《My Free Will System: Transmigrating Into My Favorite Immersion Game》 Chapter 1: 1 : Raphael Sorus "I will kill myself" a lean, dark-haired man dered as he stared at hisputer. The man''s room was a study in casual chaos. Furniture, though functional, seemed to be ced more out of convenience than any deliberate arrangement. A well-worn leather chair slouched beside a desk cluttered with an assortment of gadgets and tangled cords, a testament tote-night gaming sessions and hurried attempts at productivity. Clothing was littered everywhere. Jeans and T-shirts were draped over the back of a chair, while an overflowingundry basket stood sentinel in the corner. Stray socks dotted the floor, leading a haphazard trail to an unmade bed. The bed itself was a tangle of sheets and nkets, pillows tossed carelessly to one side. A small coffee table bore the remnants of hastily consumed meals¡ªempty soda cans, a couple of pizza boxes stacked haphazardly, and a mug stained with the dark ring of forgotten coffee. Nearby, a bookshelf struggled under the weight of books, magazines, and an array of knick-knacks, their arrangement more an afterthought than a decision. A dartboard with several missed shots hung on the wall, and a corkboard pinned with random mementos. Sports memorabilia upied one shelf, sharing space with dusty trophies from long-past achievements and beside his bed was a human-sized pod. The widescreen screen of his monitor read "We are deeply sorry to announce that [Arcane Days] will be going offline forever due to theck of a sufficient number of active yers needed to make a profit and in turn maintain our servers. It was a fun ride being the oldest running immersion game, but all things muste to an end. Farewell and good luck yers!!" Growing up, Raphael Sorus was brought up in a loving and caring household, his parents made decent wages, so he nevercked much. He too was a good child, he got good grades, just saying his grades were good was an understatement, his grades were almost perfect. But all that came to an end when Raphael was in his Final year of high school, on his graduation day which also happened to be his seventeenth birthday, his parents and his little sister, Penelope were involved in a car crash that imed all their lives except his. Since then, he was no longer the same, he had no choice but to go live with his uncle, since he was still a minor and was in no state of mind to live alone. His uncle and his wife had no child of their own, so they treated him like he was theirs, but even so, he spent most of his days indoors brooding and crying, onlying out to eat with his uncle and his wife, his interest for academics, sports, and any other hobbies died with his family, and then came his saving grace. Immersion games were like virtual reality but more real and well¡­immersive, they were yed by entering a game pod that would provide full body sensations for in-game feelings, as well as virtual view of the game world and three-sixty vision and give users a deep dive experience. They gave users a kind of thrill, an escape from their dark world, and an entrance into a world where they could be whatever they wanted, and not surprisingly immersion games quickly became a trend. Dozens and dozens of them came one after the other, it was to the point that most people grew sick of it after the first few years. Amongst those games, one of them stood out and caught Raphael''s attention; "Arcane Days" made by apany called "Future Fun", it was an immersion game that lets you experience being in a magical world. It boasted the full experience of being a mage, it had a unique magic system as well as interesting side and main quests that get updated each year. It was a truly perfect game, those who yed it could not get enough of it. But that was fifteen years ago, now due to the new and more advanced immersion games, Arcane Days had lost its charms and also its yers, all except for one. Arcane Days was what got Raphael through his depression, it gave him something to look forward to every single day. It got him through his university days, helped him get over his first heartbreak(the cause of the break up was Arcane Days)¡­ and the many more that came after and it helped him retain his sanity when his job hunting felt pointless. And now the only thing that made him feel alive was being taken away from him, and so was his will to live. Raphael bent over his keyboard, constantly reloading the game''s site "This can''t be. No. No. No!!" He screamed in horror "Keep it down you sub-human! I''m trying to make love to my wife here!" A male voice cautioned Raphael, it was Raphael''s neighbor. Raphael jerked up to his feet ignoring his neighbor''s remark, stretching to his full length that stood a solid six feet two, which would have been more if he didn''t slouch so much. He ced his hands on his head, and spoke "It really is happening¡­impossible¡­what am I supposed to do with my life now?" he said, the pain and sadness evident in his voice. Five days had passed and Raphael remained in front of hisputer, waiting for a miracle to happen, for the developers to say it was a prank or maybe they would give him a special copy of the game. He checked his email inbox, ignoring the numerous messages he got from work instead what he was expecting was a reply to at least one of the one thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven messages he sent to the Future Fun''s official email address. The messages ranged from him threatening thepany to bring their servers back online, to him shamelessly begging them and even trying to bribe them with his savings. It was now certain that Arcane Days would not be updating anymore, Raphael stood up from his chair without saying a word. He approached the door, opened it, and was met with the rotund figure of his neighbor standing in front of his door with a raised fist, hinting that he was about to knock on Raphael''s door. The man was a short, bald man with a bulb nose, he was a man who made a living by selling used cars. The man cleared his throat, "My wife wanted me to check up on you, she said you haven''t left your room in five days and she''s worried. I know we aren''t on the best of terms, but I¨C my wife I mean wouldn''t want anything bad to happen to you" he said, breaking eye contact asionally. Raphael looked at him, "I''m not fine, Arcane Days has shut down for good, how can I be fine!" "Arcane Days? Is it that nonsensical game you''re always ying that makes you disturb my well-deserved sleep? If it is, then thank goodness" Raphael looked down at the man with the most twisted look of disgust in his eyes, "Nonsensical game? Thank goodness?!" He yelled as he grabbed his neighbor by the cor, "You know nothing at all!" Raphael''s neighbor''s eyes were filled with fear and concern, but mostly fear at Raphael''s sudden outburst. Raphael let go of him and the man scurried off almost immediately, saying something about Raphael being a hopeless waste as he left. "What do you know?" Raphael muttered under his breath He closed his door without bothering to lock the door, there was no need for him to lock a door he had no ns of unlockingter. He made his way to the rooftop of the six-story tall apartmentplex he stayed at, wearing nothing but boxer shorts and a singlet. He stood at the edge of the rooftop, peering over the bustling city, it was two in the afternoon, on a normal day he should still be at work. Raphael closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I''ve cleared my browser history, wiped my hard drive, and uninstalled Arcane Days. There is no going back now" He opened his eyes and in the corner of his eyes he saw an advertisement sign board that caught his attention, it read "With Trink''s universal remote YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK and rewind on any channel you find yourself watching" Raphael raised a brow at the sign board and waved it off, "Mom. Dad. Penny, and Arcane Days, we will be reunited soon" he said as he tipped himself over the edge He felt blissful and free from all of his worries, but just for a moment, until he realized he was falling and was going to die. "Ahhhhh" he screamed, iling his arm and legs around, desperately trying to cling on to anything that would stop his descent, but there was nothing for him to hold on to. The ground scarily drew nearer and nearer, until Raphael epted his fate. Just before he collided with the ground, he saw the unmistakable bright light of a truck and then he saw darkness. Chapter 2: 2 : Moera Raphael''s eyes feathered open, and he found himself in a seemingly endless darkness. He staggered to his feet and dusted himself clean, the sound of his palms pping against his clothes traveling through the darkness without bouncing back. "Hello? Is anyone there, Is anyone in this lonely¡­.endless abyss" he called out "Is this what death feels like? It''s so boring and¡­empty" He said, walking around the darkness, trying to get a feel of the ce he hadnded in. "Ohh, what is this? It''s soft, and has a strange pleasantness to it¡­I recognise this tenderness but I can''t quite ce my finger on it. Hmmm¡­" Raphael muttered to himself as he repeatedly fondled the unknown object in the darkness. "What do you think you are doing?!" A voice thundered throughout the darkness causing Raphael to shudder, the voice sounded very annoyed and Irritated. Even though he was now filled with fear, his hands remained firmly nted on the strange soft object. "W-Who is there?!" Raphael asked Suddenly the darkness began to lighten up until the space around becamepletely illuminated by a brilliant light. Raphael shielded his eyes with one of his arms, he gradually opened his eyes until his eyespletely adjusted to the brilliant light. He found himself in a white space with nothing else but him¡­and a girl?! In front of him was a girl who looked nothing above the age of sixteen judging by her facial features and her slender frame that was 170cm at most when at full height. Her presencemanded reverence, with flowing silver hair that cascaded like a river of moonlight, adorned with a delicate crown of antlers that seemed to be woven from the branches of the ancient World Tree itself. Her eyes, deep and all-knowing, glimmer with the wisdom of countless ages, holding the secrets of every past, present, and future. d in robes as white as the first snowfall, her attire is ented with golden embroidery that glows faintly, suggesting the divine power that courses through her being. At her heart rests a luminous sapphire, pulsating with the energies of destiny. Her gaze, serene yet intense, carries a seemingly infinite weight. "Remove your hands from my bosom at once" She ordered Raphael Raphael''s eyes looked down to her chest, back to her face, and then back to her chest again. His face turned red as the realization of what he was fondling hit him: His hands were grabbing a generous handful of the girl''s breasts. He immediately retreated his hands, "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry. Please don''t call the police, how was I supposed to see in the dark" Raphael dropped to his knees and shamelessly began begging. "Get up, you''re embarrassing yourself. I can''t believe this is the guy I fought the king of hell over" The girl palmed her face, her voiceced with obvious disappointment Raphael got up to his feet, and raised a curious brow, "What do you mean you fought over me? Do you know me? Did you just say King of hell? Where are we? Who are you?" He asked, taking hold of the girl by her shoulders and shaking her with each question he asked "First of all, get your hands off me, and the next time you touch me without my permission, I''ll wipe away your entire bloodline from the history books" She threatened him calmly, and Raphael immediately took his hands off her. He had a feeling that she was more than capable of doing as she said. With a deft yet graceful wave of her hand, the scenery began to change, what was just an endless white expanse now morphed into something else, a garden. The garden stretched out into a harmonious blend of colors and fragrances, each bloom a brushstroke in nature''s masterpiece. Tall sunflowers stood like sentinels at the perimeter, their golden heads nodding gently in the breeze. Roses in shades of crimson, blush pink, and pure white entwined with delicatevender, their scents mingling in the warm air. Beds of tulips and daffodils create a patchwork quilt of reds, yellows, and oranges, leading the eye to a central focal point. In the very heart of this floral paradise stood a wrought-iron table and chair set. The table, with its delicate scrollwork, was painted a soft ivory that contrasted beautifully with the surrounding riot of colors. On the table rested a porcin teapot. The matching chair, with its curved back andfortable cushion, invites one to sit and lose themselves in the tranquil charm of the garden. Around this centerpiece, butterflies flit from flower to flower, their wings shimmering in the sunlight. Bees hummed a gentle luby as they went about their work, adding to the serene ambiance. Above, a canopy of blue sky stretched endlessly, dotted with the asional fluffy white cloud. Raphael could not help but stand and watch in awe as everything suddenly changed before his very eyes. He looked at the girl who was already sitting down on one of the chairs as she brought a cup of tea to her lips. She motioned for him to sit down but he was still frozen by what had unfolded before his eyes and he thought to himself that maybe he was dead and met with God. For his sake, he hoped not, because grabbing God''s breasts would certainly not mean well for his life after death. Raphael found himself sitting on one of the chairs without actually moving to sit on it. "What the fu¨C" He could notpletely get out his sentence before his mouth suddenly closed shut The girl elegantly dropped her cup on her saucer, "Not a word more from you" she ordered "To begin with, I am Moera the Goddess of fate and destiny, I am the personification of fate and I oversee the life paths of every single thing in existence, both inanimate and animate. And you Raphael, you are just one clingy human, aren''t you? Normally, everyone at a point in time tries to go against their destined path, do something thatpletely goes against what is nned out for them, and sometimes a handful of them do seed and create a new fate for themselves. But you my child, you never once left my embrace, you lived life as dictated for you without trying to even change the situations you find yourself in, like the time you were in that car crash with your family, if you had just tried to call for help and not concluded that they were already dead, you may have changed the oue of that day, instead you just epted your fate like a little bi¨C." Moera paused and took another sip of her tea She offered Raphael some tea and biscuits, but one look at the scowl on his face suggested that he wanted none, "Pardon my sudden outburst, I get worked up when I talk about fate and my children. As I was saying, you mostly just ept what life throws at you without questioning it, and the first time you decided to go against your fate, you tried to kill yourself, oh boy was I furious. Good thing you didn''t kill yourself, else you would have been done for, you have the truck that mmed into you to thank for that. I had an intense fight with the king of hell over where your soul should go after all, you are one of my favorite children, well it was more of a bickering and obviously, I won" she paused as if waiting for an apuse or some sort of praise for her feat. "After serious consideration, I concluded what to do with your soul. All I have to say is be prepared for what lies ahead of you" she continued. Moera waved a hand whilst taking a sip of her tea, and Raphael felt relief on his lips, he moved his lips around and stretched his jaw, "What are you nning to do with me?" He asked, a wistful look on his face "Nothing much, I''m just going to send you into that game you love ying so much" "I see¡­wait what?! Arcane days?! You can do that?" Raphael stood up as he mmed his hands on the table "Yeah, that is the name. And yes I can do that¡­technically. You see, there are worlds beyond yours, worlds that are parallel to yours, worlds that are created by each decision you choose not to take and every choice you choose not to make. They branch out, creating a web of infinite worlds, any world you can think of exists within the web, and in one of those worlds, that game which you tirelessly y is a reality for its inhabitants " Moera exined "I see, let''s do it then. If you actually do this, I promise to do whatever you want, I''ll even go against my fate or whatnot" A knowing smile appeared on Moera''s face, "Oh I know you will" Raphael''s vision suddenly became blurry, and his limbs became numb until he could not feel them anymore eventually his consciousness was swallowed by darkness Chapter 6: 6 : Child of Light Priest Mathias motioned for the other two acolytes who remained toe forward, they did as told and came forward. One of them held a crystal ball in hand, and the other one held a golden knife that was overly designed at the hilt with patterns of the church as well as their main sigil (the shining sun surrounded by a halo of light). "I apologize for the rudeness and foul tongue of my brother Anias. We''ve been on the search for the child of light for so long, he was just tired" Said Priest Mathias "That is no excuse for him to speak to my family like that" Elias shot back "I agree, but was there a need to deal with his arrogance in such a humiliating manner?" "Ye¡ª" "Pardon my son''s impulsive behavior Priest¡­Mathias, he is but a boy" Godfrey interrupted Elias simply kept quiet after being interrupted, he knew what kind of man his father was. He wasn''t one who enjoyed conflict, and he did just p the daylights out of a member of the church of Eternal Light; thergest religious gathering in the Continent of ris. "Ah, it is forgiven already. Children are impulsive, you are right on that one. I have one of my own, so I understand. As much as I would like to chat with you about children Godfrey, we have a test ritual to perform." "I understand, carry on, Priest. But don''t get your hopes up, we are just farmers after all" Priest Mathias brought out a leather pouch from his robes and drew a magic circle on the ground with a white powder that he poured from the said pouch. He dusted his hands and put away the remnant powder, "We would need all four of us followers of the light to perform this ritual, but since you knocked out our fourth man it''s going to be quite difficult" Priest Mathias said as he collected the crystal ball from the acolyte. "I expected Anias to be awake by now, you really did a number on him" "It wasn''t my decision, and he kind of deserved it" Elias muttered. "What was that?" Asked Mathias "Nothing" One of the two acolytes turned to Priest Mathias, "Are we really going to test him? after what he just did to brother Anias? I don''t support" "I agree, there''s no way the child of light would be such a rash young man. It''s unthinkable" the other acolyte chipped in Priest Mathias digested their words for a few seconds, "We will carry on with the test, I have a good feeling about this one, and besides, the divination from the High Luminary said to test all children between the ages of ten and twenty-two. If you think I would go against the orders of the High luminary because of a flimsy reason such as the one you proposed, then you must be stupid" The aura around Priest Mathias grew intense, contrary to the calm expression he wore as he spoke. ''He''s strong'' Elias remarked internally, and Nina clutched her mother''s hand tightly as she hid behind her figure The two acolytes could not help but tremble under Mathias'' tense gaze, "W-We dare not go against the orders of the High Luminary too, Priest Mathias" "Good, now take your positions on the circle, don''t worry about Anias, I''ll make up for his absence" By the time they had finished their preparation for the testing ritual, the day had already begun whispering its farewell. The sun hung low in the sky, slowly descending into the horizon, and the sky was painted in a pallet of fiery oranges, tender pinks, and deep purples. Elias was instructed to stand in the center of the magic circle and hold the crystal ball in his palms, he followed their instructions and stood there, holding the crystal ball with outstretched arms. Priest Mathias began to chant, and any time he stopped chanting, the two acolytes would chant a chorus in unison and it went on for a few minutes. "Pour your mana into the orb, and we shall know your fate" Mathias instructed ''Wait, pour my mana? How am I supposed to do that?'' For someone who lived an entire lifetime in a world without magic, Elias was at a dead-end. He did not know how to use mana. Everywhere fell silent as there was no reaction from the crystal ball, Godfrey and Eleanor exchanged nces. Even though they visibly did not believe that Elias would be the child of light, at the back of their mind, they hoped. "We told you, He isn''t the one. He couldn''t have been" one of the acolytes sneered "What a waste of time" the other one spat "Hmm, maybe it''s because of my old age, my intuition is seldom wrong. I was certain to some extent that this would be the end of our search" Elias desperately tried to pour his mana into the orb but failed. In the game, all he had to do was just use the controls, but this wasn''t a game anymore, it was real life and there was no control to operate in real life. "Let''s just call it a day and leave sir, it is clear that this farm boy isn''t who we are looking for" an acolyte scoffed "Hmmm, not so quick. Something is wrong here" Priest Mathias squinted his eyes, looking at the orb intently, "There''s no mana flowing into the orb" he whispered "Are you trying to deceive the church young man? You aren''t feeding the orb any mana, why is that?" he asked Beads of sweat had already begun forming on Elias'' forehead, he was about to lose the plot of the game. "I''m trying to!" He said, forcing his words between clenched teeth. "Trying to? Just do it¡­Or could it be, you can''t control your mana?" Elias remained silent and focused on trying to channel his mana into the orb. "Judging by your silence, then I am right. What a pain, I can''t dismiss this ritual until I am sure I have tested you properly" Mathias said The acolytes murmured theirints to themselves as they heard Mathias'' deration but they had no choice but to follow the Priest''s instructions. "Listen up young man! I am going to guide you on how to feel and use your mana. I am only going to direct you once, so do well to grasp it!" Elias felt a wave of relief wash over him as he heard Mathias'' words but only for a moment, he steeled himself. Mathias was only going to guide him once so he had only one chance to seed. "Alright, Elias," Mathias began, his voice calm and steady. "The first step to feeling Mana is to quiet your mind, mana is something as natural as air. You need to be at peace with your surroundings. Close your eyes and take a deep breath." Elias nodded and did as he was told. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep, slow breath. The forest sounds¡ªthe chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, the distant mooing of the grazing cows¡ªseemed to grow louder as he focused. "Good," Mathias said softly. "Now, feel the ground beneath your feet. Imagine roots growing from the soles of your feet, sinking deep into the earth. Feel the connection with thend. Mana flows through everything¡ªthrough the trees, the air, and the ground. It''s an energy that binds all life together, you should be able to feel it as easily as breathing" Elias furrowed his brow in concentration, imagining the roots spreading out, intertwining with the forest floor. He could almost feel a subtle tingling in his feet. "Can you feel it?" Mathias asked, watching Elias intently. "I think so," Elias replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Good. Now, imagine that energy flowing up through your body. Let it fill you like water filling a vessel. Feel it in your legs, your chest, your arms, and finally in your hands." Elias concentrated harder, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to visualize the energy moving through him. He could feel a warmth spreading from his feet, coursing up through his limbs. "Now, open your eyes and look at the orb," Mathias instructed. "Hold it tightly and let the Mana flow from your hands into the orb. Imagine the energy moving through you, pouring out of your fingertips." Elias opened his eyes and stared at the orb. It was clear and still, reflecting the golden light of the setting sun. He took another deep breath, focusing all his will on directing the energy he felt. At first, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the orb began to glow faintly. The light was soft, like the first light of dawn, and it pulsed gently, in time with Elias''s heartbeat. "I did it!" Elias eximed "Yes you did, but I''m afraid that is the normal reaction the orb should have when it is fed with mana. I''m afraid you''re not the one we seek, but you are a brilliant child and filled with tenacity. I would take you as my student If I wasn''t on an assignment currently" A knowing grin appeared on Elias'' face, "Be patient, it will start soon" Elias knew what was about to unfold would shock everyone around, in fact, it would shock the entire world. "What do you mean?" Asked Mathias Suddenly a loud rumble thundered and the ground trembled as if an earthquake was about to begin, and what happened next could not have been predicted by anyone, except Elias of course, he had seen it a thousand and one times. Suddenly, as if time itself had fractured, the sun paused, hesitated, and then began to rise again, climbing back into the heavens in defiance of the natural order. Simultaneously, the moon ascended alongside the sun, their radiant bodies casting an ethereal light over thend. For a fleeting moment, the sky held both celestial bodies in harmony, their light mingling in an awe-inspiring disy of fiery orange and serene silver. The heavens trembled, as if unable to contain the majesty of this impossible sight, and jagged bolts of lightning split the sky. Each strike illuminated thendscape in brilliant luminosity. The air crackled with electricity, charged with the raw energy of the moment. Nature stood still, awestruck by this extraordinary spectacle, the world bathed in a dual twilight, where night and day converged. Everyone except for Elias fell to their knees, the acolytes began to pray fervently and Mathias sped his hand together as he took in the ethereal sight. In front of such a Godly disy, they could only kneel. Chapter 8: 8 : Father and son That night Elias and his family ate in silence, not even Nina tried to break the silence with her jokes. The entire family was suddenly thrust with a new reality, a reality where they had to give up their son and brother to the church. They knew it was a good thing for their family, their lives were about to be changed as the church does not hold back when taking care of the child of light''s family but still, they felt a sadness looming in their heart. Eliasy on his bed, arms supporting his head as he stared at the ceiling. "Two days till Eldoria, just like the game. I have two days to prepare for Eldoria, I have no time to waste. I''ll have to increase my stats as much as possible before then" ''Stats menu'' And as quickly as Elias willed, the stats menu appeared before him disying all his stats. [ FWP: 100/10,000,000,000 Name: Elias Ashdown ss: Swordsman, Farmer Title: Farmer, One blessed by Fate, swordsman, Child of light, Child of Destiny, Mage, loved by mana. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Health: 2000 Mana: 400,000 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Strength: 23 Agility: 18 Speed: 20 Stamina: 78 Intelligence: 43 ] "Hmm these stats are too high for a beginner, it probably has to do with Moera and me being the ''child of light'' What is that mana capacity though? It''s ridiculous! It was abnormally high before, but it even increased. I feel like I''m hacking right now, well I''m notining, it just means I have good luck" Elias closed the status menu and soon fell asleep. The songs of the morning bird as well as the cold touch of steel woke Elias up. He groggily stood up from his bed and wiped his eyes clean, trying to see who woke him up. "Come with me" Godfrey instructed, he was carrying an object wrapped up in leather, Elias could make out that Godfrey was carrying a sword based on the outline of the object, "Be careful not to wake the others up" he added as he walked out of the room Elias navigated the room, trying his best not to make any noise that could wake Eleanor and Nina. He made his way outside and walked over to Godfrey. Godfrey motioned for him to follow closely and they walked for a while, climbing hills and passing through thick bushes. Finally, Godfrey stopped when they arrived at a smallke. "Why are we here father?" Elias asked, knowing fully well why they were there. As a matter of fact, ording to Arcane Days'' progression, he had just walked into a quest. Godfrey set down his leather wrap, he unwrapped it, revealing two swords, one a gleaming silver longsword and the other a basic steel sword. The silver sword was beautiful, the de looked like it had been crafted by a masterful cksmith, and the hilt held detailed and beautiful regal patterns that added to the sword''s unusual beauty. He picked up the silver sword and slid it to Elias whilst he held on to the regr sword, "Soon, you will be going to Eldoria where you will meet all kinds of people, especially warriors. Theye in different forms, Mages, swordsmen, magic swordsmen, and archers that can shoot you ten times over before you can even think of drawing your sword. The priest that conducted your ritual yesterday was a ''Caster'', you don''t need to be a mage to tell you that he was strong. He could have probably taken you forcefully from us if he wanted to. Eldoria is a ce that is teeming with such types of people. I know the church would provide training to you, but what kind of father would I be to send you to such a ce without teaching you how to protect yourself? Pick up your sword Elias!" He ordered Elias immediately picked up the sword, the intensity of his father''s words got to him. He had yed the game a thousand times but he wasn''t ying a game this time, he was living it. The sword was slightly heavier than the normal swords that he used whenever he trained with Godfrey, but he could still manage it. "Good, you can hold up the sword. I was worried you wouldn''t be able to lift it. Since you can carry it, you can wield it. Come" Elias tightened his grip on the sword and charged at Godfrey, he swung the sword with all his might but Godfrey parried his attack easily. Elias was pushed back, Godfrey took advantage of Elias'' open defense and closed in. "This cannot be the result of our training, fight like your life depends on it because from now on it does! Come!" He said pointing the tip of his sword at Elias'' throat Elias gritted his teeth and gripped his sword even harder, he pushed Godfrey''s sword away and put some distance between them. [ ¡¸Skils¡¹ ¨CPassive Skills: Blessing of the Goddess of Light, Advanced Farming arts, Mana regeneration(Basic), Elemental Affinity(Basic). ¨CActive Skills: Stab(Basic), sh(Basic), Irrigation(Intermediate), nting(Intermediate), Weed control(Advanced), Fertilisation(Intermediate), Pest Control(Advanced) ] Based on pure instinct, Elias nted one foot in front of the other firmly on the ground, he hardened his core and held his sword as firmly as he could. A pleased look appeared on Godfrey''s face "Excellent form" He remarked Elias dashed forward, closing the distance with such ferocious speed that caught Godfrey off guard. "Skill menu" he muttered "[Use skill : Stab]" Godfrey narrowly avoided the attack by sidestepping away from Elias'' de, "Such speed, have you been training secretly?" Not breaking his momentum, Elias put his weight behind his next attack as he swung his sword with all his might. "[Use skill : sh]" Once again Godfrey was caught off guard, and he watched wide-eyed as Elias'' de came for his life "Shit, I went too far! But I can''t stop my sword now. Please dodge this, I''m begging you!" Elias desperately cried as he felt his sword sh with his father''s Elias'' attacknded with a thunderous sound, the impact and shockwave of his swing caused arge amount of dust to rise. Elias stared at the space where Godfrey once stood wide-eyed, desperately hoping to see Godfrey still standing. In Arcane Days, this did not happen, he was not even supposed to be able tond a hit, let alone beat Godfrey. He began to panic, as he knew not what to expect. The dust cleared but instead of seeing Godfrey or at worst Godfrey''s decapitated body, Elias saw an empty space. No one was there "You are still a hundred years too early for me to be wary of your attack " Godfrey''s voice shot from behind Elias. Elias immediately turned around, and a feeling of relief washed over him as he saw Godfrey, alive and unscathed. He dropped to his knees, he had almost killed the family he swore to protect, such a thing would cause anybody to panic. "Good form, and you certainly have the strength to maximize the effect of your skill. Just look at those poor trees" Elias turned around to see what Godfrey was talking about, and he saw tens of trees sliced in half, the ones at the far edge that weren''t cleanly sliced were broken apart and disfigured He looked at his hands and wondered if it was really his strength that did that, it was yet another urrence that never happened in the game. "Must be a perk of being the child of light. I''m almost discouraged to teach you what I am about to" Godfrey said He paused before continuing, "Although your swordsmanship isn''t bad, it is basic and crude¡­unrefined, and that is my fault. I only taught you the basics and look what you can do with it, I am almost scared to imagine what you would be capable of when we are done here." Elias stood up and dusted his knee off, "Done here?" "I am going to teach you some sword moves that should at least give you an edge in Eldoria. It is a set of ten but because we are short on time, you will only be learning two" Godfrey dered Elias squeezed his brows together and raised his hand, "Three, I''ll learn three of the ten" he confidently dered [+50 fwp] In the game, Elias sessfully learned two of the ten moves but since he had been constantly reminded that this was real life, not a game, he decided not to follow the game''s storyline. Godfrey smirked, "Very well then, raise your de. Let''s begin" Elias nodded and attempted to reach for his sword, but there was nothing, his silver sword was nowhere to be found. "That is right, you cannot hold your sword, because I took it," Godfrey said, swinging the silver de around "Never lose your weapon in battle. You lose your weapon, you lose your life" he said as he tossed the sword to Elias "H-How?" Elias was puzzled, he had no idea when or how Godfrey took the de away from him "You are about to learn son, nowe" Chapter 22: 22: Demon Genral Zalthrak Barnack trembled in fear as the demon approached, mes of destruction and wails of agony apanying him, in its palm, it held the lifeless burnt body of a viger. The demon stood towering, it was almost as tall as the houses beside him which made him nothing less than ten feet tall, it possessed a monstrous figure thatmanded terror. His immense frame was further menacing, one could tell the amount of raw power it possessed, and not just by the way it easily ripped apart the body it held, but by the muscles rippling beneath ayer of dark, scaly skin that shimmered like molten rock. His skin was the color of the deepest abyss, a nightmarish ck tinged with crimson highlights that glowed ominously in the dim light. Cracks and fissures spiderwebbed across his body, through which a hellish light pulsed and flickered as if the fires of the Nether itself raged within him. His eyes were the most horrifying of all¡ªtwo zing orbs of fiery red that burned with an insatiable fury. They pierced through the gloom, promising agony and despair to any who dared meet his gaze. Slit pupils cut through the inferno, giving him a predatory, almost serpentine appearance. From his forehead sprouted two massive horns, twisted and jagged like the branches of a cursed tree. They curved menacingly outward and upward, each one etched with runes that pulsed with malevolent energy. His grinning mouth was filled with rows of razor-sharp fangs, twisted into a permanent snarl. Each breath he took was a growl, a low rumble that vibrated through the air and could set the hearts of even the bravest warriors quivering. Sharp, deadly ws extended from his fingers, each one capable of tearing through steel and flesh with equal ease. His hands, massive and powerful, could crush skulls and snap bones effortlessly. On his back, a pair of enormous, bat-like wings unfurled, each membrane tattered and worn yet still terrifyingly majestic. The wings stretched wide, casting an imposing shadow that seemed to swallow the already faint light of the night The demon general was d in dark, sparse armor, forged from ckened metal and adorned with symbols that glowed with an eerie, blood-red light. The ground at his feet smoldered and cracked, and the air became thick with the scent of brimstone and ash. Elias and his group were trapped within the barrier of the teleportation circle, unable to do anything but watch, "Let me out!!" Imaya''s screams continued, Elias had to hold her back, or else she would have ran into the dangerous barrier. "I''m sorry, we cannot leave the barrier or teleport without the key that the viger holds," Mathias said, "I''m afraid we are trapped" Dickson and Nigel held on to each other even tighter than before, while even though Anias was trying to keep hisposure, he was visibly trembling. Deep down in their hearts, they were d that they were trapped within the barrier. "I don''t get it, why are demons showing up so soon? This is not right, for a demon of this caliber to appear so soon. It must be a demon general at least" Mathias mumbled to himself, wiping the beads of sweat off his forehead Mathias was right, the demon before them was a Demon general, one that Elias recognized all too well, ''There''s no mistaking it, that isn''t an ordinary demon, it is the demon general, Zalthrak, Ira''s demon general. I used to fawn over how awesome his design was, but now that I''m seeing him face to face, maybe he isn''t that cool'' He thought to himself, as Imaya struggled to free herself from his hold. "We have to leave now Priest!" Elias screamed, ''I''m sorry Imaya, but even if we all went at him right now, we have no chance of winning. He would wipe us all out with a flick of his wrist'' Priest Mathias was snapped out of his mumblings by Elias'' voice, "R-Right, we need to get the viger to activate the key" "What was his name again¡­.right! Barnack!!" Elias screamed. "Snap out of it Barnack, activate the teleportation circle" Elias screamed But Barnack was unresponsive, he was paralyzed with fear, and his feet were stuck to the ground. Zalthrak reached Barnack, stared at him for a second then effortlessly swatted him away with minimal force, causing the poor viger to fly a few feet away, only stopped by a building he forcefully crashed into. Zalthrak was now face-to-face with the group, the only thing between them and certain death was the barrier. "You!! I''ll kill you. I''ll make sure I kill you for what you''ve done" Imaya barked with tears running down her cheeks Zalthrak''s eyes nced over to her for a split second, and the moment his eyes met hers, she instantly became quiet. "All bark and no bite" Zalthrak spoke, his voice was like a deep guttural growl "I need to use the circle, get out" He ordered calmly Nobody replied, they couldn''t, they were paralyzed by Zalthrak''s presence, with the exception of Elias of course. He had the blessing of Lira. "Fine," he spoke, "To make use leave, you have to touch the barrier and say a few words of power" Zalthrak raised a scaly brow, "I have lived for thousands of years, you think I do not know the implications of touching a teleportation barrier? You mock me boy" he said "Is that so? If you are that wise, then you should also know that we cannot leave, without the key" Elias shot back "Hmmm, being able to talk to me like this, you are different. Perhaps¡­" In the corner of his eye, Elias saw Barnack''s figure stumbling to his feet, he was bloody, had cuts all over his body, and had a hand dangling loosely. He staggered, using his pitchfork as a support stick. "Let''s cut this short, you want to know where the key is, don''t you? I''ll tell you, on one condition. Only if you spare my life, you can kill the others" The rest of the group''s eyes widened and faces paled, draining of all color as they heard Elias'' words. Hearing Elias'' proposal, a disturbing and mischievous smile appeared on Zalthrak''s face, "Go on," he urged "The key is a special type of remote key, controlled from a distance, the controller is in there. Once you''re there, you''ll feel its presence " Elias said, pointing to a building on the far end of the other side of the vige "A remote key? I haven''t heard of that" "You said it yourself, you''re old. New changese with new times" Zalthrak stared suspiciously at Elias for a moment, "Alright, If I find out you are lying to me. I''ll.." "Kill me and the others, yeah. I know you have the power to do it." Zalthrak scoffed, and with one powerful beat of his wings, he took off in the direction Elias pointed him to. When the coast was clear, Elias screamed for Barnack toe forward Zalthrak was gone now, so the group could speak now "Nice quick thinking, chosen one. By the time hees back, we will be gone" Nigelmended "Yeah¡­" Elias said The truth was, there truly was another key, a remote key but to gain ess to it, Zalthrak had to pass a series of lock puzzles, and he couldn''t resort to force either or he would damage the key. Finally, Barnack made his way to the circle, he looked up at Imaya, "You were a good leader Imaya, your mother would be proud. Make sure to live a long life and have beautiful children" he said, smiling with blood-stained teeth. "Just let me out!!" She screamed, but Barnack paid her no mind. "Let me out please " she begged him as she sobbed profusely "How dare you trick me?!!!" Zalthrak''s voice thundered from the sky as he approached the circle with speed, carrying arge ck box "Now would be a good time to activate the circle" Elias chuckled nervously as Zalthrak drew closer Barnack nodded, turned the key, and infused some mana into it, the runes on the circle lit up and the barrier grew brighter and brighter as Zalthrak inched closer. Barnack threw the key at the barrier, and in the blink of an eye, the group disappeared just as Zalthraknded "Haha, You''re too¡ª" Zalthrak ripped off Barnack''s head in anger. His rage-filled scream pierced the night, and with a thunderous sound, the teleportation circle exploded Chapter 24: 24 : Rest, Finally King ric was a handsome man, despite his age one could still see it. He had a strong jawline and sported a full beard that was mostly dark but had noticeable streaks of gray, particrly around the chin and sideburns. His hair was simrly dark with some gray, slicked back in a somewhat messy style. He has a piercing gaze with deep-set eyes and furrowed brows, giving him a stern and contemtive expression. Elias stepped forward, and bowed his head lightly, "Here he is my King" Mathis said "Hmm, he is a bit younger than I expected. How old is he? 14? 15?" "17" Elias corrected "I see, well, he is the Goddess'' chosen, there must be a reason, even if I can''t seem to find one. Introduce yourself boy" Hemanded. He had a deep, gravelly voice. His tone, was calm and measured, with a hint of weariness and resonance with authority. "I am Elias Ashdown, Son of Godfrey and Eleanor Ashdown and an Older brother to Nina Ashdown" Elias spoke with confidence and poise "Ashdown? I don''t think I have heard of that name before. What do your parents do?" He asked "They''re farmers, we own a farnd in the Greenfields sir" He replied "Ahh farmers? Then I certainly haven''t heard of them before, I''m sorry" He said, a tinge of disappointment in his tone. "...." "You''re certainly well-spoken, I apologize for having to meet you like this," he said pointing his fingers to his night robe, "I wasn''t expecting any guests, especially not the long-awaited Child of Light. I would have preferred we met during the day, so I can introduce you to my court as well as my wife and children" He added "It''s no problem, sir," Elias said "I see, you and yourpanions must have had a rough journey, judging by the state of your wear and overall appearance. I will see to it that you are well taken care of." "Thank you, my King," Mathias said, bowing his head slightly "The High-luminary isn''t around, I''m sure n must have briefed you, so the boy would have to wait for a few days, two days at most before getting his blessings from the Goddess. Till then, the boy will remain under my care " Elias disliked being called "boy", especially the way King ric said it. It sounded like he was being looked down upon, but was too tired to address it and decided to wave it off for the time being "I see my King" Mathis acknowledged "Why don''t we call it a night, since we are all tired and in need of rest, tomorrow a feast will be held to celebrate your arrival and we will hold a proper meeting with my court." King ric said, descending his throne, and n apanied him as he left The group was escorted to their various rooms for the night. It was not every day, that a normal person would get a chance to pass the night in the King''s castle, Nigel and Dickson were the most obvious about their excitement, they were practically skipping to their rooms. Everyone had a little bit of excitement to show, except for Imaya who still felt down about her vige. Elias'' room was directly beside Imaya''s room, he greeted her goodnight but he was answered with silence as he entered his quarters. Tall, arched windows adorned with heavy velvet drapes in deep crimson, embroidered with gold patterns, Eldorians really liked gold. The floor wasid with polished marble, cold and smooth underfoot, partially covered by a rich tapestry At the center of the room stood a massive four-poster bed, its dark wooden frame carved with borate designs. The bed was draped with luxurious silks, pillows piled high, and a canopy of sheer fabric. Arge, imposing firece upied one wall, its mantelpiece was decorated with candbras The walls were lined with paintings, each telling a story of the kingdom''s glorious past. Near the windows stood a heavy oak table, cluttered with scrolls, maps, and an assortment of quills and ink pots. A plush armchair with high, winged sides was positioned by the hearth. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their candles cast a warm glow around the room. Shelves filled with leather-bound tomes and manuscripts lined one wall and a wardrobe filled with expensive-looking outfits rested on the other. "What a room, I could probably buy our farm ten times over with the things here" He said, inspecting the room Elias sank into the softness of the bed, "I just spoke to King ric, the King ric. I guess that''s another reminder of my reality. I am finally here, in Eldoria and tomorrow I''ll meet with the King''s court. The four great families would likely be there too" Elias paused and raised his hand "The situations and scenarios are already deviating from Arcane Day''s original scenarios, Imaya''s vige for example. Nokias was supposed to be destroyed, but not that early. I wonder why the demons have started operating on the surface already, perhaps it was due to my encounter with Ira? It is highly possible, but I can''t help but feel like there''s something else causing it. Speaking of Imaya, I should speak to her tomorrow. Maybe I was a little too blunt with her. Either way, the true story is about to begin. I better gear up, get stronger and get this whole damn thing over with. I have a Goddess to meet" He said, clenching his fist Elias'' mind wandered around the possibilities of his new position for a while, the possibilities particrly involved meeting game characters he had so desperately wanted to meet in his past life¡­female characters to be exact. Chapter 28: 28 : Choose your challenger "What proposal?" King ric asked, his tone reflecting his impatience. Seeing as Elias would not be going his way, he saw no need to continue keeping up his overly friendly attitude "It is nothing tooplex, what I simply request is a challenge. With this challenge, I hope to prove to you that I am not refusing to go to the academy for no reason" Elias said "And what does this¡­challenge involve?" King ric asked "Simple, It''s a duel. Bring forth any five mages of the academy and I will duel with all five of them, one after the other of course without taking a break. If I win, then you know that I do not need the academy" Elias dered Imaya''s eyes widened in shock, Elias'' deration was far too bold, for someone of his level. "What? Five mages? Consecutively?" King ric repeated "What an arrogant child. You barely qualify to be a Novice mage, what nonsense are you spouting?" Hughenden hissed "Working on the farm all your life must have messed with your head boy, Mages are different from the cows that you breed" Thane sneered "There''s no need to impress anyone, this is insanity," Lady Isolde remarked "A bold deration. I like your courage, but don''t you think five consecutive battles are a bit much for you?" Varric remarked, while Lady Selene and Queen Seraphina silently watched Elias with curious eyes "Hmm, five mages? Of any rank?" ric inquired "Now, that wouldn''t be fair sir, would it? The mages have to be Expert-level mages at most, anything below is allowed and to make it more interesting, if I should lose, I would sign off a contract that states that I will be subservient to the mage I lose to" Elias added The entire room froze, Elias had them where he wanted. There was a reason he chose a specific number of mages for the challenge, once he threw in the additional use, he knew the family heads as well as the King would be interested. Knowing the kind of people they were, they would pick a mage from their families and disguise them as academy mages. There were four families and one crown, Elias needed five challengers, the purpose of the challenge was evident. Suddenly, Elias'' proposal didn''t seem arrogant or absurd to the family heads anymore, they had their eyes on the prize¡­Elias Ashdown, the child of light. "You''re a strange one boy," Lord Varricughed "So what do you say? We have a deal?" Elias asked King ric "If all the family heads agree, then we are set" ric replied "I agree," Lord Thane said, a mischievous grin on his face "So do I. You have guts kid" Varric said "I agree" Lady Isolde agreed "I concur as well" Lady Selene added "Before we continue, may I add a condition? If I do end up winning the challenge, then would you give the academy admission to Imaya instead." "Who is Imaya?" King ric asked? Elias pointed to Imaya who had remained silent throughout the entire conversation "Ah the girl, I had no idea someone was there. Alright, if you do win the challenge, she can take your admission into the Royal Academy. Any More additions to the deal?" "Oh yes, I would like the challenge to be held in public and on the day the High-luminary arrives" Elias requested "Hmmm," ric was beginning to get suspicious of Elias'' proposal, "Why? If I may ask?" "No apparent reason, I just feel morefortable" King ric had a bad feeling about Elias'' proposal, especially since Elias was so calm and confident, but he waved it off. Whatever Elias was scheming wouldn''t matter should Eliss lose to his selected mage. "Fine, It is done. The conditions have been set and everyone here is a witness to the terms" And so they closed the deal, Elias was to fight five Expert-level mages consecutively in less than a day. Suddenly, n entered the throne room with Priest Mathias by his side, "We have news," n announced "Speak" King ricmanded "We have news from the High-luminary''s convoy, that due to an unforeseen reason, the High-luminary''s return would be dyed to a week" "Hmmm, and the reason wasn''t stated?" ric asked "No, your majesty" n answered "Very well then" H Mathias stepped forward, bowing deeply. "We thank you, Your Majesty, for your hospitality during our stay. However, given the change in circumstances, me and my acolytes would like to take our leave from the castle. We must prepare for the High Luminary''s arrival." The king nodded thoughtfully. "Very well, Mathias. However Elias Ashdown here will stay behind, after all, he has a challenge to prepare for in a week" He added, with a smile Mathias looked over to Elias, and Elias gave him an approving nod coupled with a confident smile. "I see, we will be on our way at first light," Mathias said. ******* "Why did you do that?!" Imaya asked Elias as they walked to their chamber "Do what?" Elias feigned ignorance "You know what I''m talking about, don''t y dumb" she pressed Elias sighed, "Look, you need the academy training more than I do, trust me on that," he said "You don''t have to go that far to get me admission. Do you understand theplications if you lose the challenge? You are basically turning yourself into a ve of whoever beats you?!" She screamed "Don''t worry, I won''t lose" Elias reassured her "And besides, I didn''t propose the challenge just for you, that''s just a plus. I have other motives, and a statement to make" He added and Imaya''s eyes traced to the ground, she felt a bit disappointed. "You must be tired, today was an eventful day. You should get some rest" Elias advised as they reached the doors of their rooms. "Goodnight¡­and Thank you," Imaya said, rushing into her room before Elias could reply. "You''re wee?" Elias mouthed before entering his room He changed out of his outfit, leaving only his underwear, and dropped to his bed, "I should prepare for the challenge, five Expert-level mages ...maybe I went a bit overboard haha. The system''s store should have some spells for sale, I should get as many spells and skills as possible¡­or maybe just a few powerful spells and skills. Quantity or Quality, what to do?" Elias soliloquised "Anyway, I''ll know when I check the store" "[Sto¨C]" Elias was interrupted by two loud knocks, he decided to ignore it and pretend to be asleep until the person went away. But the person persisted, knocking and knocking until Elias couldn''t bear it anymore, with a loud groan he got up from his bed and flung the door open. "Well hello Elias Ashdown" Queen Seraphina greeted [New Task avable!] Chapter 44: 44 : We are not done yet "C-Citizens of Eldoria, I present to you the chosen child of light; Elias Ashdown!" n announced The crowd went silent, and soon their usual murmurings began, "Is that really him?" "Isn''t he a little too young to be fighting demons?" "I mean, he has white hair, that has to mean something," "My distant cousin has white hair, could he also be the child of light?" "And introducing the first fighter, Bobian Craw!" n announced, "To ascertain that the set rules of the challenge are followed, we will check the fighter''s mana density to confirm his rank," He said, pointing to a volleyball-sized crystal ball ced on top of a raised column Bobian Craw confidently walked to the crystal and ced his hand on it. Bobian was dressed in a dark, hooded robe, the deep ck fabric of the robe was lined with striking red ents, and the robe flowed down to his sturdy, yet worn-out boots. His piercing eyes were set on a face mostly marked by tattoos that looked like vines. His left hand rested near a small, leather-bound spellbook strapped to his waist, along with various pouches and straps on his belt. The sorcerer''s expression was one of calm determination with a slight smirk ying on his lips. He injected his mana into the crystal ball, and almost immediately the crystal''s interior began to fill with a ck cloudy substance. The color of the cloudy substance reflected the depth and size of his mana well, which tallied with his rank as an expert-level mage. If he were to be a Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Master, or Archmage, the crystal would take on a white, yellow, blue, red, or golden hue respectively. "The fighter is clear to participate. Let the fighter and challenger assume their positions," n ordered Elias remained where he stood, while Bobian stood a few feet away from him, "Victory is ascertained when either of both parties is unable to fight or if either of both parties should forfeit. Fighters, you may begin!" n announced, and even though the crowd wasn''t entirely enthusiastic, as they were still skeptical of Elias'' position as the child of light, there were still some shouts and cheers from them. Bobian unbuckled the strap that secured his book in ce, "Boy, for your sake I suggest you just give up. Lord Thane specifically instructed me to slowly tear you apart, and that I will do. But fear not, because when you inevitably be a property of the house Sullivan, we will spare no expense to heal you. After all, you are the invaluable Child of light, Elias Ashdown" He said, a malevolent grin spread wide on his face. "Um, what did you say? I''m sorry I wasn''t listening, can you repeat that?" Elias requested as he carefreely picked his ear with his pinky finger Bobian''s face twitched in annoyance, "Nevermind, you''ll have no choice but to listen when I''m done with you," He barked, "I am Bobian Craw, an expert-level mage of the house Sullivan," In Elodorian culture, it was regarded as an honorable practice to introduce oneself when engaged in a set battle. ''Based on my observations of the system, I noticed that FWPs are rewarded either by the system or by me performing actions that neither Raphael Sorus nor Elias Ashdown would do in a normal circumstance. The more unlikely for ''Elias Ashdown'' to perform the action I do, the more FWPs I get from the system. So the question is, ''In this situation, what would Elias Ashdown not do?'', what would I not do?" Elias looked Bobian Craw dead in the eye, and stuck out his middle finger at him, with a wide grin on his face, "I don''t care, just fight" [+5 000 FWP ] "I don''t know what that means, but it''s pissing me off," Bobian said between clenched teeth The atmosphere around him tensed up, as he flipped his book open, and began chanting words of power. Elias pulled his silver sword out from his inventory, causing the crowd''s murmurings to rise. From their perspective, it looked like he had just pulled a sword out of thin air. "This boy¡­" Lady Isolde silently remarked Lord varric narrowed his gaze the Elias'' sword, "He is a swordsman? Is that where his confidence lies? Weapons. And that de, I feel like I have seen it somewhere. I can''t put my finger on it." King ric and Lady Selene quietly watched Elias closely, whilst the queen''s face wasced with a concerned expression. ''He is still just an expert-level mage, he can''t silent cast yet?'' Elias watched as Bobian chanted with a bored expression, he raised his sword and pointed it at the mage. "Inferno st!" Bobian screamed at the top of his lungs, Suddenly the atmosphere seemed to heat up rapidly, and then a wall of fire at least ten feet high and twelve feet wide materialized, towering over Elias as it moved forward, threatening to engulf him. "Oh, not going easy on me I see," Elias remarked, "[dewalk]" The towering wave of fire washed over where Elias stood and everything in its path before finally crashing and dissipating into the magically reinforced walls of the arena. As the dust cleared, Bobian waved away the dust from his sight, "Did I overdo it? I can''t seem to find his body anywhere" " he said with a smirk on his face "I can''t find his body too, he must have been burnt to ashes by your great magic," Elias said, looking over Bobian''s shoulder "Yeah, it must have been too stro¨Cwait what?!" Bobian skipped away from Elias in an attempt to create space, but Elias appeared behind him again, this time using the momentum of [dewalk] he mmed the t side of his sword on Bobian''s temple. Bobian flew at least twenty feet across the arena, tumbling and rolling until he lost momentum. Heid unconscious on the ground, battered and bruised, his right arm twisted in a direction not humanely possible. The entire arena went silent at the sight they just witnessed, everything had happened in a matter of seconds. Elias walked up to Bobian''s body, "We are not done yet, I need to get back the FWPs I spent preparing for this challenge" he said, poking Bobian''s unconscious body "[Heal]" Chapter 45: 45 : Heal Elias knelt beside Bobian Craw, his hands hovering over the wounded man''s chest. A soft, warm light emanated from his fingertips, bathing Bobian in its gentle glow. Gradually, Bobian''s breathing steadied, and his eyes fluttered open. [ +10 000 FWP ] The murmurings of the crowd filled the arena yet again. Disoriented, Bobian struggled to make sense of his surroundings. His gaze finally settled on Elias, who was leaning over him with a broad, triumphant smile. A shiver ran down Bobian''s spine as fear gripped him. That unsettling smile haunted him, and a troubling thought crossed his mind: ''Did he just heal me, after knocking me unconscious?'' Elias extended a hand to Bobian, his voice firm and unyielding. "Get up and try again," hemanded. "We aren''t done yet." ''I still have more FWPs to beat out of you'' Bobian scrambled to his feet, and instinctively created space between them. His mind raced as he began to chant again, and summon the energy for another fire-based spell, the heat building in his palms. "That''s the spirit," Elias remarked, a hint of approval in his tone. He nted his sword into the ground, standing back with a calm, almost casual demeanor as he waited for Bobian to cast. "The weakness of you Casters, is that you spend too much time casting that anyone faster than you cannd attack before your spell is ready¡­at least for low level Casters like you" He exined Bobian gathered his strength, channeling a more powerful fire spell this time. With a determined shout, "zing Hell", heunched a zing torrent at Elias Elias stood his ground, his eyes narrowing as he cast, "[Ward of fire resistance], [Ice shell]", Elias whispered A transparent barrier materialised, and air around him cooled down immediately as a thick sheet of Ice coated the barrier. Bobian''s spell crashed into Elias dome, Elias'' spell absorbed the mes, dissipating their heat harmlessly around him. "Is that all?" He grinned In a swift, fluid motion, Elias dashed forward, his form blurring as he activated [dewalk]. In an instant, he closed the gap between himself and Bobian, ready to strike. He ced his palm firmly on Bobian''s chest, "Tempestuous repulsion" he said and a powerful gust of wind erupted from his hand, sending Bobian hurtling into the air. In preparation for the challenge day, Elias had spent his FWPs to buy various items from the store, one of which was the "Book of Elements" as well as the "Book of Wards". And to learn all of the contents of the Books in a short time, he supplemented it with the "Helm of knowledge" As Bobian plummeted back down, Elias whispered another spell, "Gale bed", slowing Bobian''s descent just a few feet above the ground. With a fierce intensity, Elias then struck Bobian with his bare fists, mming him into the earth, causing a crater to form and Bobian''s frame to imprint deeply in the ground. Bobian''s eyes rolled back, turning white as he passed out again, his body crumpling into the dirt. "This¡­Get up you fool! Do not disgrace me" Lord screamed at Bobian Elias knelt beside Bobian once more, his hands glowing with healing energy. As the warmth spread through his body, Bobian''s eyes fluttered open once more, and as he witnessed the sight before him, his face went pale. "Pick up your book and fight," Eliasmanded, his voice sharp andmanding, "That''s your conduit right? Pick it up and fight" Bobian''s fear morphed into anger, a burning rage fueling his determination. He grabbed his book and rose to his feet, his eyes zed with defiance. With a furious cry, he began hurling a barrage of fire-balls at Elias, each more intense than thest, but Elias dodged each of the attacks effortlessly. "You''re boring, I would have ended this in an instant were it not for the FWPs I need to get back" Elias said tly Elias continued his relentless assault, knocking Bobian unconscious time and again, only to heal him and force him back into the fight. The cycle of blows and revival stretched on, each round wearing down Bobian''s spirit more than thest. The crowd began talking amongst themselves again, "Is that truly the child of light?" "That''s scary," "That''s cool," [+ 78 000 FWP] Eventually, Bobian''s resistance faltered, his will to fight diminishing with each defeat, "No¡­more¡­", Bobian said, his voice cracking and his eyes no longer had its earlier confidence. n, observing with a surprised expression as the rest of the crowd, he stepped forward and dered, "E-Elias Ashdown wins this round, the next round will begin shortly," With heavy steps and a defeated posture, Bobian was escorted out of the arena, his gaze lowered and his spirit broken, "Monster¡­" he muttered "Damn it!" Thane barked, "This, this has to be some kind of trickery. There''s no way a farm boy with no magical background should be capable of besting an expert-level mage with such ease. I call foul y" he added, his head steaming with anger and heined "Which one of your fighters is up next?" Lady Selene asked the king and the other family heads with a smile "Haha, what an interesting boy. I will send out my fighter," Lord Varric announced as heughed heartily. While the King remained silent, his gaze unmoving from Elias'' figure, "Troublesome¡­" he muttered to himself "In the end, I was only able to get a few thousand FWP from him." Elias sighed, "Not enough. Bring on the next" As the next fighter stepped forward to be tested for their mana well, Elias scanned the crowd and his eyes narrowed in frustration. Even here, among the spectators, he could see cored res. The sight of them made his blood boil as he remembered the day the res'' hideout had been raided. He had spent hours afterward, desperately trying to track down Carius and the others, but to no avail. And even if he did manage to find them, he doubted they would ever trust him again, not after what had happened with Theodore. ''I can''t shake this uneasy feeling that Carius is going to pull something here. Even if he does, would I stand in his way, or try to help him?'' Elias pondered Chapter 46: 46 : Sarah Ironwood The district five town square was almost silent, a far contrast of its former self, it was unusually scanty as most of the shop owners, buyers, hawkers and its general residents had taken their rare opportunity to go to the third district and watch the child of light''s challenge. A prestigious carriage, dragged by horses, trotted into the town square.The vehicle itself was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, it glided across the town square with an air of dignified grandeur. Intricately carved panels of dark wood decorated the exterior, while delicate curtains of the finest materials concealed the figure within from prying eyes. On both side of the carriage''s door was a bild carving of the church of Eternal Light''s emblem; a radiant sun, encircled by a halo of light. A formidable entourage apanied the carriage, underscoring the importance of her visit. Hefty soldiers, d in armor that gleamed in the light despite the blood stains on them formed a protective phnx around the vehicle. Their disciplined march resonated through the square. nking the carriage were devoted acolytes, their humble robes contrasted sharply with the splendor around them. They moved with quiet purpose, their heads bowed in deference. Their presence added a solemn gravity to the atmosphere around the carriage. Among the retinue were two people dressed in priestly robes, one of which was priest Mathias and the other was a woman whose face was hidden by the darkness created by their cowl. It was easy to tell by the way her robes were designed, as well as her body shape, although her facial features were unknown, it was certainly a woman underneath the hood. Behind the priests and amongst the acolytes were Nigel, Dickson and Anias, their tired and drooping faces betrayed their weariness as they marched in sync. A long, lean, slender and graceful finger, parted the carriage''s curtain "Why is the town looking empty Mathias? Is something happening today that we aren''t aware of?", A soft spoken voice,ing from the carriage said Mathias walked to the side of the carriage, "I am unaware of any such thing your eminence," He answered, "But I will ask around," He added After asking a random passerby, Mathias ked back to the carriage, "Your eminence, it appears there''s an event taking ce in the fourth district, and the king himself has invited the people of Eldoria to attend," he reported to the High-luminary "An event?" The High-luminary queried "Yes, and it involves the child of light, the king and the family head," Mathias replied "The child of light?" "Yes" ''I wonder if this has to do with the challenge, the king mentioned before I left the castle'' Mathias thought to himself "Hmm, I have mixed feelings about this event, tell the rider to change our destination to the fourth district" The High-luminary calmly ordered "Certainly" Priest Mathias bowed, ''I hope you haven''t gotten yourself into a difficult situation Elias Ashdown'' **************** "Let the fight begin!" n dered and the entire arena roared with cheers Standing before Elias was a woman who stood at least three inches taller than Elias, the woman had fiery red hair that cascaded in wild waves. Her deep intense green eyes were framed by a face marked with a distinctive mark on her forehead. Her skin was a smooth light caramel. She wore properly crafted silver and leather armor, which highlighted her lithe yet muscr frame. A finely designed sword rested at her side, adding to her battle-ready appearance. "I am Sarah Ironwood, of the house Ironwood," She introduced herself "Is that¡­your daughter?" Lord Thane raised an inquisitive brow A smile appeared on Lord Varric''s face, "Haha, I thought it would be fair to put someone close to his age against him, but after witnessing thest fight, I don''t think ''fair'' is something I should be considering against Elias Ashdown," He said "Give your daughter some credit, she is rhe revolutionary genius of the Ironwood house, is she not" Lady Isolde remarked "Haha, we''ll see about that" He said, his voice taken a sudden serious tone Elias focused on Sarah''s appearance, "Aren''t you a little too young to be here?" He asked "I don''t want to hear that from you," sarah sharply retorted "Ouch, that''s fair. So what''s your deal? Another caster?" He asked Sarah''s brows narrowed, as she unsheathed her sword as pointed it at Elias, assuming a fighting stance, "You will find out soon enough," "Very impatient I see," Elias said Sarah stood there as her mana welled up, causing her hair to re upward, her focus remained unwavering as her eyes reasted on her target; Elias "For someone so impatient, you sure are taking your tim¡ª," Suddenly, Sarahunched at Elias with inconceivable speed, the ground where she once stood cracked under the sheer intense force of her eleration. She stood in front of Elias, her sword pointed at him, altough she showcased incredible speed, Elias was faster as he stopped her attack with his sword at thest second. The impact of the collision sent a resounding shockwavearound the arena. The crowd gasped in awe, to them it was as if Sarah had disappeared and appeared in front of Elias. "A swordsman? That''s interesting" Elias remarked, "But that''s all it is, " A smug smirk crept up on Sarah''s face, "Are you sure about that?" she asked Elias face took on a puzzled expression, "What do you mean by that?" He asked, then he felt a warmth on his cheek, he touched his cheek only to find blood on his palm Elias confused expression contorted into a disturbingly wide grin, "Haha, I almost forgot why I was doing this? Thanks for the reminder sarah Ironwood, " Seeing his expression, Sarah immediately skipped back, "What¡­are you?" She stammered Elias slotted his sword back into his inventory, "Me? Simple, I am Elias Ashdown, the child of light, and from now on when you attack me, do it with the intent to kill, or else you may end up dying too" He said icily as cracked his knuckles Chapter 47: 47 : Magical Swordsman Sarah Ironwood assumed her stance once again, but this time Elias was prepared, he took the initiative to attack first. A sudden boost of speed to close the gap between him and Sarah, followed by precise rapid strikes aimed at finding an opening to Sarah''s vital points. Sarah met his assault head on with bold parries, her sword leaving trails of shimmering light as it shes with Elias'' "Your daughter certainly is impressive, bing an expert-level mage at just 20 years old. Her swordsmanship is most excellent to look at. Remind me what it''s called again" Lady Isolde remarked as she observed the ongoing battle Lord Varricughed at Lady Isolde''s remarks, "There''s nothing impressive to be seen yet, she hasn''t even began to use her swordsmanship," He said, stroking his beard as he watched "Is that so? The Ironwood house certainly has their future secured." Lady Isolde said "You tter me Sarah still has a long road ahead of her" Varric replied "Certainly not, Altough I can not say the same for a certain house" She sneered as she nced over Lord Thane "You¡­" Thane could only grit his teeth and growl in response The fight below seemed to be an even match, as each of both parties seemed to perfectly parry each other''s attack, the fight was going nowhere, that was until; "[dewalk]" Elias'' movement became more fluid and calcted as he activated his skill, with each strike hended, the strength and intensity of his attacks grew exponentially, each sessive attack carriying more power behind it than thest. He moved with grace and precision that made it seem like he was dancing to the spectators and observers. To say Elias'' skill forced Sarah back on the defensive would be an understatement, as with each attack she struggled to to block the attack, let alone parry it. The weight of Elias'' attack fell heavy on her, her muscles screamed in pained, each time she crossed sword with Elias. Elias'' next attack loomed over her like an insurmountable mountain, threatening to end her life should she not do anything about it, ''I''ll get cut down if I try to block this attack'' she thought "I guess it''s time then," She said, as raised her sword to meet Elias'' "Oh, you are approaching me? I won''t be responsible for whatever happens to you if you don''t dodge this" Elias said as he brought down his sword with all his might ng! Boom! The sound of their sword colliding rang throughout the arena, it was a loud pitch that forced the crowd to instinctly protect their ears. Whilst everyone was doing that, the family heads, n and the King; ric watched closely, waiting for the dust to settle. The ringing subsided, and the dust slowly cleared to reveal the status of the fight below. A bold smile curved into ce on Lord Varric''s face, "That''s my girl," He muttered Elias raised an inquisitive eye brow, he sword was fully extended, resting on Sarah''s, which had taken on a bright sanguine glow. She was down on one knee, surrounded byyered barriers. The barriers cracked and fell apart as Elias withdrew his sword. "What a monster, it took six aegis spells plus my sword to dull his strike. And they call me a genius," Sarah chuckled, then spat out bloodied saliva. Elias pointed his sword at her, "You, you are not just any mage, are you? You''re a magical swordsman" He said Sarah winced as she stood up to her feet, "That''s right, got a problem with that?" She asked, shing Elias a blood stained smile. "Hmm, a magical swordsman at your age, you must be quite the treasure to your family. A genius of the Ironwood house I presume "Elias remarked "So I''ve been told, but fighting you says otherwise. You''re just, what? 17 years of age? And you''re already this strong," Sarah said Elias chuckled, "Let me give you a piece of advice. Do not use me as a gauge for your strength, you will appear weak always," He said "What arrogance, I suppose you do have 5he strength to back it up," Elias shrugged, "There are very few magical swordsmen in this world, and there''s a reason for that. Swordsmanship and Magecraft are two distinct fields which require absolute devotion if you want to be a decent practitioner of either. So most acimed ''magical swordsman'' , are either half baked mages or half baked swordsmen, or in most cases both. They end up bing mediocre warriors. But in extremely rare cases, everything works out, and a true magical swordsman is born. A being with the best knowledge and skills of both world, a truly formidable being. But by the time such being is born, time would have already taken its toll on them, leaving them with immense strength but with the curse of old age. The youngest magical swordsman ording to my knowledge, should be around 56 years of age. And you, a very youngdy, is iming to be a magical swordsman." he exined Sarah frowned, "Nothing I haven''t heard before," "I proposed this challenge in order to disy strength in front of the entire kingdom and make a statement, I guess I''ll just have to use the next two fighters for that. I am going to fight you, properly, who knows maybe I''ll learn a few things from you, if you you''re the real deal that is. But if I discover you''re a mediocre fraud, I''ll end the fight immediately¡­.brutally" Elias dered, his voice carrying a serious tone Sweat beads instantly formed on Sarah''s forehead, as she listened to Elias'' deration, "Do-Don''t get cocky!" She screamed, as she charged at Elias, her sword glowed even brighter. A wild grin appeared on Elias'' face, as he watched Sarah, "That''s the spirit!! Come!" He shouted. Once again, his de and Sarah''s crossed, but this time Sarah''s de ignited in a burst of red me the reflected in her intense gaze. Chapter 48: 48 : Ironblade swordsmanship Sarah''s de roared as Elias barely dodged her attack, the fire from the balde singed a few hairs of his head. But still Elias remained indifferent, unimpressed, "Is this it? I can achieve this same effect with some enchantments", he taunted [+2 000 FWP] Sarah beautifully fell for the taunt, "Shut up, you cocky bastard!" She barked, swinging wildly at Elias Elias effortlessly parried her ming sword, "Weak, your earlier attacks were stronger than this" he remarked Sarah''s frustration grew at each swing Elias dodged, she stepped back and sheathed her sword, "Ironde swordsmanship : Crescent draw!" She screamed She unsheathed her sword with blinding speed, along with her sword came a crescent shaped de of fire. Elias sidestepped, cleanly dodging the attack "That''s more like¡ª" Before he couldplete his words, another simr shaped de of fire came at him, then another, and another. Elias dodged the seemingly endless barrage. "Stop spamming attacks like a noob," He barked, and as if onmand, the attacks stopped, but Sarah was not in sight. Elias looked to the left, the right and then finally, he looked up. He saw Sarah descending with incredible speed, her sword held high above her head, "Ironde swordsmanship: Raging waterfall" Elias met her de with his, but he de was not the only thing to be blocked as he was assaulted with arge body of water, luckily he reacted quickly and deployed a shield; a barrier meant to protect him from physical damage, it was simr to Sarah''s ''Aegis'', but less effective. But the shield did its job as it gave him enough time to escape with [dewalk] before the water crushed it. But Elias was not in the clear. Sarah appeared behind him, the mes on her sword had died out, her limbs crackling with electricity, "Ironde swordsmanship: A thousand strikes!" She screamed as she brought her lightening charged sword to meet Elias'' neck Once again, Elias dodged her de. The space where Elias stood was assaulted with several strikes of lightning along with several de marks on the ground he once stood on. ''Shit! Isn''t this girl overpowered?! Aren''t expert-level mages supposed to utilize one element only, but she''s used three already!'' "You daughter is quite the warrior, like father, like daughter I guess" Lady Isoldemented "Yes she is¡­" Lord Varric replied, his voice carried an hesitant tone Although Elias was troubled, his face did a good job at not expressing it, "You''re the real deal Sarah Ironwood. Perhaps I have underestimated you too much" Elias said to Sarah. But Sarah was having none of it, or rather she was unable to. Her eyes had turned white, she had begun to foam in her mouth, and her veins were visibly popping. "Mana exhaustion?" Lady Isoldemented Lord Varric gripped the armrest of his chair tightly as he watched the fight, "Get her out of there!" Hemanded n "Y-Yes sir!" n replied "Leave her" King ric ordered, his tone cold and serious Lord Varric''s expression stiffened, "But my king, she will die, if she isn''t stopped," he said King ric''s indifferent expression remained unchanged, "Remind us of the rules again n, particrly about the criteria for victory " He demanded n nervously cleared his throat, "Victory is ascertained when either of both parties is unable to fight or if one of both parties decides to forfeit," he reiterated "Neither of that has happened Varric, so sit down and watch the fight," King ricmanded Lord Varric''s face hardened, ge picked up his battle axe, "I am going to sace my daughter, " He dered King ric''s focused on Lord Varric, "You would go against my word, Varric?" He asked "If it means saving my daughter''s life, I would go against heaven itself," Lord Varric dered, his grip on his axe''s handle tightened Lady Selene stood up and softly patted Lord Varric on the back, "Your daughter will not die," she said softly Lord Varric gave her an inspecting look, "How are you so sure," He asked "If Lady Selene days your daughter will not die, then be rest assured that she wouldn''t, I don''tneed to tell you why" Lady Isolde chipped in Lord Varric loosened his grip on his axe, and sighed, "For everyone''s sake, Lady Selene better be right," He said, his gaze still hard pressed on the arena below "Looks like she can''t hear me, she has lost all her reason. The white eyes, foaming in the mouth and the bulging purple veins, thwse are all clear signs of mana exhaustion" Elias observed as he carried on his battle with Sarah. The battle flow had changed, Sarah was now attacking wildly with discretion, making her attack pattern obvious to Elias, in turn making it easy to dodge and parry her attack. "Hmm, even though not much was mentioned about her in Arcane days, she seems like she would be useful in the future. Besides, her magical swordsmanship is something I''m interested in, how often would Ie across such an opportunity to learn first hand from a magical swordsman" He soliloquised as he deflected her ming sword Sarah lunged at him, her sword pulled back and ready to swing when she got in range, but Elias demeanor remained calm, he watched her carefully. As she got within range, Elias activated [dewalk] to use her momentum against her, nullifying her swing. She charged at him again, this time from a close range, Elias had her where he wanted, "[debind]" he muttered There was no sound when their de shed this time, instead the sound of Sarah struggling to pull her weapon away from Elias'' bind echoed through the arena. "Magical swordsmen have little known weaknesses, at least the decent ones. But little known weakness does not equal no weakness. Their sword, once their sword is rendered useless or they be separated from their sword, they be extremely vulnerable" Elias exined Sarah Ironwood reply to Elias'' words, was more foaming in the mouth, along with a low growl. "It''s over," Elias dered "[sh(Basic)]" Elias'' sword gilded through the air with a graceful yet powerful arc, the pressure and wind from the sword knocked out Sarah Ironwood before the sword met her body. Chapter 49: 49 : Terius Black The entire arena fell as silent as a graveyard at midnight, everyone watched anxiously for the result of Elias'' assault. Witnessing the magnitude of Elias'' attack, Lord Varric''s jaw dropped, and it was not because of the power behind the attack, rather he feared for his daughter''s life. Snapping out of his daze, he jerked up to his feet, "How dare you lie to me!" He roared, as he lifted up Lady Selene from her seat by her cor. Lady Selene''s expression remained unfazed, "I didn''t lie to you," she calmly spoke Lord Varric''s gaze hardened, and his grip on her tightened, "Then how do you exin that?!" He said, pointing to the arena below with one hand "Look closely," Lady Selene advised "She''s not dead," Lady Isolde piped in, "I can see her chest rise and fall," she added Lord Varric let go of Lady Selene and focused on the arena below. There he saw Elias standing over Sarah''s prone body, his sword was drawn, but not aimed at her. Instead, the sword rested on the ground beside her, the weapon''s tipy next to a massive indentation in the earth, a gorge spanning at least twelve feet long and two feet wide. "In the end, she passed out before my attack hit," Elias sighed, "Well, it was fun I must admit. Ironde swordsmanship, interesting." "Next!" He called out for the next challenger Seeing as his daughter was still alive, Lord Varric leaped from the special canopy provided for the family heads and the king. Boom! Hended beside Elias, raising dust and debris with his arrival. Elias coughed and protected his face from the flying debris, "What the hell?" He asked Lord Varric hunched over his daughter''s body, "Sarah¡­" he muttered, then in one swift motion, he lifted her onto his shoulder. "Elias Ashdown," he began as he stood before Elias like a mountain before a hill "Lord Varric Ironwood" Elias replied Lord Varric scoffed and his expression softened lightly, "You are quite the warrior, Imend you. I also thank you for saving my daughter''s life, I am in your debt" Elias nonchntly shrugged, "I didn''t save her, I just won the fight, that''s all," He said Lord Varric smiled slightly, "Nonsense, you saw the effects of mana exhaustion, and you rendered her unconscious to stop her from burning through her blood and life, I owe you a thousand gratitudes" "Okay, It''s really not that serious, but okay," Elias shrugged Lord Varric turned around, "I have a feeling you will ovee this challenge Elias Ashdown, when you do, make sure to pay the third district a visit," He said "Why do I have to pay you a visit? Why can''t youe to me?" He said tly [+10 000 FWP] Lord Varricughed out loud, "What a man you are Elias Ashdown," He said, before walking toward the exit of the arena He paused and turned around, "Ahh, this may seem shameless and undignified, as you havepletely bested my daughter in battle, but I would appreciate it If I could have my daughter''s sword back. It was a gift from her mother," He asked, his tone was polite, yet it had a sliver ofmand in it Elias looked at the sword in his hand, "Oh this? Sure you can have it, as long as you use the magic word; Please," he said with a smug grin on his face [+ 30 000 FWP] Elias'' grin grew wider as he saw the system''s notification. Meanwhile, Lord Varric had a surprised look on his face, he was taken aback by Elias'' request. "Please?" "Yes, please" Elias affirmed "What arrogance!" Lady Isolde shouted "Insolence! How dare him" Lord Thane added Lord Varric sighed, "Please can I have my daughter''s sword back?" He asked, his voice filled with embarrassment. He was a respected figure after all, second only to the throne of Eldoria and here he was, begging a child. It damaged his pride a bit. [+50 000 FWP] Elias'' grin contorted into a mischievous smile, "No," He replied [Brutal! +100 000 FWP] "What?" Lord Varric''s face was filled with confusion, "what do you mean ''No'', I did as you asked and yet you deny me" He said, his voice beginning to carry a hint of annoyance Elias shrugged, "I''m keeping the sword. She lost it, she shoulde get it herself" Lord Varric suppressed his anger, "What a man you are indeed Elias Ashdown," Lord Varric said before finally leaving The crowd remained silent, murmurings spread around like the buzzing of bees, they were unsure how to react. After all, Elias had just made a family head beg him in front of a multitude of people "Elias Ashdown, the chosen child of light, has emerged victorious once more!" n announced As if on cue, the crowd broke their silence and began chanting Elias'' name, soon Elias'' name was on the lips of every spectator in the arena. "The next fighter has been tested, and is ready to fight! Let the next round begin!" n dered Standing before Elias once again was an opponent, this time the opponent was a mysterious figure draped in a ck cloak. He gave off an imposing chilling aura, reminiscent of danger. "Is that Terius?" Lord Thane asked "In the flesh," Lady Isolde replied with a confident smile "Terius is very ruthless in battle, won''t he damage the boy too much even if he wins?" Lord Thane asked "I have given him strict instructions concerning that. Victory is mine, the boy will be mine" she answered Lady Selene turned to Lord Thane and Lady Selene, "I beg to differ," she said "Huh? What do you mean?" Lady Isolde demanded "Yes, what do you mean? Thest time we spoke concerning the boy, you seemed to be on the same page with us. Nowe the day of reckoning and suddenly all your faith is in him. Is there something we should know that you aren''t telling us, Selene?" Lord Thane asked Ladu Selene remained quiet and shifted her gaze back to the arena, "Not at all," She