Chapter 137: Spirit of the Ice

Erdene's words caused Luke's eyes to narrow. He then looked at Snow and felt her hand tighten around his. He then returned his gaze to Erdene, where he saw Erdene's cold eyes examining Snow from head to toe. Snow appears to be getting uncomfortable with his stares so Luke decided to speak up.

"Nash, Snow, go to our room and wait for me there, or go play with the kids. Jay, follow them and select your room."

Nash and Snow then looked at Luke's calm face before looking at each other. Nash then simply nods to Snow, assuring her that everything will be fine, and leads her inside the palace, followed by Jay, leaving Luke, Liam, and Erdene alone outside. Luke just stared at Erdene's eyes, allowing the cold night winds to caress his face. Then Luke spoke up.

"Gramps, what do you mean when you say Snow is an artificial spirit?"

Erdene's face became serious, and he spoke with his hand on his chin, as if deducing.

"Isn't it obvious by now? She has the ability to create ice out of thin air and possesses a massive amount of mana more than enough to fight head to head with Nash. According to natural law, only spirits have the ability to create pure and natural elements out of thin air, making us a critical source of elements when all-natural resources drain from humans who use them for their own needs."

Luke remained silent as he listened to Erdene. Erdene noticed this and continued to speak sternly.

"I could also feel compacted ice powers inside her body. It's as if it's forced to be stuffed inside her. I'm even surprised she didn't freeze to death with that kind of compacted elemental power inside her."

Luke became deafeningly silent and his face turned grim. He clenched his fists tightly.

"So that explains why her body freezes whenever she uses her abilities."

"That is correct, and she is fortunate to be able to live this long. She also appeared to be accustomed to the side effects of her powers; it appears that she has been using her powers for some time. But, even if she is accustomed to the side effects, her body is not, and it is forced to stay together in order to avoid her freezing whenever she uses her powers."

Erdene then fixed his gaze on Luke's solemn expression. He appears to be so enraged that he might rip someone's face off. It also appears to be the case with Liam, who appears to be angry as veins appear in his head and his murderous aura leaks. Erdene stared at this for a moment; he knows what they're thinking, so he decided to say it.

"It appears that the Dark Eye has been experimenting on humans for a long time in order to create an artificial spirit. Imagine what else they could do with their experiments if they could create an artificial spirit. They are truly a force to be reckoned with."

Erdene could feel Luke and Liam's animosity leaking more furiously beside him as soon as Erdene said that. Erdene simply sighed and gazed up at the night sky.

Even though he doesn't show it, Erdene is as upset as Luke and Liam.

Now that he knows there is an organization behind his back that has the audacity to create artificial beings that violate the laws of nature, he is even more eager to charge at the Dark Eye's base and rip their liege into pieces. He despises it when someone attempts to disrupt the order that he and his siblings have worked tirelessly to maintain for billions of years.

He despised the Spirit of the Ice as well. He doesn't despise Snow; he despises the being she was forced to become. Her natural ice power alone is enough to nearly flip the entire balance that they have been trying to maintain for billions of years.

Erdene then turned to face Luke, who was still fuming furiously. He was relieved that Luke had managed to persuade Snow to join them. If he didn't, who knows what would happen to the balance right now if they let Snow use her powers unsupervised while being in the hands of dangerous lunatics like Dark Eye, total chaos would surely ensue.

Erdene turned to face Luke after hearing him sigh. He sighed as he noticed Luke brushing his hair back in frustration. Erdene just stood there staring at him for a few moments before speaking.

"You should get some rest; it's been a long day for you."

Luke frowned and slowly nodded. Luke then walked slowly inside the palace while being deep in thought. Erdene just shook his head and sighed. He then turned to face Liam, who was standing quietly in front of him. Erdene then began to speak.

"I know you're not Liam right now, speak up."

"Oh, you knew."

Liam smiled and looked fearlessly at Erdene. The respectful and soft image of Liam completely faded and is now turned into some sort of fearless thug that you can see in the streets. Erdene simply frowned.

