silver ring, with little red gem on it.

Communication ring, the one Krone had given me. When he gave me this, heh, I sure was thrilled. Thinking again, that really was childish of me. I had always wanted one of these, not sure why. Tried hard to make a poker face that time, sure hope I was not obvious.

As a senior, I did not want him to think I was that elated.

…

Hey, did he just smirk that time?

Really, this troublemaker... I got to lecture him, how to respect someone older… He really—

GRUU—

The squid really was loud.

Since I was brought near it, the sound jolted me out of my little reminiscent.

At the time, the thought of calling him for help, did cross my mind. I could not move my hands, but my finger… My finger almost touched it, I only needed to channel a tiny bit of mana.

A little bit more.

…

‘Heh,’

I let it be.

Too late, anyway. Even if I called him, not like he could do anything. As skilled as he was, he couldn’t possibly defeat this monster by himself.

I might even put him in harm’s way.

I cannot be a source of disaster.

‘…Sorry,’

You had just given me this ring, two days ago.

Yet I was about to lose it, what a waste. Probably would forever be lost, in the sea.

Sorry Krone, or what I used to call you, Candidate Krone.

You were annoying, but it was fun.

…

The squid tried to squeeze me, finally.

My Aurelian Arte barely holding me together, it hurt like hell.

Hey, can’t you make this painless? How unprofessional!

...

My eyes, my limbs, all weak.

The tentacles constricted me, ever tighter. It brought me nearer, I saw its eight arms all around, greeting me.

And then the beak.

Two sharp edges, as if a huge parrot’s beak. Inside it, covered with sharp teeth, was the tongue?

Damn, that thing looked nasty…

‘I’m dying...’

Coldness engulfed my whole being.

I would probably be ripped apart, then being chewed by this squid. Not sure, never saw a squid eating before. Have you?

…

The sea, really was vast.

Soon, I would be lost, in the sea…

Lost, in the sea.

Me, and Krone’s ring.

Just like the amulet.

Amulet…?

Oh yeah, I threw it away.

That's right, it’s my fault.

‘I wonder, will anyone cry for me?’

I was not sure, I was losing consciousness.

Faces of familiar people flashed through. Medron, Kent, Kristine, Krone, and a bunch others I did not care remembering. Who were you guys again? Ah, the guards, you guys really funny.

Sorry, I was bad with names.

As I was fooling around with my memory, a certain someone came to mind.

Really, his back was wide, dependable.

…

‘Master, will you,’

…

‘Remember, me?’

As I asked myself that, something ripped through the water.

Water cyclone, in front of me. Shockwave from it, sending me away. A human silhouette reached my eyes before I completely lose it.

The back, a familiar figure.

‘Master…’

A few moments before.

“Damn!”

As I cursed, I slid through the air.

Kristine had told me of Natalia’s disappearance, yet I told her not to worry. I had yet to teach her how to use the ring to contact others, other than me. Me? Of course I knew how, but I did not.

My worrisome sister would have contacted her, but me, I was like;

‘Meh, she’s an adult, no need to worry.’

I took her disappearance for granted. Knowing her, I should have contacted that troublesome lady.

Now, I was reaping my reward, or rather, price.

It came out all of a sudden during dinner.

A status notification was blinking like crazy, her status. While her health still high, it was blinking red, signifying it was more than injury she was experiencing.

That was a clear indication she could lose her life, anytime.

A situation, between life and death.

Personal Info: Natalia Nierra

Health: 78/90

Criteria

Level

Type

Physique

29

Lithe

Senses

49

Heightened

Mana Pool

37

Superior

Mana Affinity

High

Light

Arte

Magic

A sense of emergency, spread within me.

That took me by surprise, but I did not look long to act.The bowl of porridge I was holding fell on the ground. I slid through the air. Not withholding anything, I used my maximum speed. Every single one among the forty could see me.

Or rather, my silhouette, disappearing towards the lagoon.

