The two of them continued conversing for some more time. It was the first time that Rui had truly opened up to Master Deivon. It was just a shame because the two of them knew that this would probably be the last time they would meet in quite some time.
Rui would not return until he gained the power to protect himself from crazy Martial Masters, most likely. It was too much of a threat and Master Deivon couldn't protect him at all times.
That was why Rui had an earnest back and forth with the good Master. Ordinarily, he didn't trust people all that much, but Master Deivon had proven himself. Rui wasn't entirely sure what the reward was for finding the Virodhabhasa, but it could not possibly be small.
Anybody who found the Virodhabhasa would likely attain a religious status that was on par with the Transcendent Prophet.
Nigh limitless political power. It was an enchanting deal, anybody in their right mind would have sold Rui out in a heartbeat if there was even a ten percent chance that he was the Virodhabhasa.
Master Carian and Greminga were highly agnostic and were far too unconvinced that this Martial Squire was a Martial deity to act on it, but Master Deivon knew him more intimately and had spent more time around him.
Furthermore, he had come to learn about Rui's true identity and had access to greater knowledge that only bolstered how astonishing a person he was.
Yet he chose to forgo the possibility of extraordinary political power for what he believed was right.
That was a concrete course of action that could not be denied. No number of sweet words or empty talk could match up with silent action. That was why Rui was willing to be more candid about himself.
"...I see," Master Deivon murmured with an incredulous expression. "So you already have met the seventieth champion."
"That's right," Rui narrowed his eyes. "He challenged me to a death match upon my return before I left. I accepted, and I intend to see it through."
Master Deivon heaved an impatient sigh. "It's a pity that I can't be there. I would loved to have witnessed that fig-"
He froze.
Rui furrowed his eyebrows. "What's the matter?"
The next moment, he disappeared.
"Urgh!" The carriage shook as a gust of wind washed over Rui.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, an extraordinary wave of horror washed over Rui.
It possessed a depth that was unlike anything Rui had ever experienced in his entire life.
It possessed an intensity that he didn't understand.
One he wasn't qualified to understand.
His heart shook.
The hair on his body stood on edge.
His nerves tingled electrically.
His knees felt jittery.
He breathing strained, almost as if he was in a vacuum.
His vision blurred dizzily as he felt himself losing his balance.
BOOM!!!
"Urgh!"
An extraordinary explosion of titanic magnitude erupted. It was so extraordinarily loud that it left him deafened with ringing ears.
Rui couldn't even begin to fathom how much power it possessed. It was as though someone had set off a nuke in the vicinity!
He got up groggily, opening the door of the now stationary carriage, before peering out.
"GET OUT OF HERE!" Master Deivon bellowed with a fierce tone.
Rui's eyes widened at what he saw.
Master Uma stood high up in the air peering down at Rui.
Master Deivon positioned himself exactly in between Rui and her.
"Master Uma..." Rui's eyes widened with shock.
"I originally didn't intend to do this," She spoke with an impassive tone. "But after witnessing your final fight, I had a change of heart."
"What...?"
"I realized that guiding you to your destiny is more important than my well-being." She spoke. "If I get beheaded for attacking a fellow bishop without authorization, then it is an acceptable outcome so long as I get to mold you in the shape of the Antithesis before that happens. It is a worthy sacrifice, and it is one I am willing to make."
"I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU AND YOUR INSANITY!" Master Deivon bellowed as he activated his Martial Heart.
It blazed into power, shining with an intensity unlike anything that Rui had ever seen from a Martial Senior.
"I have memorized every word, every sentence, every chapter of the Virodhaveda," She said to Rui, ignoring Master Deivon. "I have read all the existing theological literature on the Holy Book. I have spoken with the Transcendent Prophet, and gain insight directly from His Holyship himself."
She peered deep into Rui's eyes. "There is nobody more qualified to guide the Virodhabhasa, Your Godship. Accept my guidance with an open heart."
"RUN AWAY!" Master Deivon instructed him. "I'LL HOLD HER BACK!"
"I won't allow that!" Master Uma narrowed her eyes.
Rui had already begun turning.
Yet he stopped.
He couldn't help but stop.
What else was he supposed to do when he saw a Martial Master activate a power that he didn't quite understand? What was he supposed to do when her very being morphed before his eyes?
One moment, he saw an incredibly elderly woman gazing at him with determination and devotion.
The next?
Her entire existence seemed to change, becoming a pure blade in his eyes. A blade made up of wind.
Master Deivon narrowed his eyes as he followed suit. His form altered, becoming a mighty fortress in Rui's eyes.
'What... What is this?' Rui gaped in wonder. 'Is this the power of the Master Realm?'
He couldn't believe his eyes. What he witnessed was so absurd that it was straight out of a fairy tale!
It didn't compute with his understanding of reality.
"I SAID GET AWAY BOY!" Master Deivon bellowed impatiently once more. "I CAN KEEP HER TIED UP HERE. DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME AND GET OUT OF HERE!"
His words jolted Rui back to reality. His wonder for Martial Art was one of the strongest emotions he felt, yet now was not the time to let it overcome his rationality.
He gritted his teeth as he turned around, before activating Outer Convergence and Gale Force Breathing and sprinting away at top speeds.
He didn't know what was going to happen. Master Deivon had told him that he was weaker than Master Uma, but had reassured him that he could hold his ground.
He could only hope that that was true.
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