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Character Introductions AdletAyoungboywhocallshimselfthestrongestmanintheworld.Hefightswithamasteryofvarioussecretweapons.Character Introductions NashetaniaThoughsheistheprincessofthelargekingdomPiena,sheisawildandfreegirl,fullofmischief.SheistheSaintofBlades.Character Introductions FremyAgirlwhosecoolindifferencewontallowotherstogetclose.AstheSaintofGunpowdersheusesgunsandbulletsinbattle.Character Introductions GoldofAyoungknightcompletelydevotedtoNashetania,hewieldsagiantspear.Character Introductions ChamoAproudgirlwhoiscalledthemostpowerfulwarriorofthecurrentage.SheistheSaintofSwamps.Character Introductions HansAstrangemanwhomimicsacatashetalks.Hefenceswithanunworldlyandpeculiarskill.Character Introductions MoraAnextremelyseriousandintellectualwoman.SheservesastheleaderoftheSaintsandistheSaintofMountains.Character Introductions RoloniaAnewlyarrivedHerooftheSixFlowerswhoisatimid,butgoodnaturedgirl.SheistheSaintofFreshBlood.Character Introductions TheCommandersTgurneuOneoftheKyomacommanders.Heexcelsiningenuityandhassetupvarioustraps.(PronouncedTeguneu)Character Introductions DozzuOneoftheKyomacommanders.HebetrayedtheMajinandhasgoneintohiding.Character Introductions Cargikk???Prelude Prelude Prologue Prologue PrologueMudandaflower.Otherthanthosetherewasnothingelse.InthelandofFallenTears,whereTheSaintoftheSingleFlowerhadfoughttheMajintothedeath,nothingelseexistedotherthanmudandaflower.#AtthewesternedgeoftheWailingDemonTerritory,inthelandoftheFallenTears,agiantfortsurroundedwheretheMajinslept.ItwasastrongholdthathadbeendesignedaccordingtotheinstructionsofCargikk,oneoftheKyomacommanders.Itwasmadeupofnaturalstonespiledupononeanotherandformedtwoconcentriccircles.Theoutercirclehadaradiusofthreekilometerswhiletheinnercirclehadaradiusof500meters.Althoughithadbeencrudelyconstructed,itwasastrongholdlargerandstrongerthananythingfoundinthehumanworld.TheareacalledtheLandoftheFallenTearswasthesmallinnerzonesurroundedbythedefensivewall.ItwascompletelydarkredduetothetoxinsfromtheMajin'sbodyhavingpermeateddeepwithintheground,thusdyeingtheareathatcolor.Therewasnotasingleweed,animal,orinsectinthearea.Therewereonlysparsebouldersscatteredaboutthelifelessland.Itwasabarrenspectacle.Theonlythingspresentthereweremudandaflower.1Prologue "...Adlettt!!"Ahideousmassofmudlayamongthedeadland.Itssizewasprobablyaboutthatofastable.Itmadeaneeriesoundasifsquirminginagony,anditwascharcoalblackincolor,withabitofbloodredmixedin.Whatlookedlikeredtentaclesstretchedoutfromthecenterofthemud.Theywereaboutfivemetersinlengthandseemedtobeextendingoutinsearchofsomething.Butthentheyreturnedtothemudasiftheyhadgivenup."...Fremyyy...Roloniaaa..."Thereweregiantlipsinthecenterofthemud.Theyappeared,thendisappeared,thenappearedoncemore.Theyweretheseductiveredofawoman'slips.Andtheywerespeakingwithahuskyfemalevoice.Asitwriggled,themudcalledoutthenamesoftheHeroeswithavoicefullofhatredandmurderousintentcoursingthroughitswords."Goldofff....Chamooo....Adlettt...Hansss...Moraaa...Chamooo...Fremyyy...Nashetaniaaa..."TheMajin.TheworstcalamitytobefallmankindandtheprogenitoroftheKyoma.Onceeveryseveralminutesastrangecreaturewasproducedfromthemud.Theywereaboutthesizeofkittens,butnoneofthemhadthesameappearance.2Prologue Therewasasnakewhoseentirebodywascoveredincountlesseyes.Therewasacreaturethathadtheupperbodyofamonkeyandalowerbodyofasmallwingedinsect.Therewasadogthathadaheadandatorsobutdidnthaveitslegsoritstail.Therewasaprayingmantisthatonlyconsistedofthecreature'sneck.Therewasevenacreaturecomposedofjustsevenmonkeyhands,thoughitnolongerseemedtobealive.Thestrangecreaturesthatappearedfromthemudwrithed,gaspedforair,andtwistedtheirbodiesontheground.Itseemedasiftheydespairedbeingbornwithsuchrepulsivefigures.ThentheeeriecreatureswereimmediatelygrabbedbythetentaclesofTheMajin.Thetentaclesstrangledthestrangecreatures,killedthem,andthenpulledtheircorpsesbackintothemud.Birththenkill,killthenbirth.TheMajinendlesslyrepeatedthesemeaninglessactions.Again,andagain,andagain.Nodignitycouldbefeltfromthefigure.Itdidn'tpossessthebeautyofwickedness,andforalongtimeitsexistencewasfarfromsublime.Itwasuglyanddirty,andevensmall.WhenByrne,oneoftheHeroesoftheSixFlowers,hadfoughtwiththeMajinsevenhundredyearsagohecriticizedtheMajin'sformasbeingdisappointedlyscrawny.3Prologue AndyetasingleflowerbloomedbesideTheMajin.Itwassmallenoughthatitcouldfitinthepalmofachild'shand.Itwasalightpurpleflowerwithsixpetals.ThelightpurpleflowerwasnotstainedwiththeMajin'stoxin.Itsimplynestledupclosetoitandbloomed.ItissaidthattheSaintoftheSingleFlowergrewthatflowerathousandyearsago.However,theflower'strueformisnotrecordedinanyworkorliterature.Whateverkindofpowerthatflowercontained,nooneknewexceptfortheSaintoftheSingleFlowerherself.#ThreetimesmankindhadfoughtwithTheMajinandbeatenit.ThefirsttimewasathousandyearsagowhentheSaintoftheSingleFlowersealedtheMajininthatplace.Thesecondtimewassevenhundredyearsago.ThreeoftheHeroesoftheSixFlowersstoppedtheDemonKingZophrairwhiletheHeroKingFulmerandthemasterarcherByrnefoughtwiththeMajin.TheMajinswungitstentaclesandscattereditstoxinwhilethetwoattackedit.Fulmerwieldedhisswordwithinitsblanketoftoxicairandslicedthechunksofmudintopieces.ByrnefiredburningarrowswhichlittheMajin'sbodyonfire.AfteraboutanhouroffightingtheMajinreleasedamonstrousscreamandceasedtomove.4Prologue Thethirdbattlewasthreehundredyearsago.WhileoveronethousandKyomarushedthroughtheLandofFallenTears,thesecondgenerationoftheHeroesoftheSixFlowersclashedwiththeMajin.TheSaintofLightningMelania,supportedbyMarietheSaintofBladesandtheSaintofTimeHayal,activatedherjeweledsacredweapon.ItwasatoolthathadbeenbuiltinoverthirtyyearsforthesolepurposeofstrikingtheMajin.Severalboltsoflightningraineddownfromtheheavenswhichstruck,seared,andburnedTheMajin,stoppingitonceagain.ItissaidthatinthecaseoftheMajin'sdefeatthecrestsoftheSixFlowerswouldemitagiantlight.AndattheexactsametimealltheKyomawouldstopmovingthenlookuptotheskyandwailinsadness.ThesorrowfulcriesoftheKyomacouldbeheardechoingbeyondthebordersoftheWailingDemonterritory.AndthesightoftheKyomawrithinginsadnesswasenoughtomakeeventheHeroesoftheSixFlowers,whohadbeenfightingthemtothedeathearlier,feelheartbroken.ItwassaidthatevenafterthesurvivingHeroeshadlefttheWailingDemonTerritory,thecriesoftheKyomaneverstopped.AsforthecreststhathadappearedontheskinoftheHeroesoftheSixFlowers,storiestellthatafterthebattlethecrestswouldbegintofade.Andafteraboutsixmonthstheyhaddisappearedentirely.#Marie,oneofthefewsurvivingHeroesandtheSaintofBlades,madethefollowinganalysisoftheMajin:5Prologue TheMajinwasthemasteroftheKyoma.However,theMajindidnotissueanykindsofcommandstotheKyomaandtheKyomadidnotdependontheMajinforinstructions.PerhapstheMajindidn'thaveanyintelligenceatall.Itprobablyhasalowerintelligencethantheaverageanimal.TheMajin'sexistencewasonewhereithatedhumansandcouldthinkofnothingelsebutdestroyingthem.Ontheotherhand,itwasnotrarefortheKyomatopossessintelligence.Therewereevensomewhohadmindsgreaterthanthehumans.TheyweretheonesthatgovernedandcommandedtheotherKyoma.TheKyoma'sloyaltytotheMajinwasabsolute.Unlikehumans,theKyomawerelargelyunabletothinkforthemselvesandfollowedorderswithoutthinking.TheKyomapledgedeverythingintheirdevotiontotheMajinandlivedtograntanykindofwishTheMajinhad.ItisduetothatveryloyaltythattheKyoma'sexistenceheldmeaning.AndiftheyweretolosethatthentheKyomawouldnotbeabletolive.TheSaintofBlades'analysiswaslargelyaccurate.Yettherewasoneexception.TherewasaKyomathathaditsownwillandaspirations,andlivedforhimselfandnotfortheMajin.6Prologue HisnamewasDozzu.HehadlefttheWailingDemonTerritoryabouttwohundredyearsagoandheadedforthehumanworld.For200yearshehadrefinedhisplansandmadepreparationstoachievehisambitionsbeforehereturnedtotheWailingDemonTerritory.Andathissidewashispeerlesscomradewhomhehadraisedhimself,Nashetania.7Chapter 11 8Chapter 11 ChapterOne:PartOne"Iwanttohearwhateveryonethinks,"Morasaid.Itwas14daysaftertheMajinhadawoken.AdletandtheotherswhomanagedtocuttheirwaythroughTgurneu'strapwereatTheEternalFlower,asafezoneintheWailingDemonTerritory.TheretheywaitedforHansandMoratorecoverfromtheirseriousinjuries.TherewerealmostnoKyomaaroundtheEternalFlower.ItseemedliketheKyomawerewaitingforthegroupintheforesttothewestcalledtheForestofSeveredFingers.TheForestofSeveredFingerscomprisedabouttwofifthsofthevastterritoryoftheWailingDemonTerritory,anditsnamecamefromaneventathousandyearsagowhentheSaintoftheSingleFlowerwasattackedintheforestandlostafingeronherlefthand.WhilewaitingforMoraandHans'injuriestoheal,theHeroesdiscussedthepossibleidentityoftheseventh,andthentheypresentedthevariouscluesathand.Butevenwithallofthespeculationanddebate,intheendtheycouldn'tcomeupwithananswer.Theyhadnoclueastohowtheimpostorscresthadbeencreated.TheythendiscussedinmoredetailabouttheeventsofthebattleintheIllusionFogBarrier.AfterNashetania'strueidentityhadbeenexposedAdlethadlostconsciousness,soheaskedtheothersaboutwhathappenedafterthat.Hans,Mora,andChamohadchasedafterNashetania,butasthedawnapproachedandtheymanagedtoexitthebarrierNashetaniahaddisappeared.9Chapter 11 WhydidNashetaniabetraythemandtowhatextenthadtheKyoma'sinfluencereachedintothehumanworld?Thegroupdiscussedthosetopicsaswell,buttheywerestillunabletocometoanyconclusion.FremytoldthemallabouttheinnerworkingsoftheKyoma.Tgurneu'ssubordinateswerecalledTheDarkSpecialists.Theycouldn'tenhancetheirstrengths,buteachoneofthempossessedauniqueabilitywhichtheyhadbeenorderedtodeveloptothefullest.ThoseKyomaspecializedinpursuit.FremysaidtheKyomahadgainedthepowertoinvadetheinternalbodiesofaSaintandbindtheirpower.TheKyomaalsoexcelledatextortinginformationoutofhumans.Theydevelopedanextremelysuperbsenseofsmellandtheyreceivedtheabilitytobirthhybridchildrenwithhumans.EvenFremydidn'tknowalloftheabilitiestheDarkSpecialistshad.Neverthelessshetoldtheotherseverythingsheknewabouttheirabilitiesandappearances.Theykeptontalkingaboutotherthingsafterthat,butwhendaybreakcameandtheirtopicswereexhaustedMorasuddenlysuggestedthatshewantedtoheartheiropinions."What'sthematter,Mora?"Adletasked."Howaboutwehearwhoeachofussuspectsistheseventh?10Chapter 11 "I'msureIsaidnottocarelesslydoubtanyoneofus.""Iunderstandthat.Butevenifyousaynottosuspectanyone,therealityisIstillamsuspectingsomeone.Dontyouthinkknowingwhatissuspiciousaboutourselveswillpreventusfrombeingframed?"Adletwasn'tinagoodmood,butinsteadFremyquietlyreplied,"Idon'tthinkthat'sabadidea.""Meow,itdoesn'tseemliketherewouldbemuchofapointtoit,"Hanssaid."Ofcourseuntilwefindsolidproofwewon'tkillanyone.Andinthefuturewelldefinitelybeabletoreferencewhatwediscussedhere.""Well...Iguessitcan'tbehelped,"Adletsaidwithashrug."IsuspectGoldof,"Fremyspokefirst."HewasaknightservingNashetania.It'sonlynaturaltosuspecthim.""Isthatso?Well,Chamosuspectsyou,Fremy,"Chamocutin."It'sobvious.Chamohasn'tforgottenhowjustawhileagoyoutriedtokillChamo.""Thatistrue.Isthereanyoneelse?"Fremydidn'tpayanyattentiontowhatChamohadsaid.11Chapter 11 "...Actually,IalsosuspectGoldof,"Morasaid."WhileitmaybetruethatheservedNashetania,thatdoesntmeanIthinkheistheseventh.ButIdontfeellikehehasanyintentionsontryingtocontributetoourvictory."Goldoflistenedsilentlytothethreeofthem,buttherewasnolifeinhiseyes.Hejuststaredblanklyattheground,sittingwithhisbackrounded.Hehadbeenthatwayeversincethey'dcometotheWailingDemonTerritory."Goldof,ifyouarenotthesevenththenshouldn'tyoubetryingalotharderforyourcompanions?Don'tyouthinkyourwordsandyouractionsshouldbeabletoconveythatyouarenttheseventh?Don'tyoualsofeelbadaboutbeingsuspected?"Morasuggested,butherwordsdidnotseemtoreachGoldof.Althoughheheardwhatshehadsaid,itwasasifhismindhadbeenclosedoff.WhenAdlethadfirstmetGoldofhehadntbeenlikethat.Hewasstrong,loyal,andsometimeshelethisarroganceshow,provingthathewasindeedayoungknight.AtleastthathadbeentheimpressionAdlethadgottenfromhim.However,thepersonthatremainedafterNashetaniahadleftwaslikeanentirelydifferentperson."Whatdoyouthink,Goldof?"Adletasked.ButGoldofremainedsilent.Chamothenraisedherhandintotheairagain."Ah,right.ChamoalsothinksRoloniaissuspicious."12Chapter 11 "What?!"thequietRoloniasuddenlyraisedhervoiceinhysteria."Wha,wha,why...doyouthinkthat?""Well,let'ssee.Chamodoesn'treallyknowwhatyouarethinking.Andthat'ssuspicious.""I...Isee....So,sorry.I'll...um...tryharder,"Roloniasaidasherbodytrembled."Ah,butmaybeit'sFremyafterall.Yeah,it'sFremy."MorasighedatChamo'sfickleness."WhatdoyouthinkHans?"Afterbeingasked,Hansplacedahandonhischinandthoughtaboutitforamoment."Me...IsuspectAdletandChamo,meow."EveryoneexceptforGoldofstaredatHansinshock."I'mnotthinkingaboutwhoissuspicious.Ithinkit'smoreimportanttoconsiderwhowouldbethemostdangerousastheseventh.Adletwasthemostdangerousoutofeveryonewhenwethoughthewastheseventh.NextwouldbeChamo.That'swhyIsuspectthetwoofthem."Ialsothinkthesameway,Adletthoughtwithabitofadmiration.13Chapter 11 "So,whatdoyouthink,Rolonia,meow?"Hansasked.Rolonialookedaroundasifitwasdifficultforhertosaywhatwasonhermind."Youshouldspeakhonestly.DidntChamojustsayitshardtoknowwhatyourethinking?"UrgedbyFremysinglingherout,Roloniaquietlysaid,"Isuspect...Goldofsan.Forthesamereason....asMorasan."Andwiththat,threeoutoffivesuspectedGoldof.Forhim,whetherhewasagenuineHerooftheSixFlowersortheseventh,hewasn'tinagoodpredicament.NeverthelessGoldofshowedabsolutelynosignsthathewasaffectedbythenews."Whatdoyouthink,Adlet?""I'mnotgoingtosayanythingsinceIamtheleader.IfIweretosaywhoIsuspected,itwoulddamageourtrust,"Adletsaiddecisively."Well,thatmaybebetterforyou,meow."Everyone'sgazespointedtothelastperson,Goldof.Helifteduphisheadandlookedaroundhimselfwithblankeyes.14Chapter 11 "Goldof,whatareyouthinking?Haveyoubeenlisteninguptillnow,meow?"AfteraslightpauseGoldofreplied,"...I'vebeenlistening.""Then,whodoyoususpect,meow?""...Noone."Hiswordsconfusedeveryone.Shouldweregardthatasaconfessionthatheistheseventh?"Whoeveristheseventh...Idon'tcare.Whatdifferencedoesitmake?""Goldof.It'sthatkindofattitudethatmakesRoloniaandmyselfsuspectyou."Morathensuddenlygrewangry."Whywon'tyouconsiderwhotheseventhis?Whywon'tyoutalkaboutwhatyouknowaboutNashetania?Doyoureallyintendtoprotectthisworld?""...protecttheworld?"ForjustamomentGoldofsspiritreturnedtohiseyes.Hestareddownathispalmandthenmadeafist."That'sright,Mora.Iremember.Iwillprotecttheworld.Ihavetoprotectit.It'sforthatreasonthatI..."15Chapter 11 Goldof'shandstartedtoshakeandthenitstartedtomakeastrangesound.Sincehewasballinghisfistwithanextremeamountofstrengththebonesinhishandgratedagainsteachother."That'srightGoldof.Youareapersonwhowillprotecttheworld.Haveyoucomebacktoyoursenses?"MoraplacedherhandonGoldof'sfingers.However,Goldofcoldlyshookitoff.Thenhehunghisheadagainandwouldn'treplynomatterwhathiscompanionssaid."Therereallywasnopointinustalking.""Itseemsthatway.Sorry.""That'senoughofthisconversation.MoreimportantlyI'minterestedinTgurneu,meow.""That'sright.AheadofusistheforestofSeveredFingers.Judgingfromthelooksofit,Tgurneuistherewaitingtoambushus."Evenafterthesubjecthadmovedontoanothertopic,AdletstillcontinuedtostareatGoldof.'Toprotecttheworld.'ForsomereasonAdletdidn'tfeelanyconfidencefromGoldof'swords.16Chapter 11 Thoughhehadn'tsaidanything,inrealityAdletalsosuspectedGoldof.AndthatwasbecauseGoldofdidn'tseemlikeoneoftheircompanions.Thoughtheyhadallbeenseizedbyparanoia,littlebylittleasenseofsolidarityhadformedamongthegroup.AdletalsoacknowledgedHansknowledgeandhispracticalstrength.Anddespitewhathedsaidearlier,AdletknewthatHansreallytrustedhim.Chamowasdifficulttohandle,butunexpectedlyhewasstartingtothinktherewerepartsofherthatweregentleandcute.Morahadbetrayedthemonce,butherdesiretoprotectherfamilyandhercompanionswasgenuine.AndfortrustingAdletfromthebottomofherheart,hewasgratefultoRoloniaandherassistance.AsforFremy,thoughhehadonlydisagreedwithher,itdidn'tchangethefactthatshewashismostpreciouscompanion.YetGoldofwasdifferent.Adletwasunabletocommunicatewithhim.TherewasnopartofhimthatAdletunderstoodandsometimesGoldofseemedlikeamysteriousmonster.Adletstilldidn'tknowthetruthabouttheboycalledGoldofAurora.#ItwasthefifteenthdayafterTheMajinhadreawakened.HansandMora'sinjurieshadhealedandMorawasevenabletorepairherbrokenirongauntlets.Sothesevenagainresumedtheirjourney.TheyadvancedtowardsthevastforestinthemiddleofthenightwiththehelpofFremy'ssnipingandChamo'sJyumatakingouttheKyomapatrollingtheEternalFlower.17Chapter 11 Thegrouptraveledwiththeirbodieslowtotheground,eachoneofthemwrappedinblackcloaksthatAdlethadprovided.Andblendingintothenighttheyheadedwest.ThegroupwasntthinkingaboutkillingTgurneu,norweretheythinkingaboutdiscoveringtheidentityoftheseventh.Theywerejustrunningandhidingasiftheirlivesdependedonit."Mora,arethereanyenemiesbehindus?"Adletaskedfromtheheadofthegroup."None,"Morarespondedatthetailendoftheparty.Shehadbeenwalkingbackwardswithherfistsreadytoattack.AndwithHansonthelookouttotherightandFremywatchingtheirleft,thesevenofthemquietlyadvanced.Atthatmomentasinglemousecrepttowardsthegroup'sfeet.Chamopickeditupandbroughtittoherear."Theenemyhasmadeawallabout300metersahead.AndtherearealotofKyomainfrontofit.""Isee...Fremy.Whatarethefeaturesofthatwall?"18Chapter 11 "It'scloseto30kilometersfromnorthtosouthsoIthinkitisimpossibletoavoidit.Morawouldbeabletopunchthroughitwithherstrength.However,aloudalarmwassetuptogooffifwegetnearit.""Doyouknowwhattypeofalarmitis?""It'sacombinationofstringandwoodblocks.Ifourfeettripthestringwire,thewoodfragmentswillrattleloudly.""Meow,it'slikethathuh?Icouldgetpastiteasily."Adletbroughthishandtohischinandthoughtforamoment.Thenhegatheredeveryoneandexplainedhisstrategy."Firstwe'llretreataboutonekilometer.AfterthatFremywillsetupsomebombsontheground.She'llmakethemexplodeinonehour.Untilthenwewillheadnorth.""Soit'sadiversion,"MorasaidandAdletnodded."WhentheexplosionsgoofftheKyomawillprobablygatherthere.ThenChamowillhaveherJyumaattackthewall.Thiswillalsobeadiversion.Wewillthenheadtoasouthernsectionofthewall.Fremywillgetridoftheremaininglookoutswithherrifle.HansandIwillbreakthealarm.ThenMorawillbreakdownthegateasquietlyaspossible."19Chapter 11 "Understood.""Doyourbestnottobediscovered...notbytheKyomaorbyTgurneu."Theseventhenbegantomove.TheymovedquietlyasFremy'sbombsandChamo'sJyumathrewtheKyomaintoconfusion.FremyshotattheKyomainanareawheretheKyomawerescarce,creatinganopeningforAdlet,Hans,andMoratobreakthroughthewall.ThenbeforetheremainingKyomaonthelookoutcouldreturn,everyonerushedtothatbreakinthewallandleftforthewest."ThatwentwellAdkun,"Roloniasaid,walkingatAdlet'sside."Thisplace..."Adletsuddenlypeekedthroughtheopeninginthecanopyoftreebranchesoverheadandlookedupatthesky.Thestarshadalreadyfadedandslowlytheskywasstartingtogrowbrighter."PerhapsTgurneulosttrackofus.IfheknewaboutourconducthewouldhavesentmoreKyomatoambushus.""That...that'sright.""Fornowlet'scontinuetorun.Untilwegetoutofthisforest,untilwepassthevalley,untilwefinallymanagetoreachtheLandofFallenTears,we'llrunwithallourenergyawayfromTgurneu,"AdletsaidandRolonianodded.AnditseemedthatthesamewentwithoutsayingforHans,Chamo,Fremyandtheothers.20Chapter 11 TheywouldnotfightwithTgurneu.Theycouldn'tevenfigureoutwherehewas.SotheycouldonlycontinuetorunandheadstraightfortheLandofFallenTears."Haveyounoticed,Adlet?"Fremysuddenlyaskedhim."What'sthematter?""Thereareafewbattleshappeningbehindus.ButsinceIcanonlyfaintlyhearitIdon'tknowwhoisfighting."Adletlistenedcarefullyashewalked.Hecouldhearthestirringtrees,hiscompanions'footsteps,andthefaintshoutsofKyoma."Someoneisdefinitelyfighting.Butwho?""Eventhoughitwilltakeawhile,willyouletChamogoandsee?Chamoasked,butAdletshookhishead."I'minterested,butourtimeismorepreciousthanthatknowledge.Let'sleaveitaloneandkeepmoving."FremyandChamobothnoddedandthesevencontinuedontothewest.Turningtolookbehindthemtheycouldnolongerseethewall.21Chapter 11 #AnhourhadpassedsinceAdletandtheothershadpassedthewallandasingleKyomawasstaringattheholetheyhadmade."Hmm,theygotthroughthistoo?Idon'tknowwhattodowiththem,"saidaKyomawiththebodyofayetiandtheheadofacrow.Initshanditwasholdingasinglelargefigfruit.TheyetiKyoma...Tgurneusighed."Itseemsliketheyaresetonrunningawayfromme."TherewasalargeamountofKyomainthevicinity,allshoutingthemselveshoarse.ThemoreintelligentKyomathatcouldspeakwereorderingthelowerKyomatoquicklyfindtheSixFlowers."Whatdoyouthink,Number18?TherewasasnakeKyomabesideTgurneu.Itwasthinenoughtobegrippedinonehand,butitsbodywasovertenmeterslong.Andwhatappearedtobetwothinarms,whichlookedlikepaperstrings,weregrowingoutofitsbodyabout50centimetersfromitshead."Theyareunbelievablycowardly.Theyaren'tworthfearing,"theKyomasaidinridicule.22Chapter 11 AmongTgurneu'ssubordinatestherewerespecialKyomacalledtheDarkSpecialists.ThesnakeKyomawasthe18th.ItandtheothershadevolvedaccordingtoTgurneu'scommands,eachpossessingseveraluniqueabilities."You'retheonewhodoesnotneedtobefeared,"TgurneusaidandlightlykickedNumber18."Ifyouwereintheirposition,whatwouldyoudo?Whatwouldyouprioritizeandhowwouldyouact?""...IfIwerethemIwouldthinkthatexposingtheseventh'sidentitywasmostimportant,but..."Number18saidandTgurneusighedonceagain."Oftheoptionsavailabletothemthatwouldbetheworst.Intheircurrentsituationtheyhavenowayoffindingoutwhotheseventhis.Andtheyshouldn'tbeabletofindanycluesthatcouldleadthemtotheseventh.Inthatkindofsituationwhatwouldyoudo?""Well....""Iwouldwaituntiltheseventh'smistakeswereexposed.That'swhatIwoulddoifIwereintheirposition.Doyouhaveanyotherideas?""Insteadofthattheymightprioritizekillingyou,MasterTgurneu."23Chapter 11 "That'samediocreidea.Sure,iftheyweretokillmetheHeroesoftheSixFlowerswoulddrawclosetoalargevictory.Butinexchangetheywouldlosesomethingprecious.Don'tyouunderstandanything?""Uh...I..."WithoutwaitingforNumber18'sreply,Tgurneucontinuedtalking."It'stime.Therearenomorethan14daysuntiltheMajin'sresurrection.IftheHeroesareunabletoreachtheLandofFallenTearsbythattimethenvictorywillbeours.IftheHeroescometotakemeoutIwilldoeverythinginmypowertostallthem.Iftheyareunabletokillmethentheonlythingtheywillsucceedindoingiswastingalotoftime.""...""Sodoyouunderstandnowwhattheirbestcourseofactionis?Runningawayfromme.TheywillignoremeandheadstraightfortheLandofFallenTears.Andaslongaswedon'tknowtheirwhereabouts,evenwithmypowerouroptionsarelimited."Tgurneu'sbeakmovedandsomehowitseemedlikehewassmiling."Aren'tyougoingtokillme,Adlet?ItseemsIwasmistakenaboutyourlevelofdeterminationafterall."24Chapter 11 "...Ihaveasuggestion,MasterTgurneu.HowaboutorderingtheseventhtotellustheFlowers'location?"TgurneusteppedonNumber18'sbody."IfyousayanotherstupidthingIwillcrushyou."ThesnakeKyomalowereditsheadandplaceditspaperlikethinarmsonthegroundinapology."Well,Iguessit'salright.Let'stakeiteasy.Searchingforthemisgood,butsoisluringthemout.Therearemanywaysforustoplay."