Chapter 20: An Ordinary Priest Passing By, Remember This Well
"Urgh...!"
Phrolova, held by the throat with one hand by "Arsène," was lifted into the air, completely immobilized.
The ferociously grinning face before her seemed intent on dissecting every thought in her mind, making her deeply uncomfortable.
She couldn't comprehend what that man had done to wield such a power that defied the very rules of this world.
As Arsène's grip tightened, Phrolova felt her consciousness fading.
But she couldn't afford to stop here.
"!"
In the next instant, a whip infused with Resonance Power tore through the air, lashing toward Arsène's arm that held Phrolova.
Arsène's vicious grin remained unchanged, tinged with mockery. He didn't release Phrolova but instead shot out his other claw like lightning, precisely catching the whistling tip of the whip.
Hecate's phantom shuddered violently as she tried to retract the whip, only to find the tip stuck as if trapped in an endless mire, unmoving.
"Guh...!"
Seizing the moment of struggle between Arsène and Hecate, Phrolova fought through the suffocation, her eyes flashing crimson as she channeled her Resonance. Hecate immediately abandoned the contest of strength with Arsène and, with a swift gesture, summoned several blood-red spinning blades out of thin air, slashing toward the shadowy figure.
Arsène let out a low, abyssal chuckle and finally released Phrolova, flinging her toward Hecate. Simultaneously, he unfurled his wings, effortlessly blocking the incoming blades.
Hecate's phantom swiftly caught the disheveled Phrolova, who clutched her throat, coughing violently, before turning her gaze to Arsène and Aeron.
"Tch, quite the timely rescue," Aeron remarked, shrugging at Arsène as he watched Phrolova sheltered behind Hecate. "Alright, come back now."
Upon hearing this, Arsène, with a lingering, sinister grin, dissolved into a shadow and merged back into the ground beneath Aeron, as if he had never been there.
"Honestly, I'd like to get some sleep tonight, but if you want to keep fighting, I'm not opposed... just be ready to face the consequences."
Supported by Hecate, Phrolova steadied herself, breathing with difficulty. She quickly scanned her surroundings—Zani, Carlotta, and Rover, though startled by the situation, understood that the enemy remained the same and closed in around Phrolova.
Finally, Phrolova's gaze settled on Aeron... this man she couldn't comprehend.
The once elegant and composed Overseer had lost all her poise. Her disheveled hair trailed on the dusty ground, and her crimson eyes fixed on Aeron, burning with humiliation and fury.
Hehe, this was exactly the expression Aeron wanted to see!
"Don't look at me like that. It wasn't me who brought this upon you—you did this to yourself, Overseer."
Aeron spread his hands, his face still wearing that indifferent expression as if nothing mattered to him.
"What... are you...?"
Phrolova's voice was hoarse from discomfort and surging emotions, while Hecate behind her remained on high alert, her gaze fixed on the shadow beneath Aeron where the monster lurked.
"Just an ordinary passing priest. Remember that."
Aeron smiled and took a few more steps forward.
"I still have matters to attend to. Continuing this fight would only make the scene more gory. Considering I don't dislike you as much as others, I'll be generous just this once."
"Hmph... Generous." Phrolova suppressed the discomfort in her throat and the humiliation in her heart, letting out a cold laugh. "Your so-called generosity means letting you do as you please?"
"So now the villain is playing victim, is that it?"
He shifted his tone, his gaze sweeping over the wary Rover, and Zani and Carlotta who were poised for action.
"I won't waste words. Choose between falling here or avoiding my wrath."
Rover glanced at Aeron, brow slightly furrowed, but the hand gripping the sword didn't relax. Though Aeron's words were unpleasant, they highlighted reality. Zani snorted coldly, her aura growing sharper in her Blazing form. At the slightest provocation, they would swarm in and resume the fight.
Phrolova fell silent for a moment. She had indeed miscalculated; the bizarre abilities Aeron displayed were completely beyond her expectations. The plan couldn't be hindered by her personal impulsiveness.
"...Terms."
In the end, she had no choice but to listen to Aeron.
"Now that's more like it."
