The Black Saint is My StalkerCh109 - Just like old times

Edited by dreamandwonder

Hours later, nighttime settled. RZMTQi

The hunters mobilized and even the area around the Edelstein Pillar had been evacuated, the area under heavy surveillance and lock-down. News reporters cluttered the border of their patrol, eager to get a scoop even with the urge for media blackout.

Despite Oscar’s warnings and his instructions, Han Li wasn’t even stationed close to the actual Pillar, and was in fact one of the sad fools stationed around the site’s perimeter. The extent of the action he was getting microphones and cameras shoved in his face, reporters asking a slew of questions that he either couldn’t answer or…well, couldn’t answer.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Can you tell us what is going on around the Edelstein Pillar?”

“Citizens are disturbed and concerned about the recent evacuation. Why has the Association yet to release any statements?” hbuECk

“Is there any reason why the Round Table Union would be without precious information about Britia’s very own Edelstein Pillar?”

“…” Han Li felt his eyes twitch, stepping away from hungry reporters. He wasn’t even Britian for heaven’s sake, forget about speaking on behalf of the RTU.

Han Li wore a mask over the bottom half of his face, which protected his identity. Which also protected the reporters from his rude scowl before he wordlessly backed away from his post.

There were other hunters and guardians made to suffer the same task as he and Han Li sure didn’t feel like a horde of aggressive reporters. Even worse than demons, if you asked him.

Han Li sighed, finding a relatively smaller street corner devoid of any streetlight. He still had a light of sight of the yellow tape and the poor guy being harassed by cameras and microphones.

What a joke.

Han Li leaned against a dead streetlight, wanting nothing more than to go home. Would anyone even notice if he slipped away? Would he even be needed should anything come to happen? They had new A-rank and S-rank hunters called in. He, a measly C-rank newbie, would hardly be useful.

But even if Han Li were to leave, home was hundreds of miles away, with the whole ocean to traverse. Not to mention, a tiny, minuscule, desperate piece of his heart still wished that Graham would call on him. Stupidly, he reached up and touched the silver piece that dangled from his ear. x8Y95l

It felt cold and he felt like a fool.

Quietly, he wondered why he never used the stupid thing in the first place. Just hopping on a plane to Britia at the first possible opportunity like some blinded idiot.

Seriously, he was blinded. And all it took was an old ass boomer with a brick-like face, carved to perfection by the gods themselves. Stupid, stupid, stupid. 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

He rubbed the back of his neck, frustrated that he had nothing to do aside from ruminating about his crappy predicament. And though Han Li wore a radio set in his ear, he had a constant feeling that he wasn’t going to be receiving any instructions to help. 02g6yD

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With eyes closed, the back of his head against the cold, dark streetlight with the equally dark sky overhead, Han Li thought he might be able to fall asleep standing.

But he was jolted awake from his reverie. A familiar prick of a communication spell invading his thoughts; knV3YT

‘Han Li.’

He blinked, unresponsive, believing it to be an odd spark of his overactive imagination.

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‘…I understand if…you do not wish to respond. But I…would like your help,’ words, carefully chosen, flitted through his mind.

This time Han Li couldn’t ignore them, his heart raced like a speeding bullet. NRfnUO

‘…Yeah?’

‘Ah. I did not think that you would respond— never mind. This is urgent. Aoibhinn planted a gateway within the facility. Andraste will travel through.’

Han Li’s momentary excitement drained instantly. His blood ran cold. ‘What the— what kind of gateway? I didn’t see anything inside the Pillar, Grams. I used my—‘

‘Third eye? Hm, I presume you were distracted by her witchcraft. Aoibhinn is capable of more than that, Han Li. Her magic traverses dimensions. I am not aware if all qualities of true third eyes can detect her true strength.’ wTMIoB

The fuck?

Han Li never heard of a human capable of cross-dimensional magic, witch or not.

‘…Han Li. You…do not have to come. You need not help me.’

‘Graham, shut up for a second,’ Han Li was reeling on way too many different levels. He ran his tongue over his fangs, struggling to quell the ten thousand thoughts and feelings crowding his brain. But the answer to Graham’s call was a simple one. Because all Han Li needed to say was, ‘I’m coming, dammit!’ h7DPUW

‘…Alright. I will await your arrival.’

While facial expressions couldn’t be discerned through a communication spell, Han Li could imagine the Saint of Eternity smiling. An unwanted heat rose up his face and Han Li hated how weak his legs felt even in a time like this.

Even if…

Even if Han Li couldn’t be Graham’s sunshine, he wanted to be his ally. Comrade. ZSNOoP

Friend.

