Chapter 154: Bull vs. Hippogryph Knight.

Chapter 154: Bull vs. Hippogryph Knight.

Nature, RISE to my call! With a booming war cry from Cernust, tree roots began to grow in size and move like the tentacles of an octopus.

What is this?! Antonio exclaimed as these roots advanced towards him in an attempt to entangle him; however, the hippogryph Bornelli was fast as he was flexible. He had no problems jumping and sidestepping to avoid them.

What is this?!

Moving roots? I was expecting some rocks being thrown and shot by Cernust, but never did I imagine that I would see plants moving. At this point, I wasnt sure if Cernust was controlling them through some unique skill he had or if this was some kinda custom earth magic or maybe its even an empty vessel-like skill like my [White Flames] and [Corrosive Fire] but I did know that his mana was flowing through them.

Like a plant himself, I was able to confirm a network similar to a root system with my [Mana Eyes] originating from Cernust completely composed out of mana. Now, I had no details of his skills, so I couldnt be sure of how it worked unless I looked at his profile. Mana was everywhere in the land and the air so he could also be using the mana from the environment to control the plants for all I know.

Appraising an enemys profile without their knowledge was alright. After all, all is fair in love and war, right? However, what about a friend or a good acquaintance? You know, for this reason, people create principles. Thats why I wont check Cernusts profile even if I was sure that he wasnt wealthy enough to buy one of those identify bracelets the nobles have.

The trees around Aurora showed movement, bending their branches and trunks to block Severas and our way into the fighting and turn the area between Cernust and Antonio into a dueling field. Unfortunately for the knight and mount duo, this arena was far too small for the hippogryph to take full advantage of its size, its wings in danger of being entangled by the animated roots.

Cernust raised his arms like a boxer, activated [Gale Steps], and dashed forward. He entered within melee range of the pair, initiating the battles first attack with a right hook, aiming to knock out the hippogryph; however, the beast wasnt fazed by the surprise attack and ducked out of the way. Normally, Cernust might have been able to link another punch if he were a competent boxer or monk-style fighter, but Antonio wouldnt let that happen.

Swift Strike! Bending his body forward, Antonio slashed down at Cernust with remarkable speed with his blade.

Footwork! Cernust dodged the attack by pivoting his body to the side before swinging it back into its former location and launching an uppercut with the full momentum of the move, sending Bornelli recoiling upwards. Antonio, understanding his partner was in a vulnerable position after that attack, immediately dismounted and charged at Cernust with his shield.

Switching to the defensive, Cernust stomped at Antonios shield to throw himself back, creating some distance for himself. Shield Charge! Antonio roared, once again activating a weapon ability, one that allowed the knight to simultaneously ignore the knockback of the Cernusts kick as well as charge forward like a bull.

I call upon the earths protection, Earth Wall. Instead of attacking, Cernust created a wall to fully block Antonios advance, forcing the oncoming swordsman to stop himself and move around the side of the wall. That was a mistake on Antonios part.

Cernust took advantage of the concealment in order to ambush Antonio. He grabbed Antonios arm, knocked his sword away with his gauntlet, then threw the knight over his shoulder. Antonio landed on his back, causing the air to escape his lungs and his weapon to go flying from the impact. He didnt cushion his fall properly.

Brother! Severa cried out the moment she saw this, covering her wide mouth out of worry for her brother.

Severa, I wont hurt him badly, I promise! Woah-Shit! Once again, Cernusts loud mouth backfired on him as the hippogryph began a flurry of attacks to defend his master. Damn! I fucking hate these shitty birds!

The savagery described in the hippogryphs System analysis came into effect. Slashing with his front claws, biting with his sturdy beak, and swiping with those large feathered wings. Bornelli attacked with every body part he could use to fight, forcing Cernust into the defensive entirely, the bovline unable to retaliate against the larger foe.

Unlike before, he didnt have the time to focus on a spell, showing he wasnt as experienced with magic as I had initially thought. Antonio had called him an Arcane Brawler or something, so I presumed he had augmented his fighting style with magic, similar to Saori whom Ellaine had described as an Arcane Trickster.

