Chapter 73: The Spirits (Part 1)
Reinhard's terrifying roar reverberated in everyone's ears. Sado and Ishida, both weaker in Reiatsu, were utterly overwhelmed by this ferocious energy, their complexions draining of color in an instant.
Is this truly the manager they spoke of? Such a menacing presence; in comparison to those Arrancars they've encountered before, he's on an entirely different plane.
"It is a disgrace to your identities to allow Lady Nell to be lost! "
Abruptly, Reinhard retracted his overwhelming Reiatsu. He was mindful that this display could hinder Fiander's recovery, so he positioned himself directly in front of Pesche with his hands clasped behind him.
"Master Fiander is in recovery, so do not disturb him with such matters. "
"And also. . . "
Reinhard narrowed his eyes at the two humans before him, who were visibly afraid, and questioned them skeptically, "How did you find yourselves alongside these intruders? "
"Do you not realize they are foes? "
"Primarily because Master Nell favors them. They claimed they came to rescue their friend."
"So we traveled with them for a brief period, and during our journey to the Night Palace, we found ourselves entangled in that situation. "
As Reinhard probed, Pesche recounted the full account with anxiety. Even among the three invaders, the orange-haired Shinigami had gotten involved in the effort to save Nell, drawn into the swirling quicksand vortex.
After Pesche's explanation, Reinhard contemplated for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Ishida and Sado, declaring, "I will head to the Menos Grande forest to retrieve Lady Nell "
"Meanwhile. . . you are tasked with keeping the intruders here, do not let them wander! "
"Bringing enemies into our base, I genuinely cannot ascertain if you two are truly idiots or just out of your minds? "
With that statement, a shadowy figure materialized behind Ishida and Sado, powerful hands gripping their shoulders, while a sinister voice declared.
"By the orders from the Night Palace, I should kill you right here, but for Lady Nell's sake, I will grant you both a temporary reprieve. Currently, in Hueco Mundo, numerous Espadas are on the lookout for you. If feasible, I expect you to conceal your Reiatsu and remain in this vicinity quietly. "
As he spoke, Reinhard turned to glare at Pesche and Dondachaka, bellowing, "You two are utterly worthless."
"Until I return with Lady Nell, you are prohibited from leaving this area. "
Having said this, Reinhard vanished from their sight, leaving behind Ishida and Sado , drenched in sweat and paralyzed from the encounter.
"Hey! Ishida, Sado, are you alright? "
Pesche stepped closer and slapped the backs of the two, only to leap back in shock.
It turned out that both of their clothes were soaked with sweat. Confronting a powerful Arrancar like Reinhard had been too overwhelming for their limited battle experience.
"Hey, Sado, did that guy just leave? "
"Yes. . . yes, he's already gone."
Sado clenched his teeth and finally produced his first full sentence.
In a blink, the two collapsed onto the sand, breathing heavily, attempting to regain their composure. The moment Reinhard wrapped his arms around their shoulders, a malevolent aura, like a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, flooded their minds.
At that instant, their thoughts turned blank; they had no time to contemplate anything and could only focus intently on one another.
"Hoo-hoo—
Once they regained their senses, the two directed their hostile glares at Pesche and Dondachaka.
"Weren't you the ones who claimed that the girl named Nell is your sister? "
"Why did you refer to her as master just moments ago? "
"What is her true identity? "
"Why. . . does that guy also refer to Nell in that manner? "
Under Ishida's interrogation, Pesche averted his gaze, speaking with a guilty conscience: "You need not concern yourself with this; I apologize for concealing it from you.
"However, what you must understand is that Master Nell is viewed as a younger sister by Master Fiander."
"And concerning Lord Reinhard..."
Pesche's expression suddenly became serious as he stated, "He is a powerful Arrancar, raised by Lord Fiander."
"Before Lord Reinhard took over Lord Fiander's position, even the other Espadas would never show disrespect when facing Lord Reinhard. "
Pesche's words struck deeply into the hearts of Ishida and Ishida like a piercing blade. Encountering just one Espada rendered them powerless. Faced with nine additional Espadas, the Aizen trio, and the ever-looming figure of the Arrancar named Fiander, it felt overwhelming.
"Can we truly rescue Inoue, Kurosaki? "
Ishida gazed up at the sky in a sense of helplessness; the confidence he once had began to wane.
Indeed, when confronted with overwhelming power, every strategy and plan appears feeble and insignificant.
Meanwhile, Reinhard had reached the cave where Fiander was recovering. After a brief moment of hesitation, he stepped inside.
Navigating through numerous icy formations, Reinhard arrived at the heart of the area. The temperature had plummeted to over minus 200 degrees, causing him to shudder.
The bare skin on his arms prickled, and within mere seconds, a light layer of frost began to form.
Reinhard expelled a gust of warm air from his mouth and proceeded deeper into the central zone.
Suddenly, a frigid gust of wind snatched at the moment just before it could embrace Reinhard, a chilling voice echoed from the summit of the targeted glacier.
"Reinhard? "
"Yes, Master Fiander, I have something to report to you! "
"Is that so? Then come up and speak."
Fiander's emotionless voice resonated like the whisper of a deity, causing even Reinhard, who had been in his service for centuries, to feel a shiver of apprehension.
As a disc of solid ice elevated Reinhard into the air, he finally caught sight of Fiander's form at that moment.
The silver spiritual particles, resembling a galaxy, amassed into a formless collection of souls, drifting up and down with a restless abandon.
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