White mana, trailed my movement.

“That lady, didn’t even!”

She had the party ring. She should have contacted me if there was trouble.

Yet she did not!

Really, I wanted to bite her so bad!

For every slide, I pushed myself forty metre ahead. Slanting myself, I kept sliding without halt.

Knowing the topography, there was only one place which could naturally threaten a knight’s life. And knowing her, there could only be one place. Fortunately, the party ring acted as a guide to her general direction, saving me time.

Precious time.

“The sea, that place!”

I knew that place.

It was quite secluded, and it was at the edge of the lagoon. Knowing the time, she was most likely swept away by the high tide. However, even that could not possibly threaten her life like this, so I kept that in mind.

There was something else.

Again, the notification alerted me.

Personal Info: Natalia Nierra

Health: 28/90

This time, simpler, yet redder.

Something reduced her health more than half, no, two-third. Plus, that blinking, I knew. There was barely time. If she was at sea, then she was likely out of air, out of energy.

‘Damnit, hang in there!’

It took me how many seconds, I did not count.

With my sight going ahead of me, I saw ripples on the sea’s surface. I took out a three-metre harpoon from my ring. In an instant, I tied its end rope to my body. Fortunate enough, the incident with Arnea reminded me to be ready all the time.

Losing out due to lack of preparation? That would be shameful.

From sliding through the air, I slid across the water’s surface.

It was nothing much, anyone could do this once they reached Expert level. As I neared, my eyes pierced through the water.

…!

I saw it.

A giant squid, one migrated from the North.

Rather early coming here, but nevermind that. Its two tentacles were moving, holding something… Someone, with familiar mana trace.

‘Natalia!’

How dare you, you squid.

That was not yours, didn’t your parents taught you not to take other’s belonging?!

Don’t you have any principle? Have some backbone!

Here, I’ll put one for you!

“Arte Instana,”

My bad habit.

Everytime I did this, it was a clear indication, I was using my whole mastery. Aiming for in-between its eyes, the long harpoon pierced through the sea.

A little cyclone, ripped the water apart.

I coughed out, hard.

Felt like everything in my lungs was coming out. Fortunately, it was water. As I opened my eyes, a familiar figure seized my view. At the time, it was really embarrassing. Why did I utter;

“…Master?”

The one at the receiving end, did not say anything.

I blanked out.

“Huh,”

I woke up, I thought I heard commotion.

Moving my body around, I made certain I had all my limbs with me. The pain was still there, but it was nothing serious. To my right, I heard faint sound of snoozing.

Eh, Kristine?

Hands and head on the bed, butt on the floor.

…

The sight of her, not sure why, made me smile.

The pain still stung, but I felt my arms. It seemed she mend them back. I could feel them, but the bandages were really tight, with wooden plate on each of my upper arm.

It seemed I could not use them freely for some time.

Patches were all over my body, especially the area where the tentacle's suckers latched. As for my left leg, I felt extra patches under the bandage.

The sweet scent of herbs reached me, it seemed Kristine covered me with them.

It smelled nice, so I was not going to complain.

Hey, the fire’s too much! You wanna eat charcoal?

Ahaha, why not? Ouch.

Lily, bring me the oil.

Ah hey, Doran, work before you eat!

Is the condiment ready?

Lisha, Athea, stop playing with the eyes!

I heard the voices outside.

The commotion intrigued me, so I slowly stood up, opened the door. Wind gushed through. Cold, it took me by surprise, so I had my eyes closed for a moment.

I peeked.

…

My eyes went wide.

Not too far away, a giant squid, held horizontal by dozens of poles, or rather, half of the giant squid. Its inside was no more, cleaned out. Fires were lit, the recruits seemed to be busy around several iron grills. Smell of grills reached my nose, the aroma triggered something within me, drawing me in.

Hey, I’m no glutton.

It’s just… Well, I’m hungry?

Looking back at Kristine, I sighed.

