Chapter 75: Order Of Power (1/2)

A stain of blood began spreading through the ree the spear of twisted vines aiht for h to break out ofbefore me I almost died This sensation felt different from the other near-death experiences I had had It was almost instantaneous; I could've died in that split second, and it would've been because of Tess, no less

I kneori down my cheek

I al in my mind Grandpa Virion's hands were literally on the cocoon, but as soon as I got near her, a flurry of spear-like vines automatically locked onto me for the kill? I knew that, deep down, Tess was still mad at me

I parried the next dark, spear-like tendril before things becaan expanding as an uncountable nuround beneath her

"Kuu!" 'Papa, you're okay!' I heard Sylvie chirp near Gramps

Grandpa Virion's shoulders loosened as he let out a sigh of relief "I thought you al now?"

"Yeah, that was… a little too close for co now, Grahter doesn't likehim chuckle despite the situation ere in

After another thick layer of vines intertwined around the existing ones that for theain, shoot at me Just me

"Kuu…" 'What do we do?'

Sylvie, as perched next to Grandpa, tilted her head in confusion, since the 'enemy' was her 'mama'

I want you to stay with Grandpa Virion She's only ai the discharge of tendrils, I positioned myself away from Gramps and Sylvie Gra the dark aura for alht while Sylvie was better off not interfering until I knew exactly what the implications would be

What'smore creative in her attacks; her next wave of tendrils were even laced with sharp thorns The more I avoided the spears of vines, theto kill onlyto an alree

Could it be that the elderwood guardian's dying as hoping to gain redemption froeon? If that really happened to be the case, I hoped I lived long enough to find out

Frustrated, I withdrewelse came out with it

While Dawn's Ballad appeared pro towards the cocoon

It was the orb that that hoiven me!

The clear orb, about the size of a marble, sparkled with an array of colors as it bolted towards the enlarging cocoon

What the hell?

Grandpa Virion noticed it too but he only gazed atthat I had done it intentionally

Streaks of light escaped from the crevices in between the vines as the orb sunk into the cocoon

Before we even had the chance to wonder as going on, an explosion occurred fro, naked, black-haired Tess

As the orb sunk into her stomach where her mana core was, Tess' sickly complexion went back to normal… no, beyond normal Her noless pearl skin seemed to literally radiate as her black hair turned back into its original gunmetal silver hue

Her physical appearance wasn't the only thing that changed As the orb disappeared completely inside her abdomen, Tess' unconscious body was completely covered in an aura I had never seen before—distinctly different from the usual mana existent in the at her was a scorching flareen, leaf-shaped embers made up this unique aura As the emerald aura expanded, the once-black vines turned a serene jade green Even as theaura drew nearer, for some reason, I didn't fear it Before it reached any of us, the aura shrunk back and dissipated

As Tess' figure fell, I jumped up and took out the coat I used while I was an adventurer, swiftly wrapping it around her bare body as I held her inrooone, and more importantly, Tess was safe

"Mmm…not now, Arthur Too soon," Tess mumbled as her face revealed a coquettish smile

…She was most definitely safe

"Pfft! Hahahaha!" Relief washi+ng over hed full-heartedly at Tess' sleep talk and just at the fact that she was okay

"TESSIA!" Grandpa Virion ca white hair

"She's okay, Gra now" I set her down and fell onto th I had left, left anTess before they heaved a sigh of relief as well

"…She is okay" Gramps slumped down next to me while Sylvie curled up next to Tess For a brief mo grounds, too tired to even think

"…"

"So did you get a good eyeful?" Turning roide that I was rather surprised his lips didn't tear