Ragna walked over to Arthur, who was slumped weakly amidst the rubble, his body still wracked with dark poison. Beside him, Elara—her hands trembling—continued trying to heal her brother's wounds, though her healing magic seemed useless against the vicious infection that continued to spread.
Amid the hiss of healing energy, a powerful earthquake shook the ground—a sign that the Rift was finally closing after the demon's death.
Ragna approached them, stopping right in front of them, his shadow enveloping Arthur.
"Arthur," he said, his voice piercingly cold. "For a low-class demon like this, you almost lost your life?! Reinhardt would be disappointed." He swept his gaze across the surrounding devastation. "Lucky for you I arrived before you became its meal. Pathetic. Is this all the so-called Rifters are capable of now?"
Arthur didn't answer. He bowed his head even deeper, his shoulders trembling not from the poison, but from the weight of Ragna's words. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his bloodied palms. He knew every word Ragna said was true, and that was what hurt the most.
Ragna. Arthur's former mentor, and the only person said to rival Lord Reinhardt in power. thought Elara, frustration and awe warring within her.
"Brother did his best!" Elara interjected, her voice shaking in his defense. "We almost—!"
"Whatever," Ragna cut her off flatly, without a hint of empathy. "Perhaps another major event will occur someday. You'll die even faster if you keep relying on such weak power."
He's really so arrogant. If it weren't for his inherited power, he'd definitely be weaker than me! Elara thought, hiding an annoyed smile in her heart.
Ragna turned and began to walk away. "This area is now under my supervision. I'll be the one patrolling here."
Yet, behind his confident demeanor, a thought nagged at Ragna's mind: Can I find that organization here?! They're seriously such a pain, making me travel all over the country.
He shook his head and rubbed his forehead.
That damn Reinhardt gave me such a difficult task. Wouldn't it be faster if he helped me himself?! I bet he's just lazing around somewhere.
Then, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, finally noticing the sheer destruction his magic had caused. Trees were burning fiercely, flames licking wildly and spreading rapidly. The sound of cracking and shrieking wood being consumed by fire filled the air, creating a symphony of terrifying devastation.
"Seems I went a bit overboard," he muttered, frowning.
With a relaxed yet controlled wave of his hand, he began absorbing the raging fire energy into his palm, walking calmly through the sea of flames that instantly extinguished before him.