This could be troublesome.

The power I’m sensing from this woman is different from others. Usually everything in this world is comprised of Aspects, even the gods. However, the gods possess exclusive authority over their Aspects and also their area of influence. Like Thor, whom I killed. Other than his Divine Treasure, which could summon lightning, he could manipulate his energy aspect, using his hammer as a conduit.

The same goes for the other gods. Primordials control Aspects, while gods control various subcategories of the Aspects. This Art… It seems it functions the same way. There is no way a mere human can achieve this level of power, and I’m not sensing it coming from a Relic either. Which leaves only one explanation.

A god granted her that power.

“But which one…?” I asked myself.

“Begone” She said, releasing the light which she summoned from her hands. The burst of radiance charged toward me in multiple directions. I leaped from my location, dodging them as they intertwined and chased me. It seems they have a homing function. In that case…

“Hex #94, Orb of Protection” I said, releasing a barrier around myself.

The lights proceeded to attack me, inevitably clashing with the barrier. However, instead of being stopped by it, they shattered it, causing the lights to penetrate and clash with me.

**Boom**

The explosion caused a blinding light to surge, brightening the dark night around us.

“It’s pointless” The woman said, walking closer to me.

I have to say, I’m impressed. The barrier failed, or rather… It was invalidated.

“Impressive, to have nullified my barrier” I said with a smirk, appearing from the smoke.

“How can this be… You are unharmed?” She said with a shocked expression.

“That level of attack won’t be enough, little girl” I said to her.

“In that case, I will just have to take you even more serious” She said with vigor.

I smiled. Let’s see what she can do. I would like to see more of this new Art.

She clapped her hands together, and the floor beneath her shone a brilliant white light.

“Hoh, that’s interesting” I said.

It’s clear that the Hexes I’m using aren’t working, however… There’s another one I’d like to try.

“Hex #90 Haze” I whispered.

Purple smoke immediately filled the area and crept up to the woman. I smiled, wondering what effect it would have.

“Like I said, your actions are pointless” She said.

Immediately the white light beneath her shone, dispersing the purple smoke that was surrounding her.

“Where I stand is holy ground, no evil of the enemy will befall me, no curse of the wicked will afflict me.” She recited.

Like a violent wind, the light sent the smoke flying and in no time everywhere was clear. The Hex that would drive anyone to madness was so easily handled by this human, or rather, her Art. I now understand why many, including herself, consider this an invincible Art. In the first place it is a power unachievable by a human. Power granted by a god… How interesting.

“You’ve shown me something interesting tonight, little girl” I said with a smile.

She frowned at my words. Her glare tells me what is going on in her head. She sees me as an enemy that needs to be exterminated. But why?

“I have a question for you” I said to her.

She looked apprehensive but remained quiet, as though telling me to proceed.

“Why do you despise Hex so much?” I asked her.

“W-Why?” She said in a mocking tone, as though she couldn’t believe I asked her that.

“It is an evil Art, contrary to the will of the gods. It perverses the very nature of the world, and as such it can not be allowed to exist.” She said to me.

“Really? I’m guessing your so called gods told you that” I smiled.

“You would do well to mind your tone” She spoke in anger, glaring at me.

Hoh, this girl is quite confident.

“The gods have indeed denied their association with the evil art of Hex. They are displeased by it and have ordered us to erase every trace of its existence from this world.” She said.

As expected of them, those gods can be shrewd in times like these.

“But why? Hex allows even regular humans to possess power, no matter how little. With enough knowledge and practice anyone can use it. Isn’t it a liberating power?” I said with a smile.

“Liberating? What else do I expect to hear from a slave to darkness” She said, shaking her head.

“Only a few know this, but Hex is the art created by the wicked one, Hexarion the Evil Lord himself. There is no good that could ever come out of obtaining power from evil” She preached to me.

I sighed.

Looks like this one has been brainwashed by the teachings and doctrines of the gods. I would like to know more, but I doubt she will be willing to divulge all her secrets to me. In that case there is only one thing left to do.

Trying to reason with her or talk things through won’t work. She’s too far gone in the stupid and holy doctrines of the idiot gods. Nothing I say will get through to her. After all, I practice the evil art, Hex. However, I’m surprised by her relationship with the Royal behind her. Doesn’t the Imperial Army use Hex? After all, that Imperial Knight used two low level ones on me. And he learned them from the Army.

This woman is associated with that Royal. Doesn’t that mean she’s working hand in hand with the Imperial forces who practice Hex? I guess I’ll have to ask her.

“You claim Hex is evil, yet you work for a nation who incorporate such an Art in their military forces” I said to her.

“W-What?” The woman’s face expressed surprise.

I smiled. As expected she knows nothing. She is a chosen one by the gods and is fairly powerful, but it turns out she’s just as naive. I guess that is what makes her a perfect tool for the gods to use. Stupid humans who follow their every whims without question. How utterly pitiful.

“Why don’t you ask your Royal friend over there? He should know a thing or two about it” I said, referring to the Royal she was fighting for.

He looked nervous as he tried to hide his expression.

“Lord Phobio, is this true?” The girl asked him with an innocent face.

“O-Of course not. How can you believe the words of the servant of darkness. The Royal family is an ally to the Holy Fellowship. We follow the doctrines of the gods and heed the words of the Apostles. In exchange, we lend your power in defeating the threats to the kingdom and exterminating the scourge of the evil” The man blabbed.

The woman, as though reflecting on her actions nodded her head and turned back to me.

“You’re right sir. I apologize for wavering and falling prey to the words of this unholy man” She said, glaring at me.

The Royal heaved a sigh of relief and looked at me with a confident and wicked smile. This woman is definitely just a pawn to him, contrary to her opinion of him. Maybe I ought to say more.

“Look around you, little girl. Look at the lives lost thanks to the order of your Royal friend. Surely you are aware he sent these people to attack us, causing them to die brutally” I retorted.

The woman shook her head and frowned even more.

“No. Do not try to use words to cover up the truth. Wasn’t it your ally who killed these people? Why blame your actions on Lord Phobio? You caused the death of these men here. Besides, as servants of evil, they were well within their rights to eliminate you. No evil one or practitioner of evil must be allowed to live” She said to me, reciting the words as though they have been programmed into her.

For real? Her devotion is admirable, but it seems she is even incapable of personal judgement. I should’ve known better. Oh well, I’ll get my answers, one way or the other.

“Enough conversing.. I shall end this battle right here and now!” She said.