EnCoffin Me Chapter 72
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 72
Alexio had never imagined that he would one day witness the revival of a god with his own eyes.
He stood rooted, gazing up at the God of Earth. A wave of familiarity and warmth surged in his heart, perhaps because he was a creature of darkness. After exchanging gentle greetings with the sprites fluttering around him, Behemoth slowly turned his icy blue eyes, made of crystal, in Alexio's direction.
【You awakened my guardian and fed me energy…】
【Remarkable… truly remarkable…】
Slowly, he lowered his massive head. But it was far too large to draw close, so instead, his tooth-filled maw parted into what could almost be described as a gentle smile.
【I had hoped to speak with you a bit more, but I must go now.】
【The balance of light and darkness in the world has deteriorated to such an extent. If it continues, it will completely turn into a sea of light.】
【Remarkable… truly remarkable…】
The god repeated his praise. A few sprites floated over to Alexio, intending to rub against his cheek in the god's stead. But the saint silently appeared from the side, took off his cloak, which he had removed earlier, scooped up the sprites with it, and tied the ends into a tight knot.
Alexio: “……”
The sprites fell silent.
“Let the sprites out at once!” Alexio grabbed the lunatic by the collar. The sprites still lingering nearby had tears in their eyes and nodded gratefully. This vampire who smelled so good truly cared about them.
“If they suffocate in there, even the god himself will demand compensation from you!” Alexio said, deeply distressed.
Sprites: “……”
There was no love left at all.
The god, however, fixed his gaze on the saint.
【I have seen one who has crossed the Underworld River...】 he said softly. 【Why are you still allowed to remain in this world? It breaks the laws.】
Alexio's pupils contracted slightly. He looked at the lunatic, who shook his head, signaling he had no idea either.
“What does the divine one mean by that?” Alexio asked loudly.
【No need… no need for formalities…】The god opened his mouth as if to explain further, but suddenly stopped, showing a faint look of regret.
【The time has come. I must continue my duty.】
【Although it breaks the laws… I will pretend I do not see it.】
Behemoth even winked at Alexio, as if sharing some unspoken understanding. Then, surrounded by sprites, he lowered his massive body. His eight crystalline ice wings unfurled to an unprecedented extent. He let out an incredibly loud roar that drowned out Alexio's voice completely.
“Explain yourself before you leave! What do you mean by the Underworld River? Explain!” Alexio almost wanted to take flight, but Lucius grabbed him. He glanced at the bundle on the ground and deeply felt that Alexio was more disrespectful than himself.
“Don't rush forward. Behemoth is about to take off.”
The colossal beast, made of crystals and gemstones, lifted into the air carrying a host of sprites, then plummeted toward the earth. The moment its first massive front paw touched down, the land seemed to open its arms in welcome. The crystals heaved like rolling waves, and eventually, everything became quiet again. The shimmering mountains formed the shape of a great wolf lying low, its head resting on the ground as if lost in a deep dream. A dim beam of light pierced the sky, and a fierce yet warm wind blew from where it had landed. Alexio recalled the legend of Behemoth—
【Behemoth, who dwells on the earth, blocks the northern winds with his body, allowing the seasons on earth to change and preventing perpetual harsh winters.】
Alexio felt some strength returning. He summoned his black scythe and gestured for the lunatic to draw his weapon. Lucius knew the tradition of the werewolves, so he drew his hunting knife. The blades of scythe and knife lightly struck together, the clash of metal and stone ringing softly and clearly. Another warm breeze followed, as if summoned by the sound, and some of the ice and snow on the ground began slowly melting.
“Knocking on winter,” Alexio said with a smile. “In the werewolf tribes, winter is like a door of ice and frost. Every year, they must go there with their weapons, strike the ice and knock on winter to call for spring's arrival.”
He took a deep breath and noticed the dark energy in the area had clearly increased. It seemed their path was completely right. If Behemoth's revival alone brought about such a change, the world would surely become a more complete place if the three pillars of darkness were re-established.
“Shall we go back?” the saint asked. “We still don't know what's happening at the camp.”
Alexio was certainly concerned, but he needed to finish dealing with the mine thoroughly first.
“First, we have to gather the bodies of Delvie and those Silver Crusaders. Resurrection magic is troublesome. If you don't scatter the ashes completely, you can't be at ease,” he said. Seeing the lunatic's thoughtful expression, Alexio immediately knew he was worried about how long this would take, and whether something might go wrong back at the camp.
“It's fine. We have free labor,” Alexio said, pointing at the floating sprites. Behemoth hadn't taken all the the sprites with him. He figured they could be put to use, otherwise the sprites would get bored.
He looked at the sprites, and they looked back at him, appearing so innocent and lively, clearly pretending to be clueless.
