The Sword Of Salvation
Ch. 2 — Sterminatore & Training (2)
If Doctor Lergen is truly allied with Anathema, and Anathema has a relationship with Sterminatore, the world is really in danger. However, Doctor Lergen's chances of obeying others were close to zero. Meanwhile, Nessthanovla does not like it when she is not obeyed. The two individuals could not possibly sit down. Nessthanovla will first kill Doctor Lergen before he can play his tongue.
“I think you guys are too paranoid.” Lukhiel finally responded. “Nessthanovla is unlikely to cooperate with Doctor Lergen. And from what I've so far known about Doctor Lergen, he'll be more likely to take advantage of others than to cooperate.”
“Madam Rhemea will snort to hear you call him paranoid, Sir, but I can see that you may be right. However, we must still know what the contents of the laboratory are. I'm worried they did the ‘itu’ experiment there.”
“If they are really members of Sterminatore, and Doctor Lergen's assistant is working with them, I can only surmise that they are doing it behind the organization. It also explains why they are not in uniform. But I doubt they betrayed. You know for yourself that Glazzier was meticulous. If the two people were truly treasonous, Glazzier would finish them off with his own two hands.”
The Glazzier was the only Level 0 Sterminatore in the Western Continent. On every continent there is only one. Sterminatore Level 0 is the main leader of the Sterminatore Organization on each continent. They're very strong. If Glazzier was on the same path as himself, Lukhiel would prefer to turn and take another path. He's strong, but there's no guarantee that Lukhiel can kill Glazzier.
“Meanor?”
“Possibly they received a duty from the lord of Birmithan.”
“Master thinks that the mayor is doing illegal activities, he has an agenda to work out the rules? I don't think anyone would dare to play behind King Arthur.”
“The majority of greedy people have an excessive fear of death. If there was a way to prolong life, they would welcome him with a sumringah. It was also, right, that underlying Doctor Lergen started the experiment of turning humans into half demons? That is also the reason why very few states are serious about hunting Doctor Lergen. The doctor's ultimate goal is to give them the demon's life force without turning humans into half demons.”
Celinee clenched both hands to hear the demon's explanation. He himself was a victim of experimentation. Compared to Lukhiel, Celinee understood more about the meaning of his words. Although Doctor Lergen's goal sounded noble, but the path to reach him was filled with abominations. As one of the victims, it was only natural that Celinee felt angry to hear his words.
“...The majority of rulers are only hostile to Doctor Lergen in public, and behind the public they voluntarily support the creature. So, what about the Sterminatore Board? Do they secretly support Doctor Lergen?”
The Sterminatore Board is the board of the Sterminatore Organization as a whole. They were in the Northern Continent, and there was also the headquarters of the organization located. The Sterminatore Board is filled with elderly people who previously held positions as Level 0 Sterminatore. Lukhiel does not know how many they are now, but a decade ago the Sterminatore Council was filled by six people.
“You must go to the Northern Continent and investigate them directly to get the answer.”
“…”
Serenity is the second organization most hostile to Sterminatore. Only Anathema outperformed them. Because of that, none of the Serenity members were sent to the Northern Continent. Rhemea won't send its members to the most dangerous place for them. It was natural that Celinee could not find a word to reply to the devil's words.
“We'd better get back to the core of the conversation,” Lukhiel continued almost half a minute later. “How many members did you bring?”
“We are just three, Sir. I asked them to keep an eye on Doctor Lergen's assistant.”
“Then, let's hurry. We need to capture some lower-class demons as bait for both Level 1 Sterminatore's.”
Devils by Sterminatore are divided into two groups: upper class demons and lower class demons. The two classes are then divided into several classes. Primordial Devil, Super Devil, and Ultimate Devil; all three were classes for the upper class demon class. And here are the classes for lower grade demons from strongest to lowest: Rare Devil, Extra Devil, and Lesser Devil.
Although there was a physical form of the gate connecting the lower world and the upper world, no more demons actually came out of the gate that was guarded by the two Primordial Devils. I don't know since when, Lukhiel doesn't know. However, as far as he was concerned, it had lasted over a thousand years. The devil appeared to the upper world around the place where a man died at night. If he dies during the day, the devil will not be able to appear.
“I did not want to feel the existence of the devil when they pressed the air of existence,” Lukhiel continued while turning into the road between two buildings. “I'm counting on you to find them.”
