Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Not too far away from the group of fleeing former slaves the land was currently in a state of settling, roots returning to their position in the ground and trees bending back into their normal state. The signs of battle would still be obvious in the future, but it was proper to return things to the best state possible. The final segment of mercenaries intended to bring up the rear in the attack had found themselves grossly outnumbered.

Elder Varela would have liked to provide more public support for Anton and the rest, but the Grasping Willows still had to live in Ofrurg. Though he would have liked to rub his current actions in the face of others, some of the present company needed to remain unknown. There were a half dozen former gladiators among their company.

Thank you for our freedom, several of them came forward together, With this, I hope our debt is repaid.

You never owed me anything, Elder Varela shook his head. Its Lev who set you free.

Of course, they agreed, But your presence is what made it possible.

Perhaps, Elder Varela refused to commit more than that. Though in that case, Anton Krantz is more responsible than I. He is the one responsible for inspiring Lev, and would have doubtless freed you himself if he could bear the consequences.

The former gladiators inclined their heads. We will of course pay our respects to your disciple Lev at a later moment. They did their best to avoid looking sick or glancing in that direction.

Elder Varela smiled. Good. Im sure hell appreciate it. With that, he peacefully began to stroll towards his favorite disciple. He casually layered the dirt back where it belonged atop roots, and sometimes encouraged those roots to bury themselves deeper than they originally grew. He stepped over broken and twisted bodies, the likes of which werent sufficient to disturb gladiators who had fought to the death many times.

One of the mercenaries they had just fought was standing in his path, but he paid him no mind. He would be dealt with soon enough. Currently, Lev was placing his hands on another. He unceremoniously ripped his energy out of the man in front of him, leaving behind a ruined and half-hollow corpse.

It works as well as you said it would, Elder Varela admitted, But I have to admit its a bit unsettling.

Lev grimaced. You instructed me to learn from nature. I simply emulated the most dangerous sort I was able to witness and fortunately survive. Lev gestured towards one arm that still hung limply at his side. Elder Varela knew it was difficult to heal, but Lev had refused to try, leaving it as a reminder. I still barely have control of anyone. I havent been able to get practice on humans before now.

Good, Elder Varela said. I doubt your savior would approve of you treating humans as just experimental toys.

I know, Lev acknowledged. I am quite aware that it is a horrid sight to behold. With a stirring of his energy, another body staggered over towards him. He spent some time looking over it, feeling the energy he had grown into what had once been a live person, then tearing his energy out and letting it collapse into just another corpse.

Dont forget to practice the traditional Grasping Willow methods, Elder Varela reminded him.

Of course. How do you think I get people to hold still? Lev grimaced. I dont plan to use this very often. But this group should have known the full circumstances and still made the choice to accept this mission. Lev looked at the remaining people he had to deal with and sighed. I wish I could have spoken to Anton.

You made your choice. I think he would approve, but it was better for him to not know of it at the time. It might not seem like it sometimes, but the power of genuine truth is greater than deception. Those people you freed were entirely unconnected to him, and can stay that way. Elder Varela rested a hand on Levs good shoulder. I am proud of you for following your convictions instead of taking the easiest path with an early payoff.

Lev looked around, Im not sure if I can look him in the face anymore.

Why not? Elder Varela asked. These people are just as dead now as all of those up ahead hopefully are. You didnt even think to keep them around even though it would be useful in future battles. That shows your mind is in the right place, even if youve created a forbidden technique.

I dont think I would have if I thought anyone else could practice it, Lev injected his own energy into what had once been the nerves in his arm, raising it unnaturally. But I doubt others would be willing to go through the same experiences.

Elder Varela was using the nearby roots to relocate the bodies, stripping them of valuable weapons and armor while properly distributing them about the area so that they wouldnt leave behind a hulking pile of dead bodies. Animals would be quite happy to eat fallen cultivators, but if they were all together the scavengers would squabble over them even if they couldnt consume more than a small portion individually.

Actually, Elder Varela commented, Speaking of forbidden techniques. Anton expressed interest in Everhearts Tomb. That new one that revealed itself down in Floelor. I believe you should be inside the restrictions for participating. You should turn up yourself, when the time comes.

Murder of who? Kohar asked. Such a vague declaration is insufficient. She waited a moment, then continued, Since you are unable to declare a single crime in specificity we shall be on our way. She tried to step forward, but his presence prevented her movement

There were over a dozen individuals murdered in the Potenza Arena in Khonard by his very hand, the man declared. We have their names.

Every charge was formally tried and dropped due to aiding and abetting unlawful imprisonment. Kohar turned her gaze to look past the man, Do you intend to let them imprison members of your Order with no justification?

Auras clashed as the border guards from Graotan formally made themselves known. A much older but still very powerfully built man stood at the ready. We do not intend to allow it. I trust you have something to justify your position?

Of course, Kohar agreed.

The man from the Order turned his eyes to the Ofrurg guards, That includes you, Ashok. I hope you prepared a proper case.

The man known as Ashok snorted. Of course, Baltassar. We would only do things properly.

A quick comparison of the information proved his lie. Baltassar had heard their explanations and currently held documents that looked simply tiny in his large hands, comparing them for the dozenth time. I find it surprising that you only have the immediate information one side declared on the scene, not even complete to the end of the day or from both parties. And that you managed to not hear a word of such a high profile case after another month. A case which, I might add, has been heard about on this side of the border already. I was just wondering if you would lie.

Of course you would take the side of a disciple of the Order, Baltassar, Ashok remained confident and overbearing as he spoke. However, this is a matter of the law of Ofrurg. You really wish to risk war over a few criminal disciples?

Funny that you should mention that, Kohar said. Because I guarantee a backwater border guard like you has no authority to even speak of declarations of war. When that information gets back to the rest of Ofrurg, I wonder what sort of reprimands will be made for each of your sects? Kohar made a point of lingering her eyes on the two other Essence Collection cultivators.

They turned to each other, exchanging glances. Then they retracted their auras around themselves. Ashok is acting on his own in that capacity. Our estimation is that you have provided sufficient proof to pass the border.

Ashok turned to glare at the other two, but with the odds being between three-to-one in his favor at best, he backed down. Fine. Go. He waved his hand.

After they had been properly passed through the other side, Anton commended Kohar. I knew you were a specialist in law, but your quick thinking and recall skills are remarkable. I dont know the intricacies of certain laws as well as perhaps I should.

Kohar nodded, Thank you, though I will admit something now that we are well past the border. I might have fibbed a little bit on some of the details.

Oh? Anton raised an eyebrow.

While they might not have been able to restrain the citizens of Graotan on mere speculation that law doesnt technically apply to citizens of Ofrurg. But I didnt think they needed to know that, she grinned widely.

Anton laughed in return. Seems like they should do some brushing up as well.

Id prefer it if they did not. My job would be much easier if my opponents were ignorant.

Can we really get that mans sect reprimanded? Anton asked.

Maybe, Kohar shrugged. Wouldnt hurt to try. Ill draft some letters.

Anton smiled as they walked. Sometimes, it was nice to win a battle without anyone dying.