The Amber Sword

Chapter 173 – Awakening

============ Mephisto’s POV ===========

Mephisto raised his head and saw a pillar of light reaching for the stars. He then turned his gaze on the distant pillar of light that mirrored it, then stood up from the bushes and patted off the leaves off him.

A few seconds later, he narrowed his gleaming eyes and started walking towards to the first pillar of light.

The Sword Saint of Ashes had the easiest time escaping from the Lernaia Hydra, but he did not expect to lose his way in the Dark Forest.

============ Andesha’s POV ============

A deafening explosion shook the air.

The Greater Stone Golem’s arm had fallen onto to the ground with an earth-shaking crash.

Veronica sheathed her sword and took a moment to breathe. Her earlier Sword Arte, the Congregation of Wind, had exhausted her a little. When she looked up at Andesha, she discovered the latter paling a little, but there was no indication of exhaustion.

It was clear who was stronger.

Andesha tilted her head as she returned Veronica’s gaze. In order to prevent the female commander from attacking again, she smiled and brought her fingers to Faena’s neck:

“Lady Veronica, I did not come here to fight you. However, if you insist on doing so, then do not blame me for being ruthless.”

“You’re not going to kill her.”

Andesha was momentarily taken aback at Veronica’s curt reply, and she laughed a moment later: “Indeed, you see things clearly. However, it still depends on how much value this little princess has.”

“What do you want?”

“You ought to know very clearly what I want,” Andesha smiled and paused for a moment, “the Lionheart.”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“Then it seems like you’re not interested in keeping this little princess alive?” Andesha patted the unconscious girl’s face.

Veronica drew a deep breath, but shook her head in the end: “Putting aside the fact that the Lionheart isn’t with me, even if it’s with me, I will not exchange it for Faena.”

“How merciless. Is something that’s not alive not as valuable as a human life?” Andesha’s sharp fingernails were moving threateningly across Faena’s face: “The little princess is the only child of the Duke of Flowers. Are you not worried that he will seek revenge on you?”

“Stop blabbing, Andesha, you and I know what the Lionheart means to the Kirrlutz Empire. Even if the Emperor is in your hands, I will not agree to your threat either. The Kirrlutz Empire will never bow to any threat.” Veronica said.

This time it was Andesha who became silent.

The Mistress of Withering Decay understood Veronica’s personality quite well, and she did not plan on meeting her so early. Instead, she wanted to wait for Veronica to obtain the Lionheart, before using Faena as a distraction so she could steal the sword. It was a tactic that she was best at.

But the sudden appearance of Scarlett and Brendel caused her to lose sight of her goal. Anger slowly filled her heart as she realized her mistake, but she did not stop thinking on how to resolve the current situation.

“Though the Lionheart is not with you, you must have an artifact that can detect it,” Andesha spoke with a low growl.

Veronica frowned when she realized that Andesha was prepared for a fight. She raised her sword to defend herself. But Andesha giggled in an alluring manner, and she grabbed Faena by the throat: “Well, since the little princess has no more use, I’ll use her for a blood ritual.”

Veronica’s expression changed and wanted to speak, but another voice that was void of emotion suddenly interrupted them:

“Lady Andesha, I have no objections to what you’re doing. But you had better explain what you did to me and my guard.”

Andesha’s pupils contracted in alarm. At that very moment, she felt she had been targeted by a monster behind her back. Her hair stood up, and she subconsciously turned her head around.

There was a long stream of golden flames surging towards her.