Free Web NovelChapter 215: Caelum Vs Alan
The dozens of mechanical hands shot towards me from all directions.
Instead of dodging them, I created a portal in front of me. The portal’s exit was behind Caelum’s back of the head.
I grabbed his head before he could react, and pulled, putting his neck at the border of the portal.
If I closed the portal now, his neck would fly.
The mechanical hands froze only inches away from me.
"See. Weak," I said. The mask I was wearing hid my expression, but my condensing voice carried.
"Are you sure I’m weak?" Caelum asked with a faint smile.
He was looking behind me. I turned my head slightly, seeing the giant in ceremonial robes behind me. Its fist was pulled back, ready to punch.
"Are you sure he can punch faster than I can close my portal?" I asked.
"I doubt that. But he is a Cursed Item. If I die, he will lose control. By the way, he tanked an attack from a Rank 4 Cursed Spirit," Caelum said.
I didn’t reply and observed the Cursed Spirit. Of course, it was just for show. I already knew how strong was Dante.
"What? Got scared? Don’t stop. Kill me," Caelum taunted.
"I am a Space Mage, Caelum. I can easily dodge a berserk Cursed Item," I replied.
"But will you really dodge? If you leave, Dante will level this whole city, perhaps even the country before other Exorcists can stop him," Caelum said.
He was relaxed, as if he was truly not worried about his death.
That made sense. As Monkey King’s disciple, I—Alan Vertius—couldn’t risk innocent people’s life. As for Caelum’s claim of blocking a Rank 4 Cursed Spirit’s attack, the news of Caelum being in Rank 4 Cursed Spirit Domain should’ve already been known to someone of the standing of "Alan Veritus."
Coupled with the fact that Caelum came out alive from the Domain of Rank 4 Cursed Blackout Priest, and even exorcised it, it made sense his Cursed Item was powerful.
It had to be noted that Rank 4 Cursed Spirits were notoriously powerful and difficult to exorcise.
Caelum’s group was the first group to exorcise a Rank 4 Cursed Spirit in centuries.
"Sister, I need to go," Henry, Charlotta’s brother, finally said. "I want to get stronger. That’s why I am joining
Charlotta gritted her teeth, but didn’t stop him instantly.
She could see what would happen if she tried to keep Henry here.
At best, the entire city would be razed to the ground. At worst, the entire country. It was the first time she must’ve felt the dangers of the Exorcist world. Her hands were trembling.
She had to choose between family and innocent lives.
"Do whatever you want," I spoke up.
"...What?" Charlotta asked.
"I will take care of this Cursed Item, and make sure no innocent die. So, if you want to keep Henry with us, do it," I said.
Shock, relief, acceptance. Her expression went through countless changes.
She let go of Henry’s hand, and spoke to Henry, "I will come to System Church to take you back. If you are dead before it, I will kill you."
Henry smiled wryly.
"Can you let go of my head now? It doesn’t look like we have to fight, since she seemed to have concluded that you will lose against my Cursed Item," Caelum taunted.
I stared at Charlotta instead of answering him.
Even through the mask, she must’ve sensed my gaze, as she spoke, "There is no point of taking Henry back now. He seems to be under some kind of mental control. He will try to run away even if I take him home—"
"Sister, I’m not under—"
"Shut up," Charlotta snapped. Henry wisely closed his mouth. She glared at him for a few seconds, then looked at me. "Even if Henry doesn’t try to run away, System Church won’t let him go. We can’t keep Henry with us. So, I will let him go. For now, that is."
I stared at her. Only after I made sure she had made a firm decision did I let go of Caelum’s neck.
"Sheesh, that was painful. I almost sprained my neck," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Aren’t you worried I will attack you now that you’ve let go of me."
"You can try. But this I won’t give a warning, and instead kill you instantly," I warned.
Caelum smiled. But anyone could tell he had become wary. Space Mages were dangerous, after all. Distance didn’t matter to them in a battlefield.
"Let’s go Henry," Caelum said after a while. Henry nodded and followed him. As the two left, Caelum waved his hand, and spoke, "Next time we meet, the fight will go differently."
"Keep dreaming," I replied.
After the two left, Charlotta fell to her backside. Hairs hid her expression. Slowly, the sound of sobbing came.
I waited until she stopped crying, and wiped her tears. Then, she unsteadily stood up.
Her gaze, as she looked at me now, had changed. It was filled with rage, and determination.
"Let’s go," she said.
I nodded and followed along. We didn’t pay any heed to the guy on the floor.
He wouldn’t die, so it was best to let him suffer from the injuries.
As we walked outside in the cold winds, Charlotta walked ahead of me. I could only see her back, as she spoke, "Will you be okay next time when you meet that white coat?"
"Well, I will have to make some preparations," I said.
"For that Cursed Item?" she asked.
"For it too, but mainly for Caelum. Legion had technologies to fight against Space Mages. He would likely get them to fight against me," I replied.
She stopped and turned to look at me.
Her gaze carried a hint of worry.
"Don’t worry." I waved my hand. "He is still too weak to threaten me."
She looked at me and a smile appeared on her face.
"Why are you smiling?" I asked, my voice carrying a frown.
"I found out that you hate accepting you might lose," she chuckled.
"I won’t lose," I said.
"Okay," she nodded.
"I said I won’t lose," I said again.
"I head you first time," she replied, chuckling again.
This way, joking and teasing, we reached her house.
