Epic Of The Demonic Sage

The next day, Gellor and his mercenary group found themselves sitting idly by the watch camp as Lord Asher rested.

The sight of any Plow Worms was nowhere to be found and so they had the morning to themselves to chitchat idly.

"So… we'll be staying here for how long again?" Albus whispered.

"I don't know, ask Gellor about it and not me." Barty coughed before he sipped some water. He was still rather exhausted after the Air Vortex yesterday as it actually taken him a lot of Aether.

"He doesn't know, but I think Lord Asher is still recovering, so we'll wait until then." Finch interrupted the two as she joined them for breakfast. "Surely, you would know that last night was crazy and that Plow Worm suddenly acted out of nowhere. I've never seen a rune beast act like that before."

"Well, it's not like we've seen a lot of Plow Worms. They're described as docile, but it's the first time someone actually disturbed them while they were sleeping." Ariana pointed out as she sat opposite of her.

"Are you blaming Lord Asher for its acts?" Finch frowned. "It's a rune beast."

"I don't know, I just thought it was kind of weird. What do you think Lord Asher was doing with it? It's not like we came all the way here to pet a Plow Worm. I thought we were going to collect its rune crystal at least." Ariana replied with a shrug. "What do you think, Gellor?"

"I don't know my way around rune beasts, even if we've fought countless of them already… but I believe that Lord Asher knows what he is doing. There was a purpose to his acts even if we can't understand it." Gellor replied.

"Yes, it's in our best interest to trust Lord Asher's methods." Finch agreed. "I'm sure that we'll be able to learn about it when he lets us to."

"Okay, that makes sense." Ariana nodded. "I guess we'll just wait until then."

"… my question really hasn't been answered, you know?" Albus interrupted and rubbed the back of his neck. "When are we going to start moving again?"

"It's not like we're going to return to Inanis City after this, Albus." Barty said.

"We still have to go to Aisse Territory after our time is finished here, so take this time to get as much rest as you can." Gellor finally spoke, then turned to Ariana. "In the meantime, you'll go check on the horses this time around, since Barty was exhausted last night."

"Ugh, I'm going to trek down the mountain by myself and then go up again?" Ariana complained, then turned to Finch. "Come with me?"

"How about you ask Albus to go with you? He's a lot better on his feet than any of us." Finch shrugged. "He'll be able to catch you if you trip down the mountain."

"Not funny." Ariana rolled her eyes.

"Very funny." Albus chuckled.

"Alright, don't be too noisy. Lord Asher is resting and we do not wish to disturb him. I feel like we've been spending our time taking it easy… that maybe we should spar after breakfast. Albus, you and me after." Gellor said.

"What? Really?" Albus groaned. "I wasn't complaining."

"Hey, finish up your meal and check on the horses." Barty said.

"After all my hard work, and yet it's back to work again." Albus complained as he started up on his meal.

While Gellor and his mercenary group spent their time at the watch camp and ensured that everything was in order, Lucius spent most of his time resting.

Kiana watched and fussed over him, making sure that Asher actually sat down and rested.

It had taken them about two days of nonstop observation of the Plow Worms to actually reach the information needed to approach them, but the unexpected danger still happened.

Kiana was insistent on Asher getting some rest, and the young man did not argue whatsoever.

'It's been around ten hours since I've finished injecting the Plow Worm with Hell Energy and the link is getting stronger.' Lucius mused to himself as he ate his meal. 'It won't be that long before I finally have this Plow Worm under my control.'

When night finally came, Lucius took it as the opportunity to check on his soul space. As he expected, there was the presence of a new 'gate' that was connected to the Plow Worm.

A strong flow of Hell Energy was present in the new gate, which pleased Lucius.

'My capacity for Hell Energy has risen again. It won't be too long since it's fully transformed.' Lucius thought as he returned back to his body.

When Lucius checked outside of his tent, he took the moment to observe Gellor and his mercenary group.

"You think we'll ever see Plowy and Wormling again?" Albus bit back a yawn.

"They ran like crazy when Orm started acting up, I don't think we will." Ariana said. "Get over it."

"I didn't say that I was affected by it. I'm just asking." Albus complained.

"Do you want some alcohol to mourn their departure?" Barty joked. "I got some over here."

"Ah, yes, that sounds nice… wait, you brought alcohol?" Finch glanced at Barty. "We're on a mission."

"A little doesn't really hurt anyone, just know how to hold your alcohol." Gellor coughed.

"I'm not the one who doesn't know how to hold it, Gellor."

Everyone was spending their time together and behaved like a team that they were, and they acted as if everything was fine.

'I've already placed the Mark of Obedience on them so I have nothing to worry about, but it is fortunate that the Plow Worm decided to spend its transformation underground. One can only wonder what they've thought about the occurrence with the rune beast if they would see it for themselves.' Lucius silently mused before he returned to bed.

Another day soon passed again for Lucius and everyone, this time the team spending most of their time sparring and training together.

They trained quite hard that their team practically fell into exhaustion once night came.

It was around that point where Lucius found himself awakened by a strong surge of Hell Energy.