章節 73: Chapter 72: The Power Of An Ancestor
"YOU'VE RETURNED!" Percival exclaimed just as the clock neared its final tick.
His eyes sparkled as he watched Ricky step out from the far side of the cave, perfectly timed to his anxious delight.
"YOU ALMOST BECAME LOST-" Percival his face lit up with a wide smile, but as he drew closer, the grin wavered, and one eyebrow arched in sudden doubt.
*Sniff*
"Are you crying?"Percival, his expression sharp with accusation, spoke up beside a visibly relieved Father Sebastian, with Henry and Alexander standing attentively nearby.
"I just got something in my eye, dick wad." Ricky muttered, rubbing his eyes, clearly not crying or at least, that's what he insisted as Alexander started ;laughing.
"What's a 'dick wad'?" Percival muttered under his breath, genuinely puzzled, having never encountered the term in his life.
"Young Ricky, you're as bad a liar as I am a loser at Go Fish!" Alexander squeaked, his tiny voice filled with bellows of laughter, just before Ricky scooped him up and perched him on his shoulder.
"I am glad you've returned, Ricky. You've been in there for exactly 23 hours and 28 minutes." Father Sebastian revealed, the unexpected statement making Ricky's eyes widen in surprise.
"Really? It didn't seem that long to me." Ricky replied, puzzled, as it had only felt like a couple of hours to him.
"My descendant, you have exactly thirty-two minutes before the next event. Let me break down what it is so you can-"
"I'm going to stop you right there." Ricky interjected, reaching into his jacket to pull out a letter.
"Descendant this is-"
"Sir Percival, let us give this child a moment," Father Sebastian said, sensing the tension as Percival opened his mouth to retort but ultimately nodded in agreement.
Ricky walked to the side and sat down, his gaze fixed on the letter addressed 'To: Ricky' in Eddy's handwriting and with a sense of anticipation, he carefully opened the envelope.
Dear Ricky,
I reckon this letter might come off as a jumbled mess of confusion, but I need to spill it all before the darkness swallows me whole. I want you to hear me loud and clear: none of this is on you, and it never was.
I'm truly sorry for dragging you into my whirlwind of troubles, for prodding at your heartache and coaxing you into this chaos.
Man, this is hard. Now that I'm writing my goodbyes, I find I can't quite find the words I've been practicing. To sum it all up, it feels like trying to capture something elusive, struggling to explain why I made the choices I did.
When I stared out that window, it was like I was peeking into a world untouched by these heavy feelings. I dreamt of soaring through the clouds and it sounds silly, I know, but losing my legs made me realize just how desperately I craved the wind rustling through my hair, free from the weight of these broken limbs.
Everything felt hollow as I gazed out at the city, watching life go on without me while I felt trapped in place, frozen in my own struggle.
Ricky, old buddy, I hope you can find it somewhere in the crisscross of your heart to forgive me. As you read this, I don't want you to remember me as I was in that hospital bed. Instead, hold on to the good times, the laughter we shared that echoed like a favorite tune. Think of the moments with me, Rocco, Jake, and the bond we had felt tighter than a jazz band playing the blues. I'm sorry for slapping' sadness onto your plate, and I hope, in time, you can shake it off and maybe forgive me.
P.S. Tell Jake I love him like a brother, and take care of my bro for me. He may look like a burly guy, but he's softer than a marshmallow on the inside.
See ya on the other side.
Yours truly, Eddy
*Sniff*
Ricky ducked his head, tucking the letter back into his jacket and for the first time since the accident, he felt a glimmer of the old Eddy he used to know.
The person he had seen lying in that hospital bed felt like a stranger, as if he were lost in a fog.
But now, reading the letter, he felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing he had found Eddy again, alive within the words.
"There, there, young Ricky. One does not stand cold when reflecting on the memories of a fallen comrade, but rather with the warmth of the times they shared together." Alexander said, having refrained from reading the letter out of respect.
"But right now, you have a decision to make, young Ricky," Alexander said, gently pushing the letter aside as he leaned in, ready to offer the vulnerable Ricky some much-needed advice.
"Are you a boy perpetually looking back at what he's lost, or a man looking forward to what he might become?" Alexander asked, directing the question at Ricky, who had always been focused on the past.
Ricky looked down for a long time until he nodded at Alexander, the weight of the choice settling heavily on him.
'System, accept the rewards.'
Ricky murmured to himself, finally resolving to move on and as he made that decision, pain rippled through him, but alongside it came a surprising surge of strength and dexterity.
"Alright, let's go," Ricky said, standing up with Alexander and Henry by his side and just then, Percival appeared to guide him forward, ready to lead the way.
"This way."
Ricky followed Percival down the old tunnel, the air thick with history and as they emerged into a wide circular chamber, he was met by a crowd of church members, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Finally, you've arrived." Ernst smirked, crossing his arms as he took in Ricky's worn-down expression.
"How does it feel knowing that I'm about to take your birthright?" Ricky asked, crouching down to Ernst's level with a challenging look.
Abrham burst out laughing from the side, clearly enjoying the exchange while slightly intoxicated.
"Hmph." Ernst scoffed, glancing over at the Pope, who nodded in approval, as if giving him the green light.
"Ernst, since you were the first to exit the cave, would you like to defer your fight or go first?" Pius asked, watching Ernst step forward, puffing out his chest in confidence.
"I would like to go first." Ernst declared, and at that moment, his father materialized before him, clad in the armor of the Black Knight.
"Ernst's guide do you acknowledge-"
"No, I do not," Ernst's father, Julian, interrupted, fixing the Pope with a serious gaze while Ernst stared in shock, caught off guard by his father's unexpected intervention.
"Alright, what's the deal here?" Ricky asked, glancing at Percival before nodding to Julian, who stood resolutely ahead.
"Before the duel of blood, the participants' guide must approve your standing to be considered for the title," Percival informed him, scrunching his eyebrows as Ricky stifled a yawn, observing as Ernst's whole world seemed to crumble around him.
"I'VE DONE EVERYTHING YOU'VE ASKED, AND YOU TURN ME AWAY ON THE CUSP OF MY GLORY!" Ernst screeched, his fists clenching in pure, unbridled rage as he glared at yet another obstacle in his path.
"Ernst, my son, you've lost your way under that horrid government-"
"DO NOT SPEAK OF THE GREAT FÜRER WITH THAT DIRTY MOUTH OF YOURS!" Ernst screeched, drawing his sword as the holographic Black Knight looked on with a disheartened expression.