#FortwodaysafterleavingTheEternalFlowerAdletandtheothersranthroughtheForestofSeveredFingers.Thejourneywasacompleteteameffort.Fremydirectedthemthroughthecomplicatedforest.Chamo'sJyumasearchedtheareaforenemiesandlookedforspotswheretheKyomawerescarce.MorathrewtheKyomaintoconfusionwithherpowerofMountainEchoes,andbothAdletandHanscontributedtheirknowledgeandpredictedtheenemies'behavior.WhentheyencounteredanunluckyKyomatheyeliminateditasquicklyastheycouldbeforeitcouldconveythegroupslocationtoTgurneu.InordertocompletelykillaKyomaonehadtofinditscoreanddestroyit.IfleftalonetheKyomawouldcomebacktolifeseveralyearslater.25Chapter 11 Butatthemomenttheirtimewaslimited.Soignoringthecorpses,Adletandtheotherscontinuedonward.TheForestofSeveredFingerswasvast.NomatterhowmanyKyomawerethere,theycouldn'twatchtheentirearea.SofortwodaysAdletandtheothershadntbeendiscoveredbyTgurneu.Astheeasternskywastingedwithred,itsignifiedthatdawnwasonthehorizon.AfteralongjourneyAdletandtheotherswerefinallyclosetotheexitoftheforest."...TherearenoKyomabeyondtheforest.Sorestassured,Ithinkitissafetocontinue,"Fremysaidafterhavingreturnedfromcheckingtheareaahead."TherearenoKyomabehinduseither.However,Chamowondersifwewereabletocompletelygetaway,"Chamoadded."Tgurneushouldthinkthatwearemoretothenorth,meow.Soifwecontinuethisway,Iatleastthinkwe'llbefine,"Hansresponded."Wellthatmeanswe'vebrokenthroughthefirstbarrier,"Adletconfirmed.InresponseAdletandtheotherssmiledandthenwentaroundshakingeachothershands.ThoughtheyextendedtheirhandtoFremy,shekeptherarmscrossedandlookedaway,uncooperative.26Chapter 11 Adlethoweverpersistentlycontinuedtoofferhishandandbeforelongshereluctantlylightlygrippedjustoneofhisfingers.AfterthatRoloniaandMorasoughtahandshakefromFremy.Andwithadisgustedlookonherface,Fremyacceptedtheirshakes.Hansalsostuckouthishand,butFremyrefused."Anyway,theseventhisyetagainnotdoinganything,"Fremysaid.Asthecompanionsmovedthroughtheforesttheywerealwayswatchingoneanother.Adletwonderediftheseventhwouldattacktheircompanionsunderthecoverofnight,purposefullytakingactionsthatwouldallowthemtobefoundbytheenemy,orsecretlyhavingcontactwithTgurneu.However,noonedidanythingsuspicious."There'snoneedtohurry.Theseventhwilldefinitelydosomethingsoon.Wejustneedtobecarefulnottooverlookwhateveractiontheytake.""...Ithinkthat'salright,but..."Adlet'seyessuddenlytooknoticeofGoldofattheedgeofthecircle.Hestillhadn'tshakenGoldof'shand.ButwhenAdletofferedhishand,Goldofunexpectedlyacceptedthehandshake."Youdidalotforustoo.Let'scontinuetodoourbest,"Adletsaid,butGoldof'seyesnevermetAdlet's,nordidherespond.27Chapter 11 Whiletheymovedthroughtheforest,AdlethadbeenwatchingGoldofespeciallycarefully.GoldofhadloyallyfollowedAdlet'scommandsanddidn'tshowanysuspiciousbehavioratall.ButwhatGoldofwasthinkingstillremainedamystery.Hisattitudewaslikeahusk,andAdletcouldn'ttellbylookingathimwhetheritwasanactorwhetheritwashistruefeelings."It'sabouttimewego,Adlet.Thevalleywillbenextafterwegetoutoftheforest.Stayonyourguard.""Ah,yeah,gotit."InresponsetoFremy,Adletstartedtowalk.However,Goldofwasstillonhismind.Iwonderwhathe'sthinkingabout.WhatisNashetaniatohimnow?Withoutgettingananswer,theymadetheirwayoutoftheforestandthencontinuedwest.#Adletdidn'tknowabouttheunimaginableeventalreadyunderwayinacorneroftheForestofSeveredFingers.AtaboutthesametimethatAdletandtheothershadgottenoutoftheforest,Tgurneuwaslyingdownonahammock.Asinglebookandagiantfigwereonhischest.AndabovehimaneagleKyomadescendedfromthesky."MasterTgurneu.Ihavenewstoreport.""TheDarkSpecialiststhathadbeenpursuingtheSixFlowerswereattackedandkilledbyChamo'sJyuma.YouvelostalltracesoftheSixFlowersandtheirscent,28Chapter 11 whichmeanswenowhavenocluesabouttheircurrentsituation.AmIwrong?"Tgurneurespondedwithoutopeninghiseyes.Hisvoicecontainedaslightbitofannoyance."Ye...yes."Tgurneutookoutamapfromunderhishammockandstaredatit."Wellthen,wherehaveyougone?Areyoustillinthenorthernforestorhaveyoualreadymanagedtoreachthevalley?"Hesaidtohimselfbeforegoingquietinthought."MasterTgurneu.Yourorders...""Theyhavealreadyexitedtheforest.Leavehalfofourforcesintheforestandhavetheotherhalfheadtothevalley.Weshallmakethevalleyournextplayground.Catchthemwhentheycrossthevalley.Flankthemandattackthemfromtheside.""Asyoucommand."TheverymomenttheeagleKyomawasabouttoflyoff,Tgurneureachedoutandgrabbeditsleg.29Chapter 11 "MasterTgurneu,whatisit?"ForawhileTgurneudidnotanswerandsimplylookedaround.Withouttheexpressiononthefaceofhiscrowheadchanging,noonecouldreadwhathewastrulyfeeling."ItakebackwhatIjustsaid.Callbacktheforcestomylocation.""Wh....Whyisthat?""Theenemy."ImmediatelytheeagleKyomatooktotheskies.Tgurneuloweredhimselffromhishammockandtookabiteoutofthefigfruit.Thenhepickedupastickhedplacedonthegroundandgrippedittightly.Theunsettlingsoundofsomeonerushingtowardshimechoedthroughtheair.Koyoriispaperthatisspunintostring.30Chapter 12 ChapterOne:PartTwoTheHeroesprobablyhadwalkedforaboutfivehoursaftergettingoutoftheforest,asthesunwasalreadyrising.Thesevencontinuedtoheadstraighttothewest,notoncebeingattackedbytheKyomaastheycrossedabouttwofifthsoftheWailingDemonTerritory.ButastheywalkedacrossaplaintheHeroesfinallyencounteredtheirnextobstacle."Meoww!It'shuge,meow!ThisisthefirsttimeI'veseensomethingthisincredible."Forsomereason,themomentHanslookedatitheletoutahappyshout.ButAdletcouldntblamehim.Hewasalsoleftspeechlessinaweofthegiantsightinfrontofthem.Mora,Rolonia,andChamo'seyesalsowidenedinamazement.Therewasavalleystandingintheirway,perhapsclosetoahundredmetersdeepandaboutfiftymeterswideatitsnarrowestpoint.Thevalleystretchedfromthesouthstraighttothenorth,andeventhoughtheylookedinbothdirectionsitwasimpossibletoseewhereitbeganorended.Thecliffsideshadbeencutperpendicularlyandwerecoveredinsmoothstonewithoutanyplacestogripon.Atthebottomofthevalleytherewasaboilingriverwiththicksteamrisingupfromit.Theheatfromthesteamevenreachedwhere31Chapter 12 Adletandtheothersstood,whichmadetheirlocationaboutfivedegreeshotterthanitwasinthemiddleoftheforest.Adlethadneverseenavalleythatgiganticinhisentirelife.ThreedaysagoattheEternalFlowertheyheardaboutthevalleyfromFremy.However,thevalley'ssizefarsurpassedAdlet'simagination."It'sunbelievable.WasallofthisdugoutbytheKyoma?"RoloniaaskedatAdlet'sside."TheKyomahavecontinuedtoprepareforthebattlewiththeSixFlowersforthreehundredyears.Excavatingavalleylikethiswasnotroubleatall."Everyonewasfacingthegiantvalley.Itwasaplacewherenothinghadeverlived,notwhentheSaintoftheSingleFlowerhadfoughtwiththeMajinnorwhenthepreviousSixFlowershaddefeatedTheMajin.ItwascalledCargikk'scanyon.Cargikk,oneoftheKyomacommanders,hadmadeitanditwastheworld'slargestmoat.AccordingtoFremythevalleysplittheWailingDemonTerritoryintotwohalves.InordertoreachtheLandofFallenTearstheywouldhavetocrossthevalley.Forawhile,thesightofthemagnificentvalleycaptivatedthegroup.ButsoonMoramadeasullenfaceandasked,"Howarewegoingtogetacrossthisvalley?Tgurneuwillsoonnoticethatwehavegottenoutoftheforest.ThenKyomawillfloodthisareaandwe'llbesurrounded."32Chapter 12 "We'llfindawaytocrossthisvalleysoon.Theresnothingtoworryabout,"Adletsaidandthentookoutaropefromtheironboxstrappedontohisback.MoraheldontooneendoftheropeasAdletbegantorappeldownthecliff.Aboutseventymetersdown,theheatrisingintotheairmadeitsothathecouldn'tbreathe.Unabletotakeitanymore,Adletscaledbackuptheropeandreturnedtothetopofthecliff."It'snouse,Adlet.Gettingacrosswillnotbeeasy,evenwiththepowerofaSaint,"Fremysaidcoldly."Istherenobridge,Fremy?""Thereis.Thereisoneonboththenorthernandsoutherntips.ButIthinkitwouldbeimpossibletogettothem.Cargikk'sfollowersarewaitingtoambushusandareplanningtowipeusoutassoonasitseemslikewecouldgetacross.""Istherenothingelse,Fremy?Nosecretpathorsomething?Isthereawaywecansafelycrossthevalleywithoutusingthebridges?"Chamoasked."TherewasprobablynoreasontomakesomethinglikethatsincetheKyomausuallyusethebridgestocrossthevalley."33Chapter 12 "That'salsotrue,but..."Chamocrossedherarmsandtiltedherheadtotheside.TherestoftheHeroesweresimilarlythinkingofawaytocrossthevalley.However,nooneseemedtobeabletocomeupwithagoodidea."Yourwhipwon'treachtheotherside,rightRolonia?"Adletasked.Roloniaregretfullynodded.Roloniahadtheabilitytofreelymanipulatethemovementsofherwhipwhichhadbeenimbuedwithherownblood.Butevenifsheusedthatability,itseemedlikeshewouldn'tbeabletoextendthewhipacrossasabridge.Herwhipwasnomorethanthirtymeterslong.AndeveniftheyaddedAdlet'sropetothewhip'slengthitstillwouldnotbeabletoreachtheopposingcliff."Cananyofyourpetsfly,Chamo?"Hansasked."IfChamohadpetslikethatthenChamowouldn'tbeworried.Catsan,you'renotmakingfunofme,areyou?"Chamorepliedunpleasantly."IfAsleywerehere....shecouldcreateabridgeoficeforustocross,"Morasaidinaregrettabletone.AsleyhadbeentheSaintofIceandaSixFlowerCandidate.ButshehadlostherlifetoFremy,theSixFlowerKiller.34Chapter 12 "TheSaintofIcewastheveryfirstpersonIkilledexactlysothattheHeroeswouldnotbeabletogetacrossthevalley.IreceivedtheorderfromTgurneuhimself,"Fremysaidcoldly.Afterthatthesevencontinuedtodiscussforawhile.Buttheonlythingtheywereabletofigureoutwasthattheywouldnotbeabletocrossthevalleywiththeircurrentabilities.TheKyomacreatedamoatinordertopreventtheirenemiesfromadvancing.Attackingfromthefrontwasasimpleidea.However,suchadirectfrontalassaultwouldhavebeenthemosttroublesomefortheenemy.Frontalassaultswereeffectivepreciselybecauseofhowdirecttheywere.PerhapsthisCargikkisamoreformidableenemythanTgurneu,Adletthought."Well,fornowthere'snouseintalkingamongstourselves.Let'sdivideintothreegroupsandsearchforawaytocrossthevalley.Itdoesn'tmatterhowparticulartheplanis.Findsomething.HansandMora,headnorth.Rolonia,Goldof,andIwillgosouth.ChamoandFremywillremainheretokeepaneyeoutforenemiescomingfromtherear.""ItlookslikethiswillbemoretroublesomethanIthought."Morasaid.Adletmadeanexpressionpretendingnothingwaswrongandreplied."ItsgoingtobeeasyforustotakeoutthisCargikkguy,butifthestrongestmanintheworldweren'there,youwouldallendupstuckhereoutofluck."35Chapter 12 "Hey,it'sbeenalongtimesinceyousaidyouweretheworld'sstrongest,meow,"Hanssaidwithawrysmile."That'sbecausethefactthatI'mtheworld'sstrongestiscommonknowledge.Idon'tneedtogosofarastosayitallthetime.""Nooneelsethinksthatotherthanyou,Adlet,"Chamosaidinanannoyedtone."I...Ibelievethat.IbelieveAdkunistheworld'sstrongest,"Roloniasaid.Adletwonderedifshewasbeingcarefulnottomakehimangry."Ialsobelievethat.Adletmighttrulybetheworld'sstrongest,inasense."Moraadded."Notjustinasense.Iamtheworld'sstrongest,"Adletretorted.Fremycoldlyreplied,"Yousayyouaretheworld'sstrongestwheneveryoufeelanxious."Shehadguessedexactlyright,andwithoutthinking,Adlethesitated."Meowhi,aren'tyouinlovewithhishelplessness?"36Chapter 12 "No,I'mnot,"Fremyreplied."Umeowmeowmeow.Thenwhatdoyouloveaboutthisfool?"