Free Web NovelChapter 39: Ch 39: Looking for Kael
Most magicians were even weaker than regular humans once their magic was cut off. That was because they spent all their time practicing magic instead of building up muscle.
Kael was no different in that regard.
He had started to exercise a little bit, but it had not been long enough for him to gain any real strength. So his main form of defence was his runes, which he was quickly running out of.
It was clear by now that the temple had no intention of sending help, so that only left the people’s support.
’I hope they cause a panic soon and force the temple priests to release the anti-magic seal.’
Kael sighed as he went back to defending himself against the beasts.
He needed to concentrate if he wanted to circulate the runes’ magic for as long as he could.
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"Come this way-"
"The temple’s sanctuary-"
"I-I cannot. My legs won’t move-"
People were panicking as they ran around. This could easily lead to a dangerous situation where a lot of people could get injured.
So the temple and the Cardinal decided to take charge.
"Everyone, do not panic. Our sanctuary has enough space for everyone. Please come here one by one."
The Cardinal promised, and people began to calm down and head toward it.
Leon, Iris, and Seraphina had no intention of doing the same until they found Kael, so they started to walk away from the crowd.
They did not make it too far before a priest headed toward them and stopped them in their tracks.
"I am afraid that it is too dangerous for you all to head out. Please follow me to the sanctuary as well. The Cardinal will protect you-"
"Get out of my way, you worm. I have much more important things to do than listen to your whining."
Iris threatened the priest, and he flinched at her tone.
It was easy to tell that Iris was not in the mood to listen to him, so the priest decided to move to his next target - the hero.
Truthfully, it did not matter to the priest whether Iris came back with him or not. His only target was the hero, and his mission was to make sure he secured the hero’s presence in the sanctuary.
But Leon walked past the priest without even acknowledging the request.
It left the priest flabbergasted, and he immediately reached out to grab Leon’s hand.
"Sir Hero, you need to-"
Leon grabbed the hand reaching for him and twisted it sharply. The man let out a pained yelp as soon as he felt the pain in his wrist, and he tried to pull his hand back...only to find that he was not able to do that.
"S-Sir Hero-"
"My teacher is still out there somewhere. I am not heading to the sanctuary unless I find him. You all can either help me find him quickly or keep waiting for me to come back."
Leon left no room for misinterpretation. He also made it clear that he had no intention of cooperating with the temple.
The priest shivered at the hero’s temperament. The look in Leon’s eyes was one that no kid should have.
However, the priest could not give up here. He needed to at least show that the hero respected the temple a little bit to sway public opinion.
"I am sure your teacher will be alright. He’s a Grand Master, right? But do not worry, the holy knights will-"
"Hmm, I don’t think I trust the temple to keep its word. The Cardinal invited my master, the Grand Master, to a place that had anti-magic spells woven all over it, and then this happened. What else are we supposed to take this as besides an open attack?"
"I...that..."
The priest felt like he was in a bind.
He would have been able to refute those words had anyone else said them, but it was a different case when the hero was saying this.
Leon’s words carried weight, and the people were even starting to listen and form opinions. The priest needed to stop this right now because the Cardinal was getting angrier by the second.
"I understand. I won’t stop you from looking for your teacher. However, please allow some of our knights to accompany you. They will keep you safe."
Leon turned around without acknowledging him, and Iris did the same. Seraphina’s glare was particularly vicious, making the priest frown.
’Tsk, I can understand the hero giving me a dirty look, but for a slave and a commoner to do the same is unacceptable. I will need to make sure I teach them a lesson.’
The priest gritted his teeth and began to form a plan in his mind. freewebnovel.cσ๓
He did not have to think for long before he realized what he could do to turn this situation to his advantage.
The hero likely cared for his childhood friend, right? Then, if the priest somehow managed to save that friend from dying, wouldn’t the hero be grateful?
Moreover, that friend did not have to escape without injuries. A scar or two on the face would be a good reminder for that dirty commoner to know her place.
The priest made his decision before making his way toward the battlefield.
But he needed to hurry. The pressure from the people was getting too much, and the anti-magic barrier would not stay up for long.
He needed to finish all this before the barrier came down and the Grand Master regained his monster-like powers.
Thankfully, the battlefield was not too far away, and the Grand Master in question was already bound in place by the traps they had set.
"What is that? Are those...chains made of holy power? Hey priest, what is going on here?" freewёbnoνel.com
The slave asked, and the priest shrugged to show that he had no idea.
"I cannot tell what is going on here. It is possible that your Grand Master triggered a trap and got himself stuck. This is hardly the temple’s fault if that happened."
He reassured the people, but their glances told him that no one here believed him...which was fine.
He did not need to be believed by anyone except the hero. And even if he lost the hero’s trust, he could always use holy power to erase these memories and start fresh.
Yes! As long as the Grand Master died or disgraced himself, it would be the temple’s victory this time. And to do that, it was time for the priest to make his move.
