SWNOVELXO Chapter 311: Senses.
Rasmus stood under the waterfall with its strong current that would be enough to crush anyone. People were watching him in disbelief because even stone got crushed by it in less than a week. His body could withstand the strong pressure without using Aura, and he could barely feel any pain from it even though he had regained his senses.
What Rasmus was trying to achieve was to regain his ability to sense Mana. His sense to Mana became dull, and he couldn't sense anything even though it was around him based on what Aris said. He also couldn't manipulate Mana as if he had lost his ability to control it.
"It has been three days. How long are you going to stay here?" Aris asked as she watched Rasmus stand there like a statue.
"As long as it takes," Rasmus answered as he opened his eyes, and realized dozens of people were staring at him. "I just need that one moment. The moment I can grasp it, it will be enough," he added.
Aris stared at the gazes that were pointed at her and Rasmus. She released a subtle Aura and it was enough to give them goosebumps and fear. They all immediately looked away and began to walk away in a hurry.
"Let me check your spine..." Aris said as she walked into the waterfall and stood behind Rasmus.
Aris used her thumbs to press on Rasmus's lower spine with enough pressure that made his whole body stiff. He could feel something was moving inside his spine and bones. His bones and muscles were extremely sore and aching that he couldn't help but groan in discomfort.
"There's a blockage..." Aris pointed out as she kept pressing on Rasmus's lower spine. "I can unblock it, but I'm afraid that something else is also getting through," she added, tilting her head to look at Rasmus's face from behind.
"And what's that exactly?" Rasmus asked, looking at Aris from over his shoulder. "That path you mentioned back then?" He raised his brows, remembering Aris's concern where he could accidentally take the path to become a True Dragon.
Aris hummed and nodded as she removed her hands from Rasmus's back. She couldn't do much about Rasmus's condition, and it was the first time she felt completely powerless in her whole life.
"How's the situation in the forest?" Rasmus asked as he closed his eyes, trying to focus on his training again.
"Ever since the Crystallized Dragon's Breath cracked, it released quite a strong and unique Mana into the sky. The number of people that came into the forest increased, and demons had been keeping an eye on the forest," Aris answered, walking away from the waterfall. "I killed their Demon King rank demons, a lot of them. Nemu, the Fallen Watchers, would have sniffed the Dragon's Breath by now," she continued with her arms crossed.
Rasmus opened his eyes, and found the situation to be in his favor somehow. His gaze was blank, but Aris could see that he was deep in thought. He began to thread the plan while thinking about the possibilities of risks and consequences. He tried to find solutions and tried to think of preventions.
"Can you give me another two days? I need a moment of alone time, completely alone," Rasmus said with a serious expression.
Aris nodded with understanding and then created a barrier round the lake, making people unable to see Rasmus. She did it to protect Rasmus as well since she couldn't tell if one of the adventurers or travelers were people that were sent by Nemu or by the demonic cult to investigate the forest.
(At the same time in the Holy Nation)
"You noticed it too?" Serena asked Videl who was standing behind her, guarding her as her Paladin.
"Yes, the sky seems to be acting so strangely in the past few days. It's as if the sky is alive and terrified..." Videl answered as he turned around to look at the sky through the window. "The amount of Mana in the sky is oddly abundant," he muttered.
"Could it be the Fallen Watchers? Or could it be those two?" Serena asked, looking at Videl from over her shoulder.
"Who knows, but I'm assuming something will happen soon," Videl answered as he kept his eyes on the bright sky that seemed normal to others who weren't sensitive or unable to see Mana.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door, it was Daryus. Videl opened the door and saw Daryus standing at the door with Aurelia. He found them as a weird combination since Aurelia and Daryus never stood side by side.
"Doctor? Lady Saint?" Serena raised her brows as she stood up from her desk. "What do I owe the pleasure for you two to come to my chamber?" She asked as she walked toward the door.
"The Divine Physician is here, would you like to join us, Your Holiness?" Aurelia asked as she looked at Serena's gentle smile.
"He finally came? Of course, I would like to join you," Serena nodded and wrapped her arm around Aurelia's arm. "Shall we?" She smiled gently at Aurelia.
"Yes, Saint Serena," Aurelia smiled back at Serena.
Aurelia was glad that Serena stayed in the Holy Nation because she was someone that Rasmus recognized. It wasn't because she could rely on Serena, but it was because she knew there was someone behind her that would prevent her from getting pushed into the corner.
"So, Princess Asghar really kept her words. You must be so relieved, Doctor," Serena looked at Daryus who seemed so eager to meet the Divine Physician.
"Yes, I was anxious that Princess Asghar wouldn't keep her words," Daryus nodded. "Looks like Rasmus was right about her, and I was worried for nothing..." he added as he sighed in relief.
"Princess Asghar? What is she like?" Aurelia looked at Daryus and Serena.
Daryus scratched the back of his head, thinking of the right word to describe Anastasha.
"Princess Asghar is similar to Rasmus. She's not someone you want to be sitting at the table with," Daryus answered. "She's dangerous and not someone you can have a normal and casual conversation with," he added.
Aurelia heard about the announcement that Anastasha did, and the fact Rasmus was there beside her made it even worse. She didn't know which was more concerning when Rasmus recognized Anastasha or the other way around.
When they walked out of the palace, they saw a carriage enter the gate into the first layer of the Holy Nation. The carriage had an emblem on it, a symbol of a black snake circling around the golden egg.
"The symbol of the Asghar family..." Daryus said, his eyes showed a sign of anxiety and fear when he saw that symbol. "To think that she uses her family's power to bring the Divine Physician, that means she has chosen to threaten her siblings and those who support them..." he pointed out with his eyes narrowed.
"And she showed how she could gain access and influence to the Holy Nation by bringing the carriage here. How smart is she, making her influential in both South Neva and Central Neva," Serena chuckled as she watched the carriage coming to the palace.
Aurelia heard enough that she was convinced that Anastasha was indeed similar to Rasmus. She knew that one day she would come to see her, and she didn't know if she was ready to meet someone like her that would affect her and the Holy Nation in the future.
When the carriage arrived, the coachman opened the carriage door. Aurelia and the others looked at the man that was sitting inside with a cloak and a hood that covered his face. They were curious about the legendary Divine Physician Sima, who could cure and heal any wounds.
Sima slowly got up and walked out of the carriage, still hiding his face. When he stood in front of them, he slowly pulled his hood and revealed his face. Everyone was surprised to see a young handsome man with neat long black hair, fair skin, and yellow eyes.
"Greetings, to the Saints..." Sima's soft and soothing voice matched his appearance. He bowed down to respect the prominent figures. "However, I'm here to help Her Holiness, and I don't want to waste my time even if I'm sounding rude to you," he said as he looked at Aurelia and Serena.
"Yes, we understand, please come with us, Divine Physician Sima," Aurelia nodded with understanding, and then pointed her hand at the palace.
Videl and Serena kept staring at Sima because his appearance seemed a bit off. However, they didn't feel or sense any demonic energy from him. They didn't want to mess up Rasmus's plan, and they made sure nobody could bypass them and ruin his plan.
"Let's keep an eye on him," Videl said as he kept staring at Sima entering the palace with Aurelia and Daryus.
"Yes, I'm planning to do so even without you telling me to," Serena answered coldly and followed them.