...Everythingaboutyouisannoying."Moraforcedherwaybetweenthetwoofthem."Wehavenotimeforthis.Fornowlet'slookforawaytocrossthevalley.Let'sgoHans,"MorasaidandthenpulledHans'arm,leadinghimnorth.AdlettookRoloniaandGoldofandstartedtoheadsouth.ButthenFremyshoutedtoRolonia."Rolonia.""Ye,yes?Whatisit?"Roloniawasstartledbybeingcalledsosuddenly.FremydrewherfaceclosetoRolonia'scheekandwhisperedsomething.RolonianoddedandthenranovertowhereAdletwasstanding."Whatdidshesaytoyou?"Adletaskedastheyran.ButforsomereasonRoloniahesitated.37Chapter 12 "Uh,umm...shetoldmetokeepyousafeandprotected."AdletturnedtolookbehindhimandhesawFremystaringhisway.Embarrassed,Adletturnedaroundandcontinuedtorunsouth."Fremysanisaniceperson,don'tyouthink?"RoloniasaidandAdletnoddedhisagreement.AdletfeltthatalittlewhileagoFremyandRoloniahadstartedtodevelopagoodrelationship.ButhewonderedifitwasRoloniawhohadgottenusedtoFremyortheotherwayaround.#AtaroundthesametimetherewereaboutfiftyKyomatwentykilometerssoutheastfromtheHeroeslocation.TheywereattheedgeoftheForestofSeveredFingers.Thegroundwasbarrenandonlycoveredwithruggedrocks.Hotairsurgedbeneaththegroundandspewedoutofseveralgeysersinthearea.TheKyomacalledtheareatheLavaBeltbecauseofthefactthatseveraldozenmetersbelowthesurface,therewasanundergroundwatercurrentheatedbymagma.38Chapter 12 AmongthefiftyKyomathatassembledtherewasanamphibianKyoma.Ithadagiganticbody,alargemouth,andaskincoveredinstones.Sometimesastrangesmellingsteamalsoroseupfromitsbody.TherewasalsoamonkeyKyoma.Itwasaboutthesizeofahuman,butitsbodywasextremelythin.Italsohadacontinuouslyripplingbodyhair.AndthentherewasanadorableKyomaseatedatthecenterofthemall.Itsbodywassmallandithadastrangeappearancewiththelegsofwhatlookedlikeadogsandasquirrels."Thepreparationshavebeencompleted,Nashetania,"theadorableKyomasaidquietly.HisnamewasDozzu,thetraitorwhohadrevoltedagainstTheMajinandlefttheWailingDemonTerritory.HewasalsooneofthethreeKyomacommanders."Ourfateshallbedecidedheretoday.Whateverresultsawaitus,weshallcontinuetofightwithoutgivingup."Dozzu'svoicewassmallandcouldn'treachanyoneexceptforthegirlsittingbesidehim,Nashetania."Areyouworriedaboutme,Dozzu?"Nashetaniasmiled."Relax.I'mnotscaredofanything.It'sclearthatwewillbevictoriousinthisbattle.""...Nashetania."39Chapter 12 "WehaveGoldof,sothere'snothingtofear."Dozzuquietlynodded."Forourambitionsweshallfight.""ForthefutureofhumansandKyoma.""Andforourfallenbrethren,"Nashetaniasaidandthenstoodupandwipedoffthedirtfromherbehind."Welltheneveryone.Let'sbegin.EliminateChamoRosso."WiththosewordstheirplanwasunderwayasNashetaniastaredattheKyomasurroundingherwithasmile.#Abouttenminuteshadpassed."...Hey,Adkun,Goldofsan,"RoloniacalledouttoAdletandGoldofwhowerelookingdownthecliff.40Chapter 12 "Didyoufindsomething?"Adletasked.Therewasurgencyinhisvoice.Nomatterhowmanytimeshehadlookeddownthecliff,hewasntabletofindanyclues."No,Ihaven'tfoundanything,but...isn'tsomethingstrangeaboutthis?""What?""Whyaren'tthereanyKyoma?"Afterhearingthat,Adletlookedaround.ItwasabouttimethatevenTgurneuwouldbeawaretheHeroeshadgottenoutoftheforest.Andevenifheweren'tawarehewouldhaveatleastdispatchedscoutstopatrolthevalley.Forthemtonothaveencounteredanyofthepatrolsevenoncewasdefinitelyunusual.AdlettookoutthefirecrackerthatFremyhadgivenhimfromoneofhispouches.IfanythingstrangehappenedFremywouldremotelybreakthefirecracker,signalingAdletandtheothers."FremyandHanshaven'tencounteredanyKyomaeither,right?""That'sstrangetoo,but...what'sthat?"Roloniaquicklypointedtothesky.TherewasagiantmothKyomaflyingfromthecenteroftheWailingDemonTerritory.Itdidn'tseemlikeitwaswatchingthethreeofthem.Itwasjustflyingsoutheastasfastasitcould.41Chapter 12 "TherewasaKyomaflyinginthatsamedirectionearliertoo.""...That'sodd."Adletcranedhisnecktothesideashelookedsoutheast.HecouldguessthatKyomaweregatheringthere,buthecouldn'tunderstandwhy.TgurneuhadalreadypredictedthattheSixFlowerswereheadingtowardsthevalley.SoifheignoredthatinformationthentherewasprobablyanotherreasonwhytheKyomawerebeinggatheredinanunrelatedlocation.Atthatmoment,Goldof,inalargebutslowmotion,turnedsoutheastandthenstartedtowalkaway."What'sthematter,Goldofsan?"Roloniacalledtohim,butGoldofdidn'tstop.Atfirsthehadbeenmovingslowly,butprogressivelyhepickeduphisspeedandbegantodistancehimselffromAdletandRolonia.Adletrushedafterhimandgrabbedhisshoulder.Somethingabouthimseemedstrange."Yo,don'tactonyourown.Atthemomentyouhavenobusinessoverthere."42Chapter 12 ThenassoonasAdletfeltGoldofgrabhiswrist,hisbodywasflippedthroughtheair.Beforehecouldknowwhathadhappened,Adlet'sbackcrashedintothegroundandhewasstaringuptobluesky."Adkun?!"OnlyafterRoloniahadshouteddidherealizethathehadbeenthrown."WhatthehellareyoudoingGoldof?!"AdletbrushedasideGoldof'shandandrolledbacktohisfeet."...Theprincessisindanger.""Whathappened?What'supwiththeprincess...withNashetania?"Goldofdidn'trespondandjustcontinuedtoquicklywalksoutheast."Wait,Goldof.Explain.WhathappenedtoNashetania?""Theprincessisintrouble.Iamgoingtohelpher."43Chapter 12 "Whatareyouthinking?Nashetaniaistheenemy."AdletcircledaroundinfrontofGoldof.ThenextinstantAdlethadafistthrustintohisstomachasalloftheairhadlefthislungs.Theenergyescapedhislegsashefelldowntohisknees."Goldofsan?!Whatareyoudoing?!"RoloniashoutedassherushedovertoAdlet.Goldofthenturnedaroundandsaidtothetwoofthem,"Adlet,Rolonia.Iamgoingtohelptheprincess.""Whyallofasudden?"RoloniaaskedinplaceofAdlet,whocouldn'tspeakatthemoment."Listenupandlistenwell.Donotgetinmyway.Iamgoingtohelptheprincess."EversincetheyhadcometotheWailingDemonTerritory,Goldofhadbeenlikeacorpse.Butnowalighthadreturnedtohiseyes.Therewasafireglimmeringwithinhisdarkgaze."Iwillgoalone.Donotfollowme.""Pleasewaitamoment,Goldofsan!Whathappened?!"Roloniashouted.44Chapter 12 "Circumstanceshavechanged.Ifyouinterfere,Iwillnotletyoulive.""Le...letuslive?"Roloniasaid,scared.ThenAdletnoticedsomethingunusual.Goldofwascrying.HedbeencryingsilentlyeversincehedshiftedhisfocusontotheKyomathatwereheadingsoutheast.WhenAdletstoodup,Goldofhadalreadyturnedaroundandrunaway.AndAdletandRoloniacoulddonothingelsebutwatchhimrunoff.#AboutthirtyminutesaftertheremainingSixHeroeswererunningacrosstheplainschasingafterGoldof."What'sthemeaningofthis?"Fremyasked.AfterhearingthesituationfromAdletandRolonia,theircompanionsallshowedfacesofconfusion.Adletdidn'tunderstanditeither."Youdon'tthinkperhapshereallydidgomad?"Hansasked.45Chapter 12 Frankly,Adletthoughtthatitwasprobablythebiggestpossibilityasofthen.Goldof'sbehaviordidntmakeanysense.AdletunderstoodthatGoldofmissedNashetania.AnditwasprobablyanaturalfeelingforhimtowanttobringNashetania,whowasonthesideoftheKyoma,overtotheFlowers'side.Perhapsthat'swhathemeantwhenhesaidhewouldgotohelpher.ButAdlethadnoideawhyGoldofwasheadingofftohelphernow.EventuallyAdletandtheothersdiscoveredthreeKyomacorpsesinfrontoftheroadbeforethem.Adletdrewcloserandinspectedtheirinjuries."DidGoldofkillthem?"Moraasked.AsfarasAdletcouldtell,thatwasprobablythecase.AllthreeoftheKyomahadbeentakenoutbyamassivelysharpstrike.Whatappearedstrangewasthatafterthethreehadbeenkilled,theirstomachshadbeenslicedopen."Hethrusthishandintotheirstomachsandthoroughlytriedsearchingforsomething.Whatareyoudoing,Goldof?""Iwonderifhe'sreallytryingtosaveNashetania,"Fremysaid."...RippingopenKyomastomachswillhelpNashetania?Howdoesthatmakesense?"ThepossibilitythatGoldofhadbecomecompletelyinsaneincreasedevenfurther.46Chapter 12 Afterfinishingtheirinspectionofthecorpses,AdletandtheotherscontinuedafterGoldof."Isthereanythingahead?"Moraaskedastheyran."Ifwekeepgoingstraightalittlebitwewillentertheforestagain.Thelavabeltisbeforethat.Magmaflowsbeneaththegroundandtherearegeysersspewingeverywhere.It'sadangerousplace.""Thatbastard...whydoeshehavetodothingsinaplacelikethat?"AdletmutteredandatthesametimeFremystopped.Theothercompanionswhowerefollowingheralsocametoastop."What'swrong,Fremy?"ThemomentAdletlookedintohereyesAdletunderstoodwhatFremywantedtosay."...WeshouldnotfollowafterGoldof.""Fremy?""ItissafetosaythattheKyomaaretryingtogatheratthelavabeltandGoldofistryingtodrawallofusthere.Idon'tknowwhatkindoftrapTgurneuand47Chapter 12 Nashetaniaarelayingoutforus,butifwecontinuelikethisitwillbeanactofsuicide.""AreyousayingGoldofistheseventh?"Thathasn'tbeendeterminedyet.Butheisextremelysuspicious.""Bu...but...Fremysan,"RoloniatimidlysaidbacktoFremy."Goldofsanmighthavefallenintosomekindoftrap.Nashetaniasancouldbedeceivinghimandluringhimsomewhere...""Whatdoyoumean?""Doesn'tGoldofsanloveNashetaniasan?IfheheardthatNashetaniasanwasindangerIthinkhewouldendupgoingtohelpher.MaybetheenemyliedtoGoldofsanandistryingtotrickhimintogoingtothelavabelt.""Thatdoesntseemright.HowwouldNashetaniadeceiveGoldofandtrickhimintogoinganywhere?DideitheryouorAdletseeorhearanything?""Yeah...umm..."Fremy'srebuttalwascompletelyright.ChamothenturnedtothesilentRolonia.48Chapter 12 "What?Didn'tyousayearlierthatyoususpectedGoldof?Whyareyoudefendinghim?""Ah...ahumm...aboutthat..."HavingbeensilentlythinkingasRoloniaandChamospoke,Fremythensaid,"You'vegottherightidea,Chamo.Fromwhatyou'vepointedoutIcanseeanotherpossibility.RoloniatrickedGoldofandmadehimheadtotheLavaBelt.Thenshedmakeusfollowafterhimandwouldtrytoleadustothelavabeltaswell.Thatisnotanimpossibility."ThoughRoloniawasupset,shewasntabletogetanywordstocomeoutofhermouthandendedupjustopeningandclosingitoverandover."Enoughwiththisunfoundedspeculation.WeneedtohurryandcomeupwithasolutionforwhattodoaboutGoldof.Adlet,whatshouldwedo?"Moraasked.ButAdletwasataloss.TheenemywaswithoutadoubtwaitingforthemupaheadandGoldofwasindeedverysuspicious.Unsureofwhattodo,AdletlookedovertoHans,anglingforhimtooffersomeadvice.ButHansjustshookhishead."Thedecisionisyours,meow.Aguywhocan'tmakedecisionsisnotaleader."That'sright.AdletwasembarrassedthathetriedtorelyonHans.49Chapter 12 "Honestly,IamsuspiciousofGoldoftoo.AndIdon'tthinkitsanoutrageousproposition...toabandonhimlikethis.But..."Adletstopped,thenforawhileheworriedoverhowtocontinue."IlookedintoGoldof'seyes.Thosewerenteyesthatwerecapableofdeceit.GoldofisseriouslytryingtosaveNashetania.Thatiscertain.Attheveryleastitdoesn'tseemlikeheisdeceivingus."RolonianoddedtoAdlet'swords."So?""IstillthinkthereisapossibilitythatGoldofisnottheseventh.Andaslongasthatpossibilityremainswecannotabandonhim.Ifweabandonhelpingandprotectingourfellowcompanionsthenwe'redonefor."FremylookedatAdletwithacoldstarefullofanger."...That'sfine.Let'ssupposethatGoldofisnottheseventh.Andlet'sassumethatGoldofistryingtogoandhelpNashetania.Thatdoesn'tchangethefactthatNashetaniaistheenemy.AndifGoldofwenttogohelpherthenheisnotourcompanion.Heisjustatraitor.Sowhyshouldwegoandhelpatraitor?""Hehasn'tbetrayedus.HeisinlovewithNashetania.Andsomeonewhowantstoprotectthepersontheyloveisnotatraitor.""...Seriously,you'regoingtogoandhelpGoldof?"50Chapter 12 AdletnoddedandinarageFremygrabbedhimbythecollar."Stopscrewingaround!""Fr,Fremysan..."Roloniastammered."Youarefartoosoft!WhetherGoldofistheseventh,atraitor,orhascompletelygoneinsanedoesn'tmatter!Whyshouldweventureintosuchadangerousplaceinordertohelphim?!""Meow.You'reshouting,Fremy,"Hanssaid,tryingtostopher.Butevenhiswarningdidnotreachherears."I'mnotabandoningourcompanion.Thatismydecision.AndIdon'tplanonchangingit,"AdletsaidandhetoreFremy'shandoffofhim."Idon'tgetyou.""