said calmly The cloaked figure pointed a finger at Elias, "Heed my warning Elias Ashdown, I am Terius ck, an expert-level mage. I was chosen by mydy to acquire you for the Ravencrest house, I have never known failure and I don''t n to start now. I will win this fight for my Lady Isolde, for your own sake, I suggest you surren¡ª" "Stop stop stop, you''re cringing me out. Aren''t you hot under all that ck you''re wearing? I mean, the sun is quite generous with its heat today," Elias interrupted "Elias Ashdo¡ª," "Just shut up and fight, I don''t have all day" Elias deadpanned Chapter 50: 50 : Hurricane Fury "Brat!" Terius barked, He wasted no time. His eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his wrist, he called out, "Gale Strike!" A powerful st of wind shot toward Elias, the air howling with the force of the spell. Elias stood his ground, his expression unreadable. "[Ward of null]" The wind mmed into him, yet he didn''t flinch; instead, it seemed to flow around him, dispersing harmlessly. Terius gritted his teeth, frustration flickering in his eyes. He stepped forward, his fingers tracing a pattern in the air. "Tempest de!" he shouted. A razor-sharp crescent of wind hurtled toward Elias. "[dewalk]" The attack struck, but Elias merely stepped to the side, letting the de of air pass by him, slicing into the stone wall behind. He barely seemed to notice. Undeterred, Terius raised both hands, summoning more of his power. The air around him crackled with energy. "Cyclone Burst!" A swirling vortex of wind erupted from Terius, racing toward Elias with deafening force. Dust and debris were swept up in the maelstrom, obscuring the view. But when the dust settled, Elias stood unharmed, his clothes slightly ruffled, a calm expression still on his face. Elias finally moved, taking a single step forward. "Is that all you have, Terminus?" he asked, his voice steady and cold. "Your spells are impressive, but theyck... impact." Read the full story at m-vl-em,pyr Terius''s eyes zed with determination. "I''ll show you impact, and it''s Terius, not Terminus" he hissed. He clenched his fists, and the air around him began to hum with energy. "Hurricane Fury!" With a roar, he unleashed a massive, spiraling column of wind, the ground beneath it cracking and breaking apart under the pressure. Elias, however, stood firm. As the hurricane-force winds crashed into him, he raised a hand, effortlessly parting the violent currents. He walked through the storm, his movements steady and unhurried. Each step he took seemed to dissipate the power of the spell until he stood directly before Terius, the wind dying down around them. Terius stumbled back, panting. His eyes widened as Elias reached out, not in aggression, but almost gently, cing a hand on Terius''s shoulder. Terius tried to step back, but Elias''s grip tightened, not painfully, but firmly. "Calm down," Elias continued. "No need to be in a hurry." Terius shook his head, his frustration boiling over. "You brat!" he spat. "I have to win. I will win!" Whack! Terius'' eyes widened, and he held his reddened cheek, "What?" He looked around in puzzlement. Elias had pped him, the force of the p caused the hood of his cloak to fall off, revealing the face of the man behind the cowl. His face was rugged and weathered, marked by a few noticeable scars. His one good eye was striking, with a piercing gaze. His hair, somewhat long and tousled, frames his face in a disheveled manner, giving him an overall rugged look. "Don''t think about it too much, I just pped you," Elias said He grabbed the still-confused Terius by his hood, and with all his might, he flung him across the arena. Terius staggered to his feet, to see the imposing figure of Elias approaching him calmly and in that moment he felt something he hadn''t in a long while; fear. "Want to know a fun fact? The same spells used by different calibers of mages can produce varying results, it''s all because of their mana density. Therger and deeper the mana well, the denser the mana released is, enabling a more powerful effect. For example, you casted ''Hurricane Fury'', and it was what? Twelve? Fifteen feet? The power and size are impressive, but it could be better So Watch closely" "Hurricane Fury" Elias said in a low tone The air crackled with energy as the immense spiraling column of wind began to form, reaching high into the sky and dwarfing thebatants below. The arena, along with the magical barrier set in ce to protect the audience, quaked as the spell gathered strength. Dust and loose materials were lifted and swirled within the whirlwind, which grew louder and more intense with each passing moment. Finally the spell had grown to its limit, it stood at a colossal height of sixty feet and spanned a diameter of twenty feet at the base Terius looked up at the approaching Hurricane, and in addition to his fear, he felt an intense wave of awe wash over him. He closed his eyes, and resigned to his fate. As the spell descended on Terius ck, the winds enveloped him, pulling him into the heart of the storm. The force of the winds was so immense that it tore at his clothes and skin, and he struggled to stay grounded but failed ultimately. The barrier surrounding the arena vibrated, under the strain of containing the powerful spell. The audience watched in awe and horror as debris and dust whirled through the air, creating a cyclone of chaos within the confines of the battleground The ground beneath the column cracks and shifts, small objects and loose stones are lifted and torn apart, and the air was thick with dust and debris. The sound was a deafening roar that drowned out all other noises as Hurricane Fury unleashed its full might. Despite the protective barrier, the audience could feel the sheer power of the spell. As the winds of "Hurricane Fury" finally dissipated, the arena fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the faint crackling of residual energy.The ground was scarred with deep gouges and cracks where the powerful winds tore through the surface. Debris was scattered everywhere¡ªfragments of stone, dirt, and shattered remnants of the arena''s fixtures. A thinyer of dust hangs in the air, slowly settling back to the ground. Terius cky at the epicenter of the destruction, visibly battered by the relentless force of the spell. His clothing was tattered, ripped to shreds by the high-speed winds and flying debris. Bloodied and bruised, hey there, though conscious, he was unable to move, his body was marked with numerous cuts and abrasions, his limbs twisted in unnatural directions His hair was disheveled, and dirt clung to his skin, courtesy of the violent maelstrom he endured. His breathing wasbored, each breath drew in the dust-filled air, and his eyes were filled with nothing but pain. Around the perimeter of the arena, the magical barrier stood intact but visibly strained, shimmering with residual energy from the intense onught it contained. The audience, though shielded from the direct effects of the spell, sat stunned in silence, the sheer scale of the destruction left them in awe. Chapter 51: 51 : Victorious one "T-Teruis?" Lady Isolde was dumbfounded at the oue of the fight, and not just because of the oue only, but the way the entire battle unfolded. Terius didn''tnd a single hit on Elias throughout the duration of the battle. "Seems the battle didn''t go as you expected Lady Isolde," Lord Thane said inly, "It appears we underestimated him greatly. Three expert-level fighters in a row, and he''s still standing, he doesn''t even look like he''s starting to get tired" He added, his tone filled with anger and frustration Lady Isolde turned to Lady Selene, "You! You knew this was going to happen. What is it you know? Tell us!" Lady Isolde demanded Lady Selene let out a calm breath, "Very well, if you must know, none of you will ever be able to get Elias Ashdown under your control. No matter how you try or what you do, it will yield the same result," She exined "Which is?" King ric asked, wearing an attentive expression "Failure," Lady Selene replied "Nonsense!" Lord Thane objected. Lady Isolde furrowed her brows,"And why is that?" She asked "Because¡­" Elias stood triumphant over Terius ck''s body, the man before him groaning and moaning in pain. A group of soldiers walked in with a stretcher, one of the soldiers gently supported Terius''s neck and shoulders, while the other carefully lifted his legs. Terius winced as they moved him, the pain evident in his tight-lipped grimace, but he didn''t resist their efforts.As they lifted him onto the stretcher, Terius let out a low groan, the difort and pain clear in every movement. As the soldiers were about to depart, Elias stopped them, "Wait!" He ordered, he walked over to Terius and ced a hand over him "Heal" A warm sensation washed over Terius as his cuts began to close, his bruises disappeared and his broken bones popped back into ce. Terius stood up from the stretcher and inspected himself in disbelief. "I..am healed?" He muttered "Aren''t you going to thank me?" Elias raised a brow [+2 000 FWP ] "Th...Thank you, Elias Ashdown," He said bowing his head slightly, "This battle is my loss," he added "Of course it is," Elias deadpanned, "Please leave, I have two more people to fight," Terius ck stared at Elias, smiled lightly, and bowed before leaving. "The winner of the third round is yet again, Elias Ashdown the chosen child of light!" n announced The crowd erupted in a roar of chants and praise for Elias, his name rang loud throughout the arena. "Chosen one!" They chanted, and their chantssted for a while before dying down naturally "What''s taking so long, bring on the next fighter, and let us be done with this!" He roared "What?! That''s impossible," Lord Thane eximed "I have told you lies, everything I have said is the truth," Lady Selene said firmly, "I understand your reactions, I too reacted that way when I found out," she added Lady Isolde had a confused expression on her face as she tried to process the information Lady Selene had just disclosed to her, "But how is that possible? It shouldn''t be possible," She queried in disbelief King ric stood up from his seat and headed for the exit, "Your Highness, where are you going? It''s your fighter''s turn to face Elias Ashdown," Lady Selene said The king turned to her, "If what you''re saying is true, then there is no point in continuing this challenge when we already know how it will end," He said After a while, n walked into the arena, "The King has dered this challenge over, and thus your champion is Elias Ashdown, the chosen child!" n announced, causing the whole arena to once again re up in chants and praises. Meanwhile, Elias had an annoyed expression, "What do you mean the challenge is over? I have fought only three of the agreed five mages, where are the rest?" He asked n "The king says to let you know that he and Lady Selene choose to forfeit the challenge. He also says you will get the agreed rewards as you have won the challenge," n exined to Elias "Why?" Elias asked "I have no idea," n said as he began to walk off Elias face squeezed in annoyance, "King ric!!" He screamed King ric, the family heads, and the entire Arena froze and fell silent as they heard Elias, "The main reason I proposed this challenge wasn''t for the academy issue or the schrship. No, it was for something far more important than that. I needed to show you and your family heads that before I became the child of light, I was Elias Ashdown and I still am Elias Ashdown. I am my own man, and I will not be anyone''s property or tool! I am strong, very strong and I will only be stronger. I do not intend to hide my strength!" He roared at the King and family head''s canopy "The bastard, who does he think he is? Just give me the word your majesty, and I will descend upon him in your name!" Lord Thane eximed, his voice filled with spite, but King ric simply raised his hand up to shun him "Fuck you, King ric!" He said, raising his middle finger at the king [+500 000 FWP] King ric''s brow furrowed, "I do not know what that means, but I am deeply offended by it," He said "Elias Ashdown, he might be a bigger threat than we anticipated," The king muttered to himself The challenge hade and it had passed, but standing inevitably victorious at the end of it all was the chosen child of light; Elias Ashdown [ FWP: 804,050/10,000,000,000 Name: Elias Ashdown ss: Swordsman, Farmer, Mage(Contractual, Caster) Experience tales at m-vl-e-mpyr Title: Farmer, One blessed by Fate, swordsman, Child of Light, Child of Destiny, Loved by Mana, Mage ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Health: 2520/2560 Mana: 310,000/410,000 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Strength: 26 Agility: 21 Speed: 23 Stamina: 80 Intelligence: 152 ] Chapter 52: 52 : Big Booms As King ric prepared to leave, the high luminary entered the hall with her entourage, her presence calm yetmanding. She approached him, her expression serene but her words sharp. The High-luminary had long, flowing silver hair that cascaded down her back, shimmering with a soft glow that seemed to emit a gentle radiance. Her eyes were hidden behind a soft light veil. Her skin was fair and smooth, with a faint luminescence that made her appearance literally glow She wore a regal gown made of light, white fabrics that flowed around her like wisps of mist. The gown was adorned with patterns that resembled constetions, shimmering subtly as she moved. Around her neck, she wore a pendant with a radiant crystal that seemed to have a pulse of its own, it hummed with an inner light, a gift from the Goddess herself. "King ric," she said, her voice steady and measured, "I always knew you had a penchant for questionable choices, but I did not expect you to exploit Elias with this challenge." The High-luminary''s presence was both calming and awe-inspiring and she radiated a sense of peace and purity that drew most people to her. She moved with grace and poise, and her voice was gentle yetmanding. ric opened his mouth to respond, but she held up a hand, continuing in the sameposed tone. "I met Lord Varric on my way here. He exined the details of the challenge''s stakes to me. I must admit, I am deeply disappointed." Her eyes met ric''s, conveying a quiet yet firm disapproval. King ricughed, a harsh sound, "You misunderstand, High Luminary," he said, a sly smile ying on his lips. "It was Elias Ashdown himself who proposed the challenge. He was the one who took advantage of me and the other family heads, not the other way around." The high luminary''s eyes widened ever so slightly, a subtle sign of her surprise, though her calm demeanor remained unchanged. She studied ric, her expression unreadable, before speaking in her usual measured tone. "Is that so?" ric''s smile widened, sensing her unease. "How was your trip, Luminary? I heard you faced some difficulties with wild beasts and demons." There was a brief pause as the high luminaryposed herself, her gaze unwavering. "Yes," she replied, her voice steady. "We encountered a few challenges, but my priests, acolytes, and brave soldiers ensured our safety. Their dedication and courage were exemry." She met ric''s eyes, her calm mask firmly in ce, giving nothing away. King ric pped his hands together, a mocking grin on his face. "Well, the fun is over now," he dered, turning to leave. "I''ll be on my way." The high luminary''s gaze shifted to the arena below, where Elias Ashdown was basking in the glory of his recent victory. "So that''s him?" she murmured, a hint of curiosity in her voice. She turned to Priest Mathias, who stood at her side. Priest Mathias nodded. "Yes, High Luminary. That is Elias Ashdown." She tilted her head slightly, studying the young man. "He looks younger than I expected," she remarked, her voice thoughtful. "I must say, despite his age and looks, he is quite thepetent one," Priest Mathis chipped in As if sensing her gaze, Elias nced up. His eyes met the high luminary''s, and he shed a brilliant, confident smile. She noted his perceptiveness, a small, almost imperceptible smile of her own forming. "He''s perceptive," shemented, turning to Priest Mathias. "Ensure that Elias is brought to the temple as soon as possible. He will need to receive his blessings." Priest Mathias bowed slightly. "Of course, High Luminary. I will see to it immediately." The high luminary watched Elias a moment longer, contemting the unexpected turn of events. Suddenly, the air was shattered by two sessive explosions, the sound reverberating from the direction of the first district. A split secondter, another explosion boomed from the second district, followed by two more from the fourth and fifth districts. The ground shook, and panic rippled through the crowd. The guards and soldiers, eyes wide with rm, sprang into action, rushing towards the source of the chaos. The orderly atmosphere of the arena dissolved into a franticmotion as everyone scrambled to escape, fearing more explosions might follow. King ric, visibly tense, barked orders to his guards. "Secure the area! Find out what''s happening!" He looked around, trying to assess the situation, while the high luminary remained eerily calm, her eyes scanning the crowd. "High Luminary, we must get you to safety," Priest Mathias urged, stepping closer to her. She nodded, her expression unreadable. "Yes, but first, ensure the civilians are protected and the injured are attended to." She nced at the arena floor, where Elias Ashdown stood, momentarily stunned by the chaos. "And bring Elias to me," she added. "Make sure he is safe and unharmed." As the crowd continued to surge towards the exits, the guards struggled to maintain order, guiding people away from the arena. The air was thick with fear and uncertainty "Explosions?" Elias muttered to himself as he looked around the arena The once-excited murmurs turned to panicked screams as chaos erupted in the arena. The spectacle had taken a horrifying turn, and the crowd''s collective fear became palpable. People scrambled from their seats, desperate to escape the threat of the explosion. Bodies pressed against each other, the air thick with the scent of sweat and fear. The frantic pushing and shoving intensified, with some resorting to climbing over others to reach the exits. The weaker and slower were shoved aside or trampled underfoot, their cries for help drowned out by the deafening roar of the panicked crowd. Blood sttered the ground as the crush of bodies forced people against the sharp edges of seats and barriers. Limbs were twisted and broken in the desperate struggle to escape. The suffocating press of people made it hard to breathe, and some fell to the ground, never to rise again. In the midst of the chaos, a young woman fell, her scream cut short as the crowd surged forward, trampling over her. A man tried to help only to be shoved aside, his face smashing into a railing, leaving a bloody smear. Elias'' eyes traced around the crowd, unsure of what step to take next, amidst the crowd he spotted a familiar frame wearing a cloak. The figure''s movements were strange, different from the rest of the fearing crowd. Instead of heading for the exit, he walked in the opposite direction. "[Perception]" Elias locked on in on the figure who was headed upward, toward the direction of the King''s canopy. As the figure elerated, the hood of his cape was pushed back, until it finally fell backpletely. Elias'' eyes widened as the figure''s face was revealed to him, that face, that hair¡­that scar. It was; "Carius.." Chapter 53: 53 : He moved! "What the hell is Carius trying to pull here? An attack on the king?" Elias muttered to himself as he watched Carius get closer to the King''s canopy with each step. The other family heads had left the third district in order to protect their respective districts from whoever or whatever had caused the explosion, all of them except Lord Thane. King ric looked upon him surprisingly, "You wouldn''t protect your district like the rest? " He queried Lord Thane Thane simply smiled lightly, "It''s not needed, whoever it is that thought it was a good idea to attack my district is either ignorant or very stupid. We mages may be few inparison to the rest of the world, but we aren''t to be taken lightly. I am good where I am My king¡­right beside you," he exined King ric scoffed and sat back on his seat, "Till my soldiers tell me it is safe to leave, I''ll remain here, the only other district that an explosion hasn''t hit" He said Thane took a seat, "I truly hope this is a safe ce, if not for anything, for my beautiful Queen Seraphina," Thane said, looking at the queen with a lustful gaze "I almost forgot you were here," King ric said to Queen Seraphina "Of course you did," She shot back at the king, but he simply waved her off, not caring for her at all "I would never forget about your goddess-like presence, my queen," Lord Thane said, "If the queen doesn''t mind, she can find peace amidst this chaos in my embrace, can''t she, my king?" he added, King ric once again waved him off like it was of insignificant importance to him. His eyes were fixed on the seemingly motionless Elias Ashdown "You see my queen, the king doesn''t mind," He said, a mischievous smile on his face as he stretched his arms out, as if the queen would jump into his embrace. Queen Seraphina looked at him, clearly disgusted at his antics, "Bugger off before I have you thrown in the cells. If my husband has forgotten his role in this kingdom, I haven''t. I am still your queen and you will speak to me with respect!" She shot at Lord Thane Find exclusive tales at m-vl-em,pyr Unmoved by the queen''s words, Thane''s smile grew wider as he lowered his head, "Yes my queen," "Hmph," Queen Seraphina scoffed, "Even in the midst of this chaos, all you can contribute is your perverted thoughts. How shameless" she added, her tone filled with disgust and her face did justice in expressing it. Thane raised his head, " If it''s insight my queen needs, then I''ll dly give. From the pattern and location of the explosion, there''s a lot to deduce. First of all, amongst all the districts only two districts weren''t hit by an explosion; District Five and District Two, where we are currently. Why is that? Could be a dy or a mishap in the operations of whoever is behind the explosions¡­.or, maybe it was a distraction from their main goal" He exined Queen Seraphina listened attentively, " A distraction?" She asked, "A distraction from what?" Thane pointed his finger upwards, "A distraction from their main goal which is something that is in this arena, but there''s nothing of significant value in this arena you may say, all the best weapons and artifacts are kept in the Ironwood House''s vault. Then perhaps their goal is not a thing but a person. Within this arena, there are several valuable people, namely; the four family heads, the queen, the High-luminary, the King, and as much as I would hate to admit it, the chosen child of light too is valuable." Everyone in the King''s canopy listened attentively, even the guards, with the exception of the king, he just sat in his seat, his eyes fixed on Elias below. Lord Thane was a cocky scumbag that was for sure, but it didn''t change the fact that he was a family head, he held a position that required so much to maintain, including power and most importantly; wits, and he was disying just why he was where he was, and why he was who he was "Amongst the valuable people mentioned, we can further deduce the culprit''s target. The High-luminary arrival day was not made known to anybody except the king, myself, and the other family heads, there is no way the target is after her, so that rules out the High-luminary as a target. Next would be the family heads. The family heads are definitely not the target of the culprit, instead, they are more like a hindrance, blocking the way to the real target, so the culprit had to get rid of them by setting up explosions off in their various districts, knowing the family heads would rush to protect them. That leaves two more valuable persons that could be the target; Elias Ashdown and the King. Elias Ashdown could not be the target, as his identity too was kept secret until now that is. That leaves us with only one target¡­King ric, my king, you are in danger" Thane exined Despite Thane''s revtion, King ric remained Unmoved, his gaze bore holes into Elias''s form as if the young man would disappear if he took his eyes off him. The rest of the King''s canopy upants thought deeply about Lord Thane''s deration. The Queen was about to open her mouth to speak when suddenly, the atmosphere grew heavier, and tiny sanguine-colored particles began to form in the air. Whoosh! The sound of fabric battling against wind resounded, apanied by the same figure Elias was observing. It was Carius, Carius of the res, revenge and hatred were carved onto his scarred face. "Give yourself a round of apuse, you got at least ny percent of it right," He said as hended in the King''s Canopy King ric''s eyes widened in shock, but it was not because of the uninvited guest''s entrance no it was something else, something he had been watching closely the entire time, "He moved!" The king eximed Chapter 54: 54: Stupid People Everywhere "The culprit!" Lord Thane shouted as he swiftly pulled out his wand and fired a charged bolt of pure mana at Carius The mana bolt zoomed past at an incredible speed but still failed to strike Carius, instead, it hit the cloak Carius wore, burning it upon impact. The cloak was hit, but Carius was nowhere to be seen, he had shed his cloak to take the damage and disappeared. "Where is he?" Lord Thane looked around, frantically searching for Carius "Protect the High-luminary!" Anias screamed, and the acolytes present, Nigel and Dickson included, formed a circle around the High-luminary. The cloaked female priest stepped forward and began scanning the room for signs of Carius, but when she saw him, it was toote. Stay informed at m-vl-em,pyr Carius had somehow found his way to Queen''s seat in a short period of time, he stood beside her with his index and middle fingers firmly pressed against her temple, "If anybody should make a move, I''ll take the life of your queen," Carius dered and Thane raised his wand at Carius almost immediately, "Don''t try to be a hero, I''ll kill her without batting an eye," Carius warned Lord Thane with an expression that showed that he would do as he had threatened. Queen Seraphina felt Carius'' hand on her temple, and they were cold, cold as the dish he was about to serve them. She shivered involuntarily, not from the cold of the evening, but the dread that was settling in her chest. Her breathing soon began to match her panic, as it came in shallow gasps, her ample chest rising and falling in the visible rhythm of fear. Lord Thane lowered his wand slowly, "What do you want? Money? Is that it? You want to hold the queen for ransom?" He asked with a frank face "Here''s what is going to happen," Carius began, "The king is going to release my sister and all the other res he captured," "Why would he do that? There''s a reason he captured them," Lord Thane said Carius shot Thane a discrediting look, "Shut up, I''m not done yet. If the king doesn''tply, I''ll kill everyone here. I''m sure you all have noticed some little dust-like particles floating around in the air, they aren''t just for dramatic effects. As quick as a thought, I can send you to the afterlife" he exined "Ahhhh!! Die!!" A random soldier ran at Carius, brandishing his spear at the re man Carius nced at the man, and before the stupid soldier could take two more steps, one of the floating sanguine particles abruptly turned into arge crystal, and impaled the soldier. "Nice, a demonstration. Maybe this will help you all understand the gravity of the situation. As you have just witnessed, each of these particles is capable of turning into that," He said, pointing at the massive blood-drenched crystal sticking out of the soldier''s body Lord Thane stepped back defensively and put his hand over his nose. "Smart move, but it''s toote for that. Everyone here has already breathed in my crystals, now tell your sorry excuse of a king to give me what, or else your insides are about to have more holes than a sponge fish" Carius demanded "Shit, this bastard " Lord Thane muttered "Autumn breeze" A familiar voice cut through the tension in the air, following the words of the voice, a gentle breeze filled the King''s canopy causing all the sanguine crystal particles to be swept away King ric sat up in his chair, for the first time since Carius'' arrival. "Elias, Elias Ashdown" Carius said Elias finally had intervened in the situation, being the only one not having anything on the line, he could act freely. Elias pushed back the locks of his hair that were blown out of ce by the wind, "Carius, Carius¡­Carius?" He said, his tone taking a confused tone at thetter part of his sentence "At least there was something you didn''t lie about, you are the child of light," "I didn''t lie to you about anything else, if this is about the raid on your hideout, I promise you that I knew nothing of it. It was an innocent misunderstanding," Elias exined, his voice taking a remorseful tone Carius''s brow squeezed tighter," Innocent misunderstanding? My sister has spent nights, nights in the cells because of your "Innocent misunderstanding". Well, I shouldn''t entirely me you for it, I should me this slob with a crown for it, he caused this, and now he''s going to fix it," Elias approached Carius slowly, "Whatever you''re thinking of doing Carius, I urge you not to do it, if not for anything, for the sake of your sister. What do you think would happen if you killed the queen? Do you think your sister and the rest will be magically freed? If you go through with this, you''re condemning your sister''s life to death and it''s not just hers, you''re condemning all res to death," Elias exined Expression softened, Elias'' words were getting to him, perhaps he had acted too impulsively, "He''s a re?" Lord Thane asked, " A filthy re daresy his hands on My queen?!" "Quiet Lord Thane," Elias said But Thane heeded not Elias'' words, so he kept on going, "All your kind should be wiped out, this is why you''re all shackled and dragged around like dogs, you let your emotions run rampant like the animals you are. You all are the lowest of the low" He barked angrily "I said keep quiet you old fool!!" Elias shouted He looked up and saw Carius'' hardened face seething with burning rage, a blood hue glow shed across his eyes. Carius was about to kill Lord Thane if Elias didn''t act soon "Fuck," Elias said as he use "dewalk" to rapidly get to Carius He slipped a ring on his finger, snapped his fingers, and with the loud sucking sound of air trying to fill the empty space they once stood, Elias and Carius vanished instantly. Chapter 55: 55: Choose a side! "That boy teleported again!!" Lord Thane eximed Under her veil, the High-luminary was surprised by the sudden disappearance of Elias and Carius. She thought to herself: ''He can teleport?!'' The queen heaved a sigh of relief, her heartbeat steadied itself as she was no longer in harm''s way. But she was not entirely calm, not for her life was she worried anymore, but for Elias Ashdown. "Elias¡­" She muttered The cloaked priest grunted in frustration, "So many things happening all at once, by the Goddess Lira we were supposed toe home to a decent rest. First, the unexpected tournament, and now the Child of Light is somewhere ying hero." She said, throwing her arms up The High-luminary ced aforting hand on the priest''s shoulder, "I know we''ve been traveling for a while now and you need to rest, but you must control your emotions, Margo." The cloaked priest''s shoulder rxed as she heard theforting words of the High-luminary. "Where is the Chosen child now?" She asked, "Even if he teleported, he cannot have gone so far away," King ric stood up from his seat, and pointed to the fabric that shielded the sky''s view from their sights, "They''re up there," He said calmly, still pointing up. Everyone present looked up at once, they knew not what to expect, maybe Elias was on the ceiling? But they looked regardless, after all, the king was the one who spoke. As if on cue, a mildly strong wind current blew the canopy away, revealing the beautiful golden sky above. "They''re in the sky? Flying? That''s impossible as even myself is not capable of flight, surely Elias Ashdown can''t. He can''t¡­right?" Lord Thane spoke, his neck stretched toward the heavens just like the others. Margo, the cloaked priest, looked intently at the sky, "I can''t see them, are you sure they''re there?" She asked "Look closer," the king instructed Margo pulled back her cowl, revealing her face. Margo''s hair was a striking mix of dark and vibrant blue, flowing in soft waves barely grazing her shoulders. Her eyes were an intense shade of violet, they were almond-shaped and framed by long, darkshes. Her nose was small and straight,plementing the delicate structure of her high cheekbones. Below, her lips, full and slightly parted, had a natural rose tint that contrasted with her fair skin. A small, silver stud adorned her left ear, catching the light and drawing attention to her graceful neckline, just below that, she sported a ck in choker. Having a clearer view of the sky, Margo focused more on the sky, searching for any sign of Elias and Carius¡­mainly Elias. "There! I see them!" She eximed, pointing at a dot in the sky. At first, everyone couldn''t see what she talked about, then upon further inspection, they noticed that the ''dot'' Margo pointed to, was in fact not a dot, but Elias and Carius free falling. Elias had teleported them far into the sky! Thousands of feet above ground level, Elias and Carius fell, they tumbled through the sky, the world beneath them a dizzying blur of blues and greens. The rush of wind roared past their ears wildly. It felt like they were suspended in time, just two of them, embraced by the endless expanse of sky, unbounded, before gravity would inevitably im them. "You fat-kidneyed fool, take me back!" Carius demanded, screaming at the top of his lungs Elias had a wild exhrated grin on his face, "This is nice isn''t it, imagine you died before experiencing this," He said "We are going to die if you don''t take us back fool!" Carius barked "I can''t, I''m out of teleportation rings," He said, his tone filled with indifference "What do you mean you can''t, you fool! You want us both to die" Carius shouted, his tone filled with nervousness Noticing Carius'' growing nervousness, Elias sighed, "This should be enough," he said, "You have magic, you can save us." "I can''t fly," Elias sighed disappointedly, "Use those crystals of yours to create a tform and control it as you would normally," Carius'' face lit up, he had never once thought to use his abilities that way, "I can do that?" He muttered He closed his eyes, and with utmost concentration, he willed a crystal to appear, it was t like a tform, just as Elias instructed. res who chose to be mages like Carius were called innate mages, being an innate mage, his spell requires no chants or incantations. Innate mages weaved spells with their mind, will, and emotions, it was part of what made them feared as warriors. Both Elias and Carius stood on the tform, their deathly descent was stopped by Carius'' spell. "Creativity is key," Elias said as he got up to his feet Carius'' expression hardened, "Elias Ashdown," he called, ignoring Elias'' remark, "Why do you get in my way, I had the king where I wanted him! By the ballsack First, you sell us out to that slothful king and now you save his wife''s life? If I remember correctly, you promised to help us. Tell me Elias, what side are you on?" Carius demanded sternly Elias furrowed his brows and stared at Carius directly, "What side am I on? I am trying to liberate the res, just like you. Attacking the king and those around him wouldn''t help your situation in the slightest. All that would do is bolster the King''s agenda against the res. It''s not toote, I can turn the other way, I''ll tell them you escaped. Just let me follow through with Loria''s n and you''ll be a free man, a free man without any innocent blood on his hands," Elias exined Carius'' face was wavering and hard as steel as if the words Elias spoke passed through his right ear and passed out through the left, "We tried Loria''s way, and look where she ended up. I''m done trying to talk away my problems, what the king needs to do is die!" He said, his tone filled with passionate hatred and anger, "Now answer me clearly Elias Ashdown, what side are you on? I''ve seen how strong you are, will you help me kill that inhumane King?" Carius said, holding out a hand to Elias Elias'' gaze narrowed and his eyes watched Carius closely, there was no way he was going to help Carius kill King ric, doing that would ensure the certain doom of the res and cause numerous innocent lives, both res and regr humans to be wasted. Elias opened his mouth to give Carius his answer when his free will system popped up with a new message. [New Task Avable!] Seeing the Task details, Elias'' eyes widened and he felt his certain decision tilt toward uncertainty. Chapter 56: 56 : A collared mans rage [New Task Avable!] [Task: Help Carius of the res to kill King ric, consequences be damned! Reward: 700 000 FWP, Intermediate skill Failure: Nil Time limit: Nil Will you ept the Task? ¡²Yes¡³or ¡²No¡³ ] ''What! A task to join forces with Carius? And with that reward FWP?! That''s crazy. Does this mean the system wants me to help Carius? Why?'' Carius opened up his arms, "So what is it going to be? There isn''t enough time, It''s only a matter of time before the soldiers and mages get everything under control, then I''ll miss my one chance at the king" He said Elias had a troubled look on his face, "I''ve made my choice," He said, before choosing ¡²No¡³ "I will not be helping you kill the king," Elias dered boldly. Deep within his mind, Elias was crying about losing so many FWPs. ''No matter how tempting that offer was, I can''t take it. Killing the King is a big No. Besides, why should I help Carius because the system wants me to? What is the whole point of having free will if my next move or decision is based on what the system wants? Am I not the one who is being steered away from fate?'' [+500 000 FWP] "Look below you Carius, don''t you see how big the kingdom is? So many people live their lives, each life a different universe from the next. The path you''re about to go down will end up destroying several of those universes and inevitably your own. I urge you to reconsider your choice if it is truly freedom that you seek." Elias said, in ast attempt to convince Carius Carius looked over the edge of the sanguine crystal tform he stood on, and he saw the entire kingdom of Eldoria. The kingdom of Eldoria was vast and wide, from where Carius stood, he could see that Eldoria resembled a flower. He could District Five, thergest District in the whole of the kingdom filled with packed buildings, houses bothrge and small. Its borders closing it in in form of a circle The district was Surrounded by the other four districts, they had the same circr borders, but were significantly smaller than the fifth district in size, and not as packed. Carius could see the rising ck mes of the explosions he was responsible for, it was asrge as he thought it was from where he was standing, but that didn''t change the fact that it was there and he could see. "If only you could hear the cries of the people down there as loud as I can. They cry for water, they cry for help, they point and me in confusion, trying to pin their losses on something, something and they cry for their loved ones toe back, their loved ones that you robbed them of because of your actions. Innocent people are dragged into something they know not about. This is what is happening, and it is going to happen on a muchrger scale, if you go down this path Carius," Elias said, his tone low and sincere Hearing Elias'' words, a memory resurfaced in Carius'' mind. It was the day his father went to the King to propose his solution to the King''s ''problem'' of the res. He remembered how his father begged and begged but still got killed, he remembered how res like him got forcefully put into shackles despite their pleas and cries. He remembered how the rest of the people just watched as everything unfolded without offering help. Carius'' once-melting expression froze over in an instant, " Innocent people? Their cries? I couldn''t care less! There''s no such thing as Innocent people in this kingdom, how can you call them Innocent when they watched as me and my people were cored like dogs and reduced to mindless pets left to be dragged around? Everyone saw what happened and did nothing to help, not even a single word of opposition to the King''s madw. They are just as guilty as the king himself, and they deserve no pity, not the slightest. Talking to me about tears, if I were to gather the tears shed by all the res, I could probably drown this forsaken kingdom ten times over!" It was clear that there was nothing Elias could say that would convince Carius to change his mind. The man was boiling over with red rage, his words were like fire dragged from the hell of a life he had been put through. "Carius¡­" Carius raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, red particles began to form in the air, seeing this, Elias immediately covered his nose and mouth. "Ward of null," He casted, and a barrier instantly engulfed him. All the crystal particles within the ward instantly disappeared. The ward of null, as its name implies, has the ability to nullify all magic that crosses into its range and territory. Seeing as all the crystals disappeared, Elias dropped his arms to his side and shot Carius an intense nce Carius asked, "Do you intend to fight me, Elias Ashdown?" "Only if you attack me first," Elias replied "I watched you fight, you''re strong, very strong, and on a normal day, I wouldn''t think of fighting you like this after what I witnessed. But that''s on a normal day, today isn''t a normal day, is it? You fought those mages and used that massive spell. That would have drained a lot of your mana, it''s only a matter of time before your mana runs out and that ward of yourses undone," Carius said Elias smirked confidently, "I wouldn''t be so sure if I were you," He said "Elias Ashdown, you have chosen the wrong side, therefore you will die for it," Carius said and with a thought, he broke off the part of the crystal tform that Elias stood on Gravity dly took over and once again, Elias resumed his death fall. Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Majestic beast of Heaven Carius looked upon the entire city below, "Innocent? What a joke, I''ll make sure everyone pays the price for their actions and inactions. Damn holding the queen hostage, I''ll just kill the king and be the next king, and then no one will be able to oppose me," He said, his voice filled with burning rage As Carius set his sights on the arena below, he thought of killing the king by erging the dormant in his lungs, but his control over the crystal was out of range. With a fierce gaze, he began to steadily descend toward the arena, riding his crystal tform like a flying saucer. Boom! A bright searing ball of fire hit him, it collided with his crystal tform, sending out a shockwave of heat and force. He let out a guttural roar as he spiraled through the air, he instinctively conjured another tform to stop his fall. Carius looked around to see where the attack came from, "Up here," Elias''s voice cut his search short And he looked up and saw Elias hovering in the sky, his white hair flowing freely against the high-altitude winds around his head like a wild halo. ''If not for the Levitation spell I bought from the store, I could''ve died!'' "I may have fought against those guys earlier and used a significant amount of mana but if you think that is enough to deplete my mana, let alone push me to the point of mana exhaustion, then you are gravely mistaken Carius," Elias said, looking down of the re man Carius'' rugged face was now a mask of surprise mixed with fear, his eyes were wide and unblinking as he tried toprehend how Elias was alive, let alone flying. Elias continued, "You have tried to kill me Carius, don''t hold it against me if I do the same," He said, his voice cold and his tone t Upon hearing Elias'' deration, Carius'' expression changed. His body began to get surrounded by a shimmering red aura of energy The air between them crackled with anticipation. Without warning, Elias extended his hand, and a searing bolt of fire shot toward Carius. Elias was deeply vexed by the fact that Carius tried to kill him, tried to take away his second chance at life. Even if Carius didn''t know that, it still pissed him off Carius responded instinctively, raising his hand to summon a barrier of crystal. The me ball collided with the barrier, exploding into a shower of red sparks. Undeterred, Elias conjured a gust of wind that sent the broken crystal shards swirling around Carius, seeking to find a weakness in his defenses. Carius countered bypletely covering himself in a crystal dome, upon impact with the barrier, the shards helplessly fell. From within the safety of his barrier, Carius thought to himself: ''How the hell is he able to cast spells like that, so quickly and without any incantations or preparations? Is he perhaps a re? And innate mage? No, that''s impossible, res cannot have two innate abilities, it''s unheard of!!'' A bead of sweat trickled down his face, "Elias Ashdown, just what the hell are you?" Experience more on m|vl-em,py-r In the next second, Elias'' hand burst through his crystal dome, and Carius took a step back. Elias forced his second hand through and broke open the crystal like he was cracking open a giant egg. With a swift motion, Carius summoned a series of crystal tforms in the air. He leaped from one to another with incredible speed, increasing the distance between them. Elias immediately responded by using [dewalk] to zoom across the tforms, chasing Carius, but Carius was not lost yet. He created a massive crystalnce and hurled it at Elias. Thence pierced through the air, aiming straight for Elias'' head. Elias barely had time to react, using a small burst of wind to propel himself sideways. Thence missed him by inches, continuing its trajectory until it exploded in a burst of light against the backdrop. "Fireball!" With a sweep of his arm, Elias retaliated by sending numerous balls of me at Carius. Carius''s eyes narrowed. He thrust his hand downward, creating a massive crystal shield beneath his feet that absorbed the brunt of the fiery onught. The heat was intense, but the crystal held firm. "Why are you standing in my way Elias Ashdown, you have so much power, so much strength, and yet you choose to fight me, the wrong person! Your fangs should be bared at that worthless slob of a king. I''ll kill him, I''ll you, I''ll kill everyone! For every re he has put in cors, I''ll stab a hole in his heart!" He roared in anger "The only reason you''re on the receiving end of my spells is because you chose to be. I showed you the other ways we could achieve what you seek, but you chose this path. I have asked you this before, and I''ll ask you again. Is it freedom that you want or is it revenge?" Elias asked As the mes dissipated, Carius saw his opportunity. He focused his energy and Elias found himself surrounded by tiny crystal particles. "Shit," He muttered By the force of Carius'' will, the numerous crystals took the shape of needles, and they all pointed at Elias. "Ward of null!!" Elias screamed Countless numbers of crystal needles flew towards him at incredible speeds. Speed that any normal human would have gotten hit by twenty times over and still not be able to perceive it. But still, all of the needles dissipated as they collided with Elias'' ward. "You asked what I wanted. Freedom or revenge? What I want is to make them pay tenfold, especially the king and those who sat in power and watched whilst we were reduced to dogs. What I want is for them to die, I am going to kill them all!" He roared His needle attack on Elias was nothing but a distraction, something to keep Elias upied while he pulled off his ultimate move. The most dangerous thing about res ording to King ric was their spontaneity, but he couldn''t have been more wrong. It wasn''t their spontaneity nor their innate ability to weave spells at a moment''s notice. It was their emotions, the source behind the strength of their power. Carius focused his energy, screaming with all his might and being. He conjured massive pieces of crystals, each piece stuck to thest, fusing, assembling into a bigger construct. When thest piece locked into ce, Elias'' eyes widened and a grin spread across Carius'' tired face. The crystal construct was in the shape of a massive dragon, the majestic beast of the heavens spread its wings to full length, opened its mouth, and shook the heavens with a thunderous roar. Chapter 58: Chapter 58 : Collision From the highest towers of the royal castle to the humblest cottages, people abandoned their tasks, and hurried to the streets, drawn by a mixture of curiosity and dread. The sky above the kingdom glowed with an otherworldly light, a beacon that none could ignore. Guards stood rigid, their usual stoic expressions reced by wide-eyed astonishment. They gripped their spears tighter, their knuckles white, as the dragon''s distant roar echoed through the air. Children clung to their parents, eyes round with both fear and wonder, as they pointed towards the shimmering horizon. Across Eldoria, the reaction was the same: a profound silence, followed by a collective intake of breath. A dragon, a creature of myths even for a world like ris. Most people would go their entire lifetime never setting their eyes on a dragon. Even if the dragon that soared above them now was not a genuine dragon, it stillmanded the same aura a regr dragon would have. Lord Thane struggled to pick up his jaw as he looked to the heavens, "What in the Goddess name is that?" He said, unable to tear his eyes off the crystal beauty The High-luminary''s bodynguage showed that she was concerned, "Will you just watch as a child fight your battles for you?" She said to King ric King ric sank back into his seat, "If you happen to notice, the battleground of those two is up there," he began, signaling to the sky with his finger, "There is no soldier or mage that is able to join that fight, the ones capable of entering such a battle are not in the Kingdom. The Griffin riders are on a reconnaissance mission and the Archmages are all out of the kingdom, studying and gathering knowledge in preparation for our uing battles with the demon kings and I do not need to tell you about our situation with the Sages " He said The High-luminary frowned beneath her veil, "You''re telling me that there''s no way we can assist him?" She said "Basically," King ric said as he leaned his head back, looking at the battle above, patiently waiting for the oue. Margo held the High-luminary''s hand, "He will be fine, I don''t know why I have this feeling, but I am confident he will be fine. And if he doesn''t turn out fine, then we''ll just have to find the new child of light since he hasn''t gotten his blessings yet," She said, in hopes offorting the High-luminary "I truly hope he''s fine, we''ve already wasted so much time finding him. We cannot afford to lose him now that we have him. May the Goddess Lira be with him," The High-luminary said, her voice filled with concern The queen''s gaze was fixed on the sky, "Elias¡­" she muttered under her breath Elias''s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the dragon, but he quicklyposed himself. Carius'' onught of crystal needles had seized Carius stood at the top of his crystal dragon, huffing and panting heavily as he looked down on Elias. Creating that massive dragon had taken up most of his mana, he was down his reserves. The dragon towered above Elias, blocking the setting sun''s light from his face. The dragon was at the very least fifty feet in height and when it stretched its wings, it seemed to double in size. Cariusmanded the dragon to attack Elias, with a powerful beat of its wings the dragon covered the distance between them, it snapped its jaw but missed Elias by a hair''s width. "Fireball!" Elias fired various Fireballs at the dragon, but they all proved to be fruitless as they had little to no effect on the dragon "Damn it!" He cursed, "How am I supposed to beat that thing! It''s too huge," Elias decided a temporary retreat would be beneficial for him, among the spells in the ''Book of Elements'' there were only a few spells that could damage a creature of that size and defensive quality. And amongst those few spells, he had learned a total of one, and that was ''Hurricane Fury'' The dragon chased Elias closely behind, snapping its jaws in hopes of splitting Elias in half with the next snap. "Stop!" Carius Commanded the dragon after a while of ying cat and mouse with Elias, "We have a much bigger fish to kill. He can''t get in our way anymore," he said The dragon swerved around and began flying toward the direction of the arena, covering the distance with each beat of its mighty wings. As it got closer to the arena, the king, the queen, Anias, Margo, Lord Thane, The High-luminary and every other person in the King''s canopy gulped audibly. The guards that were meant to protect the royalties, found themselves weak in the knees as they trembled. Margo stood in front of the High-luminary, "We have to leave, your eminence! It seemed the child of light has failed," "Haa¡­but¡ª" "Now, your eminence!'' Margo screamed as the dragon drew nearer, but the High-luminary remained unmoving "What''s that?" She said, pointing to a figure standing in the path of flight of the dragon "Elias Ashdown?!" Lord Thane eximed Elias hovered before the iing dragon with his arms outstretched, his gaze fierce and determined. He looked like a man with a n. "If you want to die that much, then die!" Carius screamed, "Don''t stop, run him over," Cariusmanded his dragon Still, Elias''s expression didn''t change, not in the slightest, "Hurricane Fury," He whispered A massive spiraling column of wind erupted from beneath the dragon, causing it to stagger. This time Elias gave it his all and the size of the column was greater than thest time he cast the spell. "We''re not done," Elias said, "zing Hell," he cast, and a zing Torrent of mes flowed into the wind column. As the two spells collided, the raging wind acted as a giant fan to increase the size of the mes and it only took a second before the entire wind column became a giant me Hurricane that engulfed the crystal dragon as well as its owner. Chapter 59: Chapter 59 : King Carius of Eldoria! As the two spells collided mid-air, the sh unleashed a tumultuous wave of energy that echoed across the skies. The raging wind, caught in the explosive aftermath, morphed into a colossal fan, fueling the inferno. Within moments, the entire wind column transformed into a massive ming hurricane. The swirling mes spiraled with ferocious intensity, consuming everything in their path. The crystal dragon, with its shimmering scales glinting in the ze, was quickly engulfed by the searing heat. Its roars of defiance were drowned out by the roar of the inferno. Carius, who was stationed on the dragon''s head, was simrly caught in the fiery maelstrom, his figure silhouetted against the zing hurricane before being swallowed entirely. His screams and cries of agony were muted by the fire''s roar. Below, all over the kingdom, the people of Elodoria watched in stunned silence. Eyes wide with fear and awe, they gazed up at the sky, where the heavens was now marred by the colossal me vortex. Children clung to their parents tighter, while elders muttered prayers, hoping for the safety of their lives. The townspeople''s faces were illuminated by the flickering light of the mes. The magnitude of the spectacle left the citizens breathless, their hearts pounding with a mix of dread and anticipation. As the spell''s energy waned and the roaring mes began to subside, the sky gradually returned to a state of eerie calm. The once raging hurricane of fire dissipated, leaving behind wisps of smoke that curled and driftedzily in the air. The remnants of the sh shimmered briefly before fading into nothingness, as if the violent spectacle had been a fleeting dream. As the smoke cleared, Elias could see the charred and battered form of the dragon, the dragon still remained intact. From the way the dragon beat his cracked wings with less enthusiasm and the now dull color of its iplete scales, while it still remained in the sky, it was clear that it wasn''t unharmed. Elias'' eyes traced to the top of the dragon''s head. Where Carius once stood was now upied by a protective crystal sphere, In thest moments of Elias'' attack, he erected the construct to protect him from the raging mes. The crystal sphere cracked and shattered with a loud sound akin to ss breaking on a concrete floor. As the wind carried the shards away, Carius'' form came into view. As Elias set his eyes on him, a wave of guilt washed over him. Although Carius protected himself from the mes with his crystal sphere, he couldn''t fully shield himself from the mes, as the heat alone has almost boiled him. Patches of his skin were taut and shiny like the stretched hide of a drum, while others were scalded and uneven. His hair was singed beyond repair, melted into his scalp. His left cheek bore the most severe scars, a web of thick, raised tissue that twisted and contorted his features into a permanent grimace, his old scar had been washed away¡ª burnt way. His eyebrows were sparse and uneven, the hair had melted into his skin, and his lips were slightly misshapen, one corner pulled upward as if in a perpetual half-smile He spread out his shaky hands, feeling the winds on freshly burnt skin, pain had be nonexistent to him, his eyes were white as milk and he opened his mouth to speak, "Elias Ashdown, you have failed to kill me. That was your mightiest attack was it not? Yet I''m still standing, I''m standing above the Kingdom that will soon be mine. I can imagine it already, ''King Carius of Eldoria!'' The masses will chant as I parade the lifeless body of their useless king around the townsquare. I can feel it, I can hear it, hear the cries of the non re people as I force upon them the suffering that they forced upon me and my kind," He said,ughing madly between sentences as he began foaming in the mouth "It''s over Elias Ashdown, there is nothing you can do now. Even you cannot possess the strength and mana to keep fighting after all those spells you used. Die!" He screamed, saliva and foam flew out of his mouth as hemanded his dragon to charge at Elias for the final time Elias watched silently as the dragon approached, "Do you know that crystals be brittle after being exposed to fire for a period of time?" He asked Carius ignored Elias, or perhaps he was incapable ofprehending him. He continued his fast approach. Elias gave Carius onest look of pity before steeling himself. He pulled out his gleaming silver sword from his inventory and a with all his might, he cleaved a wless arc at the dragon. "[sh(Basic)]" Elias felt no resistance as he sliced away the dragon''s wing. Having lost one wing, the dragon spiralled out of control, not giving the dragon breathing space, he appeared below the dragon and drew another arc, "[sh(Basic)]" This time he cut the dragon cleanly into two equal parts, both halves fell in different directions, and Carius'' body plummeted toward the arena. Below him, Carius was a rapidly falling speck, his limbs iling helplessly as he plummeted towards the unforgiving earth. The gap between them closed quickly, as Eliss pushed himself to the limit, he stretched out his arms, fingertips brushing Carius''s outstretched hand. With a final burst of speed, Elias wrapped his arms around Carius''s torso, pulling him close. Theirbined weight made Elias strain under the added load. He fought to steady their descent, but the ground rushed up to meet them with rming speed. They hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud, rolling through the dust and debris. Pain exploded through Elias''s body as he shielded Carius from the worst of the impact. The world spun around him, his vision blurring from the force of theirnding. When they finally came to a stop, Elias gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he grredily took huge breaths of air. He looked down at Carius, whoy unconscious but still clearly breathing. Chapter 60: Chapter 60 : Getting The Job Done Using his sword as a support staff, Elias staggered to his feet, he walked over to Carius'' motionless body and poked it with his feet to see if he was truly passed out, Carius remained unmoving, so that made Elias heave a sigh of relief. Elias looked toward the heavens, he stood in the open field of the arena, his eyes turned skyward, a deep weariness etched into his face. Dark circles framed his tired half opened eyes, and his shoulders dropped. The sky had turned a turbulent canvas of gray and ck, it seemed to mirror his fatigue. On3 by one, raindrops began to fall, onending on his cheek and mingling with the sweat and dirt of a long battle. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the cool drops wash away some of his exhaustion, if only for a fleeting second. With a sigh, he opened his eyes again, the tired expression on his face unchanging. "Elias! Chosen one!" Priest Mathias called out to him, he had been spectating the aerial battle from the arena''s field Elias turned to him, "Priest Mathias?" He said, slightly surprised to see him "Come here, you must be tired after your long battle, take this," He said, pulling off his Priest''s robe and handing it over to Elias. Elias waved it away, politely rejecting the gesture, "You should get some soldiers toe take him, tell them to be careful. He is very dangerous¡­" He said, limping towards the arena''s exit. As he was about to leave, when King ric, along with queen Seraphina, the High-luminary, Margo and the acolytes met him in the hallway leading to the arena''s battlefield. Queen Seraphina wasted no time in running to hug Elias, "Elias! I thought you were going to die!" She eximed, her voice overflowing with joy. She had already hugged him tightly before realizing what she had just done. She immediately pushed away from him, her face red as the evening sun. As out of ce as her action was, nobody paid much attention to it, except Lord Thane of course who had a clearly jealous expression on his face.Instead they all focused on the Chosen child of light that stood before them, the pseudo dragon yer. Nigel and Dickson immediately fell to their knees, "The chosen child of light is safe and fine," They said, their voice trembling and teetering on the brink of tears "Nigel? Dickson? You''re all back," He said, dragging his words tiredly "Yes, we are. We missed you so much, you ask Anias," Nigel said Original content from M-VL-em|p,yr Anias flinched, and averted his gaze as Elias'' eyes found its way to him, "I see," Elias said "So that''s him?" Margo said, raising a brow, "He''s quite good looking," Elias eyes finally rested on the two most important figures around; King ric and the High-luminary and the first thought that came to his mind was: ''Fuck, I need to sleep,'' Suddenly Elias'' ear picked up a sound, maybe it was due to constant usage of [Perception] but he could hear a sound that sounded like someone trying to speak while holding water in their mouth. He turned around and he saw Priest Mathiasing toward him, ''From him? No'' he thought He peeked past Priest Mathias'' shoulder and saw the horrific sight of Carius dragging himself across the ground, his mouth overflowing with Saliva and foam as he crawled. At this point, everyone could hear him audibly now, they all looked upon him with different expressions. Some felt pity, some felt sadness, some felt anger, some felt fear while some felt nothing at all. Priest Mathias stretched his hands at him, his fingertips glowing with red hot energy as he prepared to finish him off. "Wait!" Eliasmanded, "He can''t do anything, he''s clear in thetter stages of mana exhaustion, any little forceful spell he uses would be the end of him. Besides, I think he''s trying to say something," He said and he walked over to Carius and squatted down He ced his ear near Carius'' frothing mouth to better hear his words, after moments of listening, Elias could make out some words, "K¡­Kill¡­them¡­lungs¡­kill them all!" Carius struggled to speak Elias'' eyes grew wide as he realized what Carius was about to do. He nned to use the crystals in the system of the people that were in the King''s canopy to kill them. Elias had a split second decision to make, he could either find a way to instantly move Carius out of range, that would be possible with a teleportation ring. But the time it would take him to purchase the teleportation ring would be enough for Carius to cause enough damage, so teleportation was out of the question, that left him with a second option; Stop Carius from using his spell, and there was only one way to do that¡­. by killing him! Easy? Maybe for a seasoned warrior, but Elias had never killed someone before, even the attempt on his own life failed. He had dered that he would kill Carius earlier, but that was in a fit of rage. How could he end another''s life?! But there was a third option; he could just let Carius kill them all, after all, he had tried his best to stop Carius and was truly tired. Time was running out, and Elias had to make a choice. Elias'' gaze suddenly hardened, he had made his choice. Sooner orter in his journey, there would inevitablye a time where he would have to take someone''s life. Why not start now? It wasn''t as if Carius didn''t deserve to die. With a lightning fast move, Elias put his hand over Carius'' mouth, Carius felt Elias hand heat up and the next he felt was the familiar feeling of his flesh burning away. "Fireball," Elias whispered In an instant, Carius'' head was blown away, bits and pieces of it flew around in every direction, and soon enough, his entire body became as still as a leaf resting on a calm pond. Everyone watched in shock as Elias did what he did. He stood up, with a limp on his stride, he walked toward the exit, everyone in his way parted as he approached, and no one could say a word. After walking a few feet away from them, Elias stopped in his tracks, keeled over and retched, before hepletely cked out. [Ongoing Task Updated!] Chapter 61: Chapter 61 : Task Updated The morning dawn seeped in through the cracks of the window, reflecting against Elias'' brown pupils. His eyes fluttered under the strain of the light before he raised his hand to block out the light. He turned his head to the side, he could recognise his familiar study desk as well as the overall grandeur of this chamber. He was back in his room. His joints popped as he tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness and nausea forced him back down. His old clothes had been changed into a white robe and he was bare down there. After using all his willpower to sit up straight, a strong headache hit him, his limbs were heavy and numb, his muscles ached. He felt weak, like he hadn''t moved for a long time. "Heal" He cast, cing his hand over his head and he instantly felt a relief wash over him. Elias was about to step off his bed when he felt a weight on his feet, his eyes traced to where his feety, and saw Lillian peacefully sleeping at the feet of his bed. Discover tales on m_vl_em_p_yr Although she slept soundly, something about the dark circles around her face, and the way she snored cutely suggested that she was tired. Whilst carefully moving her off his feet, Elias silently stepped off his bed, his legs wobbled and he felt the electricity in his legs, the same kind you feel after sitting in one spot for too long. Soon, the feeling returned to his legs, and he walked to his wardrobe, looking upon all the heavy looking and mboyant outfits. He immediately dismissed the thought of wearing any of it, instead he put on his pants along with the white robe he had on. "Status Menu," He said under his breath [ FWP: 1,304,050/10,000,000,000 Name: Elias Ashdown ss: Swordsman, Farmer, Mage(Contractual, Caster) Title: Farmer, One blessed by Fate, swordsman, Child of Light, Child of Destiny, Loved by Mana, Mage, False Dragon yer. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Health: 2600/2600 Mana: 410,000/410,000 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Strength: 29 Agility: 25 Speed: 25 Stamina: 80 Intelligence: 155 ] "My stats have increased again, along with health points. Only Mana remained the same, strange," Elias soliloquised, brushing his chin with his fingers. Elias'' eyes was caught by something he hadn''t seen before on the status menu, " Pseudo Dragon yer? I guess killing Carius'' Dragon isn''t enough to make me a Dragon yer. Even lesser Dragons are very difficult to kill, talk less of Elder Dragons," As he mentioned Carius, his head became inundated with images of his battle with carius and his crystal dragon, and a wistful expression donned on his face as he remembered Carius''st moments. [Ongoing Task Updated] [Task: Find a way to liberate the res Reward: Advanced spell, Intermediate skill + 5,000,000 FWP Failure: Nil Time limit: Nil ] "The Reward price Increased? I guess that''s good for me," Suddenly, Elias'' stomach growled with ferocious intensity that startled even him, the sound echoing in the stillness of the room, following the growls were sharp and insistent pangs of a clenching sensation. "Crap," He headed for the door, and opened it. He was met with the sight of seven people guarding his room door; three Eldorian soldiers, Priest Mathias, Anias, Nigel and Dickson. They were trying to stop a familiar green haired girl from entering his room. "The queen gave us strict orders not to allow anyone into this room except herself, the king, the High-luminary and Sir Elias Ashdown''s maid," One of the guards sternly said "The High-luminary has also backed up this order, so I''m sorry Imaya but you cannot see the chosen child of light," Priest Mathias added Imaya crossed her arms, clearly annoyed by their denial of her entry, "What do you mean I can''t see him?! We came here together," She raged, her voice filling the hallway "Turn around and leave," Anias said with an Irritated tone "By the Goddess Lira, It''s been three days! At least let me see just him," She pped back, her voice turning from rage to sadness "Three days? What has been three days?" Elias asked Everyone instantly turned around, eyes wide with surprise, "Sir..Sir Elias¡­!" "As it was foretold, the chosen child will never die," Priest Mathias eximed excitedly Nigel and Dickson ran to Elias and bowed at his feet, "Chosen one, we had faith in you," Nigel said Dickson nodded his head in agreement, "We knew you would survive, there was no doubt," He added Elias had an indifferent expression, "Get you two," He deadpanned, "What is this about three days, Imaya?" Imaya was silent, her mouth trembled as she struggled to find her words, it was the first time she had seen Elias after she caught him with the queen. "Speak," Eliasmanded She couldn''t speak, instead she ran towards him and held him in a tight embrace, as tears streamed down her cheeks. Elias felt his robe get soaked with her tears as she sobbed quietly. Dickson dusted his knees as he stood up, " Could it be that the chosen one doesn''t know that he has been asleep for three whole days?" He said "What?! Three days?" Elias eximed Nigel bumped Dickson with his elbow, "Of course he doesn''t know, he was asleep," He said, rolling his eyes ''No wonder I felt like that after waking up, Ive been in aatose state for three days. That also exins Lillian tired state and my insane hunger'' "Don''t cry Imaya, I''m okay," He reassured her "We must report to the queen at once!" One of the Eldorian soldiers dered "The queen? Not the king?" Elias asked "Yes Sir Elias, it was the queen''s idea to station us outside your quarters," the soldier said Elias pondered on that information for a bit before speaking, "No need to report, I''ll see the queen myself. She should be in the dining hall by this time right?" Elias asked "Yes Sir, but we must still apany you to the hall as our orders dictate," "No problem, let''s go Imaya. I''m famished," Elias said, "Aren''t youing priest Mathias?" He asked Priest Mathias shook his head slightly, "As they must report to the queen, so must we report to the High-luminary. We shall soon meet again chosen child," He said as he bowed gis head and motioned for his acolytes to follow him. Chapter 62: Chapter 62 : Walk with me In the grand dining hall, the king, family head and the queen all sat and dined together while they talked about the next step to take forward, following the recent events. With unsteady hands, Elias wolfed down the different food spread out in front of him. His mouth was flooded as he chewed, his movement of his jaw sent a wave of relief through his starved body. "This is preposterous, what we need is to reassure the safety of the people, not throw a damn party!" Lord Varric thundered "I agree with you, but what better way is there for us to reassure the masses than to throw a party. That shows that the incident that happened three days ago does not phase us in the slightest," King ric said, plucking a grape with his teeth from a bunch suspended above his mouth by a servant "With all due respect my king, that doesn''t make any sense, we can assure them by stationing more guards around and increasing security in the Kingdom!" Lord Varric insisted Lord Thane stood up, "I agree with my King," "Of course you do Thane, you have your tongue so far up the King''s arse that you agree with everything he does even though it''s driving the kingdom into the ground," Lord Varric barked Get new updates on m-vl_em|p_yr Lord Thane clearly took offense with Varric''s words, "Watch your mouth in the presence of the King, Varric!" he hissed Lady Isolde rolled her eyes backward, "I think you boys should rx, bickering and throwing words around would take us nowhere. Elias Ashdown, what do you think we should do? You should have a say, after all without you, our conversation here would be a different story," She said Everyone immediately turned to face Elias who was still generously wolfing down his food. Sensing the attention on him, Elias swallowed thest of the food in his mouth and wiped his mouth clean. "Free the res," He said tly "What?! That''s not an option we absolutely cannot free the res, need I remind you that we would not be having this conversation if it wasn''t for the res," Thane red up immediately King ric''s gaze tightened, "We cannot free the res, just as Thane said, they are very destructive," Elias'' expression remained unchanged, "What happened would not have happened if the res were free. It was your imprisonment of their kind that forced their hand, after seeing no way other than death or imprisonment they chose to revolt. Free them or I guarantee you that this won''t be thest of these types of situation," He said "Is that a threat?!" Lord Thane barked "No, it''s a fact," Elias replied Lord Varric stroked his beards, "Come to think of it, why are the res in cors again?" He asked "Because King ric deemed them a threat with no other reason than their ''spontaneity''" Lady Selene replied Soon the hall became filled with talks of how the res are calm, kind people, and how they shouldn''t be in chains. Lord Varric and Lady Selene supported while Lord Thane antagonized their ims. Lady Isolde remained neutral. "Enough!" King ric shouted, after the bantering had be too much, "The res will not be free, they are too dangerous. We have talked about this Elias Ashdown, bring a better solution and I will dly ept," he said "Alright," Elias said as he stood up, "You all can carry on with your conversation, I''ll be on my way. Thank you for the food King ric. Let''s go Imaya," "Leaving already?" Queen Seraphina asked "Isn''t it obvious?" He said, "By the way King ric, I hope you remain true to our agreement and fulfill your end of the contract," Elias left the hall, and Imaya walked closely beside him, she almost gave him no space to breathe. Elias looked at her, "You look like you have something to say," He said She looked down at her feet, "Thank you," she said shyly, "For fighting for me." Elias stopped, "Were you there? At the arena?" He asked. "No" she said, Her voice filled with guilt, "I didn''t want to see you get hurt because of me," "You didn''t have faith in me. You thought I would lose, that''s hurtful," He said,ughing lightly "There were five Expert-level mages after all. How was I supposed to know you would beat them all and even y a Dragon!" She said, for a moment her eyes shed with excitement "It was a makeshift, a false Dragon," Elias corrected "But still, it''s very cool" she said, smiling warmly Elias faced her and looked at her. He wasn''t very tall, but he still stood above her. Imaya''s face flushed red and she averted his gaze by looking down at her feet. Eliss lifted her chin up and their eyes met, "From now on, don''t doubt me, okay? If I say I will or can do something, it is because I am capable of it, so don''t doubt me again okay?" Her said as he brought her face closer to his, she could feel his eyes peering deep into hers "O..okay," she said, bringing her face closer to his. Their lips were only few centimeters apart, "Am I interrupting something?" Lady Selene''s voice cut through the tense atmosphere and Imaya immediately pulled away, her face red as host Iron "Lady Selene, you have the most inept timing," Elias said Lady Selene shot him a warm smile, "Pardon me, but I must see you Elias Ashdown. It''s quite pressing," she said Elias looked around, "Well, you''re seeing me aren''t you? Carry on," He said Lady Selene''s eyes drifted to Imaya implying that she could not ''carry on'' with a third party around. Seeing Lady Selene''s gaze, Imaya got the message. "I''ll excuse myself," She said, before hurriedly walking away Elias tried to stop her, but she was already gone, "Your pressing matter better be pressing," He said Lady Selene shed him a warm smile, "Walk with me," She said The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 63: Chapter 63 : Elias of the "Now" Lady Selene began walking, and Elias followed beside her, "You won''t offer me your hand?" She asked "My hand? No thanks, I like having my hand," Elias said tly Lady Selene paused then burst outughing, she giggled like a teenage girl, "You''re silly, I didn''t mean it literally. Have you never walked with a Lady before?" She asked "It seems the matter you wish to discuss with me is not as pressing as you suggested if you have the time to make jest of me," He deadpanned She stifled herughter and cleared her throat with the grace of a seasoneddy of high society that she was, "Here," she took a hold of his hand and then inserted her hand between his arm and body, "That''s how it''s done. When walking with ady, you offer her your hand, walk on her left, and match her pace." "Thank you¡­" Elias said, "Now to the matter you wish to discuss with me," "You''re an impatient man, Elias Ashdown," she said "I''m only impatient to certain people, and to others I have all the patience in the world," He said "Is that so?" She said, "Well, the issue at hand isn''t something we can say here, there may be ears in walls. Let us go somewhere else" Elias raised a curious brow, "Here is fine," he said, "Barrier, Ward of Silence. Now no one will hear us," Lady Selene looked around in surprise, "How are you able to instantly raise wards and weave spells without any preparation, it''s unheard of." "Carry on, Lady Selene," Elias urged her "Very well," she began, "Most people don''t know this, but when ites to magic and Magecraft, I am not very prominent, especially with offensive battle spells. But there is one thing I''m undisputed at, and that is Divination magic. Magic that allows me to foresee and foretell future events. I can peer into the future, and when I do so, sometimes I can see as far as a whole day, and other times I just get glimpses of the farther future. It may not seem like much, but it''s very useful, peoplee from far and wide to get a glimpse of their future, but I turn them down mostly, because most of the time, knowing your future can be detrimental to your present" she exined "And this concerns me how?" Elias asked "Days before your challenge, I tried to divine the oue of the challenge, but all I could see was nothing. Not darkness, not ck, white nor grey, I saw Nothing, it was as if the future didn''t exist for that day. I was shocked and worried by this, I thought it was a mental block causing me to see nothing, so I tried to divine the future of another, Lord Varric''s daughter to be specific and I could only see her future after the challenge, any attempt to see her future on that specific day yielded the same result of nothing. I tried it with several other people and I got the expected result, the result only changed when you were involved or when I directly tried to peek into your future. I tried so hard to divine you that I was almost driven insane for trying once. Lady Selene had caught Elias'' attention, he was listening attentively to her words, "What are you saying then?" Lady Selene smiled, "I''m saying, you, Elias Ashdown have no future, you only have ''now''; the present. You are an anomaly that renders the future to nothing, a null variable and I have a strong feeling that it has nothing to do with you being the child of light. It''s something else, something much, much, much more powerful." She said Elias soaked in what he had just heard, ''I have no future, I live only in the now? That''s not possible¡­wait, or could it be because of the system and Moera?'' Elias tried to make sense of this new information and then one of the initial messages of the Free will system popped up in his mind, "You who was bound by Fate will now be steered away from it," He muttered "What did you say?" Lady Selene asked "It''s nothing," Elias replied, "Thank you for letting me know, I appreciate it," He said before turning around to leave "W-Wait, that''s not all,"Lady Selene said Elias turned around, " That''s not all?" He asked "Yes" "Go on then," He urged her "Not here, I''ve grown tired of standing. Perhaps we should continue this in your quarters?"She asked smiling Elias raised a suspicious brow, "Sure," He said. He had a feeling she had an ulterior motive, but he still indulged her because of the promise of information she had Bam! Elias mmed his door shut and turned the key, "Done, just as you requested. Now start talking," He said Lady Selene smiled, "Remember when I said I tried to divine multiple people?" She began "Yes I do," "One of those people, was the King and when I saw into his future, I saw King ric pointing his sword clearly with the intent to kill you," She said Elias raised a suspicious eyebrow, "You said he was pointing his sword at me, but earlier you said any future that involved be that you tried to see yielded nothing, so how is it possible you saw me? Are you lying to me?" He asked A knowing smile curved into ce on Lady Selene''s face, "Nice catch, you''re sharp, just as expected. But I am not lying to you, I was able to deduce that you were the one on the other end of the sword because after I saw him pointing his sword, and it was time to see who was on the other end, the future returned nothing to me," She exined Elias stroked his nonexistent beard as he pondered, it was too much information to digest at once. Lady Selene stood up from the chair she sat in and walked up to Elias, swaying her hips exaggeratedly as she did. She ced both her hands on his face and whispered into his ear: "I''ve seen how strong you are, and that is even without the Goddess'' blessings. I''m just letting you know right now; If you want to take away the throne from thatzy slob ric, I am with you¡­Chosen child of light; Elias Ashdown," Chapter 64: Chapter 64 : Unexpected outcome[R-18] Elias''s eyes widened in shock as he heard Lady Selene''s deration, and for the first time since their conversation, Elias wavered, "W-What? Take the throne? What do you mean?" Elias asked Lady Selene smiled, "I noticed that the King has changed, and I support your cause to free the res. If I am being honest, I think old age might have gotten to the king, because all he wants to do these days is sleep and party. Hardly befitting of a King is it?" She said ''Is this a trap or a test of some sort from the king?''Elias thought to himself "I know what you''re thinking, and the answer is no. This is not a trapid for you by the king, I aming to you of my own free will." She said, Elias was further shocked, ''This woman is dangerous!'' "It seems you still have doubts in your mind," Lady Selene said She held Elias'' face tighter, her hands were firm but very gentle to the touch. With a weing smile on her face, she pulled Elias in and their lips met softly at first, a tender brush that sent a shiver through both of them. Elias was taken aback by the sudden gesture, but he soon leaned into her, her lips were intoxicating, like she had dipped them in a seducing nectar She pulled away from the kiss and giggled at Elias'' reaction, she found it cute. She pushed Elias against the wall. She gently lowered herself to the ground, her knees touching the floor with a soft thud. Her movements were deliberate and graceful, her posture straight but rxed. With her hands resting on her thighs, she bowed her head slightly, her hair falling forward. "What are you doing?!" Elias asked anxiously She looked up at Elias and pressed her fingers against her lips, "Shh, just rx and let me take care of you. This is a sign of my loyalty, I will do anything for you Elias Ashdown, know that" she said, and she uced his pants Elias'' member was already standing erect, seeing this Lady Selene smiled and she pulled out his raging cock and a satisfied expression donned on her face, "This¡­This is quite impressive, I wasn''t expecting this," She remarked, her voice taking a hint of surprise "Thank you?" Elias said, not knowing how to react to her remark "Cute," She said, still wearing a smile She pushed her back and glided the tip of her tongue up the underside, so lightly that it was more the sensation of her breath than her touch. She felt Elias'' body respond, a slight twitch of anticipation. Reaching the head, she enveloped it with her lips, taking in just the tip. "Haa¡­Uugh.." Soft moans escaped Elias'' lips as Lady Selene went to work, the warm wetness of her mouth made him shudder. Her tongue danced around his member in slow, deliberate circles. She heard his breath catch, a sharp intake, as she applied a gentle suction, intensifying the pleasure. Elias twitched, he felt his knees buckle under the intense pleasure, he had no choice but to hold her head for support. But Lady Selene showed no sign of stopping as she took on most of his entire length and bobbed her head back and forth, slowly increasing the pace as she did. ''Is she a Vacuum, what the hell?!'' Wet sucking sounds filled Elias'' chamber as she passionately sucked his cock Elias grabbed her head and began thrusting his hips, she gagged and tried to catch her breath but Elias didn''t relent, with each pump he got closer to his climax, and at the peak of the intense pleasure, he held her head in ce and thrust his entire length down into her mouth, as he releasing generous waves after waves of his seed down her throat. "Haa¡­" He moaned after he felt thest of his semen leave his cock. He felt his cock begin to soften and lose length in her mouth. With a loud sucking sound, Lady Selene sucked out the residual semen off his tip. Lady Selene looked up at Elias and opened her mouth, revealing thest of his seed in her mouth. With a loud gulp, she swallowed everyst drop and showed her empty mouth to Elias. This gesture made Elias'' member twitch in excitement and begin to grow again. Lady Selene noticed it, and a smile appeared on her face, and she kissed his growing cock "I know you''re excited, but you must recover your strength before we can go further," She said as she got up to her feet Elias put his hands over his cock, "S..sure," he said, still processing what had just happened Thedy smiled at him warmly, she looked so innocent, a stark contrast to her earlier actions, "I haveid myself bare before, I hope you can trust me now," She said, as she headed towards the exit, "Till we meet again, Elias Ashdown. Very soon I hope," As Lady Selene closed his door, Elias dropped to his bed, still naked from the waist down with a raging erection. "What the fuck just happened? Did I just get a blowjob from a family head? This is unreal," He said to himself, staring at the ceiling "It was good I must admit, who knew Lady Selene of all people would be so skilled at oral sex," "On a serious note, If what she said was true, and I do end up fighting the king? What would be the reason? Sure I disagree with his ruling method, but I don''t want to usurp him, apart from it not being in my ns, it''s just in suicide. King ric is one of the most influential people in the world of ris, his army of soldiers and mages would not let me know peace if I killed him. I am not that stupid, so how do I end up fighting him?" Elias was lost in thought when his door creaked open, Imaya walked in carefreely, "Elias, I saw Lady Selene leaving so I came. What was her de¡ª" Imaya could not finish her sentence as sheid her eyes on Elias'' cock. "Imaya?!" Elias eximed Chapter 65 : 65 : paying the Lord a visit "I''m sorry, I should have knocked!" Imaya eximed as she covered her face with her hands, cheekily leaving gaps through her finger to get a nce at Elias Elias sharply stood up from where he sat and pulled up his pants without rushing, but before he was done, Imaya had disappeared already. He sighed. "Open up, It''s me, Elias," Elias said as he knocked on her door repeatedly. "I''m sorry, I should have knocked," Imaya replied