The mass of flesh expanded violently, absorbing the remaining energy and reorganizing itself into something much larger. The traits of Sacri and Merta vanished, replaced by a single grotesque form. The body grew, its surface alternating between diseased flesh, hardened plates, and glowing veins of mana.
Extra arms fused and separated again, finding a more efficient configuration. The resulting core pulsed deep within the torso, stable, then vanished as it fully connected with the essence of the fusion.
"Did they run away?"
His voice was tripled, as if many voices were speaking at the same time. The presence that emerged from his body seconds later crushed the air around him. His disease magic ability stopped being just an effect in the air and became an entire field, constantly contaminating the space.
"I will find them."
Enrico fell through a new hole he noticed in a corridor; this path seemed to be the fastest way to reach where he wanted. Sensing the magic left in the air, the three realized that Rina had fought there. Aoi looked around, wanting to see where her friend might have gone. Beyond the magic left behind, the destruction on the ground and walls was the result of her unique magic.
"Without a doubt, Rina was here."
"It seems she's heading where we're going, so I'll increase my speed to the maximum."
Aoi and Sisaka were being carried over his shoulders. Holding them more carefully, he used his charged momentum along with fire steps, vanishing from the place and leaving only a trail of fire behind.
"How much longer until we get there?"
"Just two more minutes."
"If you're taking me into a trap, know that I'll kill you on the spot."
Rina and Karyu were walking across a bridge inside a very large hall. Below them, a few meters down, golden clouds could be seen, meaning that if one fell, they would be carried far away from the castle—of course, unless they knew how to fly with some kind of magic.
"You heard my story and you're still suspicious? That makes me sad."
The Nartheis seemed discouraged by Rina's words, but she understood; until she proved she was on their side, Rina would never fully trust her.
"We were enemies just moments ago, and even if your story is sad and true, I will never lower my guard."
"Understood."
As they reached the door, Karyu turned along with Rina when she sensed something approaching at great speed. She placed magic over her body to defend that door, but Rina ran toward the presence with a smile.
"My dear Ketsumei, I'm here. Were you going to come looking for me? I knew you'd be worried about me."
"Ketsumei? That's the name she said in our fight."
Karyu saw a golden-haired person appear at an absurd speed to her. On both of his shoulders, two girls were being carried, slightly dizzy.
"You came after me too, Aoi? You really are my best friend."
Enrico set the two girls down on the ground. They seemed disoriented for a few moments, while Rina looked doubtful upon seeing Sisaka.
"Who are you?"
Sisaka seemed surprised by the question. From what she had seen, Aoi and the other girls knew she was one of Enrico's disciples. She had thought all of his promised ones knew who she was.
"You don't know who I am?"
"I only care about people who are important to me."
That was a critical hit from her teacher's promised one. It seemed not everyone recognized her as someone important to him. With a face that almost looked sulky, still carrying a somewhat cold expression, she revealed who she was to the girl who didn't understand her importance.
"I am your Ketsumei's disciple."
"Disciple? But I thought it was Kaela."
Sisaka seemed to shatter like glass upon seeing that Kaela was recognized and she was not. Rina turned her face to Enrico, trying to confirm it, and he nodded.
"Yes, she is one of my three disciples."
"Oh, so you have three? You should have said so earlier. Leave everything to your big sister here—I'll protect you, because now you're important to me."
'Who would want to be important to you after those words?'
Fire flared around Sisaka, filling the air, a small vein appearing on her forehead. Enrico's promised one in front of her was without a doubt the one she liked the least.
'My teacher deserves someone like me, not someone who forgets the disciple's name.'
Ignoring that amusing moment that made him want to tease Sisaka, Enrico approached the door with a raised eyebrow. He was surprised by Karyu. She was concentrating magic in her hands with a threatening expression that he found amusing, since there was a hint of fear on her face.
"You're still alive? I thought they had already killed you. Well, that makes sense—you fought someone who listened to you."
"What do you mean by that? And why do you talk as if you know me?"
"Nothing special. Were you showing this place to Rina? Well, let's go together then."
Rina immediately understood Enrico's words. Perhaps it was possible that he had come to this place once in the future, and someone killed Karyu without even listening to her.
"My Ketsumei is amazing, Karyu. He knows everything."
"Why do you speak with such confidence?"
Passing by her, he opened the door with the bird symbol, pushing it with some force. The door was quite sturdy, but not for someone at circle six. Karyu grew worried, but seeing that she was surrounded by so many people, she said nothing. If something happened, she would sacrifice herself for her trapped friend.
'I will fulfill the promise I made to Nerfe to take care of her, so please let these be people who can help us.'
Pressing her palms together, she moved forward alongside Enrico, who was leading the way. The bridge continued, but at the center of that hall was a gigantic platform with a cage at its center, and inside it, a fragile-looking girl stared at them wearily.
[It seems the Nartheis really wanted to protect their golden bird—they even opened a hole in the floor.]
'Not exactly. This is so she can't escape, and if she did escape, it would only be through the door. Though I think it's stupid—she could just jump and die to ruin their plans.'
[You know, sometimes I see you as pretty reckless.]
'I didn't say it cruelly; it's simply a way for her to get revenge on them.'
The girl looked relieved upon seeing Karyu as she approached first with a worried expression. She asked a few questions about whether she was okay, but Lisa looked at the others in the room and then focused on Enrico with those lifeless eyes.
"Well then, if it isn't the person who killed my father."