...Fremysan.IthinkAdkuniscorrect,"Roloniainterjected."Why?""Ican'thelpbutfeeluneasy.Idon'tknowwhatkindoftrapwe'reinvolvedin.AndIdontknowwhenIllbesuspectedofbeingtheseventh.Weregoingtohavetofightunderthesecircumstancesinthefuturetoo."51Chapter 12 "So?""ButIknowthatAdkunwouldneverabandonme.Hewillbelieveinmeuntiltheveryend.ItisthankstothatsenseofreliefthatIambarelyabletofight.ItsbecauseAdkunwouldneverthinktobetraymethatIcanfight.Butit'snotonlyme.Ithinkeveryoneherefeelsthesameway."TheHeroesfellsilent."Fremy,stopthis.Iunderstandhowyoufeel...butlet'strustAdlet.""Wedecidedtoentrustthingstohim.Nowwhateverhesaysitcan'tbehelped,meow."Hanssaidandthenhesmiledandbegantowalk.Fremyhungherheadandhershouldersdroppedasshestaredattheground."Adlet,I..."WhateverFremywasabouttosay,shestoppedherselfbeforeitcameout.Herfeelingswerereallyhurt,evenAdletunderstoodthat.Buthedidn'thaveanywordstoconsoleher.#52Chapter 12 Anhourlater,whilethesixHeroeskeptcarefulwatchesontheirsurroundings,theysetfootontothelavabelt.Thelavabelt'ssurfacewascoveredwithdarkgrayruggedrocks.Therockshadbecomeredhereandthereandwereextremelyhot.Theheatwassointensethattheycouldfeelitthroughthebottomoftheirshoes.Sometimessteamspewedoutfromthecracksintherocks.Thesteamwasmixedwithsulfuranditstanktothepointwhereitmadethemscrewuptheirfacesindisgust.Thelandwascompletelydevoidoflife;everyweed,insect,andanimalhaddiedoutthere.Adletdidn'thaveanypriorknowledgeabouttheareasinceneithertheSaintoftheSingleFlowernorthepastHeroeshadvisiteditbefore.AsforFremy,shehadeithercomeclosemultipletimesorhadpassedit,butshedneveractuallyventuredinside."...Whatastrangeplace,"Adletmuttered.Therewereaseriesofruggedrockyhills,ranginginheightbetweenfiveandtwentymeters.Therewerealmostnolevelareas.Thestructureoftherockyhillswasirregularanditmadeforaverybadfieldofvision.Evenifoneweretolookoverthesurroundingareafromahighpositionononeofthosehills,theywouldnotbeabletoseethewholearea.Itwasanidealplacetolaunchanambush.53Chapter 12 "Itdoesn'tseemlikethisterrainformednaturally,"Adletsaid."I'dheardthatoriginallyitwasaverylargevolcano.AndwhenCargikkhadexcavatedthatvalleyhealsomadethemagmafromhereflowthere."Hans,whohadclimbedoneoftherockyhillsnearby,pointedoutintoadirection."Umeow.ThereareKyomacorpsesovertheretoo.ItlookslikeGoldofistryingtomakehiswaytothecenterofthelavabelt."AdletandtheothersfacedthedirectionHanshadindicated.ThedeadKyomatheyfoundwereverysimilartothoseintheforest.Theyhadbeenkilledbyasinglethrustandtheirstomachshadbeenrippedopen."WhatisGoldofdoing?"Moragrumbled.Adletandtheothersthencontinuedwalking.Theywalkedforaboutthirtyminutesandpassedanumberofshort,ruggedhills.DuringtheirtrektheyrepeatedlycameacrossnewKyomacorpses.AdlethadpredictedthattheywouldreceiveanambushwithintheLavaBelt.ButtheonlyKyomatheyencounteredwerecorpses.Therewasnoindicationthatanambushwascoming.54Chapter 12 "There'snoonehere.Chamowondersifthisisatrap,"Chamosaid.CouldGoldofhavepossiblykilledallofthem?Adletthought.Theycontinuedtowalkonwardandstartedtoseeagianttrapezoidhill.Whentheyclimbedthethirtymeterhill,theyfoundthatthecenterhadbeengougedoutandbelowwasapitseventymetersindiameter.Lookingdownintothathollow,Adletgulpedinvoluntarily."...Whatinthehell..."InthepittherewasalargeamountofKyomacorpses,probablyovertwohundred.Adletsnappedoutofhisshockandrusheddowntheslope."CouldGoldofsanhavepossiblydonethisonhisown?"Roloniaasked."Thatcan'tbeit.Ifhecouldkillallofthesealonethenheisn'thuman."AdletinspectedtheKyomacorpses.Theinjuriesthatprovedfatalwerealmostallfrombitesorclaws.Therewerealsothosethathadbeenkilledbyfireoracid.Theirwoundswerestillfreshanditseemedthattheyhaddiedjustafewhoursearlier.55Chapter 12 "WasthereafightamongtheKyoma?"Adletmuttered.Therewerecutsalloverthegroundandpiecesofbrokenrockwerescatteredabout.Itmusthavebeenaviolentbattle.LookingatthefacesofthemanyKyomaFremysaid,"ThemajoritywereonTgurneu'sside.ButthereisalsoaconsiderableamountofCargikk'sKyomamixedamongthem.BylookingatthisthereisnodoubtthatthiswasaninternalbattleamongtheKyoma."TheyhadalreadyheardfromFremythattherewasacomplicatedstruggleamongtheKyoma.Accordingtoher,theKyomaweredividedintothreefactions.Onewasthelargest,Cargikk'sfaction,andthenextpowerfulwasTgurneu'sside.Finally,theKyomatraitorDozzuhadhisfactionhiddenamongbothCargikk'sandTgurneu's."CargikkandTgurneufought?"Adletasked."...Idon'tknow.CertainlyCargikkandTgurneuopposeoneanother,buttheydon'tseemlikethetypeoffoolsthatwouldquarrelinthemiddleoftheirfightwiththeSixFlowers.""Ifthat'sthecase,thenwasitDozzu,meow?Ihaveabsolutelynoideawhatkindofpersonheis.""IwonderiftherearemanyonDozzu'ssidewhocouldcauseabattlelikethis....it'sdifficulttothinkaboutit."Fremyleanedherheadtothesideinthought.56Chapter 12 Eveniftherewereinformationtheydidnotknow,whattheydidunderstandwasthatsomethingwasunfolding.ButwouldthesituationbeadvantageousorunfavorablefortheHeroes?AndhowwasGoldofinvolved?"IftheKyomaarereallykillingoneanother,thenfornowIamgrateful.Butwhat'smoreimportantisthatwesearchforGoldof.""What?YoucametosearchforGoldof?"Avoiceaskedfrombehindthegroup.ThemomenttheyhearditAdletthrewdownhisironboxonreflexanddrewhissword.Similarly,everyoneexceptforRoloniareadiedtheirweapons.Therewasnowaytheycouldforgetthathighpitched,gentlevoiceanditspoliteandelegantmannerofspeech."Ithoughtthatwithoutadoubtyouhadcometokillme."Therewasagirlontheslopesurroundingthebasin.ShewassittingatoponeoftheKyomacorpses,staringdownattheHeroeswithanairofcomposure.Shewascladinanextravagantwhiteandblackarmorwhilewearingahelmetadornedwithrabbitdecor.Howdidsheappearallofasudden?Adletwondered.Justseveralsecondsearliertherehadbeennoonethere."It'sbeenalongtime,HeroesoftheSixFlowers."57Chapter 12 Adlethadafeelingthattheywouldprobablymeetagain.Andthereshewas,thefirstimpostorwhomtheyhadfoughtalmosttothedeathjustfourdaysago:Nashetania.58Chapter 21 59Chapter 21 ChapterTwo:PartOne"Hey,whatintheworldhappenedafterIlostconsciousnessintheIllusionFogBarrier?"AdlethadaskedhiscompanionsthreedaysearlierattheEternalFlower.Seriouslyinjured,AdlethadpassedoutonthespotrightafterthebattleintheIllusionFogBarrier,whichprettymuchmeantthathedidn'tknowwhathadhappenedfromthatpointuntilwhenhewokeupthenextmorning.SohiscompanionstookturnsfillinghimandRoloniainonwhathadhappenedthatnight.Hans,Mora,Chamo,andGoldofchasedafterNashetaniathroughoutthenight.Rightafteritwasrevealedthatshewastheimpostor,NashetaniadeactivatedtheIllusionFogBarrier.However,Moratoldthemthatevenifitweredeactivatedthefogwouldretainitseffectuntilithadcompletelyclearedup.HansandChamoweren'tinjuredatall.TheyevensaidthatthereweretimeswhentheywerecertaintheyhadkilledNashetania,butsomehow,shewasstillabletogetawayeachtime."Nashetaniausedsomekindofstrangepower.Wethoughtwehadhercornered,butthenshewoulddisappearthenextinstant.Andweknowshewasn'tkilledbecausetherewasnodeadbodyleftbehind,"Chamosaid."Thatability...I'veseenitbefore."AdletrecalledthemomentafterNashetania'strueidentityhadbeenrevealed.60Chapter 21 ItwaswhenMorasmashedNashetania'sheadopen.ThebodyimmediatelydisappearedthenandthegenuineNashetaniareappearedsomewhereelse.Theabilitywascertainlypuzzling,butitdidn'tseemlikethepoweroftheSaintofBlades."Idon'tunderstandhowitspossible,butNashetaniaisabletousethepowerofaKyoma.PerhapsitstheabilityofaKyomathatcanconcealitself,"Fremysaid.EventhoughAdlethadbeentaughtbytheAntiKyomaspecialistAtroSpykerandhadpossessedaconsiderableamountofknowledgeabouttheabilitiesandecologyoftheKyoma,hedidn'tknowanythingaboutaconcealingKyoma."ConcealingKyomaareextremelyrare.ThereareperhapsonlyfiveamongalloftheKyoma.I'veheardstoriesaboutthem,butI'veneveractuallyseentheirability.""Whatkindofpowerisit?""Inaword,it'slikehypnotism."Fremythencontinuedtoexplain.TheconcealingKyomaemitsananestheticintheformofvaporfromalloveritsbodywhilereleasingaspecificsoundwaveatthesametime.ThepersonthatbreathestheanestheticinandhearsthesoundwouldtemporarilylosetheirabilitytoperceivetheconcealingKyoma.61Chapter 21 AlthoughtheabilitythatNashetaniahadusedwasevenmoreunique,shehadtheabilitytomakethemhallucinateandthinkthatshewasactuallythere,Fremytoldthem."...That'sunbelievable,"Adletsaid.AcoldsweatbrokeoutinAdlet'sbody.Withthatabilityshecouldapproachthemwhileinvisibleandambushthemfrombehindwithouteventheslightestresistance.UponseeingAdlet'sworrythough,Hansmerelylaughedandrejectedtheidea."Meowhi.AsfarasIcantell,herabilitywasnotthatstrong.""Whatdoyoumean?""Iveseentheprincess'concealingabilitymultipletimes.Shecanprobablymakeherselfdisappearforabouttenseconds,meow.ButIshouldaddthataftersheusestheabilityshecantuseitagainforaperiodoffiveminutes.Sothisisjustatheory,but...shecanprobablyonlyusetheconcealingabilitytoescape."Fremy'seyeswidenedinshock."Thatisquitetheanalysis.You'reprettymuchright."FremyaddedtoHans'explanation:Theconcealingabilityexhaustsaconsiderableamountofphysicalenergy.62Chapter 21 Sowhileusingtheability,shewouldn'tbeabletoattackordoanythingelse.Atmostshewouldonlybeabletorun.ThiswassomethingsharedbyalloftheconcealingKyoma."Cometothinkofit,mymasterdidtellmethattherewereKyomathatusedhypnotism,althoughtheywereonlyafew.However,theeffectoftheirabilitiesmerelylastsforamoment.""...I'vehadthisquestionforalongtime,butwhoisAtroSpyker?HowdidheinvestigatetheKyoma'swayoflifesothoroughly?""Idon'tknow.Iveaskedhimmanytimesaswellbefore,butInevergotananswer,"Adletsaid.Fremylookedawayasifthinkingaboutsomething."AtroSpykerisnotimportantatthemoment.Whatweneedtoknowiswhetherornotthere'sawaytobreakthroughtheconcealingability."Morasaid."WhentheconcealingKyomausetheirabilitytheygiveoffasweetscent.Weshouldbeabletoknowiftheirabilityhasbeenusedfromthat,"Fremyreplied."Ifsheusesit,whatshouldwedo?""Ifyoufocusyourconcentration,squintyoureyes,andhurtyourself,itwillundothehypnotism.Thepainfrombitingdownonyourtonguereallyhardshouldbeenough.Thenyouwillbeabletoseethroughtheconcealingability."63Chapter 21 "Isee.Soyou'resayingthatifthereisastrangesweetsmell,weshouldstrainoureyesandbiteourtongues?""That'sright."I'mreallygratefulthatFremyishere,Adletthought.Theconcealingpowerwasnotverypowerful.Nevertheless,iftheyhadfoughtwithoutknowingthetruthabouttheabilitytheymighthavefallenintoadangerouspredicament.Butnomatterwhatkindofabilityitwas,ifhecouldjustunderstandthesecretbehinditthenhewouldn'tfearit.