from the other side of the door "Don''t worry, I''m not angry. It''s my fault for not locking the door," "But still, I barged in," Elias sighed, "Remember when I entered your room even when you locked it? It was wrong too, so let''s just say that time and this time cancel each other out," "I guess that makes sense," Imaya admitted "So open the door?" A clicking sound of keys turning followed by the knob twist, and the door swung open, revealing a red as-tomato Imaya. She averted Elias'' gaze, Elias smiled as he noticed : ''Her innocence is cute,'' He thought to himself "I''m taking a walk around the second district, do you want toe with me?" Elias suggested "The second district? Isn''t it off-limits to civilians?" She asked Elias smirked, "Neither you nor me are civilians. Come on let''s go, I''ll buy usmb bites for the road," he said. At the mention ofmb bites, Imaya was already sold, "I''m in, when do we leave?" She said with all seriousness Elias smiled and patted her head, "Let''s go now," He said Each District itself was big enough to be its own kingdom, so it took a while of walking before Elias and Imaya arrived at the massive Iron gates of District Two. "State your business here?" One of the guards demanded "I am Elias Ashdown, the child of light. I havee here to see Lord Varric," He replied The guard scoffed after sizing Elias up, "Yeah right, and I''m the Lord of the North," He chuckled The other guard poked the first guard with his elbow, "That''s really the child of light, I saw him that day, that white hair and the way he carries himself, it''s unmistakable," He said The first guard raised a brow, "You''re telling me this kid is the same person who fought three expert-level mages consecutively and still yed a dragon, that''s not possible. There are a lot of people with white hair," He said The second guard furrows his brows, "He is the one, I can never forget the face of someone who saved my life. Let him through," He said, he turned to Elias and Imaya, "Sorry for the dy Sir Elias, you can pass through. If you want, I''ll direct you to Lord Varric''s mansion myself" Elias waved his hand, "There''s no need, I know where it is," He said, as he walked through the gate. "It''s your head I''ll offer when Lord Varricins about this," The first guard sneered He stopped beside the first guard and ced his hand on his shoulder, "What are you doing? Better hurry along before I change my mind, boy," The first guard said "Do you want to die, I''m sorry Sir Elias. His ignorance is blinding him," The second guard said "What''s he going to do? I could probably snap him in ha¡ª" The first guard could not finish his sentence before Elias squeezed his shoulder. The sound of his armor squeezing along with the cracking sound of his bones were drowned out by his screams, and in a moment, the guard found himself on his knees. Elias looked upon him and said, "Learn to be nice to people, okay?" He let go of his shoulder and continued walking, "Come on, let''s go Imaya" He urged her Imaya who was shocked at Elias'' strength snapped out of her shock and hurriedly walked to Elias''s side. As they entered the second district, it was as if they were in another city entirely, one where everyone was an instrument of war; a warrior. The sound of hammers banging against red-hot steel, giving birth to new weapons that had yet to im blood reverberated through the air, along with the shouts of soldiers marching around and soldiers cheering each other on as they engaged in friendly fights. From where Elias stood, he could see Lord Varric''s mansion standing out apart from the other buildings, it was a mansion but could easily be called a castle and no one would argue. Elias held Imaya''s hand, gently pulling her along as he headed for Lord Varric''s mansion. Elias could feel the eyes of the people around boring into him and Elias, but he didn''t mind. It was to be expected, that two civilians were granted entry into the second District and the fact that both of them were so young made them stand out even more. Elias'' ear suddenly twitched, he pushed Imaya to the said and took a step back, "Stand over there," He ordered Imaya was puzzled at his suddenmand but sheplied anyway. Boom! A hulking mass suddenlynded where Elias and Imaya stood before, raising dust and debris. As the dust cleared, Lord Varric''s figure came into sight, his smooth bald head reflected in the sunlight "When I heard someone was causingmotion at my doorstep, I didn''t expect it to be you, Elias Ashdown," Lord Varric said "Causingmotion is a bit of an overstatement, don''t you think?" Elias smirked "You broke my soldier''s shoulder," Lord Varric deadpanned Elias feigned surprise, "Oh did I? I just gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, I didn''t know he was so fragile that he could be easily snapped in half," he said, faking an exaggerated gasp and Imaya shot him a judging look. Lord Varric sighed, "Whatever he did to make you react that way, he probably deserved it, since the other soldier that was present is unscathed," He said Elias nodded his head, "I like you Lord Varric, you are very reasonable," He said "So tell me Elias Ashdown, what brings you to my domain?" Lord Varric queried "I came here to talk," Elias replied with a straight face Chapter 66 : 66 : The cells "Talk?" Lord Varric asked with a puzzled expression "Yes, I need to speak to one of the people in the cell," Elias replied Lord Varric''s face further squeezed into confusion, "You need to speak to a prisoner? Why If I must ask?" He queried Elias looked up at Lord Varric, "Haa¡­It''s a little private," he replied "Does this prisoner happen to be re folk?" Lord Varric asked Elias nodded in affirmation, "I see. Normally I wouldn''t let anyone visit a prisoner of the cells without a direct order from the king or any of the family heads," Lord Varric began "But¡­?" Lord Varric smiled, "But you saved my daughter''s life and protected my district from a disaster," "Thank you," Elias said "I have one more condition," Lord Varric added Elias'' face fell t, "Saving your daughter''s life wasn''t enough?" He asked Waving his Lord Varric said, "No, No, It''s less of a condition than a request. Yes, a request. I would like you to drop my abode and see my daughter before you leave today," "Okay," Elias said tly, "Is that all?" He asked With a satisfied smile on his face, Lord Varric replied, "Yes. I will escort you myself to the cells, sometimes those people down there can be a little¡­overactive," He turned to look at Imaya, "Is the young Ladying with us? I strongly advise against it, if she is," Elias nced at Imaya and she gave an anticipating look as she waited for his reply, "Imaya is something of a warrior herself, she can take care of herself but I''d rather she doesn''te with us," Elias said "Is that so?" He said, a hint of surprise detectable in his voice, "Feel free to look around and pick any weapon of your choice, when you have made your choice, my soldiers will lead you to my mansion," Lord Varric said and then instructed a couple of soldiers to wall with her as she explores As Elias and Lord Varric walked, Elias couldn''t help but notice Lord Varric frequently stealing nces at him. After a while, Elias couldn''t bear it anymore, "Is there something on your mind Lord Varric?" Elias asked, finally breaking the awkward silence Lord Varricughed lightly and stroked his beard, "Haa, you caught me. You look so young, I was just wondering how you managed to get the strength you possess, it''s unheard of!" Elias''s t expression remained unchanging, "Hmmm," He looked at his hands, "I don''t know, I just woke up like this," He replied "Is that so? And you never tried to find out why?" Elias shrugged, "No, I figured it was because of the whole ''chosen child'' thing," He lied "No, you haven''t even gotten your blessings yet. ording to the records of the past, the strength you showcased doesn''t manifest until after the Goddess''s blessing has been bestowed upon you" Elias shrugged nonchntly, he knew where his strength came from, and that was enough, other people''s ignorance was none of his problem. "Is that the cells?" Elias asked, pointing to arge smooth cylindrical building with little windows around it. Lord Varric stopped in his tracks, "Yes, that''s the cells. The ce where we keep the most dangerous criminals we catch. Its smooth cylindrical exterior is made so prisoners can''t scale the walls, and every new week we change each prisoner''s cell. The walls are soundproof so the prisoners cannotmunicate with themselves to n an escape. It is a ce of no return, those who go there die there," Lord Varric exined "Isn''t that a bit overkill?"Elias asked Lord Varric shook his head, "For the criminal who deserves it, it is not, but for the re folk I think it is too much of a price to pay for simply existing" He said "You think the re folk should not be imprisoned?" Elias asked, clearly surprised by Lord Varric''s statement Lord Varric let out a sigh, "The agenda that res are dangerous folks, is a false one pushed forcefully by the king. I know the re folk and thest thing on their mind is violence, it was as if nature and the Goddess bnced out their overwhelming power with a kind and stable heart to hold. I know this because of myte wife¡­Sarah''s mother was a re folk too," He said, his voice taking a wistful tone as he talked about his wife A frown squeezed into ce on Elias'' face, "Why didn''t you do anything to stop King ric?" He asked "He''s the King, his words are thew. I''m just a family head, who am I to go against his orders," He paused, "King ric and I go way back, when Eldoria was divided, I fought alongside him for its unification. You should have seen him then, glorious in every way, the power, looks, and charisma, he was a natural-born leader, a true king¡­not what he is today. He used to be a unifier, and now he''s tearing apart his kingdom with his hands. It is only out of respect for what he embodied that I still do his bidding," Elias looked up at Lord Varric, "You''re saying you don''t agree with King ric''s current ways of handling the kingdom?" He asked Lord Varric began walking again, "I am not satisfied, to say the least," He said "How about you do something about it? Talk to the King, if he''s your friend, he should listen to you" Elias urged him Lord Varric was silent for a second, "We''re here," He said, ignoring Elias''st words as he stood in front of the "Cells" There was no door in sight, so Elias was unsure how they were going to enter, noticing Elias'' visible confusion, Lord Varric smiled. He ced a hand on the smooth surface of the building and poured his mana into it, and immediately a loud buzzing sound could be heard, followed by the sound gears turning and whirring. Then suddenly, a visible line that was clearly not present before appeared on the wall of the building, it expanded like a doorway, revealing the inside of the prison. "Shall we?" Lord Varric asked, motioning for Elias to go in first Chapter 67 : Silent Rage The interior of the cells was a gloomy sight, the air was stale with the smell of blood, sweat, and asional whiff of urine. The sounds of chains nging, and prisonersmenting echoed through the passageway, some voices begged to be released, some begged to be killed, while others threatened to do unspeakable things to the people who held them there. Lord Varric escorted Elias past rows and rows of cells, the cells were small, barelyrge enough to fit a person lying down. Elias tried to peek in, but Lord Varric quickly advised him against it, "If you like your face, don''t do that again," He said. Most of the people in the cells, at least the ones he could see judging by their cors, were res, and it made Elias wonder if Loria would be in a cor too. "This ce wasn''t built for them, in fact, if we were to free all the res here today, we should only have twelve people in this ce," Lord Varric exined," Lord Varric said, "Here, this prisoner fits the description you gave me," He added as they stopped in front of a cell The inside of the cell was a stark, oppressive space, designed to crush the spirit of even the hardiest inmates. It measured no more than six feet by eight feet, its rough stone walls cold to the touch and slick with moisture from the constant dampness that pervaded the prison. A narrow slit high in the wall served as the only window, allowing a sliver of gray light to filter in and casting long shadows that twisted with the flicker of the distant torches outside. The floor was uneven and worn, covered in a thinyer of straw that did little to soften the hardness beneath. In one corner, a simple wooden nk served as a bed, its surface hard and unyielding, barely wide enough to lie upon. A threadbare nket, with more holes than fabric, was the sole concession tofort. Against one wall, a rusted iron ring was embedded into the stone, a length of heavy chain attached to it. The chain ended in a set of manacles, their iron surfaces worn smooth by countless hands before. Nearby, a small, battered bucket sat in the corner, the only provision for sanitation. The air inside the cell was thick and stale, filled with the acrid stench of sweat, unwashed bodies, and the faint but persistent odor of rot. Silence reigned, broken only by the asional drip of water from the ceiling and the distant, muffled sounds of other prisoners. Every inch of the cell spoke of neglect and despair, a ce designed not just to imprison but to break the will of its upants. It was a realm of perpetual twilight, where time lost its meaning and the outside world became a distant, unreachable dream. Elias walked up to the cell, hoping to see a fuming mad Loria, who would get further enraged at the sight of him, but fate has a way of being cruel, as most of the time what we expect is never what we meet. As Elias brought the torch closer to the cell, his heart dropped as he saw the state Loria was in. She sat in the dim cell, her back was pressed against the cold stone wall. Her once-lustrous hair, braided and coiled at the back of her head, had be unkempt, strands escaping to fall limply around her face. Her clear, deep blue eyes stared vacantly ahead, unseeing and devoid of the spark they once held. They looked vacant as if not a thoughty behind them, and even if they did, she could not voice them because of the cor that bound her neck Her dress was now frayed at the edges and stained from the unyielding grime of the prison. The modest shade of brown had darkened with dirt, and her leather belt now hung loosely. Her once-gentle re of hips, giving her an elegant silhouette, was barely noticeable as she slumped against the wall. Loria''s handsy motionless in herp, fingers curled slightly as if holding onto a memory long gone. Her breath was slow and shallow, each rise and fall of her chest almost imperceptible. She seemed more a statue than a living being, her expression nk, eyes fixed on a point somewhere in the distance. The cell''s dim light cast shadows that yed across her features, deepening the hollows beneath her eyes and highlighting the pallor of her skin. She did not react to the distant nging of chains or the muffled cries from other prisoners. Her mind was far away, lost in a catatonic state that shielded her from the harsh reality of her confinement. Elias'' jaw clenched tightly, the muscles twitching with the effort to hold back the torrent of emotions. Elias'' hands balled up into fists at his sides, knuckles white with the intensity of his grip. "Is this King ric''s doing? Even in such a restricted prison, he still denies them the freedom of thought," He asked, his voice low and steadfast Sensing Elias'' fast-growing rage, Lord Varric took a step back, "Yes it is, everything happens at the orders of the king," He replied Elias etched the sight of Loria in his mind, "I came here to talk to her, but what good is it talking to someone that can''t listen? I need her to be able to listen as I tell her¡­tell her that I killed her brother, I need her to react, I need her to be angry! To curse me!!" Elias forced his words out of his mouth through clenched jaws Lord Varric looked upon him with a sympathetic expression, he raised his hands to ce on Elias'' shoulder, tofort him. He immediately kept his hands to himself as he saw the seething rage etched on Elias'' face. "King ric¡­something has to be done," Elias dered Lord Varric furrowed his brows, "I urge you not to be reckless and impulsive Elias Ashdown," He said Elias ignored him and began walking to the exit, "Let''s go, I''m done here," Chapter 68 : Qualities of a Wife The grandeur of Lord Varric''s mansion came closer as Elias and Lord Varric approached the mansion. The mansion loomed before them, impossible to miss, although weathered by time, its stone wall rose. Narrow window decorated with tracery and tinted fragments of stained ss, punctuated the facade. The roof was a steep incline of dark te, bristled with gables and dormer windows At each corner, tall turrets stood sentinel, their conical roofs reached skyward, while battlements crowned the walls Within the walls, the courtyard spread out, a haven of meticulous order. Ornamental hedges bordered stone pathways that wound their way through beds of blooming flowers. A fountain, its water caught the dying light, tinkling softly in the center, surrounded by a ring of benches. Nearby, a small pond, its surface still and reflective,y nestled among ancient oaks and trimmed yews The main entrance was an imposing wooden door reinforced with iron studs and was framed by an elegant stone archway. "Wee to my abode, Elias Ashdown," Lord Varric said as he pushed the door open The door creaked open to reveal a vast entry hall, its high ceiling supported by thick wooden beams. Chandeliers of wrought iron hung from above, their candles flickering and casting a warm, golden light that danced across the polished stone floor. Tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of historical battles and legendary tales, their rich colors contrasting with the cold gray of the stone. A grand staircase of dark, polished wood curved upwards, its banister smooth from the touch of countless hands over the years.In the heart of the mansion, a great hall stretched out, with long, wooden tables nked by high-backed chairs. A massive firece dominated one wall, its hearthrge enough to roast an entire boar, the mes crackling merrily and filling the room with aforting warmth. Corridors branched off from the main hall, leading to numerous rooms. Lord Varric led Elias down one of the corridors, till they reached a space outside. There were training dummies present, and various weapons lined but most of them were swords, it was a personal training ground for Lord Varric, and of course, the one who was utilizing it at the moment; Sarah Ironwood. There, in the fading light of the afternoon, Sarah Ironwood moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior. Her sword cut through the air in controlled arcs, each movement fluid yet powerful. Her physique was a result of years of disciplined training¡ªstrong, yet lean, with muscles honed from countless battles, but it didn''t diminish her womanly allure, not in the slightest, instead, it gave it a unique appeal. The sunlight glinted off her bronzed skin, highlighting the definition in her arms and shoulders as she wielded the de with a grace that belied its weight. Her stance was solid, her footwork impable, and there was a fierce intensity in her gaze, one that showcased her determination and unshifting focus. "Sarah," Lord Varric called out, interrupting her rhythm, which caused her to break focus, "Come over here, Elias Ashdown is here," Sarah Immediately whipped her head in Lord Varric''s direction as she heard Elias'' name, she dropped the sword she was holding and stormed over to Elias. "Give it back," She demanded "This¡­this isn''t what we discussed Sarah," Lord Varric cautioned her Elias looked up at her, and sighed, "Aren''t you supposed to take a lessmanding approach?" He asked Sarah frowned her face, "You took my sword, give it back!" "Correction, you lost your sword in a fight. What kind of swordsman loses their sword?"Elias scoffed Sarah gritted her teeth together in anger, "You little¡ª" "Enough!" Lord Varric''s voice thundered, "This young man here saved your life, were it not for him you wouldn''t be standing here, and instead of thanking him for it, you approach him with hostility? I thought I raised you better than this, Sarah," He scolded Sarah Sarah opened her mouth to speak, "B-But, he took¡ª" Lord Varric immediately interrupted her, "But nothing, you lost your weapon in a fight. If it were a real-life situation, you wouldn''t even have a life, not to talk of your sword back," Now feeling embarrassed, Sarah backed up and averted Elias'' piercing gaze, "But it''s mother''s sword¡­." "Next time, don''t lose your weapon. Your opponents don''t care whose sword it is, and they don''t want to end of discussion. Now do the right thing " Lord Varric put a stop to their back and forth Sarah looked at Elias from head to toe, her frown deepened and she stormed off like a little brat. Seeing this, Lord Varric palmed his face, massaged his nose bridge, and sighed deeply, "Sometimes, I feel like I spoiled this girl. Anyways, I apologize for making youe all the way here just to get disrespected by my daughter," He said Elias waved off the apology, "It''s nothing, just let Sarah know that if she wants her sword back, she shoulde find me, I''ll dly give it to her, but she muste to me on her own" He said, Elias'' mind wasn''t too focused on her. After what he had seen in the cells, he couldn''t help but try to make haste with his task to free the re folk. Bantering with an overgrown bratty girl was thest thing on his mind. "Where is Imaya? Shouldn''t she be here by now?" He asked As if on cue, Imaya walked into the training ground with a guard following closely behind. "Elias!" She called out excitedly as she saw him, but her excitement died out as she saw Elias'' gloomy expression, "What happened?" She asked "Nothing, Imaya," Elias replied, "We should get going," He added "Doesn''t look like nothing," She insisted "It really is nothing," Elias answered, "I don''t see any weapon with you, you didn''t find any that you like?" He asked, trying to change the topic "Oh, I did, I had it sent back to the castle. I also got a new shoulder pad," She said, rubbing the gleaming silver shoulder guard on her right shoulder. Elias smiled lightly, "It looks good on you," he said Imaya''s cheeks flushed a bright rose color, "Thank you," she said As they walked to the corridor Lord Varric moved closer to Elias, "Once again, I''m sorry about my daughter''s attitude. She isn''t always like that, it''s just that the sword is dear to her," He said "Are you trying to make me give back the sword to your daughter?" Elias raised a brow "Haa, that''s far from it. We''re already past that, do what you wish with the sword," "Then what are you trying to say?" Elias queried A smile appeared on Lord Varric''s face, "She might be a few years older than you, but she''s strong, very intelligent, both battle-wise and academically, she graduated top of her ss," Elias wondered why Lord Varric was saying all these, "Okay? That''s good I guess," Lord Varric leaned back, a smile ying at the corners of his lips as he looked upon Elias. After a moment, he cleared his throat and began speaking, his tone casual, yet every word carefully chosen. "You know," he started as if the thought had just urred to him, "there''s something to be said for a woman who can hold her own in a conversation. My daughter, Sarah, for instance¡ªsharp as a de, that one. She''s always had a knack for understanding the intricacies of court politics, among other numerous things she dabbles in, far more than most. A good head on her shoulders, which is a rare thing these days." Imaya raised her eyebrow, she already knew where Lord Varric was going with this, and for some reason unknown to her yet, she didn''t like it. He paused, letting the statement hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "And it''s not just her mind. She has a kind heart as well¡ªalways looking out for those around her. Why, justst week, she organized a party for the soldiers and everyone living in my District, ensuring every Soldier, leathersmith, and cksmith, everyone, had what they needed. Quite the feat, really. Shows a certain¡­petence andpassion, wouldn''t you agree?" "I guess so," Elias shrugged Lord Varric leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "And then there''s her grace. I''ve seen many ady stumble through a dance, but Sarah¡ªshe moves like she was born to it. Not just in the ballroom, mind you, but in everything she does, you''ve seen it too, her swordsmanship is also a reflection of this. There''s a natural elegance about her. It''s not something you can teach; it''s just there, like the way the sun rises without effort." "I see¡­" Elias remarked, "Her swordsmanship was quite impressive, I can''t lie," Elias had a feeling of what Lord Varric was trying to do, but he was going to let the man drive his point home. Lord Varric chuckled softly, shaking his head as if bemused by his own musings. "Of course, I''m just her father. Perhaps I''m biased. But if I were a younger man, well¡­ I''d be hard-pressed to find a w in her. She''s always had this way of making the people around her better, bringing out the best in them and she''s strong enough to hold her own in a fight as you have seen. I''d wager that''s a quality any man might appreciate in a wife." Lord Varric let his words settle, watching Elias carefully, gauging his reaction. He didn''t push further, content to let the young man draw his own conclusions from the subtle praises he had woven into the conversation. ''Haaa¡­.I knew this was where he was going with this,'' "Wife?" Elias asked "Wife?!!" Imaya eximed Chapter 69 : Festival of Light "I''m serious about what I said, Elias Ashdown, think about it!" Lord Varric shouted, waving as Elias and Imaya left the gates of District Two. Elias sighed, "Marriage? Can you believe that? Damn no," He chuffed "Marriage is way too early for you?" Imaya said tly "Right!" Elias affirmed "How can you hope to marry now when you have an adventurous life ahead of you?" She continued "Right!!" "Besides you already have Queen Seraphina and Lady Selene, why add her?" She added, her voice taking an undertone of Jealousy "Right!¡ªwait, what?!" Imaya continued, "On second thought, I think you should go for Lord Varric''s daughter. After all, she is also a Lady of High status, since that''s what your interest suggests." As she spoke, it was evident that she was truly jealous of Elias'' rtionship with the Queen and Lady Selene. ''Haa¡­I see what''s going on here, she was there on both asions when I was with the Queen and Lady Selene. I haven''t been paying enough attention to her. I would be jealous too, mad even if I came to a ce with someone and she abandoned me for someone else, multiple people at that'' "Haa¡­don''t be jealous Imaya, I simply have business with those people you see me with," Elias said Imaya pouted her lips and furrowed her brows, "Is it your business that makes Lady Selene enter your room as clean looking proper Lady, but leave with her hair disheveled and her makeup smeared? Or is it your business that requires the queen to be half naked in your room, or get flustered any time she sees you? Your business seems to have a recurring theme here" she said as she folded her arm Elias looked at Imaya with an examining expression as she ranted, trying to figure out what exactly Imaya was getting at, "Yes, that is my business, and there is a reason it is MY business and not yours" He said [+10 000 FWP] Maya''s face formed into a frown and she stormed forward angrily, "Fine, continue sorting YOUR business," She said as she walked "Why won''t she just tell me what she wants instead of getting angry? Women are difficult," Elias sighed as he calmly walked after her Imaya did not utter a word to Elias as they made their way to the fifth District; the town square to be precise. "Have some Lamb bites," Elias offered Imaya If there was one thing Elias shared inmon, it was their love for the snack, both had never tasted the snack until they got to Eldoria, but instantly fell in love with it at first taste Imaya side-eyed the tempting snack, and her stomach urged her to take a bite, "Give it to me," She said in a low tone as she snatched the bag from Elias In the heart of the town square. The usually modest space had transformed into a lively hub of activity, with townsfolk bustling about, their armsden with decorations. Bright, golden banners adorned with the symbol of the Church of Eternal Light fluttered in the gentle breeze, catching the light of the afternoon sun. These banners were draped across the fronts of shops, wound around the tallmp posts, and hung between the buildings, creating a canopy of warm, golden hues overhead. In the center of the square, a group of vigers worked together to erect arge wooden structure, its peak crowned with an ornate carving of the church''s sun emblem. Around its base, children helped string together gands of flowers¡ªmarigolds and sunflowers mostly¡ªwhose vibrant yellows and oranges mirrored the colors of the festival. On the cobblestones, artisans carefully ced small ynterns in neat rows, preparing to fill them with oil and light them at dusk. Nearby, a group of women chatted as they hung wreaths of greenery and bright ribbons on the doors of the church and the town hall, theirughter mingling with the sound of hammers and the rustle of fabric. After noticing a change in the appearance of the town square, Elias could not help but ask a passerby what was happening that the town square needed such decorations. "Ahh, that''s because of the festival of light," The old man said "Festival of light?" Elias asked. This was something he had not experienced in Arcane Days, a new discovery. "You don''t know about the festival of light? That''s strange, everyone in Eldoria knows about it. Are you perhaps a spy for the weremen? The man asked, inspecting Elias closely with his one good eye. Elias chuckled lightly, "I am not a spy sir. I am just new in Eldoria," He said "If you say so, you don''t look like you have the balls to be a spy anyways," The man remarked "Ouch," Elias deadpanned, and he caught a glimpse of Imayaughing at him The old man cleared his throat, "The festival of light is a festival yet more of a tradition that we the people of Elodoria and all the worshippers of the Goddess Lira observe every year. There are three days to this festival; Day of the Moon, Day of the Sun, and Day of the Stars. Each day symbolizes our Goddess''s Love for us, the Day of the Moon is for reflection, and introspection where we look into ourselves and rekindle our inner light. The Day of the Sun is a celebration of growth, life, and energy, we celebrate the vibrant light that sustains all beings. Finally, the Day of the Stars is the final day of the festival where we are reminded that no matter how far and lost we are, that the Goddess is still with us. It is the day of Hope, guidance, and a reminder of the eternal light that connects all beings across time and space," The old man exined, his eyes twinkling with excitement as he spoke Elias and Imaya listened attentively as the man exined, "Festival of light, huh? Sounds interesting," Elias remarked "Of course it is! Each dayes with loads of activities. Sounds interesting? It is interesting," The old man said, "Youngsters these days, ''sounds interesting''," He muttered to himself as he walked away with his arms behind his back "S-sorry?" Elias apologized, but the man was already too far gone to hear Imaya giggled at Elias, "The festival sounds like fun, we should go," Imaya said, "That is if you don''t n to take your ''Business associates'' Already" she added, averting Elias'' gaze as she spoke "You''re talking to me now?" Elias asked, and Imaya resumed her pouting "Sure, we can go together, I don''t have any ns to go with anyone," Elias said, a warm smile spread across his face. As hard as she tried to hide it, Imaya''s face lit up like a bright orange, her excitement was about to spill over, "O..okay," She stuttered and immediately stuffed her face with amb bite "It''s gettingte, I think it''s time we go back to the castle," Elias suggested Chapter 70 : Make yourself useful As they walked, Elias noticed that Imaya had gone quiet again, and she walked behind him. They entered the castle and as they approached their respective room doors, Imaya stopped in her tracks, "Are you okay?" Elias asked, his voiceced with concern Imaya looked as if she was building up the courage to say something, "Am I useless?" She finally asked Elias was taken aback by the question, '' Useless? Where was thating from?'' He thought to himself "What do you mean ''Useless''," Elias asked, as he took a step to close whatever little gap was between them Imaya''s eyes were glued to her feet, "I wasn''t able to protect my vige, I wasn''t able to save a single soul, and now I am here with the person who saved me and I have nothing to offer. To you, Elias, I am nothing more than a liability," She exined Elias soaked in what she just said, "Is that how you feel?" Elias asked, to which Imaya replied with silence For a moment, Elias said nothing, his eyes searching hers as if weighing her words, considering the depth of her feelings. Finally, he spoke, "If you truly feel that way, then you should stop sulking and be useful," He said with a stern tone Imaya''s body shifted and her eyes widened for a moment, as she was caught off guard by the bluntness of Elias'' response "If you truly feel the way you say you do, then you should go to the academy, learn, and be useful. Hone whatever skill you choose to learn to the pinnacle, and be useful not to only me, but to yourself as well," His words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Elena''s heart ached at the harshness of his suggestion, yet beneath it, she sensed a truth she could not ignore. There was no pity in his voice, no gentle reassurances. Elias spoke as he always did¡ªdirectly and without pretense. "Be powerful¡­" she whispered, more to herself than to him. The idea was daunting, but in Elias''s eyes, she saw no room for hesitation. He was giving her a path, a way forward, but it was up to her to take it. "Yes," Elias affirmed, his voice softening just a fraction "I¡­ I''ll do as you say," she said atst, the decision settling in her chest like a weight and a release all at once. "I''ll be someone worth looking at, Elias Ashdown." "Sure," Elias said as he pushed his door open Imaya stood there with her fist clenched as if she still had more to say, "Aren''t you going toe in?" Elias said, still holding his door open for Imaya Imaya was shocked by this gesture, but she entered nheless. She looked around as she entered, "This room is so much bigger than mine and nicer too," She said "Well, you are not the child of light, are you?" He replies bluntly Imaya''s face fell t, "No," she deadpanned Elias walked over to where Imaya stood, she avoided his gaze as he got closer, "Why is it that you always avoid my eyes, Imaya?" He asked, Imaya replied with silence He lifted her face with his finger, Imaya had no choice but to look at him, "What¡­wha..what are you doing," She asked "You are every bit worth looking at Imaya," Elias said as he brought his face closer to hers Imaya''s face turned an even brighter shade of red, she blushed hard. She had never been so close with a man before, talk less of one as good-looking as Elias. "You wanted to know what business I had with the Queen and Lady Selene?" He asked Imaya gulped audibly and nodded her head, "Yes," she said in a low tone A smile spread across Elias'' face, "Then I suppose it is time I stopped leaving you out of the loop," He said He stood close, so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath against her lips, each exhale mingling with her own. The world around them seemed to fade, the sounds of the bustling castle dimming until all Imaya could hear was the thunderous beating of her heart. Elias'' eyes, intense and searching, locked onto hers, and for a moment, time itself seemed to hold its breath. Slowly, deliberately, he cupped her face in his hands, his touch firm yet tender, as if he was holding something both fragile and infinitely precious. The anticipation crackled between them, an electric current that made her pulse quicken and her skin tingle. Then, with a soft exhale, he leaned in, closing the final, aching distance between them. When their lips met, it was like a spark igniting dry tinder¡ªsudden, fierce, and consuming. The kiss was deep, a blend of longing and unspoken words. Elias'' mouth moved over hers with a kind of desperation, as if he were pouring every suppressed emotion into that very moment At first, there was resistance, but Imaya''s lips soon parted and epted Elias'' own fully. She responded in kind, her hands finding their way to the back of his neck, pulling him closer, needing him closer. The world around them dissolved entirely, leaving only the sensation of his lips on hers, the taste of him, the feel of his hands threading through her hair, grounding her and yet making her feel like she was floating all at once. It was as if they were both trying to memorize every detail¡ªthe warmth, the texture, the way their breath mingled¡ªas if this was thest kiss they would ever share. When they finally parted, just a fraction, their foreheads pressed together, breath mingling in the small space between them, the intensity of the moment lingered. [+70 000 FWP] "Shall we begin?" Elias said as he pulled off his shirt, revealing his well-toned and lean physique. Imaya''s eyes were glued on his body, she couldn''t look away, it was as if she was charmed. Elias didn''t stop there, he went further and uced his pants, he let them drop to the floor with a light thud. At this point Imaya''s mind had gone into overload, she couldn''t process it all at once. Chapter 71 : 71 : Ill teach you how to do it [R-18] "Wh¡ªat?!" Imaya eximed, her eyes darting around every part of Elias'' body, unsure which part to soak in first. But they mostly rested on his lower region. Elias stood confidently, a perfectly sculpted body with an equally blessed member, truly a child of the divine. He reached for Imaya''s face and kissed her deeply once again, this time his fingers gently traced over her body, Imaya''s mind could not keep up with the ecstasy she was feeling at the moment, so she surrendered herselfpletely to her primal desire as she moaned softly into Elias'' mouth. Elias'' hand moved with a smoothness and grace that even he himself did not know he possessed, he pulled her in tighter. His hands cupped her plump and shapely behind firmly before traveling to her lower back, "Ahnn," Imaya moaned audibly, pulling away from Elias for a second, but he didn''t waste any more time before resuming their duel of tongues Each time their lips met, it went higher and higher, until Elias met the obstacle that was thece of her dress, but that didn''t stop him. With a smooth and precise movement, he undid herces, pulled off her dress and it dropped to her feet with a barely audible thud. Elias pulled away from Imaya, giving her a chance to catch her breath. Imaya reluctantly separated from Elias, by the look on her face, you could tell she was drowning in pleasure, her eyes were filled with desire, her mouth opened so slightly yet it begged for all Elias'' and her face retained its blush. "E¡ªEl..Elias?" She said between hot breaths, finally getting some grip on herself, "What are you doing?" She asked A smile spread across Elias'' face, "What does it look like I''m doing? I''m going to bed you," He said The weight of that statement hit Imaya like a brick, and she snapped out of whatever ecstasy trance she was in, "What?!" She eximed as she stepped back, and only then did it hit her that she was stark naked. She let out a loud whimper as she covered her rather small breasts with one hand and her sacred region with the other. Elias walked over to her, "Isn''t this what you wanted? For me to look at you like the way I look at the others," He said, staring lovingly at her. Imaya avoided looking at him directly, lest she fall under his ensnaring gaze, " I did¡­ but that''s not what I meant¡­I just want to be useful to you," she said, "There''s no way you would look upon me with the same gaze as the queen and the family head, I''m not nearly as influential or attractive as they are," She added, Elias stared intently at her, and began walking toward her, "You don''t need to be a queen or a Lady for that to happen, you just have to be beautiful as you are," He said as he closed the gap between them Imaya''s heart skipped a beat as she heard Elias call her beautiful, "I don''t think so," she said "Drop your hands, let me look at you, and let me appreciate your beauty," Eliasmanded Imaya was reluctant at first but then she did as she was told and dropped her hands, revealing herpletely nude figure. Although she wascking in the breast area, she made up for it with a slender and curvy shape, reminiscent of an hourss. Her skin was smooth, fair, and without blemish, her behind was plump and shapely. Elias looked upon her naked form like a predator ready to devour his prey down to the bones, "I see you Imaya, and you''re beautiful," He said as he firmly and generously cupped a feel of her behind Imaya tried to suppress her moans but did a terrible job at it, so it came out like a low whimper, "We can''t do this," Imaya said, her tone carrying a hint of incertitude. Her face had now seemingly taken a permanent hue of red, her breath was irregr and unsteady as her nipples stood alert on end. She said one thing, but her body said the opposite and Elias knew this. "You say one thing but your body says another," He said as he traced his hands in between her thighs, going upwards until he reached Imaya''s sacred region. He slid his middle finger inside her already soaking wet and hot pleasure cave "Mmm," Imaya closed her eyes as she let a soft moan escape her lips, and a satisfied smile appeared on Elias'' face "See, you like it don''t you?" He said Imaya nodded her head, "I do, but¡­I haven''t done this before, this feeling ¡­mmm¡­It''s¡­strange" She said Elias was taken aback briefly by Imaya''s revtion, "You haven''t done this before? You have never pleasured yourself before?" "Yes" she nodded sheepishly "I see, then let me be your guide. I''ll teach you, and introduce you to new feelings, the good kind," He said with a mischievous grin on his face Elias inserted another finger and began to slide them in and out. "Ahnn...mm," Elias watched as Imaya sumbed to the pleasure, she tried to suppress her moans, but once again did a terrible job as they leaked through her fingers. Seeing Imaya in this state made him even more excited, so he increased his pace, sliding his fingers in and out faster and faster. Soon Imaya''s pleasure screams filled the room as she was unable to contain herself anymore, her eyes were rolled back and her hair was a mess. The only thing on her mind at that moment was chasing the climax that Elias promised with his fingers and it didn''t take long. Her moans began to get louder, uncontroble, and more intense, "Don''t stop!!" shemanded Sensing her climax was getting near, Elias increased his speed and pulled Imaya closer for another passionate kiss. This overwhelming stimtion sent Imaya over the edge, her legs began to tremble, and her whole body convulsed. Elias felt her pleasure cave get tighter on his fingers, and with a final moan, Imaya reached her climax. A smile appeared on Elias'' face and as he pulled out his fingers, Imaya flopped to her knees, her eyes twitched like she was half asleep, and she panted heavily like she had just run a marathon. "You did good," Elias said, "That''s called an orgasm. Next on the agenda, a blowjob," Elias said, as he towered over Imaya with his impressive cock looming over Imaya. Imaya''s eyes fluttered as the wave of pleasure stoppeding, she looked up and her eyes grew wide at the sight of Elias'' cock, "Eh?" her eyes were glued to Elias'' dick "I''m going to teach you how to pleasure a man, how to pleasure me," Elias said with a wide grin "H-How?" Imaya asked meekly His grin wider, "First you have to lick it," Elias instructed. Imaya was hesitant at first, but at the same time she was equally curious as to how she could please Elias, and by putting his dick in her mouth nheless. She was an inexperienced youngdy in the field after all. She closed her eyes and began to lick Elias'' dick, she did it in an irregr manner, without rhythm. Starting from the top then the base and then the middle, her tongue was everywhere as she didn''t know where to begin. Elias looked upon her nervously, he wasn''t getting any pleasure from it, the only thing that kept his dick from getting soft was the fact that she was naked and holding his cock in her hand. "Stop," Hemanded after a while Imaya looked up innocently, "Why? Am I doing anything wrong?" She asked "Well, it''s your first time so I guess it could be better," Elias said as he patted Imaya''s head Imaya was a bit disappointed in her inability to please Elias, "Tell me what to do," She said, her eyes filled with determination. ''She''s determined huh?'' Elias smiled warmly at her, then patted her head once again, "Take it in your mouth," He ordered Imaya was shocked by this but did it nheless, she looked upon Elias'' dick thinking of how she was going to fit everything in her mouth, she looked at it like it was a dragon to be conquered. Her brows furrowed, she was determined to please Elias. She took hold of Elias'' dick and forced as much as she could into her mouth at once, "What the fu¡ª" Elias was shocked, but her warm and wet mouth took away his surprise and gave a wave of pleasure. ''I didn''t think she was going to try and take it all at once,'' Imaya looked up at Elias with his cock still in her mouth, "Lagf gesh?"(Like this?) She asked The vibration of her throat on Elias'' dick as she talked caused Elias to fall even deeper into the depth of pleasure, his toes curled and he held her head for support, lest he''d fall over. "Just¡­like that," He said Chapter 72 : 72 : Its my turn now [R-18] Elias watched as Imaya had almost his entire length in her mouth, Elias did not need to give her further instructions as if her instincts kicked in, she began to move her head on her, sliding her warm mouth back and forth over Elias'' cock, each time she would take it as deep as her mouth could go. Waves and waves of electrifying pleasure washed over Elias as went to work, at times she would graze his shaft with her teeth, but the pressure she provided with her mouth overrode the difort. The sound of slobbering, gagging, and choking filled the room, Elias was almost at his climax too. He ced his hands on Imaya''s head, gripping it firmly but not too tightly as he threw his head back, his toes curled and his entire frame shuddered as he released ropes upon ropes of his warm seed in Imaya''s mouth. Oblivious to the fact that Elias had reached his climax, Imaya kept on bobbing her head, fast and at a steady pace. It was not until she felt his semen travel down her throat that she relented, she pulled back her head, and with a pop sound, Elias'' dick fell out. Only on m v|le|mp|yr Imaya looked up at Elias with lustful eyes, the act she had justmitted made her aroused again, one could tell by the way her pleasure cave was dripped wet, "Did I do good?" She asked Elias, her posture was akin to a puppy waiting for a treat from its master. Elias looked down at her, the way she submitted to himpletely, her tone, and the pleasure-ridden expression she donned caused his dick to stand at attraction once more. "You did good," He said, smiling warmly at her as he patted her head. Imaya foundfort in this gesture, and an innocent smile shed across her face. Her eyes fell back on his hard throbbing cock, "It''s hard again, should I put it in my mouth once more?" She asked "No, we''re done with that" Elias effortlessly picked her up and flung her over his shoulder, "Heh?" Imaya was shocked by this sudden action Elias carried her over to the bed, and dropped her on it, as shended on the soft bed, she bounced back up, and her small breasts shook in every direction. Eliasid her on her back and mounted the bed, he was on top of and she was under him. "W-what are you doing?" She asked, avoiding his gaze as usual Elias smirked, "Don''t do that, you know what I''m doing. A naked man and woman on a bed, what else are we going to do? You know what we''re going to do," He said Imaya gulped audibly, "Will it hurt?" She asked "It will, for a second then it''ll start feeling really good," He answered "O-Okay," she said, taking a deep breath, "I''m ready," Elias brought his cock to her vagina, being as gentle as he could, he rubbed his shaft on her slit. With how wet she was, Elias could tell that she truly was ready, no more forey was needed, at least not this time. He ced his tip on the entrance of her slit, "I see you Imaya, and you''re beautiful," He said, as her maintain eye contact with Imaya "You see me¡ªahhnn" Elias did not let heplete her sentence before thrusting his hard throbbing cock into her sacred cave, and for someone who hadn''t had sex before, Imaya took it quite well as he felt almost no resistance going in. He still had some length left to spare, but most of his cock was already buried deep in Imaya''s cave. "Fuckk¡­yeahh," A satisfying moan escaped Elias'' lips, this was a first for both of them it was the first time he was having sexual intercourse since he transmigrated Elias let Imaya get used to his cock and when he saw that Imaya was getting familiar with it, he began to slowly thrust his cock, in and out, and in and out. "Hnngh¡­ahnn," Imaya couldn''t control herself anymore ''There''s no blood? I guess not all Virgins bleed the first time,'' Elias thought to himself "How does it feel?" He asked "Mmhh, it..it feels strange¡­ahnn" "Good or bad?" Elias asked Just as Imaya was about to speak, he increased his pace, " Ahnn!! Goodd!! It feels good!" She moaned Elias smiled and continued to thrust, deeper and deeper, increasing his speed with each stroke. Imaya''s erotic moans fueled his lust, the fact that the Imaya he met in the vige was under him, obediently receiving every inch of his fat hard cock increased the pleasure for him and that fact drove him to increase his speed further. Imaya who was gettingfortable with his pace was caught off guard by this, and she began to moan as hard as her voice would let her, "Ahnn, all of a sudde¨Chnghh¡­mmhh, slow¡­down," She begged Elias turned deaf ears to her plea, he thrust as fast as he could, a jackhammer would wish it were Elias if he saw the way he drilled his cock into her. He had surrendered to the depravity of pleasure and so had Imaya too. Imaya''s eyes rolled deep into the back of her head, and her body tensed up. Her pussy clenched tightly against Elias'' cock as she got wetter and wetter with each thrust. "Ahnnn,~Mmhh, Don''t..stop¡­ohmm~" Her loud and unrestrained moan filled the rooms, and for a moment, Elias was worried if their love music was leaking out, but it was only for a moment, and returned to the task at hand; pounding Imaya''s pussy without mercy. "Ahnn, it''s¡­It''sing, Elias. It''sing again!!" Imaya moaned Elias pulled out his drenched dick and reced it with his fingers, he fingered her pussy as vigorously as he pounded it earlier. Imaya''s body twitched and convulsed, as she orgasmed, spraying out her love juices generously like a fountain. Imayay on the bed, panting, her chest rose and fell in her bid to catch her breath. She hadpletely surrendered to the pleasure Elias provided, her face was filled with pure pleasure, and she was lost in the sauce. "It came again¡­I came again," She panted Elias proudly looked upon his work, he took hold of her waist, "It''s my turn now," He said as he flipped her over in one swift motion, facing her behind toward him. Chapter 73: Chaptef 73 : All night long [R-18] Elias looked upon Imaya''s plump and tender backside with anticipation, his hard cock twitched impatiently, begging to be satiated. He stood behind her and rubbed his dick on her drenched pussy "Oomf~Hnghh¡­Ahnn," Imaya moaned, her tone filled with pleasure and want for his throbbing cock. Her recent orgasm did well to amplify the sensation of his dick, she shuddered and twitched. Elias ced his tip on the entrance of her slit, and his both his hands on her voluptuous bottom, "I''m going in," He said With a single motion, he thrust all his length deep into her sacred cave and she epted it without any stress "Anghhhh~" she moaned without holding back Elias did not move, he let his entire length sit in her pussy for a few seconds, the sounds that Imaya were making caused his dick to get even harder and his mind to fall further into lust. It would have been enough to send him over the edge of climax, but he wasn''t about to end it that quickly. He pulled back his waist and began thrusting wildly, his hips pped against her juicy bottom, producing sounds that were akin to one pping. Imaya''s erotic moans filled the room, it fille his head too. He didn''t want that sound to stop, so he thrusted even faster, harder, and deeper. "You feel so goodd¡­," Elias found himself saying as he thrusted. "Mhnnn¡­Than¡ªHnngh!!" Imaya couldn''t string a phrase together with the sensations that she was experiencing Elias thrusted like a madman, "I forgot how good sex feels," He moaned After thrusting for a while, Elias felt his climax approaching, "I''m about to cummm," "Me..Mmm..too," Imaya moaned Elias'' thrusted faster than before, and Imaya buried her face in the bed sheets in a bid to suppress her moans. "I''m..cumming!" Elias announced as he and Imaya moaned in sync "Me too!!" With a final and deep thrust, Elias buried his entire length in Imaya''s pussy, releasing a generous load of his seed deep in her as he shuddered. Panting like someone who had just run a marathon, he withdrew his drenched limp cock from her pussy. He watched his semen flow out of Imaya''s pussy while she still remained in the position they had sex; her voluptuous bottom hung in the air and her face was buried in the bed. Imaya''s body still twitched and shuddered from remnant waves of pleasure. ''Shit, I just came in her. I hope she doesn''t get pregnant, I''m not prepared to be a father, at least not yet.'' He thought to himself Elias brought himself to rest on the bed beside Imaya, "How was it? Your first time? From the way you were moaning and screaming, it was good I suppose?" He asked, smiling warmly at her. With her bottom still in the air, she turned to Elias, her face was red from embarrassment, "Y¡ªYes¡­it was," she replied Seeing her innocent expression after he had seen her sluttt expression during sex made Elias feel a type of way, he felt his cock rising again, "Well, do you want to do it again?" He asked Imaya''s eyes widened, "Again?!" She asked, "Didn''t we just finish?" "Yes we did, but my dick still wants more of you," He said as he brushed out a stray lock of hair from her face. "Okay¡­but just one more time, then we go to bed," Imaya said Elias smiled, "Just one more time," He repeated They infact didn''t have sex just one more time, maybe it was because it was their first time or because of the hormones of being a teenager m, the two ended up going at it like rabbits in heat until dawn. ******* Elias was woken up by the knocking sounding from his room door. He grudgingly sat up, his hair was tousled, as if he ran his hands through it multiple times, his eyes had a gentle tiredness to them and his posture was more rxed than usual. A subtle satisfying smile yed on his lips as his eyes rested on Imaya''s sleeping form. Shey peacefully beneath the sheets, her body was half covered by the light fabric that barely concealed the rising and falling of her chest. Her hair disheveled, even more than Elias'' own fanned out across the pillow like a green halo. The remnants ofst night''s activity was still evident in the soft blush on her cheeks. Her lips, slightly parted in sleep, were curved into a faint smile, as if she dreamed of something sweet and tender. Elias stood at the edge of the bed, his gaze tracing the lines of her body. Her chest rose and fell with each slow, deep breath, and her hand rested lightly on the pillow beside her, fingers curled gently as if she was grasping for something. Elias couldn''t help but admire her, the way she seemed so utterly at peace, so content in the embrace of her slumber. In that quiet moment, she looked almost divine, like a goddess resting after weaving the stars into the sky. Elias soaked in every detail about her in that moment, as ifmitting that image of her to his memory. The knocking sound cut Elias'' admiration short, this time it was louder. Imaya groaned lightly as she switched sleeping positions. "Come on in, whoever it is," Elias ordered as he didn''t want Imaya to be woken up by their knocks The person at the door tried to open it but failed, it was then Elias remembered he had locked the door the previous night. "The door is locked, Sir," Lillian''s voice sounded from behind the locked door "I''ming," He said Forgetting he was still naked, he walked to the door, and opened it for Lillian. Her face immediately reddened as she saw his naked form. It was then Elias realized he was naked, "Oh.." He said, "Come on in, it''s not like you haven''t seen me bude before," he added nonchntly Lillian came in, and Elias shut the door behind her, "Sir, I have a message for you. A man named Mathias says to tell you that he''s waiting for you outside the castle. He says it''s about your blessings and it''s very urgent. I think he is from the church" she said "Priest Mathias? I see," Elias said, "Take care of Imaya, she is still sleeping at the moment, but treat her as you would treat me. When she wakes up, tell her I had to leave urgently," he instructed as he slipped into his pants. Lillian''s gaze went straight to the bed, "So she was the one making all that noisest night," She muttered to herself absent mindedly "What?" Elias asked "Haa, Nothing Sir," She quickly replied "Okay," Elias said as he left the room ''So she took Sir Elias'' member? I wonder how it felt, it must have felt so good,'' Lillian thought to herself and she felt tingling sensation in her lower region "Mmm¡­"She found herself moaning, "Wait, what am I doing? I can''t think of Sir Elias like that, I am his servant!" She snapped out of her day dream. Chapter 74 Book of Dawn "Ahh, Elias Ashdown. How have you been?" Priest Mathias asked as Elias approached the castle gates "Priest Mathias," Elias greeted, "I''m doing okay," He replied Priest Mathias looked Elias from head to toe, "I can''t exin it, but you look¡­brighter than usual today" He said Elias averted his gaze, "Haaa, Do I now?" He chuckled nervously "Why didn''t youe in? Why wait outside the castle?" Elias asked To that question, Priest Mathias looked like wanted to speak but he held his tongue, " About that, when we get to the temple, the High-luminary herself will exin to you," He said Elias was suspicious at Priest Mathias'' reaction, ''Now that I notice, where are his acolytes? Nigel, Dickson, and Anias? Is something going on in the castle that I''m not aware of?'' he pondered "Is that so?" "Yes, it is, chosen child. Shall we get going?" Priest Mathias asked Elias nodded, and they walked in the direction of the fifth district, where the church of Eternal Light was located. ***** Elias stood in front of the massive cathedral-like structure of the church; it looked exactly how it did in Arcane Days; every detail matched, from the white and golden colorbination of the paint and marbles to the stained ss windows and the massive waving g that carried the emblem of the church. At the gate of the church, there were no guards or soldiers stationed at the gate, unlike the other gods who had pdins, soldiers of faith as their protectors, the Goddess Lira was a pacifist who would only resort to violence as thest resort. Priest Mathias pushed open the wrought-iron gate and motioned for Elias to go in first. Elias did, and the Priest followed closely behind. As Elias stepped into the church, he could feel his body, soul, and mana resonate with the surroundings; he felt like he was just pumped full of adrenaline like he could split a mountain open with his bare hands. Because of his existence as the chosen child of light, the atmosphere amplified his stats. [You are in the church of the Goddess Lira, all stats will temporarily get a 50% increase] "Hoo? Disy stats" Eliasmanded "What was that?" Priest Mathias asked "Haa, nothing," Elias replied [ FWP: 1,352,100/10,000,000,000 Name: Elias Ashdown ss: Swordsman, Farmer, Mage(Contractual, Caster) Title: Farmer, One blessed by Fate, swordsman, Child of Light, Child of Destiny, Loved by Mana, Mage, False Dragon yer. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Health: 2600/2600 (+1 300) Mana: 410,000/410,000 (+205 000) ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Strength: 29 (+14.5) Agility: 25 (+12.5) Speed: 25 (+12.5) Stamina: 80 (+40) Intelligence: 155 (+ 77.5) ] ''This is wild, no wonder I feel as I do now. This power¡­'' Elias thought to himself as he inspected his hands A smile appeared on Priest Mathias'' face, "You feel it, don''t you? The power that flows in this ce, the strength given to those who believe and it flows through you right now," He said "Yes¡­I feel it," Elias said, he was still trying to get used to the feeling "As it was foretold, you are truly the chosen child of light," He said Elias took a deep breath, the air inside was cool and fragrant, filled with the soft scent of lilies andvender. Sunlight streamed through massive stained ss windows, each pane depicted scenes of Lira''s creation of the world. The vaulted ceiling rose high above, supported by pirs carved from baster, their surfaces etched withplex designs of spiraling suns and blooming flowers. At the center of the church, directly beneath thergest window¡ªa radiant depiction of Lira herself, arms outstretched in a gesture of blessing¡ªstood the altar. It was made of pure crystal, cut to perfection, reflecting and amplifying the light that touched it until it seemed to glow from within. Rows of pews stretched out from the altar, crafted from pale, polished wood that gleamed in the light. Each seat was cushioned with velvet the color of the morning sky, offeringfort to the faithful believers who gathered to offer prayers. At the far end of the church, opposite the entrance, stood a grand statue of Lira herself, carved from a single block of marble so pure it seemed to glow. She was depicted with a serene smile, her eyes closed as if in prayer, her hands sped around a delicate me that never wavered. The me was no mere decoration¡ªit was a piece of pure magic, an eternal light that burned without fuel. "Come on, this isn''t our destination, we''re going to the inner sanctum, the true temple where the High-luminary prays," Priest Mathias led Elias past the altar into a hallway that seemed to stretch on for minutes. Finally, it came to an end, and they found themselves in a garden of some sort. [You are in the presence of a conduit Goddess Lira, all stats are raised by 500 %] Elias'' body surged with power, and he felt exhrated; the feeling he got earlier when he was in church was child''s ypared to what he was feeling now: power like no other. The inner sanctum was a sight to behold, it was bathed in sunlight that poured in from a wide circr opening above. In the center of the sanctum stood a statue of Lira; Elias had a strange feeling about the statue; although it was unmistakably made of stone, he could feel life emanating from it. In Lira''s delicate hands, a golden book rested, its cover shimmered with an inner light that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat. Elias instantly recognized the book, "The Book of Dawn," He muttered "I see you are educated enough to know what it is," The gentle voice of the High-luminary echoed through the room She emerged from the shadows, glowing like a beacon, and behind her stood Margo. Her gaze was fixed on Elias. "Your Eminence," Priest Mathias bowed, but the High luminary immediately told him to get up "Quite the room you got here, High-luminary," Elias remarked The High-luminary smiled, "This is more than just a room," She said as she walked to the statue of Lira and bowed deeply "It''s an isted space created by none other than the Book of Dawn itself. The Book of Dawn is a book of infinite pages, that''s why it can only be carried by the Goddess herself. Its pages are endless, yet all those pages remain nk. On one of those pages, the words that Lira uttered to bring the world to creation are written. Many have tried to find it but inevitably failed, previous children of light included The existence of the Book of Dawn itself is so great that it created an isted space and time for itself as our world would be unstable if it didn''t," She exined Elias listened carefully, "And this is rted to my blessings, how?" He asked "It''s not," The High-luminary said, "The reason why you''re here is for us to discuss matters that we cannot risk being heard by anyone that isn''t in this room," she continued Elias shifted ufortably, "And that is?" He asked "King ric," The High-luminary replied, her voice taking a serious tone Chapter 75 New bodyguard acquired "King ric?" Elias repeated, "What about him?" He asked The High-luminary walked closer to Elias, "I think the King is in cahoots with the demons," She replied Elias raised an eyebrow, the High-luminary had just made a bold usation, "Cahoots with the demons? That is an outrageous usation, I''m sure you are aware. The King might be a scummy slob, but I don''t think he would be working with demons. I see no way it would benefit him if he did," He said "I thought so too, that was until he made a statement that made me change my perspective. I spoke to the king on the day you fought with the mages, and he asked how my journey back was and if it wasn''t difficult for us to deal with the demons we encountered," Elias shrugged, "And how does that prove he''s working with the demons?" He asked "I never said we encountered demons, and we just arrived then, and we went straight to the arena; there was no way anyone could have briefed him. Do you see now?" She exined Elias pondered on her revtion, he thought of ways to prove otherwise, but none of them made sense, "If what you''re saying is the truth.." "I would never lie," The High-luminary interrupted him Elias looked at her, "If what you''re saying is the truth, it would exin what has been going on for the past six months. The oppression of the re folk, who make some the strongest warriors, and theckluster attitude toward leading the kingdom despite its spiraling downwards. It''s like he wants to tear apart the kingdom, weaken it." He continued "Exactly; as to why, I don''t know. That man brought everyone in Eldoria together, regardless of species and race; why tear everything apart by working for the demons? What does he stand to gain?" The High-luminary wondered aloud. "We''ll have to find out," Elias said sternly "Exactly! We need to find hard proof that can be shown to the family heads and people of Eldoria or else our usations would just bebeled as treason," She said "Fine, I''ll try to find said proof if it exists," Elias said A smile appeared on the High-luminary''s face "Good. In the meantime, the pce is not safe for you, we can''t risk anything happening to you. My church and temple are always open to you" "I''ll be fine," Elias dered, "Is that all?" Margo stepped forward and faced off with Elias, "The High-luminary is offering you protection and a roof over your head, don''t be arrogant!" She said Elias looked at her indifferently, ''How could I forget, Margo? In the original Arcane Days storyline, she was Elias Ashdown''s love interest, the main heroine, a girl with divine blood flowing in her veins; they would go on to marry and have kids. Too bad that storyline is gone, and I''m nothing like the old Elias, I don''t n on settling down with her, at least not just her, but her divine nature would benefit me tremendously,'' "I said I''ll be fine, I can take care of myself, just like I did before you returned." He repeated Margo gritted her teeth, "You arrogant punk, are you just good-looking?" she pouted before storming back to the High-luminary''s side "He said he''ll be fine; we should trust him, the Goddess did, so who are we not to? Just make do to be careful Elias Ashdown," She said to him and Elias nodded in affirmation "As for your blessings, I will bestow them upon you on thest day of the festival of light," The High-luminary said Elias bowed slightly, "Thank you High-luminary," He said The High-luminary giggled childishly, "You don''t have to call me High-luminary all the time you know? I have a name, I was someone before I became the High-luminary after all," She said Margo''s ear twitched at the High-luminary''s words, "Wha¡ªwhat?! That''s not necessary," she said "It''s okay Margo, It''s my decision," She said "So what is it, your name?" Elias asked The High-luminary opened her mouth to speak, "Ireleen," the word flowed beautifully out of her rosy lips "Okay, Ireleen, I''ll see you when I see you," Elias said as they walked away. "This punk," Margo growled "Oh," Elias turned around, "Can you lend me her?" He asked, pointing to Margo "Heh?!" Margo eximed in shock "Why If I may ask?" Ireleen asked, her tone was unable to hide her surprise "I''m going to free the res, the right way and I need her strength to do it," He said "There''s no way I''m helping you, the High-luminary won''t ag¡ª" "You can have her since her efforts would be going towards a good cause," Ireleen said Margo turned to Ireleen, "You can''t do that? Why do I have to help him?" She pouted Somehow, Elias found amusement in her inconvenience, a mischievous smirk appeared on his face, "You know what? You''re right, Ireleen. The pce will be dangerous for me, but I have no ns to leave because I need to find a way to prove King ric is affiliated with demons. I will need a bodyguard to watch over me and make sure I don''t get hurt. Margo here would be an excellent bodyguard, I can just tell that she''s capable," He said "Liar!!" Margo pointed at him, "You fought off a dragon and won, you don''t need my protection. As if the High-luminary would agr¡ª" "Okay, from now on Margo will personally look out for you," Ireleen dered, "Mathias here is enough protection for me," she added "Wahh, don''t I have a say in this?"Sheined, shedding exaggerated crocodile tears "Thank you, Ireleen. I appreciate your kind gesture," Elias said as he tipped his head slightly Imaya folded her hands in defiance "There''s no way I''m following this punk to the pce much less be his bodyguard," she said, as she pouted "I ended up following him to the pce and bing his bodyguard," Margo sighed as Elias approached his room door, Elias flung his door open, "Wee to your new room," He said Margo''s eyes widened as she saw his luxurious chamber, "All this for me? Maybe you aren''t so bad after all," she said as she flew onto the bed "You seem to be mistaken, we are going to be sharing this room. I''ll sleep on the bed and you can sort yourself out," He said "I spoke too soon, you''re terrible," Margo deadpanned Chapter 76 : Deal "So what''s the n? How do you intend to prove the King is working with the demons?" Margo asked, as she threw a grape she found at Elias'' bedside in her mouth "We free the re folks first, and then investigate the King," He said Margo opened her mouth to speak, "I''m not changing my mind, the res then the King. Either we do it in that order or we can''t work together," He said frankly, not giving her a chance to talk "Fine, and how do we free the res? We just start snapping every cor we see?" She said, sarcasm evident in her voice, "Please don''t tell me that''s actually your n?" She said, more serious this time. Elias deadpanned, "Of course not. We are going to fight a beast the size of a mountain, possibly kill it, and then mine crystals from a cave, the crystals are the main objective, keep that in mind " He said nonchntly Margo nodded, "Yeah, that makes more sense. So do we know what particr cav¡ªwait, did you say the beast was the size of a mountain?!" She eximed, her eyes almost popped out of their sockets with how she widened them "Correct, it''s the only way we can free the res. I know you''re strong, you may even be stronger than I am at the moment, I can tell. With two of us fighting, it should not be too difficult," Elias exined Margo looked at Elias intently and he returned her gaze, "Fine, we''ll battle the beast," She sighed "Fantastic," Elias remarked, " As for the King, I won''t let his matter be unattended to while we are away, I''ll have trusted eyes watching his move. I have someone in mind already, someone who is close to him, someone who won''t raise suspicious nces if she watches the King''s every move. She should be able to bring us proof, that is if there is any, to begin with," Elias replied Margo cocked her head to the side in puzzlement, "And just who is that person?" she asked "Queen Seraphina, of course," Elias said tly, "Who else?" "Huh?! Are you out of your mind? You want to tell the queen that her husband might be working with demons and, on top of that, still ask her to spy on him?! Madness," She ranted Elias shrugged, "Exactly, you catch on fast, I like that," He said Margo clenched her teeth, "I swear to the Goddess¡­" she muttered under her breath, "And just how do you n to go about that?" She asked A smirk that suggested he was up to no good appeared on Elias''s face, "Don''t worry, I have my ways. Just let me handle it," He said Margo rolled her eyes, "Fine, do what you want, but if it should go sideways, which there is a high chance it would make sure to keep the church''s name out of it, especially the High-luminary, I''m certain she wouldn''t approve of your reckless n," She said "Let me propose a deal," Elias said, smiling at her, Margo scoffed, "What deal?" she asked "If I am not able to get the Queen to cooperate with me, I''ll do whatever you want me to do without anyints and still give you half a crown," He paused, waiting for Margo to soak it in, "And I sessfully convince the Queen to cooperate, you''ll let me teach you a lesson by spanking you ten times," He said with an indifferent expression Your journey continues at m v|l-e-NovelBin "Wha¡ªwait what?! Spank me? What kind of deal is that? There''s no way I''m agreeing to that, it''s unbefitting for me as a priest and for you as the child of light." She firmly declined as she shook her head Elias chuckled lightly, "What''s the matter? I won''t be able to convince the queen, right? Or do you suddenly have faith in me," He scoffed at her Margo''s brow furrowed, "I don''t, I put my faith only in the Goddess Lira," "Then why the hesitation? Look at what you stand to gain; I would be at your mercy, obeying your everymand. Doesn''t the thought of it excite you? Think of all the embarrassing things you could make me do, Ireleen would definitely be proud of you and you''ll still get paid on top of it," Elias said, his words were sweet as he hoped to sway Margo''s declination It seemed to be working as Margo''s once firm face began to ease up as she thought of Elias'' offer, "How am I sure you wouldn''t go back on your words," she asked ''Jackpot!'' "Easy, we will sign a contract and we will put a use that says whoever goes back on their words will mentally turn into a chicken for a week," Elias exined, as he pulled out a contract he purchased from the store Margo raised a suspicious brow, " Who has a contract just lying around? You''re weird," she said Elias ignored her remarks, "So will you sign? Or not? My offer won''t stand for long," He asked ''There''s no way he would get the Queen of all people to cooperate, it is an easy win for me '' Margo let out a sigh and with a confident smile, she read the details of the contract and signed off on it with her mana, Elias did the same Elias'' smile was wide and confident, "It is done then," He said confidently ''What''s with that smile and why do I feel like I''ve just gotten yed,'' Margo thought to herself "Yes..it is," She replied nervously "Well, I better get started, wish me luck," He said as he approached the door "Just leave," she said tly Elias was about to leave when he turned around, "Oh, lest I forget. You can''t leave this room. We cannot have the King have any suspicions and your robes won''t help either," He said "I know, I''m not stupid and what''s wrong with my robes, they''re perfect," She said "I thought you weren''t stupid, your robes stick out too much. I''ll have Lillian deliver food at the door, and maybe some clothes as well. Bye," He said as he left the room, not giving Margo a chance to reply. Margo''s eyes twitched in annoyance, "That arrogant punk, why does he piss me off so much," She said, She nced at the grapes, "Hmph," she pouted as she stuffed her face with a handful Chapter 77 : Thats the Spirit The Queen''s footsteps echoed through the castle''s hallway as she walked, her shoe heels pronounced a very audible knocking sound with each step she took. She walked with her chest and chin high, her back straight, and her eyes forward, just as a Queen should. She had no guards or servants at her side as she usually would because she requested that she be left alone to walk. She needed to clear her head, she said to them, when in truth, she was just frustrated and didn''t want to transfer aggression. The king had not touched her in months and Elias who showcased the promise of being intimate with her had forgotten about her, or so she thought "You have a lovely backside, Queen Seraphina," a voice familiar to her came from behind her Queen Seraphina immediately turned around. Her eyes scanned the seemingly empty hallway for a sign of anyone, but there was no one in sight. She sighed and resumed walking, "Have I been thinking of him so much that I can hear his voice now? Oh, I need to lie down," She said as she ced her hand on her forehead to check if she was running a fever "If you think of him hard enough, he just might appear," the familiar voice resounded again. This time, Queen Seraphina was more scared than shocked. As she turned around, her heart began beating faster," Elias, are you there, Elias?" She called out, but there was no reply She turned back and hastened her steps as she walked until age bumped into an unseen force. Suddenly, as if a curtain was being parted, the space in front of her parted to reveal Elias, he had a mischievous smile on his face. "You called," He said The Queen was stricken by surprise, "How did you do that?" She asked "Mage''s secret," He said, bringing his index finger to his lips "Whatever it is, don''t do it again. You almost gave me a heart attack," "Heh, the great Queen soil herself in fear?" He teased The Queen''s face squeezed into a frown, her pride had just been wounded and Elias who was responsible was mocking her, "How dare you?!" She said as she raised her hands to p Elias, but she paused midway as she remembered thest that she tried to p him Elias''ughter seized, and he looked down at the queen, "Hoh? Looks like somebody learned her lesson thest time," He said The Queen gritted her teeth, "Tch," "Why are you here? Haven''t you forgotten about me already?" She asked with a smile still on her face Elias raised his brows, "Forgotten about you? How could I forget about you, my masochist queen," He said as he pulled her closer by the waist "I''m not a masochist¡ª" She tried toin but Elias was not about to have any of it, so he held her by her neck and pulled her in for a deep kiss, cutting her sentence short in the process "Mmm.." she moaned as she tried to resist, but she ended up surrendering to Elias'' tongue Elias pulled away from her, a trail of their mixed saliva stretched from his tongue as he did. Queen Seraphina''s tongues as she panted, her frown had melted into lustful expression. "You smell likevender but taste like honey," he remarked Elias pped her voluptuous bottom hard, and she snapped out of her daze with a loud moan, "Hnghh¡­what if someone sees?" She asked [+ 10 000 FWP] "Let them see," Elias said as he grabbed a handful of her ass "I have a task for you," He began, "I have news from a source that thinks the husband might be working with the demons" Queen Seraphina''s eyes widened and she pulled away from Elias, "What?! ric? Demons? How? Who told you this?" She asked. "Calm down," Elias ordered, and she immediately simmered, "I cannot tell you my source until I''m sure you''re with us; you know something isn''t right with ric; you''ve told me once before. If he is conniving with demons, it''s in everyone''s best interests that we do something about it. I will be going out of the kingdom for a while; I will only be gone for a few days. What I want from you now, is to keep a close eye on your husband, watch his every move, and report your observations to me when I return," He said Queen Seraphina had a reluctant expression on her face, but she found sense in what Elias said, "If I may ask, where will you be going to?" She asked "It''s about the res," "I see, whatever you do, please be safe," Queen Seraphina said, her voice filled with concern "I''ll be fine," Elias said Her expression grew dull, "I see, I will try my best to observe my husband while you''re away," She said "If you do well, I''ll give you a reward," He said The Queen''s eyes lit up like a puppy that had just been given a treat, if she had a tail, it would be wagging, "Reward? What is this reward?" She asked in anticipation "It''s a secret, but I''m sure you will like it," He paused, "I''m sure you will like it very much, " He added The Queen''s face erupted in full redness, "I see, I''ll try my best!" She said, suddenly filled with enthusiasm Elias smiled and he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply again, "Good, take this you''ll need it," He said, as he handed her a grey fabric "What is this?" She asked as she collected the fabric "It''s a cloak that turns you invisible when worn, just say the activation word and you''ll be unseen by anyone," Elias exined "Is that how you were able to turn invisible?" She asked Elias chuckled, "No, that was a spell," "I see," "The activation word is ''Traspiron''" Elias said The Queen looked down at the cloak, "Traspiron," She said, but nothing happened Eliasughed at her lightly, and this caused her to get annoyed, "You lied to me?" Elias shook his head, "You have to put the cloak on first," He said as he turned around to leave "You''re leaving, already?" Seraphina asked, her voice taking a dull and disappointed tone Elias smiled, "Yes, I have things to attend to. Try not to go crazy while thinking about me," He said, "One more thing, make sure to leave your window unlocked tonight, I just might pay you a visit," Elias said before suddenly vanishing "Huh? Leave my window unlocked? Could he mean? No, that''s not possible, there''s no way he''d do that knowing me and ric share the same bed," She thought out loud, "Anyways, I''ll try my best to get that reward. No , must get that reward!" Clenching her fist, she boldly dered. p!! "That''s the spirit," Elias said as he pped her bottom hard Chapter 78 : Unexpected Blowjob [R-18] "It''s almost nightfall, I should speak to Imaya. It won''t be nice if I leave without talking to her, especially after what we didst night," Elias thought out loud as he stood before Imaya''s bedroom door. He raised his hand to knock, but the door flung open before he could knock. d in nothing but her see-through nightwear, Imaya stood in front of Elias with a dissatisfied look on her face. Elias chuckled nervously, "Hello?" He said without much confidence Imaya held him by the cor and dragged him inside the room, shutting the door behind him with a loud m. She dragged him to the bedside and pushed him on the bed. Without saying a word, she got on her knees and began to uce his pants, Elias was too stunned to speak at first as he watched her, "I..Imaya?" He stuttered She undid thece and pulled his pants down, "Oooooohh¡­fuckk," Elias moaned as Imaya took his dick in her mouth and began to deepthroat him. She sucked his dick with so much passion, it was as if she was possessed. She bobbed her head back and forth, and her green hair danced around wildly, getting in the way of her work. She let go of Elias'' dick while still sucking nonstop, and she tied her hair back. ''What the fuck has gotten into her? I expected her to be fuming mad at me, but instead I get a fucking godly blowjob. How is she so good, just yesterday she almost peeled my dick off but now she''s like a pro,'' "Hold on, hold on," Elias said, trying to get Imaya to stop for even a minute All of Elias'' words fell on deaf ears as Imaya increased the intensity, sucking sounds filled the room as she sped up. The sudden stimtion sent Elias over the edge, with a relieved sigh he released ropes of semen into her mouth. Even as Elias orgasmed, Imaya didn''t slow down, she continued to suck his cock, draining him. Elias'' toes curled, and his body shuddered; his mind was turning nk from too much pleasure. "Shit!" He eximed After making sure that she had sucked everyst drop of semen from his cock, Imaya pulled Elias'' cock out of her mouth; it made a popping sound as she did. Imaya looked up at Elias who was breathing heavily, a satisfied smile curled up on her face, "How was it?" She asked ''You know damn well that it was good, you damn subus,'' was what Elias wanted to say; instead, he just fell back on the best and raised a thumbs up as he tried to catch his breath. Imaya giggled like a child as she pounced on the bed, "Where did you learn how to do that?" He asked as he finally steadied his breath "Lillian taught me," she said almost innocently, "I asked her to teach me how to please you, she had a lot of fun tips to share, some of which I''m not flexible enough to try haha" "Lillian huh? I see, it''s always the innocent-looking ones" Elias said ''If she can turn a noob like Imaya into a pro in such a short time, I wonder what she is capable of herself,'' Elias looked at Imaya who was smiling proudly at her aplishment, his eyes focused on her nightwear that left nothing to the imagination, and he began to feel his dick slowly rise again, "You brought this upon yourself," He said to Imaya Imaya''s face froze, "Huh?" Before she could realize what was going on, Elias had flipped her over, her bare behind faced him and her face buried in the bedsheets, "Wait, wait, what? Wait," Imaya said But just as she didn''t listen to him when he pleaded, he turned a deaf ear to her words. Her bare, clean-shaven pussy wasid bare before him like a well-prepared meal. He spread her shy lips with his finger, revealing a rosy pink wet cave. He buried his face in her behind and his tongue deep in her pussy, "Ahnn~what is this feelin¡ªHnghh!!" Imaya moaned wildly Elias skillfully moved his tongue around, eating her vigorously like he had been starved for decades, Imaya''s moan and pleas for him to slow down only made himsh his tongue wilder. He found her pleasure spot and with a gentle brush of his tongue, he brought Imaya to orgasm. Her wild screams filled the room as she threw her head back, trembling in overflowing pleasure. Elias didn''t give her time to recover or get used to it, he thrust the full length of his throbbing cock in her pussy and began to pump her soft ass vigorously, he didn''t slow down, not one bit "Ahnn..ommm¡­wait¡­just a minu¡ªOuuuu," She moaned Eliss pulled on her hands like bike handles, using them as support as he thrust faster and faster. At this point, Imaya had surrendered to her primal instinct, the words that came out of her mouth were unintelligible, only her moans made sense. Elias felt it; his climax was getting closer by the second, and at thest second, he pulled out, turned Imaya over, and emptied his cock on her face. He panted wildly as he looked upon his work; Imaya was a mess; her legs shuddered, and her eyes twitched. Her mind was nk, only filled with nothing but pleasure, this sight alone made Elias want to ravish her again, but he had to save himself for the Queen. He had a show to put on. After a few minutes of justying and trying to catch their breath, Elias was the first to speak, "I''ll be leaving Eldoria for a while, I have business to take care of, but I''ll be back in a few days, likely before the start of the festival of Light," Imaya sat up abruptly, "What?! Are you going to do something dangerous again?" She asked "I won''t answer that question," Elias replied Imaya furrowed her brows, "Then take me with you!" She said Elias looked at her and immediately answered, "No," He said tly, "It''s too dangerous, I can''t risk you getting hurt," Imaya''s face grew dull, ''My weakness is stopping me from being with him. Once again, I''m left behind,'' she thought to herself Seeing Imaya''s expression, Elias spoke, "Don''t worry about me, you know how strong I am. I will be fine," He assured her. She brought her face to rest on his chest, "I know you will," She muttered Chapter 79: Chpater 79 : Visit at Nightfall [R-18] "I wonder if I should open it, or just leave it unlocked? He did say to leave it unlocked, but how will he know it is?" Queen Seraphina muttered to herself "Feeling hot Seraphina?" King ric asked as he climbed onto their massive bed "Haa. No, I just wanted the fresh air," She replied "Then close it, or else the birds will enter again, I have no intention of waking up to bird shit on my face," He said as he gotfortable under his cover cloth Queen Seraphina rolled her eyes and closed the window, but she left it unlocked. She slid into her bed, King ric was already snoring loudly. It doesn''t take him long to fall asleep. Queen Seraphina shook her head in disappointment; she looked at the window, hoping Elias woulde in at any moment, but he did not. She waited for Elias, tossing and turning in her bed, frequently ncing at the windows as