When my attack easily destroyed Ivans, I saw his face morph into shock with traces of slight fear as he stared at the incoming sword wave, unable to move from pure astonishment. Once the attack hit, I wanted to smirk, but I doubted I'd be able to kill him that easily, and just as I presumed, instead of my purple sword wave continuing after slicing right through his body, it was brought to a halt before eventually getting destroyed.
"Tch, annoying, but whatever; it's not like I have a strong desire to kill him; he's just irritating." Muttered Elif with a frown as he shook his head and sheathed Hokori before storing it in his dimension ring.
With my display of power, I found it pointless for either of us to continue fighting; he may be the second strongest person I've come across, but I was still completely out of his league, seeing how he couldn't even block one attack without relying on artifacts to help him.
"Do you wish to continue fighting, Ivan? Or will you continue to waste both of our time in a battle with a predetermined victor?" Remarked Elif blandly while folding his arms as he eyed Ivan.
Floating down toward Ivan, who was holding his medallion, which protected him from my attack by surrounding him in an ethereal golden dome, landing beside him, I tapped on the golden dome while completely disregarding his presence, though I recoiled in pain.
'I don't know what I was expecting by doing that.' Thought Elif as he looked at the tip of his finger, which was burnt.
"Do you think you've beaten me, Elif!?" Exclaimed Ivan in unbridled rage as he eyed Elif through the golden dome.
"I know I've beaten you, Ivan; I'm not the one standing behind a protective artifact after all." Replied Elif lightly as he glanced at Ivan before turning around and walking toward Lucifer in the distance, still suppressed by Kalen.
While walking toward Kalk, or whatever his name was, I suddenly smirked in amusement as I disappeared from my spot, just in time to evade an attack by Ivan from behind. Appearing in a different spot, I eyed Ivan, finding his cowardly tactics amusing.
"Ho, attacking me from behind? I didn't realize the so-called honorable Prince Ivan of the Heavenly Empire was actually a coward; I suppose it's unsurprising; you're a human, after all." Remarked Elif with a justifiable nod while fanning himself as he glanced at the livid Ivan.
"It's your fault for turning around while in the middle of a battle; I merely took the opportunity that was presented to me, foolish Elf!" Stated Ivan angrily as he exited the golden dome, only to have a purple beam pierce right through his chest.
"I can't argue with that logic, Ivan; it is my fault for showing my back to the enemy, and it won't happen again. However, I will say you've got decent reflexes; if you hadn't shifted your body in time, that would've pierced your heart." Said Elif with an amused smirk while pointing his finger toward Ivan, who swiftly retreated back into the protective artifact.
Watching Ivan grab his bleeding chest in pain, I continued walking toward the angel, yet this time, I wasn't attacked from behind; stopping before Kolt, who had an ugly expression, I glanced at him before approaching the Angel.
"Ugh, Kalen; why are you just standing there!? Do something!?" Exclaimed Ivan angrily as he glanced between Elif and Kalen, though given his state, he didn't dare emerge from the golden dome.
"I know you can't do anything to me, Kalen, but how about suppressing your cultivation base to the same as mine? I wouldn't mind defeating both you and Ivan in combat." Remarked Elif with an arrogant smirk, one that angered both Kalen and Ivan.
I had hoped Kalen would heed my advice and suppress his cultivation base, but unfortunately, he didn't do anything other than glare at me, which was lamentable; then again, I have no doubt fighting against Kalen would've proved incredibly difficult. He has much more experience, is far more proficient in his techniques than me, and is far more knowledgeable in cultivation.
'Still, it would've been a good battle.' Thought Elif as he stopped before the angel.
With Kalen still suppressing the Angel, I couldn't do much, so I ordered, via divine sense, to have Illumia deal with him; if her smile told me anything, it seemed like she would enjoy it. Yet just as Illumia began nearing Kalen, he seemingly sighed in defeat as he suddenly disappeared, only to be seen standing beside Ivan inside his protective artifact.
"You've emerged victorious, Prince Elif, and the Angel is yours; we'll take our leave now." Stated Kalen solemnly as he grabbed a hold of the surprised Ivan.
"What nonsense are you spouting, Kalen!? I haven't been defeated yet!-" Said Ivan in anger, though Kalen merely looked at him in disappointment before vanishing from the area.