“Work,” Alexio said briefly, pointing at the saint's cloak. “Or else.”
“Work,” he repeated the command.
Sprites: “……”
One by one, the bodies were found. Some were already engulfed in crystal. The sprites diligently chipped off the entire crystal blocks and dragged them over to Alexio. After confirming each person's death, the sprites kept carrying on. Alexio's sharp eyes noticed them dragging something furry over, placing it among the pile of bodies.
Alexio: “……”
A cat!!!
Alexio carefully pulled the black cat, sprawled in a ‘U’ shape, out from the pile. The cat was still alive but weak. Some dark energy coiled around the it, like a lingering residue. Alexio recalled those especially bright beast eyes from earlier. He flipped the cat's eyelids open and saw its eyes were a pale amber color.
So that was it — a temporary divine messenger. It seemed Behemoth had guided it to lead the way for him. No wonder it had survived the recent crystal tide.
Alexio felt a small stir in his heart. He wanted to keep it.
The saint lit the purifying fire, and when he looked up, he saw Alexio hesitating while holding the cat.
“You want to keep it?”
“A little.”
“You can.”
A cat raising a cat, yes, he'd have new sticker.
Alexio stared at him. He had a strong feeling the lunatic was thinking something silly, but he had no proof. Lucius then skillfully diverted his attention toward the bodies turning to ash.
When they reached Delvie's body, Alexio's expression was very calm.
It felt like some kind of retribution. Delvie had fled too hastily, and after using so much energy for the resurrection spell, a night mare horn stuck in a crevice pierced her foot. She was caught by a bat, drained of blood, and died from exhaustion. Alexio reached out, and a bat flew over, landing on his wrist. It was the same one that had drained Delvie's blood.
“I've taken tissue samples from Delvie and some of the Silver Crusaders,” Alexio said. The bats were incredibly useful for this. “Once we get back, I'll study them. Maybe we can learn more about the Holy Temple.”
Lucius nodded slightly. Delvie was a unicorn but had the power of night mares, which was likely linked to the Holy Temple's research. Obtaining her blood was valuable. Alexio's abilities were truly handy.
Alexio poked the round belly of one of the bats. After confirming that all the bodies on the ground had turned to ash, he was about to return to the camp with the lunatic when suddenly his ears twitched. Although still weak, he spun quickly and caught the bat in his arms, narrowly avoiding the arrow shot aimed at it!
The warm wind had yet to spread, only brushing gently on their side. Across from them, a hunter and a regiment of Silver Crusaders marched through the snow. The hunter lifted his ocean-blue eyes, staring directly at Alexio through the storm.
“Alexio…” he said softly, uttering the name of the vampire. Sheathing his crossbow, he drew his holy sword.
“I am the one who will take your life. Remember my name. It's…”
A sharp gust of wind lashed directly at his face! The hunter retreated, looking a bit disheveled. Fortunately, he'd undergone rigorous training, and the moves his opponent used were familiar to him, so he was able to dodge.
Aamon miscalculated. Although the other used techniques taught by the Holy Temple, his skill was far beyond his expectations. He failed to avoid the blade. The hunting knife slashed across his eyelid, drawing a line of blood. If he hadn't stepped back in time, his eye might have been pierced.
Brutal… merciless!
He clutched his gaping wound with one hand, and through the faint veil of blood, he clearly saw Lucius' eyes clearly. They were a similar color to his own, yet more transparent and light, the Holy Temple's favored shade. It suggested that Lucius once held a high rank ten thousand years ago. But why… why help the vampire?!
“You… don't you feel ashamed?” Aamon shouted angrily. “Look at you now! How are you still a hunter? I never witnessed those glorious days from ten thousand years ago, but from the remaining records, I know hunters exist to eliminate dark creatures! What are you doing now? Protecting a vampire?”
Lucius remained silent, his pupils contracting violently, the fire of jealousy burning in his heart. Theo had tried to help him kill Alexio, crossing his bottom line, but now this hunter in front of him claimed loudly to be the one who would take Alexio's life. It was like striking a nerve for Lucius.
He shared the closest, most exclusive bond with Alexio. No other hunter was needed.
None!
His arm was gently touched. Lucius didn't turn but glanced sideways and saw Alexio lightly tapping his arm with a cat's paw.
“Wait a moment, I have something to ask,” Alexio said, handing the cat to Lucius. “Hold the cat for me.”
Lucius didn't move. His eyes darkened, and his grip on the hunting knife tightened.
Alexio didn't understand the hesitation and raised his voice.
“Lucius, hold the cat for me.”
He said… his name…
Lucius finally turned slowly. With a flourish, he sheathed his hunting knife and took the cat into his hands. Alexio felt some relief for the moment. He instructed the bats to hide the precious blood samples within his shadow, then stepped cautiously toward the hunter, his guard clearly visible.
