Chapter 403 - 340: wisp
"This is bad," Ragna thought as she glared at Bomb. ’If Word of Law can’t do anything, I doubt there’s anyone in the world who can stop her.’ The realization sent a chill down her spine, her jaw tightening as unease crept in.
"Hey, what’s your true goal?" Ragna asked nervously, forcing her voice steady despite her heart beating hard, trying hard to be calm but for someone like Bomb it was easy to hear such an obvious heart fluctuation.
"Hm, you managed to pause the world merge as well. Well, I’ll fix that. But I guess I need Aurianna as a core for it to stabilize, such a pain. Guess I have to be a bit more patient," Bomb stated calmly. She had noticed how the once messy merging of worlds was now becoming more uniform, slotting together like pieces of a puzzle. Still, that didn’t stop the panic of the people in each world, all of them experiencing this at once whiles being bombarded with monsters.
"Hey! Don’t ignore me!" Ragna yelled, fists clenched in frustration.
"Oh yeah, sorry. I’m just not used to dealing with insignificant beings," Bomb chuckled, a smug grin spreading across her face. The expression alone was enough to make Ragna feel very irritated.
"Insignificant? But you ran away from Iris. Doesn’t it mean in the eyes of a greater power you yourself you’re insignificant?" Ragna scoffed mockingly.
’Oh, she’s definitely angry,’ Penma thought as veins suddenly crept up Bomb’s face. That was certainly a trigger phrase for most of the Auriannas.
"Okay, you got me. I do have to admit Iris is definitely terrifying. Any normal person would run away. And since you’re curious about our plans, I’ll tell you," Bomb stated with a smile.
"You blabbering fool! Don’t go telling our plans to the enemy!" yelled a soft but sharp voice.
Beside Bomb appeared another Aurianna. Her eyes were shaped like ticking clock faces, matching the clock tattoos etched all over her body. She wore a beautiful gold and black silk dress that shimmered faintly.
"Oh, Time," Bomb said casually.
"Time...?" Penma and Ragna wondered aloud, staring at her in disbelief.
"Finally woke up?" Bomb added.
"Of course I did, just in time for you to not repeat another mistake!" Time yelled, pointing accusingly at her.
"How many times have you had to do a full restart?" Bomb asked, her tone suddenly more serious.
"Forty-four times," Time answered with a deep frown marring her beautiful face.
"That’s bad. I can’t believe we lost that many times. Can you remember the full course of events leading to that?" Bomb asked.
"Bits and pieces. But first off, those kids there. No matter what you do, don’t kill them. Just take them hostage!" Time yelled, pointing toward Elena and the rest.
"Eh? Us?" Shuwi asked, pointing at herself in disbelief.
"Those nine kids there, as a group. Luckily, they’re all nicely gathered," Time stated firmly.
"I know you’re going to kill them and keep that spiky-haired boy alive. Let all of them live. The others are insignificant, whatever you do with them, I don’t care," Time added coldly.
’Well, I guess we’re lucky,’ Kiana cried inwardly, clasping her hands together as relief washed over her.
"Why though? The Aurianna of this world is similar to us. She shouldn’t care if they die. I understand one person, but this many?" Bomb asked, frowning in confusion.
"Well, that’s the problem. She’s a bit different. And when she finds out they’re dead..." Time hesitated, her voice lowering. "She would use Diamonlia."
Her expression twisted in frustration. "It’s so annoying, that child is so suicidal. She truly makes things complicated!"
"We can’t keep having our plans destroyed like this," Bomb sighed, shaking her head.
"Yes, that’s why I came to warn you. Every time one of you stupidly killed these brats, it caused her to either use that spell or call Iris!" Time yelled, clearly at her limit.
"Ah, that’s why those two were hesitant to attack Aurianna at first," Ragna said slowly. "Let me guess, Time can reverse the entire concept of time in one verse, so no alternate timeline can be created. But at the cost, she sleeps for a while, and you all have no recollection of what happens."
"My, my... you’re correct," Bomb nodded approvingly.
"Honestly, you guys would’ve had a better chance if the Auriannas went for Leila and the Leilas went for Aurianna," Ragna shrugged.
"Time, remember this. If we lose in this timeline, " Bomb began.
"Why are you helping the enemy?! Are you insane?!" Hadina yelled at Ragna in frustration. She wanted nothing more than to strangle her, but knowing her position, she could only bite her nails and glare while breathing heavily.
"Now then, I still don’t know your true goal," Ragna said, ignoring Hadina.
"Oh yeah, but first off, " Bomb stated, suddenly picking up Peter. In her other hand, the ball that once held the gods vanished, replaced by a green, mist-like wisp.
"Are you seriously still trying to revive him?" Time asked, irritation clear on her face.
"Tell me, Time, did I do this last time and it failed?" Bomb asked solemnly.
"No. You didn’t. He died before you could find him," Time replied.
Bomb immediately beamed. "Awesome! I’ll never know unless I try! Even if there’s only a small possibility for his revival, I’m willing to try!" she stated excitedly.
’Dammit, her grip is hard,’ Peter thought frantically as Bomb tightened her hold, his body trapped in her palm.
"Now then..." Bomb said, staring down at him.
"Let go of Peter!" Batholem yelled, glaring at Bomb. His body trembled, fear coursed through him, but seeing his friend in pain, he couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.
"Oh, calm down. I won’t kill him... I hope. I’m simply trying a revival ceremony. It’ll hurt like hell though," Bomb stated.
The green wisp expanded, devouring Peter as she placed the massive, glowing mass down.
"I see no reason why you’re obsessed with that wretched man," Time scoffed in annoyance, her voice sharp with disdain.
"Watch your mouth, Time, or else I’ll kill you," Bomb stated coldly, glaring at her while flaring with hostility.
"Whatever," Time shrugged, turning her head away as if she didn’t care.
"Now then, to answer your question, we’re trying to create a new Gemaris home world. After all, for a home world to be formed, you need a Regal or a Gemaris as its core. And since Aurianna and Leila are both, they’re perfect," Bomb explained with a calm smile. "We get a new planet and have Aurianna as a hostage against Iris."
"Are you stupid?! What if Iris can hear you through her?! You stupid, stupid, ?!" Time yelled angrily, her composure finally breaking as she pointed at Bomb.
"Don’t worry. With my powers, that’s not possible," Bomb said dismissively, clearly unconcerned.
"Hey! Peter doesn’t look well, what are you doing to him?!" Elena yelled, staring at the wisp-like mass as something began entering Peter’s body. His body convulsed violently, his breathing ragged as pain wracked through him.
"Oh, a small soul transfer," Bomb said casually, as if she were explaining something trivial.
’Well, it’s kind of obvious. No matter which Aurianna we talk to, they’re always honest,’ Jade thought, staring coldly at Bomb.
"Hm. Ragna, what is happening inside your World Prism?" Bomb asked, shifting her gaze toward the half-sphere behind them.
"Why would I tell you?" Ragna replied with a frown.
"I’ll start by destroying country after country every minute. Do you want to try your luck?" Bomb threatened calmly.