Roar!
The approaching howl of the demonic wolf caused the Duke of Azuregold's brow to furrow deeper, yet his momentary displeasure swiftly vanished, leaving only a confident, composed smile for the spectators below.
A staff of pure azuregold materialized in his hand. With a mere flick of his wrist, the Duke conjured layered, heavy crystal blocks to encase the ethereal claws poised to shred his incorporeal form. Before they could reach him, the claws collided with a thick iron wall.
The same dull impact echoed through the arena as before, evidencing that the Duke had employed this technique to thwart Seraphina's earlier assault. However, while the previous iron wall had dissipated instantly, this one remained suspended in mid-air.
The reason was simple: his performance had begun, and the spectacle must be perfectly choreographed.