"What a tear-jerking scene about to unfold: the struggles of father and son, laid bare as they each seek to shine their own light for the other." Alexander whispered, his eyes sparkling with wonder, while Ricky remained oblivious to the unfolding drama.
"Young Ricky, are you seeing this?" Alexander asked, but Ricky's gaze was fixed on the scene, even if it seemed distant to Alexander.
Ricky's sight:
[SHOP]
IP: 300,000
Refreshable Items:
Remote Vibrator: 15,000 Impregnation Points
Description: Works in any place, any scenario, and will deliver a brisk message to whoever you wish for.
Addicting Saliva: 65,000 Impregnation Points
Description: Your Saliva will become like nicotine in a sense that after having it for a while they will have withdrawals without it.
Infatuated Scent: 100,000 Impregnation Points
Description: Makes the user's scent irresistible to every woman.
Condition: Must have Promiscuous scent(Passive), Wild scent(Passive), and Liberated scent(Passive)
{Refresh Available in 147:56:12}
Daily Item:
Pent-Up Ring: 20,000 Impregnation Points
Description: Anyone who wears this ring cannot cum for 24 hours and the effect will reapply even if it's even touched by another individual.
Weekly Item:
Favorability Meter: 50,000 Impregnation Points
Description: Allows you to check the favorability of a mission target once a day.
Monthly Item:
Amplifying Hands: 175,000 Impregnation Points
Description: The user's hands will amplify the current pleasure as they lustfully course throughout a woman's body.
'This is such a scam. Why do I have to purchase other skills to get another one?' Ricky frowned, frustration brewing inside him, while Alexander boisterously jumped up and down as Ernst shouted in the background.
"TAKE ARMS FATHER, FIGHT ME!"
'Whatever, I'll buy Amplifying Hands, Favorability Meter, and Addicting Saliva,' Ricky quickly decided, watching his hard-earned points dwindle down to just 10,000.
'Now receive the rewards,' Ricky muttered through gritted teeth, feeling a surge of power as his dexterity finally soared into the realm of the superhuman.'
*Ding*
Received:
(Epic Item) Dust of Disappearance: Sprinkling this magical dust on oneself grants temporary invisibility from all and any eyes.
(Epic Item) Scroll of Meteor Fragment: Unleashes a part of a meteor when read, causing significant damage to enemies in the vicinity.
*Sigh*
'One-off items,' Ricky thought with a sigh, dismissing their value since he preferred tools he could use multiple times.
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he might find a use for them in the future and tucked them away in the back of his mind.
'Alright, give me my gacha.'
*Ding*
Received:
(Legendary Item) Piercing Telescope: No illusion is safe from this telescope as it can actually see through any and all illusions in front of it.
(Legendary Armor) Constantine Trench Coat: Being sentient and demonic, the coat houses powerful hellish powers. This includes the ability to curse and jinx people, mind control them into rageful berserks, and snuff out life out of his victims by strangling them.
(Epic Item) Twelve ply toilet paper: A roll of toilet paper constructed by a high civilization for the purpose of wiping's one ass with maximum decency. X 198
'Wait, there's such a thing as twelve-ply toilet paper?' Ricky thought, his curiosity piqued, having only ever seen four-ply before, he couldn't help but stare at it in disbelief.
*CLANG*
Ricky shifted his head just in time to see a sword hurtling toward the spot where he had been standing moments before.
Turning back to the battle, he found Ernst sprawled on the ground, badly beaten and bruised.
Towering over him was the ethereal image of Ernst's father, gazing down with sorrowful eyes at the man his son had become.
Raising his sword for the finishing blow, the ethereal figure hesitated, memories of young Ernst flooding his mind.
Visions of laughter and innocence momentarily softened his resolve, and he faltered, caught between duty and the remnants of love.
He was conflicted; he wanted to end the very thing he created, but how could he?
As the hesitation deepened, Ernst, no longer passive, seized a hidden dagger and lunged forward, driving it into the ethereal silhouette.
The blade met its mark, and a shockwave rippled through the air, echoing the turmoil within him.
"Goodbye, Father," Ernst whispered, closing his eyes as the ethereal figure slowly faded away.
The last thing Ernst saw was the deep look of disappointment in his father's eyes, lingering like a heavy shadow.
"I'm sorry, my son."
"Ernst has passed the test!" Father Sebastian announced in a neutral tone, his voice echoing through the chamber.
The only sound of applause came from the bishop, who clapped slowly, standing alone in recognition of Ernst's hollow victory.
"Ricky, please step forward!" Father Sebastian gestured towards Ricky who nodded in understanding and stepped forward.
As Ricky stepped into the circle, both Alexander and Henry were abruptly denied access.
An invisible barrier sent Alexander tumbling from Ricky's shoulder, and Henry, trying to follow, knocked his beak against the force field, unable to break through.
"Only descendants of the Black Knight may enter the circle," Father Sebastian clarified towards Ricky who shrugged, accepting the situation, and walked toward the center of the arena.
"Ricky's guide, please show yourself to all and give your judgment!"
*GASP*
Gasps rippled through the crowd as they suddenly noticed Percival, whose presence had been hidden until now.
The moment they laid eyes on him, recognition swept over the onlookers that hadn't had the pleasure of seeing Percival when summoned, witnessing the first-ever Black Knight in the flesh.
"Can't believe that brat got the founding Black Knight," Abraham scoffed, leaning back with a sneer, his eyes filled with disdain at the thought of Ricky being paired with THE Black Knight.
Ricky strolled to the center nonchalantly, waiting for Percival to give his approval so he could move on and face the pipsqueak scowling at him from the side.
But as he glanced at Percival, he noticed a mischievous smile spread across the knight's face.
"I don't approve."
*GASP*
"Seriously, are we really doing this?" Ricky sighed, realizing what was coming as Percival shifted into a fighting stance.
"Did you really think I'd let it slide, even though you're my descendant, after you tossed me into that strange space?" Percival's eyebrows twitched with annoyance, his old armor beginning to materialize around him, fully prepared for a confrontation.
"I've known of your power, but I want to see it at full force, so I'll allow you to use your weapons," Percival beckoned Ricky who let out a laugh, thinking this was still a joke.
"Your kidding-"
"Do I look like the type to do so?" Percival interrupted, catching Ricky off guard as he frowned and clicked his tongue in frustration.