#ThemomentNashetaniahadfinishedwithhergreetingsagunshotrangthroughtheair.Abladesprungupfromthegroundandrepelledthebullet,sendingitflyingtosomeunknowndirection."You'reviolent,Fremysan."HavingblockedFremy'sbullet,NashetaniacalmlygetsofftheKyomacorpse.Fremywasloadinghernextbullet,butAdletstoppedher."That's....Nashetaniasan?"RoloniaaskedfrombehindAdlet.64Chapter 21 "Nicetomeetyou.YoumustbeRoloniasan.Ilookforwardtoourtimetogether."NashetaniaplacedherhandonherchestandbowedRoloniaawkwardlybowedherinresponse."What'sgoingonwithGoldof?"AdletaskedandNashetaniapointedsouth."Goldofisabouttwentykilometersoverthere.Afterfinishingupabitofbusinessforme,Ithinkhewillbemakinghiswayhere.""Whatisthis'bitofbusiness'?""It'sasecret,"Nashetaniasaidandimpishlyplacedherfingersonherlips.Herbehaviorwascompletelythesameaswhenhehadfirstmetherinprison.Adletshotafleetingglanceatthebackofhishand.Allsixofthepetalswerestillonthecrest.IfGoldofwasagenuineFlowerthenhewasattheveryleastnotdead.However,ifhewasthesevenththenthatwasanotherstory."Didyouusehimtolureushere?""There'snowayIcoulddothat.IonlywishedtohelpGoldof.Ididntexpectallofyoutofollowafterhim,"Nashetaniasaidinatonethatseemedtosuggestshewashavingfun.65Chapter 21 ShewasclearlylyingandAdletwasconfidentthatheandtheothershadfallenintohertrap.Nashetaniawasdefinitelyplanningsomething,soAdletlookedaroundhissurroundingstryingtofigureouthowshewasgoingtotrapthem."Howdidyourequestforhishelp?""GoldofandIareconnectedonanemotionallevel.It'snotnecessarytotellhimanything.IfIjustwishforhelpthenhewillcomerushing,nomatterwhereheis.""Whatareyoutryingtosay?He'llcomeeventhoughyoubetrayedhim?"Nashetaniadidn'tpayChamo'swordsanymind."IsGoldoftheseventh?"Adletasked."You'reterrible,Adletsan.Ican'tbelieveyou'ddoubtmypreciousGoldof.HeisatrueHerooftheSixFlowers.AndsinceI'mvouchingforhimthereisn'tanymistakeaboutit."Shehadprobablycometoridiculethem.Adletwasgettingannoyedbyherjokingattitude."Bytheway,afterweredonehereImgoingtokillyou,Adletsaid.66Chapter 21 "Oh,howscary.""Whenisyour'preciousGoldofgoingtorushbacktoyou?"Nashetaniabegantogiggle."Goldof,help!I'mhere!Imgoingtobekilled!"Adletscowledatherunamusingjoke.TohissideFremyandHanstradedglances.ThentheynoddedtowardsAdlet."Killher,"Adletcommanded.FireshotoutfromFremy'srifleandHanschargeddirectlyather.AtthesametimeAdletturnedaround.Justashehadthought,about30Kyomaappeared.TheKyomareadiedtherocksthatwereturningredfromtheheatandstartedtothrowthemattheHeroes."Leavethereartome!"AssoonasAdletshouted,hetookoutaflashpelletfromapoucharoundhiswaistandthrewit.AlthoughthemassiveflashoflightblindedtheKyoma,itdidn'tstopthemfromthrowingthescorchingstones.Nevertheless,theiraimwentwildandtheHeroeswereeasilyabletododgetheirattacks.67Chapter 21 Suddenly,oneofthefallenKyomacorpsesbyAdlet'sfeetmoved,extendingitsantennaeandaimingforAdlet'sneck."Watchout!"Roloniashouted,herwhipcuttingofftheantennaerightbeforeitcouldreachAdlet.AstrangesmellingbloodspewedoutfromtheseveredantennaeandtheKyomascreamed.OnebyonethefallenKyomabegantomoveandrushedtowardstheHeroes."Rolonia!Mora!ThethreeofuswillstoptheKyoma,"Adletshoutedjustasabladesprungupfromthegroundandflewtowardshim.RoloniaagainsavedAdlet,breakingtheswordbeforeitmadecontact."Umeomeow!Leavetheprincesstome!"HansshoutedashetwirledthroughtheairandcutatNashetaniawithhisblade.Nashetaniamadeanotherbladespringoutfromthegroundtomeethisattack."Hans!I'llbackyouup!"Fremysaid.ShechuckedbombstowardsNashetaniaandthenshotather.Nashetaniarolledacrossthegroundanddodgedbothoftheattacks.BothHansandFremycouldgeneratemoreforcethanNashetania.Togethertherewasnothingshecouldthrowatthemthattheycouldnthandle."Fremy!Becarefulofherconcealingability,"Adletshouted.68Chapter 21 "Youdon'tneedtotellme."Nashetaniastartedtoflee.ShedeflectedFremy'sbulletswiththehiltofherrapierandsummonedbladesfromthegroundtohaltHans'charge."CanChamohelptoo?"ChamoaskedAdlet,referringtotheJyumashehadspatout.ButAdletshookhishead."Nashetaniamuststillbeplanningsomething.Guardtheperimeterandprepareforthenextattack!""Understood."Thehecticbattlewagedonforseveralminutesafterthat.FremyandHansfoughtwithNashetaniawhileAdlet,Mora,andRoloniawerekeepingtheKyomathatwastryingtoassistNashetaniaatbay.ProtectedbyherJyuma,Chamostoodonthelookoutforpotentialreinforcements,butAdletandtheothersclearlyhadtheadvantageinthebattleandtherewasnoindicationthatNashetaniawasplanninganothertrap.AdletdrovehisswordintothetopofaKyoma'sheadasitwasrushingtowardshim.Thenasitstaggered,Rolonia'swhipcutittoshreds.TheKyomadied,spewingageyserofblood.69Chapter 21 Therewereabout30Kyoma.AndthoughAdletcouldn'tcallthatasmallnumber,theHeroesweremorethanenoughtostopthem.Soaslongasthingsremainedastheywere,theyweregoingtowin."...Noway.Wasshereallylikethis?"Adletmutteredashefought.Adletcouldn'tshakethefeelingthatsomethingwasoff.WhentheywereintheIllusionFogBarriershehadenactedanelaborateandcarefulplan,soshedidn'tseemlikethetypeofpersonwhowouldchallengeanenemytoafightwithoutastrategy."Meow!"HanswascuttingthroughthebladesthatNashetaniawasdesperatelyconjuringupfromthegroundinordertostophim.MeanwhileasingleKyomathattheHeroeshadfailedtoholdoffmanagedtomakeitswayovertoNashetaniaandwasstrugglingtoprotecther."Youwon'tgetaway,"Fremysaid,thenshotabulletthroughNashetania'sleg.Nashetaniawincedinpain.Theplayfulattitudehadvanishedfromherexpression."I'msorryaboutthis,everyone.Butcanyoupleasehurryandhelpme?!"70Chapter 21 Still,forsomereasonAdletdidn'tfeelatease.Nashetaniaisdefinitelyplanningsomething.Wassheplanninganevengreaterambush?WassheplanningtotakeGoldofhostage?OrwassheintendingtodirectTgurneutotheirlocation?"Hey,Adlet,"Chamosaidasshelookedonoverthebattleasaspectator."ItwouldbegreatifyoucouldkillNashetaniasoon.""...Gotit!I'lldoit!"Adletdecided.Perhapstherewassomekindoftrap.Buttakingdowntheenemyinfrontoftheireyeswasmoreimportantthanbeingworriedaboutsomepotentialtrap.AtthatmomentasingleKyomaslippedpastRolonia'swhipandMora'sfist,andrushedtowardsNashetania.ItwasalizardKyomawithrocklikeskin.NashetaniadodgedHans'attackandmountedit.Withoutmissingabeat,theKyomadashedawayfromthebattlefield.PerhapsitthoughtitcouldtakeNashetaniatosafety."Whereareyougoing,meow!"Therocklizard'smovementswerenotthatfast,soHanschasedafterNashetaniaandtriedtojumpontotheKyoma'sback.Butashewasintheair,agiantmothKyomaglidedfromtheskyandknockedhimdown.FremythenshotatNashetania'sbackbutmissed.Themothvoluntarilyplaceditsbodyinfrontoftheattacktoprotecther.Shotinthechest,astickyfluidshotoutofthemothasitplummetedtotheground.71Chapter 21 Duringthisbattle,tenofChamo'sJyumahadmanagedtomaneuverthemselvessothattheywerenowblockingNashetania'spath.TheyhadformedalineandwerechargingatNashetaniaallatonce.She'sbeenstopped,Adletthought.ButNashetaniafinallyrepliedtoHans'question."WhereamIgoing?I'mrunningaway."AstheJyumaboredownonher,Nashetaniaboldlylaughed."AndI'mrunningbecausemybusinessisdonehere."ThenextinstantalloftheJyumastoppedmoving.TheyhadnotbeenstabbedwithNashetania'sblades,norweretheybeingattackedbyanyone.Whathappened?Adletthought.ButwhileAdletwasdistracted,theKyomaseizedtheopeningandalionKyomacamefrombehindwithanattackaimingforAdlet'sneck.Adletstoopeddowntoavoidtheattack,thentwistedtofacethecreatureandthrewapoisondartatitsface.WhiletheheroeswereoccupiedNashetaniahadslippedaway."Let'sgo!Quickly,quickly!"72Chapter 21 NashetaniaslappedthebackofthelizardKyomaasitcontinueditssluggishrun.AtthesametimeshedeflectedFremy'sbulletswithherbladeswhileHans'attackswereblockedbyotherKyomathatwasrushingtowardshim.TheKyomathatRoloniaandMorawerefightingthensimultaneouslymovedtoapositionbehindNashetania,aidinginholdingoffFremyandHans.ShouldIgoafterNashetania?Adletwondered.Butsomethingisn'tright.WhyhadtheJyumastopped?"Chamo,what'sgoingon?!"AdletshoutedandChamorushedtowardshim.Shelookedstrangeandwaspressingherhandstoherstomachwithadumbfoundedlookonherface.Shethenlookeddownatherhands,thentoherbody,andmuttered,"...Huh?What's...?ThenextinstantChamopressedherhandtohermouth.Thenlargeamountsofbloodstartedtospillfromit,seepingoutfromthespacesbetweenherfingers.Unabletoevenshout,Chamoslowlyfelltotheground.AtthesametimetheJyumawereallsuckedbackintoChamo'smouth.ItseemedlikeChamohadbeenattacked,yetAdlethadn'tseenanythingthatcouldhavedoneit."Chamo?!"73Chapter 21 MoraandRoloniarushedover.MorahelpedChamoupandRoloniatriedtostoptheblood.Allthreeofthemwereconfusedandwasataloss.Theycouldn'tfindanyinjuriesonChamo'sbody."...Whathappened,Chamo?"Stillcoveringhermouth,Chamobegantotremble.Perhapsitwasthefirsttimeinherlifethatshehadeverexperiencedthefearofdeath."Mystomach....inside....blade...."Chamomanagedtosaybeforevomitingalargeamountofbloodagain.FremyandHanschasedafterNashetaniaasshetriedtoescapefromthebasin.ButbecausetheKyomawereholdingHansandFremyoff,graduallyNashetaniawasabletopullawayandeventuallyshewentovertheslopeofthebasinanddisappearedfromsight.#NashetaniaknewexactlywhathadhappenedinsideChamo'sstomach.Shewastheonewhohadcausedittohappenafterall.74Chapter 21 CertainSaintsknewofatechniquethatcouldplaceapartofone'sessenceintoanotherobject,creatingobjectsthathelduniquepower.ThoseobjectsweregenerallycalledSacredInstruments.WhenitcametoproducingtheSacredInstruments,thegreatestmasterinallofhistorywastheSaintoftheSingleFlowerwhohadproducedthecrestsoftheSixFlowers.Atthemoment,theSaintofMountains,Mora,andtheSaintofSalt,Weylynn,weretheonlyknownusersofthistechnique.ChamoandRoloniacouldn'tuseitatallwhileFremyalsoseemedunskilledatit.Thetargetofthepowertransferwasusuallybooksorstakeswrittenwithholywords,orvariouskindsofjewels.AnditwassaidthattoputpowerintoacrestliketheSaintoftheSingleFlowerwasthehighestleveloftheskill.Publicly,Nashetaniatoldtheworldthatshecouldn'tusethetechniqueeither.Butthatwasalie.Shewouldn'tbeabletoaccomplishhertraphadpeoplefoundoutthatshecouldactuallymakeSacredInstruments.#Itwasabouttwoyearsago.NashetaniahadleftPienaandwasvisitingtheHeadTemplewithovertwentyattendantsaccompanyingher.Amongthemwereherguards,herhorsecoachdrivers,hermaidshelpingwithfoodandclothing,andeventhepersonwhotook75Chapter 21 careofNashetania'spet.AtthattimeWeylynn,thedeputyleaderofthetemples,didnotseemverypleasedbytheextravagance."Princess,itisrareforyoutocomeallthewaytotheheadtemple.Iseverythingokay?"Weylynnasked.NashetaniawasusuallyinPiena,trainingagainstGoldoforagroupofknights.Sherarelyleftthekingdom."Sameasusual.Ijustcameonawhim,"Nashetaniasaid,evadingthequestion.AtthattimeantiKyomabattletrainingwasbeingheldattheHeadTemple.Atthefightingarenainsidethetemple,ChamoRosso'sJyumawerefightingwithotherSaints.SlugandwatersnakeKyomawereattackingtheSaintsrelentlessly.AsleytheSaintofIce,LenelletheSaintofFire,andotherpowerfulwarriorswereusingtheirabilitiestofighttheJyuma.Thetrainingwasjustlikearealbattle.AndthebloodspillingontothegroundwasnotjusttheJyuma's."...Wow."ThespectaclemadeNashetaniaexclaiminwonder.76Chapter 21 "ThegirlrightinthemiddleisChamosan,right?She'sacutekid.She'sdefinitelygoingtogrowintoabeautifulwoman."WeylynnwasconfusedbyNashetaniascarefreesmile."