she counted the seconds. Seconds turned into minutes turned and minutes into hours, but Elias was a no-show. "He''s not going toe, is he?" She sighed in frustration as she readied herself to sleep. She closed her eyes, said her prayers, and waited for nature to take its course Suddenly she felt a warmth on her, an epassing embrace. She squeezed her face, "I''m not in the mood, ric," she said As if he was replying to her, King ric''s snoring grew louder, and that was when she realized that it wasn''t her husband who was holding her but someone else. She felt a hard warm object press on her ass, and she instantly knew who it was that held her, "You took your sweet time," She whispered "The best things are not to be rushed," Elias said The Queen smiled, "So what do you have for me, Elias Ashdown?" She asked "Would you rather I tell you, or I show you?" He asked as he held her tighter, his hands caressing her tender flesh gently "Mmnn~" A moan escaped the Queen''s lips, "We can''t do it here, what if my husband wakes up?" She said Elias peeked over to Queen to see ric snoring as he had just worked the whole day, "Doesn''t look like he is going to wake up anytime soon," he said as he cupped the Queen''s breasts, her bosom was so full that they spilled out of his fingers. The Queen began moaning softly, "But¡­mmm..what if he wakes up?" She asked "And then what? He''ll probably get aroused like the cuck you say he is," Elias smirked He skillfully maneuvered his hands into her silky nightwear. The feeling of direct skin-to-skin contact on her breast made the Queen moan, but she quickly covered her mouth in an attempt to stifle her moan. Elias yed with her nipples, tugging twisting, and pinching them as he kissed her neck, "Mmmf~ommn~Hnghh," She moaned into her hands He raised her legs and traced his slender fingers over her thighs until he felt the warm moistness of her slit. "Ahnn~", Queen Seraphina moaned, her voice leaking out of her fingers but she still did her best to suppress it She shuddered with pleasure at the touch of Elias'' fingers. He suddenly inserted his fingers in wet soaking wet pussy, The queen went wild and jerked her head backward as she shuddered, "Ahnnn!!" She moaned without restraint as she climaxed, spraying her love juices all over the bed. Elias'' smiled, "Did you just cum from just that? How starved you must be¡­pathetic. The great and prestigious Queen Seraphina, everybody''s idol. Men would die and go to war just to touch your feet, and here you are, cumming from just this," He said "No¡­It''s not like¡­that," She said in between breaths "Oh really?" Elias said He pulled out his fingers and inserted it back in, diving it deeper this time, "Hnghhh~" "Quiet now; you don''t want to wake your husband up now, do you?" He said, still driving his finger in and out Seraphina moaned wildly, throwing away all herdylike demeanor, donning a slutty expression, as she trembled wildly again, "Ahnn, I''m cumminggg," She announced Her toes curled up and she arched her back as she came wildly, clenching Elias'' finger tightly with her pussy. Elias removed his fingers and put it in her mouth, "Lubricant for what''s toe," He said, a smile on his face He held Seraphina by her hands and pulled her off the bed; he would have dragged her if he added any more force to his pull. He took her round the bed and stopped when he reached the edge where King ric was sleeping, "What are you doing?" She asked nervously Elias didn''t answer. Instead, he ced his hands on her shoulders and pushed her down to her knees. He undid his pantce and brought out his raging cock, "You can''t possibly want to try that, here? ric is going to wake u¡ª," Elias didn''t let her finish herint as he filled her mouth with his cock, her eyes widened in shock at Elias'' forcefulness, but that was precisely what she liked, she felt her pussy get wetter as Elias pushed his length deeper into her throat. Discover hidden content at m,v l''e-NovelBin "Fuckkk, I''m fucking Queen Seraphina''s mouth!" He eximed as he began moving his waist. Elias didn''t treat the Queen with the gentleness he showed Imaya. Instead, he held her head in ce and fucked her mouth mercilessly. The wet gagging sound filled the room as Elias went to work, Queen Seraphina''s eyes were focused on her husband''s sleeping frame. She was surprised as to how he still slept soundly through the sound of her mouth getting fucked, "I put up a silence ward around us, In case you''re wondering how he is still fast asleep," Elias said it was as if he read her mind Elias was unrelenting in his thrust, his climax was drawing nearer. He held Seraphina''s head in ce and pushed his entire length down her throat as he emptied a generous amount of his load down her throat. He pulled out his limp cock as he looked upon the Queen''s ravished state, and a smile appeared on his face. He wanted to take her right there and then, but he decided to take it one step at a time. Elias had cleaned himself up, while the Queen remained naked. He stood by the window, ready to leave the same way he came, "When will we do it again ?" The Queen asked, looking away from Elias. Her face was red as a tomato, she was still embarrassed at what had just happened Elias smiled at her, "It depends on how well you perform the task I gave you," He replied "I see," The queen said "One more thing," Elias said, "Come by my room tomorrow morning," The Queen''s face lit up, "Yes!" She said, without asking why. Elias smiled at her and then faded into nothing Chapter 80 : Chicken Priest The day for Elias'' expedition to the Hignds, in hopes of getting the rumored mountain crystal, hade, and Elias was ready; he had changed his outfit into something more fit. "Come out, you''re taking too much time, how hard can it be to change from one outfit to another," Eliasined He had been waiting a while for Margo to finish changing into the dress Lillian brought for her, as instructed by Margo, he had to turn his back while she changed. As much as he wanted to peek or steal a nce, he did not, he controlled himself. "I''m done, you can stop whining now," Margo announced Elias heaved a sigh of relief as he turned around, "Final¡ª," He was stunned as he set his eyes on Margo, she was breathtaking. She strode forward with an air of grace, her form tall and imposing, she stood just as tall as Elias did. Her figure, which was normally hidden by her ratherrge and concealing robes, was brought to light. Her body was sculpted and athletic, with curves that seemed unreal. She was d in a fitted leather ensemble, the material clung tightly to her toned frame. A long, ck coat billowing behind her. Beneath the coat, she wore a corset that cinched tightly at her waist, pushing her slightlyrger than average breasts up in turn, emphasizing her hourss silhouette. The corset, made of a glossy ck material, was tightlyced, holding firm to her body like armor. Her pants were of the same leather as her coat, hugging her legs down to the knee-high boots that clinked softly with each step. Her arms, strong and lean, were partially concealed by the coat, but the gloves she wore revealed her readiness for thebat ahead. "What? Is it too tight" Margo asked innocently, as Elias stared at her Elias snapped out of his daze, "Nothing. Nothing, it''s perfect " He replied ''Not only is she extremely beautiful and strong as well, she also has a crazy hot body to add. She is near perfect¡­,'' "I feel like as a priest, I should not be wearing something like this," She said as she traced her hands over her hips "It''s okay, and besides, it''s not a permanent thing. When we''re done with our mission, you can go back to your robes," He said Margo pouted, "Of course, you would like it, you''re a pervert who wants to spank a priest," She sneered ''Yeah, near perfect. Her personality could use some work. But she isn''t wrong though,'' "Who will spank a priest," Elias corrected "In your dreams," She shot back Their chat was interrupted by a knock on Elias'' room, Elias had an idea who it was, "Come on in," He said Margo rushed to hide herself, but Elias stopped her, "What are you doing?!" She said "Don''t worry, it''s safe and you''re also not wearing the church''s robe anymore. No one will recognize you," He said "The king saw me on the day you fought the Dragon; I doubt he wouldn''t recognize me. I have a very memorable face," She said The door clicked open, and Queen Seraphina walked in, looking as gracious and as pristine as ever; her face had a newfound glow to it. "Good morning, I''m here Elias," She announced, smiling brightly at Elias Her smile vanished when her eyes found Margo, "Who is she?" She asked "The queen?!" Margo said, then she bowed her head slightly in greeting while Elias remained still Elias smiled, "She is from the church and she''s going to help us with King ric''s matter," he said Margo''s eyes widened to her; Elias had just outed her to the queen. She skipped a few paces back, "What are you doing?" She asked with a serious expression "Calm down, she has agreed to cooperate," Elias assured her, "Isn''t that right, Seraphina?" He added ''Did he just call the queen without addressing her title?!'' Margo thought to herself Queen Seraphina walked over to them, "Yes I have agreed to cooperate," She said Elias smiled and looked over to Margo, "Wonderful," He said, "You may leave now, or do you have anything to say?" The queen had a mixed feeling of surprise and disappointment, "You asked me toe to your room this morning. Is this why? She asked Elias nodded, "Precisely," He affirmed "I thought, maybe you wanted to¡­" She said, her voice trailing and she avoided eye contact with Elias Elias''s smile widened, and he ced his hand on the Queen''s shoulder, "I see; justplete the task I assigned to you and get your reward, okay?" He said "Okay¡­" The Queen''s voice was low as she spoke Margo watched their interaction in awe, baffled at how Elias was able to get the Queen to investigate her husband. "H-How did you manage it? To get the Queen to cooperate with our cause?" She asked as she watched the queen leave Elias leaned in closer to her, "It''s a secret, but I can show you if you want," He said with a grin Margo chuckled nervously, "I''ll pass on that," She said as she slipped away Elias cleared his throat. "Aren''t you forgetting something?" he said as he raised a contract; it had both Elias''s and Margo''s signatures on it. It was the contract they had both signed earlier to seal their deal or, rather, their bet officially. Margo froze on the spot, "Do we have to take it seriously, it''s just a silly bet we made. You got the queen to cooperate, congrattions," She said, chuckling nervously "You''re right, it''s just a silly bet," Elias shrugged, "It''s not like there was a use which stated that the person who breaks the deal would be a chicken," He paused, "Oh wait, there was," he deadpanned "There''s no way I''m letting you spank me," She refused sternly, wearing a frown "Oh well, it would be the talk of the kingdom to see a whole priest of your caliber who is widely respected and even in some cases feared, cluck like a chicken while looking for grains," Eliasughed, "Good luck with that," "This punk¡­," Margo growled in annoyance, "Fine! Get it over with," she said She bent over on the bed, pushing her ass up. Her leather pants did a good job of showcasing how shapely her ass was, even her panty lines were visible. Elias looked at her, as she just waited with her ass hanging in the air, "Well, what are you waiting for? Do it you punk, spank me already!" She shouted At that moment, Lillian and Imaya entered the room, and they definitely heard her request. "What is happening here?" Imaya asked Chapter 81 Weakling Margo raised her head and looked back at the Imaya and Lillian with her ass still in the air. And for a while, everyone just stared at each other. Elias, who was in the middle, alternated between Imaya, Lillian, and Margo, mostly Margo for clear reasons. "Elias Ashdown, I forgot to tell you about the¡ª," Queen Seraphina froze as she stumbled into the scene. "What the hell is going on here?" She asked, breaking the awkward silence At this point, Margo''s face was red with embarrassment. She immediately adjusted her seat and sat properly as she cleared her throat loudly. Elias sighed, "Lillian, Imaya, Queen Seraphina, meet Margo. Margo is a priest of the church of the Eternal Light and she is going to be traveling with me to free the res" He announced "Nice to meet you, Ms. Margo," Lillian said politely, bowing her head in respect Imaya raised an eyebrow, "A maid, the Queen, Lady Selene, and now a Priest. You have a wild taste," Imaya remarked "No, No. I am not a part of whatever this is," Margo instantly declined Imaya chuckled lightly, "That''s not what it looked like from my perspective," she said, " ''Just spank me already Elias''," she mimicked Margo "What?!" The queen eximed A frown appeared on Margo''s face, "That was a misunderstanding," She said to Imaya "Sure it was," Imaya shrugged, her tone was filled with sarcasm "I don''t like you," Margo said "Okay, I don''t think I like you too," Imaya shot back The sparks that flew between the two could power a building if harnessed; a nervous sweat ran down Elias'' cheek, "Take a deep breath, everybody," Elias said, "We''ll start with you. You forgot to tell me what?" He asked, pointing to the Queen "Haa, right. I wanted to tell you to be safe in the Hignds, there are rumors that a group of strong mages is attacking travelers, especially those from Eldoria " She said "Strong mages? Where did you hear this rumor from?" He asked "I overheard Lord Varricining about it to my husba¨Cthe king," She said Elias ced his hand on his chin, stroking an imaginary beard, "You did well telling me this, Thank you," Elias said "Anytime," The Queen said as she blushed "Imaya, Lillian, why did youe to see me?" He asked "We wanted to see you onest time before you left and wish you good luck," Imaya said, her voice taking a gentler tone than earlier. Imaya nodded in agreement Elias smiled, "That''s considerate, thank you too." He said "I think it is about time Margo and I left for the Hignds. The king isn''t in support of our n, but at the same time, he isn''t against us; we will be on our own, so we need the good luck you wished us. Thank you. The battle we are going to face would be a tough one, but thanks to Margo here, it would be significantly less tough. So best believe I''m in safe hands, you all don''t need to worry," He said. Experience exclusive tales on m v|l e''-NovelBin "She''sing with you? Why her and not me?" Imaya asked, her voice filled with disappointment Elias met her gaze, "Like I said, she would significantly reduce the difficulty of the battle. She is strong, stronger than I am too," He said bluntly Margo''s face donned a confident grin, "That''s right," she said, obviously poking at Imaya. Imaya''s face dulled instantly, although she was angry, Elias was right. The truth is that she remains weak, so she cannot stand by Elias in battle; once again, her weakness is shoved in her face. "I see," She said Elias saw how she felt, and knew almost exactly what was going on in her mind, but he didn''tfort her. It was necessary for her to feel that way so she could use it to fuel her drive to be stronger. "Without further ado, our journey must begin. See you when I see you all, hopefully in just a few days. Tchuss," He said as he held Margo and vanished, leaving only the sound of air rushing to fill the space they once upied "Goodbye, Sir Elias Ashdown," Lillian said "Elias Ashdown, I will fulfill the task you gave me," Queen Seraphina muttered under her breath before leaving the room Lillian followed behind the Queen, leaving only Imaya in the empty room, She walked around the room, inspecting it closely as she did. She stumbled upon Elias'' worn shirt; ity on the ground, out of ce in the neatly arranged bedroom. She picked it up and looked around to see if anyone was watching before bringing it up to her nose and taking a deep whiff of it. She could smell Elias'' scent on the shirt; it seeped up into her nostrils and made its way to her brain. This triggered the memory of the first time Elias took her on the same bed she sat on. shes of her moaning and how she made him cum ran through her mind. Whilst still sniffing the shirt, she pulled up her knee-length dress and traced her hands down to her already wet pussy. "Mmnn~" She moaned softly as she inserted a finger inside, then another. She rubbed her clitoris as she continuously fingered her pussy, increasing the speed with each whiff of Elias'' scent and the memory that came with it. "Ahnn~Don''t leave me, Elia¨CMmnnn," She moaned, "I promise to not be weak, to be strong enough to stand beside you and not be left behind," She dered "Ahnn~Ahnnn~ouuu~Mmmn," Her moans grew uncontrobly as she approached her climax. She panted heavily,ying tiredly on the bed as her chest rose and fell as if she had reced Sisyphus in pushing his burden for a moment, "Goodbye Elias, When we see each other again, I will be strong enough to stand beside you without being a liability," Imaya dered, "See you when I see you, Elias Ashdown " She added, before closing her eyes and drifting off into a deep sleep Chapter 82 : Seraphina and Alaric It had already been two days after Elias and Margo set out on their quest to free the re folk, and everyone had started to carry on with their lives. Those who were mere servants continued to serve, those who vowed to get stronger had begun to take action toward their goals and those who were assigned tasks had started to work on it. The Queen walked barefooted, trying her best to be as quiet as possible as she followed King ric whilst under the guise of the Invisibility cloak Elias handed to her. Trailing the king yielded no result for the spy Queen as the king just carried on with his day as usual: eating, sleeping,ughing, and merrying in general. Her spying yielded the same results as Elias when he, too, once tried to spy on the King. The Queen was on the verge of giving up, but the thought of the light at the end of the tunnel, which was Elias'' promised reward, kept her going. That and the fact that as a person, she never liked to fail, "It''s been two days of doing the same damn thing, all he does is eat and sleep. How can a king live like this, this is not the man I married," Sheined quietly in frustration as she remained three steps behind ric and his guards Her mind drifted to the time when King ric first tried to woo her; she was but a youngdy of the Ravencrest house, no one important, and ric''s first wife had died not too long ago, so she rejected him. But King ric was sweet with his words and even sweeter with his actions; he sang her praises and bombarded her with ttery and gifts of all shapes and sizes. She found herself slowly giving in to him; he was the hero of Elodoria, the great unifier, and he was interested in her. She finally gave in and epted to marry him, even though she was significantly younger than him. Continue your saga on m|v-l''e -NovelBin Their wedding was grand and mighty; it shook the whole continent for days on end; great, noble, and respected people came from far and wide, the acts were plentiful, and the gifts seemed endless. And on their wedding night, she discovered he was half as great as a man and king when it came to the Devil''s tango, and his slightly less-than-average-sized member didn''t help but she didn''t mind, nobody was perfect after all, because she loved him regardless of his ws, at least she thought she did. With the way things had been unfolding recently, she realized that what she loved was not him, but the idea of him; the great King ric, unifier of Eldoria, that was who she fell in love with, and as soon as that image began to slip away, so did she too and she hated herself for it. That was why she often tried to punish herself by trying various acts of punishment, but that didn''t help. instead, rather than finding atonement or the satisfaction she craved, she found pleasure in the pain of being punished, of being broken apart and degraded. She kept it to herself and only herself. Her husband was too kind of a man to indulge her fantasies, and she respected that greatly, and that was why she never cheated on him¡­until she met Elias, that is. He discovered her closely guarded secret somehow, and she caved in immediately. ng! The sound of metal dropping to the ground resounded, "Damn it!" She whispered as she realized she had toppled over a te. "A te?" she was puzzled; she looked around and realized that she had unconsciously trailed King ric to the kitchen, "what in the world is he doing in the Kitchen? More food?" King ric abruptly turned around, his attention focused on trying to find the source of the startling sound. His eyes focused on the toppled metal te and he locked around suspiciously as if trying to see if anyone was around. Queen Seraphina froze on the spot, trying her best to remain as quiet as possible. King ric slowly walked toward her; it was as if he could see her. He paused at her front, and at this point, the loudest sound from the Queen was the sound of her heartbeat thumping rapidly, a sweat trickling down her face. "Hmmm," King ric squinted his eyes, and then suddenly, he waved his entire arm around, trying to feel for an invisible person, but luckily, the queen reacted in time, taking a step back and averting a major problem. "What am I doing? Am I being paranoid? Me? A whole me?" Heughed nervously at his own behavior, "He is gone, temporarily for now, but soon I''ll make it permanent." He added, his tone took a sinister pitch that Queen Seraphina had never heard before She pressed her hand against her mouth, suppressing a gasp, ''He wants to get rid of Elias¡­permanently? Why? Isn''t he supposed to be on the same side? Could he be working with the demons?'' She thought to herself King ric turned around and said a few words of power to a nk wall, and the wall immediately folded apart, revealing a secret room. King ric looked around one more time before stepping into the room. Queen Seraphina was not surprised by this; she knew what the room was, and her husband had told her about it before. It was the room where King ric held meetings with his most trusted subordinates during the war of the ''Great Unification''. She quickly followed behind ric as he entered and then returned to being a normal wall again. The secret room was like any other room, nothing special, it had torches, chairs, tables, a firece, even avatory, the only thing was that it was secret. Sitting on a chair sipping on a bottle of wine and reading a book was none other than Thane, "What took you so long? I have been waiting for almost an hour," Thane asked, clearly annoyed "I felt like I was being followed by someone, so I made sure to walk around a little more," King ric said Thane raised an eyebrow, "Followed? By who?" He asked "I don''t know, it was nobody," ric replied Thane frowned, "We cannot afford to be discovered! I have so much at stake! Do you know how much I have sacrificed?!" He shouted With speed that Seraphina''s eyes could not follow, ric closed the distance between him and Thane, and raised him up by his neck, "Watch your tone lesser, remember who has the power here?" King ric warned Chapter 83 : King Thane of Eldoria King ric suspended Lord Thane in the air by his neck, squeezing tighter and tighter as Lord Thane gasped for air, his feet kicking desperately about for a foothold. "You...have¡­the power," He struggled to speak as he vigorously tried to escape ric''s grip ric scoffed, "Worthless. Give a goat a mile, and he takes ten; I should just snap your neck. It would be as easy as breathing," He sneered, "But you still have some usefulness" "No one followed me, If they did, I would know. Elias Ashdown tried it once, remember? I know what I am doing," He released his grip, and Lord Thane dropped to the ground with a loud thud; he keeled over and began to gasp wildly, taking greedy breaths of air. Queen Seraphina watched with her hands over her mouth; she had no idea King ric possessed that kind of strength; even in his prime years, she wasn''t sure he would be capable of holding a mage of Lord Thane''s caliber like that. There was something strange going on and her stomach twisted as she thought of King ric working for or with the demons. ''Is it true? It''s starting to look like it, I don''t know how else he would be able to exhibit such strength at such age'' She pondered with a solemn expression He chanted and ced his hands on his neck, "He..al," He said, and his hand donned a faint glow as the bruises around his neck began to fade and his color returned to its normal shade King ric walked over to a seat and sat carefreely on it without a shred ofposure. "Now, let''s get to the matter at hand. You said you had an idea on how topletely remove the re folk from the chessboard. Let''s have it," King ric demanded Thane struggled to his feet and pushed his hair back; he cleared his throat before starting, "Yes. I was thinking we just banish thempletely and say that they are a stain on Elodoria, a poison. We will use the recent outburst of Carius to push the agenda further," He said with a proud smile on his face "Hmm, that sounds good," King ric said, and Lord Thane''s smile widened, "We can start it as soon as possible," He said "But," King ric began, "It''s not good enough. They could still regroup, and that would be a bigger problem for me, seeing how emotions boost their abilities. I need something more permanent," He said, as he stroked his beard Lord Thane''s smile disappeared, "By permanent, do you mean¡­to kill them?" He asked, his voiceced with a trace of concern King ric smiled," Exactly! You see, that''s why I chose you, you''re very intelligent. You said they were a Poison on Eldoria, that gave me an Idea. How about we poison them? We find a way to say they broke thew, and throw them all in the Cells andce their food with poison," He suggested "All of them?" Lord Thane asked "All of them," King ric affirmed, "What''s with that expression? Have you forgotten what your gain is if we pull this off sessfully?" He asked as he noticed Lord Thane''s dull expression He stood up and walked to Lord Thane, he ced a hand on his shoulder, "Should I remind you?" He asked, "I can see it already; King Thane of Eldoria. Once this is done, you will be the greatest King in Eldoria, and my wife, Seraphina, will be yours for the taking. Doesn''t the thought of you ravishing her drive you crazy? You will have our backing; you have seen how strong we are; imagine having an army of demons fighting alongside your army. You won''t be the King of this kingdom alone, but the King of the entire continent," He said, his voice smooth and slithering like the tongue of a snake Hearing ric''s promises, his resolve hardened, "Yes, let''s kill them all!" He dered, "Where do we begin?" He added "That''s the spirit!" King ric praised him while patting his back Queen Seraphina was lost for words, not like she needed words at the moment. The scene that unfolded before her and the words that came out of her husband''s mouth left her dumbfounded. ''Thane wants to be King? What will now be of ric? They are going to kill all the res?! For what reason?! I don''t see how that benefits any of the two parties in any way?'' She pondered over these questions While she was lost in thought, she identally knocked over a goblet, she watched helplessly as the goblet fell to the ground, making a loud nging noise that echoed through the room. "So here''s what we''re going to do¡ª" King ric was yet again interrupted by the sound Both King ric and Lord Thane turned toward the source of the sound, their eyes locked on the goblet, Readtest stories on m_v-l''e|-NovelBin "Someone is here," King ric frowned Lord Thane''s eyes widened, "Damn it!" He said as he pulled out his wand, "Isn''t Elias Ashdown the only mage in this castle?" He asked King ric''s frown deepened, "I thought he was, but it appears I was wrong," He said, scanning the room, "In any case, the rat is trapped in here with us, he does not know the incantation to open up the door The King was wrong; the intruder was not a "he," and she, in fact, did know the incantation to open the door. The wall folded open, and the sound of bare feet pping against tiles resounded as Queen Seraphina ran away as quickly as possible from the secret room. "Damn it! I told you! We can not be found. I''m done, I''m done for," Lord Thane cried out King ric gave him a resounding p across the face, and that seemed to calm him down, "Easy now, do you forget that I''m the King? Nothing is going to happen to you, and besides I already have a n to know who the rat is, in fact, I have an idea who she might be," He said, his voice taking a sinister tone as a grin curved into ce on his face Chapter 84 : Rocklions "I still don''t understand why you couldn''t just teleport us to the Hignds if you can teleport. It''s been two days and we haven''t gotten there yet," Margoined as she followed Elias closely behind Elias shook his head in annoyance, Margo had been talking through the majority of their trip, "For the umpteenth time, I can not teleport to a ce I haven''t been to or seen before," He said, "If you keep whining, I''ll fly away and leave you to walk," He added Margo folded her hands and pouted, "Okay Birdman," She murmured to herself "What was that? I didn''t catch it?" Elias asked "Hmph, I didn''t say anything," Margo said "I thought so," He said as he turned back to his map. Elias was d that maps in Eldoria weren''t as primitive as the era they lived. The map was a magical one; all he had to do was choose his destination, pour in his mana, and it would register his location and create a path to his destination. It was almost like a modern day Earth''s GPS, except it didn''t give an estimate of the time of their arrival and it was a one time use item as well. "Hmmm, If I''m correct and this map isn''t broken, we should already be in the Hignds," Elias said, checking the map over and over "Shouldn''t the Hignds be filled with mountains, cliffs, and the like? But we are in a forest?" Margo observed Elias scrunched his face, "Something is amiss," He said Suddenly Margo stood on alert, "For the first time today, I agree with you. Something is not right," She concurred "[Perception]" Elias'' eyes widened as he got the feedback from perception, "Get down, Margo!" He screamed A hulking mass of stone jumped out of the covers of the trees, threatening to harm Margo. Luckily for her, she heeded Elias'' warning and reacted in time to dodge the attack. "A Rocklion?" Elias said as the beast in front of him circled Margo and himself. The beast was like a lion, but not of flesh and fur¡ªit was hewn from the very stone of the earth itself. Massive in stature, it towered over even thergest of its kind, standing easily twice the height of a normal lion, its shoulders broad and formidable. Its body was a patchwork of jagged, broken rocks, each one seemingly cracked. The stones that made up its form were of varying sizes and shapes, some as small as a human hand, others asrge as a head. They fit together imperfectly, leaving gaps through which the light of an inner, pulsing glow could be seen; the light of their core. Every movement it made was apanied by the grinding sound of stone on stone, a deep, resonant noise that echoed through the forest like the distant rumble of an earthquake. Its eyes were twin orbs of polished obsidian, cold and reflective with an unsettling intensity. "I''ll take care of it," Margo said as her hands charged up a warm golden glow "I think we should be running instead," Elias advised, a nervous sweat forming on his cheek "Why? I can take it," Margo said "I don''t doubt that, but there''s more than just one. We should really start running now!" Elias pressed Margo rolled her eyes, "More than one? Aren''t Rocklions territorial? Why would there be more than one? Even so, I''m confident I can take more than one at once. How many are there? Like two? Three?" She asked Elias took a step back as another Rocklion stopped out of the cover of the forest, then another, "I wouldn''t be so bothered if it were just two or three. I can count fifteen of them just by looking at their numbers, and there''s still more iing. So if you want to live, I suggest you listen to me and run!" Elias said It would be unwise to fight that many Rocklions at once, unlike humans, these creatures were far from predictable duringbat. Fighting that many of them could spell their doom, especially since some of these creatures had spells of their own, and in some rare cases, these spells could rival a Master mage and even rarer cases, they could pose a threat to an Archmage mage. "F-Fifteen and counting?!" Margo was shocked, the Rocklions began to reveal themselves in their massive numbers. Margo could count at least two dozen of them. She didn''t wait to count more before she followed Elias'' instructions and ran "This doesn''t make sense, why are there so many of them? Is it a beast horde? But Rocklions hunt alone, this is strange," Imaya remarked as she ran, "Elias?" She called out to him after she didn''t get any reply from him She looked over to Elias and saw a stern expression on his face, he was deep in thought. "Elias!" She shouted Elias snapped out of his daze, "Yes?" He answered "What are we going to do?" She asked "The map says we are in the Hignds," Elias began "That''s clearly not true, there''s so much forest here that it seems like Silverwood. So the map is defective" Margo said, interrupting Elias "That is wrong; the map is, in fact, correct. The presence of the Rocklions alone proves that we are in the Hignds, Rocklions never migrate," Elias corrected "But Rocklions are territorial and never hunt together, and yet, here we are. So we can''t use the behavior of the Rocklions as a way to ascertain our location," Margo chipped in Elias smiled, he liked the fact she was showcasing her smarts, "I thought of that too, but something I noticed about the Rocklions changed my mind; if you look closely, some of the Rocklions have cors and others have saddles," He said Margo looked back at the storming horde of Rocklions, and she found truth in Elias'' words. The creatures did have cors and saddles on them, she looked back at Elias and wondered how he was able to observe that in that short time frame. "You''ve seen it too, right? That can only mean one thing, they are being controlled by people. It isn''t a natural urrence, but rather a man-made one. It also exins why we spent so much time seemingly lost in a forest when the Hignds have little to no forestry," Elias exined Margo''s eyes lit up as she understood the implications of Elias'' words, "So you''re saying we''re in a trap?" Elias smiled, "Correct, but to be more precise. We are trapped in an illusion, a very good one," "Illusion?" Margo asked and Elias nodded to affirm her question, "Now that you mention it, this forest''s atmosphere seems a little bit dry," Elias suddenly stopped and turned around, he faced the Rocklion that took the forefront of the horde, "What are you doing?!" Margo asked Elias pulled out his sword from his inventory, and with a powerfulteral cleave, he cut down the creature into two clean equal parts. The other Rocklions immediately stopped in their tracks seeing how easily their kin fell to Elias'' de, "I see," Elias said as he observed the horde, "Your jig is up,e out before I destroy everything in my sight," Margo stared at him in confusion, trying to figure out what the hell he was up to. "You fooled me at first, I admit but now I know. There aren''t nearly as many Rocklions here as you want us to think. I just confirmed that now, the way most of them stopped in unison was odd. No matter how trained a creature is, it''s impossible for it to be that synchronized in movement with the other. This illusion not only changes our perspective of the surroundings but also increases the number of Rocklions by creating fake copies of them. Judging by the ones that were out of sync, I would say there are at most five Rocklions here," Elias exined, "Now I''m warning you, take down this illusion and reveal yourself before I kill them all, it must have taken some serious effort and money to get such a creature. Trust me, I am very much capable of it. I am the Child of Light after all," He added ''Impressive! How did he manage to figure all that out that quickly? A feat truly befitting of the Child of Light,'' Margo thought to herself "Or I could just hand over the girl to you, she''s good enough to be a sacrifice, right?" Elias added "Die," Margo deadpanned After a resounding silence as a reply, Elias smiled, "Fine, have it your way. Hurricane¡ª," "Seven," A thick gruff voice cut Elias short. It sounded as if the voice wasing from everywhere all at once "What?" Elias asked "There are seven Real Rocklions and not five, but it''s still impressive nheless how you were able to figure it out," The voice said Elias frowned, "I take it that you are the one who set up this illusion?" He asked "Heh¡­Something like that," The voice replied Chapter 85 Marius "Something like that? Don''t fuck with me," Elias said Suddenly, their surroundings began to smear as if someone had rubbed a freshly done painting; the trees, the extra Rocklions, the air, everything looked like a mirage on a hot summer day. Everything around them began to get less and less real until it was not, the illusion faded away into the nothingness of reality. Margo and Elias were no longer in a forest, instead, they found themselves in a location that befitted the name; "Hignds" The Hignds stretched out like a vast, rugged tapestry, each fold and crease marked by the rise and fall of mountain ranges that seemed to touch the sky, their peaks were sharp and imposing. The valleys below were a patchwork of green and gray, where clusters of dark pine forests clung to the lower slopes, and open meadows spread out like soft nkets between the towering mountains. Jagged cliffs jutted out from the mountainsides, their surfaces shaped by centuries of wind and rain, while deep, narrow ravines cut through thendscape. Rivers snaked their way through the valleys, their waters clear and icy. In some ces, the rivers tumbled over the rocks in roaring waterfalls, sending up clouds of mist that sparkled in the sunlight. The sky above was an endless expanse of blue, so clear that it seemed to go on forever, with only the asional wisps of cloud driftingzily across the horizon. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying with it the scent of pine and the distant sound of water rushing over stones. From where Elias and Margo stood, they could see for miles in every direction, the mountains rolled out like a sea of stone and green, with the distant horizon blending into the sky. "By the Goddess!" Margo eximed as she saw where she stood, she was just a few feet from the edge of a rocky cliff. Had she run further within the illusion, she would have fallen to her death. "You lot look young for invaders of the King," The same thick voice that spoke to them in the illusion resounded Apanying the voice was a man, a tall, mildly built bearded man, streaks of white permeating his dark hair and he walked with a limp in his step As Elias saw the man, the first thing he thought was; ''He looks familiar. Have I met him before?'' Margo rushed to Elias'' side, and readied herself forbat, "Who the hell is that?" She asked "I don''t know," Elias shrugged, "But we''re about to find out," "Who are you? And why did you cast an illusion spell on us unprovoked?" Elias questioned the man The man smiled and walked forward, the group of Rocklions trailing slowly behind him, ready to pounce on anyone at any time, "I couldn''t take any chances, like I said earlier. I thought you were the King''s invader, that waste has been trying to get me killed for months now." The man replied "Earlier, you called yourself the child of light? How true is that?" He asked "It''s true," Margo answered "Prove it," The man said Margo frowned, "We have nothing to prove, believe us or not, it is up to you," She replied frankly The man sighed, "I can set up the illusion just as quickly as I can take it down. Do not test me," He dered "Oh?" A smile of annoyance crept up on Margo''s frowning face, and her hands began to glow with a golden light Elias sighed tiredly and raised a hand, signaling for Margo to back down, "Margo here is a priest of the Church of Eternal light, one who walks beside the High-luminary. If anyone can confirm my identity, she is the one," He said The man looked at Margo incredulously, "A priest? Her?" He said "Why you old¨C" Experience more tales on m v|l e''-NovelBin "Stop Margo, we don''t have time. The sooner we''re done with this, the sooner we can continue our mission and the sooner we get home. Don''t you have some kind of Identification or badge or anything that priests carry?" Elias asked Margo pouted, "Hmph, You should have let me deal with this rude old man first," she said "Margo," Elias said tly "Fine," she replied the golden light dimmed from her hand She reluctantly turned her back to Elias and the man. She pulled down the neck of her shirt, revealing her shoulder. On the back of her left shoulder, there was a ck marking that stood out on her milky smooth shoulder. It was a depiction of the sun, although it was a simplified version. "All Priests have this mark; it is a depiction of the sun, the brightest light we can see. It is also a copy of the mark that all the past children of light had, Elias here should have one too," She exined ''I don''t think I have seen anything like that on my body before. But now is not the time for me to say that, I''ll ask Margo when we''re alone,'' "I see," the man said, "I know about the mark, I have a friend who was once a soldier and became a priest," He said With an indifferent expression on her face, "Good for you," Margo said Elias walked to the man and extended his hand, "So now that we have that out of the way, I am Elias Ashdown," He said, extending his hand The man smiled, "And I am Marius," He said as he took Elias'' hand and shook it. "So what brings you here? Earlier you mentioned something about a mission. If it has to do with the Hignds, I may be of help. I spent my childhood and thest few months here, I doubt there is something or perhaps someone you''re looking to find that I wouldn''t know about," Marius said "Yes, actually, we are looking for a crystal; we have no idea where to find it. The only lead we have is that it is guarded by a creature. A creature that is asrge as a mountain," Elias exined Chapter 86 : We are saved! Marius''s eyes lit up for a moment before returning to their normal state, "I see, you''re looking for the Giganteres," He said with a smile, "Lucky for you I know just where it stays, but its territory is still a fairly far journey from where we are," He said "So that''s what it''s called, hmm. So strange that I haven''t heard of it before," Elias said, stroking his imaginary beard "It''s a stupid name," Margo said "Haa, for a priest you have a foul tongue, you know?" Marius said Elias looked up at the sky, which was already beginning to take on a golden hue, "We better start going before we lose light. Please, can you take us there Marius?" He asked politely "Sure, It''s not a problem to take you there," He answered "Perfect!" Elias excitedly eximed; not only was he happy to get a guide, but he was also about to see the creature that was not an Elder Dragon yet, still as big as a mountain. "But," Marius continued, and Elias shot him a skeptical look, "We cannot go tonight, the journey to the [creature name]''sir is a full day''s one," He said Elias furrowed his brows, "So what are you suggesting?" He asked "I am the head of a small vige, it is not too far from here. We can rest there and leave by the morrow," He said Margo raised a suspicious brow, "I don''t know, seems sketchy to me," She said "We will take you up on that offer and stay the night in your vige," Elias said "Elias!" Margo screamed, but Elias was already walking away with Marius, discussing life and the journey ahead, "That punk," She growled, before storming after them Marius'' vige was located close to a flowing river; it was small, just as Marius said, and surrounded by a wall that was at most seven feet high. Marius led them through the gate to reveal several buildings, which looked almost identical to each other. In the center of the vige was arge bonfire with a game unknown to Elias roasting crisply above it. As Elias and Margo entered, all eyes were focused on them; after all, to them, they were strangers. "Gaius!" Marius called, and a big burly man approached them, "Prepare a room for our guests here, make them feel asfortable as possible," He ordered "While he prepares your room, why don''t you join us for dinner, it''s a Thunderhorn ram. Trust me, it''s good; you can almost still feel the electricity tingling on your tongue when you take a bite. We have a full day''s journey ahead of us tomorrow, I would advise you to eat to your fill," Marius said "Sure, why not?" Elias said as he followed Marius "Psst," Margo silently called to Elias as they walked. She caught Elias'' attention, and he slowed down to listen to her, "Yes, Margo?" He said "Don''t you think this is a little bit fishy?" She said "What is?" Elias asked "Why would a vige that is located so close to the river eat meat instead of fish? Also, we didn''t see any animals on our way here, so where did they get the meat from? And also, Marius said we shout ''eat to you''re stuffed.'' Doesn''t that choice of words bother you?" Margo whispered Elias sighed, "What are you implying, Margo?" He asked, "And why are you whispering?" Margo shook her head, "Do I have to spell it out for you?" She asked "Yes you do," Elias replied tly "They are going to eat us. They want to stuff us full first, so we can be fat, and then they''ll roast us like that meat on the spit," Margo said Elias palmed his face and sighed, "First of all, the vige can decide what to eat; just because they''re staying at the Riverside doesn''t mean their diet should be limited to fish. Secondly, we didn''t encounter any animals on our way here because of the Rocklions; how many animals would want to face off with one Rocklion and talk less than seven? Lastly, you just misinterpreted Marius'' words to fit your agenda," He exined Margo folded her arms and looked away from Elias, "Hmph, go on then, eat their food and get eaten after. Don''t just expect me to save you," she said "Oh, I will. I will eat till I can''t anymore," Elias said,ughing lightly, "Now that I think about it, this is too funny. What do you think this is? A Jeffery Dahmer documentary?" He added, hisughing rose in intensity as he pointed at Margo. Margo''s vein popped out in annoyance, "Hmph, Go to hell," she said as Elias continued his now wildughter Food was ready as the entire vige gathered round the bonfire, not more than forty plus in their total numbers. Marius took the center of the gathering and offered a prayer to the Goddess Lira after he was done, he looked at Elias with a smile on his face, "I also want to thank you for steering the child of light in our direction," He said The entire vige was instantly filled with murmurs, "The child of light?" "Thank the Goddess" "He looks young," "He is handsome," "Is that why he has white hair?" "Silence," Mariusmanded and the crown immediately went silent, "We were chased out of our homes by the tyrant King of Eldoria, a choice forced upon us; ''Be a mindless pet ve or be condemned to death in the cells'', and we chose neither. We decided to findmon ground with the king where peace between us as the ones he called ''spontaneous,'' ''dangerous,'' and ''hazardous'' amongst many other names and the other people of Eldoria, but the King shut us down every time. We had no choice but to resort to trickery to flee, and in the process, many lost their loved ones, their daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers. I in particr lost my children" He exined then paused, a somber look on his face as he let the weight of his words sink in Elias'' eyes widened as he listened to Marius'' words, ''These people, don''t tell me that they''re all¡­but how?'' Marius continued, "We, the re people, have not given up hope; we prayed for days and night for a sign, a miracle, and the Goddess delivered her chosen right to us. With the help of the child of light, we are saved!!" He dered and the entire vige erupted in a thunderous roar. "We are saved! We are saved! We are saved" They chanted Chapter 87 Revelations Confused at Marius and the viger''s actions, "You are re folks?" Elias couldn''t help but ask as he stood up abruptly Marius looked at him with a warm, weing expression, "Yes, we all are. Sit down, let me tell you our story," He said, guiding Elias to take a seat, "Martha, serve the child of light the best part of the Thunderhorn ram. A man who is hungry will only listen to his stomach and not others," "re folks, huh? It''s better than cannibals at least," Margo shrugged as she took a bite out of her food. Even though she advocated against eating, she was one of the first people to eat it. A youngdy who looked just a bit older than Elias approached him with a bowl in her hands, and she offered him the meal with a bright smile. Her hair was a darker shade of brown, it covered part of her face, but one could still tell that she was not exceptionally beautiful like most of the other girls Elias had seen, but she wasn''t ugly either. She was somewhere in between. As she bent down to serve him, Elias'' eyes couldn''t help but drift to her ample breasts which were barely held back from spilling out by her dress. The youngdy, Martha, as Marius called her, noticed Elias'' gaze, and she giggled lightly before straightening herself up and walking away, seductively swaying her hips from side to side. Margo noticed Elias'' brief interaction with Martha, "You can''t control yourself, can you? Pervert," She rolled her eyes as she spoke Elias ignored Margo''s remark, and took a bite out of his food "Hmm! This is good!" His eyes lit up, "Finally, properly seasoned food," He added, his mouth filled with food Marius smiled, "I''m d you like it," "You story, you wanted to tell me," Elias said after swallowing thest of his food "Ah. Yes. Where do I begin?... Okay, I got it," Marius replied His face took on a serious expression, "It all started when the king brought a decree out of nowhere; he wanted all of us, the res, to wear a cor because of the nature of our magic. As you would expect, nobody agreed who would want to wear a shackle that not only restricts his magic but also his sanity. The King saw this and decided to set a punishmentw for anyone who didn''tply with his decree. Gradually, people began to budge, and the re folk slowly started to be the cored people, but still, it was a minority of us. I saw how this was going to end for us; the res if we end up rebelling against the King. I thought long and hard for a n, and then it hit me; the king aimed to make sure that we were by all means ''harmless,'' so why don''t we find a way to show him that we were harmless through and through? I searched for an alternative to the cors,bing through books, tomes, and scrolls; I even went as far as sneaking into the Royal Academy''s library. They had some intriguing stuff, but there was nothing about an alternative to the cors. I decided to research the cors themselves, and all I could find was that it was a rare metal. There was nothing else on it, and even the little information it did have was very recent at the time. It was almost as if it magically appeared out of thin air. After my research failed, I was lost, I didn''t know what else to do, and that was when I came up with the most brazen n I have ever had. I found my solution in the same crystal that you two are currently in search of," Marius exined, he paused and took a generous sip of water Meanwhile, Elias had a confused look on his face after listening to Marius, ''Didn''t Carius and Loria''s father discover the crystal? And I am very sure Loria wasn''t lying to me, so what is going on here? Should I be wary of Marius?'' He mused as his expression switched from confusion to seriousness Marius cleared his throat as he dropped his cup, "Excuse me for that; it has been a while since I talked at length," he said, "Where was I? Oh yes, the crystal" "My n was simple; if I can not find an alternative for the cors, then I would simply create one¡­even if it wasn''t real. So I came to the Hignds with a few res, I remembered a rare crystal deep in a cave I once stumbled upon. It was a difficult journey; some got injured, and some even lost their lives, but we acquired a fair amount of the crystal. I brought it to the king and presented it as a crystal that serves the same purpose as the cor without its drawback, and it would have worked as we res disliked violence to the extent that we were almost pacifists. But the King immediately shut me down and ordered that I should be thrown in the cells for breaking thew. He didn''t even bother to confirm the effect of the crystal. As I was dragged away, I saw the king''s hateful expression, and it was then I knew that we, as re folk, were done for. The king never cared or worried about our abilities, he just wanted to get rid of us, as to why? I have no idea," Marius exined "The reason why I am telling you this story is for you to know that the crystal you are in search of¡­does not exist; it was made up by me," He added, a somber expression resting on his face. Margo''s eye twitched in annoyance, "You''re telling me," She paused and chuckled nervously, "You''re telling me that I traveled on foot for two days in search of a crystal that doesn''t even exist!" She said "What do you have to say about this Elia¡ª" Margo paused as sheid eyes on Elias Eyes wide, Elias stared at therge bonfire, sweat trickled down his cheeks, he looked like he had seen a dead man Chapter 88 Carry on with the plan Elias'' breath grew unsteady, his face grew pale and his palms sweated. He turned to face Marius, "You said the king sent you to the cells, how did you escape? To my knowledge, security is tight and most people die in the cells," He said, trying to make sense of what came out of Marius'' mouth. Elias hoped dearly that Marius was not who he thinks he is Marius smiled, raised his hand, and a crystal ball materialized in his palm, "All it took was a simple illusion to fool the guards that were escorting me to my doom. They locked up a fellow soldier in my ce. I felt guilty for a while but then I realized that they were about to do the same to me without batting an eyelid" "The worst part about my escape from Eldoria was that I had to leave my children behind. My brave son, Carius, and my beautiful, kind Loria," He added as a wistful expression rested on his face. Elias froze at the realization of what all of Marius''s revtion implied. Not only was he chasing a crystal that didn''t exist, he now stood in front of Marius who is the father to Carius and Loria. Carius died at his hands and Loria is in the cells with no hope of escape because of him. ''So Carius was right after all?'' He thought, ''No, Carius was chasing revenge and didn''t care about who got hurt in the process. But I still killed him...'' "Elias!" Margo''s voice snapped Elias out of his musings "Y-Yes!" Elias snapped his head up "What''s wrong with you? Are you okay?" Margo asked, a hint of concern in her voice. Marius looked upon Elias, "I think what is wrong with him is the fact that he thinks he''s responsible for my son''s death," Marius said Elias'' shock intensified, "You know?" Elias asked Marius took a seat beside Elias, "Of course I know, I knew from the moment you said you were the child of light. I may not be in Eldoria, but I still have eyes and ears there. My informants told me that my boy was killed by the chosen child of light after going on a rampage," He said Elias'' brows furrowed and an annoyed frown dawned on his face, "You mean you had a way to get information from here to Eldoria, and you couldn''t think for one second to let your children know that you are alive?" Elias snapped at him "I admit, that was a mistake on my part, I should have reached out" Marius admitted "Fuck that! Because Carius thought King ric had killed his father, he ended up going down the path of revenge and that cost him his life!" Elias barked as he shot up to his feet "But the king did kill his father," Marius said Elias looked at Carius and took a deep breath, he suppressed his anger. He realized that there was no point in trying to find a person to me, "I apologize for my outburst," Elias said as he sat back down Marius smiled warmly at Elias, "Apology epted, and also I do not me you or hold any resentment for what you did. You did the right thing," He said Elias didn''t have an idea what to say, so he just remained silent. "Will you be going back to Eldoria now? What''s your next step?" Marius asked Both Marius and Margo turned to look at Elias. For a few seconds, Elias pondered what to do next, "No," He replied, "We will continue our journey and get the crystals," "Why? I told you that the crystals are fakes, they don''t do anything. Why do you still bother to continue your journey?" He asked, genuinely curious "I see, wise decision " Margo said after thinking for a bit "Wise? Enlighten me please, young miss," Marius asked "If we return to Eldoria empty handed, that proves that king ric''s solution is the only solution to the ''problem'', thus sealing the fate of the re folk. But if we can provide said crystals, then the King will have another option," Margo exined "I see, but what makes you think the King would consider the crystals, he didn''t even look at them when I showed him," Marius asked "With all due respect, Eliasas the child of light with the backing of the church of Eternal light has more influence than you as a just a re," Margo replied Marius stroked his beard, "That''s true, even as hurtful as it sounds," Heughed, "Well then, if that is the case, we better get to resting for we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow," Marius said as he stood up "Goodnight Elias, young miss," He said "Goodnight Marius," Elias replied "Goodnight old mister," Margo shot back Elias and Margo were escorted to the room prepared for them by Martha. It was an almost empty room of decent size, at the edge of the wall were two beds of simr sizes. "Nice room, it''s decent. Now where is mine? Over there?"Margo asked pointing in a random direction "This is your room too, Miss. One bed for each of you, Our vige doesn''t have much currently, please bear with us," Martha pleaded "Fine. I wasn''t nning to sleep anyways, I''ll keep watch overnight," Martha said as she stepped out, leaving only Elias and Martha in the room Elias smiled at Martha, "Thank you for your hospitality, we appreciate it. Don''t mind Margo, she''s a priest, sleeping in a room with a guy is something she wouldn''t befortable with," He said "A priest?" Martha said, clearly surprised, "I thought all priests were old men with gray hair," she said Elias chuckled, "No, not Margo at least. She is a special case. Goodnight Martha," Elias said, dismissing Martha But Martha still stood there, "Is something troubling you?" She asked "Is it that obvious?" Elias lightly chuckled Martha smiled and replied, "I can tell," she paused for a second, " I can help you rx and unload, If you wish, that is" "Oh how? A massage, I would really appreciate a massage right no¡ª," Elias'' jaw dropped as Martha didn''t let him finish talking before her dress fell to the ground, "That could work too," He said, feeling a disturbance in his pants Find your next adventure on m_v l|e-NovelBin Chapter 89 : Slime girl [R-18] Martha walked over to Elias, a yful smile on her lips as she swayed her hips seductively. Her ample breasts bounced around, captivating Elias'' gaze as she walked. Her breasts stood firm despite their massive size, her rosy nipples stood on end. She stoodpletely nude in front of Elias. "To share a room with the child of light, that priest doesn''t know what she missed," Martha said as she took to her knees Elias looked down on her, he knew type; there was always bound to be people like her everywhere. People who cling to influential and rich people, sucking up to them and offering their bodies if that was what it took to be associated with a ''big name.'' Under normal circumstances, Elias would not have indulged her, but he was stressed, and his head ached from thinking too much about the recent revtions. Indulging Martha would be a great way to temporarily relieve himself. "Well then, carry on," Elias said to Martha Martha''s smile widened as she looked at Elias'' visible erection. With a swift experienced motion, she pulled down his pants. Even Elias was surprised at how smoothly she did it. As she pulled down his pants, Elias'' hard cock sprung forth, standing at attention and ready for action. Martha took hold of his cock in a firm grip causing a light groan to escape Elias'' lips, "E¨CEasy there," Elias cautioned her She giggled lightly and began stroking Elias'' cock, her slender fingers and palm felt soft to the touch, unnaturally so. She stroked at a moderate pace, adding a twisting motion to the mix. She nted a kiss on his tip as she skillfully stroked his cock, Elias couldn''t help but let a moan escape his lips, "Fu fu~ cute," Martha remarked She nted another kiss on his tip; this time, she wrapped her lips around just the tip and began sucking lightly as she stroked. Clearly, she was experienced. Pleasure waves surged throughout Elias'' body, from head to toe. Martha knew what she was doing, and she did it extraordinarily well. "Damn it! Can''t¡­take this anymore," Elias dered He pushed Martha''s head down, forcing his length down her throat. Martha was shocked at first, but only for a moment because she soon rxed her jaw and let Elias'' entire length slide down her throat. ''What the hell, this girl is unreal. How is it¡­so good? Fuckk'' "Glick~gawk" Martha gagged as she wrapped her arms around Elias'' waist and pushed her head further until her lips touched the base of Elias'' cock. Her eyes teared up, and she struggled to breathe as she let Elias'' cock rest in her throat. She began bobbing her head back and forth, gagging and choking as she sucked her entire length with not just her mouth but her throat. "Da..mn!" Elias remarked as he adjusted himself In addition to bobbing her head, she began to clench her throat to increase the tightness of her mouth pussy, the deadlybination of her deep throat and her tight throat sent Elias over the edge. "I''m cumming!" Elias announced, his toes curled, his head snapped back and he pushed Martha''s head deeper as he unloaded his massive load down her throat. His load had so much volume that it leaked from her mouth and even her nostrils ''That has to be the best blow job in the world, fuck that. The best of two worlds. Unreal!" Elias thought as he breathed heavily. Martha''s mouth made a squelching sound as she pulled her head back, removing Elias'' cock from her mouth "As expected from the child of light. Such a generous load," Martha remarked as a mixture of bubbling saliva and semen dribbled down her jaw. She picked up Elias'' limp cock, "I have a chance with the child of light, I am not going to let it end with just that. I have so much more to show," Marth said, as a yful smile danced into ce on her lips She brought up her massive breasts and ced Elias'' cock in between them. The soft and warm feeling of her smooth plump breasts aroused Elias once again, and his greedy cock found itself ready for action once again. "Now that I see them up close, they''re even bigger," Elias remarked Martha simply smiled and pressed her breasts together, suffocating Elias'' cock with bliss. After sandwiching Elias'' cock, she started to move her chest up and down; stroking Elias with her breasts. For Elias, it didn''t feel exceptionally good. Certainly, nothingpared to her blowjob and deepthroatbo, but it didn''t feel bad too. It pleasured him moderately. Martha noticed Elias wasn''t reacting as he did earlier and a devious smile appeared on her face, "I''m a re folk, do you not wonder what my magic is?" Martha asked as she massaged his cock with her breasts. Elias was puzzled at the sudden question, it seemed like a question that was out of ce for what they were doing, "No? What is it?" Elias asked her back Martha smiled, " Hold my breasts for me, would you?" She asked. Elias was further confused at her request, but heplied and held her breasts steady with his dick still in between. "My magic is simple; I control slime," She said, "Slime?" "It is better I show you than I tell you," She smiled Martha stuck out her tongue and opened her palm over her breasts, and a viscous liquid materialized and began to flow from them. It dripped from her palm and her tongue onto her breasts. "Ouuu," Elias remarked as the slime touched the tip of his cock and flowed trickled down his shaft. It had a warm and familiar feeling. He pressed her breasts tighter together and Martha smiled. As she soaked her breasts in her slime, Elias slowly began to move his hips; the sound of his waist snapping against her breasts made a wet sound as he fucked her breasts. Explore more at m,v l''e-NovelBin "That is not all I can do. I hope you''re ready for me child of light, because I am going to help you rx all night long," Martha said as she kissed his tip and winked Chapter 90 Slime girl(2) [R-18] "Producing the slime is not the only thing I can do, I can increase the density," Martha exined, and the slime on her hands became solid, then liquid again "I can make it hot" "Ouch!" Elias eximed as the temperature of the slime increased "I''m sorry," Martha apologized, "I can make it cold, warm or even boil it," She exined "You don''t have to show me that, I believe you," Elias said nervously Martha giggled, "I can also heal with it, but there''s a catch. When I heal with my slime, whoever I''m healing gets overwhelmed by unimaginable pleasure," she exined "Your healinges with aphrodisiac properties?" Elias "Yes, you can see where I am going with this," Martha said, Elias gulped as he felt the slime that coated his dick grow warmer; suddenly, Elias felt a wave of pleasure like never before. Somehow his cock grew even harder and bigger than it already was, throbbing with angry veins. Elias'' hand remained on Martha''s breasts as his head snapped back, he remained in that position, not daring to move due to the fear of his mind being overwhelmed. Martha giggled, "That''s cute If you won''t move, I''ll move for you," She said Once again she sucked on his tip and began moving her chest by herself, not waiting for Elias to take control. Elias trembled uncontrobly; every nerve in his cock was set aze with a sensation so intense it bordered on pain. His breath came in shallow, ragged gasps as if his body was struggling to contain the overwhelming euphoria coursing through his body. His eyes fluttered shut, then snapped open, wide with astonishment, as if trying to make sense of the sheer ecstasy that flooded his senses. His muscles tensed and released in waves, involuntary spasms of bliss that seemed to ripple through every fiber of his being. His mind, unable to grasp the enormity of the sensation, teetered on the edge of delirium, lost in a sea of pure, unadulterated pleasure that drowned out all thought, all awareness of the world beyond the moment. The pleasure was all-consuming, leaving him breathless, vulnerable, and utterly undone Unable to control himself, Elias took a firm hold of Martha''s hard nipples, "Ahnn~" She moaned. Elias pulled on them as if they were handles, as he mercilessly fucked her breasts, pounding away like a wild beast. "Ahnn~ Yesss~That''s it!! Mmmm," Martha moaned "I''m fucking cumming!" Elias dered "Yess, give it to me. The seed of the child of light. Ahnn~ Empty every single drop, empty it all on my breasts," She moaned With a final stroke, Elias pushed his cock between her breasts and into her warm mouth. He unleashed a far more generous load of warm semen in her mouth, it filled her mouth and her nose, spilling out onto her breasts. Martha opened her mouth and showed Elias a mouth filled with his seed before swallowing it all, "That was delicious; I hope that helps you rx," Martha said as pulled out his cock from her semen-zed breasts. Elias stood up, towering over Martha was his cock, his cum dripped out of his tip as his dick still throbbed and craved for more, "We are not done," Elias said, Martha gulped With one arm, he raised herpletely off the ground and threw her on the bed; Martha looked back and smiled. She jerked her ass up in the air, "Just make sure to be gentle," She said innocently "Sure," Elias replied He scooped some slime from Martha''s palm and smeared it on her bare pussy, "Ahnn~," Martha moaned and began to convulse, "I''m cumming!" She announced as she sprayed out her love juices "So quick? It seems you aren''t immune to your slime," Elias smirked He took some more slime and rubbed it all over her ass and pussy, he took some more and spread it over her asshole, "I''ll save that forst," He said "What do you mean¡ª" Elias didn''t bother hearing Martha before he pushed his entire slime-coated cock deep into her pussy. "Hnghh~" Martha stuck out her tongue as she moaned Elias pulled her head up by her hair and began to thrust. With quick, hard, and merciless thrusts, Martha moaned like crazy as Elias pounded the hell out of her ass. As he thrust, he pushed his thumb into her asshole and smeared more slime on it; this caused Martha to tighten her pussy. Elias smiled and began spreading her ass as he fucked her hard; Martha''s moans soon turned to unintelligible ramblings as the more Elias thrust, the more slime she secreted, and the more pleasure she felt. She was lost in her own sauce. "Adidkozk, asjij nkkc," she rambled Elias pulled out his cock, and fingered her pussy once again; this time, it took only seconds before she climaxed. Elias pped his cock on her ass and spread her cheeks apart, he ced his tip on the entrance of her asshole. Enjoy exclusive chapters from m-v l''e|-NovelBin Slowly, he inserted his cock inside little by little. The slime helped to make things easier, he sessfully fit the tip of his cock in. Martha was still rambling about nonsense, still delirious from the overwhelming pleasure of her sessive orgasms. After he fitted his tip in, to fit in the rest of his cock was not so hard. He pushed slowly until he was halfway in her, and then he suddenly drove the rest of his length inside. "Ahhn~" Marth moaned, "Why there?" She asked, anal pration had snapped her out of her trance. "I don''t want to risk pregnancy. Just rx, it''ll be over soon," Elias replied as he stroked her back "Mmmm," Martha moaned softly Elias slowly started to move his waist, fucking Martha''s asshole. It was the first time in his two lives that he had ever done anal. He gradually increased his pace as he thrust, moaning. ''Fuck, it''s too tight. At this rate, I''ll cum in no time,'' "Since I''m going toe soon, I might as well just enjoy it," Elias said. He pulled on Martha''s hands like bike handles and rammed his entire length inside her ass. He didn''t give her time to get used to it before he began fucking her wildly. His waist pped against her zed ass as he pounded away without a care in the world. "Ugh, I''m cumming!" He announced "Me too! Ahnn," Martha said Martha squirted as Elias pumped her ass full of his warm semen. Elias pulled out his cock and fell on the bed, leaving his semen to drip out of Martha''s gaping asshole. Martha soon fell over, too, and within minutes, they fell asleep without saying a word to each other. Chapter 91 There are no favors amongst men "It''s time to move¡ª" Margo said as she entered the room. "What''s that weird smell?" She asked no one in particr. She walked over to Elias'' bedside to wake him; as she pulled back the sheets, she was met with the sight of a naked Elias cuddled up with an equally nude Martha. The sight before her made her head boil over, the veins on her forehead popped out in annoyance, "Wake up you pervert!" She screamed Elias''s eyes shot open and he sat up immediately, Martha groaned as she woke, "Is it time yet?" Elias asked as he wiped his face. He had gone past his limit with Martha the night before, but his body felt an unnatural relief due to Martha''s ''healing'' Margo rolled her eyes, "So while I was keeping watch, you were here indulging in immoral acts with¡­I don''t even know her name," she scalded Elias "Martha, my name is Martha, and you were the one who decided to keep watch; no one forced you to. So why theint? How does what we do affect you?" Martha asked, shooting Margo an Irritated look Margo frowned, "You, just leave!" She barked "No, I''m with the child of light," Martha shot back This made Margo''s annoyance inte, her eye glowed a bright golden shade. Seeing this, Elias gulped "Martha, I really appreciate what you did for me, but it''s in your best interest that you leave. Trust me, I wouldn''t be able to stop her if she goes off" He said as he chuckled nervously Martha looked at Elias, then Margo, and back at Elias again, "Fine," she scoffed "You should consider being a doctor!" Elias shouted as she stormed out of the room "Good morning?" Elias said to the fuming mad Margo, a nervous bead of sweat dripped down his cheek Margo sighed and her eyes returned to their normal color, "Just clean up and meet us at the vige center, Marius is waiting for us already," She said, a hint of disappointment in her voice before walking out of the room, leaving a baked Elias alone Elias watched as she left and when he confirmed that she had gone, he looked down at hisid cock, "Meh, I have no regrets," He said out loud , "Good morning Elias Ashdown," Marius greeted as Elias approached, waving his hand at the young man, "Seeing as you are thest to join us, I trust you had a great night," He winked at Elias Elias''s face fell t, ''I should have known,'' "Good morning Marius, and yes I had a great night," He said, shing Marius a fake smile "We better start moving; the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we help the res, and the sooner we can return to Elodoria. I have spent far too long being away from the High-luminary," Margo said without bothering to acknowledge Elias "Haa...having some woman trouble I see," Marius said "Woman trouble? Nothing of the such, she''s just cranky that''s all," Mariusughed, "Haha If you say so. Well, you heard thedy, we better get moving," Marius said as he walked forward. Elias sighed and followed behind them The wind whispered through the tall grass of the Hignds, carrying with it the scent of earth and rain as Marius led the way; his stride was steady and sure; it was clear he was not new to the journey, and his cloak billowed behind him like a shadow. Elias and Margo followed close, their eyes flickered over the rolling hills and the distant mountains that loomed ahead, their peaks lost in a shroud of mist. The sun dipped lower in the sky as they pressed on, the golden light casting long shadows over thend. The path grew steeper, the grassy slopes giving way to rocky terrain. Boulders, weathered by time, jutted from the earth like the bones of some ancient beast. The air grew thinner and cooler as they climbed higher, and the silence of the Hignds deepened, broken only by the asional cry of a distant bird. Marius paused at the top of a rise, ncing back at Elias and Margo. His gaze was sharp, assessing their strength. "Not much further," he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to blend with the wind. Elias nodded; his breath came in measured puffs while Margo wiped a sheen of sweat from her brow. Throughout the entire journey, she had not said a word to either Elias or Marius. The path twisted and turned as they descended into a narrow valley. The ground beneath the soles of the feet shifted from loose gravel to solid stone, the earth was hard and unforgiving. The mountains loomed closer now, their jagged edges stark against the sky. Shadows pooled in the crevices of the cliffs, whererge caves yawned like the mouths of slumbering giants. The air grew heavy with the scent of damp rock and the distant murmur of underground streams. Marius stopped at the entrance of one such cave, its dark maw framed by twisted roots and moss-covered stones. "This is where we go in," he said, his voice carrying an edge of finality. Elias and Margo exchanged a nce. "This is the cave where the Crystals are formed?" Elias asked "Yes," Marius replied Elias looked around, "What about the beast that was supposed to be around? The Giganteres. Or did you make that up too?" He asked Marius chuckled, "No I did not make it up. The Giganteres is, in fact, real, real as you and me, but I did tweak the story a bit. The Giganteres is real, but it is not some guardian of the crystals, in fact, it is not even close to this vicinity," He exined "This man¡­" Elias remarked, "Well, I was hoping to see it, but let''s get the crystals first," He said Marius stepped into the cave, his boots echoing softly against the stone floor. The darkness swallowed them whole, Elias snapped his fingers, and a bright me red from his palm, the me served as their source of light "That won''t be necessary," Marius said As they ventured deeper, the faintest glimmer of light began to reveal itself. Elias and Margo followed closely behind, their breaths held in quiet anticipation. The walls of the cave glistened with a surreal l beauty. Crystals, sharp and jagged, jutted from the stone like frozen mes, their surfaces catching the dim light and refracting it into shimmering hues of blue, green, and violet. The air was cool, almost humid, and the faint scent of minerals mixed with the tang of fresh water. As they moved further in, the soft, steady drip of water became more pronounced. Tiny droplets fell from the tips of the crystals, catching the light as they descended. Each drop seemed to glow with its own inner radiance, casting ripples of light as they sshed into shallow pools below. The water in these pools was unlike anything they had seen before, a luminescent liquid that shimmered with the same iridescence as the crystals above. It illuminated the cavern in a ghostly light, painting their faces with shifting colors. Marius paused by one of the pools, crouching to observe the strange water. "This ce is old," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the cave''s ancient silence. "These crystals... they''ve been growing here for centuries, maybe longer. The water... it''s alive with their essence." Elias knelt beside him, dipping his fingers into the glowing pool. The water was cool to the touch, leaving a faint, luminous residue on his skin. "It''s like liquid light," he marveled, watching the glow fade from his fingertips. Margo wandered a few steps away, her gaze captivated by a particrlyrge crystal formation. It towered over her, nearly touching the ceiling, its surface wless and clear. She reached out, brushing her hand along its edge, feeling the cool smoothness beneath her palm. As Marius inspected the cave, basking in its beauty, Margos suddenly pulled Elias aside, Stunned by her actions, Elias asked, "What''s wrong?" "I''ve been thinking about this man; Marius. Isn''t it strange that he was just able to move past the fact that you killed his son, he even went as far as bringing us to the cave we were looking for," She began "I guess he is a very understanding man," Elias shrugged "No one is that understanding, especially when it is about their blood kin. I feel like there''s a catch to everything he has been doing. I mean, he even sent that wench to your room," She added "Maybe it is because I am the child of light," Elias suggested "Exactly!" Margo eximed, "He knows you are the child of light; that is exactly why he is so well-behaved. He wants something from you, people just don''t give, they give in hopes that they can collect. They are no favors amongst, only investments," She said before walking away, and Elias pondered on what she said. ''She has a point'' "Elias Ashdown!" Marius called out, "May I have a word with you?" "Sure, let''s have it," Elias answered "In private," Marius added Chapter 92 The eyes chico Queen Seraphina paced back and forth around her room; she was in deep thought as to the secret she had stumbled on. She looked troubled, her palms and forehead were sweating. Her dress wasn''t worn as proper as she would normally wear it, and he had taken on a paleplexion. "What do I do? Where do I even begin?" After pacing for a while she got tired and fell backward on her bed, "It''s been three days, pleasee back soon, Elias," She sighed The door creaked open, and King ric walked in; Queen Seraphina sat up immediately after he entered. "My beautiful wife, how are you doing?" He asked as he approached her. He leaned over and nted a kiss on her lips, the Queen moved her head back, but she didn''t reciprocate his kiss, "Hmm, Isn''t this what you have been craving?" He asked, a wry smile on his face Queen Seraphina didn''t answer, her heart was racing, pounding hard against her chest. King ric had been acting strange toward her since the day she found out about him and Lord Thane''s n. She had a feeling he knew she was the one that spied on them. He didn''t confront her or show any animosity towards her at all, but it was obvious he had changed. He no longer spent most of his time lying around or throwing unnecessary feasts; he became more focused as if he was diverting all his time and attention to his ''ns.'' Queen Seraphina didn''t feel safe anymore, for fear of being poisoned, she had Lillian personally source for ingredients and cook her meals. For fear of being killed in her sleep, she stayed awake all night and even when she took short naps, she didn''t fullymit to it. She was paranoid. King ric ced his hands on her forehead, "You look unwell, have you been eating and sleeping well?" He asked, his tone dripping with false concern, "I wouldn''t want nothing to happen to Eldoria''s precious Queen, would I? What kind of a man would I be?" Queen Seraphina pped his hands away, "You know just what kind of a man you are, you vile scum!" She snapped at him "Hahaha," King ricughed, "Is that any way to speak to your husband? If you aren''t careful, I''ll send you back to your dead father''s house. Imagine the shame it would bring to the Ravencrest house or maybe I''ll just call Thane in, and I''ll give him what he always wanted. I''ll let him have a taste of the beautiful Seraphina he so desperately craves," He said, stroking her face as he spoke Disgusted and angered by King ric''s words, Queen Seraphina spat on his face, "I don''t know who you are, but you''re not the man I married. You''re even worse than scum!" She sneered King ric touched his face and looked at his hands; the Queen wasn''t stingy with her saliva. He then looked back at the queen, with speed that the Queen could not conceive, and he took a hold of her neck. "How dare you, you damn lesser!" He barked, his grip on the Queen''s neck tightened and she struggled to break free. She desperately hit his hand, hoping it would budge even slightly, but it didn''t. Her face was turning red and her eyes grew wild as she craved release, "Take it back, take your filthy saliva back. Lick it off," King ricmanded, his eyes filled with rage, "Do it or I''ll snap your neck, trust me it won''t be hard to exin your death," he added, as his eyes turned as ck as night He pulled her face closer to his, and looking at those soulless ck eyes; the queen realized that King ric''s threats were far from empty. It was eitherpliance or death at this point. Tears streamed down her face as she extended her tongue and began top up her own saliva directly from King ric''s face. She licked his face clean. King ric touched his face, "Hmph, it even made it worse. Such filth," he scoffed as he released his grip The Queen dropped to her knees and fell into a coughing fit, she took greedy breaths of fresh air as she coughed. Had she been held in that chokehold any longer, she would have died. She held her bruised neck, and her tears fell like spring rain as she began to sob; she looked at King ric and didn''t see even a shred of empathy on his face. That man was no longer her husband. King ric doused his face with a damp wash cloth, "Disgusting," He muttered Queen Seraphina had steadied her breath now, but her throat still ached, even through the pain, she opened her mouth to speak, "You! I curse you with my entire being. I curse you with a slow painful death, you animal. When Eliases back, he will put a dagger through the heart of your evil ns, and he will condemn you and the demons who are with you!" She shouted King ric turned around and smiled, "Ooh I''m so scared. Elias ising," He said, badly mimicking her voice as he mocked her; his face then suddenly took a serious tone, and his entire aura and demeanor changed, "If I wanted it, Elias Ashdown would be dead by now, but sadly my mission forbids me from killing that cocky brat. By the time your savior, Elias,es back, my job here would have beenplete,d, and I would have been long gone," He said as his eyes turned ck once again before returning to their normal color. Without saying another word, he walked out of the room, leaving Queen Seraphina scared and speechless. After he left, she picked herself up, "Those eyes, I wasn''t just seeing things because I was suffocating, they were real. Those are the eyes of a demon," She muttered, "My husband¡ªNo, King ric has be a demon!" She eximed Explore more stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin "Elias Ashdown, please hurry up ande back, Eldoria needs you," She said to no one in particr, a somber expression on her face. She touched her bruised neck again, and her expression changed. She had an angry and determined look on her face, "In the meantime, as the Queen, I''ll do my best to stop those animals!" Queen Seraphina dered Chapter 93 Like father like son Elias exchanged nces with Margo as he heard Marius'' request, "In private? Why not here?" He asked "It is a private matter to me, I mean no disrespect to the youngdy¡ª" "Margo" Margo corrected Marius firmly "I mean no disrespect to Margo, but I don''t want her hearing this," He continued, correcting himself Margo shrugged, "It''s fine, I don''t mind. As far as whatever you two talk about doesn''t make us travel any further it is not my business," She said "All right, lead the way then," Elias said to Marius As Marius led the way to the cave exit, Elias looked back, and he saw Margo, "No favors," She mouthed. Elias'' brow furrowed and he turned around. "That cave is beautiful, but nothing beats fresh air and the view of the Hignds from here," Marius said, taking a deep breath Elias stood at the precipice, his gaze sweeping across the vast expanse before him. On one side, the rugged Rocky Mountains loomedrge, their jagged peaks reaching toward the heavens, casting deep shadows over thend. The canyons below them wound like ancient scars carved into the earth, stretching endlessly into the horizon. The raw, untamed beauty of the rockyndscape was awe-inspiring, a testament to the relentless power of nature. Turning his gaze to the other side, Elias was met with a starkly different scene. There, the mountains were cloaked in dense forests, their green canopies swaying gently in the breeze. Valleys dipped gracefully between the forested peaks, cradling rivers that glistened like silver threads under the sunlight. These rivers meandered through the hills, cutting paths that eventually spilled out into the ins, where the tall grasses swayed like waves on a tranquil sea. It was nature''s way of defining contrast and it was truly beautiful. "It is a beautiful view, but that''s not why we are here," Elias said "No, it is not," Marius chuckled, "This n of yours sounds like a good one. The king can''t reject the chosen child of light when he proposes a better solution, it goes quite well¡­as a n. But most of the time ns don''t exactly go as we expect, do they? And that is why I am proposing a backup n," Marius said, he spoke calmly and his voice never wavered With a puzzled expression on his face, Elias asked, "A backup n?" He asked "Yes," Marius replied "It seems you already have one in mind, so let''s hear it," Elias demanded Marius picked up a small rock and threw it off the rise, "It''s simple really. I will not beat around the bush, neither will I sugar coat it, my backup n is simply a rebellion," He said, his voice still having its calm tone Maybe it was because he had heard the same suggestion from Carius before, but Elias was not surprised at Marius'' suggestion ''Like father, Like son'' He thought Elias looked at Marius, and he now found out why Marius looked so familiar. They had a striking resemnce, without the long hair and beards, Marius would look like an older version of Carius. "A rebellion? Need I remind you that Carius tried the same thing," Elias said Marius paused, "I know, but there''s a difference. Carius'' rebellion was from a ce of hate and revenge, what I want is different," He said, his voice wavered as he mentioned Carius'' name "And that difference is?" Elias asked "I want to free all the res under the imprisonment of the King, I want them to leave Eldoria for their good. I''ll free them and bring them here, to the Hignds, where we can start our own kingdom. The King might have been the one to set the decree, but the people of Elodoria followed along with it without question. He has pushed his agenda so far down everyone''s throat that it has be some people''s truth; the damage has been done already." Marius exined "I see, but how does this involve me?" Elias asked "As you said, Carius has tried, and he failed woefully. I don''t mean to make you feel guilty, but he would not have failed if it were not for you. The conditions are perfect; the elite and most dangerous soldiers of Elodoria, the Griffin riders are away, the sages have not interfered with the past battles, and they wouldn''t interfere now. The king sent away his Archmages on various missions, too; the time