Lord of Cinder in American Comics

The battle was short-lived; it only took a few minutes from when the monsters blended into the environment until the fog dissipated from the entire area.

When the fog dissipated, what appeared before everyone's eyes was a unique and indescribable scene.

The monster that appeared later was now using its crocodile-like mouth to firmly bite one of the dragon heads that Valak had transformed into.

Meanwhile, Valak's other dragon head was inside the monster's belly. Only then did everyone realize that the monster had a mouth larger than its crocodile head on its abdomen.

The monster flipped Valak over and pinned him firmly to the ground with its bites and claws.

The infant form of Valakna, riding on the two-headed dragon, was pinned down by the two enormous bodies and unable to move.

Upon seeing this scene, Geralt asked an unrelated question: "Clint, do you still have the things I gave you before with you?"

"Oh, I always carry it with me, it's kept with my crossbow."

Clint took the Aberyst crossbow, which he had recently acquired, off his back. Beside the crossbow, a bundle of cloth was secured with ropes.

Holding the cloth bag in his hand, Clint said, "I figured it was a crossbow bolt, but I didn't dare to open it rashly."

"Now is the time to open it."

Following Geralt's orders, Clint carefully untied the thin ropes on the cloth bundle and then peeled back the layers of cloth covering it.

This is a crossbow bolt that is entirely golden, as if it were made of gold. Various runes are engraved on the bolt, and under the influence of the runes, the bolt emits a faint white light.

[Thunderbolts: Crossbow bolts that gather lightning. Made by a giant who was also the blacksmith of the gods. However, the gods did not use crossbows, so this item was likely commissioned by humans in the dragon-less era.]

"Now! Clint, fire this bolt at the target!"

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Author's Remarks

I'm sorry there won't be any extra updates today. I'll continue tomorrow. I'm so sleepy and tired right now, I feel incredibly weak, and I desperately want to sleep. I'm sorry, I really need to rest. I'll continue with an extra 3,000 words tomorrow.

2022-05-07 22:30

Chapter 219: The Miracle of Forgiveness

Clint placed the platinum-colored lightning bolt on Aberyst and quickly aimed it between the two dragon heads of Valak.

The situation wasn't too tense, and Clint even had time to joke: "Geralt, are you sure you want to shoot the dragon that's pinned down underneath? I think the one on top is more terrifying..."

"Stop talking nonsense and get to work!"

Urged on by Geralt, Clint pulled the trigger on Aberyst's crossbow bolt. As soon as the bolt left Aberyst's bolt, it transformed into a beam of platinum light.

The crossbow bolt, faster than any other projectile, left only a platinum-colored mark on everyone's retinas before striking Valak's body.

The hit Valak had one of his dragon heads severed, leaving a penetrating wound with white-gold lightning bolts resembling those from a crossbow bolt.

Valak felt as if all her strength had been drained away, and her entire body collapsed to the ground, powerless. The monster that was pinning her down did not loosen its grip; instead, it bit even harder.

The dragon head on the ground stared at everyone with resentful eyes, as if it wanted to remember them all.

Geralt threw another Black Flame Bottle at the broken dragon head.

"You're still looking! Do you even know who I am?! The future Lord of Hell, the current Son of Hell, the Black Demon King, is my boss!"

Geralt's offhand fabrication caused Hill, who had been to the edge of hell with him, to lower his head slightly, trying to avoid revealing his barely suppressed laughter to Valak.

With a goal in mind, Valak roared and dispersed his entire body, returning to the embrace of hell.

"I just said it offhand, how could you actually believe me... This devil is truly honest!"

Impressed by Valak's quality, Geralt beckoned the monster that had just appeared.

At this moment, the ferocious monster wagged its tail at Geralt like a puppy, leaping around in front of him and excitedly opening its mouth towards him.

Of course, if you ignore its body length of over twenty meters, its long snout covered with sharp teeth, and its tail that can knock down a tree with a casual swing, then it is just a pet.

Geralt was stroking its long snout, praising the monster with words of approval. The monster, in turn, lowered its body, pressed its head to the ground, and arched its back, enjoying Geralt's comfort.