As he pulled out the new trench coat from the system, it seemed to come alive, gazing at him before giving him a playful smack.
"W-Wait!" Ricky exclaimed, holding up his hands as the trench coat continued to swat at him as it didn't hurt, but the persistent annoyance was becoming hard to ignore.
"Why are you-DAMMIT STOP!" Ricky shouted, just as the trench coat smacked him right in the face.
In that moment, a sphere of fire suddenly encased the two, intensifying the chaos around them.
"What's your problem? I didn't do anything to you!" Ricky yelled at the trench coat, which crossed its arms defiantly, seemingly unfazed by his outburst.
The trench coat began to make signs that Ricky could only briefly understand, but the gist of it was clear: it was offended.
It wasn't just some magical item from a fantasy role-playing game; it was a demonic being, indignant at being summoned in front of Ricky as if it were merely a rare item from an RPG game.
"Can we shelve your disgruntlement until I beat the crap out of that weird ghost behind you?" Ricky asked earnestly, feeling mentally drained from earlier events and not wanting to deal with a stressed out trench coat.
The trench coat turned to see Percival, who wore an arrogant expression, and for some reason, that infuriated it even more.
"Whoa," Ricky said, surprised as the trench coat suddenly wrapped around him, the collar puffing up dramatically.
He reached for the gauntlets, which exuded an unsettling aura and despite the ominous vibes, Ricky equipped them without a second thought, fully aware there would be consequences.
He surprisingly decided he'd read the entire description later; for now, he needed their power to take on Percival.
Then a bright light suddenly filled the hall as the ethereal glow of a bow materialized out of thin air.
Father Sebastian's eyes lit up with fascination; he couldn't help but smile, having already been impressed by Ricky conjuring flames.
'Has he been blessed by Uriel?' Father Sebastian wondered to himself as Ricky extinguished the fire, a smirk forming on his face.
'Let's give these old geezers a little scare,' Ricky thought as he activated the 'Radiant Harmony Aura,' causing the eyes around him to widen in surprise.
"Holy sh*t, Seb was actually right." Abraham stood up, joined by the other priests, as they sensed the familiar holy aura, one typically associated with angels.
"I knew it!" Father Sebastian exclaimed in a geeky demeanor, looking up at Abraham, who immediately scoffed but didn't refute his words.
"I see." Percival said, his voice steady as any trace of relaxation he had felt vanished, replaced by a fierce thirst for battle.
"Hey old man, you ready?" Ricky asked out towards his ancestor, drawing his Nova bow and pulling the shimmering bowstring back, ready for action.
However, Ricky didn't give him a chance to respond; he shamelessly released the arrow, which rocketed out of the bow's embrace.
A powerful wave of air pulsed around him, and those watching blinked in shock as a loud boom reverberated through the hall.
*BOOOM*
A cloud of dust swallowed Percival as Ricky drew his bow, ready to fire another shot.
But just as his fingers tightened around the string, a burst of laughter echoed through the air, not from ahead where he expected, but from behind.
"Oh, my dear descendant." Percival's voice echoed in Ricky's ears, sending a jolt of warning through his mind as he turned back, instinctively sensing that something was about to go very wrong.
*CRASH*
Ricky raised a mental shield, but the slash tore through it like paper, the force rippling through the air.
His instincts kicked in and he drew back his bow in one swift motion, releasing an arrow just as the air slash came within inches of him.
The arrow met the air slash with a violent clash, sending sparks flying before a loud explosion rippled and engulfed him.
*BOOM*
The force of the impact rocked Ricky, and before he could react, a shockwave slammed into his chest.
He was hurled backward, his body twisting as he tumbled across the ground as dirt and debris kicked up around him as he struggled to regain his footing, his breath ragged.
His grip tightened around the bow, eyes locking onto his opponent, knowing the next strike would come fast.
But instead of focusing on where the attack had come from, Ricky's eyes widened in horror as he looked toward Percival.
The knight hadn't moved, at least, not in any way a human should as instead his form stretched impossibly, as if caught between moments, his sword seemingly frozen mid-swing.
"Are you wondering how I reached you without even moving a step?" Percival chuckled, his voice calm and taunting as he lowered his sword, the blade gleaming faintly.
"I cut through the space between us, which is why you heard my voice so close, in case you were wondering." Percival explained, gesturing as if lecturing a student.
"WHAT?" Ricky let out a baffled laugh, incredulous as he exclaimed, stunned that someone could cut through space when he himself was holding power that defied the realms of the impossible.
"I've fought literal gods, young descendant; your power is mere child's play," Percival said with a smile, clearly looking down on him.
Ricky's expression shifted, growing serious as he instinctively stood up and backed away, realizing the true depth of the challenge before him.
Honestly, at first, Ricky had assumed Percival wouldn't be this powerful or demanding, dismissing him as just another opponent.
But that assumption shattered the moment he caught a mere glimpse of Percival's ancestral power.
Alexander had always emphasized the importance of maintaining distance when using the bow and even if you felt far enough away, taking an extra two steps back was wise.
Behind Percival, two holes appeared on either side of him, but no one except Alexander and Ricky noticed the new small indentations forming in the ground.
"RICKY, YOU MUST TAKE TO THE AIR! YOU CANNOT BEAT HIM ON THE GROUND!" Alexander urged, his brow slick with sweat as he was the only one who had witnessed the serene strike Percival had made with his sword.
'His skill trumps mine,' Alexander thought, realizing that even he couldn't arc his sword with the same graceful precision as Percival.
*WHOOSH*
Ricky's feet erupted in a surge of flames, propelling him upward with violent force. As he ascended, their eyes remained locked in a tense, unbroken stare with Percival's confident smirk meeting Ricky's fierce determination.
The flames beneath him abruptly ceased, leaving Ricky hovering mid-air on an invisible mental platform.
His body steadied as he gripped his bow tighter, feeling the weight of the confrontation ahead.
This time, there would be no holding back or any underestimation.
With a deep breath, Ricky unleashed his radiant harmony, the energy exploding outward in a brilliant wave of light that illuminated the battlefield.
His gauntlets, the very ones holding the bow steady, ignited with eldritch flames, a dark and chaotic fire that crackled with malevolent energy.
Ricky felt the opposing forces within him as his radiant harmony aura, pure and bright, clashing with the eldritch flames' twisted hunger.
The two energies snarled at each other like beasts, viciously fighting for dominance within his body.