Fuck! Cant help it, urgh, Cernust frowned deeply as he realized his situation, even noticing that Antonio had already recovered. While keeping his footwork steady, he quickly grabbed something from his backpack and threw the contents at Bornelli.

Grow! That something he threw turned out to be a bunch of seeds, plant seeds!

What the hell is he trying to do?! I wanted to shout out but I stopped myself the moment those seeds shook mid-air, roots burst out from them before they even hit the ground. Bornelli screeched out in surprise at this sudden attack, but the bloodthirsty hippogryph couldnt be intimidated that easily, as it immediately started ripping apart the seeds and their roots.

I thought that was it for Cernusts attack, but my mind was quickly changed as a larger white cloud burst from the ravaged seeds, engulfing Bornellis eyes for a good moment. The hippogryph released another ear-splitting shriek in surprise; however, this time, it flinched back as its sight was blocked. The bird-horse may have been on guard for enemies, but all it did at the moment was simply turn his head from side to side, completely contrary to his aggressive nature from earlier.

Its behavior now was baffling, and we didnt have anybody knowledgeable on hippogryphs to comment on what was happening to Bornelli.

Thankfully those damn birds react more on sight than their other senses, Cernust said as he quickly gulped down a green potion, which I presume is an agility potion.

Well, thank you very much for the info, Mister Commentator. Its as if you heard my prayers.

Wind Bullet! Antonio, having recovered his sword and bearing, shot out a long-chanted wind spell at Cernust, blasting the white smoke away around Bornellis head. Cernust reacted to it by blocking the spell with his gauntlets, nullifying the attack, and then took out a pouch from his backpack before throwing the latter on the ground, freeing his movements a bit more.

Cernust pulled out seeds from this pouch and spread them before him like a farmer, where a brown magic circle appeared. Even as Bornelli gave a great Kiyahhhhhh! as its vision cleared up, Cernusts spell activated.

Natures blessing upon you, the bounty of the earth Goddess. Flourish, live and grow, for I call for your aid, my brethren. Accelerated Growth! The seeds rattled like popcorn as cracks appeared on them and roots sprouted out. Unlike before, where I presume he only poured mana into those seeds, this was an actual showcase of his magic similar to how he had controlled the trees in the beginning.

Bornelli wanted to continue his attack on Cernust, and Antonio had nearly returned to the fight, but the seeds had experienced a supernatural growth where the plants grew to maturity in a matter of seconds. The moment those roots burst out, they grew in size, transforming into massive trees with thin trunks that would make the ones in this forest envious.

The trees quickly entangled their branches around Bornellis wings and legs, preventing him from doing anything as he was attempting to break through them. Despite having a bird brain, the Strength of a D rank monster like a hippogryph couldnt be underestimated as he broke apart these wooden restraints, clawing and breaking through the wooden trunk of the tree in pursuit of Cernust.

I clicked my tongue and ripped through the roots blocking my path like butter, running over to where Cernust was. I dispersed the dust with [Aerokinesis] to see where Cernust was, hoping his muscles helped him cushion the crash. I really, really hoped so.

Urgh...help. And thankfully, his luck was no more mediocre than his Strength. Cernust was struggling, but he was safe, holding up one of his trees while lying on the ground. Honestly, if he hadnt made the trees so damn big, I am pretty sure he could have freed himself alone.

You, Antonio also noticed Cernust holding up the tree. In this position, Antonio had all the tools to arrest Cernust without worry, but he was hesitating for a reason. Was it cause he saw Cernust help his mount?

Sir Antonio, please, this is enough, I finally said, having enough of this feud. As you can see, this person doesnt mean your sister any harm. He did not take her hostage like an actual bandit, nor did he leave your Bornelli to be crushed under those trees, although he had every reason to, considering your hostility.

Lady Shrine Maiden, Lamreeta, the Goddess of Justice, would not agree with this statement. If we were to let every thief free simply because they are feeding their family, then our society will fall. They must learn how to work properly, become a contributing part to our proud kingdom, Antonio argued, but I wouldnt let him persuade me with some religious stuff. I was the priestess here, mate, and I read a bloody book on the gods!