My body still weak, but I had enough to raise her up to bed.

It’s the least I can do.

Upppto!

Positioning her as comfortable as possible, I placed my blanket on her. It seemed she fell asleep taking care of me, not even care her own well-being.

Really, this girl…

“Thank you.”

I whispered, kissing her forehead.

Suddenly, I heard a lively laugh outside. Before anything, I took my spatial ring on the desk, equipping it. I took a simple one-piece, putting it on. Just now I almost went out with just my… Ah, me and my carelessness.

I stepped out.

As I closed the door, a pair of eyes fell onto me. It was the one laughing out before, did he bring the squid onto shore? Ah, who am I kidding, who else could think of eating something like this the moment he caught it?

Actually, could a teen even catch something like this?

Well, there’s one in front of me.

“Krone,”

I greeted him as I get there, hands on my knees.

Just walking the short distance, I was already breathing hard. There I was, standing in front of him, yet I did not know what to say.

…

Awkward, it was.

Glances from the youngsters around fell on me. The whole beach turned somewhat quiet, with only crackling of firewood and whisper of wind. They recognized me, but since I always kept a distance from them, they did not know how to respond.

Aside from one.

“What’re you standing there for, silly? Sit,”

A glass on his right hand, his left patted a place beside him, the log he was sitting on.

Hearing his tone, I almost fell. This boy, he really... Whatever, I did not care anymore, I sat down. Seeing me sitting down, they went back to work.

There were several, um, five iron grills around us. They suppressed the fires by sprinkling water, leaving burning ember and red charcoals grilling portions of, hm, the squid?

Yep, the squid alright.

Three groups were busy cutting it to small pieces, no, hacking to be precise. Only a small portion finished being grilled, so everyone was holding back.

The aroma invaded me, taking me prisoner.

As I pondered how long until we can eat, he sighed.

“Twice in less than 24 hours, did you use up all your luck this year or what?”

Hearing him mentioning twice, I went silent.

Realization came, as to what he was referring. I pouted, how silly of me.

My sharp eyes, on him.

“Y-you, e-even still, I’m your elder. Please watch your tone,”

“Fine, fine. Being the elder, you mind explaining why you’re swimming out there during high tide?”

“Eh, I didn’t… I didn’t go out, for a swim,”

“Then?”

“…I was searching, for something.”

I paused. Seeing I was hesitant, he did not poke me for more.

Moments passed, they finished grilling several more portions. The aroma of its condiment and grilled flesh really, made me gulp.

Krone stood up, clapping his hands.

“Alright guys, it’s time for the first batch! We’ll feast while grilling the rest, but before that,”

He turned to me, beckoning the rest.

Seeing him smiling, all innocent, I trembled. What kind of thing he was scheming, now? I had the urge to run, but my legs were stuck there.

“Let us all thank Lady Natalia, our sponsor for tonight. If not for her, we wouldn’t be feasting this rare dish. Everyone, some appreciation!”

With that, everyone clapped.

Thanking, praising me for the huge catch. The twins, Thiana and Liliana brought me a plate of grilled flesh. They praised me as well, for the awesome catch.

“Awesome, Lady Natalia. How do you bait such a large thing?”

“Yeah, you must show us how later!”

“Aha, haha… It might not be so, safe,”

I laughed, awkward.

At this time, everyone thought I was away at sea fishing for this… This, this Krone!

Ah, whatever. I wanted to reprimand him later, but seeing him smile, all satisfied, I wondered. Why would he explain so to others?

Surely he…

I trust him. His action explains a lot of things. I just need to be patient and think it over.

Kristine’s words, crossed my mind.

Thinking of what could happen after he saved me, I imagined him carrying me over to the resort, all wet. All weak, unconscious. Even if he did not stop for anyone to see, these youngsters would not miss how serious the situation was.

