Chapter 446: Confrontation

Chapter 446: Confrontation

The memories ended gradually, as if Dallion was looking like a fading picture. At first, he didnt know how to react. The only time anything of the sort had happened was back in the awakening room of Dherma's former village chief. There, a metal echo of sorts had shown it as a form of punishment. To have it happen in the real world, though

Insight, Nil said, his voice trembling with excitement. Ive only read about this. It wasnt clear what trait it was linked to, but now it makes sense.

I can read minds?

No, dear boy. You can empathize with a person, learning exactly what made them become what they are.

Dallion shook his head. The experience was overwhelming, far more so than entering the awakened realm. His head wasnt pounding, nor was his body sore, but he felt a deep sadness, as if all his emotions had been drained.

You wanted to go back ever since you were a child, Dallion said. Ever since you awakened.

Jiroh froze for a moment. By the look in her eyes, Dallion could tell hed hit a nerve.

That was the last thought when you left the citadel, he went on. That was what the hearts of the citadel told you. Theyve been waiting for you all along.

There was a moment of tension in the air. Dallion could feel it better than anyone. Even Euryale took a step back, knowing what Jiroh was capable of.

Empathy really is a powerful trait, the thunder fury said. Yes, thats what they told me. All I had to do was get stronger, and theyd help me return to my world. In exchange"Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Theyd be free, Dallion finished the sentence. Thats why you became a hunter. It wasnt by choice. You needed to be a hunter so you could find the citadel.

Its just as I told you.

That was true. Jiroh had never lied. She had very specifically told Dallion that she wanted him to help her find the citadel she was born in. At the time, Dallion thought that she was searching for it in the hopes of finding clues as to the location of her family. He couldnt have been further from the truth. Even her sister was a surprise discovery that had nothing to do with her real goal. Did that make her evil, though? Most probably not, but it had also made her harden her heart out of fear that attachments might make her change her mind.

You think of it as an obsession, Jiroh said. It isnt. Youve gone through enough awakening trials to know that wouldnt stand. It wasnt a trial that made me stop leveling up, it was my own decision, and yes, Im at a point at which I can make the difference. Ive had a lot of memorable experiences in this world, more good than bad. Ive made good friends, achieved things I never thought I could. However, this is all a dream, and all dreams must come to an end.

But must it end now? Dallion asked.

Instantly, the gorgon and Dallion burst into instances, running in all directions. Jiroh didnt have to. At a speed faster than the human eye, she flew out of the room just as a ray of light pierced through the building and the cloud surface below it.

What the heck?! Dallion stared, unable to believe what had happened. The only time hed seen anything of the sort was moments ago in Jirohs memory. However, there was one major difference. In her memory, the mages were shooting from below. This time, the attack had come from above.

Gleam! Dallion ordered, constantly splitting into instances.

The whip blade flew out of its scabbard, extending to the point that its segments slashed through entire buildings in an attempt to slice through the attacker. Before reaching its target, however, it bounced off a solid wall of air that glowed in green symbols.

Crap, Dallion whispered as he looked at a figure in blue robes floating a hundred feet in the air. Circular patterns of symbols made it clear that it was a mage, but that wasnt the shocking part. The most unnerving of all was the thin layer of shimmering light around it. This wasnt just a mage, it was a mage that at some point had come from Earth.

Isnt this a nice reunion? the figure asked in a female voice.

The whip blade made several more attempts to attack her from a different side, but to little success. It was as if the mage had surrounded herself by an invisible cocoon of air. In response, the mage drew a pattern of symbols in the air in front of her, causing a ray of light to emerge, aimed right at the weapon. The entire citadel was punctured once more to the point that fresh steam shup up from the hole, caused by the scorched area of the sea below. The strength of the attack was powerful enough to melt anything in its path, anything except something indestructible.

That was nasty, Gleam said, not overly concerned about what could have happened to her. Instead, she attacked just like the vicious creature she was. This time she managed to half the distance before another air barrier emerged, shielding the mage once more.

I guess youre a slow learner, the mage said.

At first Dallion thought that she was addressing Gleam, but the wave of annoyance and anger that followed was too intense for something as trivial as a simple counter attack. It seemed that for some reason, the mage was targeting her wrath at Dallion himself.

You were warned not to meddle in things that didnt concern you, and yet you still did.

A new pattern was drawn in the air, at which point over a dozen swords emerged around the mage, then thrust in all directions. Dallion split into instances once more. However, to his surprise, so did the blades targeting him. That changed things considerably. Resorting to his guard and acrobatic skills, Dallion managed to twist just in time to avoid one of the blades, while deflecting the second with his armadil shield.

What did you get yourself involved in? Nil asked, his voice almost trembling.

How should I know?!

Thats not some random mage going on a treasure hunt. Thats a full-fledged member of the Academy. She has the authority of a countess! People like her dont go about in the open unless theres a very good reason, so what did you do?

Youve been with me pretty much ever since I got to Nerosal. Why do you think IDillon paused. There were a few particular cases in which had dealings which were against common sense. One, in particular, might very well have been the cause of this.