I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Chapter 216: Morgane's Escape

Hours went by as Adam recovered his mana with the help of his trusted cape. Simultaneously, Julius' broken nose and cuts healed under the constant nourishment of his wood Qi.

After five hours, Morgane walked toward them and said, her emotionless voice disturbing the silence, "The circle is complete."

Curious about the result of her work, they accompanied her back and noticed a large and complex drawing on the ground. Ancient symbols related to souls wrapped the circle's circumference as mystic images filled the middle.

'I recognise some of them,' Adam thought, sure he saw them in Kwame's mana-gathering technique. 'Does his technique strengthen the soul or infuse it with mana?' He mused, once again impressed by the man's genius.

As he pondered, Julius' eyes widened. "Wow, you're a much better drawer than big bro!" He exclaimed, admiring the intricacies of her work.

"It's nothing exceptional. Every mage should know how to draw circles." Morgane answered, brushing the compliment off before adding. "I tweaked the symbols a little to make it effective on dullahans only. Try to keep it inside, or the effects will subside."

"We'll try our best." Adam answered before turning to Nova and asked, "Can you protect Morgane during our fight?"

"It'll be hard if we wait before the four kilometers and a half mark," she responded, shaking her head. Evil ghosts ran freely before her area. They didn't dare to come so far only because her shrieks forced the lonesome one's back, and the doppelgängers intervened when they were too many.

Upon hearing her answer, Adam frowned, his mind racing for a second before his eyes lit up. "Can he see her if she flies?" He suddenly asked, causing her to tilt her head in confusion.

"If she is high enough, he shouldn't be able to see her," she replied, tapping her lips pensively before adding, "I would say at ten meters at a minimum."

"Alright. Once you're back, I'll drop her behind him. Take her with you and hide deeper in the canyon," Adam said, planning to sacrifice a bit of mana to ensure the girl's safety.

With a nod, she floated towards the guardian's resting place, praying for their plan's success.

Then, Adam looked at Julius, worry filling his eyes, and asked, "Are you sure you want to engage in that battle? Honestly, I can't guarantee my own safety, much less yours."

"We'll have better chances if we fight together. I may be much weaker than him, but I can at least try to distract him." The boy answered solemnly, unwilling to hide in such a dangerous situation.

With a soft smile, Adam nodded and said, "No matter what happens, don't focus on me and always prioritise your own life."

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After all, they were linked, and he didn't want to learn what would happen to him if the boy died. But truthfully, even if he wouldn't admit it, he worried about the boy's security.

"I promise," Julius responded, his eyes narrowed in focus and his hands itching.

Finally, Adam turned to Morgane. "Don't scream, don't speak, or even breathe loudly, ok?" He said, two mages' hands weaving themselves in an instant under her armpits. Then, he added, "It may be uncomfortable, but bear with it until she comes back."

The taciturn girl nodded in response, her blue eyes subtly trembling as her chest tightened. "Don't lose," she said, trying to convey her emotions. Yet, something blocked her, causing her voice to sound robotic.

"Not planning to," he reassured, smirking confidently before sending the hands eleven meters up.

As she travelled in the air, unbeknownst to Adam, she muttered, "Liar. I can see your soul trembling..."

After three long minutes, she noticed Nova cut through the mist in the distance, followed by the thunderous sound of hooves digging the rocks. Soon, the figure of a mighty black horse, its eyes glowing scarlet red, greeted her eyes.

Riding it, a black armored body, a broadsword glinting death in his right hand. However, the true terror came from his left, carrying his severed head inside a metal helmet. Through the visor, two ominously blazing red lights illuminated the passage.

In a swift movement, she placed her trembling hand over her mouth and nose, trying to stifle any sound she could produce to not attract the ghost's attention.

Fortunately, the dullahan passed below without noticing her suspended figure. A second later, she felt the hands carrying her move down gradually, their trajectory diagonal to the terrible enemy.

Once her feet hit the ground, without turning back, her short legs came to life, bringing her towards the canyon's depth.

A second later, she heard Adam's voice thunder behind, causing her racing heart to warm a little. "Watch over her, Nova!"

Soon, the familiar Banshee joined her and screamed, "Run, I'll guide you!" Followed by the guardian's dreadful roars.

"You dare betray our master?! Fool! Wait for me to return and devour your soul!"

"Don't turn back! We'll be safe after crossing four hundred meters." Nova urged, already floating before her. Yet, despite her tone, Morgane saw her soul shake, dread gripping it tightly.

'They are more scared than I am. So, how can they press forward?' She thought, a feeling of admiration bubbling in her heart. 'I-I want to become like them too!' She added, stomping her legs harder on the floor and picking up her pace.

Two minutes and a half later, her face red and breath ragged, she noticed Nova stop before a small hut.

"Let's wait inside and relax, little sister," the Banshee said reassuringly. Even as a ghost, the dullahan's terror inducement affected her once he considered her an enemy. Fortunately, they were out of his range.

"Can we really?" She asked, feeling it might not be the best idea.

"Well, if they lose, he'll kill us no matter what we do, anyway. So, we might as well enjoy ourselves and check his possession in the meantime." Nova answered, opening the door and revealing the sober interior.

Following, she gazed at the table, small fireplace and desk upon which lay a pouch and a thin booklet.

Curiously, she opened the pouch, wondering if gold filled it. However, to her surprise, an ethereal light blinded her briefly before dissipating.

Drawn by the light, Nova explained, excitement glinting in her eyes, "That's soul coins, the currency used by ghosts to trade goods." Then, she said, "What's written on that beautiful book's cover? I can't read that language."

After closing the pouch, Morgane took the booklet, looking at the beautiful paint-like cover. A mighty mountain towered amidst a peaceful forest. Its boiling magma, depicted with decisive strokes, appeared on the verge of erupting, showcasing the volcano's fury. Yet, a weird sense of harmony washed over the duo's mind, as if the weak surrounding nature tried to calm the furious mountain.

"I can't read the title." She said, frowning. It was the first time she ever saw the calligraphic symbols on the cover's middle.