Pythia remained focused on the distant ruins.
"...My Lord is collecting the mana cores of the creatures."
Ryke frowned.
"...The cores?"
Pythia nodded.
"...To obtain them, the creatures must be killed."
She paused.
"...But what happens once my Lord has obtained everything he needs?"
Ryke slowly understood.
Pythia continued.
"...That's right."
"...There will no longer be any reason for him to continue killing them."
She glanced toward the Rift.
"...But the Rift is still open."
"...So the creatures will continue emerging."
Ryke nodded slowly.
"...I guess that makes sense."
Kaelira looked toward the ruins.
"...If Master has already gotten what he wants..."
"...then he should be coming out soon, right?"
Pythia nodded.
"...Yes."
"...My Lord should be leaving the ruins."
She paused.
"...Or not."
Ryke blinked.
"...Huh?"
Pythia continued.
"...My Lord's goal is to gather enough mana to create his mana pool."
"...He may have decided that remaining inside the ruins is more efficient than coming outside."
Ryke's expression suddenly changed.
"...Wait."
Everyone looked at him.
Ryke stared at Pythia.
"...Did you just say he's going to create a mana pool?"
Kaelira blinked.
"...Yeah."
She glanced toward Pythia.
Pythia nodded.
Kaelira looked back at Ryke.
"...That's what she said."
Ryke stared at both of them.
"...No."
"...I heard you."
His expression became increasingly incredulous.
"...But what the hell?"
"...That sounds completely unreal."
He pointed toward the ruins.
"...I've never heard of anything like that."
"...Seriously."
He looked between them.
"...You two actually believe someone can create a mana pool?"
Silence.
Ryke frowned.
"...Be serious with me here."
A brief silence followed.
Kaelira finally shrugged.
"...No."
Ryke blinked.
"...What?"
Kaelira calmly repeated.
"...Not really."
Ryke looked toward Pythia.
She nodded.
"...Yes."
"...It is something considered impossible."
Ryke released a long breath.
"...Thank goodness."
He placed a hand against his chest.
"...I thought I was the crazy one for a moment."
He relaxed slightly.
"...At least you two understand how ridiculous that sounds."
Pythia calmly looked at him.
"...However."
Ryke froze.
"...What?"
Pythia's expression remained completely serious.
"...My Lord can accomplish it."
Ryke's face twitched.
"...What?"
Pythia continued.
"...What others consider impossible..."
"...does not apply to my Lord."
"...If the path to creating a mana pool is considered impossible..."
Her eyes narrowed.
"...Then he will simply accomplish the impossible."
Ryke stared at her.
"..."
Pythia continued without hesitation.
"...My Lord has already done things that should not be possible."
"...This will be no different."
Ryke slowly lowered his head.
*...Damn it.*
*She's crazy.*
*Completely crazy.*
He glanced at Kaelira.
*...And apparently, so is she.*
Kaelira simply continued staring toward the ruins.
Ryke sighed.
"...Fine."
"...I'll stop asking."
He looked toward the battlefield again.
*...At this point, I don't even know what I'm supposed to believe anymore.*
Ryke looked between the two girls.
"...So what's the plan?"
Pythia's gaze shifted toward Kaelira.
"...My Lord's belongings."
Kaelira blinked.
"...Huh?"
Pythia calmly continued.
"...For our next step, we'll need to use my Lord's communication artifact."
"...We'll need to contact Lady Vaelith and Lady Lyriana."
Kaelira glanced down at the belongings she was still carrying.
"...Oh."
She nodded.
"...Alright."
---
Inside the ruins—
Draven finally consumed the last core.
The moment the remaining mana entered his body—
his veins bulged violently.
**THUMP!**
Blood burst from beneath his skin.
His entire body trembled.
Draven dropped onto his knees.
A rough groan escaped his throat.
"...Ghhh..."
Aldric watched silently.
His eyes remained fixed on the trembling figure.
*...I don't know why I thought the idea of him creating a mana pool made any sense.*
*Maybe it's because he's of royal blood.*
*Though I still doubt he can actually create one.*
*But I can't completely dismiss the possibility either.*
His gaze remained on Draven.
*...He's already managed to absorb and use mana in a way that would kill anyone else ten times over.*
*So part of me believes it might actually be possible.*
Aldric folded his arms.
"...Just don't die."
He sighed.
"...It'll be a pain in the ass if you do."
Draven remained on the floor.
Aldric continued.
"...Alright?"
Draven slowly raised his head.
His entire body was covered in Abyssal mana.
His breathing was rough.
Yet his eyes remained focused.
Aldric watched him carefully.
Draven finally spoke.
"...I'm going to begin."
His voice was hoarse.
"...Make sure I'm not disturbed."
Silence.
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
"...Is that an order?"
Draven didn't answer.
Aldric sighed.
"...Huh."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"...I'll reluctantly obey."
His expression became serious.
"...So you'd better get it done quickly."
"...Like I said..."
"...It'll be a pain in the ass if you die."
Aldric paused.
"...You've got two little ones waiting for you."
"...You don't want to leave your siblings alone, do you?"
Draven remained on the floor.
His fingers slowly curled against the stone.
*...I don't plan on dying.*
His crimson eyes hardened.
*...No way in hell.*