But Ricky wasn't finished as he forced them together, commanding the radiant harmony to mingle with its dark counterpart, fueling the eldritch flames with its purifying light by fueling the flames with his own pyrokinetics.
In that brief moment, the two enemies morphed into a grotesque abomination that was Ricky in his entirety.
Percival bent his knees, taunting Ricky by allowing him the first move but it didn't phase him in the least.
Ricky pulled back the bowstring, his veins bulging with effort and as he drew the string taut, the arrow swirled in his grasp, the monstrous flames consuming it.
The usual bright orange arrow was slowly being replaced by a horrid murky red, pulsing with dark energy yet oddly majestic.
*WHOOSH*
The arrow exploded out of Ricky's embrace, a slight air ripple sounding around him as the very space around him started to shift.
*BOOM*
Then, with a resounding boom, the arrow launched toward Percival, who merely smirked, unfazed.
But Ricky wasn't finished yet as behind him, a sea of cannons materialized, the very same design as the one he received from his gacha.
Ricky had accidentally taken it out before he left for the Vatican and with his mechanical energy coursing through him, Ricky grasped the intricacies of its design.
He was able to visualize its mechanics, replicating them with his mental energy, and in an instant, a tsunami of cannons formed behind him, their barrels poised and ready.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
The cannons erupted in a cacophony of sound, unleashing a barrage of mental cannonballs that surged toward Percival.
Each shot rippled through the air like a shockwave, a fierce storm of energy raining down upon him.
Ricky's eyes remained locked on Percival, who was already gazing at the arrow, its trajectory warping the very air around it.
The contrast was striking: the singular, focused arrow against the chaotic onslaught of cannon fire.
Ricky felt a surge of exhilaration as he unleashed his full power, the relentless assault aimed to overwhelm even the most composed of foes.
*WHOOSH*
A sudden red flash erupted, consuming the surroundings in an instant. Everything within its reach was cleaved in half, a horrifying spectacle that left the onlookers gasping in disbelief.
*THOOM*
An even louder explosion followed, reverberating through the air as the sheer force of the attack obliterated everything that wasn't Ricky.
The platform beneath him shattered, splintering into fragments that scattered like confetti in the wake of the destructive wave.
Ricky stood at the eye of the storm, untouched amid the chaos, the embodiment of a power that defied comprehension.
The shockwave rippled outward, transforming the battlefield into a surreal landscape of destruction, while the spectators could only stare, their mouths agape, at the horrifying might displayed before them.
"Never take your eyes off your opponent," Percival whispered, his voice slithering behind Ricky.
A chill ran down Ricky's spine at the mere tone, heightening his senses as he felt the weight of Percival's presence lurking just behind him.
*BAM*
*COUGH*
Ricky's body was suddenly propelled across the circle, crashing into the field surrounding them as he let out a loud cough, struggling to regain his breath as the impact left him disoriented.
*COUGH*
*COUGH*
Only then did Ricky feel the mental backlash as Percival unleashed a counterstrike, obliterating everything he had conjured.
The force hit him like a physical blow, and he slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.
He coughed violently, expelling heapings of spit, the taste of blood mingling with the acrid remnants of his shattered concentration.
"Interesting," Percival mused, rubbing his chin as he gently descended to the spot where Ricky had just stood.
"For your age, the power you command is indeed impressive," Percival continued, his tone measured and calm.
"But there's no refinement, only brute strength." Percival then let out a disappointed sigh, as if lamenting the wasted potential before him.
"What the f*ck just happened-" Ricky finally muttered out, looking up only to see Percival had disappeared.
*BAM*
In an instant, Percival vanished from view, reappearing above Ricky with blinding speed.
Before Ricky could react, Percival slammed the heel of his foot into the back of his head, the force driving him down into the ground with brutal precision.
*BAM*
The impact reverberated through Ricky's skull, leaving him momentarily disoriented as the world around him blurred.
Percival's weight pressed down, a reminder of the overwhelming power he commanded, forcing Ricky's face into the ground
"Is that all?" Percival taunted lightly, his voice dripping with mockery.
"I must say, you are powerful, but I assumed you were much stronger to justify such arrogance." Percival chuckled, pressing his heel deeper into the back of Ricky's head, emphasizing his dominance, a smirk playing on his lips.
Ricky struggled to lift his head, but no matter how hard he pushed, he couldn't budge it from beneath Percival's heel. Frustration ignited within him, a fire kindling alongside the physical pain.
With a sudden burst of resolve, he reached up and grasped Percival's ankle, his gauntlets shimmering with that abominable fusion of flames.
The moment the heat touched Percival's skin, the knight's smile vanished, replaced by a frown of surprise and concern.
*BOOOOOM*
The horrid flames erupted around them, a tempest of energy that engulfed both Ricky and Percival in a chaotic inferno.
The explosion sent Percival hurtling backward, but with remarkable agility, he caught his balance midair, driving the tip of his sword into the ground to anchor himself.
The force of the blast sent shockwaves through the arena, scattering debris and igniting the air with flickers of radiant light and shadow.
*DING*
*DING*
In the next heartbeat, Percival effortlessly deflected two arrows that shot toward him, their tips gleaming ominously.
The arrows collided with an invisible barrier behind him, exploding in a shower of sparks and smoke, but he didn't even acknowledge their presence.
His focus remained unwavering, his expression calm and composed, as if the arrows were mere afterthoughts in a game far beyond Ricky's understanding.
"Alright, that's it," Ricky scornfully laughed, the smoke clearing to reveal him smirking, a mix of intense annoyance and newfound determination etched across his face.
His eyes locked onto Percival's form, unwavering in their intensity and in that moment, the Emperor's gaze transformed, a crimson light surging through his pupils as he focused on Percival, analyzing every inch of the knight's ethereal figure.
"Do you have even more little tricks up your sleeve?" Percival inquired with a curious smirk, his tone playful yet laced with caution as he circled around Ricky.
"Oh, believe me, you wannabe King Arthur, I've got a whole arsenal of wonderful tricks hidden away." Ricky shot back, his smile dripping with disdain, making Percival's eyebrow twitch, and he let out a dry laugh, the sound echoing through the tension-filled air.
In the next instant, Percival's glorious figure materialized before Ricky, his sword arcing downward with lethal intent.
But Ricky was ready; he swung his leg upward in a fluid motion, intercepting the blade just in time.