is now. This window of opportunity will never open again if it closes," Marius said, pausing to study Elias'' expression, but Elias'' face remained the same: unreadable. So Marius continued, "If you join us, help us with this; we will forever be in your debt. You''re the child of light, the savior, our savior. So save us¡­please," He pleaded Elias looked at the man, ''So this is what Margo meant," "Our first n will not fail, the king will have no choice but to ept the crystal solution, and then you can rally your people and leave. There will be no need for a rebellion," Elias said He walked back into the cave, leaving Marius alone with a disappointed expression, "What if it doesn''t work? Will you stand by and watch the king enve innocent people? You are the child of light!" He said, his calm demeanor faded off. He sounded desperate Elias stopped, "It won''t fail," He said as he walked back to the cave The group spent most of the night harvesting the crystals, Elias mined the most due to the mining skill he purchased from the store. After getting the required amount, they rested. Margo moved closer to Elias, "So what''s the catch?" She asked "He wants me to help the res rebel against King ric," "Why am I not surprised, so what are you going to do?" She asked "I don''t know, let''s just get some rest for now. Tomorrow we''ll finish up and return to Eldoria," Elias said as he turned over to sleep Chapter 94 : Giganteres? No Boom! A distant but still fairly loud noise caused Elias to jolt up from where he slept, he saw Margo already awake, and Marius stood at a corner of the cave, peeking out the entrance of the cave as if to get a glimpse of something. Beads of sweat pooled on his forehead, and his face had taken a rather pale and grim expression. Boom!! The entire cave trembled, and small pieces of rocks and crystals broke off the cave''s ceiling. The sound grew louder, or rather the source of the sound had moved closer, Elias turned to face Margo, "What''s happening?" He asked her, even though she looked just as confused as he was. "I don''t know, an earthquake?" She shrugged, "But whatever it is, it has the old man scared as fear," she added Elias frowned his face and walked over to Marius, "What''s happening?" He asked, but Marius remained quiet as he continued to peek Marius was visibly trembling; whatever was the source of the sound had him thoroughly shaken, "Hey! Hey!!" Elias called out as he shook Marius repeatedly in hopes of snapping him out of his fear daze "Fine, I''ll go out and check it out myself," Elias said after Marius remained unresponsive Margo donned a serious expression, "I''ming with you," She said "All right," Explore stories on m,v l''e-NovelBin Marius held Elias back in a firm grip, "Don''t¡­you''ll die. It will kill you," He said, his eyes still wild with fear "What will kill me? Whatever it is, even if we can''t beat it, I''m sure Margo and I are capable of escaping. Talk or we''ll leave you here, if whatever is out there doesn''t kill you, this cave will or maybe you''d die of a heart attack first," With the back of his hand, Marius wiped the sweat off his forehead, "It shouldn''t be here, but it is. Why did ite here?" Marius mumbled "Talk or we leave" Margo pressured him "It''s the G-Giganteres!" Marius eximed Elias raised a brow, "I thought you said, it wasn''t close to this ce?" "I thought so too, but it''s here. No doubt it''s here," He said Boom!! Boom!! The cave vigorously trembled; this time, bigger portions of the cave copsed. The cave was bing unstable, whatever the Giganteres was doing, it was affecting the cave. "I don''t think staying here is a good idea, this cave will soon copse on itself. Whether we like it or not, we have to leave¡­now!" Margo suggested "She''s right," "Have you lost your minds?! I just told you the Giganteres was nearby, and you want to leave?!" Marius barked "If you want, you can stay here, but I have no ns of dying in a cave," Margo said as she hurriedly made her way outside, pulling Elias along. "Wait!!" Marius called out, but Elias and Margo were already halfway out Boom!! The cave trembled once again; arge stctite broke off from the ceiling and fell beside Marius, almost impaling him. He gulped hard, "Damn it!" He screamed before running after Margo and Elias Margo and Elias ran until they were hit by the bright rays of the morning sun, they instinctively shielded their eyes from the blinding light. Suddenly, the sun''s rays were blocked off by arge mass. Elias and Margo dropped their hands, "By the Goddess!!" Margo eximed, "What creature is that?" Marius ran out and the cave behind himpletely sealed up as it copsed, "Giganteres" He muttered Elias and Margo''s breaths were caught in their throats as they gazed into the eye of the Gigantes. Any normal person would have initially thought it was another mountain emerging from the mist, but it was something far more incredible¡ªand terrifying. The Giganteres towered before them, a colossal titan, its form almost indistinguishable from the natural world it inhabited. It was as if the earth itself had risen, shaped into a creature of unimaginable scale. Massive cliffs and spires of stone jutted out from its body, draped in lush greenery that cascaded down its sides like ancient, overgrown ruins. The Giganteres'' surface was dotted with vast teaus where forests thrived, and waterfalls spilled from its heights, plummeting down into the abyss below. The creature''s head was obscured by clouds, its features almost lost in shadow, yet Elias could sense the weight of its gaze, a primal force that made him feel insignificant. As the Giganteres moved, the ground beneath their feet trembled a slow, ponderous quake that echoed through the mountains. Each step it took was a mountain reshaping itself, causing avnches to cascade down its legs, which were as thick as ancient trees. The air was filled with the scent of earth and damp moss, and the sound of the Giganteres'' breath¡ªa deep, resonant rumble that reverberated through the air, shaking the stones around them. The creature''s back was a livingndscape, teeming with life, a world unto itself. Margo whispered, her voice trembling with awe and fear, "It''s like a walking mountain..." Elias could only nod, words failing him as he watched the Giganteres disappear slowly into the mist, its towering form bing one with the mountains once again. ''That is not a creature, at least not a natural one. Now I know why I have never heard of a Giganteres before; it''s simply because that''s not a Giganteres; in fact, a Giganteres does not exist; it is just the name Marius gave to a creature he didn''t understand. That creature is a..'' "Golem," Elias announced "Say what?" Margo asked "We are looking at a fucking golem," "A golem? This huge, I don''t think that''s possible," Margo said, her eyes never shifting from the Golem; even if she tried, she could barely do it as the Golem was just that huge! Elias pointed to the head of the golem, "Look over there," Margo did as told and directed her gaze to the head of the golem, "You sense that immense mana, don''t you? It''s all just concentrated in the head. If it was a living being, its mana would be spread all over its body but in this case, the man is emanating from a single point; the core" Elias exined Chapter 95 : Skyborne Aarakocra Margo frowned, "The core?" She asked "Yes, the core," "I see it now, but still it''s hard to believe that this walking mountain is a golem! I mean, where would one even go about finding the materials to make something like this? Let''s not even talk about the mana it would take to kickstart it, ahh my brain hurts," Margo said "It''s impressive I know," Elias looked at the golem in awe, and a grin appeared on his face, "I want it," [+ 10 000 FWP] "Heh! You want the Giganteres?!" Marius chipped in, "Now I know you''re out of your mind," He said "Rx, it''s a golem. Most golems are harmless unless you''re their target of course," He said, still looking at the Golem "The Giganteres might be harmless, but the things thate with it are equally frightening," "Things like what?" Margo asked Marius'' eyes widened, "Things like that," He pointed to a fast-approaching flying object. Elias looked in the direction that Marius pointed to, "What''s that? [Perception]" Upon closer inspection, Elias was able to identify the flying object and thest thing it could be called was an object. The wind picked up as Elias, Margo, and Marius stood on the rocky ledge, the air growing colder with each passing moment. High above, the sky darkened, a flock of shapes descending from the clouds with graceful, silent precision. Elias squinted against the light, shielding his eyes as the figures grewrger. Their wings spread wide, catching the wind with an elegance that seemed almost effortless. The sun glinted off their feathers, a dazzling array of blues and silvers that shimmered like the surface of a ripplingke. "Are those¡­Skyborne Aarakocras?" Elias asked and Marius nodded in affirmation As they drew closer, the sound of their wings beating the air became more pronounced, a rhythmic whoosh that echoed off the mountainsides. Margo took a step back, her hand instinctively glowed with her usual golden magical energy. Marius, beside her, watched with a mixture of awe and apprehension, his breath catching in his throat. The Aarakocranded in a perfect line before them, their taloned feet touching down with a surprising softness on the rocky ground. The wind they carried with them stirred the dust and loose stones, sending a chill through the air. Each of the Skyborne stood tall, their bodies lean and strong, with wings folded neatly against their backs. Their eyes, sharp and intelligent, seemed to take in every detail of the three travelers with a single nce. The leader of the group stepped forward, his plumage a deep cobalt blue that darkened to midnight at the tips of his wings. He tilted his head slightly, regarding Elias with a gaze that was both curious andmanding. When he spoke, his voice was a blend of wind and sky, resonant and clear. "State your purpose here, and choose your words wisely." He said, his tone neither weing nor hostile, but charged with the weight of authority. Elias felt the weight of the leader''s gaze, the unspoken power that seemed to radiate from the Skyborne. He exchanged a nce with Margo and Marius, then took a step forward, his voice steady as he answered. "We are simply passing through, we have already gotten what we came here for." The Aarakocra leader''s eyes narrowed slightly as if measuring the truth of Elias''s words. After a moment, he nodded, his wings rustling softly at his sides. "If you have gotten what you need, then you should leave," he said, his voice carrying the finality of a mountain storm. "Thank you¡ª" Marius sharply said "Is that golem yours?" Elias asked out of the blue The leader of the Aarakocra gaze narrowed, "No, but we are its guardian and it is also our protector. It protects us and we protect it from greedy people," He said "Is that so?" He smiled, "If you aren''t the owner, then whose is it? I want to know who made it," "We will not disclose such valuable information to you. Now leave, carry on with your journey," He urged Elias, his tone firm andmanding ''Skyborne Aarakocras are even cooler in person. I would hate to get off on the wrong foot with them, but I really, really want that golem. Just that singr golem is enough to pose a threat to a nation; the fact that there''s no person here iming to be the owner either means the owner is dead or it is abandoned. I doubt anyone would abandon such a valuable golem as Margo said; It must have cost a whole lot to build such a golem. So there''s no way I''m letting it waste here without an owner. I''m taking it, it is worth fighting the Aarakocra for,'' "I see the look in your eyes, young human, I would advise you to refrain from trying anything stupid. There''s is no world where you wille out on top," The Aarakocra leader warned and the rest of the group simultaneously bares their talons; a sign of readiness for battle Elias shrugged, "Was it that obvious, old Aarakocra? I thought the greedy smile on my face wouldn''t give it away," He said with heavy sarcasm in his tone Margo turned to Elias, "What are you doing? Let us leave, there''s no point in fighting these people. We have what we came here for, just teleport us out of here," She said in a voice so low it was almost a whisper "I think you should listen to her," Marius added "To make that golem mine, all I have to do is imprint my mana signature on the core. The owner''s signature will be weak, seeing as he or she is probably dead, so it''ll be a cakewalk," He exined, a broad smile on his face. He was excited "Here, both of you. Put it on, think of where you want to go and pour some mana into the ring," Elias instructed as she handed Margo and Marius teleportation rings. But they had no idea what it was, so they just did as Elias told them; Margo thought of the church of Eternal lighting Eldoria, while Marius thought of his vige, and they immediately disappeared as soon as they poured their mana into the ring. Elias smiled, "Good, now it''s just us. That golem will be mine," He dered [Perception] Chapter 96 : Battle of wills Suddenly the clear skies darkened with rming speed, as if the sun itself had been swallowed whole. In the span of a heartbeat, towering storm clouds gathered. The air thickened with tension, and the first crack of thunder shattered the stillness. With a powerful burst of wind, Elias shot into the sky, his destination: the golem''s core. "After him!" The leader of the Aarakocra ordered, "We cannot let him get to the core," Following their leader''s orders, the Aarakocra immediately elerated, zooming after Elias. The wind roared in Elias''s ears as he soared through the storm-ridden skies, his robes whipped violently around him. Above him loomed the Golem, its massive head shrouded in now darkened clouds, the core of its power hidden deep within. The titanic being moved slowly, each ponderous step sending shockwaves through the air, but Elias could feel its powerful energy pulling him closer¡ªa silent invitation to im it But the path was far from clear. A screech cut through the thunderous sky, and Elias''s heart skipped a beat. He twisted in the air just in time to see the group of Skyborne Aarakocra diving towards him, their feathers glistened like steel in the lightning-lit darkness. Their eyes zed with fury, and their talons gleamed, poised to tear him from the sky. Elias dipped into a steep dive, narrowly evading the first barrage of arrows that whistled past his head. He could feel the heat of their magic-infused tips as they streaked by, slicing through the storm clouds. The Aarakocras were fast¡ªtoo fast¡ªbut Elias was not about to relent, he wanted that golem by all means. He had to reach the core. He had to touch it, to bind the Golem to his will. With a surge of power, Elias propelled himself upward, arcing around a spire of jagged stone that jutted out from the titan''s shoulder. The Aarakocras shrieked in frustration, their wings beating furiously as they circled, tightening their formation. They moved like a well-practiced storm, their tactics as relentless as the wind they dominated But Elias wasn''t here to fight. His eyes locked on the summit of the Golem''s head, where he could sense the core''s pulsing energy, a beacon in the chaos. The lightning shed, illuminating the swirling vortex of clouds that guarded the core, and Elias felt a thrill of excitement shoot through him. He was close. So close. A sharp cry to his left¡ªElias ducked, feeling the rush of wind as an Aarakocra shed past him, talons inches from his face. Another dive, this time spinning out of the way as two more dove for him, their spears crackling with energy. He clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to cast a spell, to fight back. Every second he spent inbat was a second lost, a second further from the core, and he would rather not kill an Aarakocra. Taking from them was one thing, but killing an Aarakocra was a whole different ball game, this race valued life dearly. He dipped low, skimming the surface of the Golem, the immense stone ridges and overgrown forests blurred beneath him. The Aarakocras pursued him, their shrieks growing louder, more frantic. Elias gathered his strength and shot upward, straight into the heart of the storm. The winds howled, and the air grew thick with raw, untamed magic. The Aarakocras faltered, momentarily blinded by the sudden burst of light as Elias tore through the clouds, leaving them behind. Finally, there it was¡ªthe core. A massive, glowing crystal orb embedded in the Golem''s head, pulsating with powerful energy. Elias''s breath caught in his throat. The power radiating from it was unlike anything he had ever felt, a wild, untamed force that felt like it could rip anything apart. "Just who in the world made this thing? I can''t even fathom the depth of this core," The Aarakocras screeched behind him, regaining their bearings, and Elias could feel their anger and desperation. They were closing in fast, but they were toote. "It''s my victory," Elias stretched out his hand, fingers trembling with anticipation, and touched the core. For a brief moment, everything went silent. The storm, the wind, the cries of the Aarakocras¡ªall of it vanished, swallowed by the overwhelming surge of power that flooded through Elias''s body. It was like touching the heart of the world itself, a connection so profound that it left him breathless. The Golem shuddered beneath him, and for an instant, Elias felt its consciousness brush against his own¡ªa vast, ancient mind, filled with the memories of ages past. Suddenly, he felt a sudden, overwhelming force surge through him. The connection that was once exhrating, turned hostile, the ancient titan''s consciousness rising like a tidal wave, crashing against his mind with the intent to drown him in its depths. Elias staggered, his vision blurring as the world around him faded. He was no longer in the storm-torn sky; instead, he stood within a vast, dark expanse, an endless void where the Golem loomed like a shadowy mountain. The weight of its presence was suffocating, pressing down on him, trying to force him to his knees. The titan''s thoughts were a chaotic torrent, ancient and alien, a cacophony of rage, despair, and sheer, unyielding power. It sought to swallow him whole, to erase his existence. Elias clenched his jaw, fighting back the wave of fear that threatened to engulf him. This was a battle of wills, a struggle for dominance over the mind and soul of the Golem. He could feel the titan pushing into his consciousness, seeking to twist his thoughts, to bend him to its will. But Elias was no stranger to mental battles. He had faced worse demons within himself. He steadied his breathing, closing his eyes and focusing on the core of his being¡ªthe unwavering resolve that had brought him this far. Slowly, he began to push back, his mind like a de, cut through the thick fog of the Golem''s consciousness. He could feel the titan''s resistance, a massive wall trying to block him, but he pressed on, and carved a path through its defenses. The void trembled around him, and for a moment, Elias felt the Golem hesitate, its ancient mind faltering in the face of his determination. He seized the moment, driving his will forward like a spear, piercing through the titan''s thoughts with unrelenting force. The Golem roared, a deafening sound that reverberated through the void, but Elias held firm, refusing to be swept away. "I am your master now," Elias whispered, his voice echoing through the darkness. He poured every ounce of his strength into that singlemand, forcing the Golem to recognize his dominance. Chapter 97 : A place to sleep The titan''s mind buckled under the pressure, its ancient will crumbling like stone under the relentless tide of Elias''s will. The shadowy presence began to recede, retreating from his consciousness, and Elias felt the power shift, the bnce of control tipping in his favor. The void began to dissolve, the dark expanse giving way to light. Elias opened his eyes, finding himself once again hovering above the Golem, his hand still on the core. The storm raged around him, but he felt a deep, resounding silence within¡ªan acknowledgment of his victory. The Golem had been subdued, its will now aligned with his. Elias exhaled, and a slow smile spread across his face as the ancient titan''s consciousness settled into submission. He had won the battle of will and imed the Golem as his own. In the midst of the storm, Elias felt an overwhelming relief and burst into aughing fit. The Aarakocras stopped mid-flight, their wings faltering as they watched in disbelief. Elias hovered in the air, his hand still on the core, his eyes glowing with the light of the Golem''s power. He had done it. The Golem was his. [+ 550 000 FWP ] "We failed," The leader of the Aarakocra dered in defeat. The sky that was storm ridden cleared up and the thunderstorm disappeared just as quickly as it appeared. Enjoy exclusive chapters from m-v l''e|-NovelBin Elias breath in the fresh air that came with the clear skies, "Stats menu,'' FWP: 2,022,100/10,000,000,000 Name: Elias Ashdown ss: Swordsman, Farmer, Mage(Contractual, Caster, Dependent[Dominator]) Title: Farmer, One blessed by Fate, swordsman, Child of Light, Child of Destiny, Loved by Mana, Mage, False Dragon yer. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Health: 10 000/10 000 Mana: 5 000 000/5 000 000 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Strength: 48 Agility: 30 Speed: 40 Stamina: 80 Intelligence: 200 ] "Five million!! That''s even more than I thought I would get. Now I''m more curious as to who built this. I thought they were dead, but the resistance that golem out up suggests otherwise. I''m sure they''ll find me before I find them and they will surely be pissed, I just stole their golem after all. But when theye, I''ll be ready for them" "Now, what will I do about these Aarakocra? They don''t look like they''re angry anymore, instead, they look sad" "Hell, I would be sad too if I lost this work of art," He said as he proudly looked upon his golem. The Aarakocra group flew toward Elias, it was clear that did not wish to fight from their demeanor, "I am Kaelith Stormwing, leader of this group," The leader dered "I am Elias Ashdown, chosen child of light," Elias'' words elicited a visible reaction from Kaelith, his eyes widened for a moment. "Child of light? Haa. I see, no wonder you were able to sessfully be the golem''s master," Kaelith Said, "Many have tried, and many have lost their mind and body to the golem," Elias raised an eyebrow, "So you know it is a golem?" "Of course, we do." "And you knew it could kill me?" "That is right" Kaelith nodded "If you knew, then why bother trying to stop me? Why not just let me run off to my doom," "To us, the golem is sacred. A protector of such. Let me tell you a story," Kaelith began The group perched on one of the shoulders of the Golem, "Centuries or so ago when the Skyborne Aarakocra lost their home due to an unknown attack from an unknown being that rendered thends inhabitable. Our ancestors found a ce in the Hignds with perfect living conditions, but there was a setback. It was wyvern territory; the wyverns were powerful, fast, and ruthless in their way of life. We found it hard to cohabit with them, at least a dozen Aarakocra were killed every other week, but we had no choice but to bear with it as the wyverns weren''t just powerful, but they were also plentiful in numbers. To fight against them would be certain doom. That was when a very kind and powerful mage passing through the Hignds stumbled upon our settlement, our ancestors described him as a man who was easily mistaken for a woman with hair as white as snow and as silky as silk itself. He told them that he was tired and needed a ce to sleep, and our ancestors offered him one. To show his gratitude, he single-handedly drove the wyverns away, and he made this golem out of the mountain that was our habitat. His words as he departed were ''As you have given me a ce toy my head, I will make sure you always have one. Your home will follow you wherever you go." Kaelith narrated Elias who had been listening attentively looked at Kaelith with empathetic eyes, "I see, that is quite the history you have," Kaelith got down on one knee, and the others followed suit, "You are the child of light, you must be a kind man then, on behalf of the Skyborne Aarakocra. We ask you not to take our home away from us, or at least give us some time to find a new home," He pleaded "Hmmm, get up Kaelith. You can keep your home, but I would advise you to go in search of a new one, too, as there is sure toe a time when I will need the help of this golem. When that timees, I wouldn''t want to strip you of your home," Elias said Kaelith and the Aarakocra bowed slightly, "We are grateful," He said. Elias bowed back. His mind couldn''t help but try to think of who the mysterious man who helped them was, he had no memory of someone like that in Arcane Days, "Kaelith, did your ancestors happen to get the name of the powerful mage that helped them?" He asked Kaelith shook his head, "No, there is no mention of a name in the stories passed down," He said Elias stroked his bare chin, "I see; well, I''ll be on my way then. I will also be on the lookout for potential habitats for you," He waved "We are grateful," Kaelith bowed. Elias put on a teleportation ring, "Until we meet again," He said before vanishing. Chapter 98 : Yet another surprise, really? Elias reappeared in Eldoria with a sharp crack of energy, the familiar weight of the Golem''s power still humming through his veins. He stood in the heart of the Fifth District, a bustling area usually teeming with traders and townsfolk. But today, the air was thick with tension, and arge crowd had gathered near the central square. Their murmurs and gasps filled the streets, a cacophony of unease that sent a chill down Elias''s spine. Curious and wary, Elias began to weave his way through the throng, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the King''s Guard lining the streets. Their stern faces and drawn swords were an unusual sight, even for the King''s most disciplined soldiers. The crowd pressed closer as he neared the podium at the center, where a figure stood draped in chains¡ªQueen Seraphina. Elias froze, the breath catching in his throat as he recognized her. Seraphina, once a symbol of grace and wisdom, now looked small and vulnerable under the weight of the iron shackles that bound her. Her regal bearing was diminished, yet her eyes still held a fierce light, refusing to yield to the fear and despair that surrounded her. A hush fell over the crowd as an executioner, d in ck, stepped forward. His voice boomed across the square, each wordnding like a hammer blow. "By order of King ric, Queen Seraphina is condemned to death for treason against the crown. The execution shall be carried out immediately." Elias felt the words strike him like a physical blow, his world narrowing to that single moment. Shock rippled through him, but it was quickly swallowed by a surge of rage so intense it made his vision blur. Confusion, shock, anger, curiosity. This was madness. His hands clenched into fists, sparks of magic flickering around his fingertips. The air around him crackled with energy, the raw power barely contained as his anger fueled it. How could ric do this? How could he put such a woman that everyone held in high esteem in chains? For what? Treason? Bullshit!Something isn''t right. Elias'' eyes widened in realization, "She must have found something, she must have seen something she wasn''t supposed to," The crowd shifted uneasily, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Elias''s presence was no longer hidden, and those nearest to him began to step back, giving him a wide berth. His eyes locked onto the queen''s, and for a fleeting moment, Seraphina''s defeated gaze met his, recognition shing in her eyes. Elias took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm, but his heart pounded in his chest like a war drum. This wasn''t how it was supposed to be. This wasn''t how Eldoria was supposed to be. Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin "I was the one who assigned her a dangerous task, I cannot turn face here. I must do something," He couldn''t let this happen. He wouldn''t. The King''s Guard began to move, forming a tighter circle around the podium as the executioner raised his axe, preparing to bring it down. But Elias was already moving, the power of the Giganteres surging within him as he stepped forward, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. "Stop!" he roared, themandced with the force of his will, reverberating across the square. All eyes turned to him, the crowd parting like the sea as Elias strode forward, his fury zed in every step. He would not allow this madness to unfold. Not while he had the power to stop it. Elias stepped forward, his voice cold and resolute, filled with the authority of his name¡ªthe Child of Light. "By the power and the name of the child of light, Imand you to cease your actions at once. Release the queen." The guards hesitated, their grip on their weapons faltering as they exchanged uncertain nces. The title he carried was not one to be taken lightly, and even the most loyal of King ric''s men knew the weight of it. For a moment, it seemed as if they might obey, the executioner lowering his axe just a fraction. But then the captain of the guard, n, stepped forward, his face stern. "The King himself ordered this, Elias Ashdown. We are bound by his decree; here in Eldoria, no name¡ªno matter how powerful¡ªtrumps the will of the crown." Elias''s eyes narrowed, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "If you won''t stop," he said, his voice dropping to a deadly calm, "then I will stop you." n''s eyes hardened. "Think carefully, Elias. Defying the King is treason. Are you willing to risk everything for this?" Elias didn''t hesitate. "I''ve made my choice." In the blink of an eye, Elias moved, faster than the guards could react. His body became a blur of motion, propelled by the power surging through him. He weaved between them with ease, his hands crackling with energy as he struck. One guard after another fell, not dead, but unconscious before they could even raise their weapons. The executioner barely had time to flinch before Elias''s magic knocked him off his feet, the axe ttering harmlessly to the ground. In a matter of moments, the square was silent, the guards and executioner sprawled out on the cobblestones, all incapacitated. The crowd stood in stunned silence, eyes wide with disbelief at the disy of power they had just witnessed. Without wasting another second, Elias leaped onto the podium, his arms wrapping around Queen Seraphina. Her chains fell away at his touch, melted by the heat of his magic. The moment she was free, he took to the sky, soaring above the district, the wind rushing past them as they escaped the chaos below. As they flew, Seraphina clung to Elias, herposure finally breaking. She buried her face against his chest, her arms tightening around him as the tears she had fought so hard to hold back came pouring out. Her body shook with sobs, each one wrenching, filled with the weight of all she had endured. "He''s going to kill them," she cried, her voice choked with fear and anguish. "He''s going to kill them all." Elias''s anger red once more, his mind racing as he struggled toprehend the depths of King ric''s action. He looked down at Seraphina, his expression fierce yet tender as he whispered, "What happened? Tell me everything." Chapter 99 : 99 : You have made your choice *Few Hours Earlier* Queen Seraphina had finally made up her mind. She could no longer stand by, silently watching as her husband, King ric, and his insidious aplice, Lord Thane, descended further into madness. Their ns had grown darker with each passing day, and now, they intended to execute the refolk¡ªpeople who had already been broken by the cors that bound their powers. Seraphina knew she could no longer y the role of a silent consort. She wasn''t just ric''s wife; she was the Queen of Eldoria, and she had a duty to protect its people. Slipping into the invisibility cloak Elias had given her long ago, a token of his trust and love, she set out with a heart full of resolve. The cloak would shield her from sight, but nothing could still the pounding of her heart as she followed ric''s path to District Two, where the cells were. It was here that the refolk¡ªthose who bore the dangerous power of fire¡ªwere being rounded up, a fate Seraphina knew all too well would end in their death. As she approached the cells, she saw Lord Varric''s soldiers surrounding the area. But what shocked her more was the sight of the refolk, bountiful in their numbers, being led like cattle by Lord Thane himself. Seraphina''s heart sank as she saw their weary faces; many of them were resigned to their fate. These were not threats; these were citizens who had lived inpliance, their wills broken by the cors around their necks. From her concealed position, Seraphina watched as Lord Varric strode toward the group, his face twisted in anger. She knew Varric was a man of pride, one who valued his position as themander of Eldoria''s military forces. Seeing his soldiersmandeered without so much as a word from the King had clearly set his temper ame. "ric," Varric spat as he approached, his voice dripping with anger. "What is the meaning of this? You dare to give orders to my soldiers without so much as informing me? I am in charge of all military operations in Eldoria!" King ric, standing nearby with a cold detachment, merely rolled his eyes at Varric''s outburst. "Spare me your tantrums, Varric," he said dismissively. "These refolk are a threat. They all are¡ªcors or not. I''m simply ensuring the safety of my kingdom." Varric''s eyes narrowed. "Even the ones who''veplied? Even the ones who''ve lived peacefully under your rule?" ric''s patience had clearly worn thin. Without looking at Varric, he gave a simplemand. "Thane, take care of him." In an instant, Lord Thane moved, his attack swift and merciless. Varric, taken off guard, barely had time to react before Thane''s de sliced through the air, severing two of his fingers with a sickening thud. Varric winced out in pain, clutching his hand as blood poured from the wound. "I should have just done this from the start," ric muttered, his voice cold and devoid of remorse. His gaze then shifted, and for a moment, Seraphina felt the icy grip of fear tighten around her heart. His eyes seemed to scan the area, as though searching for something unseen. "As for you," ric said, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "Come out. I can sense your fear." Seraphina''s blood ran cold, her breath hitching as she realized he was speaking to her. She sped her hand over her mouth, trying desperately to calm her trembling. She had been so careful, so sure that the cloak would hide her, but ric had always been perceptive, attuned to the smallest disturbances in the world around him. "I saide out," ric repeated, and before Seraphina could react, he was beside her, his presence a dark shadow that loomed over her. With a swift, cruel motion, he ripped the cloak from her, revealing her trembling form to the world. For a moment, they stood there, husband and wife, but all the love that once bound them was now shattered, lying in pieces at their feet. ric''s expression was unreadable, a mask of indifference as he regarded her. Seraphina, struggling to hold back tears, could barely find her voice. "ric¡­ what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and sorrow. ric''s eyes hardened, devoid of the warmth they once held. "What I must," he said coldly. "For the sake of Eldoria." ric''s eyes bore into Seraphina with a cold intensity as he stepped closer, his voice low and threatening. "For thest time, Seraphina, are you with me or not?" Queen Seraphina''s heart pounded in her chest, her emotions swirling in a tempest of fear, anger, and defiance. The man before her was no longer the husband she had once loved; he was a monster, consumed by power and madness. She felt her stomach churn with disgust, not only for him but for herself¡ªhow had she let ite to this? She straightened her back, meeting his gaze with all the strength she could muster. Without breaking eye contact, she spat at the ground, her defiance clear in the act. It wasn''t the first time she had spit at him, but this time, it wasn''t just an act of rebellion. It was her final answer. ric''s lips curled into a cruel smile. "I see you''ve learned your lesson," he said with a twisted sense of satisfaction. He wiped the smirk from his face and leaned in closer, his voice dripping with contempt. "But tell me, Seraphina, where is your precious Elias Ashdown now? Off somewhere, ying hero for people who are already ughtered like livestock?" Seraphina''s chest tightened at his words, but she held her ground. "Elias won''t let you get away with this, ric," she whispered, her voice unwavering. "He''ll stop you." ric threw back his head andughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the chamber. "Elias Ashdown?" he sneered. "He''s nothing. A fool chasing after a lost cause. He''s off on some meaningless quest, and you¡ªwell, you''ve made your choice." He turned away from her, waving a hand dismissively to the guards who stood at the ready. "Guards, seize her. Execute her for treason." The soldiers hesitated for just a moment, their eyes flickering with uncertainty, but the authority in ric''smand left no room for doubt. They stepped forward, closing in around Seraphina with grim determination. ric turned back to her, his eyes glinting with malicious glee. "Let''s see if your precious Elias can save you now," he said, his voice mocking as he burst into madughter. As the guards advanced, Seraphina''s mind raced. She had no weapons, no magic powerful enough to fend them off. But she had something far stronger¡ªfaith in Elias, in the man she knew woulde for her, no matter the odds. ric''sughter filled the room, but Seraphina closed her eyes, whispering a silent prayer to the gods that Elias would find her before it was toote. Even in the face of death, she wasn''t sure why, but she knew one thing for certain: Elias woulde. Chapter 100 : 100: Lord against Lord Elias soared through the skies of Eldoria, the wind whipping past him as he held Queen Seraphina close. The castle loomed in the distance, its dark spires cutting into the twilight. "I see," Elias remarked after listening to Queen Serapna''s ount, "You said King ric eyes turned ck as night?" He asked "Yes," Queen Seraphina nodded , "It is certain that he has taken to demonic powers, or maybe he has be one himself," "Be a demon? No one can be a demon. You''re either a demon or not, ck eyes only mean one thing" He paused, "Possession, a basic ability of all demons. The King has been possessed, and likely by a very powerful demon, seeing as no one was able to sense its power" Elias exined "Possession? How?" She asked in surprise "I have not a single clue," Elias admitted, "But possession or not, this has gone to far and someone has to be held ountable," His heart raced with a mixture of anger and urgency; he needed to reach ric before the depraved king could do any more damage. The queen''s trembling form in his arms only fueled his determination. But then, a blinding sh of light erupted from District Two, followed by a thunderous explosion that shook the air around them. Elias stopped mid-flight, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the source of the st. It was unmistakably a massive surge of mana. "Lord Varric," Elias muttered under his breath, his mind racing as he quickly assessed the situation. Queen Seraphina, her voice still shaken but firm, looked up at him. "We need to help him, Elias. He''s fighting against Thane without a weapon to defend himself. Thane might be a vile scum, but he isn''t a weakling." Without another word, Elias adjusted his course, heading straight for the battlefield. As he approached, the air crackled with the remnants of spent spells and the sh of steel. The scene before him was chaotic¡ªLord Thane, dagger in one hand and wand in the other, was locked in a fierce battle with Lord Varric. Though Varric was fighting valiantly, it was clear that Thane had the upper hand. His movements were quick and precise, each strike and spell left Lor Varric barely holding on. Elias didn''t hesitate. With a swift motion, he conjured a fireball and hurled it into the midst of their duel. The explosion forced Thane to leap back, giving Elias the opening he needed. Hended beside Lord Varric, quickly assessing the man''s condition. "I''m here to help," Elias said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. Varric, panting heavily, gave Elias a wry smile. "If only I had my axe, this wouldn''t be such a one-sided fight." Thane, recovering from the st, scoffed at Elias. "You''re toote, Ashdown," he sneered, twirling his dagger with an arrogant flourish. "By now, King ric should have already taken care of the refolk. You all will be executed for treason, except maybe my beautiful Seraphina, I have ns for her." He said as he licked his lips, Queen Seraphina visibly cringed at his action Elias felt a cold rage building inside him, but he kept his voice calm. "Where is ric?" Thane''s eyes glinted with malice as he responded, "Waiting for you in the throne room, I imagine. He''ll be eager to greet you properly." Before Elias could react, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Varric, his expression one of grim determination. "Go, Elias," Varric urged. "Deal with ric until I''m done here. I''ll handle Thane." Elias hesitated, his gaze flickering between Varric and Thane. The general was battered and clearly had been on the verge of losing before Elias had intervened. Thane noticed Elias''s concern and chuckled darkly. "Worried about me?" he taunted. "Don''t be. I''ll make sure to send him after you soon enough." But then, a new group of six soldiers approached, struggling under the weight of a massive object. Elias''s eyes widened as he recognized Varric''s axe¡ªa weapon of legendary power, as formidable as its wielder. The leader of the group, a young soldier with a steely gaze, stepped forward and saluted Varric. "We had no idea the king was acting independently of your orders, Lord Varric," the soldier said, his voice filled with regret. Varric''s stern expression softened, and he nodded in understanding. "He is the king, after all," he replied. "You had no choice. I don''t me you." Thane''s confident smirk faltered as he saw the axe. A frown creased his brow, and for the first time, Elias saw uncertainty in the man''s eyes. He muttered something under his breath, his confidence shaken. The moment Varric''s hand closed around the haft of the axe, Elias felt the surge of magical energy that coursed through the air like a shockwave. It was as if the very ground beneath them responded to the weapon''s presence. Varric''s posture straightened, and the weariness that had gued him moments ago seemed to vanish. A fierce, almost predatory smile spread across his face. "Go on, Elias Ashdown," Varric said, his voice now filled with confidence, strength and resolve. "I''ll be joining you soon." Elias nodded, a sense of relief mingled with the urgency that still thrummed in his veins. He spared onest nce at Varric, now fully empowered and ready to take on Thane with a ferocity that matched the storm brewing in the sky. With a determined look, Elias turned and shot into the air, heading toward the castle. There was no more time to waste. ric''s reckoning was at hand. A faint, ethereal glow began to emanate from the axe itself, its runes¡ªancient and powerful¡ªigniting with a fierce, golden light. The glow pulsed in sync with Varric''s heartbeat, as if the weapon was alive and had be an extension of his very soul. The light spread, casting a warm yet formidable aura that pushed back the darkness, driving away his lingering shadows of doubt and fear. Varric''s entire demeanor changed. The fatigue and wounds that had weighed him down moments before seemed to evaporate. His posture straightened, and his muscles tightened with renewed vigor. The lines of pain and weariness on his face softened, reced by a determined, almost feral grin. The ground beneath Varric''s feet responded to the surge of power, cracking and splintering outward in a web of fissures, as if the earth itself acknowledged Varric''s might. The very air around him shimmered, distorting slightly from the intense magical energy that now coursed through and around him. It was as if he had be a living conduit of raw, untamed power, with the axe as the focus of his strength. Chapter 101 : Unshakable spirit of a Warrior who will not fall For the soldiers who were watching, it was a breathtaking sight. The sheer force of Varric''s magical surge was palpable, sending ripples through the air that could be felt by everyone nearby. The soldiers who had brought the axe could only watch in awe, their faces were reflecting a mix of reverence and fear. Even Lord Thane, who had been so confident moments ago, took a hesitant step back, a frown deepening on his face as he realized the gravity of the situation. The sh between Lord Varric and Lord Thane was nothing short of cataclysmic. The battlefield, already scarred and battered, now became the stage for a brutal disy of power and skill. Their weapons collided with a resounding crash, the force of each blow sending shockwaves through the air. At first, the fight seemed evenly matched¡ªtwo masters of their craft locked in a deadly dance. But as the minutes passed, it became clear that the tide was turning. With every swing of his axe, Lord Varric pressed forward, his strikes grew more precise, more powerful. The grin on his face widened into a feral smile as he began to dominate the fight, each of his attacksing faster and more furiously than thest. Lord Thane, once confident andposed, found himself driven back, his defenses, barriers and shields he put up crumbled under Lord Varric''s relentless onught. Varricughed, a deep, resonant sound that echoed across the battlefield as he unleashed a barrage of deadly strikes. His axe moved like a blur, cutting through Thane''s defenses with an almost effortless grace. Each of Thane''s counterattack spells were met with devastating force, hacked apart with a single sweep of Varric''s weapon. The Lord found himself struggling to keep up, his movements growing more desperate as Varric''s momentum built. In a final, desperate attempt to turn the battle in his favor, Lord Thane raised his wand to the sky, and with a chant he called forth a storm of lightning. The heavens responded to his plea, dark clouds swirling above as bolts of lightning began to rain down on Varric with relentless fury. The air crackled with energy, the ground scorched where the bolts struck. For a moment, it seemed as though Thane had found his opening, the storm battered Varric with no chance for escape. But as the lightning rained down, Varric stood resolute, his form barely visible through the blinding shes of light. Thane watched intently, his heart pounding as he poured thest of his mana into the spell. Not everyone was Elias Ashdown who could throw around spells for days and still have mana to spare He needed this to work¡ªthere was no other option. The sheer power of the storm was overwhelming, but something was wrong. Varric wasn''t moving, wasn''t falling. Then, through the crackling thunder and blinding light, a sound emerged. It started as a low rumble but quickly grew louder, clearer. It wasughter¡ªVarric''sughter, defiant and unyielding. The sound sent a chill down Thane''s spine. "Guinevere, you do not sleep!" Varric bellowed, his voice booming over the storm, echoing through the chaos as if answering a call only he could hear. Hisughter continued, growing louder with each passing moment, until it drowned out even the thunder. And then, impossibly, Varric began to move. Slowly at first, then with increasing confidence, he took a step forward. The lightning that had once rained down with deadly precision now seemed to falter, losing its effectiveness as it struck his body. Each bolt that connected with him fizzled out, its energy dissipating harmlessly against the glow of his axe. The storm was bing nothing more than a background to Varric''s overwhelming presence. Thane''s eyes widened in disbelief, his breath catching in his throat. "Shit," he cursed under his breath, panic creeping into his voice. He was out of options, out of mana, and out of time. The storm that was supposed to be his salvation had failed, and now there was nothing left between him and the wrath of Lord Varric. Varric continued to advance, hisughter still echoing, his eyes locked on Thane. He was unstoppable, a force of nature that no spell could contain. The battle was no longer a contest¡ªit was a rout, and Varric was relishing every moment of it. As the storm subsided, thest of the lightning strikes fizzled out, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet. Lord Varric stood amidst the dissipating smoke, his massive frame crackling with residual electricity. The air around him shimmered with the lingering energy, and for a brief moment, he looked like a god of thunder himself, a figure wreathed in the remnants of a storm he had conquered. Lord Thane, breathing heavily and with sweat beading on his brow, knew that continuing the spell would be futile¡ªhis mana reserves were nearly depleted, and Varric was still standing, more formidable than ever. Reluctantly, he lowered his wand, the tension in the air dissipating as the storm clouds above began to break apart. "Wait," Thane called out, his voice strained but clear. He raised a hand in a gesture of peace, trying to stall the inevitable. "Hold on a moment, Varric. Let''s not waste this opportunity." Varric, still radiating with the power of the storm, paused mid-step, his axe poised for the final strike. He eyed Thane with a mixture of curiosity and disdain, the adrenaline of battle still coursing through his veins. "You''ve already wasted enough of my time, Thane," Varric growled, his voice crackling like the electricity that still danced around him. Thane held his ground, his mind racing to find the right words. He knew he was outmatched physically, but he had onest card to y. "Imend your strength," he began, forcing a respectful tone into his voice. "Truly, you are a warrior of legend. But before you finish this, hear me out. I have an offer¡ªone that could give you something more valuable than victory." Varric narrowed his eyes, but he didn''t strike. Instead, he waited, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "What could you possibly offer me, Thane, that would spare your miserable life?" Thane licked his lips, choosing his words carefully. "Your wife, Varric. Guinevere. I can help you bring her back." "If I were you I would watche my words caref , Thane?" Varric''s voice was low, dangerous. "Guinevere is dead, and no magic can bring back the dead. Do not try to desecrate her name" Chapter 102 : Death in Eldoria, Death I tell you Lord Thane''s words hung in the air, thick with a bold promise "Resurrection is forbidden and it goes against thew of the world," he said, his voice smooth and persuasive, "but it''s not impossible. King ric now holds that power, Varric. He can bring her back¡ªGuinevere. All you have to do is join us. Not only will you have your wife back, but ric will grant you more power, enough to protect her from anything, from anyone." For a moment, Lord Varric faltered. His grip on the axe ckened slightly as the name of his beloved echoed in his mind. "Guinevere..." he whispered, the vision of her face flooding his thoughts. The possibility of seeing her again, of holding her once more, was a temptation that gnawed at the edges of his resolve. He could feel the weight of the past, the memories of a life that had been ripped away from him, tugging at his heart. Sensing the hesitation, Thane''s expression remained calm, but behind his back, hidden from Varric''s view, he clenched a ck dagger and drove it into his own side. He winced as the de sank into his flesh, but his face betrayed no pain, only a dark, calcting satisfaction. The sacrificial act set something in motion, a pulse of dark energy that began to seep into the air around them. As Varric stood, lost in thought, his axe began to thrum loudly, shaking in his hand as if reacting to the evil that was about to unfold. The vibration snapped him out of his daze, the weapon almost seeming to scream at him to focus, to remember who he was and what he stood for. "I see," Varric said, his voice regaining its strength. "I was foolish to even consider it." The resolve in his eyes hardened, the memories of Guinevere now fueling his determination rather than his doubt. "Thane, surrender your wand, any other weapon in your possession, and yourself. Maybe then, I''ll let you live." Thane scoffed, the corner of his mouth curling into a contemptuous sneer. "I take that as a no, then." Varric''s eyes narrowed, his patience nearly at its end. "You have five seconds." But Thane was already moving, his confidence unshaken. "No need for that," he replied, his voice dripping with malice. Varric felt it before he saw it¡ªthe sudden, oppressive wave of dark energy that radiated from Thane''s body. The air grew heavy with a malevolent force, thickening like a poisonous fog. Thane''sughter broke the silence, growing louder, more maniacal as the sinister aura engulfed him. His feet left the ground, and he hovered above the ground, his figure bathed in shadow. The dark energy coiled around him like a living thing, tendrils of ck mist writhing and twisting in the air. Those who were watching, the onlookers with weaker wills, began to shudder, their hearts pounding with an instinctual fear. The darkness seemed to whisper to them, gnawing at the edges of their sanity. Varric tightened his grip on his axe, the weapon''s glow fighting back against the encroaching darkness. But even he could feel the shift in the air¡ªthe unmistakable presence of demonic energy. "Demonic energy," Varric muttered, his voiceced with both recognition and disdain. Thane had crossed a line that few dared to approach, a line that put him beyond the pale of human decency. Thane''sughter echoed across their battlefield, a chilling sound that promised destruction. "You should have epted the offer, Varric," Thane taunted, his voice nowyered with a sinister edge. "Now, you will face the true power that I have embraced. This world will tremble, and all will fall before us!" Find your next adventure on m_v l|e-NovelBin Varric''s eyes burned with a renewed fury. Whatever darkness Thane had embraced, whatever twisted power he now wielded, Varric knew one thing: he would not allow this corruption to stand. With a roar, he raised his axe, the light red in defiance against the growing darkness. Elias and Queen Seraphina approached the castle gates, the ominous silence weighing heavily on them. The once grand entrance, typically bustling with life and activity, now resembled a tomb. As they neared, they found bodies strewn across the cobblestone path¡ªsoldiers, their eyes staring vacantly at the sky, frozen in death. Elias knelt beside one, checking for any signs of injury, but there were none. Their skin was cold, their faces locked in expressions of terror, but not a single wound marred their bodies. "They have no visible wounds," Elias observed, his voice hushed but tense. He nced up at Seraphina, who had gone pale. "But they''re surely dead." Seraphina''s heart pounded in her chest as a deep, unsettling dread settled over her. "I have a bad feeling about this," she whispered, her voice trembling as she looked at the lifeless faces of men she had once known, men who had sworn to protect her. Elias''s expression darkened, his jaw tightening with grim resolve. "Your husband is possessed, Seraphina. He wants to crumble the kingdom, tear it apart from within. Of course, you would have a bad feeling." As they pressed on, the scene only grew more horrifying. Bodies were scattered throughout the castle, not just soldiers but also maids, servants, and even merchants¡ªpeople Seraphina recognized from her daily life. Their lifeless formsy contorted in the corridors, their skin ashen, veins darkened, as if the very life had been drained from them. Seraphina''s steps faltered as she passed a familiar face, a merchant who had once offered her daughter a trinket in the market square. Now hey in the hallway, his cheerful smile reced by a grotesque rictus of death. She pressed a hand to her mouth, fighting the wave of nausea and sorrow that threatened to overwhelm her. Finally, they reached the throne room. Elias paused for a moment, steeling himself before pushing the heavy doors open. A chilling cold wafted out, sending shivers down both their spines. The air inside was frigid, unnatural, as if the warmth had been sucked out of the very walls. King ric satcklusterly on the throne, his posture slouched, eyes zed over with a sickly dullness. He looked more like a puppet than a man, a mere shadow of the king he once was. But what truly caught their attention was the scene before him. Lady Selene knelt on the cold marble floor, clutching the pale, motionless body of Lady Isolde to her chest. Lady Isolde''s skin was ghostly white, her veins nearly ck, and her eyes¡ªonce vibrant with life¡ªwere open but vacant, staring into nothingness. "Isolde!" Queen Seraphina cried out, rushing to Lady Selene''s side. She knelt beside her, gently touching Lady Isolde''s face, her heart breaking at the sight. "What happened to her?" Lady Selene''s grip tightened around Lady Isolde''s body, her own face pale and strained with grief. "I don''t know," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just got here too... She was already like this when I arrived." Elias cursed under his breath, his fists clenching in frustration. "Damn it, we werete." Lady Selene looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You''re right on time," she said, her voice hollow. Her gaze flickered briefly to King ric, who remained motionless on the throne, and then back to Elias. "But it might already be toote for her¡­ but who knows. She is still alive, where there is life, there is hope." Elias''s eyes narrowed as he studied the king, searching for any sign of the man he once knew. But ric''s eyes were empty, devoid of the fire that had once made him a formidable ruler. The cold that filled the room seemed to emanate from him, it was a palpable aura of death and despair. Seraphina, still holding onto Lady Isolde''s cold hand, looked up at Elias, her eyes pleading for answers. "What do we do, Elias? How do we stop this?" Elias took a deep breath, his mind racing as he tried to piece together what had happened. "First, we need to figure out exactly what we''re dealing with. If ric is possessed, then whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªis controlling him has turned this ce into a nightmare." He stepped forward, closer to the throne, his voice steady but edged with urgency. "Lady Selene, you said you don''t know what happened, but you must have seen something. Anything could help us." Lady Selene shook her head, her expression one of helplessness. "I swear, Elias, I don''t know. I felt a dark presence as I approached the castle, but by the time I got here, Isolde was already like this, and the king... he''s been like that ever since." Elias turned to Seraphina, determination hardening in his eyes. "Whatever demon this is, it''s using ric to spread death. We need to stop it, and quickly." Seraphina nodded, though fear still gripped her. "What if we''re already toote?" she whispered. Elias''s gaze softened, and he ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We''re not toote, Seraphina. Not yet. We still have a chance to save what''s left. And I swear, I''ll do everything in my power to stop this." He turned back to the throne, where ric sat and steeled himself for the iing battle. Chapter 103 : Your name Elias stood at the center of the throne room, his eyes narrowed as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into ce. "It all makes sense now," he said, his voice cutting through the eerie silence. "Why King ric wanted the refolk gone so badly, why he sent the Archmages, the otherpetent mages and the Griffin riders away¡ªit was all to leave the kingdom as vulnerable as possible. Killing the refolk, some of the strongest people in Eldoria, would deal a huge blow to the kingdom and ris as a whole " He paced slowly, his gaze fixed on the figure slumped on the throne. "If you had attempted this in your true demonic form, you would have been attacked before you even set foot in the kingdom. So, you decided to possess the one person whose decisions are nearly unquestionable. It''s a very clever plot. But it''s over now. You''ve been caught, and I will expose you to the kingdom. All your scheming will have been for nothing." But King ric remained seated, his expression vacant, as if he hadn''t heard a single word. Frustration flickered across Elias''s face. He conjured a fireball in his hand and hurled it toward the king. As the zing sphere traveled through the air, it began to shrink, its fiery glow dimming until it fizzled out entirely before reaching its target. Elias''s frown deepened. He summoned two more fireballs, sending them streaking toward ric, but the results were the same¡ªeach one vanished into nothingness before it could cause any harm. Frustration boiled over into action. Elias drew his sword from his inventory, its de gleaming with an ethereal light. With a swift motion, he sent a flying sh above the king''s head. The sharp arc of mana sliced clean through the top of the throne, leaving a dismembered chunk of marble and wood to tter to the floor. Finally, King ric stirred. He nced at the ruined throne, then at Elias, azy, almost disinterested look on his face. The king yawned and stretched, as though rousing from a deep sleep. Elias raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "Was this fucker asleep?" King ric finished his yawn, his expression one of mild amusement. "I''ve been waiting for you, Elias. I have a feeling I missed your ''hero'' speech." He waved a hand dismissively. "All you Children of Light and so-called heroes always have something to say, so dramatic . Of course, they all usually end up dead shortly after. Just as you will now." Elias brushed off the snide remark with a cold stare. "Then there''s no use repeating myself, is there?" "Absolutely not," ric replied with a smirk. "Let''s just get this over with. I have a kingdom to destroy." Elias took a step forward, his grip on his sword tightening. "I have one question for you, though." He locked eyes with the king¡ªor rather, the creature controlling him. "I know you''re possessing the king. But what is your name, demon?" ric''s ck eyes gleamed as a twisted grin spread across his face. "What gave it away? The eyes?" He leaned forward, showcasing the inky ckness that had consumed his once human gaze. Read new adventures at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin Elias didn''t flinch. "For you to possess King ric, you must be at least a demon general. I need to know which one." The grin on ric''s face vanished in an instant, reced by a look of cold fury. "You insult me," he snarled, his voice dropping to a menacing growl. "Likening me to a mere demon general?" Elias remained unfazed, his expression unwavering. "Then what are you? A demon king? I doubt,l" he demanded, his tone hard and unyielding. ric rose from the throne, a dark aura radiating from his body. The air around him seemed to warp and twist, as though reality itself was recoiling from his presence. "I am far beyond the likes of any demon general," he hissed. "I am the one whomands them. I am the terror that lurks in the shadows of your world." Elias squared his shoulders, his sword shined brighter in response to the dark energy filling the room. "We''ll see about that," he said, his voice steely with determination. "But before this fight is over, I''ll know your name. And when I do, I will make sure to enjoy your screams of pains as I drive my sword into your heart." Elias gripped his sword, his frustration mounting as he dashed straight at King ric. Despite the strange force that seemed to nullify his spells, he was determined to break through. "If one fireball isn''t enough, then maybe two will be and if two doesn''t work then maybe a hundred will ," he muttered under his breath. With a wave of his hand, he conjured a hundred fireballs, each crackling with intense energy. With a flick of his wrist, they shot toward the throne, a zing barrage that crashed down upon King ric, engulfing him in a storm of mes, dust, and debris. But as the dust began to clear, Elias''s eyes narrowed in disbelief. King ric sat unscathed, a faint smirk ying on his lips. The throne room around him was in ruins, but the king himself remained untouched. Elias frowned, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. With a burst of speed, he lunged at ric, his sword gleaming as he rained down a series of shes. ric moved with unnatural agility, dodging each strike effortlessly. Elias mixed in small fireballs, wind des, and other elemental spells, but they all dissipated before they could reach their target, fading into nothingness. "Is that all you''ve got?" ric taunted, his voice cold and mocking. "I''ve seen you fight, Elias Ashdown. I know the extent of your power. You''ll nevernd a hit, much less hope to defeat me." Frustration boiled over in Elias. He gathered his strength, preparing to unleash abination of [Hurricane Fury] and [zing Hell], but his gaze flickered to Queen Seraphina and Lady Selene. They were too close, and the sheer force of the attack alone would undoubtedly harm them. His momentary distraction was all ric needed. Chapter 104 : A clever trick With a single punch, ric struck Elias with a force that was both powerful and unnatural, sending him hurtling across the throne room. He crashed into the wall just beside Queen Seraphina and Lady Selene, the impact sending cracks spider-webbing across the stone. Blood spewed from Elias''s mouth, his chest caved in from the brutal blow. For the first time since Elias had stepped into this world, he felt real pain. Queen Seraphina and Lady Selene rushed to his side. Lady Selene''s voice trembled as she observed the scene. "This strength¡­ it''s not natural. King ric has grown too strong. This isn''t human." Queen Seraphina knelt beside Elias, her eyes wide with concern. "Elias, are you okay?" Elias forced a smile, despite the pain. He nced at his crushed chest, then back at the queen. "I''m doing wonderful. Tis but a flesh wound," he joked, trying to ease the tension. But as he shifted his gaze back to King ric, the humor faded from his eyes. The demonic aura surrounding the king was unmistakable. The real King ric was likely lost, consumed by whatever malevolent demon had taken over. Elias knew he had no choice but to kill them both. "You both need to leave," he said, his tone firm. "Go somewhere safe." "[Heal]" He channeled a healing spell, feeling his bones realign and his flesh mend. As the pain subsided, he got back to his feet, dusting off his clothes with a determined expression. He raised his sword once more, his resolve solidifying. The demon possessing ric chuckled darkly. "I expected more from you, Elias. Are you afraid for the body I inhabit? Don''t worry, the real King ric is long gone, even if I were to leave this body at this very moment, the king will not return to you for I have consumed his soul. My lord instructed me not to kill you, but that doesn''t mean I can''t have some fun with you." Elias''s eyes hardened. "So the real ric is gone. Fine. Then I won''t hold back, not like I was nning to anyway" With a cold, focused intensity, Elias whispered, "[dewalk]." In an instant, Elias vanished from his spot, his form dissolving into a blur In the grand hall of the Church of Eternal Light, the air was thick with incense and the glow of countless candles. Margo stood before the High Luminary, her expression a mix of frustration and concern. Beside her, Priest Mathias watched silently, his hands sped. The High Luminary scrutinized Margo with an intensity that made the young priest shift ufortably. "Why did you return alone, Margo? Where is Elias Ashdown?" Margo clenched her fists, trying to steady her voice. "Elias¡­ he tricked me. He sent me back here without telling me." The High Luminary raised an eyebrow, her voiceced with skepticism. "He tricked you to take a three-day journey without him? Sent you here?" Margo shook her head, her frustration bubbling over. "No, not like that. Elias sent me back to Eldoria via teleportation. One minute I was putting on a ring, and the next, I found myself in this church." The High Luminary''s gaze softened slightly, and she nodded. "I see." Her voice held a tone of understanding, but also concern. She looked down, her heart filled with worry . "I just hope he gets back before the festival begins¡­I have a bad feeling about the demons this time" Suddenly, the High Luminary''s eyes widened, and she straightened, her head tilting as if listening to something far off. "Elias is in danger." Margo''s heart skipped a beat. "How? What''s happening?" Fearing that herck of presence had put Elias in danger The High Luminary''s voice was grave. "He is battling a foe not of this world¡­ a demon." Margo''s eyes filled with determination. "I have to go help him." The High Luminary reached out, her grip firm on Margo''s arm. "No, Margo. This is one of the first trials the Goddess foresaw. Elias must face this alone." Margo wanted to argue, but the look in the High Luminary''s veiled eyes stopped her. Reluctantly, she nodded, though her thoughts were already with Elias The battlefield between Lord Varric and Lord Thane was a chaotic mess of shing steel and roaring magic. Sparks flew as the two lords shed, their power shaking the very ground beneath them. Lord Thane, now imbued with dark energy, fought with a renewed ferocity. His spells crackled with a sinister force, and his mana reserves seemed inexhaustible as he hurled spell after spell at Lord Varric. "Run and cower, Varric!" Thane taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. "When I am done with you, King ric¡ªor should I say, Lord Lazrageb¡ªwill have finished with Elias Ashdown. Then I will im the throne of Eldoria as I was meant to! And Seraphina will be mine, whether she likes it or not!" Lord Varric deflected a lightning strike with his axe, his eyes narrowing with contempt. "Is that why you turned to the demonic side, Thane? For a title? For power that corrupts your soul? You''ve been blinded by greed. And those who are blinded by greed die unsatisfied." With a powerful throw, Varricunched his axe at Thane. The dark lord dodged it, a smug grin spreading across his face. But before he could boast, the axe boomeranged back, slicing through the air and severing the arm holding Thane''s wand clean off. Thane screamed in pain, clutching the bloody stump. As he inspected the axe, his eyes widened in realization. "Mana thread," he hissed. "A clever trick, but it won''t win you this fight, Varric." Even as he spoke, a ck tendril shot out from the severed arm, writhing and twisting as it reattached the limb with sickening ease. Thane grinned wickedly, flexing his reformed arm. "You''re going to have to try much, much harder than that, Varric." Heughed, the sound was twisted and had an unsettling undertone that echoed across their battlefield as the dark energy around him grew even more oppressive. Lord Varric, undeterred, readied himself for the next exchange, his gaze steadied and he remained unshaken despite Thane''s disy . Chapter 105 : Guinevere鈥檚 plea The air crackled with energy as the battle raged on between Lord Varric and Lord Thane. The ground beneath them was scorched and shattered, filled with craters from the violent exchange of magic and steel. Lord Thane, his eyes aze with a sinister light,unched spell after spell with a furious intensity, arcs of lightning exploding from his hands and raining down like a relentless storm upon Lord Varric. Lord Varric was a blur of motion, his massive frame moving with surprising agility as he dodged the bolts of lightning. He was a powerhouse, relying on his raw strength, but his speed was something even the most seasoned of mages would find hard to match. Each time Thane''s lightning struck, Varric swung his axe, using the t of the de to redirect the energy back toward Thane. The mana thread, invisible to the naked eye, connected Varric to his weapon, allowing him to swing it like a il, sending it crashing back toward Thane and deflecting his spells with each precise motion. Thane''s face twisted with frustration as he hurled bolt after bolt, trying to catch Varric in the storm. "Dodge all you want, Varric! It won''t change anything!" Thane shouted, his voice carrying a manic edge. Varric grinned through the sweat and strain, yanking his axe back with the mana thread, spinning it around his head, and releasing it once more in a sweeping arc. The axe cleaved through the air, forcing Thane to duck, a snarl escaping his lips as he narrowly avoided the weapon''s deadly edge. "Getting tired, Thane?" Varric taunted, his voice strained but defiant. Thane answered with another volley of lightning bolts, and Varric again deflected them with his axe, swinging the weapon in tight arcs, redirecting the deadly magic into the ground. But the strain was beginning to show. Every time he swung the axe, it grew a little heavier in his hands, and his breath came a little shorter. His muscles burned with fatigue, and his vision blurred slightly from the exertion. Thane''s wounds, however, only seemed to fuel his growing power. Each time a limb was severed or a gash appeared, dark tendrils of demonic energy coiled around the injuries, pulling flesh back together with a sickening sound. But with every regeneration, his form became more monstrous. His skin darkened, his limbs elongated and twisted, and his eyes glowed an unnatural crimson. He no longer resembled the nobleman he once was; he was bing something else entirely¡ªa grotesque amalgamation of human and demon. Yet, Thane paid his transformation no mind. His focus was singr: defeating Lord Varric. "You''re getting slow, old friend ," he sneered,unching another bolt that Varric barely deflected, his axe wobbling from the force. Lord Varric grimaced, sweat pouring down his face. He was tiring, and Thane''s relentless regeneration was wearing him down. The demon''s form was grotesque, but his strength was undiminished. Each spell seemed stronger than thest, the air around them humming with unstable energy. Lord Varric felt his muscles protesting, his lungs burning with each breath, but he refused to back down. With a growl, Varric hurled his axe again, using the mana thread to swing it wide like a pendulum. Thane leapt back, but this time Varric yanked it back mid-swing, catching Thane by surprise. The de came around in a tight arc, and Thane barely managed to dodge, the edge grazing his cheek and leaving a line of dark blood. Thaneughed, his voice a chilling, distorted sound. "Clever, Varric. But as I said earlier, clever won''t save you." Heunched another barrage of lightning, and Varric, running low on stamina, couldn''t deflect them all. Sparks flew as several bolts struck his armor, sending him staggering back. Thane pressed his advantage, hurling spell after spell, forcing Varric to retreat under the onught. Find your next read on m_v l|e-NovelBin Varric swung his axe to deflect another bolt, but his movements were slowing, his reactions dulling. Thane grinned wickedly, seeing his opportunity. Heunched a concentrated beam of dark energy directly at Varric''s axe, with a deafening crack, the force of the st shattered the weapon into two pieces Varric was thrown back by the force, skidding across the ground anding to a halt, breathing heavily. His hands, now empty, felt strangely light without the familiar weight of his axe. He was cornered, his weapon destroyed, fatigue setting in deep within his bones. Thane advanced slowly, a cruel smile spreading across his twisted face. "You''re weak, Varric. You don''t pursue strength like I do. You settle for what you have, and that is why Guinevere is dead¡ªbecause of your powerlessness." The words cut deeper than any de. Varric''s eyes widened with pain and fury, but before he could respond, Thane raised his hands to the sky, his voice booming with malevolent triumph. "Now die knowing you could have done more!" The sky darkened, and a barrage of lightning descended from the heavens, striking Varric with a force unlike any he had faced before. This time, the bolts did not dance around and empower him¡ªthey struck true, searing his flesh and tearing at his armor. His skin crackled, his body convulsed, and he cried out in pain as the energy coursed through him. He felt the agonizing burn of the magic tearing at his very soul. Varric fell to his knees, smoke rising from his scorched armor, his body trembling with pain. He looked up at Thane, his vision blurring, but his resolve still unbroken, though his strength was fading. The demonic lord loomed over him, triumphant, yet Varric could see the madness in Thane''s eyes¡ªthe obsession that drove him beyond reason. With what little strength he had left, Varric steadied himself. Lord Varric''s body trembled as he tried to keep himself up, but his strength was all but gone. His muscles refused to obey, and he copsed back to the ground, panting heavily. Lord Thane towered over him, a sneer on his distorted face. "Surprised you''re still breathing," Thane muttered, a mixture of admiration and disdain in his voice. "You''re a tough bastard, Varric. But without that axe of yours, there''s nothing left for you to do. I''ll grant you mercy and let you live, considering we were oncerades." Varric''s mind swirled in a haze, barely registering Thane''s words. He felt the sting of failure deep in his bones, the weight of regret heavy in his heart. He had fought with everything he had, but it wasn''t enough. All he could hope for now was that his daughter, Sarah, would live a better life than he had¡ª His eyelids fluttered, and he felt himself slipping away. But just as he was about to lose consciousness, a sudden warmth washed over him, an indescribable sensation that flooded his body. Everything around him seemed to freeze as if time itself had stopped. The warmth was familiar,forting¡ªit felt like an embrace he hadn''t felt in years. "Guinevere," he whispered, a realization dawning on him. He tried to turn his head, to see her face, but a soft, firm voice stopped him. "Don''t you dare," she warned gently. "If you see my face, you will be counted among the dead. The afterlife isn''t very weing to those who still belong to the living." "Am I not dead already?" Varric asked, his voice breaking with confusion. "Why else would I be speaking to you now if I wasn''t?" Guinevereughed softly, a sound that sent a shiver through his soul, filling him with both longing andfort. "Oh, Varric," she said, "I miss you dearly, but it is not your time yet. Our daughter, Sarah, is not ready to face this world alone." Chapter 106 : Do not beg to be spared He felt her hands holding him tighter, and it was as though she were both there and not there, a presence that was tangible but unreachable. The warmth intensified, spreading through his limbs, renewing his spirit. And just as suddenly as it hade, the feeling vanished, and time resumed its flow. Lord Thane, who had turned his back to Lord Varric to walk away, suddenly froze. He felt a disturbance, a shift in the energy around him. His senses red, and he spun around, expecting to see Varric still lying on the ground. But the spot where Varric had copsed was empty. "What¡ª?!" Thane''s eyes darted around, searching their battlefield. He felt a prickle of unease, a sensation he was not ustomed to feeling. He turned again and his gaze fell upon Varric, now hunched over the shattered remains of his axe. Thane''s eyes widened in disbelief. How had Varric, who was on the brink of death just moments ago, moved so quickly? How was he even standing at all? "What is this?!" Thane snarled, his voice tinged with confusion and anger. "You should be on the brink of death, Varric! How¡ª?" Lord Varric stood there, his hand trembling as he grasped the broken shaft of his axe. His body still bore the marks of the lightning strike, his armor singed and his skin scorched, but there was a new strength in his posture, a determination that hadn''t been there before. His eyes burned with an intensity that caused Thane to take a step back Thane''s sneer returned, though it was less confident now. "So, you think you can stand up to me, even after everything? Fine. I''ll make sure to put you down properly this time." Readtest chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin But Varric did not respond with words. Instead, he closed his eyes, and in his mind, he heard Guinevere''s voice onest time, soft and reassuring: "Fight for Sarah¡­ and for yourself." He took a deep breath, feeling his strength return in a way he had never felt before. He stood tall, gripping the broken halves of his axe, ready to face Thane once more. Like Thane, Lord Varric was also a mage, but a very different kind. He belonged to the rare breed of dependent mages¡ªspecifically, he was a bonded mage. In the world of ris, bonded mages had a unique ability that set them apart: they could form a magical bond with almost anything that possessed mana. From the grandest of creatures to the smallest of objects, if it had even a spark of mana, they could bind their essence to it. Some bonded mages were known to connect with the souls of ancient trees, others with fierce beasts, and some, to the surprise of many, even with mundane animals likemon rats. So, what was Lord Varric bonded with? His axe, or more precisely, the soul that resided within it. But this was no ordinary soul. Lord Varric had not always been a mage. In fact, he had spent most of his life as a formidable warrior, known throughout thends for his strength and fearlessness in battle. But everything changed when his beloved wife, Guinevere, fell gravely ill. It was a sickness so rare and almost incurable that even the most skilled healers of Eldoria were unable to save her. There was a choice presented to Lord Varric, a difficult choice that he could not make. As her strength faded, Guinevere clung desperately to life, her only wish to watch over their young daughter, Sarah, who was barely more than a child at the time. She fought with every ounce of her being, but fate had other ns. Despite her fierce determination, her body gave way, and she sumbed to the illness. Yet, Guinevere''s love for her family was so immense, her willpower so extraordinary, that even death could not sever her attachment to the mortal realm. Her soul, bound by love and an unyielding desire to protect and love her husband and daughter, remained tethered to the world of the living. But there was a problem: a soul without a vessel was destined to dissipate, to be lost forever in the abyss, unable to be reincarnated. In those final moments, as her essence lingered on the edge of oblivion, Guinevere made a desperate choice. In an act of sheer will, she reached out and anchored herself to the nearest object infused with mana¡ªLord Varric''s axe. It all happened so quickly that Lord Varric had no understanding of what had transpired. To him, his beloved wife was gone, lost to the cruel hands of fate. In his grief, he did what he knew best¡ªhe fought. With a heavy heart and a battle-hardened determination, he swung his axe with fury, cutting down beasts, enemies, and anything that dared to stand in his way. What he did not realize was that he was not fighting alone. With each swing of the axe, Guinevere''s spirit fought alongside him, guiding his strikes, lending him strength, and protecting him in ways he could notprehend. It was in the midst of one particrly fierce battle that Lord Varric first heard it¡ªhis wife''s voice, soft yet unmistakable, whispering in his mind, urging him to dodge, to strike, to survive. At first, he thought it was a figment of his imagination, the desperate dreams of a grieving man. But the more he fought, the clearer the voice became, until he could no longer deny its presence. He had bonded with the soul of his departed wife. Over the years, this bond only grew stronger. Together, they faced countless foes, endured endless battles, and forged a connection deeper than anything Lord Varric had ever known. His axe was no longer just a weapon; it was an extension of his will, his strength, his very soul¡ªa bond made manifest by the undying love of his wife. But now, in this moment of reckoning, that bond had been shattered. Thane had broken his axe, and with it, the connection to Guinevere. For the second time, Lord Varric had lost his wife, and once again it was due to his own inadequacy, his failure to protect what mattered most. The pain of this realization cut deeper than any wound. His rage was a quiet storm, but his aura spoke volumes. It zed a furious red, a burning me to his singr purpose: to end Thane, once and for all. He stood tall, the broken pieces of his axe clutched tightly in his hands. His voice, low and filled with a fire that matched his aura, echoed across the battlefield. "I will not show you the mercy you offered me, Thane," he growled. "When you find yourself at the edge of my axe, do not beg to be spared." His eyes zed with a burning rage, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with the intensity of his fury. The fight was far from over. Chapter 107 : Varric鈥檚 rage Lord Varric stood, the two pieces of his broken axe clutched tightly in each hand, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. His aura zed around him like a roaring fire, intense and untamed. The crimson light illuminated his sweat-streaked face, but his eyes were focused, burning with an inner resolve that was impossible to extinguish. He looked down at the shattered remains of his weapon, the remnants of the bond he had shared with his wife. For a moment, there was a flicker of sorrow, a glint of the pain that coursed through him like a fresh wound. But that was quickly overtaken by something else¡ªsomething far more primal. He had failed Guinevere once; he would not fail her again. His grip tightened, his fingers digging into the cold steel, and as if responding to his thoughts, the fragments of his axe began to glow with a brilliant white light. He felt the warmth again, the same sensation that had washed over him moments before when he had heard her voice. It filled him, fueled him, and coursed through his veins like liquid fire. He gritted his teeth and, with a low growl, channeled all of his mana into the broken pieces. Suddenly, the light around his hands red, blindingly bright. The pieces of the axe trembled and shifted, and with a sh, they separated and reshaped, transforming into two separate axes. Each one gleamed with a fierce new light, runes etched along their des glowing with an otherworldly power. They were sharper, stronger, and more deadly than before. Lord Thane''s eyes widened in shock. "Impossible," he spat, recoiling in anger and disbelief. "What kind of trickery is this?" His voice was tinged with fury and frustration as he watched his opponent hold two glowing axes, both pulsing with raw energy. Before Thane could react, Lord Varric moved. His speed was a blur, a mere flicker in the air, faster than Thane had ever seen. The ground trembled beneath the weight of his steps, his formrger and more imposing than before. He seemed to have grown in size, his muscles bulging, veins throbbing with newfound power. Thane''s fury boiled over. He thrust his hands forward, and arcs of lightning crackled from his fingertips, zigzagging through the air with deadly precision. They moved to strike Lord Varric, but he was too fast. With a flick of his wrist, Varric swung one of his axes, redirecting the lightning strike into the ground with a forceful st that sent dirt and debris flying in all directions. The other axe came down hard, cleaving through the air with a whistle, and Thane barely managed to dodge to the side, stumbling backward. Thane''s eyes narrowed. He muttered under his breath, casting a series ofplex spells, his hands weaving through the air as he summoned a storm of fire, ice, and lightning. Raw magical energy swirled around him, converging into a chaotic vortex that he directed toward Lord Varric. The air crackled with mana, the power was almost physical , and the ground trembled beneath the intensity of the magical storm. But Lord Varric was relentless. He charged straight into the maelstrom of magic, his axes moving in a blur. Each swing deflected the spells, cutting through fireballs, shattering ice spears, and dissipating lightning bolts with incredible precision. His movements were fluid, graceful even, like a dance. He closed the distance between them in an instant, and before Thane could react, he was upon him. The first blownded with a sickening crunch, the axe head mming into Thane''s shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground. Thane''s eyes widened in pain as he felt the bone crack beneath the force. He struggled to rise, but Varric was already there, his second axeing down in a swift arc. Thane managed to roll out of the way just in time, the de embedding itself deep into the earth where he had just been. "How¡­ how are you this strong?" Thane hissed through gritted teeth as he staggered to his feet, blood trickling from his mouth. Lord Varric didn''t answer. He swung again, his axes cutting through the air with a vicious speed that left little room for Thane to maneuver. Thane summoned a barrier of dark energy, but Varric''s axes cut through it