Chapter 203: Vael’zhur’s Retreat And Threat

Looking at Aureleah’s somewhat accusatory gaze, Aelric didn’t immediately reply to her question. Rather, he lifted a brow as though trying to understand how she could possibly doubt the answer after everything he had just explained.

After that, he simply shook his head before letting out another weary sigh as he turned towards the Black Stalker.

"Do you see this, Vael’zhur?" Aelric started in a tone that suggested he was speaking to a particularly stubborn child who refused to understand something painfully obvious. "As you can see, none of them wants you to take him back. Therefore, I would advise you to back down and report the failure of your mission to Lord Penemue."

Although it seemed as though Aelric was merely trying to use their words and attitude as an excuse to deter the Black Stalker, in actuality, their defiance and resolve were a reflection of his own convictions.

Even if none of them opposed it, he still wouldn’t hand over Regaleon to Vael’zhur. After all, if he were to do such a thing, then where would his face, and more importantly, the dignity of the Sanctuary, be?

It would make him appear as though he had demeaned himself before another race on his own territory; something his pride as a human and as an Etheryean simply wouldn’t and couldn’t accept.

Hearing Aelric’s words, Vael’zhur didn’t react at first. However, the slight narrowing of its gleaming, slitted eyes was enough to tell the others that it wasn’t satisfied with the arrangement.

Aelric, however, didn’t give the Black Stalker time to retort or refute his words before continuing. "You see, Vael’zhur, I don’t think there’s anything hard about that, is there?"

He smiled faintly. "All you have to do is go back to your lord. You don’t have to necessarily lie to him. You could just tell him that Regaleon, the person he sent you after, was torn apart by an Anima."

Aelric shrugged before adding.

"And if that one seems unacceptable to you, then you could say that the Sanctuary had already taken notice of him, so it was quite difficult for you to kill him."

His green eyes remained remarkably sincere.

"Besides, I assure you that if you turn back now, then the Sanctuary wouldn’t hold your trespass against you."

Aelric’s green gaze was sincere and genuine, and if one didn’t know better, they might have thought the green-eyed youth was actually advising Vael’zhur out of the goodness of his heart.

However, those who listened closely were able to discern the subtle nuances in his words. If anything, there was even a subtle threat disguised as concern and advice, especially when the mentioned the Sanctuary.

It was almost as though Aelric were politely reminding Vael’zhur that although the Sanctuary hadn’t intervened yet, it was still very much aware of what was happening within its territory.

"So what do you say, old friend?" Aelric implored with a wide grin on his face. "Would you do it for me?"

His grin remained. "Or would you rather we scatter everything and clash? Your choice."

It seemed like Aelric no longer bothered concealing his impatience with that last question and his magnanimity in giving Vael’zhur an option.

Since the beginning of the conversation, Aelric had been trying to avoid clashing with the Black Stalker.

However, with the passing of time and the unrelenting disposition of Vael’zhur, he had no choice but to pose such a dilemma.

After all, too much talking without any action could eventually become draining, and there came a point when words ceased to resolve a problem and merely prolonged its inevitability.

After Aelric gave his ultimatum, the group once more resumed their standoff. They watched the Black Stalker closely, trying to determine its next course of action...

Regaleon was already poised to attack in case Vael’zhur decided to take the more violent option.

His grip around his Halberd tightened, the muscles beneath his skin drawn taut and brimming with explosive power.

It was almost as though he was anticipating the slightest twitch that could precede a killing blow.

And he wasn’t the only one...

Aureleah had also subtly shifted Sylveris behind her.

The young girl had been a passive participant in the conversation so far, merely observing and listening without contributing. However, the moment Aelric’s words were spoken, Aureleah had already placed her body before her sister.

Her grip around her twin Daggers tightened until her knuckles turned pale, the blades held low and close to her body in a posture that allowed her to strike without warning.

Her silver eyes gleamed with a cold glint as she stared at the Black Stalker. Like a mantis poised to strike, all that was needed was one sudden movement and then Aureleah would lunge with her Daggers without a second thought...

Valmyr had also subtly shifted his Great Shield before him.

His tan physique gleamed like a polished statue beneath the crimson light of the red fog surrounding them, and the veins running beneath his skin were visibly rippling with restrained power.

His grip around the hilt of his Broadsword was tight as he rested the Soul Essence upon his shoulder, his eyes never blinking as he stared hard at the Black Stalker.

Even Vaelorin was already subtly channeling Fiery Aether into his Staff.

Obviously, he also wasn’t about to take any chances and was preparing himself for any sudden attack.

