Chapter 178: The Merfolk (5)
“Are you alright, Aquaz?” Baker asked her.
“I’m fine. But what about you, Baker? That was an incredibly powerful spell you cast,” Aquaz replied.
“I’ll be okay after a bit of rest.” Baker groaned, his voice thick with exhaustion. A deep sense of depletion had settled over his entire body, leaving him feeling utterly drained.
Aquaz was not much better. They had both pushed themselves to their limits, drawing upon reserves of power only attainable through perfect preparation and meticulous planning. Even Aquaz, who rarely ran out of divine energy, found herself nearly emptied after the ordeal.
Baker looked out at the ruined expanse of the sea, a heavy silence lingering between them. Ketal was out there, still fighting the last of the sea apes. Watching him, Baker let out a hollow laugh.
“Honestly, did we even need to be here?”
Aquaz could not find it in herself to disagree, and she gave a rueful smile instead of an answer.
Despite Baker’s formidable magic, about ten sea apes had survived his attack. Now Ketal faced them alone, and the battle was shockingly one-sided.
I always knew he was strong, Aquaz thought.
Ketal had defeated Ashetiaar, Demon of Oppression—a feat few could even dream of accomplishing. The way he had toyed with that demon during their fight was almost insulting to the creature’s power.
He had also aided the Church of Kalosia in vanquishing another formidable demon, earning the personal acknowledgment of a god. Aquaz had long known Ketal was on another level entirely, yet the strength he displayed now far exceeded anything she had ever imagined.
“How is he this powerful...?” she murmured.