The clash of metal against flesh sent a shockwave through both combatants, btu Ricky didn't feel the pain as his adrenaline surged through him, widening his smile as he held his ground.
"!" Percival's eyes widened as Ricky's foot struck the ricasso of the sword, halting its deadly descent aimed at his arm and leaving Percival's chest completely exposed.
Seizing the moment, Ricky pulled back the bowstring, the tension in the air thickening with anticipation, and released the arrow without hesitation.
Percival, quick to react, let go of the sword and shifted his grip, swinging the hilt to the other side.
The arrow collided with the blade, a sharp crack echoing through the air as it split at its seam amidst Percival's serious eyes.
In the same breath, Ricky conjured a shimmering dome around Percival, sealing him within a barrier that suddenly coursed his horrid flames.
*BOOOM*
A loud boom erupted as fire engulfed Percival, flames licking at the edges of the mental dome that surrounded him.
Ricky concentrated fiercely, unleashing a torrent of blazing energy that coated every inch of the barrier, turning it into a radiant inferno.
With the heat intensifying, he drew back his bowstring once more, the arrow shimmering with the essence of his power.
The crackling flames danced in his eyes as he prepared for the next strike, determined to break through Percival's defenses and seize control of the battle.
*Gulp*
Ricky gulped, a chill racing down his spine as he realized that just as he was about to release the bowstring, Percival's sword had materialized right above his jugular.
*Whoosh*
In the next instant, the sound of the barrier being cut in half echoed through the arena, a sharp and devastating noise that silenced the spectators.
Eyes widened in disbelief as they saw Ricky trapped at the mercy of Percival, the knight's sword poised ominously above him.
"I accept you," Percival said with a calm smile, nodding to himself as he sheathed the sword.
Ricky, still reeling, finally managed to draw in a breath, confusion washing over him.
"What the hell just happened?" Ricky Muttered, disbelief etched across his face at the results of their confrontation.
He had thought he had him cornered; even his instincts had screamed victory and yet here he was, feeling as if Percival had cut through fate itself, shifting the very fabric of their confrontation in an instant.
"Amazing," Alexander breathed, unable to hide his awe at witnessing such serene swordsmanship in his lifetime.
It was a display of skill that left him almost breathless, each movement fluid and precise.
"Seb," Abraham whispered urgently to the shocked Father Sebastian, who flinched at the sound of his name.
"R-Ricky has been accepted and will be privy to the Duel of Blood for the chance to wield the Ebony Blade!" Father Sebastian announced, his voice echoing through the stunned silence.
Ernst, who had been watching the duel from the sidelines, cast his gaze downward, grappling with a mix of emotions.
The weight of Father Sebastian's words hung in the air, heavy with significance as Ricky's fate had shifted in an instant, and the stakes had never been higher.
The crowd's murmurs began to swell, a mixture of excitement and disbelief at the prospect of Ricky claiming such a powerful weapon.
Without uttering a single word, Ernst turned on his heel and strode out of the arena, determination etched into his features.
As he walked, he pulled a small vial from his clothes, the liquid inside catching the light and glimmering with promise.
A palpable thirst for power rippled in his eyes, igniting a fire of ambition that drove him forward.
'I must win.'
Author's Note: Thanks for 9k collections, I appreciate everyone reading this far and enjoying my story. I do see all your comments but have crazy busy and won't be able to see all of them until the weekend.
章節 74: Chapter 73: In Wait For The Inevitable Duel
2 days later,
"SUCH MASTERY, I MUST KNOW YOUR SECRETS!" Alexander gushed, practically squealing as he darted towards Percival in Ricky's room.
Percival glanced at Ricky, who was massaging his forehead at the situation bubbling before him.
Ever since the duel preparations had begun, Ricky had been stuck as the middleman between the two, and the constant back-and-forth had turned into a nagging headache of pure annoyance.
"Here, Alexander." Ricky flicked his translator ring over, not wanting to play mediator any longer as the gerbil scurried to catch it, a glint of curiosity in his eyes as he inspected the ring.
"How does this artifact work?" Alexander asked, his voice filled with curiosity, touching the engravings as Percival blinked in surprise, stunned to realize he could suddenly understand the gerbil standing in front of him.
"You can talk?" Percival asked, his brow furrowing in disbelief as Alexander nodded, a smug grin spreading across his face as he crossed his tiny arms.
"Not only can I now speak, but I am the former king of Macedonia, Alexander the great." Alexander declared proudly, his chest puffed up as Percival's eyes widened in shock as he quickly glanced toward Ricky for confirmation.
"Yes, Alexander the great is now my Gerbil." Ricky muttered, trying to smother himself with a pillow while Percival, still in disbelief, bent down in respect toward Alexander.
"I grew up on your tales in a distant past, and I must say, you are my hero-"
Before long, both he and Alexander were geeking out over their respective tribulations, their voices growing animated.
Even Henry, the mockingbird, watched the spectacle with growing annoyance, eventually nudging Ricky, who groaned and buried his face deeper into the pillow.
"Yeah, let's get out of here and let these two love birds have their time alone," Ricky sighed, though his jab went completely unnoticed as the two remained utterly captivated by their discussion of battle.
With Henry perched atop his head, Ricky decided to take a stroll, but as he opened the door, he spotted Abraham standing there, quietly eavesdropping on the conversation between Percival and Alexander.
"Kid, is your Gerbil seriously Alexander the great?" Abraham straight out asked Ricky who nodded while walking past him.
"How many times are you going to ask me that? Yes, Alexander the Great is my gerbil," Ricky said with exasperation, brushing past Abraham.
Abraham, breathless, turned to watch him leave, a mix of disbelief and intrigue on his face.
"I-I thought you were joking-"
"Sometimes, I wish I was." Ricky spoke as Henry nodded along as the baffled Abraham caught up with him.
"Listen I'm here-"
"Just take me somewhere I won't get annoyed by priestly figures and I'll even listen to your slam poetry." Ricky turned to Abraham, who was slowly breaking into a smile.
"I know just the place."
10 minutes later,
"Ah~" Abraham let out a refreshed sigh, sipping on a scoop of wine from a barrel as Ricky lounged to the side.
"You can thank the Rothschilds for these puppies." Abraham chuckled, tapping the barrel as he took another scoop as Ricky raised an eyebrow.
"Rothschilds?"Ricky inquired, though Abraham wasn't surprised; their interactions were always low-key.