“I have questions,” he said, lifting his head. The hunter caught sight of Alexio's deep rose-colored eyes and the blooming roses around his right eye. Clenching his holy sword tighter, the hunter's emotions were mixed and conflicted, but he remained silent.
“It seems the Holy Temple still retains some records from ten thousand years ago. Your close combat style matches that of the Holy Temple hunters,” Alexio said calmly. Behind him, Lucius expressionlessly stroked the cat, one stroke after another. Sometimes he stroked too hard, causing the little black cat's eyelids to lift and show the whites of its eyes. It began to have a nightmare of its ears being tightly braided.
“Ten thousand years ago, the Holy Temple's hostility toward dark creatures was at least understandable. But now, with the imbalance of light and darkness, the Holy Temple still continues to hunt and kill many dark creatures. What exactly do you intend? To turn the world into a sea of light? No one will survive then!”
The hunter remained silent at Alexio's challenge. His holy sword rose slightly.
“I have no need to answer your questions, vampire,” he said coldly. “You have no need to understand the Holy Temple's grand plan. Dark creatures are doomed to perish. Only those who believe in the Holy Temple will endure.”
He raised his gaze and took a step closer to Alexio, ready to unleash his holy sword again. Unfortunately, the earlier encounter with the strange werewolf had left him somewhat weakened, or else he would be in a better condition.
“There's no need for further talk, vampire. Remember my name. I am…”
Seeing the hunter unwilling to reveal more, Alexio cut off the conversation decisively.
“No need. I don't need to know your name,” Alexio said with a smile. “I've seen the holy sword you're holding before. If you think that's your trump card against me, then I have even less reason to remember your name. Just like that shen you sent to attack the conservation center before, I don't need to remember any of you.”
His memory was never good anyway. Why make things harder on himself? Better to save his brain for remembering game loot.
Lucius, who had been petting the cat roughly enough to cause the little black cat nightmares, slowly stopped. The burning jealousy inside him shrank, and his expression gradually softened.
Aamon, however, looked as if he had been struck by lightning.
“What do you… mean?”
Alexio turned and held out his hand to Lucius. Now it was his turn to hold the cat.
“Lucius, give me the cat. Are you still planning to fight him?”
“Mm.”
“Then should I hold off those Silver Crusaders for you?”
“Sure.”
Lucius handed the cat to Alexio. When their fingers touched, Alexio was suddenly jolted by static electricity, nearly flapping his wings. Looking at the cat's messy fur and the faint smile at the corner of Lucius' mouth, he immediately understood and said angrily, “Building up static to shock me? Are you bored?!”
“Not bored at all. I'm enjoying it.”
“……”
He was clearly very much a dog. This time, he really had both a cat and dog!
Aamon watched their backs, listened to their easy, teasing conversation, and couldn't quite put his feelings into words. All he felt was anger.
“Alexio!”
The vampire spread his massive bat wings and tucked the cat safely into his arms. Warm wind gathered behind those wings. Although light elements still dominated the area, Behemoth's awakening had brought traces of dark elements, allowing him to gain some rare external replenishment. Plus, after feeding on a large amount of potent blood earlier, he had enough strength to open his domain again.
As the sun and moon rotated, and the full moon set in the west, the army of shadow bats surged out like a tide, howling towards the Silver Crusaders behind them!
“Alexio!!!”
The hunter's voice gradually faded until it was barely audible. Alexio glanced back once but paid no further attention. His royal city had captured a large number of Silver Crusaders, yet he sensed something was wrong with the enemy's rear lines.
There was a faint unrest…
A silver wolf with frosty wings broke through the Silver Crusaders' formation and let out a roar, calling out to Alexio. Immediately, Alexio directed the shadow bats to coordinate with the wolf. The Silver Crusaders' Judgment Legion was torn in half and the sounds of artillery fire echoed from behind. Military reinforcements had arrived!
On the slow-moving aircraft, a lich girl's cloak billowed as the soul flames in her eyes quietly reflected the scattered enemies trapped and surrounded, as well as the corpses littering the ground.
She lightly moved her fingers. The dead rose again, becoming her undead army.
She had originally planned to go help Mr. Lucius.
Lucy looked in that direction. The clash between the two hunters kicked up snow dust from time to time. Suddenly, one figure was pushed back, rolling awkwardly for over ten meters before barely managing to prop himself up in the snow.
The hunter who held the overwhelming advantage gave his opponent no chance. He ascended with a blank expression, without a cloak on. Only his shoulder-length platinum-blonde hair fluttered slightly where the warm and cold winds met.
Light suddenly contracted sharply. In his hand appeared a heavy and enormous holy spear, thin yet wide with double edges.
He softly spoke the weapon's liberation command—
“【I must kill】.”