The forest seemed to pulse with unseen energy, the battle far from over. But with Viorenving in hand and his friends by his side, Ansel was ready to face whatever darkness lay ahead.
Goblin's movement was incredibly fast. And Ansel knew he couldn't simply rush in blindly. He had to anticipate the creature's next move, to try and guess its intentions before it acted.
This was why he only approached halfway, cautious and calculating. His instincts proved correct. The goblin was always one step ahead. It was ready to strike or vanish at a moment's notice.
After the goblin disappeared, Touji Ito bent down and retrieved Viorenving from the ground. The sword felt warm and alive in his hands. It hummed softly with residual energy.
He looked up at Ansel and nodded with gratitude. He said quietly, his voice carrying a mix of relief and respect. "Thank you for getting rid of him."
Ansel shook his head. "No, it's just hurt. It will return after his wound heals. So, I'm not going to let him get away with it. I will follow him into the Immortal realm."
Despite his resolve, Ansel was troubled. He hadn't yet uncovered why the goblin could so easily slip away and return to the Immortal realm.
Normally, opening a portal between realms was no simple matter. Both humans and immortals had to perform intricate rituals to open inter-realm gateways. The ceremonies that required precise timing, powerful magic, a sigil, and often, rare artifacts.
If a Feyfiend or goblin could move freely between the human realm and the Immortal realm, it meant something was wrong.
The boundary between the two realms was usually a strong and carefully guarded veil. Nowadays it has been weakened. Someone or something must have caused this breach, allowing the goblin to slip through without the usual barriers.
This revelation weighed heavily on Ansel's mind. The weakening of the boundary suggested a larger one. More dangerous threated lurking beyond the immediate danger of the goblin itself. It hinted at a conspiracy or a powerful force working to unravel the delicate balance between realms.
As Ansel prepared to pursue the goblin into the Immortal realm. He knew the battle ahead would be more than just a fight against a single creature. It would be a struggle to protect the very fabric of reality from unraveling.
The Fayfiend had disappeared, wounded but not defeated. Yet, Ansel was far from ready to let it go. The creature's injury was a temporary setback, not an end.
He knew that the only way to truly destroy the goblin was to follow it into the Immortal realm. The mysterious and perilous world was beyond human reach.
Ansel understood the nature of the realms well. Time flowed differently between the human world and the Immortal realm; what might be hours or days in one could stretch into years in the other.
This time dilation was a crucial advantage. The goblin, injured and vulnerable, would be weaker in the Immortal realm. It was the perfect moment for Ansel to strike decisively. He could not afford to waste this opportunity.
What bolstered Ansel's confidence was that he had not expended much energy during their initial encounter. His spirit and strength remained intact, ready for the battle ahead.
The wound the goblin bore, though not fatal, was enough to slow it down and weaken its defenses. Ansel was certain that a well-placed attack could finish the creature once and for all.
Tracking the goblin would not be difficult. Viorenving, was more than a weapon, it was a guide. The blade pulsed faintly, resonating with the goblin's lingering presence, pointing the way toward its hidden path.
However, a significant obstacle remained: Ansel did not know how to bring his physical body into the Immortal realm. Until now, only his spirit had ventured there. It slipped through the veil during moments of meditation or spiritual projection.
Entering the realm in full form was an entirely different challenge. One fraught with unknown dangers and complex rituals.
He needed to discover the method to cross over completely, to bridge the gap between spirit and flesh. This knowledge was crucial, for without it. He could only watch helplessly as the goblin healed and regained its strength.
Ansel's voice was steady but filled with urgency as he turned to Touji Ito. He asked, flickering in his eyes. "Sir, can you open the portal of the immortal realm?"
Touji shook his head slowly, a shadow of regret crossing his face. He explained quietly. "It doesn't exist in Buddhism. After all, it's forbidden. An ordinary monk like me can't learn about it. However, some monks are allowed to learn high-level spiritual sciences."
"That's right." Ansel murmured. He realized that his hopes for Touji's help might be misplaced.
Yet, the urgency of the situation pressed on him. The injured goblin, weakened but still dangerous, was a fleeting opportunity he could not afford to miss.
The only wizard Ansel knew who might help was Sigil. Unfortunately, his knowledge was limited to Demon Sigils. A dark, dangerous symbol used to bind or repel demons. But not necessarily to open portals between realms.
Still, there was a glimmer of hope. Mr. McVeigh had once taught him how to create Sigils. The knowledge was there, buried in his memory, waiting to be put into practice. Ansel knew that if he could master the right Sigil. It might open the gateway he desperately needed.
Despite his doubts about whether the Sigil would work, Ansel understood that he had no other choice. The stakes were too high, and the window of opportunity too narrow. He had to try.
With a deep breath, he would begin to prepare, recalling the intricate patterns and ancient chants that accompanied the creation of a Sigil.
If he succeeded, the portal to the Immortal realm would open. And then, he could finally confront the goblin on its own ground. If he failed, the creature would heal and grow stronger. The fragile boundary between worlds would continue to unravel.