Spirit Taming

Chapter 677: Unknown Threat

"You really did a number on your body making things for Grace. But I understand." Ralph just nodded as Clark spoke.

When Clark had taken a closer look at the damage that Ralph had done to his hands and arms due to crafting things well beyond his limits, he had found that it was a little worse than expected.

His arms were strained to the point that there would be damaged muscles for at least a month with constant healing treatments and healing potions being given. He would also need to ensure that he was always providing proper energy crystals to his beasts.

The simple reason for that, was that strengthening their bonds through sharing more energy would help Ralph repair his own body and grow stronger. While it was a process that would take a month, the strictness of how Ralph would need to stretch and refrain from working beyond a certain point was firm. Not doing so would extend his inability to forge greater items for much longer.

"You said that If I didn't follow these routines that I would need over five years to heal. Right? What if I need to forget something better?" Ralph's honesty was clear. He had dropped the hotty attitude he had when it came to his temper and general actions.

"Exactly, so try and actually rest for once. We have a lot to handle here in Nova to make it the home we want it to be. Having a month to rest shouldn't be too much." This was more a wish that Clark was making than anything. He knew well that there would be a lot more to handle in the future.

"If you have the time, maybe you can take some for me. I hear that you are somewhat of a leader around here since the entire Mane family was talking about you." Clark had only heard this voice once due to the business of life. But he remembered it.

"General Green? Do you want me to wake up Ella? She is still sleeping over there. We moved so we wouldn't wake the others." seeing that Clark was willing to do so, General green shook her head.

"No, that's fine. I see you didn't even try to run off elsewhere after your fight. I heard everything after returning. I met my son as well. He refused to even return to the city until he felt he was able to defend it all by himself. So, I sent him to handle some scouting with the others." there was a clear warmth in her voice.

She still felt grateful for Clark assisting in healing her son when Ella had asked.

"I also will speak with my daughter later. I heard that she played her own role well beyond what I had expected. Moving around and explaining how to handle beasts with their weaknesses. Changing the battle strategies to better suit certain areas constantly. She is definitely my daughter." This was more like General Green was bragging more than anything.

"I can't say that I don't want to talk to you. I know that you had a lot of your personal guards chase after the leads when it comes to the blood moon cultists… but what do you need?" Ralph looked at Clark and sighed. He was not ready to listen to more drama. So, he let Clark stay legend after Clark had asked this question.

"I expected you to be like this. You have way too much focus for a child your age. Well, not even a child. More like the next legend after Alexander." There was a somber tone about all this. General Green did not hide who she was feeling.

"Did he-" Clark leaped up from where he had been sitting speaking with Ralph. His voice a little more sharp than he wanted.

"Come and speak with general Mane. We were all waiting for you to wake up to tell you the news. To tell you Alexander's final words. After that, we can discuss what I managed to find while chasing down one of the blood moon cult's bases. They had quite a bit from our city." General Green began to show anger on her face.

From what everyone knew, General Green was the least likely to be caught up in the political battles of the city. She took the outside battles as her sole role. Asd the most important focus. Defend their home from the outside beast waves. From the outside attackers. From the bandits.

From everything and anything incoming.

Therefore, the public knew her and the Green family guards as reclusive. They followed their general who forged whenever she was within the city. Later, they would hear tales of what she did to fight off dungeons that had broken or mutated beasts that had caused deaths along the nearby roads of farms. A unique general for sure.

"I will also be taking that boy Ralph. He is clay right now. He needs further sculpting." General Green was stating that. It was clear that Clark's explanation of what Ralph's body was like had been heard by her. She had just given them the respect and space to speak first.

The tense feeling only increased as General Green brought Clark toward a large medical tent. The white robed healer's arrival had been a great thing. They had managed to help many injured recover much faster due to their experience and skill. They were also boasting of the connection to Clark's group since they had finally found ways to grow. It would be good for Isa to sell beasts plans later.

The back of the massive healing tent was reserved for the worst injuries. There, he saw General Mane. his arm missing and multiple casts applied to help keep bones in line. Both legs showed damage. The burns on his chest and face a clear mark of what sort of fight he had had.

"You have a month. That's the limit you were given." His voice was rough. There was a lot of rough tones due to the damage from fighting a monster unlike any other.

"That's what Alexander challenged you with. Get stronger than him in a month. Then you can go handle whatever you want."

When General Mane had met Clark, he had thought one thing. This boy has an indomitable will. A will that will not falter regardless of what he chooses to pursue.

With that thought, he had made it a certainty that Clark was trained and learned from Clara. Beyond that, he had also been the first one to mention to Alexander about the unique boy seeking revenge. How he seemed to be more than he appeared.

"That's all the old man wanted? Then I will make sure his legend looks like a wet mouse compared to my strength." Clark refused to look sad.

Knowing he lost the mentor that had actually offered him opportunities to gain strength without asking anything, he had to show his determination. He had already made the decision to make Niva City what it should have been from the start. Why would he throw that aside now?

He needed to be strong to do that, so, he would follow his mentor's last will and ensure that he rose well above the legends set by Alexander.

"Good, that's what I wanted to hear. I already told my daughter how proud he was of her. But he saw strength in you." General Mane appeared to breathe easier. His wounds still bad, but they could be healed as time went on.

"I retire now. I will take the chance to teach at the academy. When it's all fixed up that is." This was also not a surprise at all. The wounds alone were enough. But Clark could vaguely sense that General Mane's beast must also be severely injured. Unable to fight again.

"Well, before you retire, how about you follow the instructions I give you to help get rid of that chaotic fire energy left inside your body. You might be able to walk properly after that. Maybe even teach a combat class." Clark's grin was a little wicked but General Mane met him with a glare of his own. The two had an understanding amongst one another.

"If you weren't such a wise ass, I would tell you to marry Clara." The rough laughter made Clark want to smack the general. But this was the most that he could have expected from someone injured who watched a legend of his generation perish.

"I already have my own feelings for someone. Plus, Clara would eat me alive. She's just as heated up as you are. She's got your blood." Clark joked a little. He just hoped that Clara wasn't somewhere around the corner waiting to smack him as she had done when he had trained with her.

"On that note, how about we talk business. The things I found about the blood moon cult's movements. The allies we will need." General Green broke the atmosphere up. It wasn't intentional, just necessary.