Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 53: Commonly Used Magic!?

In the following days, Darn found no opportunity for another heist. To his astonishment, he discovered that the number of orcs surrounding him had swelled to nearly a thousand, and among them, he even spotted an orc shaman!

Had I known the orcs would place such importance on me, I should have devised a way to escape the moment the contract was signed. If only I had taken advantage of the night to break free. Although I would still have been detected by the orcs, there would have been a chance to dash away. But now...

Now, it was impossible for Darn to break through the orc encirclement without engaging in battle or paying some price. The circular perimeter was not only guarded by numerous vigilant orcs, closely monitoring his every move, but also featured several earthen walls, each standing about one and a half meters high, dotting the once flat grassland.

Amidst the many earthen walls capable of thwarting a horse's leap were hordes of alert orcs. The towering walls, the increasing number of orcs, and the multitude of campfires made it clear that the orcs were expending considerable effort to contain a single individual. Observing this extravagant display of force, Darn realized that even under the cover of night, escape was beyond his reach.

It seemed I must devise another plan, or perhaps... As he watched the orcs busily raising the barriers and adding to the campfires for nighttime illumination, Darn suddenly recalled the two occupants within his body.

"Aby? Aby?" Sitting dejectedly on the ground, gnawing on a bone that had long been stripped of meat, Darn called out the name of the light mage in his mind.

After calling out repeatedly for over ten times, Darn received no response from the light mage. The surroundings were eerily silent, save for the wind and the distant, brutish howls of the orcs.

Wasn't it said that whenever I faced difficulties, calling out his name would summon Aby to my mind? Why, after all this time, has Abic Theodore not appeared? That old... man is truly unreliable!

Frustrated with the light mage's unfulfilled promises, Darn tossed aside the bone, and as his stomach protested, he reluctantly thought of the other occupant.

"Ramis? Ramis? Are you there?"

After calling out twice, the image of the devil materialized in Darn's mind. The black wings of the devil flapped behind Ramis, and his sharp horns gleamed ominously. In just a few days, this newly arrived tenant appeared much more spirited.

"Hey there, little one! What brings you to call upon your friend? Have you encountered some trouble?"

The devil inquired with a smile, his demeanor warm and sincere. If not for the stark contrast between his appearance and his words, Darn might have mistaken him for a genuinely helpful individual.

"Ramis, I'm in trouble. I need your advice..." Taking a deep breath, Darn made his first request of the devil.

"Surrounded by orcs? That's hardly a problem; merely another swarm of ants! In my eyes, no matter how many ants there are, they are easily crushed!" Upon hearing Darn's worried recounting, Ramis immediately displayed the pride characteristic of a devil.

"Is that so? So you have a way to help me?" Darn, undeterred by the devil's casual dismissal of his plight, looked at Ramis with hopeful anticipation.

"Help you? Of course! I will certainly assist you, but you are simply too weak. Even if I had the perfect plan... If only you would accept a bit of my power! Just a smidgen would suffice; with just a touch of my strength, those orcs surrounding you would fall before you with ease!"

While his words rang true, how could Darn dare to accept the devil's power? Was this fiend attempting to coerce him through the orcs? Hmph, I won't be fooled...

The hope in Darn's eyes faded as he silently observed the devil flitting about in his thoughts, patiently awaiting Ramis's useful suggestion.

"What a stubborn little fellow, just like that old coot Abic Theodore! And worse still, this kid seems quite clever-how annoying! I detest encountering intelligent beings!"

Ramis muttered under his breath, choosing not to pursue the previous topic further, for he understood that Darn was unlikely to accept his terms this time.

Despite the rejection, the devil Ramis did not display any anger; he merely grumbled a few complaints before adopting a more amiable demeanor.

"Little one, we have signed a soul contract, the most profound agreement in the multiverse that allows two souls to understand one another. Therefore, we should be the closest of friends, trusting and supporting one another, rather than being wary of each other, right?"

"However, considering your limited life experience, I will be understanding. Although you have turned down my good intentions, I am still willing to offer you my wisdom, my friend!"

"Please, tell me! My... good friend, do you have any brilliant ideas?" Darn asked, feeling a twinge of nausea at the devil's overly hypocritical demeanor and his own insincere words.

"Well, given your feeble strength, there isn't much that can be done. Fortunately, you have encountered me, the most powerful, wise, and clever Lord Ramis from Hell! Thus, I have devised a method that will enable you to eliminate foes far beyond your capabilities!"

"This method is a spell frequently employed by devils, remarkably simple, practical, and easy to cast. Even a lowly imp could successfully unleash it."

"Spell? Ramis, my friend, I am merely a warrior, not a mage. I possess no magical power to cast spells!" Darn interjected, unaware that, despite it being only the second time, he had already begun to refer to the devil as 'friend' without any psychological barriers.

"Do not worry, clever little one! The spell I am about to teach you can be cast even by an ordinary person devoid of any power; it merely requires a small price to be paid!"

Hmm!? Darn's eyes narrowed, and he became wary once more. However, he soon relaxed, for the price Ramis spoke of did not involve another contract tied to devilish power, but rather...

Contemplating the pros and cons while diligently reciting the devil's taught spell, Darn slowly moved forward. In the distance, the orcs had already noticed his peculiar actions and began to converge.

This was Darn's first time boldly moving about in daylight, and his first time challenging the numerous orcs in broad daylight. However, to the orcs, it appeared to be an act of suicide, while Darn understood deeply that this was far from a reckless gambit.

What I am about to use is a spell that devils frequently employ against demonic armies. Such a spell, when used against these orcs, could be considered overkill!

As he approached the invisible boundary, just a step away from crossing it, Darn halted. He then raised the Hargani sword, which he had been gripping tightly, and gently brought it down.

**Flowing like water, it streamed from Darn's fingertips to the earth, and he watched in anguish as blood gushed from his wrist, tears welling in his eyes, his heart bleeding. The devil's spell is truly sinister! How much blood must I shed to invoke this spell? It hurts so much!

As blood poured forth, Darn's complexion rapidly paled. Yet, he persisted in this seemingly suicidal act of bloodletting. Opposite him, the orcs gazed in astonishment at Darn, speculating whether this human, who had kept them on high alert for days, had gone mad and chosen to take his own life.

The conclusion was negative. Just as Darn's form swayed, on the verge of collapse, and his mind teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, his self-mutilating act of bloodletting finally ceased.

Phew, finally! If I lose any more blood, I will be meeting the Supreme God Helios! Damn Ramis, damn devilish spells, damn orcs!

As Darn felt his soul begin to detach from his body, soaring towards the heavens, he bit down hard on his lip and uttered an incantation that was nearly inaudible.