Chapter 721

Chapter 721

Even if they properly worked together, Tauno was uncertain if he and the hairy beast he was fighting could beat this assassin. The Harmonious Citadels saints preferred to conceal their names for the narrative that they were eternal and limitless, and the dagger saint was secretive even before she secured her position. Thus, Tauno really didnt know her name. But the description had been accurate enough for him to determine it was her, and not some other Augmentation dagger wielder from the Harmonious Citadel.

Which was good, because if there was an extra one of them, Tauno worried about the prospects of the Scarlet Alliance. Then again, if the Harmonious Citadel could actually crush them, they would have done so decades before.

But instead of worrying about that, Tauno realized he should be considering how to stay alive. Poisons wrestled in his guts, one turning his blood into jelly and hopefully keeping much of the other contained. He dodged away from his yaklike opponent that would still be quite happy to spear him. The open terrain around was a danger, allowing his enemies to come from every direction.

With a few quick movements, Tauno dashed towards higher cliffs. He was unable to detect the dagger saint following him, though he presumed she did. The beast he had been fighting was too stubborn to give up. Which was exactly the sort of thing he liked in his opponents.

It charged towards him, and he ducked out of the way as best he could. The wide horns gouged out a huge chunk of the cliff as the creature stopped itself and slashed towards him. Hed hoped for it to run face first into the cliff, but unfortunately it wasnt that easy.

At least he had one side that was protected, so he only had to watch somewhere around a hundred and eighty degrees around him. Plus above and below.

A single redirected snowflake tipped him off to an incoming attack, and he managed to sway back, the dagger merely slicing into his scale and hide armor and not penetrating deeper. He couldnt afford more poison or bleeding wounds, so even if it took a bit more energy to achieve those results, that was what he had to do.

He continued to circle around, counterattacking when he could but as often as possible getting the beast between him and the dagger saint. Its senses were top notch, so it could pick her out even as she tried to sneak past. She was fast, but even so it had to tire her out to avoid swiping horns while countering with her daggers. The compact beast continued to charge with intent to trample either of them. Once or twice it hit the cliffs, but the cliff always got the worst part of the equation. Stone was gouged out, earth trembling. And the beast wasnt stupid enough to actually hit its head, so it minded not at all.

Tauno threw a few scavenged talons, using them like darts. He didnt expect to cause any serious damage, but he hoped he at least delayed the dagger saints approach as he drew the ire of the beast once more. Then it charged him, energy extending beyond its horns and digging up masses of snow, dirt, and stone.

Tauno dove forward under the creatures legs, twisting his body sideways. No doubt it never expected anything to intentionally get into trampling position, so it wasnt prepared to adjust its stride. Then it crashed into the cliff.

The glint of a dagger came at the same time as the crashing cliff. Tauno swiped with his spear while rolling to stab a fang where he thought a foot must be. His movements prevented his throat from being cut, instead earning him a gash along a cheek. But any intended follow-ups were discarded with the desire to escape the collapsing cliff face. It would likely cause little actual damage to the dagger saint, but as Tauno was buried beneath it, he knew he could have taken advantage of the lack of mobility.

He was quite happy that the beast seemed to find the collapsing cliff as an attack, and it continued to tear it apart with its horns, turning the temporary hazards into a longer term landslide.

During that time, Tauno churned through the sludge of blood and poison in his guts. He then happily took advantage of the creatures distraction to strike with his spear, finishing off the exhausted creature. He half expected the dagger saint to strike then but it seemed she might have withdrawn. A shame, but he had two very sharp horns and some excellent hide to make something out of.

If he was not wrong, he had survived a bout with the dagger saint which was good enough for him. Great, in fact, given that he was here for training. With new equipment and some experience, he thought he might end up ahead. Assuming the poison didnt have too many long term consequences.

-----

Indeed, Anton said. Which is why I think that it should be this way longer term.

Are you planning to leave again immediately? Vincent asked.

Not quite, Anton said. But thats not the matter at hand. The sect does not need me. Anton held up a hand, Of course, I dont mean to imply the sect does not want me. I understand that I am appreciated. But, if it came down to it and I was away, you would be required to make the decision as acting sect head. So we might as well make that official.

... What? Vincent asked.

Its not so strange. Dont think of this as me giving up my position. In fact, if you look at it from a certain angle I may even be elevating my own status. You will be promoted to the local sect head. Meanwhile, I will be establishing more branches of the sect. You are already aware of Inistra, of course.

... I will be? Vincent looked astonished. Me?

Of course. There is none more respected among us, and you are our only other Assimilation cultivator. You already fulfill the duties. There were more than a few potentials who might reach Assimilation soon. There had been a glut of cultivators around Antons training group, along with numerous ascension cultivators in the following one hundred and fifty years. But as far as Assimilation cultivators went, Vincent was the lone example. After all, ascension was generally preferred- and potentially easier, though nobody had ever experienced both so they could only do inexact comparisons.

I simply hadnt thought about it much, Vincent admitted.

Good. I prefer you to act as you would already. The only thing that should change is your title, Anton said. Perhaps you will have more people who wish to speak to you, but those who are important would have already accepted you. And should people need me I do not intend to abandon our alliance. I will simply be more difficult to access, as people must have grown used to recently.

When do you plan to announce it? Vincent asked.

That would be up to you. Whenever is convenient. We can discuss the schedule. But before that, tell me of our new disciples. Most likely they could spend several hours simply going over names and dates, but Anton didnt mind that. He was already itching to tell Vincent more details about disciples on Inistra. And his thoughts on recruiting people elsewhere. There were so many places, but they didnt necessarily need to follow the same cultivation path.

Though if Anton could be a little biased, he thought the One Hundred Stars was one of the best methods available, suitable for a wide variety of individuals.

The discussion at some point drifted to the war in the upper realms- it was unfortunate how little they could do to help, but Anton believed in those who were there. Id love to meet my latest grandson up there, Anton said. He could keep track of how many generations removed certain individuals were, but he saw little point in adding extra words into conversation. Apparently Chidi is more like his namesake than his parents ever expected.

I would love to speak with Prospero as well, Vincent sighed. But the divide between realms doesnt make that easy.

Yet it also keeps us safe sometimes, at least. Anton said. Once we have fully established powers friendly to us, perhaps that might change. But it will be a slow process. But regardless of distance, we can still be connected in hearts and minds.