ANMELDENWhoosh!That was when the giant eyes seemed to blink, the colossal body hidden in the darkness seemingly moving.Clang!As it did, it seemed to pull along clumps of chains, until the rich ancient voice thundered right beside Caleb's ears and within his soul."Haha! An actual human child? Now this is interesting!"He must be getting closer, as Caleb's reflection in the pupil seemed to enlarge, while the ancient voice continued, "Well, fate must have brought you here to me. Now, bow to me in salutations of your new mentor, and all my legacies shall be bestowed upon you."Come—loosen up your soul to receive my mark! Once you receive it, you will ascend from Ether Lord to Sage, if not the unmatched might of the Emperor rank. Who knows, you might have a shot at becoming Demi-Immortal—heights they only speak of in legends!"The ancient voice kept going, his offer at once tempting and intoxicating… But Caleb was unmoved, as he instead studied the walls around and the complex markings
Blurb! Blurb!Caleb squinted through the water that was so cold that it cut to the bone, while hearing the bubbling around him.As he swam deeper, the bubbling couldn't be heard any longer, and he was suddenly surrounded in a strange, eerie silence.Sound didn't spread, and there were no ripples to be seen—it was as if the waters had suddenly frozen completely.All within view was a tiny spark that suddenly spread around him, illuminating the depths that could not be seen.Caleb was stunned.This was no pond—he was basically under the sea!"Coffin? Is there really treasure down here?" Caleb wondered in his mind.After all, it was the Coffin who had told him to jump in here."Tut, tut! How ignorant are you, kiddo? Do you think a pond where a worm and a Radix Lotus grew is just a pond? I'm afraid there's a terrible being down here that the four fiefs of the eastern lands can't handle!"That's why they put up so many wards around it, hiding this place from prying eyes while send
After Murin finished, Grendel was clapping his own chest and promised, "Dear Caleb, you've always been a son-in-law to me! I'm a coward, but I'd never do anything to hurt my own daughter!"Bang!Udal, Grendel, and Murin jumped, startled as Caleb suddenly shoved his greatsword into the ground.Even so, they could only watch him fearfully, waiting for him to talk."The Eastern Lands will soon become too small for me," he then quietly said, watching them. "But I grew up in Calebton, and Calebton is my home!"As long as none of you let me or my clan down, I naturally won't do anything to harm Zoronda. And if Zoronda is ever in trouble, the Crawfords will not just stand by and watch."And with those words, he put away his sword. "Oh… Yes, yes, yes! You're right, Caleb!" Grendel quickly said. "Zoronda will always be your home!"He was naturally as delighted as he was relieved.As long as the Lazulis did right by the Crawfords, they would help if Zoronda was in trouble.It gave him
Grendel turned stiffly around toward Udal, who was just as stupefied. "Patriarch… Caleb just killed two fief lords… Did we just…?"As he finally came to his senses, he realized Caleb had slayed two fief lords and the chief of a major alliance between three fiefs!Was this not dragging Zoronda into war?Udal was just as confused, however—he was a patriarch and had never gotten involved in politics.On top of that, he just couldn't understand how a monster that defied common sense like him appeared in a remote corner of the eastern lands… and a Zorondan on top of that! Only heaven knew if this was a blessing or a disaster!"Patriarch Lazuli! My lord!" That was when Murin looked them both dead in the eye and whispered, "We are now in the same boat as Caleb! Do not think about betraying him no matter what happens, or he will prove to you why he and the Chandlers are scarier than the Alliance, Danmarch, and Nistral!Seeing Murin's glower and determined look, both Udal and Grendel
It was a nightmare none of them could have imagined—the Alliance, Danmarch, and Nistral were all dead set on killing Caleb and every Zorondan, but that thought was now simply tragic, laughable, and foolish!"Caleb Crawford! I'll kill you!" the Nistral patriarch bellowed shrilly as his Reiki raged.Countless sword flashes and endless murderous intent were encircling Caleb just then, but he definitely wasn't cowed.World Burial Sword, Third Style—Skybreaker!Thunder Phantom met a devastating sword as it answered the patriarch's attack at full force!Boom!The very air quaked, warping even nothingness!As the raging greatsword swung down viciously, the Nistral patriarch felt like he was bludgeoned by a hammer, every fiber of his being shuddering with it!His face was pale as sheet as the blood in his lungs gushed up to his throat."Argh!!!" But he swallowed—eyes wide with rage, he was shrieking as he set ablaze his vigor, Reiki and his very soul!"I'm taking you down with me!"
There were just four of them—the three patriarchs and Tobek Zangief—left. Their eyes widened as they watched, their pupils dilating!"His strength… demi-Scion!" Tobek rasped, his voice cracking and almost unable to squeeze those words out of his throat.Caleb's combat strength increased exponentially as his warrior seal was released, and he erupted with the might of a demi-Scion!For the first time, Tobek just couldn't believe his eyes, let alone his aural sense!"My Lord!!!" Both Patriarch Nispark and Patriarch Danmel could only stare in wide-eyed disbelief, because their respective fief lords were killed!They had really failed to get their cheap victory and lost way more than what they bargained for!Tobek's shock had yet to turn to fear when the demonic aura closed in!"No!!! Tobek, run!!!" Patriarch Zangief bellowed, not keen to see a junior die right before his eyes!Boom!He promptly leaped toward Caleb, swinging his sword and cutting him off, his Scion rank aura erup