Endless World: The Rise of Leonard Lawson
Chapter 48: Reversal

Chapter 48: Reversal

As soon as Leonard finished his remarks, the crowd began to realize something was amiss.

The ripples in the seawater became intense once again. However, unlike previously where its target was Astral Gale, their target this time was the lifeboat where the enemy was staying.

Alarmed, the enemy’s body jolted and they hurriedly tried to use wind magic to blow the mana particles away.

Alas, it was a little bit too late.

The disguised mana particles remained stuck to the lifeboat and the nearby seawater.

What made it worse was that the enemy recalled some of the magic particles dropping in their body earlier. They simply didn’t react because of how ridiculous the supposed attack appeared to be.

"When did you gather those dying ether?" The enemy questioned in disbelief.

"They were all flushed out in the open sea. There shouldn’t have been any left in the ship!"

"You’re right, there isn’t any left." Leonard nodded and said regrettably. Had he noticed what the foul stench was back at the vent, then he would have gathered some.

After the brief recollection, he flashed a bittersweet smile. "I must thank the deceased crewmates for the resources. Thanks to your vile action, I was able to scrape off some dying ether from their corpses."

"Hah, and you called me vile?" The enemy laughed loudly at his hypocrite.

Leonard had the nerve to call them vile, but what about him?

He didn’t even spare the corpses and scrape off the dying ether from them!

Unfazed by their laughter, Leonard shook his head and expressed pity for the enemy.

"If they knew their death would be avenged in this manner, then they would be relieved. As for you, I shall watch with my eyes open how the sea monsters you deliberately lure will shred you apart."

"Want me to die alone?" The enemy’s eyes narrowed and they hurriedly maneuvered their lifeboat toward the tilting ship. "I’ll take you down with me!"

With an increased knot speed, the lifeboat seemed ready to crash straight into them.

"Since you’ve recognized me, then there’s no need for me to hide any further." Amidst the intense situation, Mirelle softly spoke, her voice calm but resonant with power.

She lifted her arm, and a faint glow of shimmering light danced along her fingertips.

In the next instant, the air around her thickened. Mana condensed with high density around her that it made the hairs on the nape of one’s neck rise. The ambient light bent unnaturally around her casting hand, warping ever so slightly.

Layers of runic glyphs bloomed like unfolding flowers, circling her wrist and spiraling up her forearm with rapid grace.

With a firm gesture, she thrust her hand forward, and a wall of crystalline force erupted mid-air, snapping into place between the lifeboat and the Astral Gale’s hull.

Seeing the drastic situation, the enemy clicked their tongue and cast their own offensive spell to destroy the crystalline wall.

"I won’t falter now!" They shouted and continued to advance the lifeboat.

WHAM!

The impact of the lifeboat crashing sent a ripple through the barrier, almost like a stone dropped into frozen water, but it held its ground. The lifeboat jolted violently backward, its nose dented slightly, and the enemy inside stumbled with a grunt.

Still standing firm, Mirelle narrowed her eyes. Her long hair fluttered behind her as another wave of magic circled her heels.

"Sorry, but you won’t be passing the line." Mirelle apologized sincerely. She then lifted her other hand and cast again. This time, binding chains of shimmering starlight surged outward like tendrils, anchoring the shield in place and extending down toward the sea’s surface.

The spell resonated with the very currents, twisting the water around the lifeboat into resistance.

It wasn’t enough to capsize it, but it was definitely enough to drag it ever so slightly backward, keeping it trapped within the growing radius of dying ether.

"The Crown Prince cannot be harmed, and you have sinned as well," she said, her voice echoing with mana. "Your fate shall be sealed here, with the very monsters you have summoned."

After the monologue, the Virellian Sea answered her claim.

Below the sea, the monsters grew more frenzied, sensing the resistance and the concentration of tainted ether. Their movements became more rapid, the seawater itself was boiling with agitation as the predators closed in around the lifeboat.

In a matter of seconds, the lifeboat was swarmed by sea monsters, and the enemy began to realize the impending doom.

The dying ether scent thrown earlier by Leonard was like the beacon of light that attracted the sea monsters to her consistently.

As the sea monsters attacked without pause, the enemy’s mana reserve ran low. Soon, the disguise magic was also being canceled, and their manly physiques began to shift.

Their clothes were ripped apart by the jaws of another sea monster, some of their flesh being forcefully torn apart.

"Argh," a woman-like voice groaned, and their true appearance was finally revealed.

Number 13 was stupefied by the enemy being a woman with a fragile physique.

Leonard’s expression remained unchanged. He held no intention of assisting the enemy. So what if their actual gender was a woman? In his eyes, they were simply his enemy.

Only Mirelle appeared visibly shocked as she recognized a symbol engraved on the woman’s left arm which had been exposed.

The symbol depicted that of a small rabbit.

"This woman is from there..." Mirelle muttered, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Astonished, Mirelle quickly launched a spell to attack one of the sea monsters that was about to devour the enemy.

As the sea monsters were pushed off from the lifeboat, the enemy was confused and glanced at Mirelle.

"Did you know what you just did?" Number 13 questioned solemnly at Mirelle upon seeing her action.

"Why did you assist the enemy?"

"She’s from the rabbit tribe of a small village." Mirelle’s complexion turned complicated as she tried to explain the enemy’s origin.

Before Number 13 could respond to that, Leonard’s brows furrowed.

"So if you were to encounter any victims from your past incidents, you would react and behave in such a manner. I won’t blame you, but I also won’t require your assistance any further." He calmly said, essentially declaring that she was fired.