If you are bringing subordinate gods into this argument, then let me remind you of the subordinate gods under our goddesss command. Goddess of Nobility and Wealth, Erithia, would not consider what you are doing noble, especially after he risked his life for Bornelli. Goddess of Fairness and Equality, Andira, would condemn your action here; instead of listening to what he has to say, you declared him a criminal before he could dispute it. God of Knighthood, Bravery, and Loyalty, Yeostar, should be someone you understand better, am I not correct, Sir Antonio?

With the help of Tasiannas theology lessons and the books I read in Firwood, my knowledge of the different gods of Peolynca had grown. Honestly, there were too many to wrap my head around. About Yeostar, I actually heard about him from Ellaine and Jonathan themselves, as they mentioned the latter had to learn a rite in the gods name before he became a squire in a knights order. Yeostar watched over all knights orders according to them, so this rite was there so he could become aware of a new squires existence.

Antonio, thankfully, shuddered as he couldnt find another word to argue back. Now, if Cernust wasnt actually a bad guy, this whole situation would probably be resolved. I mean, I saw Cernust enter Firwood with Severa in the middle of winter, so its been two months since then. In all that time, you have to wonder why Severa was still here despite being kidnapped. It cant be caused by Stockholm syndrome right?

I mean, even now, Severa was-

Miss Severa watch out, behind you! Tasianna shouted as I was about to look over at our Quests objective.

Hu-Kiyaaaaaa! a scream of pure fear and surprise entered my ears, causing my eyes to widen as my [Detection Sensor] informed me that four presences had appeared near Severa. They jumped out of the bush, revealing a massive grizzly and three wargs.

Scheie!

None of my skills had warned me about this threat, since they werent directing their hostility or killing intent at me or my teammates. [Detection Sensor] could tell me where the enemy was, but I couldnt say how strong they were from it. To me, everything in this forest was like a mouse.

Severa! Antonio shouted in despair, running towards his sister with all he could. Bornelli, sensing the danger, ignored Cernust and shot into a gallop to save his masters sister.

Tasianna shot out some ice spikes, Saori jumped into her shadow, while my purple magic circle was materializing at this very moment. We had to make it time, we just had to!

SEVERA!

But none of us saved herbecause the loudest amongst us did.

A blue mist exuded from Cernusts body. The cracking of wood could be heard as the mist grew evermore in size, even pushing Tasianna and me away. For some reason, at this very moment, my senses became clearer all of a sudden. My nose recognized an extremely sweet smell, a feeling of extreme competitiveness grew inside me, igniting a fire as I looked towards Cernusts direction.

The trees around Severa suddenly shivered before branches and roots grew in size and length in a matter of seconds, so fast it put Cernusts previous actions to shame. The roots constricted the grizzly and wargs before the branches turned into spears, piercing their chests with numerous tree branches. It consequently destroyed their chests, probably leaving nothing but a large gaping hole behind.

Just as I saw Saori emerge next to Severa, it finally hit me what had happened. I used [Aerokinesis], dispelling all the mana mist away to reveal what was hidden behind all of this.

It wasnt the bovline Cernust.

No.

With the form of a komodo dragon, a wood-like carapace armor could be seen on the back of this emerald-green scaled beast. Moss could be seen growing out of the carapace and under its chin, like frills. Two antler-like horns were attached to the head of this komodo dragon, however, it didnt possess any wings. Size-wise, it was around the size of my dragon form.

C-Cernust? Tasianna asked the giant beast, slowly approaching Severa with earth-quaking steps.

It wasnt a dragon, no. Dragons could fly and had wings, but I could feel it. I knew instinctively that the monster in front of me was nothing else but a dragonkin. A wingless, land-locked dragon.

A drake.

KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! I instinctively roared out, causing Tasianna to block her ears. My scale-dust ignited around me as if I was preparing to fight.

The drake, having heard this, turned his head towards meand roared. KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!

Something was telling me I just greeted him with a Nice to meet you.