Celinee simply nodded, and they then accelerated.
Lukhiel has a hunch that this business will not be resolved in just three days. He didn't tell Celinee because he hoped her premonition wasn't right. However, since when had his premonition ever been wrong? Because his premonition has never been wrong so Lukhiel decided to train Mariel.
However, Lukhiel still hopes this will not be a prolonged problem.
Although he was not the youngest Primordial Devil, Lukhiel was probably the weakest. He did not know if he could overcome an individual of the caliber of King Arthur IV. Clearly, he would not be able to regenerate his body if he were to be exposed to the Excalibur Holy Sword. Of the total thirteen holy weapons (which he said) relics of the gods, Excalibur is one of the most dangerous.
Therefore, Lukhiel hoped that the problem would not make them deal with the king.
...——————————...
Three days passed quickly.
For the umpteenth time, Mariel again stood before the devil to continue training. However, today Mariel could not relax. Lukhiel did not make small talk. After putting the luggage back from the city less than ten minutes ago, Lukhiel immediately told him to come out and get ready. The devil did not explain what they were going to practice.
“We will be sparing today,” said the devil before Mariel had time to open his mouth to ask. “We're gonna spar until you can't move anymore. After that I'll teach you how to use prana. It's time I increased your training to a higher level.”
Mariel let her lips curl thinly. “Only a matter of time until Master says it,” comments. “But what's up? I thought the new Master would teach me to use prana in another year or two.”
“That was my original plan.” Lukhiel does not give. “But you need to be strong as soon as possible. Without mastering how to use prana, you will not be able to connect yourself with the spirit within you. You will not become truly strong without using the spirit power that is within you.”
Lukhiel did not give Mariel a book about prana, but a book about spirit exists. So, he perfectly understood what the master said. He's very well understood.
In theory, spirit is the soul of the beings who lived in the time of the gods—including the gods themselves. Humans are creatures that appear after the era of the gods is over. Therefore, every human soul born must always be equaled by a/a spirit.
Indeed, there is no evidence in history to suggest that era ever existed in this upper world. However, there is no other theory against this theory. The existence of thirteen holy weapons was even claimed as their relics. More than that, spirit power was truly real. Humans can become extraordinarily powerful because of the power of the spirits. That's enough accepted as proof.
“But it has not answered my question,” firmly Mariel. “What's up? Why should I be strong as fast as possible?”
Lukhiel only laughed, but quickly his expression became serious. “The day on which you can make my body bleed, I will answer that question. Now focus on yourself, we'll be sparing.”
“It seems like there is nothing I can say to convince Master.”
Mariel took a deep breath, her legs opened putting on the horses. He has been training for almost three years, but not once has he done sparing. During this time he only fought with animals, especially predators. This was his first real fight. Mariel doesn't want to disappoint.
“Forward!”
With that cry, Mariel ran cutting the distance between them. It opens the fight in style. Mariel immediately jumped up and raised a right fist on the face of the devil. The master had always laughed seeing himself wrestling with the beasts, he would use this opportunity to avenge him.
However, before Mariel hit the target, the devil's left leg had first hit the left side of his body. The kick was not slow; mariel bounced and dragged for dozens of meters. Fortunately his bones didn't crack; lukhiel still knew how to hold back.
“That's the worst way to open an attack,” comments Lukhiel whose left leg is still in the air. “Such opening attacks only work on opponents who are not significantly stronger than you.” Lukhiel dropped his leg and shortened the pace with the disciple. “Standing. Try to fight with strategy as-where you beat me in a game of chess.”
Mariel has done such a reckless thing. But it's understandable. He was too eager to teach the devil a lesson. He wants to open the fight in style. It works on jungle lions, tigers, and black rhinos. So, Mariel forgot the fact that what he was facing was a demon nicknamed Primordial Devil.
“That's you asking for it, Master.” Mariel stood up in seconds. “I will attack you seriously.”
“Good. But make sure you keep your defenses. Just because you know I won't get hurt too badly doesn't mean you can ignore the defense. Real fighting will get you killed if you just open up a little space to attack the opponent.”
Mariel nodded in understanding. Her teacher was cruel in training, but everything she did was really for the sake of Mariel's development. Lukhiel is also quite knowledgeable and has unquestionable experience. He always hears carefully the advice the master gives and applies it as best he can.
“Forward!”