...Um,Princess.Perhapsyoudidn'tknowuponcominghere,butitmightbebettertorethinkthat.Chamoisn'tabadchild...butsheisn'tverynormal.""Isthatright?Sheisntverygentle,huh?....Well,I'mnotworried.""Justbecarefulnottogetseriouslyhurt.""IfIwerecareful,thenitwouldn'tbetraining,Weylynnsan."Nashetaniasaid,andthenshetookoffherdress.Underneathshewaswearingsimpletrainingclothes."Youdon'thavetowaitpatientlyanymore.Withoutfurtherado,NashetaniatheSaintofBladeshasarrived!""Ah,waitasecond."IgnoringWeylynn'swarning,Nashetanialeapedintothearena.ShemadebladesspringupfromthegroundandsliceduptheJyuma.77Chapter 21 "Huh?Anewopponent?HeyWeylynn.IsthisaSaintthatChamocankill?"ChamoaskedandthenspatoutevenmoreJyuma."No!Absolutelynot!Therearen'tanySaintsyoucankill!"WeylynnshoutedassherushedintothearenatoprotectNashetania.However,NashetaniacontinuedtosmileandconjuredbladesfromthegroundtobeginattackingChamo."Amazing!Isn'tthisincredible?!Isthiswhatit'sliketofightwithKyoma?!"TheyarenotKyoma.TheyareChamo'spets."ForthenextseveralminutesNashetaniacontinuedtofight,hersmileneverleavingherface.AtthattimetheplantoeliminatetheSixFlowerswithintheIllusionFogBarrierwasalreadyinmotion.NashetaniahadcometotheHeadTempleinordertoanalyzeChamo'sfightingabilitiessinceshefiguredshewouldhavetofaceherinbattlesoonerorlater.Shesamonster.AlthoughNashetaniawasactinglikeanaveandshelteredprincessenjoyingafight,deepdownsheunderstoodjusthowpowerfulChamowas."Thisbladepersonisprettystrong.ButChamodoesn'tknowanythingaboutyou.Whoareyou?"78Chapter 21 "MynameisNashetania.Iampleasedtomakeyouracquaintance."Nashetaniasmiled,thoughherheadandherbodywerebothcoveredinblood."Thoughitwasalotoftrouble,Chamo'sgladshecame.ItlookslikeChamoishavingmorefunthanChamothought.""Really?I'malsohavingagreattime."ThoughthecorrectinterpretationisthatIcamesolelyforreconnaissance,shethought.EvenifsheteamedupwithGoldoftofightChamo,shewasuncertainifshecoulddefeather.LetaloneifshehadtofaceChamooneonone.gettingthegenuineHeroesoftheSixFlowerstoeliminateChamowasdependentonwhethershecouldsuccessfullymanipulatethemintodoingherbidding.SoIhavetoinjectherwithpoisonafterall.NashetaniahadpouredherpowerintoatinypieceofdiamondbeforecomingtotheHeadTemple.Whenshewillsittoactivateaftercertainpredeterminedconditionsweresatisfied,countlessbladeswouldspringoutfromtherock.ButthatdiamondwasnotinNashetania'spossessionatthemoment."Princess,Iaskthatyoupleasebecareful!Iwillnotberesponsibleifyouareinjured,"Weylynnsaid.Shewasholdingherheadindistressatthecornerofthearena.79Chapter 21 Nashetaniaignoredherandshouted,"Well,Chamosan.Pleasecomeatmeharder!""Isthatalright,Princess?Youmightdie."Nashetaniawascoveredwithacidburns,fireburns,andbitemarks.Andherhandwassprainedfromanearlierfall.Perhapsitwasfractured."ThosewhoaspiretobeHeroesoftheSixFlowerscannotflinchfromthelikesofthis.""Wellthen,Chamowon'tholdback."Nashetaniaglancedateveryseatinthearena.Hermaidsandtheknightsofherguardwereallcompletelyashen.BesidethemwasthecagecontainingNashetania'spets.Nashetaniahadthreecats,fourdogs,andtwosquirrels.Wherevershewent,Nashetaniausuallybroughtthemalong.Andatthemomentherpetswereafraid.Butthenoneofthedogswentwild.Itbrokethelockandallthepetsburstoutofthecage.Givingitasidewaysglance,Nashetaniachuckledslightly.Doit,Dozzu.80Chapter 21 "...Ku."AslugJyuma'stailknockedNashetania'srapieroutofherhandandsentitflying.WeylynnthenrushedtothecenterofthearenaandplacedherselfbetweenNashetaniaandChamo."Waitaminute.Chamo,Princess,It'sabouttimeyoulistenedtome.Ifthiscontinuestherewillbecorpses."NashetaniapickedupherrapierandpointedthetipatChamo."Weylynnsan.Icannotquit.""But,Princess...""Iwouldliketobecomestrong.IfI'mnotstrongthenIwon'tbeabletoprotectmypeople,myfather,oranyoneelse.SoIcan'tbescaredofanenemyofthislevel."ChamorespondedtoNashetania'sprovocation."...Thislevel?"Pretendingnottohaveheardwhatshehadsaid,Nashetaniacontinued."Iwanttofightamorepowerfulopponent.This,thisstillisnotenough."81Chapter 21 "Isthatso,Princess?"Chamosmiled,butunderneaththatsmilewasafaintanger."Well,Chamoissorry.Chamoissorryfortakingiteasyonyouallthistime.Now,Chamowillgiveyouaseriousfight."ChamostuckapieceoffoxtailgrassdownherthroatandallofherJyumawerereleasedintothearena."Stop,Chamo!"Weylynnshouted.WeylynnteamedupwithNashetania,andonebyoneproducedpillarsofsalttoblocktheJyuma'sattacks.AtthesametimetheAsleyandtheLenelleleaptintothearenaandheldbacktheJyuma'sassault."Whatareyoudoing,Weylynnsan?!You'rebeingrude!""Shutup,foolishprincess!I'matthelimitofmypatience!"WeylynngrabbedthestrugglingNashetaniaandran.ButtheJyumacircledaroundthemtopreventtheirescapeandthenstartedtoattack.82Chapter 21 "Ican'twatchanymore.Protecttheprincess!"Nashetaniasguardsenteredthefray.Andinthatmassconfusionatthearena,Nashetaniawastheonlyonesecretlysmiling.#Fifteenminuteslater,Nashetaniawaslyingdowninthearenaandwasreceivingascoldingfromhermaids.OntheothersideofthearenaChamoandWeylynnwereshoutingatoneanother.Nashetanialookedatthecagewhereherpetshadbeenplaced."Hey,PortaandPunaaren'there."Ofthepetsthatshehadbroughtalong,oneofhercatsandoneofherdogswerenotinthecage.Themaidsstoppedtheirlectureandstartedtosearchforthemissinganimals.Theysoonfoundthecattremblingattheedgeoftheaudiencesectionbutthedogwasnowheretobefound."Dog?Gotit.We'lllook."Afterhearingwhathadhappened,ChamoandWeylynnbothlookedaroundthearena.83Chapter 21 "...maybe..."Chamostuckherfoxtailgrassdownherthroatandspatoutasinglegiantslug.Shethensmackeditsbackagainandagain.Andwithabelch,somethingcameoutfromtheslug'sthroat."....Haa....HAA........!Porta!Porta!"Nashetaniascreamed,rushingoverandliftingthedogupintoahug.Itwasastrangelookingdog.Itsfaceanditsbodywereroundanditdidn'tquitelooklikeasquirreloradog.Thetipsofitsfurhadbeendigested,butitdidn'tseemtohaveanyseriousinjuries."Chamoprobablyswalloweditwithoutrealizing.Hey,youcan'teatbadthings,"Chamosaid,scoldingherJyuma."Porta,holdon.Porta!"Nashetaniashoutedherdog'snameoverandoveragain.Andwhilewatching,Weylynngrabbedherheadindistress.ButnooneotherthanNashetaniaknewthatduringthebattlethatdoghadrushedaroundthearena,asifitwerescared.Andafterconfirmingthatnoonewaslookingatit,thedogjumpedintothemouthoftheslugJyuma.Thedogheldthetinydiamondfragmentinitsmouth.ThenitpressedthefragmentintotheinnerwallsoftheslugJyuma'sstomach.84Chapter 21 ThatdogwasnamedPorta.Yetitwasnothingmorethananaliasithadusedtosneakaroundtheworld.HistruenamewasDozzuandhewasoneofthethreeCommandersthatgovernedtheKyoma."...Iwassuccessful,Nashetania,"DozzusaidquietlytoNashetania.OnlyNashetaniacouldhearhisvoice.ThedullnervedslugJyumawouldprobablynotnoticeajewelbeinginsertedintoitsstomach.Inotherwords,Chamowouldalsobeunabletodetectthattherewasajewelinsideher.AndwhentheconditionsweremetandNashetaniahadwilledit,thegemwouldreleaseitspowercausingdozensofbladestosliceoutfromtheslugJyuma'sstomach.SincetheslugJyumawasinChamo'sstomachthebladeswouldalsoreachChamo'sorgans.TheonlyconditionsforitsactivationwerethatNashetaniahadtoberightnexttoChamo,andthatChamoneededtoattackNashetania.However,sinceNashetaniawasstillinexperiencedasaSaint,thepowershewasabletoputintothegemwasnotverystrong.AndifNashetaniaweremorethanonekilometerapartfromChamothenitwouldloseitseffectiveness.85Chapter 21 TherewereonlytwowaystobereleasedfromtheBladeGem.EitherNashetaniareleasedChamoherselforNashetaniadied.Nashetaniacouldn'tdareactivatethegemwhiletheywereintheIllusionFogBarrier.Plus,evenifshehad,itwouldprobablyhavebeenmeaningless.Itwasbettertoretainthegemasatrumpcard.AndsheestimateditwouldtakealittleoverthreehoursfromthetimeofthegemsactivationforChamotodie.86Chapter 22 ChapterTwo:PartTwo"...Ge...ge....guugee...."Chamo'scriesofagonyechoedthroughouttheLavaBeltamongthemountainsofKyomacorpses.ChamowasdesperatelytryingtothrowuptheBladeGem,butonlyvomitandbloodpouredoutfromhermouth."Chamosan...trytoholdon."MoraandRolonia'seffortstoadministerfirstaidwerealsofutile.Chamo'sstomachpossessedextremelyuniqueproperties,whichmeantthatconventionalfirstaidwouldn'twork.MorasentenergyintoChamo'sbody,butallitdidwasincreaseChamo'senergy;itcouldn'tremovethegem."WehavenochoicebuttokillNashetaniaafterall,"Adletmuttered.WithMora'sabilitiestheywereabletomostlyunderstandthepropertiesoftheBladeGemandestimatedthattherewereaboutthreehoursleftuntilChamo'slifewouldbetakenfromher.AndtheyknewthatwithNashetania'spowerthegemwouldloseitseffectivenessatacertaindistance.AccordingtoMorathedistancewasprobablyaroundonekilometer.MoraalsotoldAdletthattherewereonlytwowaystorenderthepowerofthegemineffective:eitherNashetaniaherselfcallsitoff,ortheykillher.87Chapter 22 Evennowasshechantedanincantation,MoracontinuedtoanalyzethegemembeddedwithinChamo'sstomach.AtthemomentHansandFremywerechasingafterNashetania.IftheyeverlosesightofNashetaniathenChamo'srescuewouldbedifficult.SoAdletwaitedanxiouslyfortheirreturn."Obachan...Chamowon'tdie,right?"Chamoaskedwithavoicedevoidofenergy.Moratookhersmallhandtoprovideencouragement."Whatareyoutalkingabout?You'reluckytohaveallofus.Doyouthinkthatwewilleasilyletyoudie?""...Aha.Sothatswhatthiswas..."Shemusthavesetthisupawhileago,Adletthought.JudgingfromNashetania'sbehavior,thegemwasntinsertedwhiletheywereintheIllusionFogBarrier.ItmusthavebeenplacedintoherbodywaybeforetheMajinhadawoken.Ishouldhaveexpectedthis.Nashetaniahasbeenpreparingforthisfightforyears,AdletthoughtrightbeforeHansreturned."Whathappened,Hans?"88Chapter 22 "Meow.Ilostsightofherforasecond,meow.ButImanagedtofindheragain."Hans'expressionlackedhisusualairofplayfulness.EvenheunderstoodtheseriousnessofChamoscondition."SheissittingatthecenterofacircleofaroundthirtyKyomaaboutakilometerfromhere.Shesjustsmilingandrelaxingasifeverythingisgoinggreat.Itsdisgusting.ButIcouldn'tseeanyotherKyoma,meow.""WhataboutFremy?""Sheiswatchingnearby.Sheisn'tfoolishenoughtofightthembyherself.""Thissituationhasmeworried.AndI'mworriedaboutFremytoo,"Adletadded."Thereisnothingelsetobeworriedabout.Ididn'tseeTgurneu...orGoldof,meow."Adletfrowned.Butthingswereclear.JustasMora'sanalysishadindicated,NashetaniacouldnotleaveChamo'svicinity.Soitseemedthatshewascorrectinsayingtheeffectiverangeofthegemwasonekilometer."Firstwe'lltakeChamoaway.Itseemsthatwouldnegatetheeffectivenessofthegem.Mora,canwemoveChamo?"Adletasked,butMorashookherheadsadly.89Chapter 22 "Chamoisjustbarelyholdingon.Idon'tknowwhatwouldhappenifsheweretobemoved.""...SowehavenochoicebuttokillNashetania."InahurryAdlettookouthisweaponsfromhisironboxandreplenishedthepouchesonhisbelts."Rolonia,FremyandIwillkillNashetania.HansandMora,youstayhereandprotectChamo."AdletpreferredtohaveHansremainwithChamosincehisstrengthwasthemostreliable.ThoughTgurneuhadntappearedyet,hewantedHanstostayonthelookout."Understood.WewillleavethePrincesssantoyouthree,meow.""AndMora,canyoucalltoGoldofagainusingyourmountainechoes?"Moranodded.Shetookadeepbreathandactivatedherability."Goldof!Whereareyou?I'vebeencallingyouagainandagain!ChamoisbeingkilledbyNashetania!ComebackandhelpChamo!"WithChamocollapsedontheground,MoracalledtoGoldofoverandoverusingthemountainechoesandexplainedthesituation.However,itseemedthatonceagainhervoiceechoedfutilelyacrossthelavabelt."Soheisn'tgoingtocomebackafterall,"Morafinallyconcluded.90Chapter 22 "...Adkun,whatwillyoudoaboutGoldofsan?"AdletwasunabletofindananswertoRolonia'squestion.Forstartershedidn'tknowwhetherGoldofwasgenuineornot.HecouldnttellifGoldofwastheseventhandhadluredthemtothecurrentlocationwiththeintentofkillingChamo.IfthelatterwerethecasethenhehadtoanticipatefightingwithGoldof.However,thepossibilitystillremainedthatGoldofhadbeendeceivedbyNashetaniaandhadjustbeenusedbyher.Himnotreturningtothegroupmightmeanthathetoocouldbeindanger."...Let'sputofftalkingaboutGoldof."Unabletocomeupwithasolution,Adletsimplydecidedtopostponethetopic."Sorry,butGoldofwillneedtoholdoutonhisown.AtthemomentweshouldconcentrateonhelpingChamo.We'llbeback."AdlettookRoloniawithhimandtogethertheyheadednorth.