Crimson Servant

Chapter 43 Deterioration
  The two tree spirits rushed towards the paladin. They swayed like drunkards, but their movements were not slow at all. Their claws, like gold and iron, formed an encirclement in front of Karl. Every time they hit the shield, they made a thud. sound.

As soon as the other two dryads approached Jurgen, the dwarf's eyes widened, and the withered aura rolled up a small whirlwind around him. The tree spirit cowered a little in the face of the power of necromancy, which was like a natural enemy. Jurgen seized the opportunity, leaped into a cheetah, walked through the gap, and walked towards the old Saiman.

The human druid Saiman's smile gradually turned cold. He waved to stop the returning tree spirits and sent them to suppress the paladin. Facing the approaching cheetah, Saiman raised his oak stick and stood proudly like a challenger.

"Master!" Chuck came to Saiman's side, holding an animal tooth dagger tightly in his right hand, staring at the incoming beast.

"Chuck, go deal with the others. This is a matter between two old men."

Chuck did not agree with this decision, but he understood how proud and stubborn the old man around him was, and he was even more aware of the consequences of disobeying him. Chuck bowed and retreated, searching for the hidden ranger's whereabouts, secretly praying that his teacher was okay. Saiman is too old, and aging has left its mark on his body like vicious thorns.

Karl, who was being besieged by four dryads, breathed a sigh of relief. The young druid he admitted to his mistake did not come to deal with him, otherwise he would not have the face to face it, let alone resist the attack of the dryads under that kind of psychological pressure.

Jurgen released his transformation in front of Saiman. The dwarf with a stiff face stood in front of his student, lifting the oak stick like him and assuming the same posture. They spent many years together in this way, starting their druidic practice in the cool morning mist before the first birds chirped at dawn every day. They had such a tacit understanding that no words were needed, they waved their sticks and beat each other to the same drumbeat.

Everything familiar made Jurgen feel dazed, and his movements slowed down unconsciously. He understood Saiman's old problem. His children would not cast those unnecessary spells as long as they picked up sticks for close combat. He trusted himself. His body is better than his magic.

The next time the sticks are separated, that's his flaw. Jurgen's left hand was secretly releasing its force, and the ready-to-go whip of thorns was already aimed at Saiman's side waist.

Just as he expected, Jurgen seized the opportunity, and with the help of the reaction, the dwarf twisted his waist and swung the sweeping whip of thorns at the old man.

The whip was empty.

Saiman had expected this. He jumped into the air and turned into a wild-maned lion. He dodged the whip and hit Jurgen on the head with his thick claws.

The dwarf was half-kneeling on the ground after taking the head-on blow. When he raised his head tremblingly, he happened to see Saiman, who was rubbing the ice slag in his palms, return to his human form.

"A little more durable than I thought. Where did you get this? Jurgen."

"That moment, my life will be lost. Even if there is no undead potion..."

Saiman spat out blood in disdain.

"If you were ten years younger, I would slap your head in. Aging is such a scary thing."

Jurgen looked at the old guy in front of him, and he made a hollow haha ​​sound, as if he was playing a game.

"Saiman, you have become so powerful. In the past, you would have been defeated at that moment."

Every word Jurgen said brought a look of disgust to Saiman's wrinkled face, as if he was hearing vicious abuse in his ears. The magic aura shone on Saiman's staff, and at his feet, the roots of the mother tree sprouted branches.

"You always dwell on the past, Jurgen, and waste time telling your silly jokes. Do you know how jealous I am of you? If I had everything you have, I would do better than you! Better!" "

"Come on, father! See how I have changed after being expelled from time, and see who is the real Druid."

"I will defeat you as easily as I would a weak rabbit."

Saiman's murderous intention blew in front of the dwarf like a biting cold wind. Jurgen was very grateful that the undead body alleviated his sorrow. He cheered up faster and answered more sonorously.

"Then let's see, Saiman. I'm definitely much tougher than the rabbit." The two people who transformed into beasts stood together. They responded to each other more with roars than words. As Saiman said, his ability He has completely surpassed Jurgen. Even though aging has weakened his strength, he completely has the upper hand in front of the undead dwarves.

"Why are you stopping me! You know that my time is about to run out!" The falling claws tore at Bingshuang's body mercilessly.

"I need a future! Only by living can I have a future!"

"Are you going to kill me with your own hands! You old man!"

Jurgen's parry was difficult. He spoke tenaciously under Saiman's violent attack, even if it cost him a few more claws to tear him apart.

"My, Saiman. Crimson will not save you, child. He is, evil."

"No, you have never understood what a magnificent power it is! The Beloved, that beautiful and powerful existence, is my destination! There is no right or wrong, I just need to be reborn!"

"Druid, you shouldn't abandon it. It's natural and balanced. Where there's life, there's death." Jurgen seized the opportunity and wrapped his roots around Saiman's thigh. Before he could transform and break free, he sacrificed his life and hit him without hesitation. Saiman was hit hard, his back hit the wooden wall, his lips were stained red with his own blood, and his face was hideous.

That blow cost him half his life. When Saiman used his cane to support his body, his legs trembled unconsciously and his ricket spine was bent as if it had been broken.

Saiman finally came over. He feebly raised the position of his cane so that the bright red gem at the top was level with his chest. He placed his left hand on the gem and recited a spell that was unfamiliar to Jurgen.

The whole forest began to riot.

Jurgen, who felt bad, hadn't gotten close yet. The growing roots formed a solid wall between the two of them, and the blood-colored light on the gem became even brighter.

"The warm-up is over. This body is really terrible. I almost got killed by you, Jurgen."

"Fortunately, the time has come, and the corruption of the tree mother has been completed. If I do it again, my father, I will be an enemy of the wrong nature in your mouth."

The rampaging roots turned into tentacles and swarmed towards Jurgen, and the slender ones acted as piercing swords. Fortunately, the corrupted tree mother was still suppressed by the withered aura, allowing the dwarf to persist longer.

"How is it possible? We have obviously killed the cultists who were offering sacrifices." After Saiman released the light of the ruby, the violent tree spirit greatly increased Karl's pressure. He glanced at the cultists' ritual formation with his peripheral vision. The four The fallen body was already cold.

But the crimson roots have been soaked in red, and most of the tree mother's flower buds have been silently corrupted.

Saiman stood behind the wall and let out his ugly laugh.

"This is also the reason why I like Crimson. Death does not seem to be the end for Him."

The deaths of cultists did not interrupt the ritual; their deaths increased the number of sacrifices and accelerated the process.

The sudden change in the situation made Paladin Carl a little anxious. He couldn't help but start to complain about what the remaining two guys were doing, waiting to collect his body!
  Karl's words seemed to come true.

A blazing fireball struck from above and struck straight towards the Paladin's location.

(End of this chapter)