"Very well. First, allow me to say how sorry I am." Lith took both of her hands in his while looking Phloria in the eyes.
"I never meant to involve you in the mess that is my life. That’s why I tried to push you away over and over back when we were at the White Griffon. Your persistence made me into a better man, but it also put you at great risk.
"I prepared for years for this moment, hoping that it would never come, but here we are. I can’t guarantee your survival, only that I will do everything in my power to save you. The procedure could last long, but it will surely be agonizing.
"I can’t anesthetize you and spare you the pain because, even though I can assist you, it will be your willpower to tip the scale between life and death. It’s more pain than most men experience their whole life, so I would understand if you choose an easier way out." Lith said.
"Most men?" Phloria chuckled at the distinction.
For some reason, the tower felt like home. She could feel Lith even in the air she breathed and in the ground she stood upon. The pain in her abdomen was gone and so was the fear that she had felt while in Baba Yaga’s hut.
"Indeed. Based on the women I helped during my career, each breakthrough is as painful as giving birth, but yours will be like Rena with her triplets." Lith replied.
"I guess it’s a pain you’re used to." Phloria said.
"Me, Tista, Protector, and a lot of other people I want you to meet." Lith said. freёwebnovel.com
"What would you do in my shoes?"
"I don’t know. I can only tell you that, in my shoes, I’m not ready to lose you."
"That makes the two of us." Phloria chuckled. "I don’t want to die. Not here. Not now. Not like this."
"Then you’d better drink this." Lith took out two potions.
One was a purple potion filled with nutrients for Phloria and the other was a red top-grade tonic for himself. His body was battered from the mana abuse and he needed to spare as much Invigoration as he could for the procedure.
Even with the tower further boosting his recovery abilities, Lith needed a nap to return to his peak condition, but doing it would doom Phloria.
"Why the heck did you shut me and Friya up while you can give a speech?" Solus pouted.
"Because the mental state of the patient is vital for the success of every procedure and because it’s Phloria’s life that is at stake. She deserves to know everything she needs before making such an important decision." Lith replied.
"Sorry, guys. What did I miss?" Nalrond Warped back after finishing to treat all those in critical conditions.
"Nothing much." Protector replied. "Just Lith being cheesy instead of the usual sourpuss."
Nalrond knew there was a joke somewhere, but they didn’t know each other for long enough that the Rezar could either understand it or laugh at it. He felt too indebted to Lith for introducing Protector to him and giving him a share of the silver mines.
Both Nalrond and Protector shapeshifted back into their human form, making the girls flinch.
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