Chapter 7 Chapter 6 on the way

Druzil sat on the stump of a broken tree trunk, clawed fingers tapping anxiously on his thin legs.The little devil knew the way from here to the Mengzhi Library, and also knew that the vicious ghost had turned in the wrong direction and was moving up the empty and primitive mountains. Druzil wasn't disappointed—it didn't really want to get close to that damned library again.Moreover, even if it is this powerful ghost, it probably won't be able to last long in the face of the combined strength of many outstanding priests there.However, the little devil was a little confused.Had the ghost been guided by some real sign—as it had believed at first, and Aballister had made it believe so?Or is this evil monster just wandering aimlessly through the mountains, destroying any living thing it happens to come across?

The thought unnerved the impatient imp.Logically, Druzil knew there must be some important connection to the monster, probably something to do with Cadderly.If not, why had Aballister sent it to watch over this uncontrollable monster? There were too many questions to besiege the imp, and too many possibilities for Druzil to think about.It watched the monster tearing and flailing along a north-facing mountain path, terrorizing animals and tearing up vegetation as if with unending ferocity.Then Druzil restrained his thoughts, concentrated his mind on the common magic of the outside world, and sent his thoughts across the mountains and passes, trying to communicate with his magician master telepathically.Although the call it sent was urgent, it was surprised that Aballister responded to its mental contact so eagerly.

Where is Cadderly?The magician's thoughts rushed towards it.Did the ghost catch him? These words have answered several questions in Druzil's mind just now.Aballister's telepathic questions rolled in; the wizard's stream of questions rushed into Druzil's mind so quickly that it had no time to respond.The imp, who listened but didn't answer, knew immediately that it had the upper hand in the telepathy, for Aballister was desperate for answers. Druzil rubbed his clawed hands together, enjoying the upper hand.It is fairly confident that it has all the information it needs, as long as it uses the answers wisely to bargain.

After several minutes, Druzil opened his eyes with a new perspective on the situation.Aballister was tense—Druciel could feel it, because not only had Aballister responded violently telepathically, but he had apparently answered most of the questions this time.The magician was always very secretive, and he always kept information he didn't think his subordinates needed to know.But this time he didn't.This time, the wizard revealed to Druzil a lot about the killer ghost and Cadderly. From what the imp knew of its master's behavior, there was no doubt that Aballister was running out of control and approaching the very edge of danger.Ever since the sorcerer had summoned Druzil as a minion, the Imp had been eager to see Aballister in full force.It has seen Aballister strike down an opponent with lightning and roast him alive; it has also seen the magician swallow the entire cavern with a ball of fire that imprinted on the stone. Lin, killed every monster; it had traveled with the magician to the lands of the far north, and watched Aballister wipe out a whole village of Tyrians, a hairy white monster.

But Druzil understands that these are just side dishes, a little sweetness for the future meal.Although it had never really respected the magician (Druciel had no respect for any creature born in the material plane), it had always sensed the great power within the man.Aballister was tense and impatient, furious at the knowledge that his son would threaten his attempts at the region, a cauldron about to explode. And Druzil, who was vicious and hated order to the extreme, thought the whole thing was hilarious. It flapped its wings and set off to track down the now-running ghost.It wasn't difficult to follow the monster's tracks—a wide expanse of ground almost completely destroyed—and Druzil had seen it in less than an hour.

It decided to try to make contact with the monster, to cement its alliance with it before it captured Cadderly and Aballister took the destructive power for himself.Still invisible, the imp flew around in front of the marching ghost, and landed far ahead of its intended course, perched on a low branch of a pine tree. The ghost sniffed the air as Druzil passed, and even turned slowly, but of course it was nowhere near the imp's swift flight.Once Druzil flew out of reach, it seemed to pay no attention to the little unseen commotion. As the ghost approached, Druzil materialized. "I am your friend," it declared, using both Mandarin and telepathy.