"Say your name, you disrespectful brat."

"My, my, how terrifying. It's Liam, you old fart, but for some reason, that Luke brat named me Dos."

"Dos, a fitting name for you because you are only second to Liam in terms of body control. I might as well call you a parasitic freeloader."

Dos locked his gaze on Erdene. Dos then frowned and gave Erdene a murderous look. Erdene simply stared at him with his usual imposing aura that looks down on everyone. He just sees Dos as a harmless tough bug.

"Watch your mouth, old wood fart, or your fingers will be severed before you know it."

"Do you dare to threaten me? Listen, you may be from ancient times, but I am still older and stronger than you, so watch your mouth and learn respect."

"Ha, or what? Summon a toothpick and point it at me? How hilarious-"

Whoosh!

A sharp wooden branch sprung out a hair's breadth away from Dos' eye in a split second. But it appears that Dos anticipated this reaction and simply stood there while blankly staring at the pointy branch that was about to pierce his eye. Dos then turned to look at Erdene, who had cold eyes looking down at him. Erdene then began to speak.

"I think it's best for you to take over now, Liam, or else I'll kill you along with this twat."

When Liam heard Erdene, he immediately took over. Liam then blinked a few times and took a step away from the sharp branch and looked at Erdene with an apologetic expression.

"I am so sorry for his behavior; I became so enraged that I had Dos take over for a while so I could calm down."

Erdene simply sighed and frowned at Liam.

"It's fine, but don't let that guy take over if you're near me, or I won't know what to do with him other than kill him. So be cautious about where you switch."

Liam nodded slowly and looked at Erdene as he walked away towards the palace.

• Tse, that old wood fart. He has the audacity to threaten me? Hilarious.

Liam frowned deeply.

"Shut up."

• Ho? Now you are talking back to me?

Liam sighed and rubbed his chin with his hand. Liam is fine with the fact that he shares the same body with another person, but he doesn't like the fact that the other person is a guy who is so foul-mouthed that everyone dislikes being around him. If he continues to switch with Dos, everyone will despise him.

Liam simply sighed and walked towards the palace. He then heard Dos speaking in his head once more.

• Hey kid, do you like someone?

Dos' abrupt question brought Liam to a halt. Liam then stood motionless, staring off into the distance, as if unable to respond. After a brief moment of silence, Liam spoke slowly.

"No, but if we're talking about things I enjoy doing, all I enjoy doing is serving Brother Luke and protecting the others."

•...Wow, you're a lost cause, kid.

"Hmm? Lost cause? "

Liam's brow furrowed in confusion. Then he heard Dos sigh.

• Do you like someone that you particularly want to be with all the time? You know? Someone special?

"Hmmm, if we're talking about someone I'd like to be with all the time, I'd say Brother Luke. After all, it is my duty as his personal knight."

• Oh well, that's fine.

Liam came to a halt for a brief moment. This is the first time he has heard Dos in this manner. He appears to be thoughtful. He then heard him speak once more.

• Don't worry kid, I will help you. I will help you so that you won't end up like me.

"Hmm? What exactly do you mean? Help me with what? Oh, do you mean with protecting Brother Luke? "

• No you twat, I meant-

"I appreciate your help Dos. I do require the assistance of someone who can assist me in protecting Brother Luke at all times. Dangers are everywhere, especially now that we are at war, and Brother Luke is always willing to help everyone, even if it means sacrificing his life for them. He is genuinely nice, but also a handful, so hearing you offer to protect him puts me at ease. Thank you very much."

•...

Dos was deafeningly quiet, and Liam only smiled. He now realized that Dos isn't who he appears to be. It seems that Dos also has a good heart deep inside him and is willing to protect Luke with him. This made Liam feel less alone and more capable of ensuring Luke's safety than before.

'This is fantastic. We will work together to protect brother.'

"It is nice working with you from now on, Dos.

Liam then smiled contentedly and entered the palace.