Clint, still not satisfied after firing the lightning bolt, saw Geralt's pet and wanted to reach out and pet it as well.

However, the monster bared its teeth at Clint, threatening him not to let Clint get close.

Clint stopped and asked curiously, "Geralt, is this also one of our helpers?"

"Of course, you can call it a Tindaros Hound. It's a hunter's helper in hunting large creatures. Isn't it cute!"

[Tindaros Hound: A mutant of Salvation's beasts, it once resided for a long time on the bridge in Irithyll, using mist to teleport its massive body. Even Salvation himself was unsure what abilities this mutant had evolved. After being captured by the Ashes, it became Geralt's beloved pet. A shapeless dimensional creature, no target can escape its pursuit.]

Speaking of this beast of Salvation, Ash remembers that the old thief's case file contained the name Tindaros. And this special creature was given the same name.

"Hehe, cute..."

Clint looked at the sharp teeth that were thicker than his own arm and insincerely praised the beast.

Recalling the Platinum Flash from earlier, Clint said, "By the way, Geralt, why didn't you tell me sooner that you had such a powerful crossbow?"

"Oh, that one, it was just an experimental sample. I didn't know it was that powerful..."

"Experimental subject!? You've mistaken me for a weapons test subject!"

After Geralt comforted the Tindaros Hound and watched the reluctant hound walk through the fog gate, he explained the reason to Clint.

"It's all because you're too weak. I finally found this usable crossbow bolt in the junkyard... in the weapons manufacturing workshop. If you were even a little stronger, I could have provided you with much better equipment..."

"But I think this crossbow is powerful enough..."

Geralt held up a finger and waved it, refuting Clint's statement. He said in a tone of utter disappointment, "Have you ever tried using the Greatbow of the Demons to slay horned giants? Have you ever used the Greatbow of the Dragon Slayer that can shoot down dragons? No, you haven't! And you're still gloating over these human experiments from the dragonless age? I'm very disappointed in you..."

Slay the giants! Hunt down the dragons! Clint imagined himself wielding a great bow, drawing it low, and shooting down the dragons. Then, looking at Abelis, whom he still couldn't use skillfully, he could only sigh with sadness and resentment.

"Are you finished recording? You can call your men out now. It's safe here..."

Geralt was speaking to Hill, and what he was showing Hill was all information that Geralt had thought about and was prepared to present to S.H.I.E.L.D.

The gradual increase in strength is reflected in various aspects, not only in personal abilities, but also in tools and weapons. These equipment that can quickly enhance personal abilities are what various forces and organizations desire most.

When an individual's abilities reach a certain stage, those in positions of power will inevitably consider how to limit their development.

Equipment is different. At worst, we can start an alternative arms race. These equipment will be useful sooner or later, and their flow can be controlled through technological means and material supply.

Clint's crossbow bolts, Geralt's wild beasts, and his various fire flamingos—these are all external things.

This time, Geralt only intervened once or twice to fend off Valak's attacks; the rest of the time, the exorcism was carried out by Clint, who had only recently started training, and various equipment.

This is a signal to S.H.I.E.L.D., and also a way to release pressure on the outside world.

Even if S.H.I.E.L.D. chooses to cooperate with the Hunters' bizarre methods, there must be a way to check and balance them.

Following Hill's notification, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who had been hiding in the distance surfaced. Accompanied by searchlights and gun lights, several combat teams and helicopter formations appeared.

Geralt immediately pointed at the homeowners and said, "It's settled then, you'll pay for their house! I don't have any money..."

With Hill's arrangement, the homeowners boarded a transport helicopter, and S.H.I.E.L.D. provided them with new accommodations.

Only the Warrens remained at the scene, and they were taken away and placed under guard by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

Hill had also witnessed Geralt's rudeness towards Ed Warren; Warren's methods were less satisfying than a grenade launcher. She had no interest in such a weak exorcism technique.

Ed Warren is currently receiving medical attention, with gauze packed into his mouth to compress and stop the bleeding.