Hearing Phrolova's words, the smile on Aeron's face deepened, pleased with her cooperation.
"Just deliver a message for me. I never intended to interfere with what they're doing anyway. This time, I'll be magnanimous. But next time... there better not be a next time."
Phrolova stared intently at Aeron, took a deep breath, and forcefully suppressed her turbulent emotions.
"...I'll deliver the message," she finally said coldly. The Lycoris twirled at her fingertips as Hecate's phantom slowly merged into the shadows. "But remember, Aeron. Once the movement begins, there are no true outsiders. Your 'magnanimity' might only bring your own... finale sooner."
"Keep talking shit and you won't be leaving."
At Aeron's words, Phrolova's delicate frame trembled violently. After giving him one deep look, she and Hecate transformed into scattering spider lily petals, vanishing from the dim auction hall.
And so, tonight's performance came to an end.
"...You're just letting her go like that?"
Carlotta was the first to speak, stepping in front of Aeron. Though she'd seen it once before, the sight of him appearing before her eyes completely unscathed after dying felt indescribably bizarre.
"What else? Who wants to see internal organs and blood flying everywhere..."
Besides, that last hit still hurt quite a bit.
"If we push her too far, who knows what she might do. Knowing when to stop is the way of mature adults, understand, shorty?"
"Ara, it seems someone wants to die a second time~"
Dangerous crystalline light gathered at Carlotta's fingertips. A sweet smile graced her lips, but her eyes held no trace of amusement.
He turned his head and met Zani's weary yet still sharp crimson eyes. She had dismissed her Blazing form and donned her coat again, but the low pressure emanating from her was even more suffocating than during the fight.
"...It seems someone is quite skilled at toying with others' emotions." Zani's voice was quiet but carried an icy quality. She reached out, seemingly casually placing a hand on Aeron's shoulder, but her five fingers slowly tightened like iron clamps.
"Just tell me if the matter's resolved... Ouch, that hurts, girl."
At that moment, Rover, who had been silently observing, approached. Her gaze first swept across the devastated battlefield before finally settling on Aeron.
Ah, this hard-to-please one has arrived.
"You..." the Rover's tone remained steady, though her brows furrowed slightly. "The 'power' you used earlier—that wasn't ordinary Echoes or resonance. And your 'resurrection' phenomenon... What's going on?"
"Just some insignificant little tricks."
Aeron casually brushed off Rover's questions. Being able to meet once was already good enough—there was no need for deeper interaction.
The Rover's frown deepened, clearly not accepting this explanation: "Power is no child's play. Your existence and abilities could bring about uncertain variables."
"Variables aren't necessarily bad things, right?" Aeron met her gaze, his expression unchanged.
"Hmm..."
The Rover didn't press further, instead staring at Aeron for a long while as if trying to discern something from him.
But clearly, judging by the frequency emanating from him, Aeron was just an ordinary muggle.
"This is no place to linger. Zani, Carlotta, I'll leave the follow-up matters to you."
After speaking to Zani and Carlotta, Rover's eyes returned to Aeron.
"...We'll meet again."
With that, she smoothly sheathed her sword and left the auction hall.
Watching Rover's retreating figure, Aeron couldn't help but admire what a nice back... no, wait, no dirty thoughts...
"Well, now there's only one problem left."
Carlotta looked around at the completely wrecked auction hall. Those unfortunate guests had already been escorted away under Montelli's arrangements. What needed to be done now was to organize the on-site intelligence, and then...
"...Aeron, what do you plan to do about uncle?"
"Given the current situation... let's give him a temporary reprieve. With both witnesses and evidence secured, he can't run far."
Aeron knew that Carlotta had too much to deal with right now—it was best to take things step by step.
"Well then, I'll leave the rest to you, Second Young Lady."
After bidding farewell to Carlotta, Aeron turned around, yawned, and disappeared into Ragunna's night.
"...Miss, I'll be clocking out too then."
"Mm, you've all worked hard tonight. Get some proper rest."
After receiving Carlotta's response, Zani also turned and left the scene, heading in the direction Aeron had gone.
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