I suddenly found myself fortunate for picking up some basic combat skills back in Arthuri. Though fighting with people and animals are two wholly different things. We hacked and slashed our way through the forest, burning parts of it in the process. It's a good thing Telara had been careful enough to only incinerate the beasts without starting a forest fire. In the midst of our journey, I've experiment with the workings of my soulblade and learned a few of its quirks. First, there's no actual limit on how long I can keep it materialized, as long as I focus.

Second, after I de-materialized it, there's another few seconds delay before I can re-materialize it again.

Third, regarding how many times I can re-materialize the soulblade, there isn't particularly any limit on how often I can do it. The only price is that it tires me out mentally to focus, unfocus, and refocus on it. One time, after materializing it too often, I accidentally summoned it in an incomplete form that looked like a hologram. Of course, I did try it on a tree, but the soulblade just went through it without a resistance and nothing happened. Oh, and I also tried materializing it through an object. As part of my experiment, I tried making the soulblade appear on a rock, but nothing happened. Until suddenly, after a few seconds the blade suddenly materialized, fused with the rock. I tried pulling it out and succeeded - leaving a gaping hole on the rock that kinda made me feel like King Arthur of Camelot. I dematerialized it and rubbed my chin. This could serve as a great trump card, a.s.suming I'm able keep my target from moving for a few seconds.

Another long day of fending animals ended, we decided to stop and camp for the night. Daylight was running out soon. I've gotten injured in the fight, nothing serious. Just some cuts and bruises. After each encounter at the end of the day, Liarelle would check-up on us and try to heal any of our wounds, either by magic or without. She might be a little shy and easily fl.u.s.tered, but when it comes to her job as a healer, she works with the efficiency of a military doctor. As usual, she always tries relentlessly to heal my wounds without any success. She mentioned how her restoration magic always works instantly, with me being the only exception. Even so, she kept trying her best to do so, draining herself every time time she did only because it somehow made me regenerate wounds significantly faster than an average person. A huge success in my opinion, but apparently not to her.

Just another day before we reach a satellite town of Barissan City. It'll be smooth sailing from there since we'll be out of beast country. To celebrate, Darius decided to prepare a sumptuous meal for us, made from the fruits of our labor. Me and Alan gathered some logs whilst Darius prepared the meat from the beasts we slaughtered. Liarelle and Telara ventured out to pick up some herbs and wild vegetables. Being a priestess who's well-versed in healing and medicine, Liarelle would definitely know which plants could be safely be eaten without us convulsing or dying half-hour after a meal. We made a fire pit and set some firewoods up. The ingredients were set and prepared for cooking. With a flick of her fingers, Telara instantly set the woods on fire. The scene invited awe from the merchants looking from afar. I could see the subtle smirk on her face upon noticing it. Pfft, show-off.

Soon, the rest of the pits began to light up and night began. Our circle consisted only of them adventurers plus me. Tonight's main course was pan-seared boar steak with herbs, with a side dish of sauteed mushrooms and wild vegetables. All seasoned generously with salt and pepper. Darius's cooking was usually good, even compared to Earth's standard. But tonight was different, it was a meal fit for a king - a medieval one at least.

The rich aroma of savory pork wafted through my nose, causing me to involuntarily salivate. I scanned across everybody's faces and found that I'm not alone. Even Alan who usually observes everyone with his enigmatic eyes failed to resist the temptation and glued his eyes to the meat.

Darius began serving the steak and we accepted each of our plates with reverence in our eyes. We returned to our respective seats and waited for Darius to serve his own portion. And when he did, all of us began digging in, with the exception of me and Liarelle. She clasped her hands and offered a silent prayer of grat.i.tude, similar to a standard Christian's prayers; a G.o.d named Veluri? I waited for her to finish and began eating as she did. I picked up my fork, breaked off a piece, and finally had a bite of the steak. It was heaven. I closed my eyes and chewed slowly, savoring the flavor.

"Aw yeah, this is the stuff!" I said while chewing.

"Mmmm, I agree! If I knew I'd be able to taste this, I would've contracted a mortal long ago!"