At the time, even the most aloof of these recruits would be interested, as to why I was in such a state. Should Krone tell them the truth, what would the effect be? What if he hesitated, refrained from explaining, or related to them my condition?

Thinking clearly about it, the reason why Krone explained them so, finally made sense.

‘He’s covering for me,’

I went silent.

All I needed to do was think things over, connecting everything together. Behind his mask of deviousness, there were reasons.

And back then when I confronted him, in front of the academy…

If it’s not making sense, I’m most likely missing crucial information.

“Trust, eh?”

I took the grilled squid into my mouth.

Sour, sweet, a little spicy and juicy.

Ah, you were about to eat me back then, now I'm eating you.

Too bad, little squid.

You’re delicious though, I’ll praise you.

So don’t be so sad, yeah?

I turned to look at Krone, he was taking a large grilled flesh in.

His mouth, filled with one, dangling as if alive. Realizing me observing him, he blinked. Handing me his plate, his mouth moved;

“Wonn somm?”

My face twitched. His plate was nothing but part of its arms, in large, long rolls.

Well, he saved me, so I thought I should play along. I took one from him, stuffing it into my mouth. Somehow, the boys became excited.

“Woah, look at the lady!”

“You sure can eat, haha,”

“L-lady Natalia, don’t eat such a big portion!”

“Y-yeah, no need to follow Krone! This glutton—”

“Hey!”

Hearing the girls’ protest, it sure felt like I made a fool of myself.

Nonetheless, I forced a smile. Looking around, it seemed everyone was not in pain anymore. At least, not so obvious. The mood turned quite lively, quite refreshing.

It was quite a feast.

Krone clapped his hands, pointing upward.

“Guys, look up. Stars, bright stars!”

“Wow, so clear.”

“Hey, among the songs today, aren’t there one,”

“Yeah, yeah. Why don’t we,”

While at it, they began to sing.

It was one of the song played in the afternoon, they already memorized it.

Bright Stars

On Every Frontline

There exist these stars

Shining as bright as suns

They are rare

None could scare

Nothing could daunt

None could surmount

Unstoppable They march

No matter how harsh

Their spirit free

Nothing could oversee

Flying their own wind

Their Will, from within

Their courage soar

Spirit craving for more

Pain aside

Fear excite

Onward they ride

Sending enemy to His side

On Every Frontline

There exist bright stars

Lighting the dark skies.

The songs, somehow I felt like Krone chose each of them, for a good reason.

Yet for exactly why, it continued to elude me.

Soon, Krone proposed a wrestling tournament.

The one who win, would receive a mysterious prize from him. Hearing this, the boys were pumped up. All boys had to join. In a way, it was a good opportunity for them, to let out their frustration.

They went at it, full of vigor. The sands kept being kicked, people rolling on the beach, going on top of each other. Everyone’s attention was on the match, boys were shouting, girls were staring.

With what little privacy we had, Krone asked;

“So, you’re searching again tomorrow?”

“Em, maybe.”

“…You know, the tide changes several times in a day.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Whatever thing you search in the lagoon, if it went through the tides, already lost in the sea. Notice the bottom?”

What he said, made me recalled.

The bottom of the lagoon was quite clear. Only sands and rocks, as if the whole bottom was cleared out. If what he said was true, then…

Seeing me all quiet, he asked;

“Lady Natalia?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“…Really? I could lend you a hand.”

“If it’s lost, it’s lost. I don’t need it anymore.”

“Oh,”

Saying so, I turned around.

“Going back?”

“It’s quite late, I’m tired.”

“A pity,”

I did not reply him, there was no need to.

As I walked away from him, I sensed him, channeling mana into his spatial ring.

Green light, shone from my back.

I halted my steps.

“Pity you, your owner doesn’t need you anymore. Don’t worry, I’ll find someone much better. Way better,”

“…You, jerk,”

...

O' bright stars in the dark skies.

You're too flashy, you got my eyes.

Chapter 45 ‘Lighting the Darkness II’ End