Chapter 84 - Aleera
"Is that a formation?" Kadyn muttered with wide eyes, looking at the chains with shock and anticipation. Though he had some superficial knowledge about formation he never implemented it.
Furthermore, at Elementary Rank he needed outside force to provide a power source to the formations. It was only when someone reached Rank 1 Magus or above would he be able to use his/her own spiritual energy to maintain the formation just like the woman in white did.
However even then one would need some time to prepare the formation. He didn't see the mysterious woman making any effort to place the formation. It appeared out of nowhere. Either she was so powerful that she formed the formation in just a blink or she had already prepared it before even the fight began. Kadyn was more inclined to believe the sec0nd option as he felt just a little stronger energy than Zephyr from her. She must have anticipated that Zephyr would try to detonate herself when she was pushed in the corner and prepared the formation to stop her.
"Take them off. I am telling you, take them off!" Zephyr screamed. Struggling. Fumbling her wings. Her voice was full of hatred and bitterness and helplessness.
The woman in white didn't pay her any attention; she walked towards the dragon and stood near its gigantic head. "No matter how you struggle, you won't be able to free yourself." The woman said and shook her head. "The formation is powerful enough to seal Rank 4 Magus, much less you. A lowly Rank 3. You better keep silent and let me take your core."
"You… you… you're shameless." Zephyr screamed. Tears welled inside her big black eyes. However, the woman showed no empathy for her. By her expression, Kadyn realised, though she was exceedingly beautiful, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life, but she was no kind soul. He better keeps his distance from her. Or he might not even realise how he died.
She placed her hand on Zephyr's head under the watchful eyes of Kadyn, Barret, Elder Yel, and all the other soldiers. She smiled and said in a low voice to the dragon but it was loud enough for Kadyn to hear. "Sorry, but I need your core. You better keep a low profile in your next life or you might once more end up in a similar situation."
Roar!
Zephyr roared with eyes filled with malice and rancour and hate. However the lady in white didn't let her speak any further, she dug her hand into her head. It went inside like tofu. The dragon screamed and cursed and roared, but then, the woman pulled a fist-sized white orb from inside. The twitching of the dragon stopped, her fumbling wings collapsed lifelessly on either side of her gigantic body. Her roaring mouth left open even in her death, while her eyes looked in the white-robed woman's direction in full of hatred and indignation, still wide open. One could say that she died a miserable life.
Kadyn sighed and took a long and deep breath. At last, the danger had passed and the beast had been slaughtered. He looked at the beautiful white-robed woman with sparkling eyes. But he didn't dare to say anything. Though he had the urge to rush in her direction, he suppressed that feeling as soon as it appeared. Who knew what might she do to him if he made her upset? After all, he was too weak at the moment. He wasn't qualified to talk to her on an equal footing.
It was Elder Jyn who stumbled towards her with his tired body, covered in wounds and blood, grimacing and wincing in pain from time to time. He bowed towards the lady and said. "I sincerely thank you on the behalf of Avibria City, Mam. We would never forget this kindness."
The woman waved her hand in his direction in a nonchalant way and said. "Don't mention it. I need her beast core, that's why I killed her. No other reason. You don't need to thank me."
Elder Jyn bowed a few more times before retreating. It was better to not upset someone as powerful as her. Though she said that she killed Zephyr because she wanted her core. It was also an undeniable truth that she saved everyone in the city. What could they do if she just let Zephyr destroy the city before taking the action? So no matter from which direction one looked at the situation she was indeed their benefactor.
As Elder Jyn retreated after expressing his gratitude. The woman turned towards Kadyn and smiled and said something that made Kadyn jump in fright. "I never thought to see one of the inheritors in the lower world."
Kadyn looked at her with wide eyes and words left his mouth on their own. "Who are you and what are you talking about?" Only after speaking did he realise that his tone was quite rude. However, he didn't know how to correct himself. So he remained silent, looking at the mysterious woman.
The woman just smiled, not bothered by his tone, and replied. "I'm Aleera. As for what I'm talking about," she stared at Kadyn and went on. "You will know it in the future."
Kadyn was surprised by how gentle her voice sounded. She no longer acted as she did in front of Zephyr. He thought and hesitated for a moment before asking. "You said something about the lower world." He narrowed his eyes. Then continued. "Are you from another world?"
"You ask too many questions. No girl would pay you any attention if you act in such a vigilant manner around her."
Kadyn felt embarrassed being teased by such a beautiful woman. She looked at his red face and giggled. Kadyn saw it and once more became dazed. Without even realising his wariness decreased. Before he could speak again, two huge icy wings spread from behind her back.
"Can we meet again?" he hurriedly asked, voice filled with anticipation and expectation. But as soon as the words left his mouth, he became embarrassed.
The woman looked down from the sky and nodded before dashing into the sky with unbelievable speed, leaving only her voice in his head. "Try to live long enough and we might meet."
Kadyn was left stunned by her words. Not understanding what she meant. Then he looked at the same spot where she vanished, muttering. "I wonder where has she come from and where she went?" He felt as if he was inside a dream.