The Crimson Magister Chapter 147: V4-C6: Cancerous Growth

Read chapter 147 of The Crimson Magister by Okram on NovelPedia.

The forest below them was serene, yet unnerving. A vague sense of rot climbed toward them, yet the tree did not show the sign of decay. It was much like a tooth that seemed fine on the surface, yet its depth was already consumed by the rot. Aqua glanced at Poludnitza, who carefully scanned the tree. Only some leaves were rotted and dripped dark liquid, yet it was only a symptom of a greater disease. This tree is on the verge of death. Aqua crossed her arms. “Poludnitza,” Aqua said softly. “When was the most recent rot surge?” The fiery Vila hummed. “Just yesterday, we had to push back the spread of dark pools. Worst of all, we were attacked by a faceless.” Faceless? Does she mean the soldiers of the beast? This is bad. A shiver ran down her spine. If worst came to worst, it would force her to burn the world tree. “Champion, behind the tree, there is a large tumorous growth. It is the reason the rot keeps getting stronger every time we push it back,” She said. ”If you can deal with it, I will be grateful, it is also likely reason we are unable to commune with the Mother.” Aqua nodded. “I will take a look and destroy it.” “Good, let me show it to you. Follow me,” She commanded, and the trio quickly circled around the tree. Over the tree’s bark and roots, a twilight cancer spread. It pulsed and squirmed, yet a small blue pulse pushed it back. Despite its weakness, the tree resisted with all its might. Her eyes glowed, the tree itself had a soft glow around it, despite the darkness that gripped it’s very essence. It was as if it were a part of the world's soul itself, yet if it were an extension of the world's soul, it would be difficult to safely cleanse. She turned to the Vila queen. “Lady Poludnitza, is it fair to assume that the tree is directly connected to Valerie?” Both Vilas looked at each other and nodded. “You would be correct.” Aqua hummed. There was a way to safely remove the cancer, but the black flame would cause great pain to Valerie. I will need to soothe the tree. “You two remain here, I will land. I don’t want you to risk corruption.” Poludnitza chuckled. “You are as full of yourself as the empress was. Sure, Katarina and I will remain here and observe.” Aqua smiled and quickly landed in front of the massive pulsating tumor. Her eyes narrowed, and she pressed her hand onto it. The cancerous flesh was soft to the touch, yet its texture was like jelly. After a moment of deliberation, she pulled back her hand and rubbed her fingers together. This is not normal rot. The sticky residue was not typical rot, instead, it was twilight rot mixed with the aether of the world soul, which meant that the cancer that now infected the world tree started to assimilate the soul itself. It had to be cut out at once, or Valerie and, in extension, her new home would have been rendered lifeless husks. “I will not abide this,” she muttered, a black flame enveloping her hand. The cancer seemed to spasm and retreat the moment she conjured the black flame. “You are afraid, huh? Of course, even a cancer fears destruction,” She said while bringing her hand closer, making the cancer pulse rapidly. Her eyes wandered to the duo of Vilas, who observed her from the sky. The black flame would definitely scare them, yet Aqua had no luxury to not use her greatest weapon. Aqua exhaled, yet just as the black fire was about to consume the cancer, four spindly monstrosities rose from the ground in an attempt to defend the twilight rot. Their tentacles crashed into her [Temporal Barrier]. “So the rot is in this stage already,” She said, sighing. “I suppose it's fortunate that behemoths aren’t appearing yet.” She swiped with her finger, and the black flame consumed the faceless monstrosities, their shrieks falling onto deaf ears, Aqua then turned toward the tumor. She opened her palm and closed her eyes. Her senses traced the corruption. A large chunk of the tree and the rootway were assimilated and corrupted. What was worse, the corruption reached deep