"An old banking family that's incredibly rich and powerful." Abraham spoke nonchalantly, guzzling down more barrel wine without a second thought.
"A bunch of rich assholes, if you ask me, but their wine is some of the best I've ever had, and they give it to the church for free," Abraham commented to Ricky, drinking the scoop full of wine clean before raising a brow to the side.
"You'd know that if you even took a sip," Abraham said, pointing his scoop at Ricky.
Since from the entire time they had been here, he watched the youngest alcoholic he'd ever seen remain unfazed by some of the best wine his world had to offer.
"I'm not really in the mood for wine, that's all." Ricky lied poorly, turning away while Abraham started laughing incredulously.
"You, the kid who always seems to be slightly buzzed or drunk whenever I see him, aren't in the mood for alcohol?" Abraham asked with an ironic tone, recalling Ricky's drunken escapades he'd heard about from the bar until the realization hit him.
"Wait a minute, when you came to me, you were sober, right?" Abraham's eyes widened in shock, and only one word trailed from his mouth in response to his own realization.
"Why?" Abraham genuinely asked, giving the floor to the silent Ricky who sighed.
"Honestly, I don't know." Ricky leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose at the sudden conundrum that had plagued him as of late.
It wasn't that Ricky was willingly abstaining from alcohol; it was that every time he drank, it tasted rotten.
"Ever since Eddy died and I try to drink anything, I just hurl it back in disgust." Ricky sighed, actually
confiding to the drunkard that is Abraham.
Ricky's relationship with alcohol had shifted dramatically after Eddy's death.
What once might have been a means of escape or camaraderie had become a source of torment.
The memories associated with drinking now carried a heavy weight of grief, transforming the taste of alcohol into a rotting reminder of loss.
"I see." Abraham nodded his head, leaning back as Ricky turned to look at him.
"Honestly though, I really do think I have a problem, and if it weren't for the taste, I'd probably be drinking all the time," Ricky said, a smile creeping onto his face, almost chuckling as he acknowledged his own flawed nature.
But after seeing Danielle and realizing that all of his guides were bartenders, Ricky felt a deep wave of depression wash over him.
His subconscious was completely saturated with thoughts of alcohol and everything related to it.
Instead of retreating to memories of his childhood home, traumatic experiences, or other potential buffers, his mind had chosen a bar as its refuge, which felt deeply insulting.
It was as if the very essence of his coping mechanism had twisted into something he once enjoyed, now tainted by grief and loss.
"Well, the first step is admitting it." Abraham cheered his scoop of wine towards the air, watching Ricky let out a cynical laughter.
*SIGH*
Abraham let out a sigh, rubbing his eyes before tossing the scoop back into the barrel as he straightened up to look at Ricky.
"Listen, there are three ways you can go from here in terms of drinking." Abraham began, actually giving some advice to Ricky instead of laughing at him.
"One, you can be like me and never change, drinking all the time. Two, you can go cold turkey and never touch a drop again, becoming some pansy loser. Or three." Abraham slowly raised a finger with each iteration until he reached the last one.
"Just don't let it control you." Abraham gave the last option, looking at Ricky who stared at the fingers.
"It's really easy to lose yourself in something that helps take you away from the moment," Abraham continued, his tone serious as he put down his finger and leaned back.
"But it's another thing entirely to enjoy the moment and still be able to drink without letting it control you." Abraham then let out a small sigh, looking at the barrel of wine in regret.
"Honestly, I could never let go of the first option," Abraham admitted, his voice softer as he slowly closed his wrinkled eyes.
"It's so much easier to numb everything rather than confront it." Abraham paused, his gaze distant while taking another scoop of wine.
"But don't be like me. You only grow from that pain, and I've chosen to stay entirely stuck in the moment." Abraham then downed a large helping of wine, letting the rich flavor of the barrel wine wash over him, numbing the pain he refused to face.
For the first time in his life, Ricky looked at his coping mechanism without feeling the usual sense of escape, he simply looked at it.
It was just wine, plain and simple, something anyone could see but until now, Ricky had viewed the liquid as a way to numb everything, exactly like Abraham had said.
Slowly, as Ricky stared at his reflection in the wine, something shifted inside him.
Deep down, Ricky had a sudden epiphany, he didn't need the wine to cope anymore.
The realization hit him unexpectedly, but with a sense of clarity that he hadn't felt in a long time.
He was troubled, he knew that, but the real struggle had always been confronting his problems.
And now, for the first time, he was doing just that.
Ricky had already vowed that he didn't want to be the man he used to be and as he picked up the scoop of wine, he rejected option one; he refused to stay stuck in the same cycle.
Option two felt like running away, and that wasn't who he wanted to be either and so Ricky made his choice, he would control it.
And with that, he took a sip.
Immediately, Ricky could tell the difference as it wasn't rotten, nor did it numb his tongue like before as it was refreshing, clean, almost as if he was truly tasting wine for the first time.
Then Ricky started to laugh, covering his face in disbelief at how simple it all was as he didn't need to take another sip if he didn't want to, and that realization filled him with relief.
Abraham watched from the side, actually smiling for once as he saw a bit of himself in Ricky and knew all too well how easy it was to get lost.
Despite not particularly liking the kid, he was genuinely glad that Ricky wouldn't follow the same lonely path he had chosen, one filled with isolation and regret, but something better.
"So, what can I do for you, Abraham?" Ricky asked, setting the scoop of wine down and gesturing toward the old man, who quickly hid his smile behind a gruff expression.
"Alright, be real with me, are you part angel?" Abraham genuinely asked Ricky, a hint of confusion in his voice, since that aura was something he had only ever seen used by angels or holy beings.
"No idea." Ricky lied, though it wasn't entirely unintentional as he felt a flicker of uncertainty, but the truth was buried deep within him, just out of reach.
At this point, he honestly wasn't sure of himself anymore; perhaps he was part angel, given how unexpected it felt to be connected to Sir Percival from the Round Table.
*SIGH*
"Well, that little stunt you pulled earlier has thrown the Vatican up in arms." Abraham gestured, recalling the entire display Ricky had put on two days ago.
"Because of the holy power, right? What's so special about it-"
"Kid, holy power isn't something you're simply born with; it takes years of faith and worship to accumulate." Abraham shook his head, a look of aggrievement crossing his face as he recalled his own lessons on the subject.
"That sucks for them," Ricky laughed, finding it hilarious that he had gained this power by basically sleeping around rather than being a virgin his whole life like the other priests.