In a nutshell, the situation had rapidly escalated into a whirlpool of hostility and anticipation, and it would only take a single spark—a sudden movement from the Black Stalker—for chaos to ignite.

The atmosphere was charged with tension and trepidation as the group waited warily for the Black Stalker’s response.

Only Aelric still maintained his laid-back and casual demeanor. However, the narrowed glint in his eyes told a different story...

Finally, after several moments of intense standoff and strained silence, the Black Stalker suddenly moved.

Several bodies tensed simultaneously.

Yet Vael’zhur merely shifted its green eyes across the group, its gaze lingering on Regaleon for a few moments before settling upon Aelric.

It then spoke in that same guttural language.

"Aelrîc, î can sëe that ȝou are determined tø prøteçt thîs defîler, just as î am also determined tø kîll hîm. Høwever, î wøuld cønsîder ȝour wørds and retreat føŕ tøday. But beføre î gå, î want ȝou tø knøw that ît îsn’t every tîme ȝou wîll be able tø prøteçt hîm. The next tîme î cøme føŕ hîm, î wøn’t ønly take hîs head. î wîll take all øf theîr heads as well."

The group thought it was saying some threatening statements to Aelric and would possibly attack the next second but to their surprise, the Black Stalker merely turned towards them once more.

Before they could say Jack Robinson, it disappeared into a flash of black smoke.

The only evidence of its presence that remained were a few wisps of black fumes, which immediately evaporated into the crimson atmosphere after its disappearance.

For several seconds, nobody moved or spoke and the silence that followed was almost surreal. Then, the tension finally broke.

The moment Vael’zhur vanished, it suddenly felt as though a massive burden had been lifted from their chests.

Relief washed over the members of the group so forcefully that some of them nearly collapsed to the ground.

"Well, that was intense." Vaelorin commented as he lowered his Staff, letting out a deep exhale.

"Yes, it was." This time, it was Caelestra who spoke.

Even the failed Merchant couldn’t deny that the circumstances they had just experienced were enough to make her heart palpitate with anxiety and trepidation.

Honestly, the group hadn’t been nearly as bold as they had appeared.

The only reason they had chosen to stand up to the Black Stalker was because of Regaleon.

And perhaps because they had believed that fighting it together might at least improve their odds of surviving.

Now that the threat was gone, however, the reality of what they had just done was beginning to settle in.

And despite all their bravado, none of them had truly known whether they would survive if that confrontation had turned violent.

They had to admit that they finally understood why both Veyrath and Vaelorin had reacted the way they did initially.

Simply standing there while posturing and speaking had made the Black Stalker feel like some insurmountable monolith that couldn’t be overcome no matter how much they tried.

In fact, it was Aelric’s presence and composure that helped to embolden them enough to withstand the pressure.

Without him, there was little doubt that their resolve would have crumbled much sooner.

Meanwhile, Regaleon didn’t feel relieved like the rest of them. The moment he confirmed that the nefarious assassin had actually vanished from his perception, he turned towards Aelric.

"Aelric, is that it?" His brows furrowed. "Like, did he say anything or make any threatening remark before he left?"

The Black Stalker had been annoyingly persistent and unrelenting, so there was no way Regaleon believed that it would simply leave just like that.

After all, unlike the others, he truly understood the horror that was Vael’zhur.

Aelric turned towards Regaleon and gave him a small smile. "You don’t have to worry about it any longer. It would return to the person that sent it."

Aelric’s reassuring words hadn’t even settled before Aureleah asked. "Is that what it said, or is it something that you’re saying to put our minds at ease?"

Hearing her question, Aelric turned towards her before muttering softly.

"Ever the perceptive one, aren’t you?"

He sighed before answering truthfully. "Actually, it didn’t promise to leave you alone."

"So it would be back?" This time, it was Sylveris who asked.

The little girl’s silver eyes were a manifestation of worry, fear, and apprehension. Obviously, the encounter had frightened her more than she could admit.

Aelric looked at her briefly before responding with brutal honesty. "Yes, it would."

Sylveris’ expression paled slightly.

"However, there is a reason I said you shouldn’t worry." Aelric’s expression softened.

"This is because by tomorrow morning, we would finally begin our journey to the Sanctuary."

He glanced towards the direction in which Vael’zhur had disappeared.

"And there’s no way he could touch you then."

Hearing Aelric’s words, surprise and a wave of excitement spread through a portion of the group.

The Sanctuary. They had heard so much about it, yet until now, it had remained a distant place mentioned only in passing.

For the first time, however, they were actually going there. But before anyone could say anything, a sudden shout suddenly garnered their attention...