Chapter 58: Aftermath

Chapter 58: Aftermath

The feeling of being watched reached its peak when he was stopped. He knew someone was using an ability to observe. He also knew the reason why the Knight before him wouldn’t retreat: if he couldn’t take Bran away, then he had to at least try to figure out Bran’s abilities.

But was he really that easy to spy on? During his ability Evolution, the old man who lost his power due to the instant impact had given Bran a hint. If the sound was loud enough, if the instant burst of Mana interference was strong enough, it could severely damage a perception-type Wizard. So, Bran’s Mana surged out from him like a tsunami, a thick wall of water crashing upwards, downwards, and in all directions. The feeling of being watched disappeared.

The sudden, powerful Mana disturbance even distorted the light, revealing the outline of a huge hemisphere to everyone. Standing at the center of that hemisphere was a child holding a cat, with no trace of hostility, only a shimmer of moisture in his eyes.

This scene made many want to retreat, but it was too late. The cat in Bran’s arms was gone. At that moment, Huahua turned into a streak of black light, darting and leaping among the necks of the crowd. For ease of movement, no one wore heavy armor. The lack of protection around their necks made them seem fragile. With each flash and leap of Huahua, blood sprayed from a neck with a hissing sound…

Bran looked at the Knight clutching his neck before him. “I warned you.”

Then he heard the Knight’s voice, forced out with difficulty through his neck: “Don’t be sad… This has nothing to do with you…”

Having said that, he let go of his hand. It seemed the action of delaying Death was just for this piece of advice.

Bran, holding the slightly panting Huahua, walked a circle around the fallen crowd, carefully sensing each person, letting his Mana seep into their bodies. Only true Death would make the Mana interference disappear, allowing Mana to seep in without hindrance. This became Bran’s method of checking.

“Last one,” Bran muttered to himself as he walked towards a tree not far away. As he approached, a young woman’s head emerged from the tree, followed by half her body. She screamed with a terrified face, “I mean no harm…”

“No, you mean harm. My intuition tells me, my Mana Web tells me, they tell me you not only mean harm…” As the words fell, a Short Blade flew from Bran’s hand, piercing directly into her head.

…

When the killing began, the Warriors in the castle were alerted. Several people ran out from the Castle. Among the Warriors on duty on the outer wall of the Castle, one leaped down from the high wall and rushed straight to the scene. He was also the first to arrive.

He saw Bran’s figure passing the corner of the woods. A black cat’s head rested on the child’s shoulder, looking back. Then the small figure turned past the trees and disappeared from his sight. He sighed. Once one embarks on the path of the Trial, turning back is not allowed. He didn’t want to disturb this child’s Trial, and this place also represented the child’s resolve.

He let out a long whistle. It contained encouragement, blessings, and also an apology for the contempt he showed the child many years ago. Then the whistle changed again, conveying the situation of the scene outward. As the sun just began to show a corner, a series of whistles echoed outside the Castle. Those familiar with the Northlands knew this was a method of communication for Northlanders in the wild.

When the whistles sounded, Danny had already left the Mountain Villa with her companions. She would follow far behind Bran. Two giant Snow Falcons had soared high, reaching an altitude difficult for ordinary people to see. Northlanders had a spiritual connection with their animal partners. She originally planned to teach Bran slowly over the coming years, but now everything was disrupted.

When passing through that Land of Death, an image naturally appeared in her mind: a child holding a huge Lynx, looking strained and stubborn. Perhaps there was no need for teaching; that child had long since found his own partner. No one would have thought of the violent, bloodthirsty side possessed by that usually harmless black cat, who, apart from eating, sought every opportunity to sleep clutching Bran’s hand. It was only because of Bran that Huahua was the gentle, purring Black Cat.

The Black Cat Huahua and Bran were already inseparable. Bran once told her that his Mana and Huahua’s Mana were already indistinguishable. In a sense, the improvement and Evolution of Bran’s abilities were also the improvement and Evolution of Huahua’s.

In fact, Bran and the Black Cat Huahua were guarding each other every moment. Anyone wanting to deal with Bran should not overlook this Black Cat. But Bran had concealed it too well all along. He had always been like this, carefully hiding his secrets. Just as he occasionally joked, I just dug a pit under my own feet…

Danny shook her head, casting off these thoughts and emotions.

…

The high-ranking members of the Delegation looked grave. Today, they lost all their Wizards. The two Wizards spying from the Delegation’s compound directly lost their abilities. Their last perception was: “Sea! A huge tsunami, with countless walls of water crashing down…”

The three Wizards and Knights sent on the mission were all dead, and little useful information was gained. Now, they would face the wrath of the Northlanders. This time, it would no longer be a child’s play-like game. They had to pay a corresponding price to appease this anger.

Was it worth it? The leaders of the Delegation reflected. Although the Northlanders did not value it, they knew its worth, too tempting. Think of those who acted in unison; it’s just that they failed now, and it was time for them to pay the price. He knew as that child completed his Trial and gradually grew up, such opportunities would become increasingly slim. Perhaps because this might be the only opportunity, many gambled, risking thoroughly angering the Northlands.

…

The whistles outside the Manor startled the mother and daughter sitting somewhat dazed in the Courtyard. They listened to the information in the whistles, and then Lily began looking disbelieving.

“He can’t be that strong. I always beat him up before.”

Her mother sighed. “As he himself said, he isn’t weak when he uses all means. But when facing you, how could he ever use all means?

You haven’t forgotten Huahua’s ability, have you? That ability that ignores space and distance. And recently, the sharp, cutting intent around Huahua has become more and more obvious. Without proper armor, at close range, it’s basically death for anyone who encounters her.

Huahua! With his personality, he wouldn’t even take the horses from the Mountain Villa outside, so why did he take Huahua specifically?”

“Of course because Huahua is very powerful,” Xirui said.

“Because she couldn’t be left behind. When Huahua was born, not even the size of a palm, he held her in his arms. Now she’s grown up, still with the temperament of her youth, finding every opportunity to cling to his embrace. Back then, no one thought that little kitten could survive. No one knows how he managed to raise Huahua, to keep her alive and help her grow. Maybe that’s fate. That Black Cat wouldn’t get close to anyone but him.”

Madam reached out and patted her younger daughter’s head.