"We speculate that either burying the lake or removing the water within it should do the trick. Thus earth magic on the level of Rock Avalanche or something that could produce similar effects are recommended."

"You speculate?"

"N-no, we believe that's the case." A thick, suffocating aura spread, which alerted her of her master's growing irritation.

"Have you discussed it with the earth magic users?" The masked man picked up a grape and stared intently at it.

"Yes and they agree with us."

Silence filled the dark room. Sweat was rolling down the female subordinate's forehead as the pain was constantly amplifying. However she didn't dare to make unnecessary noices.

She suspected that her arm was rotting away, since a foul smell was starting to reach her nose. Though, she didn't dare to complain in case of angering her master further.

Just as she was feeling faint because of the pain, the masked man twisted his elbow and let the grape hit her poisoned arm. Momentarily she panicked, before calming down as she felt the pain recede.

"Thank you for your mercy, your Highness." She immediately expressed her grat.i.tude.

"Bring Eight to me." He completely ignored her and shut his eyes.

"Right away, your Highness." The woman rised up and hesitated for a moment, before disappearing in a blur.

When she was far away from her master, she finally rolled up her right sleeve. She almost wanted to cry when she saw the state of her arm.

The skin over her entire dorsal forearm had putrefied. Her flesh was showing, but was almost black in colour and displayed several caverns where the decay had been most severe.

Considering how nasty it was, she was grateful that she could still use her arm. However, it would undoubtedly leave a nasty scar.

Her beauty would be destroyed just like that. This was a powerful blow towards her pride and self-esteem. Her master would never like her now.

She let her sleeve fall back to place and flew towards Eight's residence. No matter how much she would like to treat her arm at the moment, her master's order could not be disobeyed.