If nothing else…at least that.

That would be enough…

Han Li quietly slipped into the shadows, disappearing from his post. Luckily, his position was one so insignificant that no one even took note. km6wgn

…

In a dark nondescript room, Aoibhinn drew lines into the dusty tiled floor with freshly spilled blood. Carcasses of newly born goats were discarded in a dark corner. The blood, though fresh, had already turned black with her power. She wore modern clothes but refused the absurdity of trousers; choosing a jade jacket over a burnt brown shirt paired with an emerald maxi skirt.

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It was the not first time that Graham saw such a spell; Aoibhinn had once briefly shown him the power that she had gained from other realms. But it had been brief, for the consequences of acquiring such knowledge were much too great. His heart ached from the thought, but his sorrow was one that was numbed with age.

Graham, stoic in posture, stood vigil as he watched his wife work, his face frozen in apathy, dark curls falling over his eyes. Dps7uW

Andraste, who also stood at his side curiously craned her neck. Tonight she wore a flashy faux mink coat over an elegant gray chiffon top, gold leaf earrings dangling loose. “What ails you, little Dimitris? After reuniting with your most beloved, should you not look a little happier, hm?”

“…” He did not humor her with even a glance but Graham couldn’t completely hide his darkened gaze either.

Though it was Andraste who woke his wife, her method was not one that he approved. Because this Aoibhinn was not truly whole; her missing soul fragment was replaced with Andraste’s instead.

“Hahaha,” the demoness giggled, “do not look so drab. It does not suit your saintly status.” Cp cMH

Again, he ignored her.

The prince did not seem to mind, perking up when Aoibhinn finally finished her array. She tossed aside the bowl of blood. Druid staff raised, ancient words spilled from her lips, her magic filling the room from floor to ceiling before dissipating into the array beneath her feet—

Or rather, it did not disappear but instead seeped into a different dimension. A strange, iridescent disc formed on the ground, slowly but surely growing.

Aoibhinn’s power was one not different from a miracle. But unlike a saint’s miracle, gifted by an angelic patron, the witch princess had gone and plucked the fruit of knowledge from another realm with her own two hands. khSjVP

What had once been a power she gambled her soul on to save her homeland was now…

Graham gritted his teeth, his mask of apathy cracked.

It did not escape Andraste’s notice. She scoffed, a grin apparent on her graceful features. “Little Dimitris, the feats that your wife accomplishes should not go uncelebrated. Her power is truly one even more magnificent than even my own abilities. To create a dimensional rift with but her own two hands…ah, truly wonderful.”

“…” Graham said nothing. Andraste wasn’t wrong, per se, but that did not stop the sour taste from gathering in the back of his throat. LJumF1

Aoibhinn could rip a hole through the dimensions; she alone could build bridges otherwise halted by the Edelstein Barrier.

Of course, it was no easy feat, and Aoibhinn could not perform such a miracle on a whim.

Still, it did not detract from the awe-inspiring effects of her prowess.

The demon prince was unbothered by Graham’s lack of response to her chattering. She stepped forward, joining Aoibhinn’s side.  The long drawl of incantations simmered off and the two women shared a look. d0RN1

“How exciting, this is just like old times,” Andraste singsonged, eagerly jumping down into the iridescent pool. The strange, glittering membrane enveloped her, as though devouring her whole.

Aoibhinn hummed absently as she watched, still holding the druid’s staff to maintain her rift. Silence filled the room, there was not even the sound of breathing.

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It was the witch princess who broke the quiet first. “Husband, why is it that you hesitate?”

Finally, Graham moved from his spot, walking up to stand next to his wife. She looked at him with those emerald greens, half accusing, half pitiful. Aoibhinn leaned into his shoulder and breathed in his scent, strands of her hair brushed against his chin and jaw. 6QGWqe

“It pains me to see you like this,” Graham replied, gently cradling her head in an embrace. Privately, he mourned.

“…Will you come?” she whispered against his neck.

“I will follow you to the very ends of the world,” he replied, his voice low, barely a whisper.

“Then come. Come with me to the ends of the world,” she smiled that sweet loving smile of hers. The one that he so loved and had started to fade from his ancient memories. Now, he could bear witness to it once more. dIQXiM

He let her go and stepped away. A crude mask secured over his face and Graham descended into the dimensional rift. Aoibhinn followed and the rift closed, leaving behind no evidence aside from the few carcasses of baby goats and used bloody bowl.

Author: UMMMM I-IDK IF THE CHAPTER SHOWS OR NOT CUZ I MESS UP But ummmmmmm ermmmmmmm i-i give up.