I heard the sound of clattering plates and opened my eyes. Alan was holding up a bow, pointing an arrow at me. Telara standing up, preparing for a breakout. Even Darius, who held his claymore, ready to strike. Only Liarelle remained sitting, with a look of disbelief. I widened my eyes in horror, they were all looking at me with murder in their eyes. I froze, just what the h.e.l.l did I do to offend them? Was it because of my terrible table manner?

"Why'd you stop?" an annoyingly familiar voice sounded, "Keep going, I want to experience it again!"

I turned around to see an unfamiliar girl with blonde hair standing behind me. Her eyes had a peculiar golden glow with a silver rings on the rims of each pupil. She crossed her arms and demanded, "Quit staring at me, eat!"

"Who the h.e.l.l are you!?" I snarled. My mind was in panic and I didn't want to make any sudden movements in fear of accidentally being killed.

"Huhh!?" she answered condescendingly, staring at me with disgust as if looking at an inferior life-form, like an insect. That was when realization hit me.

"Wait a minute, Ellariel?"

"Yeah?"

I facepalmed myself, I didn't recognize her because she was wearing a helmet when she fought against the Abyssal. I turned my head to my companions, "Guys, it's alright. She's with me. You know, the angel that possessed me back then?"

Everyone loosened up conspicuously after hearing that, lowering down their weapons and spells. They turned to the ground where the food had fallen, longing in their eyes.

"How the h.e.l.l did you get out? Aren't you supposed to be trapped in me?" I asked curiously.

"Technically, I am. My soul is still bound to yours via the contract. The me standing here now nothing but a projection of my consciousness. See?" she tried touching me with her hand and it merely pa.s.sed through me like a ghost, "Now, shut up and continue eating so I can taste it."

What the heck is she talking about? She wants me to eat so she can taste? I decided to experiment by putting another bite of meat in my mouth and observed her reaction, which changed to that of pleasure. It seems to be true how she's able to taste whatever I'm tasting, her senses mirroring mine.

We gathered up the plates and Darius served up more of what he made. Dinner is on again. If there's anything we lack, it's anything but ingredients. Ellariel's eyes lit up once more as I went and got my second serving of Darius' legendary cooking.

"E-Excuse me, are you really an angel?" a tiny voice interrupted.

We turned to Liarelle, the turned back to Ellariel. The person in question was happily enjoying herself without a care in the world. I bit my tongue.

"Ow!" she cried.

"Hey, angel. Listen when others are talking. She asked you a question."

"Hmm? Speak, mortal. I'll allow it this time," she puffed her chest pridefully.

"Are you really the Archangel Ellariel?" Liarelle asked with expectant eyes.

"Wait, Lia.. Do actually know who she is?" I pointed a finger to Ellariel without looking at her.

"Of course I do! She's THE Archangel Ellariel, s.h.i.+eld-Maiden of Siebelheim. Protector of Maidens and Executioner of Justice!"

"It looks like there are still a few mortals left who remembers me in this age of decline. It appears the legends of my deeds are simply too glorious for it to be forgotten after a mere few centuries," she said morosely, which irritated me for some reason.

"There's no way we'll be able to forget you, Archangel Ellariel! That's just unthinkable! Within our church, you're one of the most popular role-model whom we maidens aspire to be!" Liarelle said fervently.

"Stop it, Lia. She might really explode if you pumped up her ego more than you already have," I sneered.

Ellariel hovered a little, enough to be a few heads taller than me, "Fufufu, do you finally understand how blessed you are to have me, the Great Archangel Ellariel-sama as your contracted celestial?"

"You.."

She turned to look at Liarelle, smugness oozing out from her, waiting for Liarelle's reaction.

"Is it true that you once single-handedly saved an entire town from dozens of rampaging giants?" Liarelle asked childishly. Like a child begging for bedtime stories.

"Oh? You actually know of that? The story told in history might probably be a little off. It's actually under-exaggerated in my opinion. As a reward for your reverence, let me tell you, from my personal memory of how I actually did it. Once upon a time, on the first month of spring-"

I sigh and walked away from the conversation. I might as well get some sleep before having to wake up for the second watch.