Infinite Skill Devourer
Chapter 63: Revenge Or Forgiveness V

Chapter 63: Revenge Or Forgiveness V

Ryuen stepped out of the window of Jun’s bedroom and onto the palace rooftop.

The cool, familiar air brushed against his face as his hazel eyes scanned the army as they mobilized.

He could see fireballs floating in the air, conjured by most of the mages—specifically the fire elemental ones.

They were clad in silver armor, matching the swords that most carried.

Among them, Ryuen caught a glimpse of familiar faces—his students, Kenta and Yuta—positioned at the frontlines.

Unaware of his presence.

Yurei melted into the palace walls, her form blending perfectly with the shadows of the palace.

Shadow tendrils she had summoned slithered through the halls, rooms, and dungeons, searching for Akari.

At the base of the palace, Daiki stood, his massive blade resting on his shoulder.

A grin spread across his lips as he cracked his neck, already warming up for another attack.

For two to three years, Daiki had been lost in a dungeon in the north—one of the largest, stretching as far as the north to the west and back.

He had managed to survive by battling beasts and eating them. So much so that when he stayed idle for too long, it felt unnatural to him.

And yet, at the same time, he loved doing nothing.

In a sentence, he was a lazy hardworking man.

An opportunity like this was rare, and there was no way he would let it pass him by.

He glanced back at Ryuen, who gave him a small nod, then shifted his attention to the approaching army and to Yuki, who stood atop one of the oak trees.

She held a sword—one she had forged using her abilities. Mist escaped from the blade, and as the seconds passed, frost coated its edges, only to vanish moments later.

Over and over.

He exhaled and tightened his grip on his sword.

"Well then," he muttered, his tone filled with anticipation and excitement—though silent, like that of a child eager to play.

"Let’s get this over with."

He gave Yuki a nod as well—one she understood immediately.

She raised her free hand, her fingertips glowing faintly.

Suddenly, a translucent ice dome formed around the palace, frost lacing the thick walls of ice.

The army, sensing the surge of power, instantly turned their heads toward where Yuki stood.

She only smiled.

"Hello, Elves. It’s been a while."

Aika frowned from where she stood but did not turn around to face Yuki, knowing that doing so would be a mistake.

There was a fifty-percent chance that Yuki was here for revenge—or that she had been sent.

Why?

The Spirit of Snow was known to roam where there was endless snow. It was the source of her power, fueling and enhancing her abilities.

Mirath, on the other hand, was closer to the sun, while the north—where Yuki’s strength was at its peak—was distant and cold, likely untouched by sunlight.

To find a place of true cold near Mirath would take miles and miles of travel.

Aika scoffed, tightening her grip on her sword before pointing it at the strange man standing in front of the palace.

"Split up!"

She ordered, causing the soldiers to shift their attention to her, though their guard remained high.

"Go for the Snow Woman! We’ll face this man and check if anyone has infiltrated the palace!"

The army hummed in unison before splitting into two forces—one group veering toward Yuki, the other advancing on Daiki.

Erina and Aika led the charge against Daiki, with Yuta positioned behind them as support.

They had discovered his abilities and, through threats, forced him into their ranks. He had no choice but to comply—to ensure the safety of his friends.

Except for Haruka.

She had severed ties with him, unable to forgive the cold shoulder he had given her upon his return.

But could he be blamed?

He had watched his teacher get stabbed and left bleeding in a dungeon filled with untold horrors. And when he finally confronted Haruka, she had told him that Ryuen deserved what happened to him.

That was the moment his anger got the best of him.

His abilities lashed out, causing her pain. Aika had witnessed it and alerted the others.

Kenta had been relieved, when he was told. Akari, on the other hand, was anxious.

She wondered if they do to Yuta what they had done to Ryuen? Since he had abilities and all.

Ryuen had been executed simply because his abilities were deemed a threat.

And truthfully, they were.

"Hey, Elves, tell me—how does it feel to see another human capable of destroying your entire city with a single move?"

Daiki’s voice carried across the battlefield just as Aika raised her hand, ready to give the order to attack.

His words made her hesitate. Her brow furrowed in confusion before her expression twisted into a frown.

A smirk tugged at Daiki’s lips.

"Humans terrify you that much, huh? Is that why you killed one of our own?"

"You have no right to interfere in the affairs of this city, mortal," Aika spat, her voice laced with anger. His words had struck a nerve, dragging her back to the sins of her past.

Daiki simply chuckled and lowered his sword from his shoulder.

"Magic-wielding Elves, afraid of mere mortals with nothing but survival instincts and intuition," he mused, his voice just loud enough for Aika to hear.

Her lips parted—ready to retort—but Erina’s hand on her shoulder stopped her.

Without hesitation, Erina stepped forward.

She held a dagger in one hand, dressed in her usual style.

But instead of the split skirts that typically hung around her waist, she now wore oversized trousers.

They draped loosely around her curves, cinched at the ankles.

She was barefoot.

A choice made for the sake of stamina control and speed.

"Tell me, if you don’t mind—what’s your purpose here?"

Her voice was calm as she approached Daiki, undeterred by his weapon or his towering presence. She did not raise her guard.

Days spent with Ryuen had taught her that humans did not attack unless provoked.

And Daiki?

He was not provoked.

He stood there, his presence steady, his aura unreadable. Perhaps she was overthinking things, but something about him didn’t feel dangerous.

No, if anything, he was calm.

Far calmer than Ryuen would have been in a situation like this.

And for some reason, she liked that.

Mostly because it reminded her of Ryuen.