The monster howled and approached faster, one blackened arm raised in front of it. "Friend," Druzil repeated, this time in the common language of the lower planes, full of growls and hisses. The approaching monster stared at Druzil as if the imp was just another thing to be destroyed, still unresponsive.Druzil hit the ghost with a telepathic barrage, every thought contained in it a sign of friendship or alliance, but the monster remained unresponsive. "It's a friend, you fool!" Druzil yelled.It jumped up, rattling its knuckles against its buttocks in a gesture of contempt.The monster was only a few yards away from it.

With a roar, the monster leaped straight at Druzil, flanked by the unbroken arm at the same time.The little devil screamed, suddenly realized how dangerous the situation was, and frantically flapped its wings to fly away. The ghost just tore off the whole branch, threw it aside, and continued to pound fiercely, while Druzil was trapped by the thick and thick evergreen trunk, struggling for his life, flapping his wings and tearing his claws. , trying to make an opening through which it could slip and escape into the outer air.It made itself invisible again, but the monster still seemed to sense it, as it continued to relentlessly pursue it.

The monster is right behind it. Druzil's whiplike tail, dripping with deadly venom, slammed into the monster's face, opening a large hole in its sunken cheek. The monster didn't even flinch.The powerful arm swung again, tearing off a huge tree trunk, and there was enough space on the tangled trunk so that the next attack would not be deviated. Druzil clawed and kicked, fighting frantically against the thick trunk.It got through at last, dashing into the air and flapping its wings several times, bringing it far out of range of the howling monster. The undead creature emerged from the smashed tree a moment later, and strode along the path, apparently oblivious to the creature that had just escaped its terrifying force.

"Banne Thelemara," said the trembling imp.It found a rock that towered over the trail, sat down, and watched the uncontrollable monster steady, unstoppable advance. "Banne Thelemara." ※※※ Waist-deep in snow, Cadderly looked up at a tall, steep slope leading up to Yeblaze Peak shrouded in mist.Even with the magic spells cast against the cold, the young priest felt the wind biting his bones, and a creeping numbness seeped into his legs.So he considered whether he should use his strongest magic, as he had done to escape his misguided friends, so that he could walk up the hill on the wind.

However, Cadderly quickly reconsidered, knowing that he could not bear to waste any more magical power—for there was still an ancient red dragon waiting for him.He shook his head resolutely, continued to trek, step by step, pulled one foot out of the deep and immobile snow, and stepped forward firmly. One step at a time, you will climb higher and higher. The sun was up, clear and bright, and Cadderly had to squint his eyes now and then to block the glare reflected off the unblemished snow.Every now and then a certain patch of snow would shift and creak under his weight, and Cadderly would stop at once, fearful that the snow would collapse and cover him. He thought he heard a call on the wind, calling his name; maybe it was Danica.This was not impossible; it was not far from where he had left his friends, and had told them of his destination. The thought made Cadderly realize again how vulnerable he seemed now: a black dot in a white void, slowly climbing, barely moving.Are there still Gameras, or other winged monsters hovering here, thirsting for his blood?he guessed.Just before he started up this last hill, he had searched mentally for any sign of a magician using scrying magic.Although there were no obvious discoveries, Cadderly took several defensive measures. Still, standing on the exposed hillside, the young priest was uneasy.Pulling his cloak tighter around his neck, he considered again what magic he could use to smooth the grueling ascent. In the end, however, he used nothing but sheer determination.His legs ached and he found that the thinning air, combined with the physical exertion, made it difficult for him to breathe.At a higher level under the cover of fog, he found an outcrop again.He was a little surprised until he realized why the area seemed so much warmer.Using this warmth as a guide, Cadderly worked his way around a large boulder and found a rather wide cave opening—though definitely not large enough for a full-grown dragon to pass through. The young priest knew, however, that he had found Valentenima, for there was only one creature whose lair was hot enough to melt the snow on the frigid Yeblah Peak. Cadderly unbuttoned some of his coats and lay down with a plop to catch his breath and rest his weary limbs.He thought again of the formidable opponent he would soon face, and of all the spells he might have to use if he had even the slightest chance in this desperate quest. "Desperate?" Cadderly whispered, musing on the sound of the cold word.Even the resolute young priest began to wonder if "foolish" might be a more apt description.