Chapter 39:

The Manticore.

A creature that had been a risk to humanity since historical instances, with the physique of a lion, the pinnacle of a human, and the tail of a serpent.

In contrast to typical demons, the Manticore possessed intelligence and wielded magic, making it a crafty adversary that might outwit people. Its resistance to magic and aura made it an extremely formidable opponent, including to the issue of coping with it.

Some even speculated that the Manticore might need demonic origins, given its hanging resemblance to malevolent beings from different realms.

Philip prided himself on understanding the Manticore’s fight capabilities fairly properly.

‘So long as you’re cautious of its cursed magic and venomous tail, it’s not as difficult to deal with as it could appear.’

His phrases have been akin to saying that with the proper precautions, one might defeat a soldier even when armed with a gun.

“However Felicia gained’t be at risk, proper?”

Immediately, Philip turned uneasy and muttered below his breath.

Neria responded.

‘Oh, I don’t suppose so. Your sister appeared fairly robust. Moreover, going through dying is likely to be a greater final result than shedding to the Manticore. Neria’s fourth proprietor’s buddy challenged the Manticore and… properly, let’s simply say it didn’t finish properly for him.’

“The Manticore is a merciless and crafty creature. I’m unsure whom you belief, however whoever that individual is, they’ll have a tough time popping out of this unscathed. If it’s a lady, she would possibly undergo a horrible destiny.”

As Geo Lomartran clung to Philip and spoke, he delivered a swift blow to his head.

“Shut your mouth! Aren’t you ashamed of your self? Had been you attempting to summon demons and use them to assault harmless youngsters from behind? I can’t fathom the type of life you lead.”

Geo was undeserving of being handled as an individual. Philip wished for him to undergo within the magical jail operated by the Martan household for the remainder of his life, a destiny even worse than dying.

The torturers in that jail had a expertise for making folks remorse their very existence.

Geo had tried to check fairies and had made offers with demons, understanding that he would by no means see the daylight till his final breath.

Geo most likely believed that dying by the hands of fairies could be a preferable destiny for him.

“I’ve to take the required measures first.”

Philip stomped on Geo’s workers with fury. To make sure he couldn’t forged any spells, Philip broke Geo’s index and center fingers on each arms.

“Aaaah! Cease! What are you doing!”

Geo shimmered and convulsed with anger.

“What would you like?”

Whereas there have been actually mages able to casting threatening magic with only a command, Geo Lomartan wasn’t that expert.

Positive, he would possibly be capable of use some fundamental elemental magic, however the second Philip sensed even a touch of it, he thought of chopping off Geo’s tongue.

“Dragging you alongside could be a trouble, so it’s higher to stuff you in a sack and carry you want that.”

Philip pointed at one of many grain sacks within the cabin after emptying its contents.

“Get in.”

“What did you say?”

“I stated get in, you bastard. I might do it for you, however I don’t suppose your legs and arms can be intact by the point you come out.”

In a match of rage, Geo Lomartan shouted, momentarily forgetting the ache of his damaged finger. “Rattling it! Positive, I made a mistake, however that doesn’t provide the proper to deal with me like a slave, does it?”

“… Oh.”

Philip couldn’t assist however admire Geo’s delusional angle.

“Proper. There’s no purpose to deal with you want this. That’s true.”

Philip tightened his fist.

“You’re whining like this since you’re getting overwhelmed much less. You don’t really grasp the scenario. To any extent further, you’ll notice the extent of your crime with your personal physique. Simply wait a second.”

——-

After some time, Philip swung one of many blood-stained sacks and left the cabin, heading straight for the fairy.

‘… I by no means knew you had this aspect to you, Grasp. You’re fairly fiery.’

The Lake Fairy spoke, her finger pointing accusingly at Geo. As she did, water started to assemble round his head, forming a big water bubble that fully encased him.

“Gurgle…!”

Struggling for breath, Geo frantically tried to push the water bubble away along with his arms, but it surely was futile. His lungs have been already crammed with water as a substitute of air.

“Wait, please don’t kill him.”

Philip interjected, attempting to purpose with the Lake Fairy. She raised an eyebrow in response.

“Why ought to I hearken to you? Aren’t we imagined to be on the identical aspect?”

“I guarantee you there’s no purpose for that. He doesn’t should die so simply. Take a look at him, desperately struggling to dwell. He wished to deceive you into killing an harmless human; he deserves to undergo till another person needs for his dying.”

The Lake Fairy’s expression softened as she thought of Philip’s phrases.

“I’m not solely positive. Moreover, aren’t you a human too? Can you actually declare full innocence?”

“I and my companions got here right here merely for leisure. We have now nothing to do with Geo.”

“And the way can I belief that?”

“Then why would I would like you useless? You should know I’m not mendacity proper now.”

Philip pleaded, hoping to steer her. If the Lake Fairy turned her again on people, it could set off an unimaginable catastrophe by the butterfly impact.

“That could be true, however I can’t at all times inform if somebody is mendacity or not. I can solely learn their ideas to some extent by trying into their eyes. That traitor used to do the identical. I used to be simply comfortable that he got here to speak to me typically. I by no means anticipated him to betray me like this.”

The Lake Fairy stated, her expression tinged with disappointment.

“I simply loved his firm; I by no means thought he’d betray me like this.”

Philip felt a pang of sympathy. It wasn’t anger that washed over her; fairly, it was a deep affection for the human race.

“So, what would you like from me?”

The Lake Fairy requested, and Philip bit on his lip, pondering his response. It appeared that something he stated wouldn’t make a lot of a distinction.

‘Maybe I ought to simply surrender?’

His mission was to attempt to change the longer term for the higher, even when solely barely. He didn’t know if the outcomes have been irreversible, however he wasn’t prepared to simply accept that risk but.

As Philip was deep in thought, a sure scene all of a sudden flashed earlier than his eyes.

‘Might this work?’

He puzzled, however he needed to strive. Philip mounted his gaze on the Lake Fairy and spoke earnestly.

“All I would like from you is to make the proper selection. There’s a pupil who confronted a Manticore, and I can provide you their identify.”

The Lake Fairy visibly flinched, her glare intensifying as she stared at Philip.

“Are you aware what it means for a fairy to obtain a reputation? It’s not a matter to be taken calmly or dismissed as a joke or lie. In case your phrases transform false, I swear by the lake, I cannot hesitate to finish you.”

Philip nodded resolutely.

“I perceive. A fairy with a reputation positive aspects the chance to transcend to the next airplane of existence. And the one who can provide a reputation to a fairy is exceedingly uncommon, maybe solely as soon as in centuries. If my phrases are confirmed false, I’m ready to face any penalties.”

As Philip’s dedication turned evident, the Lake Fairy moved her finger, inflicting the practically deadly water bubble round Geo to dissipate.

“Gurgle! Cough, ugh!”

Geo expelled each final little bit of water that had entered his respiratory system, decided to not depart any hint of it, understanding that the air would by no means style the identical once more. Gasping for breath, he gulped down the air as if he had gone mad.

“… When you have lied, any human who dares to enter this lake can be without end trapped, unable to return. Do you agree with this?”

“I don’t possess the authority to determine one other individual’s destiny. Nevertheless, since I spoke the reality, I suppose agreeing to it makes no distinction.”

Phillip’s air of confidence appeared to the touch the Lake Fairy’s coronary heart ever so barely.

“Very properly, let’s take care of the Manticore first after which ponder additional. How does that sound?”

The Lake Fairy nodded approvingly.

“That appears like a sensible plan.”

———-

Completely satisfied studying! And sorry for the delay.