Present time
So… that's… how it all happened.
Lunan could faintly hear the clashing of blades.
Nueluth was inches away from Bastle.
Until a nudge threw her off guard.
"!"
The black-haired prisoner jumped into her, throwing her to the ground.
Bastle rejoiced inwardly. Quickly, he regained the upper hand. He jumped atop her, pressing the blade to her neck.
"General Nueluth van Mahaut! I advise that you make a smart choice here. Whatever problems you have with General Lunan Mumixir, please focus on them when our military is not in chaos!" Bastle reaffirmed.
Bastle gestured with his hand for Clementina, Vandel, and Navle. They nodded and grabbed the tight rope that could bind her wrists.
"We'll tie you up for now."
Clementina teased, with a little bit of congratulation in the mix. "Look out you, Bastle. Taking up the role of the commander. The same person who claimed they were a lone wolf."
When did I… claim that?
Nueluth accepted her binding with a lot of reluctance. It was most plausible that Bastle's words had made sense to her, and even she felt that tying her wrists together would keep her sensible.
Bastle walked over toward Jezoc.
"Unfortunately, I really do owe you one. How'd she not detect you? Even though most Mahauts are born with the ability to distinguish mana."
Jezoc shrugged.
"Not sure. Maybe these clothes? They might restrict mana or something like that. You think I'll ever get this blindfold off?"
"… I think you've become trustworthy enough."
Bastle reached over to loosen the white blindfold. It slid down his neck, resting atop his collarbone.
His eyelids were closed. Long eyelashes.
He opened his eyes, revealing emerald pupils. A single cut underneath his right eye.
Navle's eyes caught a glimpse of Jezoc's full face.
"That isn't the type of face you could find around here in Anore…"
"What're you talking about? I'm right here?" Vandel responded.
. .
.
The soil near the lake was damp. The grass was bright and green; healthy.
"If only we had a boat…" Caelum sighed.
"We don't need one. Roll your pants up. You can swim, right?"
"I hate the feeling of wet clothes-"
Caelum was pushed into the water. He flailed all about, splashing water around everywhere. Yezekael laughed.
"I'll kill you! Bastard!"
Caelum barely exclaimed, words coming out bubbled.
"Sure. You can't even swim. How would you manage that?"
"I'll use you as a surfboard, and drown you."
"Relax, Caelum. Use mana to float upward. You'll be fine. Although, it would be simpler if you could just— I don't know… float naturally. Since humans are naturally buoyant."
"Shut up."
"No way. Are you sinking? I get that you're half demon, but the physiology is pretty similar, right-"
"We should just relax and enjoy these waters. Quit harassing me with all these questions. I'm not sinking. I'm floating just fine now."
Caelum was indeed floating. Without the help of mana, either. Yezekael almost felt like clapping.
"You know, I do feel a little uneasy in water."
"Why is that?" Caelum inquired.
"You told me about manabeasts… how they can manifest anywhere. Even when I was here with Natalia… I felt very uneasy."
"… You're right."
"What do you mean?"
"For some reason, that didn't cross my mind. The idea of a mana beast attacking me right now. And… we've already swum toward the middle of the lake."
"…"
Yezekael's suspicions were correct.
A shadow grew underneath them, growing larger and larger.
Caelum thought quick.
[Cast: Enhancement 50x]
Caelum's enhancement was far from the norm, considering that it was a cast and no longer required manual effort.
Golden mana festered out of his body, encasing him in a luxurious glowing light.
He grabbed Yezekael, throwing him up into the air.
"Aaah!"
His voice faded the higher he got up.
Then, the manabeast shot out of the water.
The aquatic serpentine animal had the same circumference as before, being nearly half the size of the lake.
Its thick scales were primarily black and crimson, as before. The underbelly of the manabeast was tan and soft.
It wore fierce, strong jaws, that unhinged to reveal a row of terrifying human-sized teeth.
Protruding from its head were those same three horns from before.
It swallowed Caelum whole.
But surprisingly, the inside of the manabeast was strange.