Reincarnation of Nikola Tesla in another world-Chapter 20: bandit arc - 4

I barely have time to think.

Lilith, her blade dripping with the blood of the bandits, had just declared she needed me for something. Why? Who was she? Before I can piece it together—

CRACK.

A deafening snap above me, then a rush of wind.

A massive claw shreds through the wooden frame of the cart's roof and clamps around my stomach. Before I can react, my body is yanked into the air.

The entire cart creaks and bends under the sudden weight, passengers screaming in shock. But just as the structure starts to cave in, the beast flaps its wings once—twice—and releases the pressure, soaring upward with me in its grip.

_"Do you want to activate attack mode now or remain in defensive mode?"_

Spark's voice chimes in, flat as always, completely unaffected by the fact that I'm currently being kidnapped by a flying monster.

Wind roars in my ears. The ground below becomes a blur of trees and dirt roads, shifting too fast for my eyes to focus. I twist, trying to break free, but the chimera's claws dig into my side.

A voice calls down from above. Deep, authoritative. Vaqihr.

"Name the one controlling you," he says, peering down at me from the chimera's back. "Maybe I can shield you from the criminal court's harsher trials."

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

I grit my teeth. So that's what this is? An arrest?

Vaqihr exhales, his sharp gaze unwavering. "Do not throw your life away for the path of a fugitive. You still have a chance to make things right."

I breathe through the searing pain in my ribs. Right? Right?!

_"Spark. Attack mode—now."_

A pulse runs through my body. The invisible armor that had cushioned me moments ago vanishes in an instant. The chimera's grip tightens immediately, claws digging deep into my stomach. Blood pools at the back of my throat.

I clench my hand, muttering a spell. A fireball, small yet violently spinning, ignites in my palm. Bright blue. Faster, more focused than the one I'd shown the kids.

My first instinct is to aim for Vaqihr.

He sees the flicker of magic forming and instinctively turns his gaze away. Mistake.

I twist, shifting my aim—straight at the chimera.

The fireball slams into its side. BOOM! The explosion is small but enough.

The beast shrieks, its entire body seizing midair. Its claws snap open in pain—

And I fall.

Wind rushes past me, gravity pulling me down fast.

_"Emergency protocol activated. Defensive mode: 100%."_

The impact is like hitting solid steel. My vision sparks white, pain rippling through every nerve. I feel the armor absorb most of the damage, but my right leg—something cracks. Badly.

I can't move it.

I hear the chimera screeching overhead. Vaqihr's voice, sharp with command, "Thorin, steady yourself!"

So that's its name. Thorin.

The chimera circles back, wings beating heavily as Vaqihr locks his gaze on me again. He's coming down.

But then—

A blur.

Lilith dashes.

Vaqihr barely has time to register before her blade is already inches from his chest.

Thorin reacts fast. Its massive claw swings forward, parrying her strike with sheer force. She should've been sent flying—

She's already repositioning.

Lilith twists in midair, landing with impossible grace before darting forward again, her lips curling in a playful smile.

"This boy is mine," she says.

Vaqihr exhales, his tone colder than before. He doesn't waste another second. He raises a hand and casts his birthgift—

Telekinesis.

Lilith's entire body is yanked backward with violent force, as if reality itself had reached out and shoved her away.

The trees around us bend outward, their trunks creaking from the sheer weight of his magic. Leaves scatter, caught in the shockwave.

Lilith crashes through the air before skidding to a halt, her heels digging into the ground.

Spark's voice hums in my mind. _"Defensive power reduced to 25% due to impact."_

I suck in a breath, watching the fight through the pain. Lilith is grinning. Why is she grinning?

Vaqihr dismounts from Thorin, landing lightly on his feet. "Be on guard," he murmurs to the beast.

He takes a step toward me.

Lilith appears beside him.

No sound. No warning.

Blade swinging from the side, aimed straight at his neck.

"You have quite a bit of power for a petty human."

Vaqihr doesn't flinch.

Her attack stops. Just an inch from slicing him.

He had predicted it. His free hand is already extended, casting another spell mid-air.

Lilith's legs freeze solid.

Ice encases her feet up to her knees, locking her in place.

"Well, well," Vaqihr muses. "If it isn't the daughter of the Demon King himself."

Lilith tilts her head. "One of the seventeen, actually."

She smirks. "And who might you be to know that?"

Vaqihr's expression doesn't change. "Oh, you don't know me. But I know all about you."

His voice is calm, but edged. "The strongest among your siblings. The only one without a division because you were versed in all of them. The only succubus to never touch a man—even after coming of age."

Lilith's eyes flicker with something unreadable. "You make it sound like it's wrong."

"Not wrong," Vaqihr corrects. "Just... unusual."

She laughs. "I never did because I wanted to become strong on my own. Not by stealing the souls of weak men."

Her gaze sharpens. "But you, Grand Wizard—you might just be worthy."

Vaqihr doesn't even blink. "Pity. I'm not interested."

A long silence stretches between them.

Vaqihr exhales. "I have no wish to entangle myself with the Demon Realm. Return to your side. If you linger, it will be seen as an infiltration. Breaking the pact would mean war."

Lilith only grins wider. "What a shame. You talk like I care."

Then—

She shifts.

A vibration runs through her blade, and the ice around her shatters as her form blurs.

She phases—her colors fading, her presence slipping into something unnatural—

Then strikes from the other side.

Vaqihr parries at the last moment. Their blades clash in a ringing burst. He leaps back, immediately raising a hand.

Summoning spell.

The air distorts as two massive golems materialize beside him. Their hulking frames tower over both of them, eyes glowing with arcane energy. Smaller puppets scurry out, their tiny metallic limbs clicking into formation.

Vaqihr staggers. Realising he's out of mana

He curses under his breath and uncorks a vial from his belt, drinking its contents in one motion. His only elixir.

Lilith watches him, her lips curling in delight.

She tilts her head, whispering to herself, "Avoid flashy fights... but this child—" Her eyes flicker to me, and her smile deepens.

"The one with alien mana...I must have him"

I try to move. My head swims.

Blood loss.

Damn it.

My vision blurs.

The last thing I see is Lilith still smiling—and then darkness.