"Yeah, some of those geezers absolutely loathe you now because they wasted forty years of their lives to obtain just a fraction of what you showed back there." Abraham remarked, letting Ricky in on the reality of the situation, though he himself could care less about holy power and magic.
"Anything else?" Ricky asked, and Abraham put on a thinking expression, pondering the implications of Ricky's newfound power.
"Actually, yeah, stop bringing or showing weird-ass armor to people of the holy church who are known for literally burning people for less," Abraham condemned, gesturing toward the coat Ricky was wearing at that moment.
"Uh, I don't know what you mean." Ricky played the fool, already knowing this fact but his new trench coat was sort of a diva and whenever he took it out of hte system space it would start hitting him.
Honestly, it didn't click right away for Ricky how problematic it could be if the trench coat was discovered to be demonic; the only thing really shielding him was his holy power.
It was only after the fight with Percival that he recognized the potential consequences, his naivety on full display once again.
However instead of brushing it off, Ricky understood he was walking on a tightrope until he secured the black knight position, which was why he wanted to shelve his armor until he was sure they couldn't kick him out.
However, his trench coat hated being in his inventory, so he kept it in his room and when they left, he coated it with his aura, but even then, Abraham's keen instincts picked up on its presence.
"Listen, for some reason, until this stupid trial is over, your actions reflect on me, so just don't get caught, and we'll be fine, alright?" Abraham gestured toward Ricky, unconcerned about how he was acquiring these trinkets but clearly emphasizing the importance of staying under the radar.
"That little aura of yours is hiding it for now, but as soon as someone starts asking questions, they'll really start looking for answers. So be careful, until you're not my problem anymore." Abraham clarified, clearly only concerned that it didn't blow back onto him rather than about Ricky's well-being.
"Alright, anything else." Ricky actually decided to take Abraham's advice, and much to his trench coat's displeasure, he shoved it back into his inventory space.
"Not really, but I thought I'd let you know that if you somehow lose to that brat, you'll still be offered an archbishop spot." Abraham suddenly revealed, raising Ricky's eyebrow in surprise.
"Does the church just get wet for holy power?" Ricky asked, and Abraham laughed while nodding his head in agreement.
"Of course, kid, those geezers nutted themselves when they saw you unleash your holy power," Abraham said, and they both laughed before he nudged Ricky playfully.
"Hey, you wanna have some fun?"
Meanwhile in the courtyard,
A priest walked by the garden, a smile blooming alongside the flowers as he bent down to smell a bouquet of roses as the vibrant colors and sweet scent seemed to brighten his spirits even more.
*Splat*
"Ah!" The priest suddenly recoiled as a broken egg splashed across his face, the cool, slimy contents dripping down his cheeks.
Before he could fully react, more eggs began to follow, splattering against him and the ground in a chaotic cascade.
*Splat*
*Splat*
*Splat*
"S-Stop it-" The priest held up his hands in defense, only to have an egg hit his forehead, knocking him backward.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ricky and Abraham laughed maniacally as they started pelting the innocent priest with eggs, the air filled with their gleeful shouts and the sound of shells breaking and splattering all over his robes.
"DAMMIT ABRAHAM!" The priest scornfully scurried away, already knowing the culprits as Ricky sat on the roof of the church, a triumphant grin plastered across his face.
"And you never get in trouble for this?" Ricky looked back at Abraham, who shook his head in mock disapproval, a bemused smile creeping onto his face.
"I mean, they try, but I keep deferring my punishment to a higher council. The members never want to deal with a long verdict, so they usually just dismiss it," Abraham shrugged, a hint of exasperation in his voice as Ricky laughed harder at the absurdity of the broken system.
"The system is actually really broken-"
"Abraham."
"Uh oh." Abraham looked down to see Father Sebastian squinting his eyes with a clear scowl.
"What's wrong-"
"RUN!"
*SPLAT*
The eggs suddenly splattered all at once, and Ricky quickly covered himself with a shield, but Abraham wasn't so lucky.
He took the brunt of the mess, yolk and shell raining down on him as he groaned in disbelief, wiping his face in a futile attempt to clean up.
"Stop setting a bad example for Ricky and get down here," Father Sebastian said, struggling to hold back his laughter.
Ricky dropped down in front of him, a cheeky grin on his face, while Abraham had to awkwardly navigate his way down the scaffold, still covered in egg debris.
"Ricky, go rest up; tomorrow will be a long day," Father Sebastian said, giving Ricky a reassuring pat on the shoulder as he shrugged, walking away before waving with a cheeky smile at the slime covered Abraham.
"Seb it's-"
"Save it, the council is convening and your presence is needed." Father Sebastian beckoned Abraham over, and he let out a sigh, knowing he was about to face another lecture.
"Fine, let's go."
30 minutes later,
"ORDER!" Pius announced loudly, attempting to regain control as the other members descended into a frenzy, each one conveying their own opinion with animated gestures and heated voices.
"I understand many have strong thoughts about Ricky, but we mustn't make hasty decisions," Pius spoke, trying to maintain order but the other members stood up, their voices rising in a chorus of dissent, clearly unwilling to wait for a more measured discussion.
"Your Holiness, that child has more holy power than even archbishops; he might as well be a saint!" A member urged, and while Pius didn't disagree, he considered the implications.
Although his own magical power far exceeded Ricky's nonexistent magic power, the density of Ricky's holy power, even without amplification, was comparable.
What made Ricky's situation so significant was his ability to call upon holy power without relying on magic, a feat that was unheard of and raised numerous concerns among the council.
Many priests circumvented the rigorous training required to gather holy power by amplifying it through magic, which was the foundation of holy spells.
In reality, all the priests had more holy power than Ricky, but that was only due to their magical abilities.
Without magic, however, Ricky possessed more holy power than a significant portion of them, making his unique ability to access it without any amplification particularly noteworthy.
"We must take him into the church, he needs to be properly trained-"
"That won't work." Abraham walked into the hall, Father Sebastian nodding by his side, both men exchanging glances as they took in the tense atmosphere.
"I do not wish to speak out of turn, but that rebellious child is very enthused with his freedom," Father Sebastian remarked, and several other members began to nod in agreement, having noticed the same thing.
"His family situation isn't too good, and he'll probably lash out at the church if you all try to force him into something," Abraham offered, trying to provide perspective as Bishop Thomas scoffed in response, clearly unconvinced and dismissive of Abraham's concerns.