like paper. Thane''s eyes widened in horror as he realized he was outmatched. Every spell he cast, every attack he tried, was either deflected or dodged with ease. It was as if Lord Varric could anticipate his every move, reacting faster than Thane could even think. Panic set in. Thane unleashed another volley of lightning bolts, desperately trying to keep Varric at bay, but Varric was too fast, too relentless. He dodged and weaved between the strikes, closing the gap with terrifying speed. His axes struck out with precision, slicing through Thane''s robes, cutting into his flesh. Blood spattered the ground with each blow, and Thane''s body was pushed back, step by step. Thane''s regeneration worked overtime, closing his wounds, reattaching limbs, but it was a losing battle. With every cut and every sh, his form grew more grotesque, more twisted. His skin darkened, horns began to sprout from his forehead, and his eyes burned with a demonic red hue. His body was warping, bing more monstrous with each passing second. But he paid it no mind. His focus was on Varric, his hate-filled eyes locked onto his foe. "You cannot keep this up!" Thane roared, his voice distorted, sounding almost inhuman. He summoned a wall of mes and hurled it toward Varric. The mes were hot, bright, and consuming, a wall of death and destruction. Yet Varric didn''t slow down. He charged straight through the fire, his axes glowing with a holy light, dispelling the mes upon contact. Thane''s eyes widened in disbelief as Varric emerged from the inferno unscathed, his face set in a grim determination. Lord Varric''s assault was relentless. He hacked and shed, each blow delivered with the force of a battering ram. Thane tried to dodge, but he was too slow. One axe cut across his chest, tearing through flesh and muscle, sending him stumbling backward. The other came down on his arm, severing it at the elbow. Thane screamed in agony, but the sound was swallowed by the roar of battle. Thane''s severed arm reformed almost immediately, the ck tendrils weaving together to form a new limb, but even this regeneration seemed sluggish, faltering. Varric gave him no time to recover. He leaped forward, bringing both axes down in a brutal, overhead strike. Thane managed to raise a barrier just in time, but the force of Varric''s attack shattered it instantly, and the impact sent Thane crashing to the ground. For a moment, Thaney still, dazed and disoriented. Varric loomed over him, his breathing in heavy, ragged gasps, but his stance was still strong, his will unbroken. "You were right about one thing, Thane," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "I am not like you. I do not seek power for the sake of power. I fight to protect what I love, what I hold dear. And that¡­ that fuels me strength that is beyond every borrowed power." With a furious roar, Thane forced himself to his feet, his face contorted with rage. His body was almost fully demonic now, his skin ckened, his features monstrous, horns jutting out from his head. Heunched himself at Varric with a speed and ferocity born of desperation, his ws shing, his teeth bared. But Varric was ready. He sidestepped the charge, his axes swinging in a deadly arc. One axe buried itself in Thane''s side, the other cleaving into his back. Thane howled in pain, his body convulsing, but he fought on, wild and frenzied. The battle raged on, a flurry of des and spells, blood and sweat. Thane fought like a cornered beast, but Varric was unrelenting. He moved with a purpose, each strike calcted, each swing precise. His axes danced in his hands, cutting through the air with a deadly grace, and Thane could do nothing but try to keep up. Every time Thane thought he had an opening, Varric was there, meeting him blow for blow, wearing him down, breaking him piece by piece. Thane''s demonic regeneration slowed with each passing moment, his form bing more and more distorted, his power waning. Lord Varric''s strikes were merciless, relentless, and they carved through Thane''s flesh like a knife through butter. Thane''s breathing grewbored, his movements more sluggish, his eyes wide with panic as he realized he was losing this fight. And then, in a final act of desperation, Thane summoned all of his remaining mana into onest attack. He raised his hands to the sky, and a massive bolt of lightning crackled above, ready to strike. But before he could release it, Varric was upon him He swung both axes down with all his might, and with a deafening crack, Thane''s concentration broke. The lightning bolt fizzled out, and his eyes widened in terror. Lord Varric''s axes struck true, cutting deep into Thane''s chest. Chapter 108 : The price of your ambition Thane staggered backward, his chest heaving with ragged breaths, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. His body trembled as he felt the sharp sting of the cuts and shes across his skin. Blood dripped from his wounds, a thick, dark red that sizzled and evaporated into the air, his regenerative powers struggling to keep up with the onught. His mind raced, trying toprehend how things had gone so horribly wrong. He had embraced the demonic power, surrendered himself to it fully, expecting to be invincible¡ªyet here he was, beaten and broken, overwhelmed by a foe who should have been long dead. Anger surged through him, hot and furious, a wildfire burning through his veins. His face twisted into a snarl, his teeth clenched so hard they threatened to shatter. "Why?" he screamed, his voice raw with frustration. "Why am I still losing? Why am I still so weak?" He looked down at his hands, at the dark veins that pulsed beneath his skin, the corrupted energy coursing through him. "I took in the power of the demons! I should be unstoppable!" His voice was rising, cracking with desperation and fury. He had believed this power would make him a god, a conqueror beyond mortal limits, but it had failed him¡ªbetrayed him. He roared in frustration, his voice echoing through the ruinedndscape. With a sudden, violent movement, he wed at his own face, his nails digging deep into his skin. The flesh tore away in long strips, the sound of it ripping like paper in the silent air. He wed again, harder, his fingers sinking into the flesh of his cheeks, dragging down in jagged lines, peeling the skin away in thick, wet chunks. Blood poured from the open wounds, dripping onto the ground, a dark, oily ck now, corrupted and unnatural. The sight was horrifying. The more Thane tore at himself, the less human he became. His face twisted and contorted as the flesh fell away, revealing something else beneath¡ªa grotesque, malformed creature, its skin slick and ck, its eyes glowing a sickly yellow. The human features of Thane were fading, melting away under his own hands, reced by a visage of pure evil. He continued to w and peel, frantic and furious, his breathing in short, frantic gasps, his body trembling with the effort. The air around him seemed to darken, a foul miasma spreading outward from his body. His hands, now bloody ws, tore away at his chest and arms, revealing more of the horror beneath. Experience more tales on m v|l e''-NovelBin The creature''s skin was rough and scaly, ckened like charred wood, with veins of molten orange light pulsing beneath it, as if it were made ofva. Horns jutted from his forehead, curving upward like those of a demon. His eyes, once dark, now glowed an unnatural crimson, burning with hatred and malice. No longer capable of coherent speech, his mouth opened wide, and a horrid, guttural wail erupted from his throat. The sound was inhuman, a high-pitched screech that pierced the air like a de. It echoed through the air around them, a scream that seemed toe from the very depths of the abyss. It was a sound filled with madness, anger, and pure, undiluted evil. All the onlookers both weak and strong willed, fell to their knees, their mind teetered on the brink of insanity. Thane''s body convulsed as the transformation continued. His arms elongated, the fingers stretching into long, bony ws that twitched and curled with malevolent intent. His legs twisted and bent at unnatural angles, the joints popping and cracking as his form reshaped itself. His spine arched backward, vertebrae protruding sharply beneath the skin, like the ridges of a dragon''s back. His mouth widened into a grotesque maw, filled with rows of sharp, jagged teeth that gleamed wetly in the dim light. He staggered forward, his movements jerky and uncoordinated, like a puppet with its strings cut. His limbs iled, his head jerked back and forth, his eyes rolling wildly in their sockets. He opened his mouth again, and another scream tore free, a sound so filled with fury and pain that it seemed to shake the very ground beneath them. The entity that had been Lord Thane was now fully revealed¡ªa twisted, deformed abomination, a true manifestation of the evil he had embraced. His flesh was torn and rotting, patches of bone visible through the tattered remnants of skin. His body was a patchwork of corruption, his essence soaked in darkness. His features were a horrific mix of human and demonic, a creature that should not exist in any sane reality. He thrashed about wildly, swinging his newly formed ws in frenzied arcs, shing at the air as if trying to tear apart reality itself. His movements were erratic, but the power behind them was undeniable. Each strike sent waves of malevolent energy rippling through the air, distorting the very fabric of existence around him. But even in this monstrous form, there was no mistaking the underlying desperation¡ªthe sense of a man who had given everything for power and found himself lost in the abyss. His screeches were no longer words, just garbled sounds of torment and fury, his mind slipping further into madness with every passing moment. Lord Varric watched him, his breath steady, his axes at the ready. He did not flinch at the sight of Thane''s transformation, nor did he show fear at the monstrous entity before him. Instead, there was a grim determination in his eyes, a quiet resolve. This was no longer a fight against a man¡ªit was a battle against a monster, a corrupted soul that had lost its way. "Look at you," Varric muttered, his voice steady and cold. "Consumed by the very power you sought to control. This is your reward, Thane. This is the price of your ambition." Thane lunged at him with a furious, ear-splitting roar, his ws swiping through the air with deadly speed. But Varric was ready. He sidestepped the attack, one axeing down to parry, the other swinging around in a wide arc to strike at Thane''s exposed side. The de bit deep, cutting through the corrupted flesh, and Thane screamed, the sound echoing like a thousand tortured souls. But he did not stop. He could not stop. He was beyond reason, beyond sanity, a creature driven only by rage and hatred. He lunged again, and again, each strike more desperate than thest, each scream louder, more horrifying. The battle against Thane had be a battle against the darkness itself, and he knew he had to hold his ground. The corrupted form of Thane raged before him, Varric axes gleamed in the evening light, and he prepared himself for what was toe. Chapter 109 : Death to the traitor Thane''s transformation had altered the very fabric of the battlefield, casting chaos over every corner. His monstrous form, nowpletely unrecognizable as human, seethed with raw, demonic energy. His once cunning and strategic mind had degraded into something primal, driven by nothing more than rage and a twisted sense of survival. The creature before Lord Varric was not just a man twisted by power, but an embodiment of the madness that came from surrendering oneself entirely to demonic power. Thane snarled, his new form hunched over, ckened ws scraping against the ground, leaving trails of molten earth. His eyes glowed with a fierce, malevolent light, and his breath came out in ragged hisses. The air around him was thick with the stench of sulfur and decay, a vile miasma that seemed to grow with each of his movements. His strikes came fast and without pattern, a flurry of shes and lunges that mirrored the mindless aggression of a wild beast cornered. Varric, held his twin axes firmly, adjusted his stance. He watched Thane with a calm, measured gaze, his own breathing steady despite the onught of violence before him. His muscles were taut, ready to react to every wild swing, every sudden lunge. Thane''s transformation had made him faster and stronger, his moves were unpredictable and savage like animal struck with rabies . But Varric''s resolve had hardened; his own strength was bolstered by the bond he shared with the spirit of his wife, and the silent promise to protect his daughter and honor his lost love. With a bellowing roar, Thane charged. His ws shed at Varric with unrelenting fury, cutting through the air with the force of a hurricane. Varric met each strike with his axes, the des ringing against Thane''s darkened flesh. Sparks flew as metal shed against the unnatural hardness of Thane''s skin, each impact sent ripples of shock through the ground beneath them. Despite his monstrous strength, Thane''s attacks were uncoordinated, driven by raw emotion rather than skill or strategy. Varric ducked under a wide swipe of Thane''s ws, using the momentary opening to sh at Thane''s side with one of his axes. The de tore into corrupted flesh, eliciting a screech of pain that reverberated through the air. Thane retaliated with a backhanded swipe that Varric narrowly dodged, the wind from the swing ruffling his hair. Varric kept his movements controlled, each step deliberate, each attack carefully timed. He was probing for weaknesses, testing the limits of Thane''s new form. As they shed, Varric noticed something: while Thane''s power had grown, his monstrous transformation was also making him sloppy. His attacks, though powerful, were often ovemitted, leaving him vulnerable for brief moments. His reliance on brute strength had made him predictable in a different way. Thane was fast, but his movements were linear; he charged directly, without thought for defense or positioning. Taking note of this pattern, Varric began to exploit it. He lured Thane into overextending by backing away just before the creature''s ws could reach him, then counterattacked with quick, precise strikes. The first few shes barely broke the toughened hide, but Varric was relentless, chipping away at Thane''s defenses little by little. For every heavy blow that Thanended, Varric responded with a calcted strike of his own, each one aimed at weakening the demon-possessed creature''s joints and tendons. Thane roared in frustration, his screeches echoed through the battleground. The demonic entity within him was beginning to lose control, its wails and howls bing more erratic and desperate. Thane''s movements grew more frenzied, his swings wilder, as if he was trying to swat at an invisible swarm surrounding him. His ws tore at the ground, sending chunks of stone and debris flying through the air, his anger turning the battlefield into andscape of chaos. Varric kept his focus, his eyes never leaving his opponent. He knew Thane was growing increasingly unstable, the demonic corruption ate away at what little remained of his sanity. There was an opening here¡ªif he could just exploit the right moment, he could end this once and for all. Discover hidden tales at mvl As Thane charged once more, Varric sidestepped, swinging his axes in a cross pattern aimed at Thane''s chest. The des bit deep, and Thane howled in agony, stumbling backward. His regeneration was still active, but Varric could see that it was slowing, the strain of constant healing had worn down even the demon''s formidable power. Varric pressed the attack, relentlessly hacking at Thane with a ferocity that matched the creature''s own. But Varric knew this wouldn''t be enough. Thane''s demonic form was too resilient, and the creature''s sheer size and power were overwhelming. Even as Varric drove his axes into Thane''s flesh, he could feel the blows losing their impact, the edge of his weapons dulling against the creature''s hardened skin. He needed a strategy, something beyond brute force. That''s when the realization hit him¡ªThane''s own strength was his greatest weakness. "Thane!" Varric shouted, trying to draw the creature''s attention. "You think this power makes you strong? You''re nothing but a ve to it, a puppet on a string! All this strength, and yet you can''t even control yourself!" Thane let out another guttural scream, charging at Varric with unbridled fury. But Varric stood his ground, bracing himself for the impact. At thest possible moment, Varric twisted his body, letting Thane''s momentum carry him forward. As Thane lunged past, Varric looped his mana thread around one of Thane''s legs, pulling it taut. The sudden shift in bnce sent Thane sprawling, his massive form crashing into the ground with a deafening thud. Varric didn''t waste a second. He leapt onto Thane''s back, driving one of his axes into the base of the creature''s spine where Thane had stabbed himself, the demonic essence was most concentrated there. Thane shrieked in pain, thrashing wildly, but Varric held firm, using his other axe to keep his bnce. He drove the de deeper, feeling the resistance give way as he severed the flow of corrupted mana. Thane''s body convulsed, the demonic energy within him surged wildly, as if trying to break free. His ws scraped against the ground, gouging deep furrows in his desperation. But Varric was unrelenting, his grip tightened on the axes, forcing them further into Thane''s corrupted core. He could feel the demonic presence struggling, writhing against the intrusion, but Varric knew he had struck at the heart of it. "This is where it ends, Thane," Varric said through gritted teeth. "Not by strength alone, but by breaking the very thing that gives you power." With a final, mighty heave, Varric wrenched his axes apart, tearing through the core of Thane''s demonic form. There was a blinding sh of light, followed by a burst of energy that knocked Varric back, sending him skidding across the ground. Hended heavily, the breath knocked out of him, but he forced himself to stand, eyes locked on the writhing figure of Thane. The transformation that had warped Thane into a monstrous entity was unraveling. The demonic form convulsed, the flesh bubbling and boiling as the energy within it copsed in on itself. Thane''s screams filled the air, a cacophony of pain and rage that echoed like a death knell. His body twisted and shrank, the corrupted skin peeled away in charred kes, until all that remained was a broken, shriveled husk. Varric approached cautiously, his axes still ready, but he could see that the fight was over. Thaney still, his eyes vacant and unseeing, his once proud form reduced to a pitiful, wasted shell. The demonic essence that had fueled him was gone, dissipated into the air, leaving behind only the remnants of a man who had given everything for a power that ultimately destroyed him. Varric looked down at Thane''s lifeless body, his expression a mix of sadness and resolve. As he turned away, the wind carried the faintest echo of a whisper¡ªa voice that sounded like Guinevere''s, soft and reassuring. Varric smiled faintly, gripping his axes tightly, and walked away from the battleground, leaving behind the twisted legacy of Thane; a man consumed by obsession and greed. Chapter 110 : I don鈥檛 play by the rules bro Elias stood in the grand, shadowed throne room, his eyes locked onto King ric, whose regal form was now twisted by a dark, demonic presence. The once-noble king sat upon his throne with an eerie stillness, his eyes glowing a sickly red that betrayed the malevolence within. The air around him seemed to hum with a sinister energy, thick and oppressive, pressing down on Elias like a suffocating shroud. King ric leaned forward, a twisted grin ying on his lips. "What are you waiting for, Elias?" he taunted, his voice a haunting echo that reverberated through the chamber. "Every moment you hesitate, the refolk inch closer to their doom. They don''t have much time left, and you know it." Elias felt a jolt of shock, hisposure momentarily faltering. His heart raced as he processed ric''s words, and his mind whirled with the implications. The refolk were still alive? He had believed them dead, sacrificed in some cruel ritual or ughtered outright. His brow furrowed, and he stared at the possessed king, his shock barely masked beneath a re. "You mean... the refolk aren''t dead yet?" Elias''s voice was low, his disbelief mingled with a spark of hope. Perhaps there was still a chance to save them, to undo the damage ric''s demonic corruption had wrought. King ric chuckled, the sound a dark and mocking melody. "Judging by that look on your face, I see you had no idea. How delightful!" His eyes glinted with sadistic amusement as he continued. "No, I''m not so heartless as to simply wipe out an entire race with a flick of my wrist." He paused, letting the tension hang in the air before he sneered. "I am that heartless, don''t get me wrong. But where''s the fun in that? No, this is a game, Elias, and I want to savor every moment of it." Elias''s jaw clenched, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. He knew the man ric used to be¡ªhonorable,passionate, a ruler who fought for his people. But now, that king was long gone, reced by a twisted puppet dancing on the strings of a demonic master. Every word ric spoke was filled with malice, every action calcted to inflict maximum pain. "Where are they?" Elias demanded, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging within him. He needed answers, needed to know how much time was left. The refolk''s lives hung in the bnce, and he couldn''t afford to waste a single second. ric''s grin widened, a grotesque parody of joy. "Oh, they''re safe for now, if you could call it that. Locked away in the deepest cells of this very castle. But here''s the twist¡ªthere''s a little surprise waiting with them. A poison sac, slowly releasing its deadly contents into their air supply. With every passing second, the sac weakens, and the poison seeps further. Soon, very soon, it will be toote." Elias''s mind raced a, but his expression remained calm. The longer he waited, the closer the refolk came to death, their bodies sumbing to a slow and agonizing demise. ric was toying with him, dangling the lives of the refolk like a cruel puppet master. Yet, in his arrogance, ric had also revealed a critical piece of information: the refolk''s location and the nature of their danger. Enjoy new adventures from mvl The king''s overconfidence might be his undoing. "If you want to save them," ric continued, his voice dripping with mockery, "you''ll have to beat me first. Do you have what it takes, Elias? Are you willing to risk everything to try?" Elias couldn''t help but smirk at the irony. For all of ric''s cunning, he had made a critical error: underestimating Elias''s abilities and assuming he would y by the rules of this twisted game. ric might think he had the upper hand, but Elias had no intention of fighting on ric''s terms. "Thanks for the tip, ric," Elias said, his tone deceptively light. Without another word, Elias activated his teleportation ring, vanishing with a sucking sound. He reappeared in the damp, darkened cells. The air was thick with the acrid stench of decay and the faint, bitter scent of poison. Elias''s heart sank as he took in the sight before him: the refolk, huddled together like livestock, even livestock weren''t treated like this. They were delirious, their eyes zed, barely aware of their surroundings. Elias''s gaze shifted to the poison sac suspended above the cells, a viscous, sickly fluid slowly dripping into the room. He could see the subtle shimmer of mana and poison miasma around it, designed to spread the poison insidiously. Without hesitation, Elias leaped to the ceiling and carefully snatched the sac. The refolk remained unmoving , their breaths shallow, but they were alive. Elias felt a wave of relief wash over him; there was still time to save them fully. He nced over the prisoners onest, Loria specifically and his heart ached at their condition, but he had no time to linger. With a determined nod, Elias teleported back to the throne room. King ric was lounging on his throne, a look of impatient boredom on his face. When Elias reappeared, the king''s eyes flicked up with a mild curiosity. "Ah, there you are. Where did you go?" ric sneered. "For a moment I thought you ran, if you did I wouldn''t have med you" Elias''s response was swift and wordless. He tossed the poison sack toward ric, who caught it instinctively. The king''s expression shifted from smug confidence to confused fury as he realized what had happened. "Looks like your n didn''t quite work out the way you wanted," Elias said, his voice edged with a controlled anger. "You want a fight, ric? Fine. I''ll give you the beating you crave, ." ric''s eyes zed with a dangerous light, his demonic nature ring as he crushed the poison sack in his hand, the vile liquid oozing between his fingers. His calm, collected demeanor cracked, revealing the wrathful expression beneath. He rose from his throne, the air around him shimmering with demonic energy. "You insolent wretch," ric hissed, his voice distorted by the demon within. "You think you''ve won anything? You''re nothing but a pawn, Elias. A pathetic, weak fool ying at heroism. I''ve torn through men far greater than you. Do you truly think you can fight me, Acadia: the demon King of Sloth?!" Elias stood his ground, his magic swirling around him in an aura of defiance. He could feel the weight of ric''s power, the oppressive force that aimed to crush his spirit. But he wouldn''t back down. Not now, not when so many lives depended on him. He met ric''s gaze, unflinching. Chapter 111 : Acedia Elias''s form flickered in and out of sight as he employed [dewalk], this allowed him to traverse the throne room with blinding speed. His movements were like a dance, each step deliberate, each strike poised. He weaved through the space with the grace as his silhouette blurred and reforming as he closed in on Acedia, the demon king of sloth who had taken possession of King ric''s body. The throne room bore the scars of their battle¡ªcrumbling pirs, shattered ss, and scorch marks that marred the grand room. Acedia''s eyes followed Elias with a mixture of annoyance and disinterest, his expression one of perpetual boredom. His lip curled in azy snarl as he watched the mage close the distance. In his hand, Acedia held the delicate poison sac, it was filled with a virulent toxin potent enough to bring down an army. With a casual squeeze, he crushed the sac, releasing the toxic fumes into the air. The poison spread rapidly, a thick, dark mist that snaked its way through the room, consuming everything in its path. Elias didn''t hesitate. He plunged into the heart of the poison cloud without a second thought, his movements unfaltering. The toxins swirled around him, a deadly miasma that would have brought a lesser man to his knees, but Elias moved as if he were untouched by the poisonous fog. [You are immune! The blessing of the goddess of fate is active] The demon king''s tainted magic, though potent, had no effect on him. Acedia''s frown deepened as Elias continued his advance, seemingly unaffected by the poison. Elias raised his hand, conjuring a ball of wind in his palm. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the wind ball hurtling toward Acedia. Almost immediately, he followed it up with a searing fireball, the mes licked at the air as they chased after the wind ball. The two projectiles collided mid-air, creating a small explosion that sent a shockwave rippling through the throne room. The force of the st was enough to rattle the walls and send loose debris scattering, but Acedia stood unfazed, his expression unchanged. The explosion was nothing to the demon king. He remained steadfast, his body absorbed the minor impact without so much as a flinch. He let out a low, mockingugh, the sound resonating through the room like the rumble of distant thunder. "Is this all you have, Elias?" Acedia taunted, his voice dripping with condescension. "You''re bing predictable. Repetitive. How utterly dull. If you don''t try harder, I might just end this little game of ours. Quickly, and without much fanfare." Elias did not respond to the demon''s taunts. He had expected as much; the explosion wasn''t meant to harm Acedia but to serve as a distraction. The smoke and debris hung in the air, obscuring Elias''s true intentions. As the dust began to settle, Acedia''s gaze snapped to a glimmering object hurtling toward him¡ªElias''s sword, spinning through the air with deadly precision. Acedia''s instincts kicked in, and with a sharp tilt of his head, he narrowly dodged the de. The sword whistled past him, missing by mere inches, and embedded itself in a stone pir behind him. Acedia scoffed, his smug grin returning. "You''ll have to do better than that," he jeered, but as the words left his mouth, he realized that Elias was nowhere to be seen. Panic flickered across the demon''s features, his eyes darting around the room in search of his opponent. In that split second, Elias had vanished from sight, his presence hidden within the remnants of the explosion''s smoke. Acedia''s senses, though keen, struggled to pinpoint Elias''s location. And then, out of nowhere, Elias reappeared behind him, his movements a blur of speed and precision. Elias''s palms were open, poised as if waiting for something to fall into his grasp. In one smooth, fluid motion, Elias recalled his sword from the inventory¡ªa maneuver so seamless it seemed as though the de had simply teleported into his hand. To any ordinary observer, it would have appeared as if Elias''s sword had vanished from mid-air and reappeared in his palm, but to Acedia, it was a disorienting disy of mastery. The demon king''s eyes widened in shock, his body frozen for the briefest of moments as he tried to process what had just urred. Seizing the opportunity, Elias drove the de forward with all his strength, plunging it deep into Acedia''s chest. The sword pierced through flesh and bone, its tip erupting from the demon king''s back in a spray of dark, corrupted blood. Acedia let out a guttural grunt, his body jerking as the de sank into his heart. His hands iled dramatically, his form convulsing as if in great pain. He screamed, a terrible, piercing wail that echoed through the throne room, his cries filled with a mix of rage and pain. But then, just as abruptly, Acedia stopped. His body stilled, and the wild thrashing gave way to a mocking, almost bored chuckle. He nced down at the sword protruding from his chest, his expression one of mild irritation rather than agony. "You really thought that would work?" Acedia sneered, his voice a low, gravelly hiss. "I am a demon, Elias¡ªa demon king, no less. A stab through the heart is a lesser''s weakness, not ours. Your de means nothing to me, except that you''ve just ended the life of poor King ric. Congrattions, fool. You''ve killed the king, but you''ve done nothing to me." Acedia turned to face Elias, the sword still embedded in his chest. The de tore through King ric''s possessed body effortlessly, the sound of ripping flesh and cracking bone echoing like a grim symphony. Acedia''s gaze was cold and unfeeling, the malice in his eyes intensified by the knowledge that he had survived Elias''s most lethal strike. The demon king gripped the sword tightly, his ws digging into the hilt as he pulled the de free from his chest. Blood oozed from the wound, staining his robes, but Acedia seemed unbothered by the damage. With a slow, deliberate motion, he tossed the sword aside, letting it tter uselessly to the floor. Chapter 112 : Foolish demon Without warning, Acedia''s fist shot out with blinding speed, catching Elias square in the abdomen. The punchnded with a sickening crunch, the impact so intense that it sent shockwaves through Elias''s entire body. Pain exploded through his core as he wasunched backward, his vision blurring from the force of the blow. The punch carried him across the throne room, his body crashing through the stone walls with a thunderous impact. The ancient masonry crumbled under the force, and Elias felt himself being propelled throughyers of rock and debris. The world became a blur of motion and pain as Elias was sent hurtling through the air, the demon king''s punch havingunched him far beyond the confines of the throne room. He flew through the sky, the cold wind whipping against his face as he tumbled through the air. For a moment, it felt as though he were weightless, suspended between earth and sky with only the echo of Acedia''sughter following him. Elias''s body finally crashed into a distant rooftop, the impact jarring his bones and sending a fresh wave of agony coursing through him. He rolled to a stop, gasping for breath, his vision swam as he struggled to regain his bearings. Pain radiated from every part of his body, but Elias grit his teeth and forced himself to stand. He staggered to his feet, swaying unsteadily as he looked back toward the castle. Acedia stood in the gaping hole where the throne room wall had once been, his silhouette framed by the smoking ruins of their battlefield. The demon king''s form was wreathed in shadows, his eyes glowing with a malevolent light. Elias knew that the demon king were strong, but not like this. ''Acedia was possessing King ric, he should be weaker, that was an unbreakable rule of this world. If this was his weaker version, I wonder how much stronger his true self would be'' Elias gritted his teeth as he pulled himself up from the rubble, his body aching from the force of Acedia''s punch. He had been thrown far from the castle, his flight interrupted by the unforgiving impact of stone and mortar. The demon''s blow had sent him sprawling across the city''s rooftops, his breath knocked from his lungs and his vision blurred by pain. But Elias''s spirit remained unbroken. He wiped the blood from his mouth, clenching his fist and with a surge of determination, he took to the sky. The wind whipped past him as he flew toward the castle, his eyes locked on the shattered throne room. He could still see Acedia''s silhouette, framed by the jagged remnants of the wall, a mocking shadow against the smoldering ruins. But before he could reach the castle, Acedia met him halfway. The demon king moved with a speed that belied hisnguid nature, appearing before Elias in a sh of darkness. He floated effortlessly in the air, his robes billowing like ck smoke, his eyes glinting with malice. A smug smirk curled across Acedia''s face as he regarded Elias, his demeanor one of supreme confidence. "You''ve seen my strength, Elias," Acedia said, his voice filled with condescension. "You''ve felt the futility of your efforts. Why persist in this hopeless struggle? You can''t defeat me. ept it, and save yourself the pain." Elias''s frown deepened, his grip tightening on his sword. "I wouldn''t be too sure about that," he replied, his voice steady despite the pain coursing through his body. Acedia chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Stubbornness will get you nowhere. You''ve already lost. Why fight a meaningless battle? Join me, Elias, and I''ll grant you power beyond your wildestprehension.." [New Task Avable] [Task : Be Acedia''s ally Reward : 1 000 000 FWP Will you ept this task? (Yes) or (No) ] Elias''s expression darkened at the offer, his eyes narrowing. "Power? Like the kind you gave to Lord Thane?" He spat the words with disdain. "No thanks." Acedia''s smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with a twisted delight. "Thane? He was nothing more than a tool, Elias. An instrument to pry open ric''s mind. His greed and obsession made him an easy pawn. What I gave Thane wasn''t power¡ªit was a path to his own destruction. His arrogance sealed his fate long before I ever set my sights on him." Acedia''sughter echoed through the air, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Elias''s spine. "Thane didn''t even know who I truly was," Acedia continued, his tone mocking. "He was so blinded by his own ambitions that he never realized he was marching straight into doom. By now, he''s nothing but a memory, another fool who overestimated his worth." Thane had been used, his downfall was orchestrated by Acedia''s cunning. Elias clenched his jaw, the weight of Acedia''s deceit settled heavily on his shoulders. But he refused to let the demon''s words sway him. "And the power you''re offering me?" Elias challenged, his voice cold. "What''s to say it isn''t just another trap?" Acedia''s smile never wavered. "Oh, Elias, the power I offer you is far greater than anything Thane could have dreamed of. I''m not offering you a crutch; I''m offering you dominion, true mastery over life and death. We could reshape this world into something magnificent. All you have to do is say yes." Elias''s eyes burned with defiance as he met Acedia''s gaze. "I''d rather die than be your puppet," he snapped. Without waiting for a response, Elias channeled his magic, summoning ance of fire that burned brighter than the midday sun. [+60 000 FWP] He hurled it at Acedia with all the force he could muster, the mes streaking through the sky like aet. But just as before, the fierynce fizzled into nothingness the moment it neared Acedia, the mes snuffed out by the demon king''s mere presence. Acedia sighed, his expression one of exasperated disappointment. "You''re making this far too easy, Elias," he said, kissing his teeth in disapproval. "Such a waste of potential. You''ve made the wrong choice." In an instant, Acedia vanished from where he floated, reappearing directly in front of Elias with terrifying speed. Before Elias could react, Acedia''s hand shot out, his fingers closing around Elias''s throat in a vice-like grip. The suddenness of the attack left Elias gasping, his eyes wide with shock. The demon''s grip was cold, unyielding, and Elias felt the pressure of Acedia''s ws digging into his skin, threatening to crush his windpipe. "You should have listened, Elias," Acedia hissed, his voice a low, venomous whisper. "All this pain, all this suffering¡ªyou could have avoided it. You could have had everything. But you chose defiance over power. Now you''ll have nothing." Suddenly Elias expression rxed and a smile curved into ce on his lips, "Foolish demon" Chapter 113 : Wrath of a demon King Acedia, the Demon King of Sloth, was a figure of contradiction in the infernal hierarchy. Among the demon kings, he was infamous not for his power or his conquests, but for his indolence. His days were filled with long stretches of lethargy, his throne a sanctuary where henguished in idle dreams, preferring sleep to strategy, apathy to ambition. The others in the circle of demon kings often scoffed at hisnguorous ways, dismissing him as the weakest among them, not because hecked the potential for power, but because he was simply toozy to pursue it. Unlike the other demon kings whomanded legions of fearsome minions, Acedia had no army of his own. He was content without the weight of authority that came with maintaining a horde, finding even the act of leadership to be a tedious chore. Only one other demon king shared his distinction. After all, what need did he have for underlings when the effort required to manage them far outweighed any possible gain? Yet, despite his indifference, Acedia held a unique position. He was one of the few who took orders directly from the King of Hell, a role that granted him an unspoken respect, albeit begrudgingly, from his peers. They recognized his cunning, buried deep beneathyers of slothfulness, and the fleeting moments of brilliance that asionally broke through his fog of apathy. These glimpses of potential made him a puzzle, one that could have been formidable if only he cared to exert himself. But Acedia never did. He preferred the shadows of his throne room, content to let the world pass him by while he drifted in and out of a hazy, half-aware state. For Acedia, there was no greater bliss than surrendering to the weight of his own indolence, letting it drown out the noise of ambition and conflict that consumed his brethren. Now, however, Acedia''s usual calm was shattered. A sharp pain radiated from his arm, jarring him from his stupor. Elias''s grip tightened around the demon''s forearm, his eyes zing with a fierce determination. "Finally, I have you in range," Elias growled, his voiceced with the edge of triumph. Without a moment''s hesitation, Elias conjured ance spear of pure fire, its tip glowing with an intense heat as he drove it toward Acedia''s head. The explosion was instantaneous and devastating, a searing burst of light and fire that consumed them both. Elias braced himself, and reacted quickly to erect a barrier around his body even as he clung stubbornly to Acedia''s arm. The force of the st sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the violent tremors travelled far beyond When the smoke cleared, Elias''s smile widened as he surveyed the damage. Acedia was still before him, but the demon king was no longer unscathed. His form was now scorched and battered, his dark robes tattered and singed, revealing charred flesh beneath. For the first time in their encounter, Acedia looked truly shaken, his eyes wide with a mixture of pain and disbelief. "You¡­you actually hit me," Acedia muttered, his voice tinged with fury and a hint of surprise. He staggered back, but Elias held on, refusing to relinquish his grip. Acedia''s eyes red with anger, and his mouth twisted into a snarl. He opened his jaws, releasing a thick, poisonous gas that oozed out like a living miasma, curling through the air with a malevolent intent. The gas was Acedia''s signature attack, a noxious substance that corroded everything it touched, capable of dissolving armor and flesh alike. But Elias was ready. He summoned the power of the golem he had bonded with earlier, the earth responding to his call as rock surged up to encase his body in a seamless armor. The stone was dense, imprable, and without gaps for the poison to seep through. Elias stood firm as the gas swirled around him, his rock armor absorbing the brunt of the attack without a single crack. Acedia''s eyes narrowed as he sensed the surge of mana emanating from Elias. This was no ordinary human before him; the sheer power radiating from Elias was unlike anything Acedia had ever encountered. "This¡­this is impossible," Acedia hissed, his voiceced with disbelief. "You''ve grown this strong in just a few days? There''s no way. No lesser advances this quickly." Acedia''s frustration was visible, his fury intensifying as he considered the implications. Elias''s rapid growth was an anomaly, a threat that defied the natural order of power within their world. Acedia knew his orders from the King of Hell were clear¡ªElias was not to be killed. But as he stood there, facing the human who had defied him at every turn, Acedia felt the creeping temptation to disobey. Perhaps it would be wiser to eliminate Elias now, before he could grow any stronger. The risk was too great; Elias''s growth rate was frightening. "Maybe I should kill you after all," Acedia said, his voice cold and edged with a dangerous resolve. "Your growth¡­ it''s too fast. Too dangerous." Elias undid his stone armor with a casual wave of his hand, the rocks crumbling away to reveal his confident stance. He stared at Acedia, unflinching. "Kill me? In that vessel? You don''t have the strength to kill me," Elias dered, his voice was steady "Not now, not ever." Acedia''s expression darkened, his pride stung by Elias''s audacity. The demon king''s fury boiled over, his form trembling with barely restrained wrath. He lunged forward, his hand curling into a w, ready to strike. But Elias moved faster. With a sudden burst of speed, Elias gripped Acedia''s arm even tighter, his fingers digging into the demon''s flesh with such force that Acedia winced in pain. Elias''s grip was like iron, unyielding and relentless. The tables had turned, and it was now Acedia who was trapped, held fast by an unnatural strength. Elias wasted no time, unleashing a barrage of powerful blows upon the demon king. Each punch connected with a resounding impact, the force of Elias''s strikes sending shockwaves through the sky. Acedia was driven back, his form crumpling under the relentless assault. Blow after blow rained down on him, each strike delivered with the precision of a seasoned warrior or in this case, a seasoned gamer. The sky above them rippled with the aftershocks of their battle, the air crackling with energy as Elias continued his assault. Acedia, the Demon King of Sloth, found himself overwhelmed, unable to keep up with Elias''s onught. Each hit sent tremors through his body, rattling his bones and stripping away the indifference that had defined him for so long. For the second time in his existence, Acedia felt the sting of true fear. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning¡ªElias was not just a nuisance or a passing threat. He was a force to be reckoned with, a rising power that could not be ignored or dismissed. Acedia''szy arrogance had blinded him to the danger Elias posed, and now he was paying the price. But even as he endured the pain, a dark resolve began to form within Acedia. He was still a demon king, and his pride would not allow him to be bested so easily. As Elias drew back, preparing for another devastating strike, Acedia''s eyes flickered with a dangerous light. "You¡­you may have the upper hand now, Elias," Acedia gasped, his voice ragged but defiant. "But you''ve made a grave mistake. You''ve awakened the wrath of a demon king." ''Oh please, just shut up'' Chapter 114 : Coward Elias'' grip on Acedia tightened further, and without hesitation, Elias unleashed another torrent of blows "Shut up and just die" Elias said, his voice cutting through the chaos as he pummeled Acedia with relentless force. Each punchnded with devastating impact, sending shockwaves through the sky, rippling outward in waves of raw power. The force of the blows was so immense that it sent clouds far and wide But in the midst of the barrage, something shifted. Acedia''s eyes, which had been clouded with pain and surprise, suddenly focused. His hand shot out, catching Elias''s fist mid-strike, halting the momentum of his attack with a jarring suddenness. The grip was irond, Acedia''s fingers wrapping around Elias''s knuckles like a vice. "Enough," Acedia hissed, his voice low and dangerous. Theziness that had characterized him moments before was gone, reced by a cold, lethal determination. "I''ve had enough of this." With a surge of power, Acedia pushed Elias back, creating a gap between them. The demon king''s wings unfurled as he flew higher into the sky, leaving Elias momentarily suspended in the air. The distance between them grew, Acedia''s form shrinking as he ascended, his silhouette framed against the darkening sky. As Elias steadied himself, he watched warily, his senses attuned to every movement. Acedia hovered above, his arms slowly stretching outward. The sky around him darkened, and with a ripple of demonic energy, countless poison sacs began to materialize out of thin air. They appeared like ghostly apparitions, translucent at first, then solidifying into grotesque, pulsating orbs filled with a sickly green fluid. The sacs spread across the sky, casting an ominous shadow over the entire kingdom of Eldoria. Below, the citizens of Eldoria looked up in awe and terror, their faces pale as they took in the sight. Every direction they turned, they saw the sacs of poison hanging overhead, a deadly threat poised to rain down upon them at any moment. The atmosphere was thick with fear, the very air trembling with the weight of Acedia''s presence . Acedia''sughter rang out, a harsh, maniacal sound that echoed across the city. His eyes gleamed with twisted glee as he gazed down at Elias, his expression one of dark satisfaction. "You''re right, Elias," Acedia called out, his voice dripping with malice. "I may not be able to kill you¡­ at least, not right now." He gestured toward the poison sacs, his smirk widening. "But who says I need to kill you to win? I''ll just wipe out everyone in Eldoria instead. Let''s see you protect them all, Elias. You alone cannot save an entire kingdom." The weight of Acedia''s threat settled heavily over Elias. The demon king had shifted the battlefield, turning the lives of Eldoria''s citizens into pawns in his deadly game. Elias''s mind raced, his heart pounded in his chest as he considered the impossible task before him. The poison sacs were countless, each one a ticking bomb that could unleash death upon the city below. Protecting everyone seemed an insurmountable challenge, a task designed to break even the strongest of wills. But Elias knew he had no choice. The lives of the people in Eldoria depended on him, and he would not allow Acedia to win through such a cowardly tactic. Gritting his teeth, Elias channeled his mana, feeling the power surge through his veins. He would have to move faster than he ever had before, strike with precision and force, and find a way to neutralize Acedia''s threat. His gaze locked onto Acedia, who was still hovering above with a smug grin, confident in his impending victory. "This fucking coward" Elias muttered under his breath, his resolve hardening. With a sh of determination, Eliasunched himself into the air, his speed breaking through the sound barrier as he flew toward the nearest poison sac. The world blurred around him as he moved with blinding speed, the ground below a distant memory. He reached the first sac and unleashed a burst of energy, disintegrating it before it could react. Your journey continues at mvl But there were so many more, and as Elias destroyed one, he could see Acedia watching with a twisted smile, knowing that for every sac Elias eliminated, dozens more remained. The challenge was immense, but Elias pressed on, pitting sac after sac into his inventory with a precision that left no room for error. Acedia''sughter echoed in his ears, a constant reminder of the stakes. "You can''t save them all, Elias! No matter how fast you are, you''ll miss one. And that''s all it takes." But Elias didn''t listen. He refused to let Acedia''s taunts sway him. His focus was absolute, his movements sharp and calcted. Each sac he took was a victory, a life saved, and he pushed himself harder, faster, his mana burning through him like wildfire. The people of Eldoria watched in awe as their savior darted through the sky, a blur of motion and light as he fought to protect them. Hope flickered in their hearts, a fragile ember against the looming darkness, but they held on to it, praying that Elias would seed. As the minutes ticked by, Elias began to feel the strain. His muscles ached, his mana reserves dwindling with every attack. Sweat poured down his face, his breathing in ragged gasps as he continued his relentless assault. But there was no time to stop, no time to rest. He had to keep going, had to take out everyst sac before Acedia could trigger them. Above, Acedia''s expression darkened as he realized Elias was not faltering, not giving in to the pressure. The demon king''s confidence wavered, his smile fading as he watched Elias destroy sac after sac with an unyielding determination. "You''re persistent," Acedia muttered, his eyes narrowing. "But it won''t be enough." With a wave of his hand, Acedia activated the remaining sacs. They began to pulse with a sinister glow, their surfaces rippling as the deadly poison within them prepared to be released. The sky above Eldoria darkened further, the sacs growing more vtile by the second. Elias saw the change immediately, the sacs reacting to Acedia''smand. His heart skipped a beat as he realized he was running out of time. The sacs were about to burst, and if they did, the entire city would be engulfed in a cloud of lethal poison. Chapter 115 : A true King鈥檚 love Elias appeared beside Acedia, the air around him crackling with raw energy. His sudden arrival was a blinding sh that seared through the night, as his mind raced with the urgency of his task. The scent of poison hung heavy in the air, a toxic miasma that was quickly spreading across Eldoria. Acedia, the Demon King of sloth loomed before him with a smug grin, his dark robes swirling with shadows and venomous intent. Elias extended his hands, summoning the arcane forces within. "[Hurricane Fury]!" he roared, his voice echoing through the kingdom. A massive vortex of wind erupted around him, tearing through the sacs of poison that Acedia had scattered. The vortex howled and spun, the furious cyclone lifted the sacs high into the sky. Elias clenched his fists, setting the winds aze; mes licked through the swirling mass, consuming the poison sacs in a zing inferno. For a moment, hope flickered in Elias''s chest. But the moment was fleeting. Acedia''s poison sacs were multiplying, spreading across Eldoria like a gue. Even those that Elias had incinerated were reced in an instant, a sour reminder that even if this was not his true vessel, Acedia was still a demon king. "Pathetic," Acedia sneered, watching as Elias''s mes died down. His body, scarred and seared, was already knitting itself back together, the wounds closing faster than Elias could deal them. Elias''sst attack hadn''t even reached Acedia¡ªit had dissipated mid-air, like mist before the morning sun. Elias gritted his teeth in frustration, his heart pounding as he faced the grim reality of his situation. His magic, his might, everything he had thrown at Acedia was proving useless. He could feel the weight of his failures pressing down on him like a crushing tide. If it was just Acedia, Elias would have figured something out eventually, but Acedia held the whole of Eldoria hostage. With a flick of his wrist, he could have wipe everyone out. Acedia''sughter rang out, a cruel, mocking sound that echoed through the ruined streets of Eldoria. "You''ve already lost, Elias," Acedia taunted, his voice dripping with disdain . "When I''m done with this ce, there will be nothing left for you to protect. You will have failed as the savior you pretend to be." Elias''s vision blurred with anger. He raised his sword, channeling all the elemental magic he could muster. mes, ice, lightning¡ªall surged forth in a furious onught. But as each spell reached Acedia, they simply vanished, their power negated as though they had never existed. The air sizzled with dissipated magic, leaving only scorch marks and faint traces of smoke. "Why¡­ why won''t my attacks reach you?" Elias said in frustration , the sting of desperation wing at his throat. He could feel the eyes of Eldoria''s citizens upon him, hidden in their homes, hoping against hope for a miracle, for a savior to prevail. Acedia''s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with evil delight. "Did you really think poison was all it took to make me a Demon King?" he asked, spreading his arms as if addressing an audience. "If mere poison were enough, there would be hundreds of Demon Kings by now. No, Elias, my power goes far beyond that." Elias could remember now, the terrible truth unfurling before him. Acedia''s magic wasn''t just about inflicting harm¡ªit was about denying reality itself. It was a power that defied logic, one that nullified anything that sought to oppose it. Read exclusive chapters at mvl "I wield the power of Rejection," Acedia dered, his voice echoing with the weight of ages. "The power to reject every and anything that stands in my way. Spells, weapons, rejection of their very idea¡ªI can reject them all." Elias felt a chill run down his spine. It all made sense now. The way Acedia''s body healed, the way his attacks vanished¡ªit was all because of this terrifying ability. Acedia was not just immune to harm; he was beyond it. Acedia''s expression turned dark, his gaze fixed on Elias with unyielding contempt. "And you, Elias, are nothing but a failure. You couldn''t save your kingdom, you couldn''t protect your people, and now, you can''t even reach me." Acedia raised his hands, and the air around him shimmered with demonic energy. The poison sacs that dotted thendscape began to pulsate, glowing with an ominous light. Elias watched in horror, knowing what was about to happen. The sacs were going to detonate, releasing a wave of deadly poison that would engulf Eldoria entirely. Elias braced himself, desperately searching for a solution. But then, something unexpected happened. Acedia''s expression faltered, his smug grin fading into one of confusion. He lowered his hands, staring at them as if they were foreign objects. "What¡­?" Acedia muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. He raised his hands again, trying to trigger the detonation. But nothing happened. The poison sacs remained inert, their deadly glow dimming. Acedia''s eyes widened in shock. He tried again, his movements bing frantic, but it was as though his power had been stripped away. The air grew still, and for the first time, Acedia looked genuinely afraid. "What''s happening?" Elias demanded, his sword still raised, though uncertainty gripped his heart. He could feel a shift in the atmosphere, something beyond Acedia''s influence. It was as if a different presence had taken hold. Acedia''s expression contorted with rage and fear. He turned to Elias, his eyes zing with desperation. "Kill me!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "Kill me now, before it''s toote!" Elias hesitated, taken aback by the sudden plea. This wasn''t the arrogant Demon King who had taunted him moments ago. There was something different in his eyes¡ªsomething human. Acedia stumbled forward, his movements jerky and erratic. "Please, Elias!" he cried out, his voice breaking. "You have to kill me! I can''t¡­ I can''t hold him back for long!" It was then that Elias realized the truth. This wasn''t Acedia speaking¡ªit was King ric, the true ruler of Eldoria, whose body had been possessed by the Demon King. Somehow, ric had managed to break through, wresting control from Acedia, if only for a moment. Elias''s heart pounded in his chest as he watched the struggle unfold before him. King ric''s face, twisted and tormented, was fighting against the overwhelming force of Acedia''s power. Elias knew that this was the only chance he would get. If he hesitated, ric would be lost forever, and Eldoria would fall to ruin. Gathering all the strength he could muster, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He could see the pain in ric''s eyes, the desperate plea for release. Elias nodded, determination surging through him. This was his duty. This was his chance to save Eldoria. With a roar that shook the heavens, Elias unleashed a powerful sh, channeling every ounce of his magic into the de. The sword glowed with radiant energy, parting the clouds as it sliced through the air. The force of the strike was like aet, zing a trail of light as it descended upon Acedia. Chapter 116 : Omen The sh struck true, severing Acedia''s head from his body in a single, clean motion. The Demon King''s headless form crumpled to the ground, dark tendrils of magic dissipating like smoke in the wind. The poison sacs scattered across Eldoria flickered and vanished, as though they had never existed. Eliasnded on the ground, his breath ragged, his body trembling from the exertion. He looked at Acedia''s fallen body, half-expecting it to rise again. But there was no movement, no sign of life. Acedia was gone, and with him, the curse that had gued Eldoria. The citizens of Eldoria emerged from their hiding ces, their eyes wide with disbelief. They had witnessed the final confrontation, the moment when their savior had triumphed over a Demon King. A murmur of awe and relief swept through the crowd, growing into a chorus of cheers. Elias'' shoulders dropped, he could feel the weight of what he had done settling in, the enormity of his actions pressing down on him. He had saved Eldoria, but at what cost? King ric''s final plea echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the price of victory. As the cheers of the citizens filled the air, Elias raised his head, his eyes scanning the kingdom below. He saw faces filled with hope and gratitude, but also with sorrow. They had lost their king, their leader, the one who had once fought to protect them until the very end. Elias took a deep breath, rising to his feet. He knew that this was only the beginning. Eldoria would need to rebuild, to heal from the wounds that Acedia had inflicted and someone who would be there, guiding them through the darkness, just as he had done today. For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of respite. The battle was over, and Eldoria was safe. But Elias had a feeling that the true struggle was far from finished. Elias stood over Acedia''s fallen body, the cheers of Eldoria''s citizens still ringing in his ears. But as the light touched King ric''s severed head, Elias noticed something strange¡ªa faint, otherworldly glow rising from the fallen king''s form. King ric''s soul, a shimmering silhouette of light and gentle hues, slowly lifted from the body that had once been his. Elias watched in awe and sadness as the soul hovered before him, ric''s eyes filled with a serene eptance. "Elias," ric''s voice echoed softly, carrying a warmth that contrasted with the grim battle that had just taken ce. "You did what you had to do. Don''t carry the burden of guilt for my death. Everything that happened here, all of it, was ording to the will of Fate." Elias bowed his head, the weight of the moment pressing on his shoulders. "I''m sorry, Your Majesty. I wish there could have been another way." King ric''s spirit offered a gentle smile. "You were always meant to be the savior of this kingdom. My time was destined to end like this, but that does not make your actions any less noble. Eldoria still stands because of you, Elias." Elias nodded, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. "Your sacrifice will not be forgotten." ric''s gaze softened, and he ced a spectral hand on Elias''s shoulder, a gesture that sent aforting warmth through him. "There is onest thing I ask of you, Elias. Take care of Seraphina. She is strong, but she will need your guidance in the days toe. And look after my son, Oswald. He can be a handful, but he has a good heart. Help him find his way, as you found yours." Elias swallowed hard and nodded with sincerity. Experience more content on mvl ric''s soul began to dissipate, the shimmering light fading into the air. "Thank you, Elias. Remember, it was not strength or power that saved Eldoria, but love. The love I had for my people, my kingdom¡ªit is that love that endures. Farewell, Elias. Protect them all." With those final words, ric''s soul scattered like thest breath of a fading breeze, leaving Elias alone in the silence of the dawn. He watched the light disappear, a mixture of sorrow and determination filling his heart. The kingdom was safe, for now. Elias picked up King ric''s severed head, intending toy it to rest with the dignity it deserved. But the moment his hand made contact, a jolt of dark energy surged through him, and the head twitched in his grasp. Startled, Elias stepped back, nearly dropping it. The eyes of the severed head snapped open, glowing with the familiar malevolence of Acedia. "Did you really think it would be that easy, Elias?" Acedia''s voice hissed, dripping with venom and hatred. The head of ric, still possessed by the Demon King, leered at Elias. "I may have lost this battle, but this is far from over." Elias clenched his jaw, staring down at Acedia with defiance. "You''re beaten, Acedia. ric''s love for his people broke your hold, and Eldoria will not fall to your corruption." Acediaughed, a dark, mocking sound that resonated through the battlefield. "You naive fool. You think this was about some trivial conquest? You think I care about this kingdom?" The head''s expression twisted into one of contempt. "There are forces at y far greater than you canprehend. The demons, my kind, will not follow the script this time." Elias frowned, the weight of Acedia''s words sending a chill through him. "What do you mean by ''follow the script''? What are you talking about?" Acedia''s grin widened, his eyes glowing with a dangerous glint. "Oh, you really don''t know, do you? The King of Hell has ns for you, Elias. I don''t know what he wants, but I know one thing for certain: when he''s done with you, I''ll be the one to finish the job. You''re just a pawn in a game that''s been yed since the dawn of time." Elias''s grip tightened on his sword. "I''m no one''s pawn, Acedia. I''ll fight against any force that threatens my fate" "Keep ying savior, Elias," Acedia sneered. "But remember, you have no idea what you''re up against. You''re dancing to a tune you can''t even hear. I''ll be watching, and when the timees, I''ll be there to strike you down." With that final threat, Acedia''s presence faded, leaving behind nothing but the lifeless head of King ric. Elias stared at it, his mind swirling with unanswered questions and the ominous warning that hung in the air. The threat of Acedia lingered, a shadow that promised more conflict ahead. But Elias stood resolute, the dawn light bathed him in a new light that drowned out the cheers of the people. Chapter 117 : A new dawn A gentle calm settled over Eldoria, like the softest of nkets draped over the kingdom''s wearyndscape. The battle that had raged with such fury moments before now seemed like a distant nightmare, its echoes fading into the soft rustle of the morning breeze. The High Luminary stood atop the temple steps, her gaze cast toward the horizon where the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and rose. Beside her, Margo and Priest Mathias stood in quiet contemtion, their eyes reflecting the soft, warm light of the rising sun. "It''s finally over," the High Luminary whispered, her voice filled with a quiet relief Margo''s thoughts turned to Elias who had stood against the overwhelming darkness and emerged victorious. She remembered his determination, the fire in his eyes that had refused to be extinguished even in the face of terrible odds . For Margo, as the child of light, Elias was more than just a hero; he was the embodiment of salvation and hope itself As the sun climbed higher, its rays bathed Eldoria in a brilliant light that signaled a new dawn¡ªnot just for the day, but for the kingdom itself. The shadows of the night retreated, banished by the pure, unyielding light that swept across the city''s rooftops, its streets, and its people. The air was filled with a renewed sense of life, of possibilities yet toe. Elias stood amidst the crowd, his breath still heavy from the battle. He looked around, meeting the eyes of the people of Eldoria who now gazed upon him with a mixture of awe, gratitude, and uncertainty. They had all witnessed the terrifying moment when Acedia, wearing the face of their beloved King ric, had sought to destroy the kingdom he had once sworn to protect. They had seen Elias stand against that threat, risking everything to save them. But the bitter truth lingered¡ªric, their great unifier, had been struck down by the very hero who now stood before them. For many, the pain of that loss was still too fresh, too raw. King ric was not just a ruler; he was a legend, a figure of absolute strength and wisdom who had united the fracturednds of Eldoria into one. To see him fall, even in the grip of possession, was a blow that few could easily reconcile. Discover exclusive tales on mvl The crowd murmured in hushed tones, their expressions caught between sorrow and gratitude, between mourning and relief. Suddenly, a lone voice broke through the quiet. An elderly woman, her face lined with the marks of many seasons, stepped forward. "Let us sing the praises of Elias!" she called out, her voice clear and strong. "Praise to the chosen child of light who saved us from the hand of a king who turned against his people!" Her words sparked a ripple through the crowd. One by one, the people of Eldoria began to raise their voices, chanting Elias''s name in a growing chorus of admiration. They hailed him as their savior, the hero who had defeated the darkness and restored hope to their hearts. But Elias, feeling the weight of the moment, raised his hand to silence them. The chants died down as the crowd looked at him expectantly, waiting for his words. "Stop," Elias said, his voice firm butced with a gentle sadness. "Do not sing my praises. I did not fight to earn your adoration or to stand above our fallen king. You must understand¡ªKing ric was possessed by a demon, a force of evil that twisted his will and used his body against us. He was not the enemy." Elias''s gaze swept over the crowd, seeing the confusion and the pain in their eyes. He knew that the truth would not be easy for them to ept, but he could not allow their grief to turn into misced anger. "King ric is still the great hero and unifier of Eldoria," Elias continued, his voice resonating with conviction. "Even in his final moments, he fought against the darkness that sought to control him. It was his love for this kingdom, his love for all of you, that gave him the strength to break free, even if only for a moment. He thought of you, his people, right until the very end. It was King ric who saved Eldoria, not me." A heavy silence settled over the crowd as Elias''s words sank in. The people of Eldoria, who had been ready to turn their back on the memory of their king, now felt the weight of Elias''s truth. Faces that had been filled with praise and relief now softened with somber reflection. Some began to weep openly, their tears was proof of the deep love they had held for their king, a love that had been buried beneath the chaos of Acedia''s possession. He had seen their pain and their confusion, and he had shared in it. But now, standing amidst the people of Eldoria, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He could not let ric''s sacrifice be tainted by misunderstanding. He had to honor the king''s memory in the way that mattered most¡ªby uniting the people in truth and in hope. Elias knelt beside the body of King ric, gently lifting the fallen monarch''s severed head. The sight was jarring, even to him, but there was no hesitation in his movements. He found a shawl from a nearby vendor, a simple cloth that bore the vibrant colors of Eldoria''s crest, and he wrapped ric''s remains with care and reverence. The crowd watched in silence as Elias rose, cradling the shrouded body of their king. His expression was one of solemn determination, a silent promise to see Eldoria and ris through the trials that stilly ahead. As he looked around once more, meeting the eyes of those who now wept openly, Elias knew that this was only the beginning of the journey. With a final, lingering nce at the people of Eldoria, Elias took to the skies. He shone brilliantly in the morning sun, the crowd gasped in awe, watching as Elias took to the sky, the shawl-wrapped form of King ric held close to his chest. Elias flew toward the castle, the wind whipping around him as he soared above the city he had fought so hard to protect. Below, the streets of Eldoria stretched out like a tapestry of hope and sorrow, the people watching as their savior carried their fallen king back to the heart of the kingdom. As he approached the castle, Elias''s mind was already turning to the future. There were so many questions left unanswered, so many challenges that still loomed on the horizon. Acedia''s final words haunted him¡ªwhat did the Demon King mean by "not following the script"? What role did the King of Hell have in all of this? And what would it mean for Elias and the fate of Eldoria? But as hended softly on the castle''s balcony, Elias pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. Heid King ric''s body gently on the cold stone, pausing to offer a silent prayer for the fallen king. ric had given everything for his people, and now it was Elias''s turn to ensure that his sacrifice had not been in vain. Elias turned, looking out over Eldoria as the first rays of sunlight bathed the city in golden light. He could hear the distant murmurs of the people, still gathered below, still grappling with the events of the day. But as the light grew brighter, Elias felt a surge of determination rise within him. This was the dawn of a new era for Eldoria, a time to rebuild, to heal, and to face whatever darkness inevitably stilly ahead. He would not let the shadows of the past dictate the future. Elias, the chosen child of light, would stand as a guardian for Eldoria and ris , just as ric had done. Chapter 118 : King of Hell Acedia''s soul drifted through the void, the darkness around him soplete it felt as though it was devouring all light, all hope. His intangible form glowed faintly, a sickly green that pulsed like a dying ember in the vast emptiness. He had failed. The thought weighed on him, gnawing at the edges of his mind. He had allowed King ric''sst vestiges of humanity to break free, and worse, Elias had severed his connection before he could bring Eldoria to ruin. Ahead of him, the shadows began to shift, coiling and writhing as though they had a life of their own. From the swirling darkness emerged a massive figure, a towering presence that loomed over Acedia like a mountain of shadow. Its form was indistinct, shifting and shuddering as though it could not be confined to any singr shape. The only constant were its eyes¡ªzing orbs of fiery crimson that pierced through the darkness, radiating an aura of death and decay so palpable it made Acedia''s soul tremble. Acedia bowed low, his pride swallowed by the fear that surged within him. He could feel the crushing weight of the figure''s gaze, the sheer force of its presence threatening to snuff out his existence entirely. He dared not look up, not even for a moment. "My liege," Acedia said, his voice trembling despite his best efforts to steady it. "I have returned, though I regret to inform you of my failure. I was unable to fulfill yourmand." The massive figure remained silent for a long, agonizing moment. The air itself seemed to thicken, pressing down on Acedia with a force that made his very essence quake. Acedia''s mind raced, searching for any words that might appease the wrath he knew wasing. "My liege, I would have seeded if only you had allowed me to kill the boy. Elias Ashdown should not have been spared¡ªhe is a threat to our ns." The shadowy figure shifted slightly, its burning eyes narrowing as it fixed its unrelenting gaze on Acedia. "You overestimate yourself, Acedia," the figure intoned, its voice deep and resonant, echoing through the void like the tolling of a death knell. The sound of it sent shivers through Acedia''s soul, each word searing into his very being. "You presume too much." Acedia''s soul shuddered under the sheer weight of the figure''s words, his form flickering as though struggling to maintain cohesion. Fear wed at him, but he forced himself to remain still, to not show the panic that gripped him. To disy weakness before his liege would be a fatal mistake. "Forgive me, my liege. I only sought to eliminate the obstacles that stood in our way." The shadow figure leaned forward, and Acedia felt as though he were being drawn into an endless abyss. "You speak of killing the boy as though it were within your power. Even if I had granted you permission, you would not have seeded. Elias Ashdown is not like the others. He is beyond your reach, beyond your understanding. Your efforts, while amusing, would have been in vain." Acedia''s soul red with indignation at the dismissal, a flicker of defiance that he quickly smothered. He clenched his spectral fists, his essence boiling with a fury that he dared not express. To question the King of Hell was unthinkable, but to be belittled, to be told he was incapable¡ªthat was a humiliation he could scarcely bear. He bit back his retort, swallowing his pride as he lowered his head even further. "However," the figure continued, its tone now a mix of contemtion and something that almost resembled satisfaction, "you did not fail entirely. You sowed the seeds of distrust and division among the people of Eldoria. Their hearts are conflicted, their loyalty fractured. That is enough for now." Acedia looked up, his eyes gleaming with a faint spark of hope. "Then there is still a path forward, my liege?" "Indeed," the figure replied, its form expanding, the shadows around it darkening as if drawing in all the despair of the void. "The cracks you have created will grow. In time, they will weaken the foundation of Eldoria''s unity. That is how kingdoms fall, Acedia¡ªnot with a sword, but with doubt and fear. Return to your circle, and await my further instructions." Acedia bowed deeply, his form flickering as he struggled to maintain hisposure. "I understand, my liege. I will not fail you again." The figure''s eyes zed even brighter, casting an ominous red glow that illuminated Acedia''s quivering form. "See that you do not," it said, its voice carrying a finality that left no room for argument. With that, the shadowy figure began to dissipate, its presence retreating back into the void, leaving behind an oppressive silence that echoed with unspoken threats. As thest remnants of the figure''s presence vanished, Acedia allowed himself a moment of unrestrained rage. He bit his lip until the spectral blood oozed from the wound, his form shuddering with the effort to contain the fury that threatened to consume him. The humiliation of being chastised, of having his power belittled in the presence of the King of Hell, was a wound that cut deeper than any de. "Elias Ashdown," Acedia spat, his voice seething with hatred. The name was like poison on his lips, a reminder of his failure and his disgrace. "You have embarrassed me in front of my lord, and for that, you will pay dearly. I swear on all the fires of Hell, you will die by my hands." Experience tales with mvl Acedia''s form flickered violently, his essence writhing with barely contained fury. He would bide his time, as he had always done. The King of Hell had a n, and Acedia knew better than to act without orders. But the moment he was unleashed, the moment he was given the chance, he would make Elias Ashdown suffer in ways the young savior could not even begin to imagine. With a final, furious re into the empty void, Acedia turned and vanished, his soul retreating to the depths of his circle to await his nextmand. The darkness closed in behind him, swallowing the lingering echoes of his wrath. The void grew still once more, silent and in the depths of the abyss, the King of Hell''s gaze remained ever watchful, plotting the next move in a game that was only just beginning. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 119 : The calm after the storm Days had passed since Elias''s fierce confrontation with Acedia, and though the battle was won, the scars it left behind were still fresh. Eldoria was in a state of recovery, with the wounds of war etched into both itsnds and its people. Buildingsy in ruins, charred by the fires of magic and shattered by the force of shing powers. Streets that once bustled with the lively chatter of merchants and townsfolk were now quiet, save for the asional sound of hammers and saws as the citizens worked tirelessly to rebuild what had been lost. The people moved with a heaviness, not just from physical exhaustion but from the emotional toll of their beloved king''s death. King ric''s funeral had been a somber affair that stretched over two days. The entire kingdom had gathered to pay their respects, lining the streets in a sea of mourning colors. As the grand procession moved slowly through the city, mournful hymns filled the air, their haunting melodies a tribute to the man who had once unified and protected Eldoria. Experience new stories on §Þ?? Flowers nketed the path, their petals crushed underfoot as the people bid farewell to their king. For those two days, the kingdom grieved as one, united in sorrow and remembrance of their fallen leader. But the funeral hade and gone, and life in Eldoria had to move forward. The Festival of Light, an annual celebration that symbolized the love of Lira, was fast approaching. Normally a time of joy and festivity, this year''s event was overshadowed by uncertainty. Eldoria was without a king, and while the people hoped the festival might lift their spirits, the looming question of a new leadership arose. In the grand throne room of the castle, the tension was palpable. The remaining family heads had convened to address the matter of the kingdom''s governance in the absence of King ric''s rightful heir, Oswald, who was off in the East on some unknown mission. Lord Varric spoke first, his voice carried the weight of authority as he addressed those assembled: Lady Selene, Lady Isolde and Queen Seraphina, still grieving her husband butposed in her royal bearing; and Elias, their young saviour "We are at a critical juncture," Lord Varric began, his voice echoing through the vast chamber. "With King ric gone and Prince Oswald absent, Eldoria is without its rightful leader. We cannot afford to leave the throne vacant, not even for a moment longer. We need someone to stand as an interim king until Oswald returns." Elias, standing slightly apart from the others, raised his hand. Lord Varric nced at him, an appreciative but firm look crossing his face. "Elias," Lord Varric said, his tone softening slightly, "we are all forever grateful for what you have done. You have shown courage and strength beyond your years. However, ruling a kingdom requires more than bravery. It requires experience, wisdom, and a deep understanding of Eldoria''s politics. You are young, Elias, and you still have much to learn about the ways of governance." Elias nodded, not surprised by the dismissal. "I understand, Lord Varric," he replied. " But I wasn''t raising my hand to nominate myself. I wanted to suggest someone else who I believe is suited for the role¡ªQueen Seraphina." A stunned silence fell over the room. Queen Seraphina looked at Elias, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Elias, I¡ª" she began, but Elias cut her off gently. "You said it yourself, Lord Varric," Elias continued, his voice steady and sure. "We need someone who has seen how King ric ruled, someone who knows the kingdom inside and out, someone who the people can rally behind. Queen Seraphina has all of those qualities. She has the strength and wisdom of a leader and thepassion of a queen who loves her people." Lord Varric exchanged nces with Lady Selene and Lady Isolde. There was a moment of quiet contemtion, then Lord Varric spoke again. "What Elias says is true. Queen Seraphina is not only familiar with the workings of the kingdom, but she also carries the legacy of King ric. Let us vote on the matter. All in favor of Queen Seraphina acting as the interim ruler of Eldoria, say aye." A chorus of agreements followed. It was unanimous¡ªQueen Seraphina would stand as the kingdom''s leader until Prince Oswald''s return. The queen''s eyes glistened with tears gratitude and resolve. She rose from her seat and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you all," she said, her voice steady. "I promise to uphold the kingdom and honor King ric''s memory until Oswaldes back. Eldoria will not falter under my watch." The room''s tension eased slightly, but as the discussion continued, Lady Selene raised a pressing concern. "There is still the matter of House Sullivan," she said. "Lord Thane''s position as family head remains vacant, and without strong leadership, the house could fall into disarray which could snowball into a bigger problem for Eldoria ." Lord Varric nodded thoughtfully. "You are correct, Lady Selene. However, the members of House Sullivan have already made their decision on who will take the position. In fact, the new head is here in the castle as we speak, just outside the throne room." Queen Seraphina gestured towards the entrance. "Then bring him in. We should meet the one who will take up Thane''s mantle, I just hope he is nothing like Thane" At hermand, the heavy wooden doors of the throne room swung open with a low creak. The gathered leaders turned their attention to the entrance as a young man stepped into the room. He was tall, with a lean but muscr build that hinted at a warrior''s training. His hair was a deep chestnut brown, tousled but neatly kept, and his sharp blue eyes surveyed the room with a keen intelligence. His features were refined, almost aristocratic, with a strong jawline and a nose that spoke of noble lineage. He wore the dark, distinguished garb of House Sullivan, the insignia proudly on his chest. The young man walked with a confident stride, his movements fluid and purposeful. As he approached the throne, he bowed deeply, his gaze never wavering from Queen Seraphina. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice steady and respectful. "I am Caelum Sullivan, son of Lord Thane, and I am honored to serve as the new head of House Sullivan." Queen Seraphina nodded, studying the young man closely. "Caelum Sullivan," she said thoughtfully, her eyes lingering on his youthful but determined face. "Your father was¡ª" Caelum straightened, meeting her gaze with a steady resolve. " Sorry to interrupt you, your majesty. But I know what my father was like, I promise to wipe clean the stain he brought our family name, my loyalty will be to Eldoria and the crown." Elias watched the interaction closely, feeling a sense of respect for Caelum. Despite his youth, there was a maturity in his bearing and a fire in his eyes that spoke of a deepmitment to his family and kingdom. Elias knew what it was like to carry the weight of expectations and the burden of legacy, and he found himself silently rooting for the young lord. "Very well," Queen Seraphina said, her voice carrying a note of finality. "Caelum Sullivan, we wee you as the head of House Sullivan. Together, we will guide Eldoria through these uncertain times. Let us all work in unity for the good of the kingdom." The young man nodded, taking his ce among the other family heads. As the meeting continued, Elias felt a faint sense of hope. Eldoria was still reeling from its losses, but with Seraphina on the throne and new leaders like Caelum stepping forward, there was a path forward¡ªBut he couldn''t help but think that this was not going tost, Acedia''sst words rang in his head. Chapter 120 : The damage of the soul Elias excused himself from the meeting, he stood by one of the castle''s high windows, staring out at the bustling city below. The sun was setting, casting long shadows that crept over the kingdom. As he watched the people of Eldoria move about, preparing for the uing Festival of Light, his thoughts drifted to the refolk. He hoped they were finding peace and sce in their new home. Despite everything that had happened, the memory of their pained faces lingered in his mind like a persistent shadow. Elias''s mind reyed the moments after his battle with Acedia, moments that felt as raw as fresh wounds. With King ric''s possession revealed and the immediate danger averted, Elias had wasted no time. His first thought had been of the refolk¡ªthe ones who had been enved and exploited under the influence of the cors that forced them to obey against their will. The air still crackled with the remnants of battle magic when Elias made his way to District Two, the heart of Eldoria''s military . The once vibrant district was now marked by destruction, with several buildings bearing scorch marks and others reduced to rubble, courtesy of Lord Thane and Lord Varric.. Despite the damage, a crowd had gathered, curious and concerned about the events that had unfolded. Elias found the refolk confined within the cells holding areas, their once proud and fiery spirits had been dulled by the oppression they had endured. With a determined expression, Elias stepped forward and forced open every single cor by forcing his mana into them, the aura of his mana shone like a beacon in the gloom of the cell. The cors around the refolk''s necks cracked and shattered, the metal falling away like discarded chains. Elias could feel the surge of relief and gratitude emanating from the freed refolk, though it was tempered by the residual bitterness of their captivity. Elias raised his voice, addressing not just the refolk but also the onlookers who had gathered around to witness the event. "These people were wrongfully enved," he dered, his voice resonating with authority. "If anyone objects to what I''ve done here today, step forward and face me." A heavy silence followed his promation. The crowd exchanged nces, but not a single person spoke out against Elias. His power and presence were undeniable, and the righteousness of his actions left no room for dissent. No one stepped forward, and slowly, the soldiers dispersed, leaving Elias and the refolk to themselves. Loria was amongst the first people he freed, as the cor shattered from her neck, she stumbled forward, her legs weak from the strain of captivity. Elias had caught her instinctively. Then, without warning, she copsed into him, her arms wrapped around his shoulders in a tight embrace. Elias could feel the heat of her tears soaking through his tunic as she cried against him, her sobs heavy with the weight of her suffering. He had held her close, his own guilt gnawing at him like a relentless beast He had tried to tell her about Carius, but she stopped him. She told him that she knew, she heard him in the cells when he first visited. She said for a while she did resent and hate him, but she soon realized that it wasn''t Elias'' fault. He did what he had to do. The Queen and the family heads hade soon after, having been alerted to the situation. Queen Seraphina, alongside Lord Varric, Lady Selene, and Lady Isolde, approached the refolk with genuine remorse etched on their faces. The Queen bowed deeply before the newly freed group. "On behalf of the crown and the people of Eldoria, we offer our deepest apologies," she said, her voice heavy with sincerity. "You were wronged in a way that we can never truly atone for, but we are prepared to offerpensation and do whatever we can to make amends." A refolk who seemed like their leader, a stoic figure named rion, stepped forward. His eyes carried sadness as he regarded the Queen and her council. "We appreciate your words, Your Majesty," rion began, his voice tinged with a calm yet unyielding resolve. "But what we want cannot be given by gold or reparations. Explore stories on §Þ?? All we desire now is to leave this ce and be as far from Eldoria as possible." Queen Seraphina looked visibly shaken by the rejection, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We can understand your desire to leave, but Eldoria is not defined by the actions of a few. We have much to learn and change¡ª" rion held up a hand, silencing her gently. "Your Majesty, the people of Eldoria, save for a few like Elias, stood by and watched as we suffered. Even with the cors binding our will, we were aware of every humiliation, every act of apathy. The chains were not just physical but emotional, binding us in the memories of how little our lives meant to those around us. We cannot stay in a ce that sees us as less than human." Elias stepped forward, understanding their sentiment all too well. "Then let me help you find somewhere else," he offered. "There''s a ce I know, far from here, where you can be safe and live freely¡ªa vige in the Hignds." The refolk agreed, and Elias wasted no time, he teleported them away from Eldoria. They were warmly weed to the vige, tears flowed as they tasted freedom and reconciliation As Elias returned to Eldoria, he couldn''t shake the feeling of Acedia''s lingering influence. The demon''s schemes had failed to eradicate the refolk, but he had still seeded in sowing seeds of distrust and division among the kingdom''s inhabitants. Elias knew that it would take time¡ªperhaps a long time¡ªfor the wounds inflicted upon Eldoria to fully heal. The refolk''s departure was a stark reminder that the consequences of Acedia''s actions extended beyond the immediate battle; he had left a mark on the very soul of the kingdom. Back in the present, Elias sighed as he turned away from the window. The sunset had dipped below the horizon.He had done what he could to make amends, but he knew that for the refolk, Eldoria would always be a ce of pain and betrayal. "Elias Ashdown," Lady Isolde''s voice called out Chapter 121 : Fruit Talk Elias let out a long sigh as he looked at his status menu [ FWP: 1,850,000 /10,000,000,000 Name: Elias Ashdown ss: Swordsman, Farmer, Mage(Contractual, Caster, Dependent[Dominator]) Title: Farmer, One blessed by Fate, swordsman, Child of Light, Child of Destiny, Loved by Mana, Mage, False Dragon yer, Hero of Eldoria. