Breathing Method

"I was not wrong in my perception of the Rhythm. For some unknown reason, Negary had fallen into weakness and was currently hiding somewhere in hibernation." In a second-floor room overlooking the courtyard, Chris said with certainty, "Now is the best opportunity to get rid of Negary."

"I understand. I agree that Negary must be eradicated now. Evil Spirits are ownerless dead things, things of unrighteousness. We absolutely cannot stand by and watch it grow stronger." Austin stood by the window and looked downstairs. The Enforcement Squad that helped the Crow Men maintain order had surrounded the courtyard, openly keeping watch over the place.

His words made Gelosk, who was present, somewhat embarrassed. It was precisely the influx of merchants like them that had allowed Rea to grow to its current state.

"So the question now is whether we send Isabella and the others away first, or keep them here with us." Austin paused for a moment before continuing.

Hearing Austin's words, Chris looked toward Isabella and her daughter, who were eating downstairs in the living room.

This truly was a problem. If they sent someone to escort Isabella and her daughter back, it would weaken their forces here and lower their chances of eliminating Negary. On the other hand, if they were to eradicate Negary, Austin would inevitably have to stay behind. Without Bishop Austin and the others accompanying them, given Sers I's jealousy, it was easy to foresee that Isabella's journey home would not be safe.

But if Isabella and her daughter stayed, they might end up staking everything on it. Not only might they fail to eliminate Negary, they might also fail to bring Isabella and her daughter back to Interkami.

Most importantly, Rea was not safe either. There were assassins sent by Sers I, and those from the Kingdom of Roas also harbored ill intentions toward the so-called Saint of Salvation.

"For the moment, Isabella and her daughter would actually be safer staying in Rea." After a long silence, Chris said, "Though there are enemies here as well, comparatively speaking, Negary's people will also protect Isabella and her daughter for the sake of the Dragon Blood."

"The Dragon Daughter, the Saint of Salvation?" The Mark of True Knowledge on Austin's forehead flickered as he observed Nara downstairs.

"Can I really eat these foods as much as I want?" Nara raised her head, her watery eyes wide as she asked another female priest. Since there were not many people with constitutions suited to divine gifts, women could also become priests and Divine Grace Knights in Interkami.

"Of course. All of this was prepared for you. If it is not enough, I will get some more later." Seeing Nara's pitiful appearance, the female priest's maternal instincts instantly overflowed, and she spoke with affection.

"Really?" Nara widened her adorable eyes. Perhaps it was an illusion, but in that instant, the female priest seemed to see a golden glint flash through Nara's eyes.

"Of course it's tr—" Before the female priest could finish, Nara cheered and rushed to the table. Her little hands flew rapidly, stuffing everything within reach into her mouth.

"It's so good! Mama, you eat too." Nara's cheeks bulged like a large bun, and she spoke indistinctly. Beside her, Isabella could not stop her tears, feeling as though she had been starving her daughter all along.

"She is just a gluttonous little girl." Austin held his forehead, but he secretly exchanged a glance with Chris. A trace of gravity flashed between them. Were the dragon's traits beginning to awaken?

"Now the issue is defeating Negary. With our current strength, I am afraid it will be difficult." Chris laid out the intelligence he had gathered over this period. "Negary and his people control four Scale-kin, perhaps even more. Those monsters are extremely powerful. Add to that an unknown number of Crow Men, that young Spirit Warlock, and Negary himself—we need more strength if we want to eradicate Negary."

"Gelosk, you have been conducting business here for a long time. Are there any experts we can hire and trust?" Austin turned to the merchant at the side and asked.

"I know of two people, though I do not know whether you can persuade them to act." Gelosk thought for a moment before saying, "Those two each have their own abilities, but they are rather eccentric. I also do not know whether they are currently in Rea."

"Then take us to meet those two. Chris, stay here and recover for a while. If you keep putting your body through this, I am afraid it will soon be completely worn out." Austin said reproachfully. When he had first entered, he had used the Gift of Salvation on Chris, and thus understood just how badly Chris's body had deteriorated.

"Understood." Chris spoke indifferently. He knew his own body best. What he feared was not death; perhaps death would be more of a release to him. As though recalling something, Chris rose to his feet.

Nara, who was still waving both hands about at the dining table in the living room, suddenly heard someone upstairs calling her. Her mouth was stuffed full, a chicken drumstick clenched between her teeth, while her fork was still stabbing at a piece of steak.

The blond little girl turned around and stared blankly at Chris, who stood on the stairs, as though she had yet to come back to herself.

"Nara, Mr. Chris is calling you." Isabella said, both distressed and reproachful. "And you must mind your manners when you eat. You are being far too rude, not at all like a lady."

"I know, Mama." Nara finished the chicken drumstick in her mouth in a few bites, then looked reluctantly at the steak in her hand before setting it back on the plate. She wiped her hands and mouth clean with a napkin, then walked toward Chris, looking back at the food on the table every few steps.

"Mr. Chris, may I ask what you need?" Nara looked up at Chris with wide eyes, occasionally sneaking a glance back. Clearly, she was still thinking about the food on the dining table.

"Nara, do you want to protect your mother?" Chris placed one hand on Nara's shoulder, continuously sensing her Rhythm. Only when he felt that there was nothing wrong with it did he relax and speak.

"Of course. Nara will always protect Mama." Nara nodded earnestly.

"Next, I will teach you something. Only by learning it can you better protect your mother and yourself. Will you study it seriously?" Chris said solemnly. Looking into Nara's innocent eyes, he seemed to see his past self, wandering for reasons unknown.

Nara was still too young now, and there were many things she did not understand. Perhaps by the time she understood them, she would have grown into that Saint of Salvation.

"What I am going to teach you is called the Breathing Method!" Chris kept his hand on Nara's shoulder and began breathing at a peculiar frequency. Rhythm flowed from Chris's hand into Nara's body, guiding her breathing.

A golden light flashed through Nara's eyes and vanished. Chris stared at Nara in shock. Her breathing had synchronized with his almost instantly, naturally melding with the surrounding Rhythm.

Second update. Please bookmark and vote.

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