Fully grasping the gravity of the unfolding events, Damien wasted no time. He urgently requested the potions he needed from the priest, whose expression shifted from confusion to realization, a clear indication that he understood the potential consequences of their conversation being overheard.
With a mixture of urgency and insistence, Damien managed to convince the priest to retrieve the potions that had been securely locked away in a cupboard. The vials held the key to bolstering his magical strength, a vital resource in the dire circumstances they found themselves in.
After the priest handed over the potions, the woman and the old priest abruptly exited the room, leaving Damien alone with his thoughts and the potions that could potentially turn the tide in their favor. The air was charged with tension, and Damien knew that time was of the essence.
"Well, shit!" Damien cursed under his breath and he uncorked one of the vials and quickly consumed its contents, feeling the immediate surge of energy as the potion took effect.
Beside the mana potion, there was also a health potion within the vial's confines, a testament to the church's thorough preparations. However, Damien's physical state was relatively unscathed.
The potions themselves exuded an air of superior craftsmanship, evident by their pristine quality and the prestigious origin of the church that had provided them. Damien couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for this unexpected lifeline amidst the chaos.
As the mana potion coursed through his veins, its effects were almost immediate. Damien's senses heightened, and he could practically sense the very essence of magic in the air around him. The potion's potency was undeniable, reinvigorating his connection to the arcane forces and amplifying his own magical capabilities.
As the potion's magic surged within him, he could feel his senses sharpening, but at the same time, a slight dizziness washed over him. The potency of this high-quality potion was something even he was not entirely accustomed to.
However, his brief moment of recuperation was shattered as the door to the room was violently flung open once again, revealing a group of angry men and women, their expressions a chaotic mix of horror and fury.
Struggling to keep his balance, Damien leaned against the table, trying to steady himself as he faced the unexpected influx of accusers.
"You brought the devil himself, didn't you!" A dwarf, not even half of Damien's height, bellowed with a pointed finger in his direction. "You vile creature of darkness!"
"And you, you are one of them, aren't you?" Another voice accused, suspicion dripping from the words. The room was charged with tension, hostility swirling like a storm around Damien.
"What are you... saying?" Damien replied, his voice carrying a hint of languor, his senses still adjusting to the rush of mana coursing through him.
A wave of accusations followed, voices rising in a cacophony of anger. "Look at that! He even drank the potions that were vital for our survival!" an elven woman pointed an accusatory finger at the table. "Did you come here to extinguish our resources so that we don't have any more loose rope to hang on to?"
Damien raised an eyebrow in disbelief. The situation was spiraling into absurdity. "Are you kidding me?" he exclaimed, his frustration evident. He felt like an actor thrust onto an unfamiliar stage, forced to play a role he didn't understand. The hostility directed at him was baffling.
"Seize that son of the devil!" The dwarf's command echoed through the tense air, sending shivers down Damien's spine. The mob's aggression was palpable as they closed in, driven by a fervor that seemed almost unnatural. They gripped him tightly, forcing his head down and making him kneel, their strong hands like vices on his arms.
Inwardly, Damien cursed his timing. The effects of the mana potion surged within him, his mind sharp but his body sluggish. It was a cruel twist that left him mentally alert yet physically compromised.
As they dragged him away from the room, Damien's mind raced with determination. He repeated a silent mantra to himself, his inner voice a steady anchor amidst the chaos around him. 'Just hold on a little longer. Just a moment until I regain control.' Each step they took, each jostle and pull, fueled his resolve to break free from their grip.
When Damien's eyes fluttered open again, he found himself on the ground, surrounded by a sea of hostile eyes. The once-fearful gazes had transformed into a potent mix of fear and anger, creating a tense atmosphere that seemed ready to explode at any moment. The children who had cheered his strength earlier were now clinging tightly to their parents, their innocent faces etched with confusion and anxiety. It was a stark contrast to the hopeful excitement he had witnessed just a while ago.
Amidst the hostile crowd, Damien's gaze fell upon the restrained figures of the woman and the old priest, lying helpless on the ground with their faces turned away. The ropes that bound them left angry marks on their skin, a stark contrast to the hope they had previously shared. Their eyes met briefly, and in that moment, a wave of empathy surged through Damien. He understood the gravity of their predicament, trapped in a web of suspicion and fear.
"See this creature," the dwarf started. "He pretended to be a hero and was secretly working for the necromancer. Since they can't get in here, he- a human, came to kill us. Isn't that right? Isn't that the reason why you're here? You are going to kill us."
Damien wasn't stupid. The situation was already quite clear to him. Whatever he says doesn't work with them. All they want to hear is him saying yes, and that wasn't going to happen.
He could feel his body again. Not languid nor strained, but powerful. The mana reservoir was full now, and he was ready for anything. He didn't even need to wait any more time.
"Listen, you fools!" he said. "I'm not going to kill you. But I'll say what I am going to do to you." His voice was cold and serious. "I'm going to freeze the shit out of all of you. That's it. When I'm done, if you still can break through my ice, you're free to come at me." He reached out and the mana coursed through his whole body.
It was time to end this foolishness.
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