"Aren't you afraid Pope Salvador Saliham will come after you? I've checked the records; they were recruited by the Pope. And there's an Ash in New York..."

Hill inquired about more details, since they now knew each other well, and asking a little more wouldn't hurt.

Hill wanted an explanation for this issue, which was clearly a religious dispute, since everyone knew that the Crusades had also been caused by religious disputes.

However, Geralt gave Hill an unexpected answer.

“I punished this traitor, and Salvador should even thank me. That Ed couldn’t even use a simple healing spell. It shows that he is full of resistance to the White Cult’s beliefs.”

His wife accepted Shaliwan's protection but didn't give a satisfactory answer. Shaliwan wouldn't come to me about something like this. How Shaliwan deals with these two people is entirely up to him.

Hill remained skeptical of what was said. Geralt had attacked Salivam's men, and given that Salivam had now established a region that resembled a divine kingdom on earth, S.H.I.E.L.D. now had to consider Salivam's intentions.

Geralt, not believing Hill, summoned his tool, Clint.

"Clint, tear your old coat into shreds, then pick the pieces that best suit your taste and fold them into a tower shape as you please. Then wrap a personal item around it..."

Geralt guided Clint in creating the simplest amulet, which contained only the most basic items and could not be used more than a few times.

"Now, I will tell you a prayer about the Kagyu school, a story of the Kagyu school's most tolerant nature. As you recall this story in your heart, also imagine that you possess healing power within your hands..."

Hill was also recording Geralt's instructions, and in her incredulous gaze, Clint's hand holding the amulet emitted a white light, just like Ash often did.

[Minor Restoration: A miracle granted to the less devout. A testament to the White Church's tolerance. Restores a small amount of health. An amulet or holy bell must be equipped to use this miracle.]

A faint milky-white light emanated from Clint's hand, then spread throughout his body, slowly healing the wounds from Genvarak's battle with the other demons.

Clint continued the treatment, staring in disbelief at everything around him. Even after his wounds healed, he didn't stop casting spells until the amulet in his hand could no longer withstand the power and shattered into pieces.

Touching his healed wounds, which weren't even scarred, Clint exclaimed in admiration, "Geralt, why didn't you teach me sooner? This is so useful!"

"What am I supposed to teach you? You're a hunter! If you get hurt, just eat a couple more bowls of rice. Do you really need that kind of ability? You're a man without a single scar on your body, as smooth as a sissy!"

After reprimanding Clint, Geralt said to Hill, "See? Even a Hunter's Apprentice can learn a versatile miracle in a short time, but that Ed couldn't use it at all. Would Salvation come after me because of someone like that? Besides, everyone has a powerful backer..."

Having received this explanation, Hill did not pursue the matter further, nor did he concern himself with the Warrens' affairs.

Hill went to deal with what was happening on the scene; a demon had appeared, and S.H.I.E.L.D. had to implement area control. Clint, under Geralt's threat, was also forced to give S.H.I.E.L.D. his on-site report.

"But Geralt, I haven't even had a proper meal... The little food you gave me isn't nearly enough..."

Chapter 220: Mary Shaw

Clint's explanation stems from his overeating during training. To provide the energy needed for his physical transformation, Clint was forced by Geralt to consume enormous amounts of food.

When Clint returned home for the first time and ate two weeks' worth of food in one meal, his wife decided to dig a cellar under the house to store food.

Even though Clint has completed his basic training, he has maintained his previous habit of not having enough food, and he always feels hungry.

"Alright, alright, hurry up and finish your report. After you're done, we'll go to town; there'll be food for you there..."

Upon hearing this, Clint said embarrassedly, "Geralt, you know I'm broke, right...? You've been docking my paycheck for thirty years after I die..."

"Get lost... Do you think I need your little bit of money! But you're right, we need to find a way to swindle... get a sum of money from S.H.I.E.L.D."

The two did not hide their discussion from the S.H.I.E.L.D. staff around them, and everyone present heard Geralt's grand plan.

However, Geralt remained true to himself, but once, when he glanced at Hill's Quinjet, he gave a knowing smile.