The Amber Sword

“It’s not that I DON’T wish to, but it’s because I CAN’t leave this place.” Ina smiled as she tossed something to Brendel, “And here, this is my farewell gift to you.”

It was a deck of Cards.

Brendel held onto the deck, confusion stirring in his heart, “Honestly… I don’t really get what you meant.” From his tone, it was evident that he wanted Ina to follow him. It was pitiful that she never got to see the Sun for thousands of years. Plus with her capabilities, she would definitely be a great help to him. Albeit she proclaimed herself to be slightly weaker than the Pendulum Golem, she was no doubt the strongest existence Brendel had seen since his reincarnation, and was definitely not weaker than Andesha.

Brendel was ninety percent confident that he could recruit her to his team, but Ina just smiled and turned around. Her hair flew against the air, revealing her bare back. Between her smooth shoulder blades, there was a frightening red gash. It did not seem to some sort of external injury, but rather coming from something deep within her, as if it grew from within her body.

The crystals split apart her skin, and it resembled the crystals that grew out of the Pendulum Golem and the Crystal Wight.

“What’s going on?” Brendel asked with a stunned grimace.

“Didn’t you see the corrupted rock earlier? The quartz in this place is corrosive. Staying in this place for too long will lead to the crystallization of tissues.” Ina let down her hair, her smile still plastered on her face, “I personally witnessed the young man catch the same illness. His entire organs began to crystallize and continued to weaken till his death. Even then, the crystallization did not stop, and he ended up to become the monster you saw earlier.”

Ina smiled as she said that.

“Thank you.”

When Brendel whispered those words, there was a noisy rumble that came from above. The two craned their necks upwards to see the Fireclaw Chieftain Ropar climbing down from a small tunnel above with a flaming trident in its hand. His movements looked so comical Brendel could not help but laugh. Andrea was nowhere to be seen.

With that personality of hers, it was kinda expected.

Ropar bowed down slightly, softly speaking, “Sir, Ciel has managed to dig out a tunnel outside.”

Brendel cast a glance at Ina and saw the determination in her faint smile. “Go,” she added like an encouragement. “Paradise of Adversity will soar to new heights with you as its wielder. Soon,  after many lunar cycles, I hope to hear stories of your legendary feats ringing across the worlds like my Master did before. Don’t let me down, brat.”

Brendel pursed his lips.

“I know of a place that has creatures with similar problems as you did,” he said as he remembered his adventured back when he was playing it like a game. But unsure of the connection between the two cases, he still spoke, “I’ll get there one day and find a solution to your problems. You’re right, Lady Ina, we really have to hold the reigns of our own fate.”

Ina merely smiled. Brendel turned around, nodding to Ropar to signal their departure.

“Wait.”

He could hear Ina approaching, thinking that she had changed her mind. But as he turned, he was shocked to see Ina rushing towards him at startling speed and kissed him. Before he could react, the icy lips had connected with his.

Brendel was taken aback and took the attack head-on. He could only smell the slight hint of sweetness that lingered in the air – like that of a goddess.

Brendel was shocked. But not because he was being kissed in surprise, but that she was forcefully pushing her lips against his, like a wicked female bandit. His dignity as a man surfaced. He would definitely not allow a female to have the upper hand! He hugged her waist to counterattack, but she had slyly backed away and laughed at him.

“I await your good news. That was to complete my side of the promise and so we’re even now. Regardless of how the tin can is right now, you have helped me fulfill my wish. But I will be sure to wait for you to reward me the next time.”

Ina giggled and frolicked her tongue as if she was savoring the moment she had just now.

“Lady…Ina…you!” Brendel stuttered as he stared at her, his eyes wide with fury but his mind blank. He awoke from his stupor and turned to his aide, his face black with ire, “You didn’t see anything.”

“Of course, my lord. Ciel will not hear a single word about it,” Ropar answered honestly.

“Fuck! So you were planning to spill the beans if I hadn’t stopped you?” Brendel was sweating buckets.

And wait, why is Ciel the first thing on this lizard brain?! And isn’t it obvious to hide everything from Romaine about everyone else? Just how much does that bastard like to gossip!

Brendel suddenly felt the need to punish the Highland Wizard that had fantasized too much about romcom drama. And as he cursed in his head, he could hear Orthylss berating him,

“You lowly scum! You better go wash your mouth before you ever want to speak with me ever again!”