Supreme Magus

Chapter 4525: Constant Improvement (Part 1)

"Don’t waste your pity on her." Althika snorted. "Baryl was a cheeky, insufferable minx who believed herself better than anyone else. She deserved everything she’s got coming to her."

"Maybe, but her child didn’t." Lith sighed. "Are you sure that’s all of them?"

"I’m sure." She replied. "If Orpal- I mean, Meln got more women after I left, it’s impossible to say. I’m sorry."

"Thanks anyway." Lith nodded.

’The old me would have thought the silver lining is that there’s no more spawn of Meln I have to take care of, but now I know better. There is no silver lining here, just the senseless shedding of innocent blood.’

’We did all we could, Lith.’ Solus gave him a telepathic embrace. ’There is no saving those who don’t want to be saved.’

’I know, but it’s a meager consolation. I wish I could’ve done more.’ Lith returned to the Mansion after checking on Erkin and the Titania.

Althika’s life force had completely recovered after her evolution, and Erkin wasn’t so afraid of strangers anymore. He didn’t recoil from Lith’s mana and welcomed it as he did with his mother’s.

That was the only silver lining in all that misery. After Lith freed the unborn baby from the curse of the Vurdalak and the Life Flames from pain, Erkin’s simple mind quickly forgot it and started to relish his peaceful existence.

"How did it go?" Kamila asked when Lith and Solus walked through the Mansion’s Warp Gate.

"Like usual." Lith shook his head. "There was nothing I could do."

Baba Yaga had preceded him and informed his family about the events so that Lith didn’t have to shoulder that burden on top of what he already carried. Kamila knew the answer to her question, yet she asked anyway to allow Lith to vent.

She waited for him alone to spare him from having to see the pain on his parents’ faces when he recounted the fate of their unborn grandchildren. This way, Lith didn’t have to explain himself or feel judged for his actions.

He was free to answer Kamila’s single question however he wanted, and she never pried further.

"I’m so sorry." Kamila hugged him tightly and didn’t let go of him until he asked her to. "How are you doing, Solus?"

"Like crap." She sniffled, returning Kamila’s hug. "I’m glad I never had to leave my stone ring, but gods if it hurts. Those damn idiots..."

She shook her head, unable to finish the phrase or withstand the memories those words would evoke.

"Can you please let out Mom, Lith? I need a really long hug, and I don’t want to hog Kami to myself until next week."

"Oh, right." Lith conjured his Sigil Demons, and for the first time he hesitated to look Trion in the eyes.

"I’m sorry you had to do that, Little Brother." Trion patted Lith’s back as he walked out of the keep. "I wish I had Dread Flames and could dirty my hands in your place. If you need me for anything, you know where to find me."

The two brothers weren’t close enough to support each other, so Trion preferred to leave that role to those Lith loved and trusted.

"It’s not your fault, My Liege." Locrias said. "Most of the time we wield our blades to protect those who can’t protect themselves, and a few sad times we wield them to do what no one else can or wants to do. It’s part of the job."

"Mom, I..." Solus sobbed, hugging Menadion with all her considerable strength.

"Cry all you want, baby." The First Ruler of the Flames Warped them both to Solus’ room. "Let everything out. You don’t want Ely, Val, and Ral to see you like this, do you?"

"No!" Solus bawled her eyes out.

Meanwhile, in the keep, the silence stretched awkwardly.

"Do you want to go see the babies?" Kamila asked. "I’m sure they’d cheer you up."

"And if they ask me to use the Dragon Scales, I’ll scare them to death, Kami." He sighed. "I’m sorry, but I need a minute."

"Do you want me to leave?" She knew nothing she could say or do would have lessened his burden one bit.

"Please, stay here with me." Lith held her tight, feeling her warmth and listening to her steady heartbeat. "I don’t want to talk, but I can’t bear to be alone."

They remained like that for a while, and without a tear shed, they cried.

***

As Lith cleansed the Vurdalak bloodline from the face of Garlen, Jorl kept himself busy in Verendi. Every time a fragment of Orpal’s consciousness died, he became temporarily weaker, and so did the corrupted life force in the Storm Griffon’s chest.

When that happened, he rushed back to the Black Throne as soon as he could and underwent another stabilization procedure. With each experiment, the cursed tower learned more about Jorl’s condition and adjusted his Body Sculpting spell to better suppress the Vurdalak life force.

The Griffon side also managed to reclaim more flesh with every session, but even on the fourth time it didn’t amount to much.

"Are there more of Orpal’s bastards around?" The Black Throne asked.

"Not that I’m aware of." The Storm Griffon sighed. "The escape of the first batch was a huge blow to his ego, and the liability the runaway women posed convinced him to keep it in his pants.

"Or rather, to always use a birth control spell, but that limited his choice of partners greatly, which was an even bigger blow to his ego."

"Good for him, but not for us." The cursed tower said. "We didn’t salvage even half of the flesh you’ve lost, and if you’re right, we won’t get to perform another recovery treatment."

"What truly matters is that I almost feel no pain and that my Upyr side is under control. Because it is under control, right?" Jorl asked.

"It is, but as long as the Dead King draws breath, you’ll never be safe." The Black Throne replied. "I’m not Verhen. I can’t free you from the madness of the Vurdalak."

"Then we act, and we do it fast." The Storm Griffon nodded. "I’ve already asked my Upyrs to keep their eyes and ears open. If there’s so much as a rumor about Dawn’s current location, we’ll know it."

"I’ve spread my word to my contacts as well. If they find her, they’ll let us know." The cursed tower said.

"Since when do you have contacts?" Jorl asked in surprise.

"Since the beginning of time, apprentice." The Black Throne’s laugh was hoarse and dry. "Cursed objects, mortals who crave my power, and others who believe me an eccentric mage are scattered across Mogar.

"It’s only a matter of time before the Bright Day is in the palm of our hand."

***

A few days of peace and the constant improvement of Erkin’s condition uplifted Lith’s spirit a lot. Spending time with his loved ones and children did the rest.

"I don’t care what people say about Dhiral, I think you’re going to be the next god of healing, Val."

"Thanks, Daddy!" The young boy had no idea what the title meant, but he giggled at the compliment nonetheless.