"I really don't think we should listen to this drunken fool who has no belief in the one true God," Bishop Thomas frowned as Abraham let out an ironic laugh.
"News flash, dumbass: there is more than one God." Abraham's words struck a nerve, igniting frustration among the members, yet they couldn't outright deny his point.
"Abraham, how do you think the Vatican should proceed with Ricky's case?" Pius inquired, prompting Abraham to scratch his beard thoughtfully.
"I don't know, just give him a couple of overseas errands until he calms down a bit so you can teach him," Abraham suggested, voicing the first idea that came to mind.
The room fell silent as the members absorbed his words, considering the implications of sending Ricky away and what that might mean for his future within the church.
"If he becomes the Black Knight, his ties with the church would elevate," one member opined, and the others nodded in agreement.
However, one member remained skeptical, crossing his arms as he prepared to voice his dissent, sensing potential complications in aligning Ricky with such a powerful title.
"Ernst is-"
"A little sh*t."Abraham scoffed, casting a glare at Bishop Thomas, who sneered back, unperturbed.
"And Ricky is any better? If anything, he's worse," Bishop Thomas hissed, his disdain palpable as Abraham crossed his arms in scorn.
"He is not refined in the ways of our Lord and Savior; he's just a peasant, and he's a vulgar person." Bishop Thomas words resonated with the room, and members began to nod, contemplating the validity of his argument against Ricky's suitability for a position of power.
"Well, I'm sure that Ricky will beat the living sh*t out of your little Ernst tomorrow anyway, so this talk of ours doesn't really matter," Abraham mocked, a smirk playing on his lips as Bishop Thomas stood up, indignation flashing in his eyes.
"DO YOU WISH TO TAKE THIS OUTSIDE?" Bishop Thomas shouted, his face flushed with anger as Abraham, unfazed, spread his arms wide.
"BRING IT ON, VIRGIN!" Abraham retorted, a cheeky grin on his face as the other members scrambled to hold Bishop Thomas back.
*BAM*
"BISHOP, THAT IS NO WAY TO ACT!" Pius roared, and the room fell silent as if the very air had thickened with authority.
A wave of holy power emanated from him, pressing down on everyone present, momentarily crushing their spirits and silencing the murmurs of dissent.
"I-I apologize, your holiness." Bishop Thomas cowered back, his bravado evaporating under the intensity of Pius's gaze.
The Pope then turned to Abraham, who had already thrown in the towel, arms crossed and expression resigned.
*Sigh*
"The decision on Ricky will be pushed off until it is determined whether he will be the next Black Knight," Pius confirmed, his voice steady and authoritative as the members exchanged glances, nodding in agreement as they processed the weight of the choice ahead.
"Dismissed."
Slowly, all the priests filtered out of the meeting room, their discussions echoing in the hallways as they pondered Ricky's fate.
Abraham, Father Sebastian, and Pope Pius remained, the air heavy with unspoken tension as Pius gazed down at the two men, his expression a mixture of concern and resolve.
"You rang for me?" Abraham remarked awkwardly, sensing that the atmosphere was becoming too heavy for his liking.
"Abraham, I want you to be in charge of Ricky's induction into the Vatican-"
"No way." Abraham raised his arms in a gesture of dismissal, shedding off the responsibilities, but Pius frowned in response.
"And why me, I'm literally the worst advocate-"
"Because a war is coming." Pius informed Abraham, causing him to stop in his tracks.
"You mean with us humans-"
"No Abraham, not just us humans, but a war with the gods." Pius wore a grave expression, causing Abraham's breathing to momentarily halt.
"What are you saying-"
"A fragment of Nyx under the supervision of the Greek pantheon has disappeared." Pius warned him, and Abraham felt his heart start to race at the implication of what that could bring.
"But that has nothing to do with Christianity-"
"You know how wars between gods bleed into other pantheons," Pius said, leaning back as Abraham began to pace as Father Sebastion stood nearby, wearing a somber expression.
"How many fragments have been stolen?" Abraham suddenly asked, his voice tense, as if he needed to understand the implications of these fragments.
"Only one." Pius informed Abraham, who rubbed his scruffy gray beard in thought.
"The Nazi party is evidently starting to gather people of power to its side to aid in the takeover of Germany." Pius said, his gaze filled with concern as he had been asked to start a holy war multiple times but had consistently refused, leaving Abraham to process this unsettling information.
"They are gathering and interfering with powers they shouldn't." Pius said, closing his eyes as he braced for the coming bloodshed.
"But they are only a party-"
"The Nazi party is inflating rapidly, and it's only a matter of time before it consumes Germany whole and pries its fangs into its surroundings." Pius revealed, causing Abraham to come to a standstill, the gravity of the situation settling in.
"What does this have to do with Dracula?" Abraham asked, voicing the question that lingered in his mind as Pius looked down, his expression grave.
"So far, from our indications, it doesn't have-"
"Then I'm not doing it," Abraham declared, suddenly aware that the church was attempting to offload its burdens onto him.
"Abraham this is-"
"Not my problem! My only concern is making sure I don't spend eternity in purgatory!" Abraham yelled as he strode out of the room, leaving the two behind.
"Your Holiness, is the loss of one fragment really cause for concern?" Father Sebastion asked tentatively, prompting a deep sigh from Pius.
"Yes, it is," Pius replied, sinking into the chair at the table and gazing up at the ceiling as if searching for answers in the heavens.
"There are only three fragments left, and if they manage to come together, a wave of darkness will consume the earth," Pius warned, his voice heavy with foreboding as Father Sebastion bit his lip, the weight of the situation settling uncomfortably between them.
"But would Nyx-"
"No, her hatred is solely directed at the Greek pantheon. However, in war, others inevitably get drawn in. Once Nyx is revived, she will stop at nothing to kill every Greek god." Pius spoke, and Father Sebastian understood it was his cue to leave.
"Your Holiness," Father Sebastian bowed, then quietly exited, closing the door behind him.
After a moment, Pius rose and walked slowly to the center of the room and after kneeling, a soft, holy light descended upon him.
"What is it my child?" An ethereal voice hummed as Pius looked up to see a perfect creature standing before him with twelve wings behind it.
"I apologize for my sudden call but I wish to convey a message to the Council Of Thones."
每周推薦票狀態
200+ 推薦票
榜單 
46 推薦票 
段落評論