The Spirithief Bartholos never thought that Castorice, the 'Undertaker' who was always polite to everyone in Okhema, could now emit such powerful killing intent.
It felt like it could go see Thanatos at any moment.
If I had known, I wouldn't have accepted that woman Aglaea's commission. Ended up not earning any money, getting beaten up by Cipher, and now facing mortal danger after seeing Castorice. How did my life become so miserable?
Bartlus thought to itself.
"That, that woman Cipher is very shrewd. The moment she saw me, she immediately guessed I'd been bought by you. This, it's really not my fault!" Spirithief Bartholos shouted loudly at Castorice.
"Little Castorice..." Trianne looked worriedly at Castorice.
She wasn't worried about Bartlus's life or death, but concerned that if Castorice really acted, her personality would truly begin to darken.
Trianne didn't want to see Castorice like this.
"Lady Trianne, I understand." Castorice silently lowered her head. She then looked up at Bartlus, "You may leave. If you have any news of Cipher later, please inform me promptly, thank you."
"Mm-hmm..." Bartlus nodded repeatedly, then disappeared without looking back.
Watching it leave, Castorice said to Trianne, "Lady Trianne, I want to search here for a while longer."
"Little Castorice, I'll accompany you."
Trianne and Castorice searched the area together. Soon, they found the crumbs left behind from Derick and Cipher eating pies.
Smelling the lingering aroma of food, Castorice felt slightly relieved.
Cipher hadn't mistreated her hostage; Derick had at least eaten something acceptable.
It was just that finding Derick next... the trail ended here.
...
Nocking an arrow, Derick shot at a Condemnation Gladiator. After hitting its head, Derick quickly retreated.
Once he reached a safe area, Derick shook his head with a 'regretful' expression, "Unfortunately, my strength isn't enough, otherwise that last arrow could have blown the Condemnation Gladiator's head off."
This was merely the strength he had displayed before. If he used his full power now, the Condemnation Gladiator's head would likely be blasted into nothingness.
Endure for a while longer.
Derick thought to himself.
Cipher yawned and stretched like a cat. Then, she produced a huge package from somewhere.
"We've been at it for so long today, do you still want to continue training?"
Derick thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"No more training, my arm muscles are already sore. Continuing might cause more harm to my body."
This was, of course, also an act. He wanted time to train his avatar and also execute his plan to inform Castorice of their location.
Whatever happens, hurry up and come rescue me.
"Fine, then let's start resting." Cipher produced a tent and two sleeping bags from somewhere. Both the sleeping bags and the tent were adorned with cat patterns.
Setting up the tent, Cipher carried the two sleeping bags inside.
Cipher casually came out and pulled Derick's hand into the tent. Once inside, Cipher said to Derick, "One sleeping bag each. The temperature difference between day and night in Castrum Kremnos is significant; remember to stay warm when you sleep at night."
Derick followed Cipher's instructions and lay down in the sleeping bag. The inside was filled with plush material, like lying amongst a group of cats.
"How does it feel, Derick? Comfortable, right?" Cipher looked sideways at Derick, smugly. "I specially made this; you're the first person besides me to sleep in here."
"It is indeed very comfortable," Derick admitted with a nod.
"Then let's sleep early."
Cipher closed her eyes and began to sleep.
This was the first beautiful girl besides Castorice that Derick had slept in the same enclosed room with. Derick glanced at Cipher, finding she had already fallen asleep.
She slept curled up, naturally showing her fear.
She had always been unwilling to bear the responsibility of a demigod, though Cipher knew that day would come eventually, just not yet.
Cipher still wanted to live, so she had to obstruct the Flamechase Journey.
...
Seeing Cipher sound asleep, Derick then entered his sleeping bag and began controlling his avatar.
Now that he had new abilities, he naturally had to try them out.
Sensing the position, Derick found that he and his avatar weren't too far apart now. If the avatar moved at full speed, it could reach him in a few hours.
Two against Cipher? No, his strength wasn't enough yet.
And take this opportunity to increase his energy reserves.
Let's go, find those Condemnation Hunters of Nikador.
Derick controlled the avatar, using his ability to influence the dozen or so Titan minions.
"Come on, jump off the cliff. The tallest, thinnest Titan minion at the back, don't move yet."
He pointed towards the edge of a high cliff.
These Titan minions didn't hesitate at all, collectively leaping off the cliff.
Soon, a large pile of Titan minion corpses appeared on the ground below. Looking at these corpses, Derick controlled the avatar with a grin and absorbed them all.
However, now that the avatar's strength was much greater, the effect of these Titan minions was greatly reduced.
"I must absorb something stronger. For example, Nikador's avatar." Derick thought.
Facing the Discord Titan directly was still premature. Derick planned to absorb its other avatars first, significantly weakening it while strengthening himself and his avatar.
"It's just hard to find help." Thinking of this, Derick slapped his forehead, "I almost forgot, there's another demigod right here."
Derick decided to divert the trouble, throwing this problem onto Cipher. He believed she would handle it well.
"You kidnapped me, I'll definitely use you, and benefit myself in the process."
He thought.
Once he absorbed enough avatars, he could accumulate the strength to confront the Discord Titan.
At the same time, he glanced at the Condemnation Hunter still standing aside.
"Come, I need you to help me deliver this information..."
The Condemnation Hunter nodded, then prepared to move.
"Others probably wouldn't imagine I'm using these to pass on the message that I'm trapped, just to reassure Castorice."
Derick thought.
Against Cipher, he and his avatar wouldn't dare act alone. He had to wait for Castorice and Tribbie to arrive; they needed to join forces.
The Condemnation Hunter immediately agreed upon hearing this, took the letter, left Castrum Kremnos, and headed towards where Castorice and Tribbie were.
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