#91Chapter 22 Therockyhillsstretchingacrossthelavabeltwereterriblydifficulttotraverse.ButAdletandRoloniacontinuedtowalknorth,jumpingovervalleysandavoidingtheheatspewingoutfromthegeysers.Aftercontinuingforaboutfiveminutesthetwoofthemheardgunfire.FremywasfightingtheKyoma.TheyfinallymanagedtoreachthemeetingplacethatHanshadindicatedandsawthatFremyhadtakenupapositionatthesummitofoneoftherockyhillsandwasattackingtheKyomacharginguptowardsher."Nashetaniaescapedtothewest.Followher!"Fremyshouted.WithoutanyhesitationAdletturnedhisbackonFremyandheadedwest.Thenlookingoutfromthetopofthehighestrockyhillinthearea,Adletcouldseesomethingmovingwithinthehill'sshadowaboutthirtymetersahead."Doyouthinkyou'llgetaway?!"Adletthenchasedafterthefigure,runningwithallofhisstrength.AsheranacrossthehillhespottedNashetaniaatthecenterofabouttwentyKyoma.ShewasstraddlingthebackofagiantwolfKyomaasshefled,allthewhileremainingconsciousofwhatwashappeningbehindher.HalfwaydownAdlet'sdescentofthehill,twoKyomahadcometoattackhimfrombelow.AspiderKyomaspatoutitsthreadasagiantsnakeKyomaspoutedoutfire.Adletimmediatelyjumpedbacktoavoidtheattacks.Butatthemomenthelandedthegroundsuddenlycrumbledandhewenttumblingdowntheslope.92Chapter 22 "Whatareyoudoing,youidiot?!"FremyshoutedassheshotthespiderKyoma.Adletapologizedandstood,thendodgedthesnakeKyoma'sattackbeforetwistingitsneck.ItwastoughforAdlettofightonthelavabeltwhereitwasdifficulttogainproperfooting,sohisusualnimblenessandagilitywerelimited."Adkun!Anotheroneiscoming!"Roloniashouted,indicatingaKyomaheadingtowardsthemfromthewest."I'mleavingittoyou,Rolonia!"AdletsaidthenheslippedpasttheKyomaandchasedafterNashetania.ThereasonNashetaniawasonlyattackingthemalittlebitatatimewasbecauseshewasjusttryingtostallthem.Shewasprobablycontentwithsimplyrunninganddrawingoutthefight.Roloniatookoutherwhip.ThemomenttheclawsoftheKyomashewasfightinghadclosedinonherneck,ascreamechoedthroughoutthelavabelt."Dontmove,youfilthy,rotten,inferiorlittleinsect.I'llmakeyoustopbreathing!I'llstopyourheart!"93Chapter 22 ThewhipinstantlyslicedopentheKyoma,releasingalargeamountofbloodontotheground.Adlet,Rolonia,andFremythenchasedafterthegroupofKyomaasfastastheycould.Andlittlebylittlethedistancebetweenthemdecreased."I'msorryFremy,"AdletsaidtoFremyrunningalongsidehim."Huh?""IfIhadlistenedtowhatyou'dsaidandactedcarefullythenthiskindofthingwouldn'thavehappened.""You'reanidiot,arentyou?Howisapologizingtomegoingtohelp?"Fremysaidcoldly."Don'tworrysomuch.Imnotevenangry."Adletnoddedandcontinuedtorun.AdletnoticedthatNashetaniawasrunninginanarc.ShewasmakingasemicirclewitharadiusofaboutonekilometerfromthecenterofthebasinwhereChamowas.Atfirsttheyheadedtowardsthenorthsideofthebasin,butnowtheywerealreadyontheoppositesouthernside.94Chapter 22 JustasMorahadsurmised,NashetaniacouldnotdistanceherselfformorethanonekilometerfromChamo'sposition.AfterawhilethethreeheroeshadmanagedtoclosethedistancebetweenthemselvesandNashetaniatoaboutahundredmeters.Fremyproducedabombonthepalmofherhandandloadeditintothefrontofherrifle.TheexplosivedetonatedabouttenmetersfromNashetania'sside.AdletalsomadeasimpleslingwithhisropeandthrewbombsatNashetania."Iwonderifshe'llcontinuetorunlikethisuntilChamodies,"Fremysaidastheyran."Maybe.Butifthingsstaylikethisthenwecancatchher!"Roloniareplied.IftheycontinuedtorunwhilerestrictingNashetania'smovementswithbombsthentheywoulddefinitelybeabletocatchhersoon.Nashetaniawasonlyonehuman,andotherthanherthereweretwentyKyoma.Adletwasprettysurethatthethreeofthemshouldbeabletowin."Thisisstrange,Adlet,"Fremysaid."Yeah,I'vebeenthinkingthesamething."95Chapter 22 FremyandAdletstoppedtheirbarrageofbombssinceitwasslowingthemdown.InsteadtheyincreasedtheirpacesoNashetaniawouldn'tgetaway."What'sthematter?Don'tyouwanttofight?"RoloniashoutedtoNashetaniawhiletiltingherheadtotheside.Nashetaniamostlikelyunderstoodthesituationaswell.Nomatterhowmuchsheranabout,therewasnowayshecouldcontinuetofleewithinaonekilometerradius.AndtherewasnowaythatjusttwentyKyomawouldbeabletofullyprotecther.ItseemedunlikelythoughthatNashetaniahadrevealedherselfjusttobekilled.Adletfiguredshewasstillconcealingsomesortofplanormethodofescape.ItseemedthatFremyhadalsorealizedthesamethingandshewastryingtofigureoutwhatNashetaniawasthinking."Adlet,tomethisdoesn'tlooklikeanythingotherthananothertrap.""Iagree.Aretheywaitingtoattackus?""...MaybeitsthesamekindoftrapthattheyhadsetforChamo,"Fremyreplied.Thatdoesn'tseemlikely,Adletthought.96Chapter 22 AdlethadtraveledwithNashetaniaforelevendaysuntiltheyhadreachedtheWailingDemonTerritory.However,afterAdlethadfoundoutthatNashetaniawasanimpostorhereexaminedbothhimselfandhisequipmenttoseewhetherNashetaniahadplantedanythingonhimwithintheirtimetogether.Buttherewasnothingstrangeabouthimorhistools.SoattheveryleastNashetaniahadn'tlaidanytrapsonhim.FremyandNashetaniahadonlybeenincontactwithoneanotherforaboutaday.Soitdidn'tseemlikelythattherewasachanceforNashetaniatoplaceanythingonher.Andshehadn'tmetRoloniaatall.MostlikelyChamowastheonlypersonshe'dputabladegeminto."Isthereanythingelse?AnotherreasonwhyNashetaniawouldrevealherselfsofoolishly?"Fremyasked.ThatwaswhenAdletgotanidea."Fremy,haveyoukeptaneyeonNashetaniaallthistime?""No,Ikeptlosingher....that'sright,thetransformingKyoma."Adletnodded."Huh?Whatareyoutalkingabout?"Roloniaasked."TheNashetaniawearefollowingrightnowmightbeashapeshiftingKyomathattransformeditselfintoareplicaofher."97Chapter 22 AmongtheKyomatherewerebeingsthatcouldfreelychangetheirappearance,butthereweren'tmanyofthem.AdlethadencounteredoneofthemonceduringhisfightintheIllusionFogBarrier.ItwasimpossiblefortheshapeshiftingKyomatotransformintoAdletorHanssinceinordertotransformentirelyintothemtheKyomawouldneedeithertheircooperationortheircorpse.Butinthiscase,itwouldbeeasyforthemtotransformintoNashetania."Attheveryleast,theNashetaniawehadfoughtwasgenuine.SheusedthepowerofBladesandwasabletoactivatethebladegemwithinChamo.ButwehavenoproofwhethertheNashetaniaaheadofusisgenuineornot.""HansandIlostsightofNashetaniamultipletimes.Therewasenoughtimeforhertobesecretlyreplacedbyanimpostor,"Fremysaid."Isee,sothat'swhatyou'retalkingabout?Still,howcanweverifythatthatistherealNashetania?""Ifweseeherusethepowerofbladesthenwe'llknowthatsheisgenuine.There'salsoanotherwaythatsmorecertaintodisclosehertrueidentity.Isn'tthatright,Rolonia?"Adletannounced."Whatdoyoumean?"98Chapter 22 BehindthemRoloniacranedherneckinconfusion.Shedoesn'tgetityet,Adletthought.ThethreeofthemagainincreasedtheirspeedintheirpursuitandthedistancebetweenthemandthegroupofKyomacirclingNashetaniahaddroppedtoaroundthirtymeters.NashetaniawasstillridingthegiantwolfKyomaandwaslookingaroundforAdletandtheothers.ItlookedlikeshewasworriedaboutbeingsnipedbyFremy.Assoonasthereisanopening,Adletdecided.ThethingAdletshouldbewaryaboutwasherconcealingability.Buthe'dalreadyfiguredoutawaytobreakthroughthattoo."Let'sgo!"Adletshouted.ThenextinstantRolonia'swhipwrappedaroundAdlet'sbody.ShethenfirmlyplantedherfeetintothegroundandliftedAdletintotheairwiththewhip."Becareful,Adkun!"Roloniashouted,andthenthrewhisbody.99Chapter 22 Twirlingthroughtheair,Adlet'strajectorywasboundforthegiantwolfKyomaNashetaniawasriding.Adletthrewasmallknifeashemovedthroughtheair.Thehandlewasfashionedwiththinchainswhichhe'dconnectedtohisarm."Kyaa!"Nashetaniastoppedtheknifewithherleftarm.Bloodspilleddownfromherwristassheletoutacute,littlescream.ThenalargenumberofbladessprungupfromthegroundandattackedtheairborneAdlet.Adletblockedthembothwithhisswordandthemetalplatesinhisshoes,butsomeofthebladesgrazedhisbody,makingseveralshallowcuts.Still,Adletmanagedtolandonthebackofthegiantwolf."LookoutAdlet!"FremyshoutedasNashetaniathrustherrapieratAdlet'sthroat.ButAdletwasabletoblocktheswordwithhisarmoredshoulder.AtthesametimeAdlethadtakenoutoneofhissecretweapons.Hethrewasmallbottlefullofpoison,whichNashetaniaswiftlyknockedawaywithherrapier.ButAdlethadpredictedhowshewouldreactandthebottlewasjustadecoy.Hisnextstrikewithhisswordwastherealattack."...Ku."100Chapter 22 Nashetaniabentlowtoavoidtheattack.WithjustafewmorestrikesAdletwouldbeabletoknockNashetaniaoffoftheKyoma'sback.ButinthenextinstantthegiantwolfKyomatwisteditsbodyandthrewAdletoff."Now'sthetime!Everyone,finishAdletsan!"Nashetaniashoutedasshepressedherhandtothewoundonherleftarm.TheKyomathenrushedtothefallenAdletbutFremyhadshotatthemasRoloniacoiledherwhiparoundAdlet'shand."Heregoesnothing!"AdletgrippedontothewhipasRoloniapulledhimupthroughtheairlikeafishonaline.Intheair,Adletthrewdownasmokebomb,stoppingtheKyomaintheirtracksandallowinghimselftoescape."Thisisacompletefailure...well,itdoesn'tmatter.Let'sgetoutofhere!"NashetaniasaidtotheKyomathatwereabouttolaunchacounterattack.TheKyomafollowedhercommandsandran,allthewhilecontinuingtoprotecther."Wefailed,huh?"FremysaidasshehelpedAdletofftheground.Shewasabletoescapeagain,butitwasntatotalloss.101Chapter 22 AdletshowedthesmallknifecoveredwithbloodtoRolonia."Ifyoucan,Rolonia.""Ah,sothat'swhatyourplanwas."AfterAdlethandedtheknifeovertoRolonia,heimmediatelyresumedthechase.HecouldnotaffordtolosesightofNashetaniaandtheKyoma.Rolonialickedthebloodcoveredknifeassheranathisside.OneofthepowersoftheSaintofFreshBloodwastheabilitytoanalyzebloodwithhertongue.SoastheychasedafterNashetania,Roloniarolledthebloodaroundhermouthforawhile."...Sowhatcanyoutellus,Rolonia?"Fremyasked."I'veneverlickedNashetaniasan'sbloodbefore,but...thisisthebloodofateenagegirlwhoisalsoquiteapowerfulSaint.Andthoughitseemsthatsheisverytired,sheisingoodphysicalshapeandislivinganincrediblyprosperouslife.WhenIthinkofwhatNashetaniasan'sbloodwouldtastelike,thereisnodoubtthatthisiswhatitwouldbelike.""SowearepursuingtherealNashetania?"Adletasked.102Chapter 22 ThedistancebetweenNashetaniaandthemhadagainwidenedtoaroundahundredmetersandtheycouldseethatNashetaniawaswarilyglancingintheirdirectionasshestraddledthegiantwolfKyoma.BeforeanyonecouldreplytohisquestionAdletadded,"Butweknewthatshewasgenuinethemomentsheusedthepowerofblades.Iwasjustmakingsure.""Rolonia,didyoufindoutanythingelse?"Fremyadded."...althoughthisishumanblood,ithasaKyomataste.Itisanextremelyunusualkindofblood.It'samixbetweenaKyomawithhighregenerativeability...aKyomawithincrediblestrength...andanincomprehensibleKyoma.ButIhavenocluehowatypeofbloodlikethiscouldexist."That'sgood,Rolonia.Justknowingthatisenough."Adletsmiled.Adletdidn'tknowwhatkindofschemeNashetaniawasplanning,buttherealNashetaniawasindeedjustwithinahundredmetersoftheirlocation.Thatwasanunmistakablefact,andAdlethadnointentionoflettingtheopportunityslipby."Let'stakeheroutwitheverythingwe'vegot.Butdon'tletyourguarddown,"Adletsaid,causingthelookinFremy'seyetobecomesternwhereasRoloniagulpeduneasily.103Chapter 22 FremythenshotatNashetaniaintheattempttostopherwhileAdletlobbedbombstowardsNashetania.ThedistancebetweenNashetaniaandtheotherswasagainshrinkingbitbybit.Theenemy'snumberwasalsodecreasing,soitseemedthatthreeoftheHeroeswouldbeenoughtodealwithallofthem."FremyandIwillthrowallthebombswehavethenthethreeofuswillrushthem.Fremy,youtakeoutthesurroundingKyoma,andRolonia,youbreakNashetania'sswordwithyourwhip.Asforthefinishingblow,leavethattome.Alright?"RoloniareadiedherwhipandFremyformedabombinherhand.Adletthentookouthisownbombsfromthepouchesonhiswaist."Pleasekeepatit!Can'tyourunanyfaster?!"Nashetaniawassmackingthehindofthegiantwolfshewasstraddling,butAdletcouldn'tdeterminewhetherherpanicwasgenuineorjustanact."Afterwegetoverthatmountain,weattack."RightafterAdlethadsaidthosewords,adistantsinglespearrippedloudlythroughtheairandsmashedintothegroundinfrontofthethreeHeroes.Thethreeofthemstoppedandlookedbackinthedirectionthespearhadflown.ItarrivedwithoutwarningfromtheoppositedirectionofthebasinChamowasin.104Chapter 22 No,ithadprobablybeendrawingclosetothemforalongtimebutsincethethreeHeroeshadbeensofocusedonpursuingNashetaniatheyhadallowedtheirwatchovertheirsurroundingstoslip."...Sohecame."Adletfrowned.Andeventhoughthespeardidntharmanyoneofthem,Adletdidn'tfeelanykindofjoy.GoldofAurorawasstandingatthesummitoftherockyhill,lookingdownatthethreeHeroes."Goldofsan,whydidyouthrow....?"Roloniamuttered.ButGoldofdidn'treply.Hejuststoodthere,staringatthem.Meanwhile,Nashetaniawasusingtheopportunitycreatedbythedistractiontotryandescape.Fremymovedtopursue,butGoldofviolentlystartedtodashtowardsFremy."Rolonia!StopGoldof!"Adletshouted.Adletcouldn'tremain