Chapter 248: Binary Thinking (1/2)
”What did you just…?”
”What? Didn't I make it clear? I said I would assist you in the resurrection of your Lord. Well, while also serving my own purpose,” Rakna said and frowned at his scarf that was now way bigger than what his two-meter-tall could comfortably wear.
”Goddammit, it's nice the System enlarged it but this is kind of annoying,” he mumbled to himself as he pulled on the fabric. ”Hijack Sonata's constituents and compress them,” he ordered to Eye of Symphony whilst still being watched by a confounded Lilith. On cue with his words, his eyes spun and briefly displayed a mechanical nature before the scarf shone and shrunk.
[| Forceful Compression Will Lead to Instability, |] the Eye warned. [| Recommended Not to Wield Rhapsodic Sonata In Combat Without Reassuming Default Size. |]
”Yes, yes,” Rakna muttered offhandedly and scowled at the demoness who had yet to move since he presented his hand to her. ”I don't have all day. Are you taking it or not?”
Lilith stared at the werewolf as if she was trying to uncover an unworldly secret. She slowly raised her hand, trembling slightly from her weakened body, and reached for his hand. He smiled and pulled her up to her feet. She staggered, almost falling again, but he caught her before that.
”Don't move,” Rakna said and she nodded hesitantly. ”[Soul Fill,]” he intoned and controlled his soul power in reverse to channel mana and stamina back into the demoness' body; the secondary application of Soul Drain that he rarely used. ”There. You won't return to your full glory any time soon; perhaps ever. But you at least retained some modicum of power after that stunt.”
”How… did you know the nature of my Golden Rakshasa?” She finally asked.
”That skill that burns your life force? Simple, I saw it,” the werewolf said and let her stand on her own after making sure she could support herself. ”I have the ability to read the abilities of people and make out their details. Along with the memories I stole from your men, I knew everything I needed to know about your legion with just a glance.”
”I… see…”
”Now, return to your army. Pacify them and then meet me, along with those two other friends of yours if you want, at the Lunar Capital. I'll be waiting there, dealing with the Moon Dwellers,” the Sentinel said and fizzed out of view with Star Flash.
Lilith gazed at where he stood and glanced at the body parts that she was sure had lost barely two or three minutes ago. She didn't feel anything wrong with them but they seemed… tougher than normal.
Should she be offended at being spared in this manner? Should she feel anger at the Sentinel for acting like this after killing so many of her soldiers?
'No, that's what war is,' she sighed. 'He probably had no patience to consider parley after leaving a millennia-long imprisonment. In fact, I'm more surprised by the fact he was this agreeable in the first place. But why did he change his mind? Is this a trap?' The demoness shook her head.
There was no point in her considering that possibility. Obsidian had no reason to fool her. There was no doubt in her mind that he could get rid of her and her army if he wished so. And it wouldn't take much effort.
”Aah…” She sighed and after recollecting her wits, she dashed toward where she could sense her brethren. Wincing at the occasional pains, she made up her mind to comply with the Sentinel for now. If he tried to use her against her Lord after his resurrection… she would unhesitatingly end her own life.
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Meanwhile, Rakna made a detour to the Red Forest, which was nothing more but a barren terrain riddled with craters after his encounter with the demons. Or at least, half of it was. The werewolf stepped on the crushed tree branches and arrived near the hole made by the ax-wielding demon who had previously tracked the Moon Prince.
Rakna jumped down inside and landed in his former jail. He glanced to the corner of the room and let out a beastly huff, ”Dispel your cloaking,” he ordered and the shadows of the room moved to reveal a Shadow Wolf sitting protectively in front of an unconscious Claudius.
”Your Majesty,” the wolf shockingly spoke and bowed its head. He was only a level 100 summon since Rakna's level hadn't fundamentally changed since entering the Simulation, but the massive attribute values were enough to give the wolf an intelligent mind capable of speech.
”Good work. For now, go to the surface and look for the demon army. Observe them and when you see that their leader is about to leave in my direction, inform me and escort them.”
”As you wish, Your Majesty,” the wolf said and turned into a shadow that climbed the hole in the ceiling with incredible speed and stealth.
”All right, let's get you out, young king,” Rakna uttered drolly and slung Claudius over his shoulder before flying out of the underground dungeon.
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Rakna landed in front of the city's gate and unceremoniously walked in, passing by the guards that had been dispatched in a poor attempt to recover a bit of order in the capital. Though, that effort was grandly overshadowed by the fact that there were many destroyed buildings, dead soldiers being carried away, with the occasional civilian, and some still burning vestiges.
'I guess it's a good thing I called that rain. That doused any fire at least,' Rakna thought as he walked through the streets as if it was normal. He took note of the people making way for him and then curiously looked at the sky where he could clearly see the Earth. 'The continents are different from how I know them… Interesting. Then there are those,' he thought as his attention turned to several other celestial objects.