Raising an eyebrow at the sudden decision to leave, I look around and notice that most of Ivan's guards all over the city have also disappeared, meaning only our group remained.
"Well, that was sudden; you think his protective artifact was running low on Qi?" Asked Elif in confusion while glancing at the annoyed Illumia.
"I don't know, Your Highness." Replied Illumia dryly.
Ignoring what had just transpired, I turned around and glanced at the Angel, who was currently sweating while panting for breath, which was understandable considering he had been under suppression for quite some time. I waited until he regained his bearings, which didn't take long after he consumed a rejuvenating pill.
"Thank you for helping me, Prince Elif. It would've been very difficult for me to escape from them." Said Lucifer with a smile of gratitude while slightly bowing.
"What do you mean help you? You're mine now, and it's not like your situation has changed much; you're just under new management." Remarked Elif with a raised eyebrow while fanning himself.
"You may say that, but I can tell you don't mean it; in fact, from what I can determine, you've never had any intention to keep me as a slave." Said Lucifer with a friendly smile while looking into Elif's eyes, making him slightly uncomfortable.
"You've got me there; I have no desire to keep you as a slave; I was merely interested in you. Besides, I'm still undecided between killing you right now or letting you go." Stated Elif with a nod while eyeing Lucifer, who merely chuckled.
"You laugh at my words, but I'm sure, just like me, there is a part of you telling yourself to kill me." Added Elif with a frown, his words confusing everyone but Lucifer.
"You're correct, but even if that's so, I couldn't bring myself to harm the person who had practically saved my life; that's not the kind of person I am. Also, from the power you displayed against Ivan, I'd prefer not to make an enemy out of you." Remarked Lucifer with a slight shake of his head.
Although he said that, I could tell he wasn't necessarily scared of me; he must've had enough confidence in his strength to be able to escape from me, of course, without anyone intervening. Still, I didn't know what to do with him; there was a part of myself urging me to kill him as if he was some natural enemy to my very existence, yet, other than that, I didn't have any desire to kill him.
'Hmm, well, keeping him alive won't be a bad thing; besides, although a part of me wishes to kill him, another part is telling me it's not the correct time to do so.' Thought Elif as he glanced at Lucifer, ultimately deciding to spare him for now.
"Well, since I'm in a good mood, I'll hold back my desire to kill you for now, at least. However, while I'm sure you can feel it, there are still four other people like us, and they may not be as reasonable as me; granted, they won't be as strong as me either, so I suppose you don't have too much to worry about." Stated Elif with a smirk while looking at Lucifer before turning around and walking away once he finished speaking.
"I appreciate the advice, though before we part ways, the name is Lucifer: Lucifer Morningstar." Said Lucifer with a slight smile as he began to fly into the sky.
"Elif August." Remarked Elif with an amused smirk while Lucifer vanished into the distance.
'Heh, if there are still four other people just as powerful as him, it seems like the Realm Sect isn't going to be as boring as I thought.' Thought Elif while toward his carriage that had just arrived.
Stepping into the carriage and plopping on the comfortable seats, I watched Illumia, Idonea, and Marley follow right after the other as the three sat down opposite of me; however, before Zulo and Zala started pulling the carriages, I summoned Mandy as well.
"Yes, your Highness?" Asked Mandy as she hesitantly entered the carriage.
"Sit in Illumia's seat; I would like to discuss something, and you're required." Ordered Elif as he pointed at Illumia.
"What's the matter, your Highness? Does it have something to do with Ivan or Lucifer?" Asked Marley in confusion while glancing at Illumia in slight jealousy as she was now sitting next to Elif.
"Nope, it doesn't really concern them; it concerns you three, as a matter of fact." Replied Elif, his words surprising them.
"Us, your Highness?" Remarked Idonea.
"Yes. It's a discussion to decide how I should punish you three for actually thinking I'd give you away because, believe it or not, I'm slightly disappointed that you three had such little trust in me." Stated Elif with a slight frown while eyeing three women.
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Created a discord server, so if anyone wishes to join, it also works this time; I've reset it again, https://discord.gg/UDA82gq7 (Note: this link only lasts for one week)
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Elven Legacy (Chapter 174: Loving Intimacy) || Hero of Harmony (Chapter 55: Trauma No More) || One Piece: Chaos Kong (Chapter 87: The Grand Escape!) at [patreon.com/Ozonelayer691]