Eternal Undying Chronicles

Chapter 180 No Rush

Alicarde smiled faintly beneath his hood, suppressing the fatigue clawing at him. He adjusted Malefica in his arms, her weight lighter than expected, as he quipped,

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm immortal. Got Marian, got the pentacle—it was no biggie….. it was so easy I even feel like sleeping. "

Your next journey awaits at empire

Malefica nodded weakly, her lips curving into a soft smile.

"That's good… our actions today weren't in vain."

He couldn't help but notice how close her face was to his, her blood-streaked features catching the faint light. He cleared his throat, shifting slightly.

"Erhm… what about her?"

His gaze flicked to Cassandra, still kneeling a short distance away, her face pale and unreadable.

Malefica followed his gaze, shaking her head.

"There's no need to worry about her. The battle is over…. She won't try anything now."

Alicarde frowned, his eyes trailing down Malefica's blood-soaked body.

"Must've been some fight for you to end up like this."

She glanced at herself and raised a brow.

"Are you worried?"

Without hesitation, he tilted her chin upward, locking eyes with her.

"Shouldn't I be?"

"That's enough," came an irritated voice. Cassandra glared at them, her tone cutting through the moment.

"Enough of you flirting…. What do you intend to do with the coven now that you've won."

Alicarde turned toward her, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.

"Weren't you pale with despair a few seconds ago? And, for the record, we weren't flirting. Just so you know."

Cassandra's glare sharpened.

"I don't care what you were doing. My question was addressed to her."

"Ouch… no need to hurt my feelings or anything"

Malefica, quiet until now, straightened slightly in Alicarde's arms. Her voice was calm but resolute.

"This coven belongs to me. It's mine, and so are all of you."

She turned to Alicarde, extending her hand.

"Hand over the pentacle."

He hesitated.

"Yeah… about that."

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I don't have it. I left it with Marian and Vidalia."

Almost as if summoned by his words, a branch flying through the air came into view. On it were Marian and Vidalia, descending unsteadily. Marian nearly toppled off the makeshift broom, and Alicarde instinctively moved forward to catch her. The sudden motion made him stumble, his injuries making every step feel like a mountain climb.

"Th-thank you,"

Marian whispered, her voice barely audible.

He nodded, steadying her. His hand reached for the pentacle hanging from her neck, pulling it free. He turned back to Malefica, the artifact glowing faintly in his grasp.

"Alright, got it. Now what?"

"Put it around me," Malefica instructed, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Alicarde didn't question her. With careful movements, he fastened the pentacle around her neck. As soon as it settled against her chest, a radiant white glow erupted, flooding the entire village.

The light spread like a tidal wave, bathing the witches emerging from the woods and even the warlocks trapped within enchanted vines. Everyone felt its power—except for Alicarde, who stood apart as a non-member of the coven.

Malefica stepped forward, her voice ringing out with authority.

"As of today, I assume the position of High Priestess. By my order, I bring an end to your exile. The coven may return home. We will no longer sacrifice our members to resurrect my grandmother. Our longest night has ended, and a new dawn begins."

The words hung in the air like a declaration of freedom.

Cassandra's eyes widened, her expression shifting through a kaleidoscope of emotions—shock, relief, and something deeper Alicarde couldn't quite place.

The witches, at first silent, erupted into cheers, hugging one another in joyous celebration. The weight of centuries of pain seemed to lift in that moment.

Alicarde, however, was on the verge of collapse. His legs buckled, and he stumbled back. Wrath, ever loyal, moved swiftly to support him, allowing him to lean against its broad side.

"Thanks," he muttered, patting the bicorn's neck. "Appreciate that."

He watched the witches celebrate, their joy palpable. Amidst the cheering, he grumbled,

"Could really use one of those hugs right about now."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Vidalia tackled him, throwing her arms around his neck. The sudden impact sent him sprawling onto his back, with her landing squarely on top of him.

"Ouch. My head," Alicarde groaned, wincing as he looked up at Vidalia's grinning face.

"We won!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

"Yeah," he replied, blinking up at her. "We did."

Vidalia's grin turned sly as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a mischievous whisper.

"Which means we can finally get married."

Alicarde's heart nearly stopped. Oh no.

He had completely forgotten about the ridiculous arrangement where he'd agreed to marry Vidalia to avoid another one of her crying fits. He couldn't back out now—not without risking a dramatic scene.

Under his hood, he forced a strained smile.

"Y-yeah, about that… aren't we rushing things a bit?"

Vidalia pouted, her expression both playful and insistent.

"Rushing? You promised! Don't tell me you're backing out now, after everything we've been through."

"I wouldn't dream of it," he replied quickly, his mind racing for a way to deflect.

The only saving grace was his Reaper Vestments, which concealed his true appearance and voice. For now, she didn't know who—or what—he really was.

Marian, standing nearby, watched the exchange with a bemused smile.

"Vidalia, give him some space. He's barely standing as it is."

Vidalia huffed but relented, climbing off Alicarde. He sat up slowly, his head pounding. Wrath nudged him gently, a reminder of its presence.

Malefica approached, her gaze steady despite her injuries.

"Reaper, rest while you can. We have much to discuss, but for now… you've done enough."

He nodded, too drained to argue. As the witches celebrated around him and the glow of the pentacle began to fade, Alicarde leaned back against Wrath, allowing himself a moment of peace. The battle was over, but he knew this was only the beginning.