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Health: 12 000/12 000 Mana: 5 000 000/5 000 000 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Strength: 55 Agility: 40 Speed: 45 Stamina: 80 Intelligence: 210 ] "Haha," He chuckled nervously, "I''m broke. I spent so many FWPs in the fight against Acedia, but what cost me most was probably teleporting all the refolk to the Hignds. I need to learn a way to teleport without having to purchase a ring from the store." He pondered openly "I also got a new title, I wonder if they are just for show or they have any actual use. I hope it''s thetter, the ones in [Arcane Days] are mostly just for show" "Elias Ashdown" Lady Isolde called out to Elias, interrupting his musing ''Lady Isolde of all people, what does she want with me?'' Elias tried to make sense of Lady Isolde''s behavior. It wasn''t like her to be so cordial, for that matter. She was known for her sharp mind and even sharper tongue, not for exchanging sly smiles and soft words. And yet, there she was, tilting her head in greeting, thanking him for saving her life. Elias had seen many sides of Eldoria''s nobility, but this was a side of Lady Isolde he hadn''t expected. When Lady Isolde tipped her head in a gesture of gratitude, Elias was momentarily stunned. He quickly masked his surprise, bowing in return to match her formality. He opened his mouth to ask why she had approached him, but Lady Isolde was faster, her keen eyes catching his bewilderment. "You have a terrible poker face, Elias," she remarked with a knowing smirk. "It''s obvious you''re surprised to see me." Elias chuckled softly, though he still wasn''t sure how to respond. Lady Isolde''s presence, her words, her tone¡ªall of it was unexpected. "I wanted to thank you," Lady Isolde continued, her expression softening in a way Elias had never seen. "For saving my life. Seraphina told me what you did. I was as good as dead, and somehow, you brought me back from the brink with your healing magic." Elias shifted his weight ufortably, "I was just doing what was right," he said, downying the deed. "Anyone would have done the same." He made a move to leave, but Lady Isolde caught his arm, her grip gentle but firm. "That kind of healing," she said, her voice tinged with curiosity, "isn''t just something people do. It takes years of study, of dedication. Who taught you?" Elias hesitated, wary of her probing questions. Lady Isolde''s sharp eyes were locked on his, and he could feel the weight of her scrutiny. "It''s natural for me," he answered bluntly. "Maybe it''s just a perk of being the Child of Light." Lady Isolde didn''t seem satisfied with his answer. She leaned closer, her gaze intense. "Natural, you say? Even the most skilled healers can''t perform the kind of magic you did. There''s more to it than that, isn''t there?" Elias stiffened, his patience fraying. He wasn''t in the mood to be interrogated, especially not by someone who was supposed to be thanking him. "Are you here to express gratitude," he asked pointedly, "or to interrogate me?" Lady Isolde blinked, taken aback by his directness. For a moment, her confident facade cracked, and she looked almost embarrassed. "You''re right," she conceded, releasing his arm. "My apologies." She turned to leave, but Elias, still curious about her unexpected approach, stopped her with a question of his own. "I didn''t know you were rted to Queen Seraphina." Lady Isolde paused, ncing back at him with a faint smile. "Yes," she said. "I''m Seraphina''s older sister." Elias raised an eyebrow. Despite the resemnce in their regal bearing, the two sisters were different in almost every way. "You don''t look older at all," he remarked, allowing a flirtatious edge to creep into his voice. "You could pass for age mates." Lady Isoldeughed, a light, musical sound that caught Elias off guard. It was rare to see her so rxed, so... human. "You tter me," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Elias took a step closer, emboldened by her reaction. "It''s not ttery if it''s true," he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "They say the older the berry, the sweeter the juice." Lady Isolde''s smile widened, and she tilted her head, studying him as if he were a particrly interesting puzzle. "Is that so? I have never heard anyone say that" she mused, ying along. "But don''t you know that some berries are poisonous?" Elias leaned in, closing the distance between them. "Forbidden fruits are always the most tempting," he whispered. "I''d take the risk for a taste of the sweetest berry, even if it might be dangerous." Lady Isolde''s eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and warning. "You''re a bold young man, Elias," she said, her tone teasing. "But perhaps you should stick to berries within your reach. Stretching too far can be... hazardous." Elias was about to respond, the flirtatious banter flowing easily now, when the sound of footsteps interrupted them. They both turned to see Queen Seraphina entering the corridor, Lady Selene trailing behind her. Seraphina''s expression was hard to read, but Elias caught a flicker of annoyance¡ªor was it jealousy?¡ªin her eyes. "Am I interrupting something?" Queen Seraphina asked, her voice crisp but edged with an emotion Elias couldn''t quite ce. Though she tried to keep her tone neutral, the slight tension in her stance gave her away. Lady Isolde, ever quick on her feet, immediately sensed her sister''s difort. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she leaned even closer to Elias, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered something that made his cheeks burn red. The words were too quiet for anyone else to hear, but whatever she said left Elias momentarily speechless. Straightening up, Lady Isolde pulled back, her expression one of mock innocence. "Oh, we were just talking about berries," she said breezily, feigning nonchnce as she gave Seraphina a knowing smile. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her steps light and confident. Stay tuned to §Þ?? Lady Selene, sensing the awkwardness in the air, quickly excused herself as well, leaving Elias alone with a clearly annoyed Queen Seraphina. The Queen''s gaze was fixed on him, her expression a mix of irritation and something else Elias couldn''t quite decipher. "What was that about?" Seraphina asked, her tone sharper than usual. Elias shrugged, trying to y it off as nothing. "Just a conversation," he said, attempting to sound casual. "Nothing important." Seraphina''s eyes narrowed slightly, her intuition telling her there was more to it than Elias was letting on. She studied him for a moment, her gaze intense and searching. Elias shifted ufortably under her scrutiny, feeling as though she was peeling backyers of him to see whaty beneath. "Elias," Seraphina began, her voice softening but still holding an edge. "You''re important to this kingdom, and to me. I don''t want you getting caught up in... distractions." Elias nodded, appreciating her concern but unsure how to address the underlying tension between them. "I know, Seraphina. I''m not looking for distractions." Seraphina exhaled slowly, her shoulders rxing a fraction. "Good," she said, though her voice still held a trace of unease. "We have enough to deal with as it is." A mischievous smile crept up on Elias'' face, "But aren''t you forgetting something?" He asked, taking a hold of her hand firmly "What is this?" Queen Seraphina stuttered as she asked. Elias made his way to her room, pulling her along as he walked. Queen Serpent kept asking what Elias was doing but she did not get an answer. Elias locked the door behind him as he and the Queen entered the room, it was the room of thete King ric and his precious wife Seraphina. His scent still hung in the air. Elias pushed her on the soft bed lined with soft velvet silk sheets and even fluffier pillows. "What is this?" She asked once again, this time averting her gaze from Elias. Elias smiled, "I think you know just what this is, in fact I am very it has been on your mind a while now, you just never brought it up because of the situation at hand," Stillying on the bed, the Queenpletely looked away, her face took on a visible red blush, " I don''t know what you''re talking about," she said Elias propped her legs up, causing Seraphina''s dress to fall to her waist and reveal her bare shaved and smooth sacred region. "Ahh!!" She eximed, trying to cover her pussy with her hands. "Remove your hands." Eliasmanded and the Queen found herself immediatelyplying "I promised you a reward if you carried out the task I gave you. I think it''s time I give it to you" He said Chapter 122 : The Queen鈥檚 Reward [R-18] Using Queen Seraphina propped up legs as holds, Elias buried his face in her sacred region, he put his tongue and entire mouth to work as he did. "E¡ªAhnn~ Nghnn" Seraphina could not hold back her moans, clearly Elias knew what he was doing. Because with each stroke andp of his tongue, Seraphina''s moans only grew louder and more depraved Elias increased his pace, the scent of the Queen was very pleasant to his nose, almost intoxicating. It was an almost odourless tangy scent that mixed with her natural scent to fuse and create an intoxicating mix that drove Elias. "S¡­slow down~ Ahnn~ Hnghh~" she moaned as she tried to push away Elias'' head before she lost herself to the pleasure Elias raised his head and locked eyes with Seraphina who was trying to catch her breath, he smiled as he saw the look of pleasure she donned. "We can''t¡­do this¡­not now. I''m still wearing mourning robes" Queen Seraphina said between hot breaths Elias smiled and pushed apart her legs further, "Before he passed away, King ric gave me some instructions and one of which was to make sure to take care of you," He said Queen Seraphina furrowed her brow slightly, "I''m sure he didn''t mean it like this," she said "I''ve been observing you for the past days, you looked sad and troubled. All I''m doing right now is just giving you the reward I promised you to lighten your mood. That is also a way of taking care of you," Queen Seraphina looked away shyly, "I don''t know about that logic¡­it seems too soon" Elias smiled, he traced his hands down her thigh until he felt the moist warmth that radiated from her vagina. A mischievous smile yed on his lips as he suddenly inserted his fingers in her, "Ahnn!!" She let out a loud moan Elias pulled back his soaked fingers and spread them apart, her arousal fluid stretched between his fingers as he did, "Your body seems to agree with my logic," Elias chuckled "No¡­.it''s not like that.. tha¨Cthat is a normal reaction," Seraphina said Elias smiled, "Okay then, I''ll stop." He began "Ahh¡­thank you.." Queen Seraphina replied "But, I''ll only stop when you tell me to stop" Elias added and Queen Seraphina opened her mouth to object, but before she couldpletely string her words together, Elias had already buried his face in her pussy once again. "Mmmm~Nngh" The Queen was only able to moan in pleasure, every word she tried to speak somehow came out as a moan of pleasure. Soon the entire room was filled with the sound of Elias going down on her and the sound of the Queen losing herself to the pleasure Noticing that the Queen''s defences were already slipping away, Elias needed a final push to send her over the edge, topletely make her give in to the pleasure. Elias traced his tongue around her slit, he slowly moved his hands to her inner thigh until he reached her pleasure cave. He spread it open and in one swift motion, he went straight for her clitoria. He flicked it around gently with his tongue. "Ouuuuunn~ Hnnnhh!!" Seraphina shuddered as she moaned, "It''s too¡­sensitive. Slow down" Elias did not slow down, instead he sucked, licked and flicked harder. Seraphina''s breath caught, a quiet hitch in her throat as a wave of warmth began to build within her, slowly and insistent. Her pulse quickened, as the world around her blurred and fell away, narrowed down to the rush of sensation that grew and surged, lifting her higher with every passing second. It was like the crest of a wave, teetering on the edge before it broke¡ª The warmth exploded, radiating outwards in ripples that shivered through her body, cascading and crashing in waves of bliss that left her trembling, gasping, and utterly undone. For a fleeting moment, she was weightless, boundless, caught in the pure, dazzling light of release. Her chest fell and rose in a sound rhythm as she tried toe to her senses, her face was a canvas of pleasure ; her eyes were filled with lust and her tongue hung out of her mouth as hot breath escaped her lips Elias moved closer to her, their bodies brushed as he cupped her face in his hands. Her skin was soft and warm beneath his touch, and he could feel the slight tremble of her breath as she exhaled. They lingered for a moment, eyes locked in a shared gaze that spoke volumes without a word. The silence between them wasfortable, charged with anticipation that hung in the air like a quiet hum. "Now that wasn''t so bad now, was it?" Elias asked He got no reply, instead the Queen wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled his face closer to hers. She nted a long kiss on his lips, this caught Elias by surprise, but he soon quickly adjusted and kissed her back. They exchanged tongues for a while before Elias pulled back, "I''ll take that as a Yes," Elias proudly said Elias'' hands traveled down her sides, memorizing every curve and dip, the familiar terrain of her that he knew so well. She touched him, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw, moving down to rest on his chest where she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was a gentle pace at first, an unhurried exploration as they pressed closer, feeling the warmth of each other''s skin. "I want it, give it to me. Elias Ashdown I beg of you, take me" Queen Seraphina pleaded, her body and mind craved Elias and his cock Stay updated through §Þ?? Elias smiled knowing that he had taken the Queen for himself. Seeing her beg for his cock with such sincere and slutty expression, Elias felt his cock grow and harden instantly, "Patience," He said He moved with a careful grace, taking his time, savoring the way her body responded to every touch. Her eyes closed, and he watched as her lips parted slightly, a soft, breathy "Mmm," escaped. Chapter 123 : The Queen鈥檚 Reward (2)[R-18] Elias'' hands roamed over her back, pulling her closer still, his own breaths grew heavier, matching the steady rise and fall of hers. He undid is trouserce and flung it away without paying any attention, itnded with a soft thud. Queen Seraphina gasped audibly as she saw Elias'' throbbing cock, "W..was it always this big?" She asked, clearly surprised at the size of it Elias made his cock twitch and Queen Seraphina jumped a bit, "Haha, scared?" Elias teased her Queen Seraphina frowned, " I am not some virgin that is scared of cocks, I am not scared of anything," she pouted "Good" Elias said He pped his cock on her slit and rubbed her still sensitive clitoris, "Mmmm," a soft moan escaped Seraphina''s lips He ced his tip on the entrance of her pussy and slowly pushed it in, as he entered her, there was a moment of stillness, a quiet intake of breath as they both adjusted to the closeness. "Mmph~Hnghhh!!" The Queen tried her best to suppress her moan He felt the heat of her pussy, the way her body enveloped him, weing him with a soft, yielding warmth. His movements were slow and measured as he began to move, each thrust deep and purposeful, a deliberate rhythm that grew stronger with each passing moment. She met him with equal intensity, her hips rose to meet his, creating a seamless connection that felt like it was made for them alone. "You have nothing to prove, Seraphina. Don''t hold it back, you have waited months for this, why try to deprive yourself of the enjoyment" Elias advised as he quickened his pace and pushed deeper into her Queen Seraphina''s facade broke offpletely as Elias increased his thrust, she began to moan wildly; without a care in the world. Like Elias had said ; she had gone months without being plowed by a cock, there was no need to hold herself back. "Mmmfffp! Unnf. Mmm-ahh. A-aahh... Ahn... Mngh-ph! Uhmn. Ah. Nnnf. A-a-ahhmmn. Ah. Ah. Nnhg Uh-uhh. Haahhh. Mmmm-mmh. Nnmm¡­" Tears of pleasure and joy ran down her face as she surrenderedpletely to Elias'' cock. Every touch, every shift, wasden with a wordlessmunication, a give and take that flowed effortlessly between them. "Oh, yes," she murmured softly, her voice catching on each deeper movement. Elias could feel the tension building, a coil winding tighter with each thrust, each quiet gasp, every brush of skin against skin. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders, pulling him closer, as if she couldn''t bear to let even the smallest distance exist between them. Their movements quickened, the rhythm escting, driven by a shared lust that was palpable in the air. Her moans grew louder, each one a whispered, "More... please," her breath hitching with every deeper motion. Elias could feel Queen Seraphina''s breath hot against his neck, her voice catching as she whispered his name between soft cries of pleasure. He pressed deeper, harder, feeling the urgency now, a desperate pull that neither of them tried to resist. His focus was entirely on her¡ªthe way her body moved, the sounds she made, the warmth of her skin against his. She was his now. He could feel the end approaching, the tension inside him building to a breaking point, and he held on to her tighter, grounding himself in the feel of her pussy. She arched against him, her body tensing, her moans turning into a series of breathless, "Yes, yes," her voice rose as they moved faster. He could sense her nearing that same edge, their movements bing a blur of heat and need. When release finally came, it was a powerful rush, a flood of sensation that surged through him. She gasped his name, her voice breaking into a loud, "Oh! It''sing Elias!!!" as they reached the peak together, leaving him breathless and weightless, lost in the moment. Elias twitched and shuddered as his cock still pumped loads and loads of his semen into her sensitive pussy. It was so much that it began to leak out of whatever crevice Elias''s shrinking cock didn''t fill up. For a few moments, they simply stayed like that, tangled together, their breathing heavy and hearts still racing. The room was filled with the quiet sounds of their recovery, the faint rustle of sheets, the soft murmur of their breaths slowing down. As Elias pulled out his cock, Queen Seraphina felt a residual wave of pleasure course through her body, it caused her too shudder and squirt her love juices one more time. Elias looked down at Seraphina, her body still trembling from the intensity of their shared moment. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breaths came in soft, shallow pants as shey sprawled on the bed, her skin flushed and glowing in the dim light. Strands of her hair clung to her damp forehead, framing her face in wild, beautiful disarray. His gaze roved over her, taking in every curve, every mark of their passion etched into her skin. The sight of her ravaged form stirred something deep within him, an undeniable pull that sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through his veins. His breath hitched, and he felt the familiar surge of desire, his body responded instantly as his cock sprang back to life. Seraphina''s eyes fluttered open, and she nced up, catching sight of the shadow cast above her. She followed it upward, her gaze locking onto Elias. His form loomed over her, strong andmanding, his cock standing proudly with residual semen dripping from his tip, he was ready once more. A knowing smile yed on his lips, Queen Seraphina gulped audibly and she felt a desire that made her heart race all over again. "I''m not done yet," Elias murmured, his voice low and rough with lingering need. His eyes met hers "And I know you aren''t either." Seraphina''s breath caught at his words, a thrill coursing through her already sensitive body. She could feel the pull of his lust , a mirror of her own, still simmering just beneath the surface. She gave a shy slight nod, her lips curving into a breathless, daring smile, the fire in her eyes matched his. Elias moved closer, the heat of his cock radiated on her face. Queen Seraphina propped her head up and sucked on the tip of his cock. A soft moan escaped Elias lips as her tongue brushed against his sensitive nds. Chapter 124 : Queen Domination [R-18] Elias watched as Queen Seraphina took his cock in and out of her mouth, she wrapped her tongue around his tip as she bobbed her head back and forth, Elias tensed up. He didn''t expect her to be so good at pleasing a cock, and he couldn''t help but wonder where she picked up her skills or if she was a natural cock sucker. Seraphina pulled out Elias'' cock making sure to keep sucking until it fell out with a popping sound, "How are you still so hard after just cumming, is this also a perk of being the child of light?" Seraphina asked as she stroked his saliva zed cock, making sure to focus on his cock cap "Mm" Elias moaned Queen Seraphina giggled, "You''re so strong and intimidating when fighting, but in bed you''re still just a man," She said as she increased her stroking speed For some reason, her words seemed to piss Elias off, ''Why is this masochist sub talking like she''s the one in charge. If I remember correctly she''s the one that likes to be dominated and treated like a sex object'' He thought to himself Elias ced his hands on her shoulders, pinned her against the bed, and saddled her. Queen Seraphina was surprised by this sudden move and opened her mouth to speak, "What is the meaning o¡ªglughh" Before she could finish her sentence, Elias filled her mouth with it his cock, making sure to fit as much her mouth could take in¡­and more. Seraphina''s eyes widened as she struggled to breathe, but Elias did not budge. He left his cock lodged in her throat and watched as she gagged on it. asionally she would instinctively try to swallow his cock and her throat would give Elias'' cock a marvellous suction that sent waves of pleasure throughout his body Elias eventually pulled out his cock when Seraphina''s eyes began to close, his cock was drenched in thick, slimy saliva. Queen Seraphina gasped loudly as she tried to catch her breath, her makeup were smeared by sweat and saliva. "W¨Cwhat was that for?!" She asked Elias Elias rolled his eyes, "Just a little reminder to show who''s who in the bedroom. And don''t act like you don''t like it, you masochist. You love being treated like that" Elias said with a sly smile on his face, "And this is proof" He added as he spread her legs to reveal her drooling pussy "H..How dare you?!" Queen Seraphina shot back Elias cocked his head to the side, "I thought we were past this? I guess I was wrong" "We can have sex and do other things," She said in a low voice, "But I will still be treated with respect. I am older than you are and I''m also the Queen and ruler of Eldoria," She continued Elias looked upon her with an inspecting gaze, "I see," He said as he got off from the bed. "What are you doing?" Queen Seraphina asked as she watched Elias pick up his clothes and head for the door Elias turned around slightly, "What does it look like I''m doing?" "Leaving?" "Exactly" "Why?" "Simple, I refuse to be intimate with a dishonest person," Elias replied as he open the door, "See youter Queen Seraphina" Elias was about to take a step when the Queen called out to him, "Wait!" Elias stopped in his tracks, and a knowing smile yed on his lips, "You said something?" He asked, pretending not to hear clearly Queen Seraphina wore a look of defeat, "I¡­said you should¡­wait. Pleasee back, I''ll admit it," she said shyly Elias shut the door and turned to face Queen Seraphina, "Admit what?" Elias asked firmly For someone like Seraphina, he must not appear weaker or smaller to her in anyway, he had to be strong in all aspects topletely dominate her. Queen Seraphina looked away shyly, "I admit that I like to be treated rough during intercourse," She said with all the courage she could muster. Elias was the first and very likely to best person to ever know about her "preference" in bed, but even so it was a bit challenging to voice it out loud "Hmm I see, but I want you to be more clear with your words," Elias said "What do you mean?" She asked Elias smiled slightly, "How about something more blunt like this. Say ''I, Seraphina liked to be fucked and treated roughly like a sex object. It makes me wet''." Surprising the Queen didn''t object, instead she just donned a defeated expression, "I, Queen Seraphina liked to be fucked and treated roughly like a sex object. It makes me wet" she repeated after him Elias shed an innocent smile, "Now didn''t that feel liberating?" Elias asked, but Queen Seraphina remained quiet "I said, didn''t that feel liberating? When I ask you a question, I expect an answer or else I will walk out that door and never look your way again." Elias said sternly Queen Seraphina''s eyes widened, "It did! It felt liberating." She quickly answered "Good, you learn quickly. Eldoria will prosper under the rule of someone as smart as you" Elias said with a smile The Queen nodded, "Now can youe back so we can continue?" she asked meekly Elias took one long hard look at her, "Come to me, you made me walk all the way of here. I am not walking back again, soe to me," He said "Ahh¡­I see," Queen Seraphina said as she obediently climbed off the the bed and began walking to Elias. "Stop!" Elias ordered and she froze immediately, "Crawl, I want you to crawl" He demanded Queen Seraphina jerked her head back, "Surely, you can''t mean that. Me? Crawl?" She said Elias immediately turned around and opened the door to leave, "Wait! Okay, okay. I will do it, I will crawl," She said Elias closed the door and turned back, the Queen dropped to her knees and then nted her palm on the floor, her voluminous breats swayed and danced enticingly as she began to crawl toward Elias. He watched her with a proud smile, "Look at you, on all fours. Obeying my orders just because of a cock, I take back my statement. I''m not sure Eldoria is in the right hands if her leader can easily be controlled by a cock." "That''s not true!" She eximed as she paused in her tracks Elias had one thing to say to her, "Keep crawling" Sheplied immediately and kept crawling until she reached Elias'' feet, "You did good," Eliasmended her and she blushed "Now can we continue," she asked with a sincere expression Elias smiled and stroked her face, "Not yet," he said "But I did what you said, I crawled!!" She cried out "And that is why you did good" Elias replied, "There''s just onest thing I want you to do before we continue," "And what''s that?" The Queen asked, still on her knees "Beg for it, I want you to beg for my cock" Elias ordered "Do it like you mean it, if I see any ounce on insincerity, I''m leaving and no amount of pleading will make mee back," The Queen looked troubled for a moment, but soon her face morphed into a serious expression as if she had made up her mind. She rxed on her knees and ced her hands on herps, she looked up at Elias and wore the most sincere expression she had ever worn in her entire life, "Please I beg of you, Elias Ashdown. I want you to bestow upon me your beautiful and massive cock, I''m begging you to please fuck me. Please don''t deny me this cock, I beg of you, I want it in me so bad. Fuck me, give it too me" She pleaded Seeing the Queen naked, on her knees and begging for his dick made Elias'' cock jump, presume dripped from his tip in anticipation. ''Oh wow, I don''t know what I expected but it was definitely not that. I guess she really wants me to fuck her,'' Elias had done it, he had finally dominated the Queen, she was his and his alone now. All that wa left for him was to mark her ash his own. "That''s what I''m talking about, you did good and for that I''ll give you something pleasant," Elias said, and the Queen''s face brightened up like a child who had just received a Christmas present "But first off, to receive my gift my cock has to be properly lubricated. Suck my cock Queen Seraphina" Hemanded "Yes, Elias" she replied and like a starved dog, she took his cock in her mouth and began to worship it with her tongue and mouth. "Mmm~"Elias surprised his moan, "From now on, whenever we are alone, I am your master and you are my property. So refer to me with my correct title" He ordered Queen Seraphina popped his cock out of her mouth, "Yes, Master" she replied Chapter 125 : Queen Domination (2) [R-18] Queen Seraphina was putting her entire being into pleasing Elias cock, her eyes fluttered between open and close as she lost herself in her task she carefully and skillfully sucked his cock, but Elias knew what she wanted so he supported the back of her head with his hands, "Put down your hands and rx your throat,"He ordered her She immediatelyplied and her hands dropped to the side as she tried her best to rx her throat. With one powerful and deep thrust, Elias forced his entire length down her throat. She gasped as Elias'' cock was shoved into her mouth, her eyes watering instantly. The unexpected force made her gag, her throat tightened in protest. "Fuckk~Omm~ Keep doing that," Elias urged She tried to pull away, but Elias'' strong hand held the back of her head, preventing any retreat. His thick, hard cock pressed against the back of her throat, triggering a sharp, choking sound that echoed in the quiet room. "Ghk¡ª" she choked, the sound strained and desperate. Her hands flew up, instinctively gripping the wrist of the hand that held her, fingers trembling. Her breaths came in ragged bursts through her nose as she struggled, the muscles in her neck tightening as she fought to control her gag reflex. "Grrkk¡­ ugh¡ª" Her eyes squeezed shut, tears streaking down her cheeks, while her body convulsed involuntarily, a desperate attempt to cope with the overwhelming sensation. Elias'' hand eased up slightly, and Queen Seraphina pulled back just enough to cough, her throat burned as she gasped for air, her breaths were ragged and uneven, "Hhhhk¡ª" She nced up at Elias , her expression a mix of shock and difort, still catching her breath from the intense and sudden throat assault. "You look like you have something to say" Elias raised a brow Queen Seraphina opened her mouth to talk but immediately closed it, instead she just shook her head, Elias smiled, "Good," Before she could fully catch her breath, Elias'' strong hands gripped her waist, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. A surprised gasp escaped her lips as she was turned around in one swift motion. Her feet barely touched the floor before she was pressed firmly against the wall, her back now facing Elias and his throbbing cock. Queen Seraphina braced herself, palms syed against the cold surface, the suddenness of it all leaving her momentarily breathless. Her heart raced as she felt the solid, unyielding presence of Elias and his cock behind her, the heat of her body contrasted sharply with the chill of the wall against her skin. The pressure on her back was firm but controlled, keeping her in ce, leaving her with no room to move. She inhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling with each rapid breath, her senses heightened by the closeness and the restrained power in the hold. Her hair fell across her face, strands sticking to her damp cheeks, her mind struggling to keep up with the swift, assertive actions that had left her pinned and momentarily powerless. Despite the seemingly rough treatment, a rush of exhration coursed through the Queen. The assertiveness in the way she was handled ignited something deep within her, a thrill that she couldn''t deny, even if she tried, her body couldn''t as she felt the warmth dripping generously from her pussy to the floor. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the sensation, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she pressed back slightly, relishing the closeness and the raw, unspoken understanding between them. She felt an intense, unexpected joy, loving the way the control slipped from her hands and into theirs. ''This is it, the atonement and freedom I have been so desperately seeking'' she thought to herself Elias noticed the pool of arousal fluid on the floor where Seraphina was kneeling earlier, "Good to know I was not the only one having a good time earlier. Fucking isn''t really fun when only one person is taking all the pleasure" He smiled "Haaa¡­." "Anyways, it''s time for the main course," Elias began, "Your throat did a good job of lubricating my cock. It''s going to make it easier for whates next," Queen Seraphina was lost, "Whates next?" She asked Then, without warning, a sharp smack echoed through the room as Elias'' hand met her bare skin. She flinched, a soft moan escaping her lips. "Mmm, oh¡ª" she gasped as the sting registered. Another strike followed, and then another, each one sent a jolt of both pain and an unexpected pleasure radiating through her. Her moans grew louder, each "Ahn!" and "Oh!" escaped her as the rhythm of the spanks continued Her breaths were ragged gasps, her hands gripped the wall as she tried to steady herself. The pain was real, each strike bit into her skin, but with every spank, a peculiar surge of pleasure followed. "Yes, oh¡ª Ahnn~" she moaned, the blend of difort and delight evident in her voice. She bit her lip, the mix of pain and unexpected pleasure leaving her breathless and wanting more, but she said nothing "Next time, if you must speak, address me properly," Elias corrected her "Mm¡ªYes¡­Master" she replied "Excellent" Eliasmended, "Spread it open, spread it wide," He ordered The Queen knew what he meant and she immediately spread her plump, red ass open, giving Elias a full view of her pussy and asshole. It wasn''t only the Queen''s face that was beautiful, her pussy was too; it was clean shaven, the folds were a perfect rosy pink colour. A perfect royal pussy, and it was soaking wet for Elias. A smile of delight crept up on his face. "A beautiful pussy you have, Seraphina," Heplimented her "Tha¡­Thank you, Master," She said in a low tone, an undertone of delight detectable in her voice. Elias smile morphed into a mischievous grin, "But I have a different hole I intend to use," Seraphina''s gulp was audible as she heard this, she knew what he meant by that, and in that aspect she was a pure virgin. King ric or Acedia had never once tried to use that hole but she had fantasized about it multiple times His gaze shifted to the Queen''s asshole. It was a cute pucker, he traced his finger lightly over her ass until he found her entrance, the smooth surface of her skin framed the area, with the faintest hint of its natural contours visible. "Mmm~" Elias soft touch caused a moan to escape from her lips Elias felt little resistance as he pushed his thumb into her asshole. The initial pressure was tentative, allowing her body to adjust to the new sensation. The feeling was unfamiliar and intimate to Seraphina, the soft pressure and gradual movement created a mix of unexpected sensations. Her breath hitched slightly, a soft sound escaping her lips. "Well that was easy, I expected more resistance. Have you taken a cock in your ass before?" Elias asked "N-ahn-No, you''re the first person to¨Cmmm¡ª use it, Master" She replied "I see. Taking the beautiful Queen Seraphina''s anal virginity, what an honor," He said as he removed his thumb, another moan escaped Seraphina''s lips He pped his drenched cock on her pucker as lubricant, and ced his tip on the entrance. As Elias, standing behind her, prepared to introduce his cock to her asshole, his movements were deliberate and experienced. His thick, veiny cock, hard and firm, pressed against her, and its shape created an immediate and intense pressure. As he began to push his cock, the initial contact was met with a sharp pang, the unfamiliar sensation sent a jolt through Seraphina''s body "Ahhh-mmpf" She tried to muffle her scream Her body tensed, and a muffled moan escaped her lips, a sound of both difort and unexpected pleasure "So¡­damn¡­tight." Elias said as he slowly pushed his cock in, Queen Seraphina''s virgin asshole was almost too tight for his cock, but Elias was determined, on a mission. "I''m going to fuck this asshole as hard as I can, even if it''s thest thing I do. Rahhh" He dered before shouting what sounded like a battle cry. [+200 000 FWP] Queen Seraphina was still trying to adjust to the new feeling of anal pration. Before she could fully adjust to the initial intrusion, Elias did not give her time to limate. He moved with a swift, forceful motion, pushing most of the length of his cock into her with a sudden, intense pressure. "Ahhnnnn~Hnghhh~Ouuu" The quick, decisive movement elicited a louder, more strained moan from the Queen, her body reacting to the sudden stretch and the deep, aching pressure. Her breaths came in short gasps, a mix of pain and pleasure mingling in each sound. She clung to the wall, her whole form quivered as she tried to processed the overwhelming sensation, caught between the sharp edge of difort and the raw intensity of Elias cock. "Arghh~ That''s it, slowly but surely, conquering this hole is only a matter of time, Haha" Eliasughed, ''Queen Seraphina''s ass is so damn tight. it''s squeezing tightly against my cock, it''s kind of an ufortable feeling but the her throat slobber and saliva is serving as a decent lubricant, nothingpared to Martha''s slime but I can still move so it works,'' He mused Chapter 126: Chapter 127 The sun hung high over Eldoria, casting warm rays that illuminated the bustling city streets. It was finally the day of the Festival of Light, a time when the kingdom came together to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness; their Goddess''s love for them. Everywhere Elias looked, the streets were filled withughter, music, and vibrant decorations. Banners fluttered from rooftops, and stalls lined the roads, offering everything from glittering trinkets to mouthwatering delicacies. Children ran through the crowds with sparklers in hand, their delighted shrieks mingling with the melodies of street performers ying lutes and flutes. But it was the fifth district, home to the grand Church of the Eternal Light, that stood out among the festivities. This district, with its residents that consisted ofmon folk and peasants, seemed to be the heart of the celebration. The streets here were especially packed, with faithful followers d in pure white robes adorned with the church''s radiant sun symbol. It was as if the entire district had been bathed in light, each person a reflection of the divine light they worshipped. Incense wafted through the air, carrying with it the scent of sanctity and purification. Elias hovered above it all, his dark cloak fluttering in the gentle breeze as he observed the city from his vantage point in the sky. From up here, Eldoria looked like a sea of white and gold, a living canvas painted with the joy of its people. Yet, despite the vibrant scene below, Elias''s thoughts were far from festive. He had been deep in contemtion since his recent battles and hade to a critical decision about his next move. He would not be epting the Goddess''s blessings today, despite the fact of having his stats doubled immediately if he did. The prospect was tempting¡ªdoubling his power at this moment could shift the bnce in his favor considerably. But Elias knew that patience was a virtue that often led to greater rewards. He needed to bide his time, grow his strength naturally, and maximize his potential. The higher his stats before receiving the blessing, the more formidable he would be once they were doubled. This was a strategy he couldn''t afford to rush. As he floated above the city, his thoughts drifted to Imaya, and his expression darkened. Imaya, who had been his firstpanion, had left for the academy without so much as a farewell. The battle with Acedia had been hard-fought, and Elias had hoped to share the details of his victory with her, but she was gone¡ªleaving behind only a note. Imaya''s message was clear: she had gone to get stronger, to ensure she could stand beside him, no matter the situation. Elias clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. It wasn''t her departure that bothered him the most¡ªit was her choice to leave without a word, as if he couldn''t understand or wouldn''t support her decision. But in truth, Elias was d she had heeded his advice to be stronger. Her resolve was admirable, and he couldn''t fault her for wanting to forge her own path. It only reminded him of his own need to do the same. He needed to heed his own words¡ªto push beyond the confines of Eldoria''s walls and venture into the wider realm of ris. His battle with Acedia had opened his eyes to his limitations. Even with ric''s intervention, Elias had barely managed to defeat one of the weaker demon kings. The memory of the fight was still fresh in his mind: Acedia''s twistedughter, the heavy weight of his magic, and the sense of dread that had filled the air. Elias had fought valiantly, but the victory had been too close, too uncertain. He couldn''t afford to be caught off guard again. As the festivities roared below, Elias made up his mind. He would leave Eldoria and travel thends of ris. He would seek out challenges, hone his skills, and gather strength. The world was vast, filled with ancient secrets and powerful beings, and Elias knew that if he was to stand against the rising tide of darkness, he needed to be more than just a warrior¡ªhe needed to be a force to be reckoned with. His eyes scanned the horizon, where the sun dipped toward the distant mountains, casting long shadows over the city. The mountains, the forests, the hidden dungeons, and the ruins of old¡ªall of ity before him, waiting to be explored. Eldoria, with its familiarforts and familiar faces, suddenly felt small and confining. The world outside was calling, and Elias was ready to answer. He descended slowly,nding on a rooftop that overlooked the bustling streets of the fifth district. From here, he could see the grand doors of the Church of the Eternal Light, where followers were gathering in anticipation of the main event. The High Luminary would soon appear, a beacon of light, to lead the people in prayer and celebration. It was a sight Elias had witnessed many times before in [Arcane Days], but today, his heart wasn''t in it. "Another time," he murmured to himself, turning his back on the church and its shining spires. The blessing would have to wait. There was a journey ahead of him that was far more urgent, one that would test him in ways the safety of Eldoria never could. Elias leapt from the rooftop,nding gracefully in a quiet alley. He pulled his cloak tighter around him, blending into the shadows as he made his way through the less crowded parts of the city. His thoughts were already on the road ahead, the challenges he would face, and the power he would gain. He needed to be stronger, not just for himself but for those who looked up to him, for those who relied on him and for his end goal the main purpose he had found for himself; to bring his family back. As he walked, Elias felt a surge of determination. His battle with Acedia had been a wake-up call, but it was also a promise of what was toe. There were greater threats in the world than demon kings¡ªancient evils, hidden powers, and secrets buried in the farthest reaches of ris. Elias knew he would have to confront them all if he was to achieve his goal. The city was alive with celebration, but Elias moved like a shadow, unnoticed and undeterred. His steps took him to the edge of Eldoria, where the city walls loomed high and the gates stood open to the wilderness beyond. He paused for a moment, ncing back at the city he had called home for a while. The sounds of the festival echoed faintly in the distance¡ªa reminder of the peace and joy he fought to protect. Elias took a deep breath and stepped through the gates, his mind set on the journey ahead. The path before him was uncertain, filled with dangers and trials he could only begin to imagine. But he weed the challenge. For Elias, the Festival of Light was not just a celebration of triumph over darkness; it was a reminder that even the brightest light must continue to burn, to fight against the encroaching shadows. With each step he took away from Eldoria, Elias felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He was no longer bound by the expectations of the city or the constraints of his past. Out here, in the open world of ris, he could forge his own destiny. He could be the hero he aspired to be, not through blessings or divine intervention, but through his own strength and determination. Elias''s journey had just begun, and as he disappeared into the vast wilderness, he knew one thing for certain: he would return to Eldoria not as the person he was today, but as someone far stronger, someone capable of facing whatevery ahead. And when that time came, he would seek out the blessings of the Eternal Light, not as a mere adventurer, but as a true champion of the realm. The festival continued behind him, a bright spot of joy in the heart of Eldoria. But Elias''s pathy far beyond, in the untamednds of ris, where challenges awaited, and where his true strength would be tested. He moved forward with purpose, a lone figure on a journey to reim his power and his ce in the ever-shiftingndscape of a world on the brink of darkness. Elias would rise, stronger than ever, ready to face whatever the future held. And with every step he took, the light within him grew brighter, a beacon of hope in a world that needed heroes more than ever. [ FWP: 2,050,000 /10,000,000,000 Name: Elias Ashdown ss: Swordsman, Farmer, Mage(Contractual, Caster, Dependent[Dominator]) Title: Farmer, One blessed by Fate, swordsman, Child of Light, Child of Destiny, Loved by Mana, Mage, False Dragon yer, Hero of Eldoria. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Health: 12 000/12 000 Mana: 5 000 000/5 000 000 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C Strength: 55 Agility: 40 Speed: 45 Stamina: 80 Intelligence: 210 ] Chapter 127: Chapter 128 : Departure Elias stood at the edge of Eldoria, the city''s towering gates before him, nked by the thick walls that had protected its citizens for centuries. Beyond the gatesy the vast wilderness of ris, filled with untamedndscapes, ancient secrets, and countless dangers. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the city at his back and the pull of the unknown before him. This was it¡ªthe beginning of his journey to be stronger, and attain his goal. But as he stepped forward, ready to leave Eldoria behind, he noticed two familiar figures standing near the gate, waiting for him. The High Luminary, with her regal bearing and serene expression, and Margo, her short, blue hair unmistakable even from a distance. Elias paused, surprise flickering across his features. He hadn''t expected to see anyone, least of all them. "What are you two doing here?" Elias asked as he approached, his tone a mix of curiosity and confusion. The High Luminary, d in her flowing white robes adorned with golden embroidery, smiled softly but did not immediately answer. Instead, she looked at him with a calm yet piercing gaze, one that seemed to see right through him. "I could ask you the same question, Elias," she replied, her voice gentle but firm. Elias blinked, realization dawning on him. "You knew I was going to leave," he said, more a statement than a question. The High Luminary nodded, her expression remaining calm andposed. "Yes," she admitted. "I''ve known for some time. The Goddess of Light, Lira, revealed it to me. She spoke of the Child of Light and the Demon Kings, and that things would unfold differently this time. Your path is not one that can be contained within the walls of Eldoria." Elias''s mind raced. He hadn''t expected the High Luminary to be so direct, nor had he expected her to have foreseen his departure. It made sense, though. As the spiritual leader of Eldoria, she was closely attuned to the will of the divine. Still, it felt strange to have his intentions so inly known, even before he had fully resolved them in his own heart. Margo, however, did not share the High Luminary''sposed demeanor. Her brows were furrowed, and her lips were set in a tight line of frustration. "And you weren''t going to tell me?" Margo snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not even a word, Elias? You were just going to disappear?" Elias winced slightly, feeling a pang of guilt. Margo had been a steadfastpanion, always ready to back him up, no matter the danger. He hadn''t meant to hurt her by leaving without a goodbye, but he also knew that goodbyes could beplicated and messy. He had hoped to avoid that. "I''m sorry, Margo," he said earnestly, meeting her fiery gaze. "I just thought it would be easier this way. No long farewells, noplications." Margo rolled her eyes. "Easier for you, maybe," she muttered, but Elias could tell she wasn''t truly angry¡ªjust hurt. "You''re not getting rid of me that easily, you know." Elias turned back to the High Luminary. "Are you here to try to convince me to stay?" he asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it from her lips. The High Luminary shook her head, her expression softening. "No, Elias. I cannot, and I will not. Your journey is your own to make. It is not my ce to keep you here when your destiny lies elsewhere. But," she added, her voice taking on a firmer note, "I would be remiss in my duties if I simply let you walk away unprepared." Elias raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" The High Luminary''s gaze sharpened. "You have not yet received your blessings, Elias. Without them, you are still vulnerable. If you were to die now, the title of the ''Chosen Child of Light'' would pass on to another, and we would have to start our search all over again. It would be a devastating setback, not just for Eldoria, but for the entire realm of ris." Elias considered her words. He had known the risks of leaving without the blessings, but he had decided it was worth the gamble. Yet, the High Luminary''s concerns were valid. He was not invincible, and the road ahead would be fraught with dangers he couldn''t yet predict. "I understand," Elias said, nodding. "But I have to do this. I need to be stronger before I ept those blessings. They''ll be worth more when I am." The High Luminary inclined her head in agreement. "Then take Margo with you." Elias blinked, caught off guard. "What?" Margo turned to the High Luminary, her eyes wide. "Wait, what? We didn''t talk about this!" she eximed, her voice rising in surprise. "You never said anything about me going with him!" The High Luminary remained unflustered, her serene expression unwavering. "It''s not a suggestion, Margo. It''s an order. Your skills and experience will be invaluable to Elias on his journey, and I trust you to ensure his safety until he''s ready to return for his blessings." Margo stared at the High Luminary, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to form a coherent protest. After a moment, she huffed and threw her hands up in defeat. "Fine, fine," she grumbled, though her tonecked its usual fire. "Guess I don''t have much of a choice." Elias smirked, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I''m fine with Margoing along," he said, ncing at her. "Besides, Margo still owes me some ''spanks'' from that bet she made with me." The High Luminary raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by Elias''s words. "Spanks?" she repeated, looking between the two of them with a puzzled expression. "What is he talking about, Margo?" Margo''s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she quickly turned to the High Luminary, waving her hands in a flustered manner. "Oh, nothing! Just¡­ just some silly banter," she stammered, desperately trying to steer the conversation away. "We, uh, we mess around a lot! You know how it is." Elias chuckled at her embarrassment, enjoying the rare sight of Margo losing herposure. She shot him a re, but he could see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. The tension eased slightly, the exchange bringing a brief moment of levity to an otherwise heavy conversation. The High Luminary observed them both with a knowing smile, though she let the topic slide. "Very well, then. Margo, I will miss your presence, but I know you will serve the Church and Eldoria well by staying at Elias''s side." Margo nodded, her expression softening. "I''ll miss you too," she admitted, a rare note of vulnerability in her voice. "But I''ll be back. We both will. I''ll make sure to keep this perva¡ª child of light safe." Elias watched the exchange, feeling a sense of warmth at the bond between the High Luminary and Margo. He was grateful for their unwavering support, even if it meant dragging Margo along on his journey. There was afort in knowing he wouldn''t be facing the unknownpletely alone. As Elias prepared to leave, he remembered something that had been nagging at the back of his mind. "What about Priest Mathias and the acolytes?" he asked, ncing at the High Luminary. "Won''t people notice your absence from the altar?" The High Luminary chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, don''t worry about that. Priest Mathias is filling in for me. No one will notice I''m gone." Elias raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear on his face. "Mathias? How? He''s¡­ well, he''s a man." The High Luminary''s giggle was uncharacteristic, a light and airy sound that caught both Elias and Margo off guard. "I simply had to adjust his attire a bit," she said with a mischievous smile. "A fewyers of robes, a carefully arranged veil, and some strategic positioning. The congregation will never know the difference." Eliasughed, the mental image of the stern, no-nonsense Priest Mathias awkwardly swathed in the High Luminary''s ceremonial robes shing in his mind. "Poor Mathias," he said, shaking his head. "I can''t even imagine." Margo snickered, the thought clearly amusing her as well. "He must be fuming," she said with a grin. "The old man always hated anything that deviated from tradition." The High Luminary''s smile was both yful and reassuring. "He will manage. And this way, I can ensure that you two start your journey without any additionalplications." Elias nodded, feeling a mixture of gratitude and determination. He had been prepared to face the unknown alone, but having Margo by his side made the prospect a little less daunting. Together, they would navigate the challenges ahead, growing stronger with every step. He turned to the High Luminary, bowing his head in respect. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "For everything." The High Luminary stepped forward, cing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "May the light of Lira guide you both," she said, her voice filled with quiet conviction. "And remember, no matter how far you may go, the light of the Goddess will always dwell on you" Chapter 128: Chapter 129 : A party? Why not Elias took a deep breath, adjusting his bag on his shoulder as he prepared to leave Eldoria behind once and for all. Margo stood beside him, ready to follow wherever he led. As they turned to step through the towering gates, a loud voice suddenly cut through the air, calling out to Elias. "Elias Ashdown!! Wait up!" Elias turned, his brows furrowing as he recognized the familiar figure of Sarah Ironwood sprinting toward them. She was dressed in a mix of leather armor and casual garb, her metal armor pieces nging against each other as they dangled from her overstuffed bag. Her face was flushed from exertion, and she was slightly out of breath by the time she reached them. Elias sighed, his expression a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Sarah, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation. Sarah paused to catch her breath, bending over with her hands on her knees. "Trust me, I don''t want to be here," she huffed. "But my stubborn father insisted that I go with you. And besides," she added, straightening up and ring at him, "you still have my sword, and I''m not about to let you run off to gods know where with it." Elias rubbed the back of his neck, ncing at the de in his inventory, In all honesty he had forgotten that he still had her sword. "So, everyone knows I''m leaving now, huh?" Elias muttered, ncing back toward the city as if half expecting more familiar faces to emerge from the crowd. Sarah shrugged, then pulled a sealed piece of paper from her bag and handed it to him. "My father said you should have this." Elias took the note, breaking the seal and unfolding the paper. Lord Varric''s handwriting was barely legible, his scrawls uneven and cramped, but Elias managed to decipher the message: **Elias, I knew that Eldoria would not be enough to contain someone with your potential and destiny. I see something in you, something I''ve only seen in one other person¡ªKing ric, in his younger days. Take care of my daughter, for I believe she will learn much from you. She may have years on you, but you carry the wisdom of someone twice your age. And take care of yourself as well. Eldoria is in good hands, and I will see to it that it is restored to its former glory. Lord Varric Ironwood** Elias read through the letter, a frown forming on his face as he reached the end. The mention of King ric brought a sh of memories¡ªof battles fought. It was ttering to bepared to someone like ric. With a sigh, Elias folded the letter and, without a second thought, set it alight with a flick of his fingers. The paper crumbled to ash, carried away by the faint breeze. "Your dad''s words, not mine," Elias said, as Sarah gave him a questioning look. "But fine, you cane with me." Sarah rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Oh, joy," she said sarcastically. "It''s not like I have a choice in the matter, right?" Margo snickered beside Elias, nudging him with her elbow. "Looks like you''re collecting quite the entourage," she said with a grin. "You''re bing a real celebrity, Elias." Elias groaned inwardly, hoping he wouldn''t have any more surprise additions to his party. Thest thing he needed was more people slowing him down or, worse,plicating things. If it had been Queen Seraphina waiting at the gates, he might not have minded as much, but there was no way he could bring the queen along on such a perilous journey. "Let''s just get moving," Elias said, ncing at the two women. "Stick close. From here on out, we''re in the wilderness, and it''s not going to be an easy road." Margo and Sarah nodded, falling into step behind him as they crossed the threshold of Eldoria''s gates. The familiar stone walls of the city faded into the background, reced by the sprawling wilderness of ris¡ªand of towering trees, rugged mountains, and endless possibilities. Elias took the lead, his steps purposeful and steady. He had no clear destination in mind, just the vague sense that he needed to be stronger, to find the power and skills that would allow him to stand against the demon kings on his own terms. His battle with Acedia had been a harsh reminder of his limits, and he couldn''t afford to face another foe unprepared. As they walked, the weight of his decision settled more firmly on his shoulders. He hadpletely deviated from the expected path, from the scriptid out by fate and the game of [Arcane Days]. Everything was changing, shifting in ways that even the gods themselves wouldn''t anticipate. Elias knew that this was the beginning of something entirely new. He was no longer just a yer in a predetermined story; he was the author of his own fate, carving out a path that was uniquely his. And though the road ahead was fraught with uncertainty and danger, he felt a surge of determination rise within him. He nced back at Margo and Sarah, their expressions a mix of resolve and curiosity. They were here by his side, willing to follow him into the unknown. It wasn''t the party he had envisioned, but it was the one he had. And for now, that was enough. "Keep your eyes open," Elias said as they ventured deeper into the forest. "This is just the beginning. We''ve got a lot of ground to cover, and who knows what''s waiting for us out there." Margo smirked, adjusting her grip on her weapon. "Bring it on," she said confidently. "I''m ready for whatever''s out there and you know it. It''s Ironwood here that you should be worried about " Sarah, meanwhile, nced around warily, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "I am very much capable of taking care of myself, priest" she muttered under her breath Elias chuckled, shaking his head. Despite the unexpectedpany and the uncertainty of their journey, he felt a flicker of excitement. [+10 000 000 FWP] Chapter 129: Chapter 130 : The true story has just begun In a realm that defied the boundaries of life and death, a ce between reality and oblivion, seven figures gathered in a circle. It was a void of eternal darkness, an in-between space where time held no sway and existence was a mere whisper against the ck canvas of nothingness. Their forms were obscured, indistinct against the abyss, but their eyes¡ªeach set aglow with unique, intricate patterns¡ªpierced the darkness like haunting, otherworldlynterns. A sudden, mockingugh broke the silence, echoing through the endless void. One of the figures, whose eyes were a swirling, chaotic dance of jagged lines, spoke with a voice dripping with disdain. "I heard that Acedia failed the task the Lord assigned to him," the figure sneered, the contempt in his tone palpable. Acedia, whose eyes were dull, like the embers of a dying fire, growled in response. "I didn''t fail," he snarled, his voice edged with frustration. "There was... aplication. The child of light¡ªElias Ashdown¡ªis far stronger than the previous children of the gods were at his age. There''s something different about him. And I wasn''t even in my true form when I fought him." The figure who had mocked Acedia let out a low, scornful chuckle. "Excuses," he spat, the jagged lines of his eyes narrowing. "How hard can it be to deal with a mere child? You''re pathetic." Acedia''s growl deepened, his form trembling with suppressed rage. "Beraga," Acedia hissed, the name leaving his lips like a curse. "You think too highly of yourself." Beraga''s eyes red with a searing intensity, the jagged lines within them ring into a brilliant, angry light. He leaned forward, his presence pressing against Acedia like the weight of an avnche. "Watch your tongue, Acedia," Beraga snapped, his voice a sharp, threatening whisper. "If it weren''t for the fact that the Lord ising soon, I''d rip you apart for your insolence." Tension crackled through the void as the other figures watched in silence, their eyes unblinking. The demon kings were not fond of each other; they were solitary, prideful beings who preferred their ownpany. Whenever they were forced to interact, it often ended in violence and bloodshed. Beraga''s gaze shifted, settling on a set of fiery, flickering eyes at the edge of the circle. "Ira," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "It''s unlike you to be so quiet. Have you finally learned your ce?" The fiery eyes, which belonged to Ira, flickered more intensely, but her response was calm, her voice a controlled me. "I have concerns far greater than bickering with you, Beraga, or chastising Acedia for his ipetence." Beraga''s eyes widened slightly in surprise. Ira was notorious for her fiery temper, quick tosh out at even the smallest slight. Her calm demeanor was unsettling, a departure from her usual vtility. "Concerns?" Beraga pressed, his tone mocking. "Does this have anything to do with that human¡ªEli¡ªwhom you''ve been searching for?" Ira remained silent, her fiery gaze steady and unreadable. Beraga''s lips curled into a wicked smile. "I''ll find him first, just to spite you." Ira''s eyes red briefly, but before she could retort, a profound, overwhelming presence descended upon the void. The very fabric of the in-between space seemed to shudder and twist under the weight of this presence, and the forms of the demon kings shifted and contorted as if they were no more substantial than shadows in a violent wind. The Lord of Hell was arriving. The demon kings quicklyposed themselves, their postures rigid and reverent. The Lord of Hell was not a being of patience, and even the slightest sign of disrespect could mean their end. Before him, they were nothing more than ants to a towering, indomitable mountain. His power was absolute, and his wrath, unrestrained. But this time, the Lord of Hell was not alone. Beside him stood another figure, one whose presence was equally imposing yet distinctively different. Unlike the oppressive aura of the Lord of Hell, this new figure exuded a gentler, calmer energy, a quiet power that spoke of unfathomable depths rather than brute force. The demon kings, despite their shock and curiosity, dared not voice their questions in the presence of such overwhelming power. The Lord of Hell''s eyes were like the dark void itself, consuming all light, and his voice resonated through the abyss, deep andmanding. "The true story is beginning," he dered, his tone carrying the weight of inevitability. "The right pieces are already in motion. It is time for demons to openly make their moves." His words hung in the air like an unbreakable decree, and the demon kings bowed their heads in acknowledgment. The time for subtlety was over; the games of the past would give way to open conflict, and the stakes would be higher than ever before. The figure beside the Lord of Hell, with a gaze that was serene yet piercing, surveyed the gathered demon kings. There was a sense of measured judgment in those eyes, as if weighing each of the demon kings and finding them wanting. The gentler presence was almost a juxtaposition to the Lord of Hell''s raw dominance, a subtle reminder that power came in many forms. The demon kings dared not speak, their forms remaining still and silent under the watchful eyes of their Lord and his enigmaticpanion. Whatever was toe, they knew that the bnce of power was shifting, and they would have to navigate this new era with both caution and cunning. *** Far from the abyss, on one of ris''s many moons, a young man with long, flowing white hair hovered above the barren, rocky surface. His ethereal form glowed softly against the dark expanse of space, his presence an elegant contrast to the cold, lifelessndscape of the moon. He stared into the distance, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sensed a strange disturbance, a ripple in the delicate fabric of reality. "Interesting," he murmured to himself, a faint smile curving his lips. "It seems one of my toys has been taken. Someone¡­ intriguing has entered the fray." The young man''s gaze turned thoughtful, his white hair billowing around him as if caught in a gentle, invisible breeze. "Perhaps," he mused, his voice soft and melodic, "it''s time I returned to ris. Things are beginning to stir¡­" His smile widened, and with a graceful turn, he began to descend, drifting down toward the moon''s surface. He moved with the fluidity of a dancer, each step light and deliberate. As he touched down, the moon''s pale dust swirled around his feet, shimmering in his presence. The young man nced upward, his eyes reflecting the distant light of ris, the world that spun far below. "A new yer on the board," he said softly. "How delightful. This should be¡­ entertaining." He spread his arms wide, and with a burst of radiant energy, he vanished, leaving behind only a faint echo of his presence. His departure sent a ripple through the moon''s surface, the dust settling slowly back into ce as if nothing had disturbed it. But something had changed. The delicate bnce of the cosmos had been nudged, ever so slightly, setting in motion a series of events that would soon unfold on ris. The white haired young man''s return would not go unnoticed, and the consequences of his arrival would reverberate through the realms. Back in the void, the Lord of Hell watched as his demon kings knelt in submission, their eyes downcast and their forms still. The gentler presence beside him remained silent, but there was a shared understanding between them¡ªone that transcended words. The game was changing, the pieces were moving, and the true story was about to begin. The Lord of Hell''s eyes gleamed with a dark, malevolent anticipation. There was much to be done, and the path ahead would be fraught with peril and opportunity alike. With a final,manding nce, the Lord of Hell turned and began to withdraw, his presence slowly receding from the void. The demon kings watched him go, their forms still trembling under the residual weight of his power. As the darkness of the abyss began to close in once more, each demon king silently vowed to carve out their own path in theing storm. They were bound by the will of their Lord, but they were also creatures of ambition and desire, they coveted the strength of the lord of Hell. And in the chaos that was soon to engulf ris, there would be ample opportunity for those bold enough to seize it. The abyss returned to its timeless stillness, but the seeds of upheaval had already been sown. The demons would rise, the gods would tremble, and the fragile bnce of ris would be tested like never before. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Author''s Note : And thuses the end of the first Volume of this book. I want to appreciate everyone that made it up to this point despite my mistakes and shorings as a new author. Before the new Volume begins I would release some bonus chapters. These chapters will mostly be R-18 scenes and just interactions between characters. Also I noticed that Chapter 126 is missing. It somehow got deleted. I am currently working on a rewrite which I will release soon. I am very sorry for the inconvenience. Once again, thank you all for the support, until we meet again!!! Chapter 130: Chapter 131(Bonus) : Quick Stop Elias, Margo, and Sarah wandered through the quaint, bustling vige of Morin, a ce nestled between rolling hills and a winding river that sparkled under the afternoon sun. They had stumbled upon the vige by chance, deciding to rest and gather supplies before continuing their journey. The vige was alive with activity, filled with lively music, the scent of roasting meats, and cheerful chatter of vigers preparing for an uing harvest festival. Elias scanned the bustling marketce, taking in the colorful stalls overflowing with fresh produce, handmade crafts, and all sorts of peculiar items. He was about to suggest they stock up on essentials when a loud, grating voice caught their attention. "Step right up, folks! Potions for every need! Strength! Speed! Charm your way out of anything! Guaranteed to work or double your trouble!" shouted a small, animated figure standing on a crate. It was a gnome, barely reaching Elias''s waist even with his added height from the crate, with wild green hair and a long, bushy beard. His beady eyes darted between potential customers, eager to make a sale. "Looks like we''ve found the vige entric," Sarah muttered, smirking. She nudged Elias. "Bet you a crown he''s a fraud." Margo shrugged. "Or maybe he''s just bad at his job. Either way, could be fun." Elias, always cautious but curious, approached the gnome''s stall. The tiny merchant''s table was covered in a bewildering array of brightly colored potions, each in a different shaped bottle. Labels ranged from "Strength of Ten Giants" to "Unmatched Agility" and even "Irresistible Charm." The gnome''s sales pitch was relentless as he waved his hands theatrically over his wares. "Ah, I see you''ve got the eye of a discerning customer!" the gnome eximed, fixing his gaze on Elias. "Name''s Gurbel, master alchemist and purveyor of all things magical! What''s your pleasure today? Need to lift a boulder? Outspeed a horse? Impress ady friend?" Gurbel''s eyes twinkled mischievously. Elias nced at Margo and Sarah, who both shrugged, clearly amused by the gnome''s enthusiasm. "We could use some potions," Elias admitted. "But we''re looking for quality. Can you guarantee that these actually work?" Gurbel puffed out his chest. "Guaranteed to work or double your trouble!" he repeated with a grin. "But don''t worry, these are the finest brews in Morin!" He leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I''ve got a reputation to maintain, you see." Elias hesitated but decided to test his luck. "Alright, we''ll take a few samples. What do you rmend?" Gurbel rubbed his hands together gleefully. "For you, my discerning friend, I''d suggest the ''Strength of Ten Giants''! Perfect for a warrior like yourself. And for the lovelydy¡ª" he gestured to Margo, "¡ª''Unmatched Agility!'' It''ll have you dodging blows like a whisper in the wind!" He turned to Sarah. "And for you, I''ve got just the thing: ''Reflex Booster''¡ªa must-have for any seasoned fighter!" Margo eyed the potions with suspicion. "And these are all safe, right? No weird side effects?" "Safe as can be!" Gurbel assured, though his grin seemed a bit too wide. "Just a few drops, and you''ll be feeling invincible!" With some trepidation, the group exchanged nces and decided to go ahead. Gurbel handed each of them a small vial, and they downed their potions simultaneously, bracing for the effects. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Elias waited, feeling a slight warmth spreading through his chest, but then the potion kicked in. His muscles began to bulge and swell uncontrobly, his arms growing thick and heavy like boulders. Within moments, his body had transformed into a grotesque parody of a strongman, his muscles so oversized that he could barely move without hitting something. "What the fuck?" Elias grunted, struggling to keep his bnce as he identally knocked over a stall of apples, sending them rolling into the street. He tried to bend down to pick them up, but his massive arms only made things worse, knocking over more stalls in the process. Margo burst intoughter but quickly stopped when her own potion took effect. She opened her mouth to say something, but instead, words started pouring out at lightning speed, her voice a rapid, unintelligible blur. "¡ªthingisallwrongwhat''shappeningIcanspeakreallyfastthisissoweird¡ª" Sarah, alreadyughing at the chaos, lifted her potion to her lips. "Well, if you two are having that much fun¡ª" she said, tipping the vial back. Within seconds, her limbs began to move independently of her control. Her right arm swung out, smacking a passerby in the face, while her legs jerked her into an awkward, stumbling dance. "What the hell?!" Sarah shouted, trying to stop her limbs from iling. She kicked over a barrel of fish, sending it crashing into Elias''s legs, which knocked him sideways into another stall. Vigers started to shout, dodging the unintended havoc as Elias, Margo, and Sarah stumbled through the market in a trail of chaos. Gurbel watched, his eyes widening as the scene devolved into utter bem. "Uh, maybe I should¡­ uh, I''ll just¡­" he muttered, scrambling to find the right antidotes. He fumbled through his potion bottles, tossing out various mismatched brews, each one only adding to the mess. One potion exploded into a cloud of pink smoke, turning a nearby cat into a pig, which squealed and bolted through the crowd. As Elias bumbled around, his overgrown muscles knocking over crates and vendors alike, he spotted Gurbel frantically trying to reach them with the antidotes. "You¡­ better¡­ fix¡­ this!" Elias grunted, his massive arms iling as he tried to reach for the gnome but only managed to knock over more merchandise. Gurbel finally reached them, thrusting a handful of antidote vials into their hands. "Quick, quick! Drink these before you level the whole vige!" he pleaded. The trio downed the antidotes and, thankfully, the effects reversed almost immediately. Elias''s muscles shrank back to their normal size, Margo''s rapid speech slowed to a normal pace, and Sarah''s limbs stopped their rebellious dancing. They all took a moment to catch their breath, standing amidst the chaos they had created. Vigers stared, a mix of amusement and irritation on their faces. Elias, now back to normal, sighed deeply and rubbed his temples. "So¡­ what did we learn today?" "That Gurbel''s potions are definitely double the trouble," Margo said, still catching her breath. Sarah, hands on her hips, red at the gnome. "And that we should never trust a potion seller who ims to have ''a reputation to maintain.''" Elias let out a defeated sigh, he had given up on these two and it hasn''t even been a week yet. They might actually end him quicker than the demon kings at this rate. Gurbel, sweating nervously, offered them a sheepish grin. "I, uh, I''m really sorry about that. Let me make it up to you! Free potions for life! Or¡­ maybe just¡­ a free lunch?" Heughed weakly, clearly trying to defuse the tension. "We''ll pass on that" Elias crossed his arms, still frowning, but Margo nudged him with a smirk. "Come on, Elias. At least it was entertaining. Besides, we could use a goodugh now and then." Elias finally cracked a reluctant smile. "Alright, fine. But next time, let''s just stick to basics. No more weird potions." Gurbel, eager to get back in their good graces, nodded vigorously. "Oh, absolutely! No more funny business! I''ll even throw in a charm for good luck!" He reached under his stall and handed them a small, glittering amulet. "This one''s on the house¡ªguaranteed to keep you safe and sound on your travels!" Margo took the amulet, examining it with a raised eyebrow. "You sure this isn''t cursed or something?" "Not cursed!" Gurbel assured. "Just¡­ maybe a little¡­ temperamental. But hey, it''s better than nothing, right?" They all shared augh, the tension finally breaking as they started to see the humor in the absurdity of their situation. They bid Gurbel farewell, with the gnome waving enthusiastically as they left the marketce, the vigers slowly returned to their own business, shaking their heads at the strange travelers who had brought a whirlwind of chaos to their quiet vige. As they walked away, Elias turned to hispanions. "Well, that was an interesting stop." Margo grinned, pocketing the amulet. "You have to admit, it was fun. Besides, it''s a good reminder that not everything has to be about battles and prophecies, you know " Sarah chuckled. "Yeah, sometimes it''s just about not getting turned into a walking disaster by a gnome with questionable potions." Elias smiled, feeling a lightness he hadn''t felt in a long time. "Alright, let''s keep moving before we stumble on another weird character" "When you say let''s keep moving, where exactly is our destination?" Sarah asked Elias feigned a cough, "Umm¡­ it''s over there." He said pointing to nowhere in particr "Where?" Sarah asked, "Doesn''t it have a name?" Elias chuckled nervously, "We better start moving before night falls," Margo palmed her face, "There''s no destination, is there?" "I didn''t hear a thing you said," Elias said as he increased his pace Chapter 131: Chapter 126 : Queen Domination (3) [R-18] Missing Chapter In the next moment, Elias began to move his waist with a steady but forceful movement The motions were rough andcked rhythm because the Queen''s ass was seriously gripping against his cock, he drove his cock in and out with deliberate strokes "Ahh~too big~ it''s painful" Queen Seraphinained But Elias paid her no mind, he was too focused on getting through the Queen''s ass. His pace intensified, and she felt the firm movements stretch her further, a sensation that was both intense and challenging. Her breaths came in sharp, brief gasps, her body the high f reacting to the relentless rhythm. The repeated motions sent waves of conflicting sensations through her¡ªtinges of good and bad mingling with the undeniable awareness of her situation. Her grip on the wall tigthtened, her fingers sying against the surfacbe as she braced herself against the relentless thrusts. Elias'' motion was unyielding, each movement designed to evoke a visceral response. Her soft sounds filled the space between them, a mixture of surprised gasps and involuntary moans, each breath was a struggle to get used to Elias'' length in her ass. Elias felt the Queen''s death grip loosen up against his cock as he trusted and her moans of pain and pleasure soon became moans of only pleasure. "Ahh~You''re beginning to feel it too, right!!! The pleasure of being ravaged like a dog, isn''t this always what you have wanted?" Elias said, apanying his words with a delightedugh Chapter Explore: "Nghh~Mhmmm~" Elias frowned, "That''s not an answer" At once, he rammed his entire length deep into her ass. The Queen''s eyes widened, the force of Elias'' thrust flushed her hard against the wall. Her mouth dropped open to scream, but instead she found herself tongue out, saliva dripping from the tip and tears running down her cheeks as she moaned. "Anhhhhhh~Nghhhhhh~Plea¡­.." She paused and tried to catch her breath, "Please¡­forgive me Master¡­It was too intense" She pleaded Elias did not look satisfied with that apology, wham!! A pnded on her ass, "Hmm~Hnghh" The Queen moaned "Don''t let it happen again, even if you''re in midst of a storm, always answer me, your master. I would do the same for you," Elias said The Queen''s gaze rxed and she felt a warmth in her chest, "Master¡­it won''t happen again" she assured him with a smile. "Good. Now behave, I''m almost there" Elias resumed pumping the Queen''s ass mercilessly like a dog in heat , his thrusts were deep and hard prating the depth of her insides. The Queen was losing whatever hold she had on her morality with each thrust. ''He is taking me, using me like an object, even there too, who knew doing it in asshole would feel so goodd. At this very moment, this is my purpose, it is the only reason I was created, to be used¡­It''s so liberating. Yes! Punish me! Ravage me, tear me apart with your huge cock, Elias!!'' As if he could read her mind, Elias pulled back Seraphina''s hair with one hand and inserted his other fingers in her warm mouth, keeping it open so she could moan into his hands. This hold gave him a solid grip and stance, allowed him to further increase the force of his thrusts. With his cock still in her ass, Elias pulled her back from the wall and began walking her as he fucked her, "Mhmmm~Hmmm~Anhhh" Elias didn''t relent with his thrusts, he brought her to a stop in front of a mirror, a full body length mirror. "Look" Eliasmanded as he raised he head up, "See for yourself what you have be, or maybe perhaps this was what you were always were" The pleasure drunk Queen Seraphina''s gaze rested on the mirror and she saw her naked form being vigorously ravaged by a younger man. The Queen of Eldoria, loved by all, highly respected, every man''s fantasy. She who men could only dream of being in her presence, she was reduced to a mere slut being used for pleasure by a young farmboy. At this point, her sanity was hanging by a thread, until she saw her own expression. Her eyes were half in the back of her head, her tongue hung out of her mouth as she moaned and panted, a twisted smile of satisfaction yed on her lips. Despite how wrong the entire situation was, she was¡­enjoying it, perhaps even more than Elias. Behind her Elias'' faced donned on a twisted expression as he smiled, examining his works proudly. Snap! The thread gave up, and she surrendered herselfpletely to the cock that brought her such happiness. She felt a shiver travel from the top of her head to the bottom, her form trembled in pleasure. "It''singgg~Nhnnn~Hnngggh¡­I''m cumming!