Beside the Screaming Forest, Muse looked at Richard and asked to confirm, "Was it you who killed Casol?"
"Yes," Richard replied, his face showing no emotion.
"Heh, that really is interesting," Muse said, sizing up Richard from head to toe. "Do you realize that Casol was one of the strongest under me? Although I hated him, I have to admit that among my people, no one but me could defeat him, let alone kill him.
And yet, he died at your hands. If it weren’t for some special spells taking effect on him, one could say his death was almost silent. This clearly indicates that you’re much stronger than him.
It’s worth mentioning that such a strong individual like you wasn’t discovered by us in advance and wasn’t included in our plans, representing an unexpected factor. This calls for vigilance. If I hadn’t arrived in time, if I hadn’t been able to eliminate you promptly, our organization’s plan might suffer a significant mishap this time, just like the last time, leading to far less efficacy than anticipated."
"The last time?" Richard raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you talking about the event at the Deep Blue Castle?"
"Hmm, the Deep Blue Castle? You—know about it?" Muse was taken aback for a moment, then realized something and her expression shifted slightly. "Could it be..."
Muse’s expression gradually became more vivid as she carefully watched Richard, eventually nodding slowly and muttering to herself, "Yes, that has to be it. Impacts caused by unexpected factors like you are usually sequential. That’s why, whenever such situations arise, our organization makes an effort to thoroughly investigate and resolve them. Since you killed Casol, it’s not impossible that you also killed Tu Ke at the Deep Blue Castle event. With that said, those who died near Taklamakan Lake, they were all your doing, weren’t they?"
"In fact, I didn’t strike the killing blow; there was another cause." Richard spoke truthfully. "Of course, if one were to trace the source, it could also be said that it was my doing."
"Good, good, it’s great that you admit it," Muse said, eyeing Richard intently and then recalling something else, "What about Florence then?"
"Yes, Florence. We’ve had quite a few deaths in Florence that have yet to be fully investigated. Was that your work?"
"Florence, well, I indeed have killed some of your people in Florence. But it doesn’t seem to have been that many, at least not as many as during the Deep Blue Castle event." Richard said.
"That’s enough!" Muse shouted, her eyes wide as she stared at Richard, suddenly bursting into laughter, "Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!" Muse laughed out loud. "It’s interesting, truly interesting. I never expected that from the beginning, you’ve been sabotaging our plans, and you’re still doing it now. You’re strong, stronger than many, and you’re cunning, not like a common fool. Most importantly, you’ve been deliberately opposing us—I guess I’m not wrong. You intentionally waited until now to meet me in this manner and to engage in the fated showdown?
Hahaha, I must say, I’m starting to like you, your way of doing things. I’m tired of dealing with those who have no real strength; they may be able to injure me, but they can’t inflict a fatal wound. Battles are never satisfying. Only an opponent as strong, cunning, and patient as you, who reveals himself only at the very end, is worth my full effort. Come, let me see your strength, show me your true power!"
As Muse spoke, a massive aura suddenly burst forth from within her, like a torrential flood that obliterates everything in its path.
The air for several meters around vibrated incessantly as the moisture was forced out and rose, forming a straight column of cloud that pierced the sky.
The trees of the Screaming Forest shook continuously, as if trembling in fear. The earth around Muse cracked in dense spiderweb patterns, spreading in all directions, as if unable to bear her weight at that moment.
Muse stood in place, not making any movements, but to Richard’s eyes, it was as if he saw a giant slowly standing up—head reaching the skies, feet planted on the ground, a majestic presence!
Richard had to admit, Muse standing before him now was the strongest enemy he had ever encountered.
Richard realized that with ten or dozens of individuals like her, even the most powerful Wizard Organization couldn’t withstand them. If there were more, destroying the Black Spirit Empire that once united the East Coast would be no trouble at all.
However... Looking at the imposing Muse before him, Richard was exceptionally calm, his face showing not a trace of fear—not feigned but genuinely unafraid.
One hand still supporting the injured Pandora, Richard tilted his head slightly and glanced sideways at Muse. Thinking about what Muse had said before, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly with a hint of amusement, "The fated showdown? Do you think we specifically waited here for you, to fight a battle to fulfill a fated showdown? In my eyes, normally, children over ten years old from where I come from would no longer have such an idea.
Mutual admiration among heroes? Leaving the clash of the strong till the last? Must everything twist and turn, follow a structure of introduction, development, turn, and conclusion, and build up to a peak to achieve an equally matched, intense, life-or-death final battle that ends in a hard-won victory?
Actually, I’ve never thought that way. From the beginning, I didn’t think about this battle, and I still don’t think about it now. Right now, I just feel somewhat angry, a bit like venting. As for you, well, perhaps you’re strong, but..."
"That’s enough," Richard said softly, finishing with the last few words, and stretched out his hand, aiming the gloves he wore at Muse.
Muse frowned, still contemplating Richard’s words, then her gaze finally fell on the metal gloves Richard was wearing.
Muse wondered, then her eyes widened in an instant as a strange chill rose from the soles of her feet, spreading quickly to the top of her head, engulfing her entire body.
Muse shivered as an emotion she had almost forgotten surged from the deepest part of her heart.
That emotion was called...fear.
Muse’s rationality urged her body to rush forward and attack Richard, but her instincts were desperately trying to prevent this action, urging her to turn and run instead.
Muse felt a sudden confusion in her brain, a tingling pain amidst the chaos, and through the pain, she saw a light emitting from Richard’s metal gloves.