~" She screamed Her body seized and tightened up as she shuddered and squirt out all over the floor, her climaxsted for a full minute, after all, it had been a while since shest had been fucked and it had been never winced she had bee on fucked like the way Elias was doing. "Ahh, Haaa" She panted as she tried to catch her breath "I''m¡­cumming too!!" he announced as he pulled in the Queen''s ass closed by her hair, she was already too weak to even moan out or resist as Elias proceeded to filled her ass with his cum. Elias buried his cock deep as he emptied load after load into her, Seraphina felt his warm seed fill her up, "Mmmm~" A soft moan escaped her lips Elias let go of the Queenpletely and she dropped to the ground with a loud thud, her gaping ass in the air as she twitched and shuddered asionally. She didn''t look like a Queen at least not the moment , she looked just like any other woman driven crazy to pleasure by a cock, Elias had stripped away all the royalty from her with his cock. Her asshole made a bubbling sound as Elias'' seed flowed out of it, some it dripped over her pussy before pooling on the floor. Elias plopped on the bed, his breath were short and deep following the rythm of his falling and rising chest, he was still human afterall. ''Did I just fucking break Queen Seraphina?! What the hell? I did that'' He thought to himself as he saw the Queen''s ravaged nude form on the floor struggling to catch her breath ''King ric might be dead, but it''s still not eptable by the public or anyone for me to be fucking his wife, especially not in her mourning garments. I should leave before I doze off here'' Elias pulled on his pants and flung his shirt over his shoulder, he was about leaving when he took onest look at the Queen on the floor. Seraphina''s mind was still trying to return to sanity, for a moment Elias thought maybe he had overdone it, she was a Queen afterall and she had her pride. "Master, don''t leave" she muttered under her breath, Elias smiled nervously and gave her a kiss on the lips before he left the room. As Elias shut the door behind him, he was met with the figure of Lady Isolde staring at him with a knowing smile, this startled Elias. ''How long has she been standing there? We were pretty loud in there, did she hear anything?'' These were the thoughts that ran through Elias'' mind as he set his eyes on her. "Lady Isolde, seems we ran into each other again. Are you here to see Seraphina?" He asked as he tilted his head downward slightly Lady Isolde raised a suspicious brow "Seraphina? Not Queen Seraphina? I guess when you bed a woman as good as you did to my dear sister, you can call her whatever you want even if she is a ruler" she said Elias averted his gaze, "Bed? The Queen?" He asked, feigning ignorance "Oh please, don''t give me that. I have been standing here for quite a while, Inknow what I heard, I am not a fool. Don''t treat me like one" Lady Isolde said firmly "I would not do that, I simply don''t have any idea what you''re talking about," Elias insisted Lady Isolde squinted, inspecting Elias closely, "Is that so, then I guess you wouldn''t mind me going in to see my dear sister," she said "She is fast asleep, the day''s work has her fatigued and stressed. The sleep is needed" Elias exined Lady Isolde moved closer to Elias until there was little space between them, at the angle she stood, Elias had a clear view of her cleavage, one of her pink nipples were trying to escape her dress. Elias felt his cock twitch "I''m stressed too¡­Master" she said with a smooth voice and a sultry smile Elias eyes widened for a second, but only a second before he wore a serious expression, "Ohh, Seems I struck gold" Lady Isolde said, "So won''t you help me relive my stress too," she said as she traced her fingers over his bulging crotch. Elias simply stared at her, thinking of his next course of action. Hecked the strength to act on her words at the moment even if his cock was saying otherwise. He held Lady Isolde''s hand and removed it from his cock. "Careful what you wish for Isolde," He said, staring at her sternly, "I wouldn''t want to be responsible for breaking you too," Elias added before walking away, leaving Lady Isolde stunned. Out of curiosity, she opened the door and her jaw dropped as she saw her sister''s naked form on the floor, face down ass up with semen dripping from both her ass and pussy. Lady Isolde held her mouth shut with one hand and the other found it''s way to her wet pussy as she imagined herself in that position wondering how hard Elias had to have fuck the pristine and pure Seraphina to have her like that. Chapter 132: Chapter 132(Bonus Chapter)[R-18]: Bath Time With Lilian The soft murmur of water being poured into the stone tub echoed through the room , blending with the gentle crackling of the fire in the hearth. The scent of herbsvender, sage, and something unfamiliar but calming¡ªwafted through the air. Elias sat in the middle of the tub, the warm waterpping at his body, the steam rising in delicate wisps around him. Across the room, Lilian worked diligently, her back turned to him as she prepared the final touches for his therapy bath. Her long hair was pulled into a neat braid, and her uniform¡ªa modest but fitted dress¡ªclung to her shapely figure. Despite the formality of her attire, it did little to hide her ample curves. Her movements were deliberate, though a bit stiff, as if she were trying to distract herself from the fact that Elias was already in the bath,pletely naked. Elias watched her silently for a few moments, his gaze trailing from her slender neck down to the curve of her hips. She''d always been attentive, always thorough, and today was no different. Yet, as she finished her tasks and approached the tub, a thought crossed his mind¡ªa thought that had been lingering there for some time now. "Lilian," he began, his voice soft butmanding enough to make her pause. She looked up at him, her hands resting on the towel she had draped over her arm. "Yes, Sir Elias Elias?" she replied, her voice as soft and warm as the bathwater. He leaned back against the edge of the tub, his lips quirking into a small, teasing smile. "I thought I told you before¡ªit''s unfair for me to be the only one naked in the bath ." Lilian blinked, a slight blush creeping up her neck as his words sank in. She lowered her gaze, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of the towel. "I¡­ I didn''t think you were serious, sir." Elias tilted his head, his smile growing as he noted her reaction. "Why wouldn''t I be?" Lilian''s cheeks flushed a deeper red, and for a moment, she was quiet. Her mind raced as she considered his words, her breath catching in her throat. She''d never felt coerced by him¡ªElias had always been kind, perhaps more kind than most nobles of his status¡ªbut this was different. Intimate. Still, there was a strange sense of anticipation building inside her, a feeling she hadn''t been able to shake since the first time he''d made thement. Her fingers trembled slightly as she began to unbutton the front of her dress, each motion slow and deliberate. She wasn''t against it. If anything, the hesitation was more from the unfamiliarity than from any real reluctance. Elias''s eyes followed her every movement, his gaze unwavering as her dress slipped from her shoulders, revealing the pale skin of her corbone, the swell of her breasts. She wasn''t exactly tall orrge, her petite frame making her curves seem even more pronounced. As the dress pooled around her feet, she stood there in nothing but her undergarments for a brief moment, her arms instinctively crossing over her chest. Elias''s smile softened as he saw her hesitation. "There''s no need to be shy, Lilian. It''s just you and me." She nodded, her blush deepening, before she finally removed thest of her clothing. Without a word, she stepped forward, her bare feet making soft sshes as she entered the water. The tub was spaciousrge enough for two people¡ªand as Lilian lowered herself into the bath, she let out a small, unintentional moan of relief as the warm water enveloped her. Realizing what she had just done, her eyes widened, and she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. "I-I''m sorry, Sir Elias Elias!" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Elias chuckled softly, the sound low and soothing. "There''s no need to apologize, Lilian. It''s only natural. The herbs in this bath¡­ they do tend to heighten certain sensations." Lilian''s eyes darted to the water as she felt the warmth settle into her muscles, rxing her body more than she expected. "I¡­ I see," she mumbled, still embarrassed by her earlier outburst. Elias''s gaze grew more intent as he watched her, noticing the way her breathing had quickened ever so slightly, the way her body seemed to respond to the bath. "In fact," he added with a yful smile, "since I''ve been in the bath, I''ve noticed a certain¡­ reaction of my own." Her breath hitched as her eyes flicked up to meet his, a sh of curiosity crossing her face. "Oh?" He shifted slightly in the water, and Lilian''s gaze instinctively dropped, trying to see what he meant. The milky water, thick with herbs, obscured her view, but there was no mistaking the shadow that loomed beneath the surface. Elias didn''t miss the way her eyes lingered, the way her pupils dted ever so slightly as she realized what was hidden just out of sight. He smirked, leaning forward just enough to catch her attention again. Chapter Stay: "You don''t need to apologize, Lilian. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for making you ufortable." Lilian''s eyes widened as she shook her head quickly, her hands fluttering in protest. "N-No, Sir Elias! It''s my job to take care of you. You''re a young man, and it''s only natural for you to have such a reaction." Her words were dutiful, but there was something else in her tone¡ªa nervousness, yes, but also a hint of curiosity. Her gaze flickered back to the water where he sat, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say more but couldn''t quite bring herself to voice it. Elias, of course, noticed everything. He noticed the way her breathing had quickened, the way her eyes kept darting to the water as though she were trying to see whaty beneath but couldn''t. He noticed the slight disappointment that shed across her face when she realized the bathwater was too opaque. With a soft chuckle, Elias slowly stood up from the bath, the water cascading down his body in smooth rivulets. His erect cock stood proudly in the air, casting a shadow over Lilian''s petite frame as she sat in the water before him. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she was frozen, her gaze locked on him. The way she stared, almost hypnotized, made Elias''s smile deepen. He could see the desire in her eyes, the way her lips parted slightly as though she wanted to reach out, but wasn''t sure if she should. "Are you going to take care of this too, Lilian?" Elias asked softly, his voice low and teasing. Lilian blinked, snapping out of her daze, and quickly averted her eyes, her blush deepening as she gulped nervously. She could feel the heat pooling in her belly, her heart racing in her chest. Her lips trembled as she tried to find the right words. "I¡­ It''s my job, Sir Elias," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. "If that''s what you require of me, then¡­ then I will dly do it." Elias watched her, the tension between them thickening as the air seemed to grow heavier. The fire crackled softly in the background, but all he could hear was the sound of her shallow breathing, the soft sshes of water as she slowly rose to meet him. This bath had turned into something else entirely¡ªa moment neither of them had expected, but neither was willing to stop. Chapter 133 : Bath Time With Lilian(2)[R-18] Lilian moved closer to Elias, the water swirling around her as she made her way through the tub. Her eyes flickered down to his cock, her breath catching slightly in her throat. It was bigger than she expected, more imposing, yet it held an allure that drew her in. With trembling fingers, she wrapped her hand around it, her grip firm but gentle, her soft palm warmed against his skin. Elias couldn''t help but let out a low moan as she made contact, the pleasure immediate and intense. The warmth of her hand and the softness of her touch made his body tense with sensation. Slowly, Lilian began to stroke his cock, her motions steady, deliberate. Her other hand, almost subconsciously, drifted down her own body, grazing over her smooth skin until it found the warmth between her legs. A soft gasp escaped her lips as her fingers brushed against her sensitive flesh, the mixture of sensations clouding her mind. As she continued stroking Elias, her hand moved with precision, surprising even herself. Her touch was confident, as though she had done this a hundred times before, though she hadn''t. She couldn''t exin it, but it felt natural, instinctive even. She switched to using both hands, sliding them up and down his length with an unexpected expertise that made Elias''s legs tremble under the water. "Lilian¡­" Elias groaned, his voice strained. "Stop¡­" His breathing had be shallow, his senses heightened by the herbs in the bath. Every touch, every caress was amplified to an almost unbearable degree. What should have been simple pleasure now coursed through his body like electricity, overwhelming him with intensity. Lilian''s movements, once slow and cautious, now felt like they were sending waves of ecstasy through him, far stronger than anything he''d ever experienced. But despite hismand, Lilian didn''t stop. Her focus was locked on his cock, mesmerized by the way it pulsed in her hands, by its size, by its shape. She couldn''t tear her gaze away, her own arousal built as she continued stroking him. Her fingers worked with an almost mechanical precision, moving faster now, drawing more pleasure from him with each stroke. "Lilian," Elias gasped again, his voice firmer this time. "I said stop¡­ I''ll finish too soon¡­" Reluctantly, Lilian released him, her grip loosening as she pulled her hands back. Elias let out a shaky sigh of relief, his chest heaving as he tried to regain control of himself. But before he could fully recover, Lilian''s hands were back on him, not to stroke this time, but to guide his cock toward her lips. Elias barely had time to react before she took him into her mouth, her lips wrapping around him with surprising hunger. The warmth of her mouth, the slickness of her tongue¡ªit was too much. Elias groaned, his hands gripping the edge of the tub as his toes curled against the stone floor. His stance wavered, his legs trembling as Lilian sucked him with a passion he hadn''t expected. She moved with such precision, stroking him with one hand while her mouth worked in perfect tandem. Her lips slid over him effortlessly, taking him deeper and deeper into her mouth until she was nearly swallowing him whole. Elias''s mind fogged with pleasure, his control slipping with every passing second. Usually, he was the one inmand, the one dictating the pace of such encounters, but Lilian''s mouth was in a league of its own. She was relentless, her tongue teasing the sensitive underside of his cock while her throat tightened around him with every motion. "It''s always the innocent-looking ones¡­" Elias thought, his mind racing as he struggled to keep himself from climaxing. He had never expected this from Lilian, his quiet and reserved maid. But now, here she was, pushing him to the edge of his limits with a skill that rivaled anyone he had ever been with. She took him even deeper into her mouth, her throat constricting around him as she made a swallowing motion. The sensation sent Elias over the edge. He couldn''t hold back any longer. His entire body tensed, his legs trembling uncontrobly as he climaxed. A strangled groan escaped his lips as the pleasure washed over him, leaving him breathless and weak. His knees buckled beneath him, and he copsed back into the tub, the water sshing around him as he sat there, gasping for air. Lilian was at his side in an instant, her expression shifting from lust to concern. "Sir Elias Elias, are you alright?" she asked, her voice soft and hesitant. Elias nodded, though he was still catching his breath. "I''m¡­ I''m fine," he managed to say, his voice hoarse. "I just wasn''t expecting you to be that good with your mouth¡­" A faint smile yed at the corners of Lilian''s lips as she knelt beside him. "I''m d you''re okay, Sir Elias," she whispered, her fingers gently grazing his skin. But just as Elias was starting to rx, Lilian''s hands found their way back to his cock, stroking him again. He twitched at her touch, his body still sensitive from the climax, but she didn''t seem to notice. Her eyes were focused, her movements slow and deliberate. She was already preparing for what was toe next. Without saying a word, Lilian shifted in the tub, positioning herself so that she was straddling Elias, her back facing him. Her hips hovered just above his face, her round, curvaceous backside tantalizingly close. Meanwhile, her face was once again level with his still-hard cock. "Shall we continue, Sir Elias?" she asked softly, a yful lilt in her voice. Elias swallowed hard, his throat dry as he tried to find his voice. He could feel the heat radiating from her body, her skin brushing lightly against his chest as she waited for his response. The position she had taken¡ªher knees on either side of him, her back arched just so¡ªleft him with little choice but to nod in affirmation. He wasn''t sure if he had the energy to continue, but the sight of her above him, her skin glistening with water, the way her body moved so effortlessly¡ªit reignited something in him. His hands moved on instinct, gripping her hips as he positioned himself beneath her, his body responded to hers as if they were connected in some primal way. Lilian''s fingers wrapped around his cock once more, and without hesitation, she took him into her mouth again, her lips moving over him with the same passion and expertise as before. At the same time, she began to grind her hips back against his chest, her body moving in a slow, sensual rhythm that left Elias breathless. Her arousal was evident in the way she moved, in the way her breath hitched every time her body pressed against his. She was lost in the moment, her mind fogged with the same overwhelming pleasure that Elias had felt earlier. As she continued to suck and stroke him, her own pleasure grew, her moans muffled by the weight of his cock in her mouth. Elias''s hands tightened on her hips, guiding her movements as she rode him, his fingers digging into her soft skin as he tried to keep up with the intensity of the moment. His mind was a haze of pleasure and desire, his body responded to her every touch, her every motion. Lilian, too, was lost in the sensation, her body trembling as she pushed herself closer to her own climax. She could feel Elias twitching beneath her, his body tensing as he neared the edge once again, and she knew it wouldn''t be long before they both reached their limit. Elias let out a guttural groan, his body shuddering as he felt the pressure building inside him once more. He didn''t know how much longer he couldst, but Lilian''s relentless pace was driving him toward the brink. Chapter 134 : Bath time with Lilian(3) Elias leaned back into the bath, a deep breath escaping his lips as the warmth of the water enveloped his body. Lilian was still straddled above him, her soft backside facing him, her body glistening with moisture. She had been working on him so diligently, her mouth and hands moving with a skill that left him teetering on the edge of climax. But Elias didn''t want to lose control¡ªnot yet. As he gazed at the sight before him, his eyes wandered over Lilian''s body, lingering on the sacred region between her thighs. It was a beautiful sight, one that stirred something deep within him. Her skin was smooth and well-kept, and even from this position, he could catch the faint, alluring scent of her arousal. Determined not to let her dominate this intimate exchangepletely, Elias shifted forward slightly. His hands found their way to her hips, holding her firmly as he buried his face between her thighs. His tongue darted out to taste her, the warmth and wetness of her flesh intoxicating. He licked, sucked, and slobbered all over her pussy, his tongue moving with deliberate, practiced motions. Elias may have let her take control for a while, but he was no stranger to this kind of pleasure. Lilian''s head jerked up in surprise, a muffled moan escaping her lips as his tongue worked its magic. She was so startled by the sudden change that she had to take a moment to catch her breath, lifting her head away from his member. But Elias didn''t stop. His tongue continued its exploration, teasing and tasting her in ways that made her body shudder. With a breathy sigh, Lilian''s hands found their way back to Elias''s member, and she once again took him into her mouth, her lips wrapping around him as she resumed her task. The two of them pleasured each other simultaneously, their moans mingling in the steamy air as they became lost in the intensity of the moment. The sound of water sloshing softly around them filled the room, but all they could focus on was the pleasure they were giving and receiving. Their bodies intertwined like an ouroboros, their movements perfectly synchronized as they brought each other closer and closer to the brink. Elias''s moans grew louder, his breath hitching in his throat every time Lilian''s tongue glided over his sensitive skin. And Lilian, in turn, could barely contain the sounds of pleasure that escaped her as Elias''s tongue worked wonders on her. It didn''t take long before the pressure in both of them reached a breaking point. Their bodies tensed, their moans became louder and more urgent, and in one final, simultaneous burst of pleasure, they both climaxed. Lilian shuddered above him, her body trembling as waves of pleasure washed over her, while Elias let out a deep, guttural moan as he spilled into her mouth. For a moment, they were both still, their bodies spent from the intensity of their shared release. Elias''s chest rose and fell heavily as he caught his breath, his mind still reeling from the pleasure they had just experienced. He couldn''t help but marvel at Lilian''s transformation¡ªthe meek, reserved maid he had known for so long had revealed a side of herself that he hadn''t expected. "That was¡­ intense," Elias thought to himself, his eyes half-closed as he let the warmth of the bath soothe his tired muscles. But it wasn''t just intense¡ªit was good. Really good. He had always known Lilian was capable and attentive, but he never could have guessed that she had such passion hidden beneath her quiet exterior. Out loud, Elias let out a soft chuckle. "I''m tired now," he admitted, his voice a low rumble. "I just want to soak in the bath and maybe doze off. You''re wee to stay if you want." He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the edge of the tub, letting his body rx fully into the water. The warm steam rose around him, and for a brief moment, Elias felt at peace. But then he felt something¡ªsomething soft, something squishy¡ªresting against his still-sensitive member. Confused, Elias opened his eyes and looked down, only to see Lilian''s ample bosom pressing against him, his cocknow sandwiched between her breasts. The sight caught him off guard. He had expected her to be done, to rx as well, but instead, she had positioned herself in such a way that her soft mounds were now wrapped around him. "Lilian, what are you¡ª" he began, about to reprimand her gently, but the words caught in his throat when he saw the look on her face. There was a burning desire in her eyes, a need that she could no longer hide. It was clear that she wanted this¡ªneeded this. She was far from done, and Elias could see the hunger in her gaze as she looked at him, her lips curling into a soft smile. She pressed her breasts together, creating even more pressure around his member, and slowly began to move. Elias''s cockresponded immediately, standing erect without any effort on his part. It twitched with each stroke of her breasts, the soft, warm skin driving him wild. Lilian maintained eye contact the entire time, her expression one of pure, unabashed desire. The softness of her breasts as they slid up and down his length was almost too much for Elias to handle. He could feel the warmth of her skin, the slickness of the water, and the pressure of her movements all at once. It was a sensation unlike anything he had felt before, and it sent waves of pleasure coursing through him. Lilian''s breasts squeezed him gently, her motions slow but deliberate, drawing him closer and closer to the edge once more. Elias''s breath hitched, his body tense as he fought to keep himself under control. But it was a losing battle. The pleasure was too intense, too overwhelming, and Lilian''s gaze¡ªthose eyes that watched him so intently¡ªmade it impossible for him to resist. His hands found their way to the back of her head, gently guiding her downward until her mouth was once again on his member. As he climaxed, Elias let out a deep groan, his body trembling with the force of his release. Lilian didn''t stop, her lips wrapping around him as she swallowed everything he gave her, the excess spilling from her mouth and dripping down onto her chest. Chapter 135 : Bath time with Lilian(4) When it was over, Lilian pulled away slightly, looking down at her now-covered breasts. She nced up at Elias, a yful glint in her eyes, before opening her mouth to show him the contents of his climax. Then, without breaking eye contact, she swallowed, her lips curling into a smile once more. Eliasy back in the tub, utterly spent. He wasn''t sure how much more he could take, his body tired from the intensity of their shared pleasure. But even in his exhaustion, he couldn''t help but admire Lilian''s passion, her eagerness to please. "That was¡­ unexpected," Elias muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper as he closed his eyes once more. "But I''m definitely done for now, Lilian. I just want to rest." Lilian chuckled softly, her fingers tracingzy patterns on his chest as she settled into the water beside him. "Of course, Master Elias," she whispered, her voice filled with affection. "Rest as long as you need. I''ll be right here." Elias smiled, letting himself drift into a peaceful haze, content in the warmth of the bath and Lilian''s quiet presence beside him. "Rest as long as you need, Master Elias," Lilian whispered, her tone affectionate yet tinged with something¡­ unspoken. Elias''s eyes narrowed, focusing more intently on her. Although Lilian smiled, he noticed the slight shift in her voice, a barely detectable disappointment. It was subtle, so subtle that anyone else might have missed it. But Elias, sharp and perceptive even in his tired state, could hear it clearly. And that was when he realized: she wasn''t still satisfied. The realization hit him like a soft thud in the chest, the gears in his mind slowly turning as he pieced it together. She had pleasured him thoroughly, bringing him to climax more times than he could count. But Lilian¡­ she had only found release once. Elias had been so consumed by his own pleasure, by her expert touch and the way she had taken control, that he hadn''t considered her needs fully. She had given so much, and yet here she was,ying beside him, unsatisfied. Elias frowned slightly, guilt stirring in the back of his mind. He nced at her again, watching as she rested peacefully against him. She wasn''t going to say it aloud, of course. Lilian had always been reserved when it came to her own desires, always putting his needs first. But he could feel it in the air, in the way her body was still tense beneath the surface, the way her breathing hadn''t fully rxed despite the soft smile on her face. "She needs more," Elias thought, his mind working through the haze of his exhaustion. "But I''m truly spent." His muscles ached, and the warmth of the bath was making his eyelids heavy. He had given everything he had earlier, and now he was utterly drained. Normally, he might have considered using his mouth to please her, to bring her to the edge once more and give her the release she so clearly craved. But as he looked at her, he knew that wouldn''t be enough. Lilian needed more¡ªsomething deeper, something more intense. And Elias wasn''t sure if he had the strength left to give it to her. His mind raced, trying toe up with a solution. What could he do? He couldn''t just leave her like this, unsatisfied after everything she had done for him. But his body felt like lead, his limbs heavy with exhaustion, and he knew he couldn''t give her what she truly needed. Not in his current state. Then, just as he was about to give up, an idea popped into his head¡ªa thought so simple, so obvious, that he couldn''t believe he hadn''t thought of it sooner. A slow smile crept across his lips as the solution presented itself, clear and perfect. He nced at Lilian, her eyes closed now, her breathing still shallow. She didn''t notice the way his expression changed, didn''t see the mischievous glint in his eyes as the idea took shape. With a quiet chuckle, Elias leaned forward slightly, his lips hovering just above Lilian''s ear. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he uttered a single word, a word that sent a ripple of power through the air between them. "Heal." As the word left his lips, Elias felt the familiar warmth of magic flow through him, the fatigue in his muscles easing, the weight in his limbs lifting. His body, once so heavy with exhaustion, now felt light and energized, the power of the spell renewing himpletely. It was a subtle but potent magic, designed to restore and rejuvenate. And in that moment, it was exactly what he needed. Lilian''s eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting his as she felt the shift in the air. She looked at him in confusion at first, her lips parting to ask what he had done. But before she could speak, Elias shifted beneath her, his body renewed and ready once more. This time, he would make sure she was satisfied. Completely. Lilian''s gaze shifted downward, locking onto Elias''s Cock. Even though they had just spent what felt like an eternity together, her eyes still widened in awe as she watched it slowly rise, inch by inch, standing to its full length once more. His Cock pulsed with life, raging and hard, as if it had a mind of its own, demanding attention, ready to tear anything apart in its path. It was as if the magic had not only restored his strength but amplified his desire beyond what either of them could have expected. She swallowed hard, her eyes tracing the contours of it, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn''t control. Her body reacted instinctively, a flush spreading across her cheeks as a heat pooled between her legs. Her hands, trembling slightly, reached out as if drawn to it, but she hesitated, her fingers hovering just above his length. Elias'' lips curled into a knowing smile as he watched her, feeling her gaze burn into him, her need almost solid in the air between them. Chapter 136 : Bath time with Lilian(end) Lilian''s hand finally made contact, her fingers wrapping around his length, and she let out a soft gasp at the feel of it. The heat, the hardness, the sheer weight of him in her hand¡ªit was overwhelming in the best way possible. Her eyes flicked up to meet his, and Elias could see the mix of awe and anticipation in her gaze. "I¡­ I didn''t expect it to¡­ to be like this," Lilian whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of the waterpping around them. She stroked him slowly, her touch tentative at first, as if she was still trying to process the power she now held in her hands. Elias let out a low groan, his hips shifting slightly in response to her touch. "It''s the spell," he murmured, his voice deep and rough with desire. "It restored everything¡­ maybe even more." Lilian''s lips curled into a small smile at that, a spark of excitement lighting up her eyes. She tightened her grip, stroking him with more confidence now, her movements slow but deliberate as she watched his cock twitch and pulse beneath her touch. She could feel the raw power radiating from him, and it only made her want him more. Elias''s breath hitched as Lilian continued to stroke him, her hands moving with a skillful precision that left him on the edge of losing control once more. But this time, he was determined to hold back, to make sure she waspletely satisfied before he allowed himself to give in to the pleasure. He could see it in her eyes¡ªthe desire, the need, the hunger that had been building up inside her all this time. She had given him everything, but now it was her turn, and Elias wasn''t going to stop until she had what she needed. With a soft growl, Elias reached up, his hands gripping her hips firmly as he pulled her closer. Lilian let out a small gasp of surprise, her hands still on his cock as she was guided into position. Elias''s strength, restored by the spell, made it effortless as he positioned her over him, the tip of his cock brushing against her entrance. Lilian''s breath caught in her throat, her body trembling with anticipation as she felt the heat of him pressing against her. She nced down, watching as his length stood there, poised and ready, and her heart pounded in her chest. "Sir¡­Elias¡­" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Elias smiled, his eyes locking onto hers as he spoke softly. "Don''t worry, Lilian. I''ll make sure you''re satisfied." And with that, he guided her down, inch by inch, taking his time as she sank onto him, her body slowly enveloping his raging cock. The sensation was intense, the pressure and heat overwhelming, and both of them let out deep, guttural moans as they became one again. Lilian''s eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting as she let out a breathy sigh of pleasure. She could feel every inch of him inside her, the sheer size of him filling herpletely, stretching her in ways that made her mind fog with desire. It was everything she had wanted, everything she had craved since the moment they had started. Elias watched her intently, his hands gripping her hips as he moved with her, their bodies perfectly in sync. The warmth of the water, the soft glow of the steam, the feeling of her wrapped around him¡ªit was almost too much to handle. But Elias held on, his focus entirely on Lilian, determined to give her exactly what she needed. They moved together, slowly at first, savoring the sensation of being sopletely connected. But as the pleasure built between them, their movements became faster, more urgent, and the room was filled with the sound of their shared moans. Lilian''s body shuddered with every thrust, her breathing in short, ragged gasps as she rode the waves of pleasure. Elias''s hands guided her, his strength supporting her as they moved together, and he could feel her body tightening around him, signaling that she was close. With one final, deep thrust, Lilian cried out, her body shaking as she reached her climax. Elias held her close, his own release following shortly after, his cock pulsing inside her as they both came undone. Lilian''s breath came in soft, uneven gasps, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to steady herself. The pleasure of being fucked by Elias still lingered in her body. Her breaths gradually slowed, deep and deliberate, as she closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the moment wrap around her like aforting nket. Shey still for a moment, feeling the closeness between them, her breath slowly returning to a calm rhythm in sync with Elias''s. But Elias had just begun, he had just resuscitated his cock after all, he was bound to chase his own climax too. Elias''s grip tightened around her waist as he gently shifted her, turning Lilian until her back pressed against his chest, her body curved against him. Her soft, flushed skin glowed in the light as he guided her movements with ease, his strength and desire coalescing into one fluid motion. Lilian felt his hard throbbing cock on her back and she instinctively arched her back and fell forward, giving Elias an unobstructed path to her pussy. Elias ced his hand on her hips like handles on a bike and pressed his tip against her entrance, with one single motion he rammed his entire length into her pussy, "Ahnn~" Lillian moaned, she was still sensitive from herst orgasm But Elias didn''t care, and like a mad dog in heat, he rammed his cock into her pussy over and over again, harder, deeper each time. As his speed increased, Lilian felt herself being lost to the pleasure of his cock, if he should continue, she would lose her mind. "S¡­Stop¡­Sir¡ªMmmm~Ahnnn~Don''t stop" Elias smiled and continued to pound her harder, the tub shook violen and Lilian''s finger gripped on it for dear life, like if she let go, her sanity would slip away. Elias felt the heat of climax building up in his cock, he was close , but that didn''t stop him. In fact he pounded her harder and faster and when he felt it was time, he pulled out his cock and blew his load all over Lilian''s body. Maybe it was the effect of the [Heal] spell, but it was a massive amount of semen, enough topletely bathe Lilian in. Lilian swallowed hard as she thought about Elias blowing that amount of semen into her. She would her pregnant for sure, but then again it wouldn''t be a bad thing to be pregnant for Elias, she thought. Lilian tried to turn around, but Elias held her head down, and once again he rammed his cock into her pussy, "Ahnnn!!!!" That was it for Lilian, Elias cock had sent her over the edge, she shuddered as she climaxed, Elias resumed pounding her as if nothing''s happened. He had gone mad with pleasure and so had she, as he rammed her over and over, her moans matched his intensity. He could feel her reaching the edge, her body tensed as the pleasure built to its peak. And as they reached that final, shared orgasm, Lilian let out a soft cry, her body trembling with the force of her release. Elias followed soon after, his own body shuddering as the pleasure washed over him, leaving him breathless and spent. "Mm''~Uhhh, Fuckk" Elias moaned as he released his load again, this time he emptied everything he had left in the tank into her pussy. For a long moment, they were both still, their bodies entwined as they came down from the high of their shared orgasm. The only sound in the room was their ragged breathing and the gentle slosh of the water around them. Finally, Elias stood, carefully cradling Lilian in his arms as he lifted her from the bath. She waspletely spent, her body limp and rxed as she rested against him, her eyes fluttering closed in exhaustion. Elias smiled softly, his heart full as he carried her to the nearby towels, gentlyying her down and covering her with a soft nket. He nced down at her, noticing the peaceful expression on her face, her body still glowing from the aftereffects of their time together. Her pussy, still flushed and warm, was filled with the evidence of their intercourse; Elias'' semen, a final mark. Lilian had given him everything, and in return, he had given her the same. And as shey there, peacefully passed out from the intensity of it all, Elias couldn''t help but smile, knowing that they had reached a new level of understanding, a deeper connection that went far beyond anything they had ever shared before. As he leaned down to press a soft kiss to her forehead, Elias whispered softly, "Sleep well, Lilian. You''ve more than earned it." And with that, he wrapped her up in the nket, ensuring that she wasfortable and warm, before settling down beside her, ready to watch over her as she slept, but he soon fell asleep soon after. Chapter 137 : Elias Verses Morder Elias rode through the gates of the second district, the air filled with the familiar scent of iron, dust, and sweat as he approached Lord Varric''s stronghold. The training grounds were as busy as ever, soldiers running drills and sparring in pairs. Elias hadn''t seen Lord Varric in some time, and he was curious to catch up with the man, especially after hearing rumors that Varric had been more active in the district''s military affairs as ofte. As he entered the training yard, Elias immediately spotted Lord Varric, standing tall with his arms crossed, overseeing a group of soldiers who were sparring intensely. The ng of steel rang out across the yard, punctuated by the asional grunt of exertion or the dull thud of a shield absorbing a blow. "Lord Varric!" Elias called, approaching the towering man. Varric turned, his face lighting up with recognition and a grin. "Elias Ashdown! It''s been too long, my friend." He stepped forward and sped Elias'' arm in a firm greeting. "Indeed it has," Elias replied. "I see you''re keeping busy with your soldiers." Varric nodded, casting a nce over at the men sparring in front of him. "Just making sure they stay sharp. Eldoria''s been peaceful for a while now, and peace breedscency. Can''t afford to let these men go soft, not with the constant threat of demons still lurking in the shadows." Elias watched the soldiers closely, noting their movements and how they adjusted to each other''s attacks. "That makes sense. Keeping them on their toes, I see." Varric chuckled. "Exactly. You never know when things might take a turn. Better to be prepared than caught unawares." As they continued to observe, one soldier in particr caught Elias'' attention. He stood out not just for his skill but for his arrogance. He bested opponent after opponent with ease, his swordsmanship clearly beyond that of the others. Each time he won, heughed in their faces, mocking them openly. "Who''s that?" Elias asked, raising an eyebrow. Varric followed his gaze and sighed. "That''s Morder. Annoying as he may be, the man''s got skill. Sometimes it''s better to let him mock the others. It''ll harden them, teach them not to take things so personally. On the battlefield, getting mocked by your enemy is the least of your worries." Elias frowned. "I get that it builds character, but there''s a line, Varric. You don''t want someone like him creating resentment among your ranks." Varric smirked as if reading Elias'' mind. "If you''re so concerned about Morder, maybe you should teach him a lesson yourself." Elias grinned but shook his head. "That wouldn''t be fair to him." Before either of them could say anything else, a soldier came flying toward them, his body flung by the force of a strike. Elias and Varric quickly shifted, dodging the iling body as itnded in the dirt behind them with a grunt. Morder, still standing in the sparring ring, had clearly overheard Elias''ment. His eyes locked onto Elias, and he pointed his sword at him, a cocky smile on his face. "You think you can do better, chosen child? I challenge you to a sparring match¡ªjust weapons, no magic, no mage craft." Elias raised a brow and nced at Varric. The lord simply shrugged. "It''s a challenge, Elias. You can ept or decline. Your call." Elias looked back at Morder, who stood in the center of the ring, his chest puffed out, exuding arrogance. He smiled softly, shaking his head. "What kind of man would I be if I turned down a challenge like that?" Varric''s heartyugh echoed through the training yard. "That''s the spirit!" Elias stepped into the sparring area, the sound of his boots crunching against the packed dirt drawing the attention of the other soldiers. As he got closer, he realized just how imposing Morder was. The man was tall, well-built, with muscles that looked like they had been forged in the fires of countless battles. He wasn''t bulky, but he had the kind of strength that came from practical experience, not just brute force. Morder held a longsword in one hand, its edge dulled for practice, and a small shield in the other. His stance was confident, even rxed, as if he was certain of the oue. "I saw your matches with the mages," Morder said, his voice carrying across the training yard. "You''re strong, I''ll admit and if this wasn''t limited to weapons and if my life weren''t at risk, I''d have never epted the match." Elias tilted his head, a yful gleam in his eye. "Who says your life isn''t at risk?" Morder visibly shivered at the weight of Elias'' words. There was an intensity in Elias'' gaze, a presence that suggested he was much more than what he seemed. For a moment, the cocky soldier faltered, but he quickly regained hisposure and raised his sword. "Enough talk. Let''s fight," Morder said, assuming his fighting stance with full concentration. "Bring out your weapon." Elias looked down at his empty hands and then back at Morder. "As I said earlier, it wouldn''t be fair to use a weapon against you." A murmur spread through the crowd of soldiers who had gathered to watch. The idea that Elias, unarmed, would take on Morder, who was considered one of the best swordsmen in the district, was met with skepticism. Varric folded his arms and smirked. "This is getting interesting." Morder''s confidence red up again at Elias'' words. "Your arrogance will be your downfall, child of light." Elias'' eyes narrowed, and his voice became sharper, though still calm. "You''re one to talk about arrogance. The fact that you challenged me in the first ce shows how much you overestimate yourself." The silence that followed was thick with tension. Morder''s face twisted in anger, and with a roar, he charged at Elias, his sword slicing through the air in a blur. Elias didn''t flinch, his eyes calmly tracking Morder''s movements. As Morder''s de came down toward his head, Elias shifted to the side with incredible speed, narrowly avoiding the strike. Morder pressed on, swinging his sword with a flurry of powerful strikes. Each time, Elias dodged with an effortless grace, his movements were fluid and precise. It became clear to the spectators that Elias wasn''t merely avoiding Morder¡ªhe was studying him, reading his patterns, understanding the rhythm of his attacks. Frustration mounted in Morder as he continued to swing wildly, each strike grew more aggressive and less controlled. "Stop dodging and fight me!" he bellowed. Elias gave a small, almost bored smile. "If you can''t even touch me, what makes you think you can win?" With a grunt of frustration, Morder lunged forward, aiming tond a decisive blow. But Elias, faster than the eye could follow, sidestepped the attack and delivered a sharp blow with his palm to Morder''s chest. The force of the impact sent Morder stumbling backward, gasping for breath. "You rely too much on brute strength," Elias said calmly. "In a real fight, you''d be dead by now." Morder growled and charged again, but this time Elias stepped into his attack, catching Morder''s sword arm with his bare hand. With a twist of his wrist, Elias disarmed Morder, sending the dulled de ttering to the ground. The yard went silent. Morder stared in disbelief, his mouth slightly agape. "You''re skilled," Elias said, his voice calm and measured. "But youck discipline. You let your arrogance blind you." Morder fell to his knees, his hands trembling. "I¡­ I yield." Elias stepped back, giving the man space, and turned to Varric. "I think that''s enough for today." Varric nodded, impressed. "Seems like someone learned a valuable lesson today." Elias gave a slight smile, turning his gaze back to Morder, who still knelt on the ground. "Let this be a lesson not just to him, but to all of you," he said, addressing the watching soldiers. "Strength without control is just chaos." Chapter 138 : Elias Verses Varric The soldiers nodded, murmuring amongst themselves, and Elias turned to leave the training yard, Lord Varric at his side. "That fight got my blood boiling," Varric said, cracking his knuckles and stretching his neck from side to side. "Now I want to join in." The soldiers who had been murmuring among themselves immediately fell silent, only to erupt in hushed whispers momentster. "Lord Varric''s going to fight?" "Elias is done for now¡­" "Nobody stands a chance against Varric. Not even Elias." The air was thick with anticipation, and many of the soldiers exchanged nces, excitement lighting up their faces. It wasn''t every day they got to witness the great Lord Varric in action. Despite his noble duties, Varric was known to be one of the most formidable warriors in Eldorian history¡ªa man who wielded strength and strategy with equal mastery. Elias turned to face him, a calm smile on his lips. "You want to spar with me, Varric?" Varric returned the smile with a wide grin, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Why not? You''ve been dodging soldiers all day¡ªlet''s see how you handle a real opponent." Without waiting for a reply, Varric leaped from the pedestal where he had been watching, his massive frame moving with surprising agility. As he soared through the air, he summoned his weapons¡ªtwo battle axes materialized in his hands mid-flight, gleaming even in thete afternoon light. Varrded in the sparring ring with a thunderous crash, his axes held high. The ground trembled beneath the impact, and a cloud of dust erupted around him, enveloping the entire arena. The watching soldiers shielded their eyes from the swirling dust, their vision obscured, but the murmurs only grew louder. "I can''t see anything!" "Is Elias still in there?" "Did Lord Varric just end the fight with hisnding?" Elias stood still,pletely unfazed by the shaking ground and the cloud of dust. His eyes never left Varric, even as the dust swirled around them. Slowly, the haze began to settle, revealing the imposing figure of Varric standing with his axes crossed in front of him, a grin still stered on his face. "You sure you want to do this?" Elias asked, his voice calm, but there was a yful undertone in it. Varric chuckled. "You''re not going to talk your way out of this, Elias Ashdown ." Elias sighed softly, then rolled his shoulders, the tension releasing from his muscles. He stepped forward, cracking his neck as if warming up. "Alright then. But don''t me me if I bruise you" Varric barked out augh. "I wouldn''t have it any other way!" Without warning, Varric lunged forward, swinging one of his battle axes in a wide arc aimed at Elias'' midsection. Despite Varric''s size, his speed was impressive, and the sheer power behind his swing made the air around it hiss. But Elias was quicker. He sidestepped the strike effortlessly, the axe missing him by a hair. Varric didn''t pause¡ªhe followed up with the second axe, bringing it down toward Elias with a ferocious downward strike. Elias shifted his stance, raising his arm to catch Varric''s wrist just before the blownded, redirecting the force of the attack and causing the axe to m into the dirt with a resounding thud. The watching soldiers gasped. They had never seen anyone move like Elias¡ªdodging and parrying such brutal strikes as if he were toying with his opponent. "You''re faster than I remember," Varric grunted, pulling his axes free from the ground and taking a step back, assessing his opponent. Elias smiled. "You''re just slower than you used to be." With a roar ofughter, Varric spun his axes, the des carving through the air in a blur. He moved with a surprising grace for his size,bining raw power with skill honed over decades of battle. His attacks came in rapid session¡ªhorizontal swings, vertical chops, and spinning arcs¡ªbut Elias continued to evade, dodging and redirecting the attacks with almost supernatural reflexes. The ground beneath them trembled with each missed strike, and sparks flew when Varric''s axes scraped against the stones of the arena. The soldiers stood in awe, watching the sh of titans unfold before their eyes. "Look at them! Lord Varric''s going all out!" "How is Elias keeping up? He hasn''t even drawn a weapon!" With each exchange, it became clearer that Elias wasn''t just dodging; he was studying Varric, analyzing every movement, every swing. He was learning, adapting, waiting for the right moment. Varric, breathing heavily but still grinning, paused for a moment. "What''s the matter, Elias? Afraid to hit an old man?" Elias chuckled, raising his hand and brushing some dust off his shoulder. "Just giving you a fair shot, Lord Varric." That yful exchange only spurred Varric on. With a growl of determination, he charged forward again, this time swinging both axes simultaneously in a powerful cross-sh aimed at Elias'' torso. But this time, Elias didn''t evade. Instead, he stepped forward into the attack. With blinding speed, Elias caught Varric''s wrists in mid-swing, stopping the axes just inches from his body. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, causing the soldiers to gasp in disbelief. For a brief moment, there was a tense struggle¡ªVarric pushing with all his might, trying to break free from Elias'' grip. But Elias stood firm, his expression calm as ever. "You''re strong, Lord Varric," Elias said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But strength alone isn''t enough." With a fluid motion, Elias twisted Varric''s arms, forcing the axes out of his grip. The weapons ttered to the ground, leaving Varric weaponless and stunned. The soldiers stood in stunned silence, unable toprehend what they had just witnessed. Lord Varric, breathing heavily but still grinning, looked down at his empty hands, then up at Elias. He shook his head in disbelief, then let out a heartyugh. "Damn it, Ashdown! I forgot how infuriating your fighting style is!" Elias smiled, stepping back and offering Varric a hand. "You''re still as strong as ever, old man." Varric took his hand, pulling himself up to his full height. "I might be strong, but you''re on another level. I''ve got to admit, that was impressive." The soldiers erupted into cheers, the tension in the air finally breaking. Many of them couldn''t believe what they had just witnessed¡ªtwo of the strongest men in Eldoria sparring like old friends, testing each other''s limits without a hint of animosity. Varric wiped the sweat from his brow and pped Elias on the back. "Well, I''ll need a drink after that." Elias chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair enough." As the two of them walked off, leaving the training yard behind, the soldiers continued to talk excitedly about the fight, their respect for both Elias and Varric soaring even higher. It wasn''t every day they got to witness such a battle, and it was a moment none of them would soon forget. Chapter 139 : Sweet Tooth The streets of Eldoria bustled with the midday rush, the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats wafting through the market stalls. Elias weaved his way through the crowd, his mind singrly focused on his destination¡ªa small, unassuming food cart at the far end of the square. It was home to the bestmb bites in all of Eldoria, possibly in all of the Hearnd, and it had be Elias'' favorite snack since he''d first tasted it during his early days in the kingdom. As he rounded the corner, the familiar sight of the food cart came into view, but something else caught his attention. A sh of light and energy, subtle but unmistakable, rippled through the market. The aura was powerful, familiar, and oddlyforting, almost as if it radiated warmth and joy wherever it touched. Elias slowed his steps and nced around. His eyes caught sight of a woman moving through the market, stopping at every sweet and pastry shop along the way. Her appearance was casual, dressed inmon clothes, but her aura¡ªit was too strong to belong to just anyone. He focused on her more intently, narrowing his gaze. As she moved, the shopkeepers and vendors she interacted with seemed to brighten up, their faces lighting up as if basking in the presence of something divine. That could only mean one thing. "High-Luminary," Elias muttered to himself with a soft smile, recognizing the familiar energy that could belong to no one else. He approached the woman quietly, his curiosity piqued. What was the High-Luminary doing in the market, and why was she stopping at every sweet stall? Elias quickened his pace and tapped her lightly on the shoulder. The woman turned around in an instant, her face a mixture of shock and embarrassment as she locked eyes with Elias. It was Ireleen, the High-Luminary, and despite her in disguise, there was no hiding her ethereal beauty. Her features were delicate, her face framed by soft waves of dark hair, and her eyes, wide with surprise, were a striking shade of emerald green. As soon as she realized who had tapped her, Ireleen let out a small shriek, quickly covering her mouth. Elias chuckled softly. "I knew it was you," he said with a smirk. "There''s no mistaking that aura." Themotion drew the attention of a few passersby. They hurried over, concerned that Elias might be bothering the woman. "Is this man troubling you?" one of the market-goers asked, stepping protectively in front of Ireleen. She shook her head, waving her hands frantically. "No, no! It''s fine, really," she insisted. "I''m perfectly fine." The small crowd that had gathered slowly dispersed, muttering to themselves as they left. Elias watched them go, amused, then turned back to Ireleen. "Undercover, are we, Ireleen ?" Elias teased, folding his arms. "Or should I say¡­ High-Luminary?" Ireleen''s eyes went wide, and she immediately shushed him, ncing around to make sure no one had heard. "Not so loud!" she whispered, stepping closer to him. "I''m trying to blend in!" "Blend in?" Elias raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Buying sweets and pastries?" Ireleen''s shoulders slumped in defeat, and she let out a sigh. "Alright, alright, you caught me," she admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "You didn''t even try to lie," Elias said, deadpanning, but there was humor in his tone. Ireleen chuckled nervously, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I''m not very good at that sort of thing," she said, her voice soft. She sighed again, looking down at the bags of pastries and sweets she had gathered. "I¡­ I have a sweet tooth. It''s a bad habit." "I can see that," Elias said, eyeing the overflowing baskets she was carrying. "But what''s really going on? Why sneak out here like this?" Ireleen''s expression softened, and she took a deep breath. "It''s a long story," she began. "You see, the church has this strict diet for the High-Luminary. It''s a tradition, passed down for generations, to avoid anything too sweet or indulgent. The idea is to keep the body pure, so that we remain spiritually connected to the goddess." Elias nodded, listening carefully. "But¡­" Ireleen continued, her voice dropping slightly, "I''ve spoken to the goddess about it, and she''s told me it''s not a sin to enjoy sweets. It''s not even a true taboo. It was just a misunderstanding from a past High-Luminary who had a problem with gluttony. She ced herself under a strict diet, and the church, in its wisdom, decided to make it a custom for all High-Luminaries after her." Elias frowned slightly. "So you''re saying this whole ''no sweets'' thing is just an old rule that stuck around?" "Exactly," Ireleen said, nodding. "But despite knowing that, I can''t just go around eating sweets freely. The priests and priestesses still expect me to follow the traditions, and it would cause a scandal if they saw me indulging like this." Elias chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, if that''s the case, I know something you''ll like." Without waiting for her to protest, he took her by the wrist and led her through the market. Ireleen looked up at him, confused. "Where are we going?" "You''ll see." They arrived at the food cart Elias had been heading toward earlier, the one sellingmb bites. He bought a couple of skewers and handed one to Ireleen. "Try this," he said with a grin. "It''s not sweet, but it''s the best snack in Eldoria. Trust me." Ireleen hesitated at first, but the savory aroma wafting from themb bites was irresistible. She took a tentative bite, and her eyes lit up immediately. "This is delicious!" she eximed, her face breaking into a smile. "Told you," Elias said, biting into his own skewer. For the rest of the afternoon, the two of them wandered through the market, sampling different treats and sharing stories. Ireleen, despite her high position, was easy to talk to, and Elias found himself enjoying herpany more than he expected. Theyughed together, swapping jokes and anecdotes, and for a while, it felt as if they were just two ordinary people enjoying a simple day out. As the sun began to set, Ireleen nced at the sky and sighed. "I should go. My priests will dere me missing if I don''t return soon. They think I''m in secluded prayer." Elias chuckled, shaking his head. "You really know how to live on the edge, High-Luminary." Ireleen smiled sheepishly. "I suppose I do." She turned to leave, but then froze in ce. Her eyes widened, and she quickly turned back to Elias. "Oh no," she whispered, pointing across the square. Elias followed her gaze and spotted two familiar figures walking toward them¡ªPriest Mathias and Priestess Margo. They were heading straight for the market, their expressions were focused and serious Chapter 140 : Sweet Tooth(2) [Last Bonus Chapter] "They''reing this way," Ireleen said, her voice panicked. "What do I do?" Elias thought quickly, then turned to her with a serious look. "Do you trust me?" Ireleen blinked, surprised by the question. "Not really." Elias shrugged. "Fair enough, but if you don''t want to get caught, you''ll have to." She nodded nervously, and without warning, Elias pulled her close and kissed her. Ireleen''s eyes widened in shock, and her entire body stiffened, but she didn''t pull away. Across the square, Priestess Margo paused in her tracks, her eyes narrowing as she watched Elias and the woman he was kissing. "Look at him," Margo muttered. "That shameless yboy. He''s kissing one of his girls in public." Mathias, however, squinted at the couple. "From behind¡­ doesn''t that woman look a lot like the High-Luminary?" Margo rolled her eyes. "Don''t be ridiculous. There''s no way the High-Luminary would be kissing Elias in the middle of the market." After a moment''s hesitation, Mathias nodded in agreement, and the two priests continued on their way. As soon as they were out of sight, Elias pulled away, only to find Ireleen still standing there, her face bright red and her gaze lowered, shy and embarrassed. She had never been that close to a man before, let alone kissed one in public. Elias smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, you''re in the clear now. You should head back before theye around again." Ireleen nodded, still flustered, and hurried off toward the church, clutching her baskets of sweets. Elias watched her go, shaking his head with a smile. As she disappeared into the distance, he touched his lips thoughtfully and muttered to himself, "Not bad." As Ireleen hurried through the narrow streets, the weight of her baskets swinging in her hands, her heart raced, not just from the rush to return unnoticed but from the memory of the kiss she had just shared with Elias. Her first kiss. Her lips still tingled from the brief contact, and despite her best efforts, she couldn''t banish the vivid image from her mind. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she quickened her pace, determined to focus on the looming temple gates ahead. ''I can''t think like this,'' she scolded herself. ''I am the High-Luminary of Eldoria, closest to the Goddess. I''m supposed to be above such¡­ distractions.'' But no matter how hard she tried to shake the thought, it kept creeping back, tugging at the edges of her mind. The way Elias had kissed her¡ªboldly, without hesitation¡ªstirred something in her that she wasn''t quite ready to confront. She had always been disciplined, devoted to her duties, following every sacred custom. Yet, for the first time, she found herself daydreaming about something¡­ personal. ''What is wrong with me?'' she thought, biting her lip. She tried to mentally recite the sacred scriptures, focusing on the Goddess, on her responsibilities. But the scriptures blurred in her mind, and all she could see was Elias¡ªhis confident smirk, his steady eyes, the feel of his lips pressed against hers. She caught herself smiling, lost in a daydream where the kiss wasn''t just a ruse to avoid discovery but something more, something real. The thought sent another wave of warmth rushing to her cheeks. ''No! This is ridiculous! I am the High-Luminary!'' Still, her resolve wavered as she imagined it happening again¡ªthis time not as an act of necessity, but because they both wanted it. Her pace slowed slightly, her mind spinning through a dozen impossible scenarios, each one more inappropriate than thest. "Stop it," she whispered to herself, shaking her head violently as if the motion could shake loose the thoughts. But her attempts at self-control were failing miserably. By the time she neared the temple, the grand marble structureing into full view, her thoughts were still a tangled mess of devotion, guilt, and longing. She hesitated at the base of the temple steps, the baskets of sweets now feeling much heavier. The enormous stone pirs loomed before her like silent judges, reminding her of her responsibilities, her vows, her position. She was not just any woman. She was the High-Luminary. She had the sacred duty of guiding the people, maintaining the connection to the Goddess. What kind of example would she set if she let her mind wander into these¡­ inappropriate fantasies? She could already imagine the scandal if anyone found out about the kiss, let alone her thoughts afterward. But then, another voice, softer and more tempting, whispered in her mind. ''The Goddess never forbade love, did she?'' The thought lingered, and for a moment, Ireleen considered the possibility¡ªof allowing herself to feel what she was feeling without shame, without guilt. She shook her head firmly once more. There was no time for these distractions. She needed to get back to her quarters before her priests began to wonder why her seclusion in prayer hadsted longer than expected. But even as she took the first few steps up the stone stairway, the feeling of Elias'' lips refused to leave her mind. She reached the top of the stairs and took a deep breath, herposure returning, or at least appearing to. As she pushed open therge doors to the temple, she could already hear the faint sounds of her attendants moving about in the halls. They would notice her return any moment now, and she needed to act as if nothing had happened. Her posture straightened, and she assumed the serene expression she always wore in public. ''You''re the High-Luminary,'' she reminded herself onest time. ''There are greater things at stake than your fleeting, foolish thoughts.'' But as she stepped into the sanctuary and the heavy temple doors closed behind her, the ghost of a smile tugged at her lips once more. The memory of the kiss lingered still, like a sweet secret hidden just beneath the surface. And as much as she tried to convince herself that it was nothing, a small, traitorous part of her hoped that it might happen again. Chapter 141 : Silverwood The sun filtered through the canopy of the forest, casting a silver sheen over thendscape. The trees of Silverwood were unlike any other forest. Their bark gleamed with an almost metallic glow when the light struck them at just the right angle, making the woods appear as though they were wrapped in strands of polished silver. Even the leaves, when caught by the breeze, shimmered and reflected the sunlight, turning the forest into a sea of light and shadow. Despite its beauty, Silverwood had a foreboding air, as if it were holding secrets that no map could ever capture. Margo stomped up to Elias, her face red with frustration. "Elias, where are we going?" she demanded, her voiceced with impatience. "We''ve been walking for months, sleeping in forests, caves, and every ufortable ce you could imagine. We''ve fought magical beasts and nearly died a dozen times. I need a real bed!" Elias didn''t turn to face her, his eyes still scanning thendscape as if searching for something only he could see. His voice, calm as ever, carried over his shoulder. "I didn''t ask either of you to follow me, Margo. You both came of your own free will, remember?" Margo''s fists clenched, her knuckles turning white. "That doesn''t mean I don''t get toin. You''ve been saying for weeks that we''re ''almost there,'' yet here we are, in the middle of nowhere. I''ve had enough of your vagueness." Elias sighed, finally turning to face her. "We''re close now. I promise. Our first destination is just ahead. You''ll soon have a proper ce to rest." "Right," Margo scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You''ve been saying that since we left Eldoria. Even the map says we''re still in the middle of Silverwood." The map in Margo''s hand crinkled as she shook it for emphasis. The dense forest surrounding them stretched on endlessly, the silver glow of the trees offering littlefort. It was both beautiful and alien, as though they had stumbled into a different world. Sarah, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "It''s been eight months, Elias," she said, her voice carrying an edge of usation. "And you still haven''t given up my sword. I''ve been patient, but how much longer do you expect me to wait?" Elias nced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Patience, Sarah. You''re the one who lost the sword in the first ce, or have you forgotten?" Sarah''s eyes narrowed, and she let out a frustrated hiss. "I haven''t forgotten," she muttered. Elias held up a hand, signaling them to slow down. "I know you''re both tired and on edge. But I swear, in the next fifty paces, we''ll reach a hospitable settlement. A remote vige." Sarah frowned and exchanged a look with Margo. "That''s impossible," she said, her voice t. "The map doesn''t show any vige nearby. At our current pace, it would take us five days to get to the nearest one, and even that''s not a remote vige." Elias just smiled, a sly, knowing smile that sent a shiver down Margo''s spine. She knew that smile all too well. "Oh no," she muttered, "I''ve got a bad feeling about this." Sarah raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What''s with that smile, Elias? What are you plotting?" Elias shrugged nonchntly. "I''m proposing a deal." Sarah''s curiosity sharpened into suspicion. "What kind of deal?" "If we get to a vige within fifty paces," Elias said, his voice calm butced with challenge, "you''ll teach me your Ironde swordsmanship. And I''ll also discipline you for doubting me." Sarah''s brow furrowed. "There''s no way I''m teaching you my Ironde techniques. Forget it." Margo, standing off to the side, nodded in agreement. "Wise choice." Elias, however, wasn''t done. His eyes glinted mischievously. "You sound awfully confident, Sarah. Almost like you don''t think it''s even possible. But a true warrior never doubts themselves. Are you sure you''re as strong and sure as you think?" Sarah''s ears twitched at the remark. Her pride was solid, and it burned brighter with every word. She stepped closer to Elias, her gaze fierce. "I am a true warrior, Elias. I''ve worked harder than you could ever imagine to be one." "Then act like it," Elias said, his voice lowering to a challenge. Sarah growled in frustration. "Fine. What do I get if I win? And what exactly do you mean by ''discipline''?" Margo groaned audibly and palmed her face. "Sarah, don''t even¡ª" Elias, ignoring Margo, continued. "If you win, I''ll give you your sword back. And I''ll teach you how to optimize your mana usage so that you won''t exhaust yourself using the Ironde technique again." Sarah''s eyes lit up at the mention of her sword, her most prized possession. The idea of getting it back, and mastering the mana technique that had eluded her for so long, was too tempting. There was no way she could lose this bet. Elias''s grin widened. "As for discipline...well, I''ll choose your punishment for being wrong. I have a wide range of options." Margo shook her head in disbelief. "Sarah, don''t. He''s up to something. You know he is." But Sarah was already too far gone, driven by her desire to reim her sword. "I ept," she said, her voice firm. There was no way she could lose. Elias had miscalcted this time, and she was sure of it. Elias pulled out a scroll from his inventory , a contract already written on it in neat, flowing script. "Just to make it official," he said with a smile. "And I''ve added a use. Whoever breaches the contract won''t be able to hold a sword for a month." Sarah narrowed her eyes, but she signed it with a flick of her mana. Margo, groaning, followed suit. She was all too familiar with Elias''s contracts. Thest time she had signed one, she had ended up on the receiving end of his punishment¡ªa memory that still made her wince. She rubbed her backside unconsciously, and Elias''s grin widened. "Let''s get this over with," Margo muttered. She nced at Sarah. "You really shouldn''t have agreed to this." "Toote now," Sarah said, determination in her voice. Elias gestured ahead. "Margo, count the paces." Chapter 142 : Unlosable Because And so they began to walk, counting aloud. "One, two, three, four¡­" The tension built with every step. Margo''s voice rang out with the count, and Sarah''s heart raced as they approached the fiftieth step. At the forty-eighth step, Margo stopped briefly, looking around. "There''s still no vige, Elias." Sarah''s eyes gleamed with victory. "Two more steps," she whispered under her breath, excitement bubbling up inside her. She could already picture her sword back in her hands, and the newfound mastery of her mana swirling within her. Elias remainedposed, his face unreadable. "Just two more," he urged, taking the forty-ninth step. "Fifty!" Margo called out as they all took the final step in unison. In that instant, the world around them seemed to shift. The sky darkened briefly, the silver light of the forest dimming before brightening again in a sh. When they blinked, they found themselves standing at the entrance of a small, bustling vige. The air was filled with the sounds of lifeughter, the chatter of merchants, and the ttering of hooves. Sarah''s jaw dropped. "What the¡ª?" Margo groaned loudly, palming her face again. "I knew it. Elias was up to something." Elias smiled innocently, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Wee to the vige," he said, gesturing towards the busy streets. Sarah was speechless, unable toprehend how they had arrived in a ce that hadn''t been on the map. Sarah''s mind raced as she stared at the bustling vige before her, struggling toprehend how they had arrived in a ce that, by all ounts, shouldn''t exist. Just moments ago, they were in the heart of Silverwood, surrounded by its shimmering silver trees, with no sign of civilization in sight. Now, they stood at the entrance of a vige that wasn''t even marked on the map. Her heart pounded in her chest as suspicion gnawed at her. She took a step back, expecting to return to the familiar, eerie glow of Silverwood''s trees. But instead, she was still in front of the vige, as though some invisible barrier had sealed them in. "How¡­?" she murmured, her brow furrowed in confusion. She took the map from Margo, who handed it over without a word, clearly sharing in her bewilderment. Sarah unfolded the map, scanning it again with growing frustration. It still showed them in the middle of Silverwood, nowhere near a vige¡ªcertainly not one this lively and well-established. "This doesn''t make sense," Sarah said, her voice tinged with disbelief. She ran her fingers over the map, checking for any illusions or enchantments, but it seemed perfectly ordinary. Margo nced at the map, then at the vige, before giving Elias a wary look. "You did something," she muttered, her voice low with suspicion. "Didn''t you?" Elias, as always, smiled calmly, his expression annoyingly unreadable. "I didn''t do anything. Not directly, at least." "Then how are we here?" Sarah demanded, her voice louder now. "We were in the middle of the forest¡ªthere was nothing here! And now, suddenly, this vige appears out of nowhere?" Elias shrugged as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "Magic works in strange ways, Sarah. You know that better than anyone. Besides, didn''t I say we''d reach a vige in fifty paces?" Sarah clenched her fists, still holding the map. "This isn''t magic¡ªit''s something else. I don''t know what you''re ying at, but we''re still in Silverwood, ording to the map. How can we be here when we''re supposed to be there?" Elias turned, his back to them as he began walking towards the vige. "You can stand there trying to puzzle it out, or you can follow me and get some rest. We''ve been walking for eight months, after all. I think we all deserve a proper meal and a bed that doesn''t feel like it''s made of rocks." Sarah stood frozen for a moment, torn between her distrust of Elias and the overwhelming desire to rest. Margo looked between the two of them, clearly reluctant but exhausted enough to follow Elias''s lead. "Come on, Sarah," Margo sighed. " For now, I just want to sleep without worrying about a magical beast gnawing on my foot." Sarah hesitated, then exhaled deeply, realizing she didn''t have much of a choice. Her muscles ached, her mind was foggy from the constant travel, and the thought of a soft bed was almost irresistible. She folded the map and tucked it away, giving Elias a dark look. "Fine. But you owe me an exnation." Elias chuckled softly. "I''ll exin¡ªafter I get a proper bath. You wouldn''t want me to share suchplex details while covered in dirt, would you?" Without waiting for her response, Elias strode confidently into the vige, his posture rxed, as though he hadn''t just pulled them through some kind of mystical trickery. Sarah gritted her teeth but followed closely behind, her hand never far from the hilt of the temporary sword she carried. The vige, though small, was vibrant. Wooden houses with thatched roofs lined the cobblestone streets, and the air was filled with the scent of roasting meat and fresh bread. Vigers bustled about, attending to their daily routines as if the arrival of three outsiders was amon urrence. Children ran past,ughing as they chased one another, while merchants called out their wares from stalls along the road. Despite the outward appearance of peace and normalcy, Sarah couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. It was too perfect, too picturesque¡ªlike a scene pulled from a dream. Elias paused briefly, his eyes scanning the vige with a flicker of something¡ªwas it caution? He quickly hid it behind his usual grin. "Don''tpletely let your guard down," he said over his shoulder. "Just because it looks peaceful doesn''t mean it is." Margo sighed loudly. "Great. Just what I wanted to hear." She looked around warily Sarah''s unease only grew as they walked deeper into the vige. Every now and then, a viger would nce at them, their gaze lingering just a second too long before returning to their work. There was something about their expressions¡ªtoo polite, too¡­calm. "Elias," Sarah said in a low voice as they passed a group of women chatting by a well, "what''s really going on here? This vige doesn''t feel right." Elias didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he walked toward what appeared to be the vige inn, a modest two-story building with a sign that read ''The Hearth''. The innkeeper, a stout man with a graying beard, smiled warmly as they approached, wiping his hands on his apron. "Wee, travelers," the innkeeper said. "You look like you''ve been on the road for a while. We''ve got plenty of rooms avable, and the baths are ready if you''d like to freshen up." Elias smiled back at the man. "Thank you. We''ll take three rooms and¡ªyes, definitely the baths." Sarah watched Elias interact with the innkeeper, trying to read his bodynguage for any sign of deception. He seemed perfectly at ease, but then again, Elias was a master at hiding his true intentions. Once they were inside, Elias turned to Sarah and Margo. "Get some rest. I''ll exin everything after we''ve had a chance to settle in. You can teach me your swordsmanship after that, Sarah. A deal''s a deal." Sarah crossed her arms, still not entirely convinced. Elias''s smile softened, and for a moment, there was something almost genuine in his eyes. "I always keep my word, Sarah. You''ll have your answers soon." Without another word, Elias headed towards the baths, leaving Sarah and Margo in themon area of the inn. Margo slumped into a nearby chair, rubbing her eyes. "I hate him sometimes, you know that?" Sarah sighed and sat beside her. "Yeah, I know." Still, she couldn''t shake the feeling that they were stepping deeper into something far more dangerous than Elias was letting on. Chapter 143 : Deadfish Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation. Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water. He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow. But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung. The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bathhouse had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. "Ugly fucker" Elias said and he looked upon the head of the fish But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. Chapter 144: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation. Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water. He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow. But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung. The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bathhouse had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. Chapter 145: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation. Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water. He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow. But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung. The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bathhouse had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around the Chapter 146: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation. Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water. He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow. But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung. The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bathhouse had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety , their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 147: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation. Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water. He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow. But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung. The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bath house had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. Chapter 148: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation. Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water.He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow. But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung. The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bath house had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. Chapter 149: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation. Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water.He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow . But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung. The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bath house had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. Chapter 150: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water.He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow . But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung. The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bath house had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. Chapter 151: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water.He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow . But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung.The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bath house had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. Chapter 152: Chapter 143 : My summon Margo and Sarah stood at the entrance of the bathhouse, exchanging looks before Sarah gave Margo a nudge. "Come on, I really need this," Sarah urged with augh. "I can''t let Elias alone enjoy this ce, it has been eight months." Margo sighed. "Fine, but don''tin to me if we walk into something¡­ ufortable." She couldn''t shake off the feeling that there might be some kind of mishap, but she didn''t want to deny Sarah her much-needed rxation. As they pushed the door open and stepped inside, the thick steam from the bath enveloped them. The room was arge, natural hot spring. The water was crystal-clear, with steam rising from it, and rocks lined the edges. The setting was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow their group on the road. In the water, Elias was lounging against a smooth stone, his arms stretched out. He looked up as he heard their entrance, raising one hand in a weing gesture. "Hey, you two. Took you long enough. Come on in, the water''s perfect." As Elias raised his arm, his body lifted just slightly from the water, and in one smooth motion, he rose to stand. In doing so, he revealed his cock,pletely unaware of his exposure. Margo and Sarah''s reactions were immediate. Both of them turned their heads away, hands flying up to cover their faces. "Elias!" Sarah shrieked, her face turning crimson. "Put that thing away!" Margo''s voice followed in a much more measured tone, though it was clear she was holding backughter. "Seriously, Elias? Cover up." Elias blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What''s the¡ª" He nced down, and the moment of realization dawned on him. His face flushed, and he immediately dropped back into the water, submerging his lower half beneath the soothing surface. "Oh. Right. Sorry about that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh-huh," Margo said, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing in the girls'' bath anyway?" "This isn''t the girls'' bath," Elias replied, pointing over at a sign near the door. "It''s unisex. See?" Both Margo and Sarah nced over at the sign, where the universal symbols for male and female were printed side by side. Margo raised an eyebrow, while Sarah huffed, clearly still embarrassed. "I don''t think I''mfortable with this," Margo muttered, turning to Sarah. "Maybe we shoulde backter when he''s done." Elias shrugged. "Hey, that''s your call. But, you know, I''m not going anywhere for a while. I thought we could rx. After everything we''ve been through, I think we deserve it." Sarah let out a long, drawn-out groan. "I can''t wait any longer. I swear, if I don''t get in that bath right now, I''m going to go insane." She took a step forward. "Elias, close your eyes." Elias immediatelyplied, raising both hands to cover his face. "Alright, alright. Eyes are closed." Sarah kept her eyes on him for a moment, making sure he wasn''t peeking before finally disrobing and stepping into the water. As her body sank into the warmth, she let out a soft moan of satisfaction. "Oh wow¡­ This feels amazing." Elias chuckled. "Told you it''s good. How about you, Margo? You''re the only one left standing. The bath won''t hurt you, and besides¡­" He smirked. "You''re supposed to be my protector. How''re you going to protect me from way over there? What if a sea creature attacks me or something?" Margo crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but her lips twitched in amusement. "There''s no sea creature in this bath, Elias. And I can protect you just fine from where I stand." Elias tilted his head, grinning. "But it''d be a lot easier if you were in the bath. You know, just in case." Margo sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But you have to close your eyes again. And if I catch you peeking, I''ll make you regret it." Elias quickly mped his hands over his face again. "Noted." Margo undressed efficiently, her movements methodical. She knew Elias wouldn''t dare peek. He wasn''t foolish enough to test her patience. She slipped into the water next to Sarah, letting out a contented breath as the warmth enveloped her. For a few moments, the three of them were silent, basking in the serenity of the hot spring. The water bubbled gently, the steam swirling in the cool air, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It was Sarah who broke the silence first. "So, Elias, how did you know this vige was here? I mean, the map didn''t show it, right?" Elias, still with his eyes covered, let out a soft chuckle. "Actually, the map does know. If you check it now, I''m sure the vige is on there, and we''re in it." Both Margo and Sarah exchanged doubtful nces. "That''s impossible," Margo said. "We checked multiple times." "We all took a huge leap across the continent. It''s just taking a while for the map to process and register where we are." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "A huge leap?" "Teleportation," Margo interjected, catching on. "Right?" Elias nodded. "Exactly. We triggered a teleportation circle." Margo frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "How did you know it was there? You didn''t seem surprised when wended here." Elias scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I had a reliable source tell me." He didn''t want to tell them that he had learned all this from years of ying [Arcane Days] "A reliable source?" Margo''s suspicion deepened. "That''s pretty vague, even for you, Elias." Sarah, catching onto Margo''s skepticism, chimed in. "Yeah,e on, Elias. Spill it. What aren''t you telling us?" They began swimming toward him, closing in on either side. But before Elias could respond, Margo suddenly paused, her expression shifting. "What''s wrong?" Elias asked, noticing her hesitation Margo nced down at her foot. "Nothing, just felt¡­ something." She shrugged it off, the slight sting barely registering as pain. But Elias was already on high alert, his eyes scanning the surface of the water. That''s when he noticed it¡ªa faint ripple, moving beneath the water''s surface. Something was there. Something fast. And it was heading straight for Sarah. Without thinking, Elias lunged forward. "Sarah, get out of the water!" he shouted, his voice urgent. Sarah froze, confused by his sudden change in demeanor. "What¡ª" Before she could finish, she felt it too¡ªa sharp sting on her thigh. Her eyes widened in shock. Margo was next. Her body seemed to slow, her limbs bing heavy as she copsed into the water. "Shit," Elias muttered under his breath. He watched as the tiny wave made its way toward him now, the creature clearly not done with its attacks. There was no time to waste. Margo and Sarah were both submerged, and if he didn''t act quickly, they would drown. Elias reached into his inventory and summoned his sword. Flying out of the water, then boiling or freezing it would have been the best and optimal option, but Margo and Sarah were still in there. He had to deal with the creature first. "[Perception]" Activating his skill,a strange rity washed over him. It was as if a third eye had opened, allowing him to sense every movement in the water.He could feel the way the liquid shifted around the creature, visualizing its form in his mind. It looked like a shark, but with grotesque tentacles instead of fins, and it had no eyes¡ªits sockets were sunken and empty. A deadfish. Elias gritted his teeth. "A deadfish¡­ great." As the creature swam closer, Elias tightened his grip on his sword. He knew stabbing wouldn''t work; the deadfish''s body was too slick, and it could shift its organs to avoid a fatal blow . But that didn''t mean it was invincible. He switched his stance, gripping the sword with both hands. The creature came within range, and with one swift motion, Elias swung.The de cut through the water with precision, slicing cleanly through the deadfish''s slippery hide. Elias''s powerful sh tore through the water, but the force didn''t stop there. The sheer intensity of his swing, caused an explosion of energy that reverberated through the bathhouse. The deadfish''s body was bisected, but the shockwave sent by the sword cleaved into the rocks surrounding the bath as well. The stone wall behind Elias cracked with a deafening *boom*, fissures spiderwebbing across the surface. Part of the bath''s rock edging splintered and crumbled, chunks of stone breaking loose and plunging into the water with heavy sshes. Steam rose as the hot water sloshed violently, spilling over the bath''s rim and flooding the surrounding floor. Arge section of the wooden frame that held up the ceiling groaned under the sudden impact. One of the support beams split, sending a cascade of splintered wood and dust crashing to the ground near the far corner of the room. The ceiling sagged slightly as the structure struggled to bear the weight, and a section of the roof copsed, leaving an open hole through which the sky could be seen, The tranquil bath house had turned into a scene of partial ruin, the damage from Elias''s strike both brutal and strong. For a brief moment, the bathhouse was eerily silent, save for the soft ssh of water as Elias steadied himself. He exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as the creature''s body floated to the surface, lifeless. But therewas no time to celebrate. He immediately dove toward Margo and Sarah, pulling them both to safety, their unconscious bodies cradled in his arms as the water churned around them. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!