As Linggis leaped into the air, the dark energy gathered in his hands radiated an overwhelming pressure, as if the entire area would be destroyed in an instant. Elyssia prepared her high-level magic, a bright blue magic circle spinning in the air with an intensity that could rival Linggis' power.
However, before either of them could unleash their attacks, something unexpected happened. A golden light, soft yet filled with immense power, shot down from the sky, striking Linggis' back with incredible force.
"BOOM!"
Linggis' body was flung like a ragdoll, crashing into the ground with such force that it created a massive crater. Before he could rise, a large boulder crumbled from the cliff, falling onto him once more. Dust filled the air, covering the battlefield.
Elyssia lowered her magic, stunned by the sudden presence. From within the golden light, a woman emerged with an undeniable aura—she was the Goddess enshrined in legend. Her long hair shimmered like liquid gold, and her eyes radiated a calming yet authoritative glow.
"Goddess?" Rin gasped, instantly falling to her knees without hesitation. "Why... have You appeared here?"
The Goddess did not respond to Rin. She walked forward gracefully, her steps carrying an air of divine presence as she approached Elyssia.
"You are truly stubborn, Elyssia." Her voice was gentle but carried an undeniable weight. "This battle must end."
Elyssia stood her ground, though her face showed a flicker of surprise. "Goddess... Why appear now? Linggis is a real threat. He destroys everything, kills without mercy. I must stop him before more lives are lost."
The Goddess shook her head slowly, her gaze calm yet firm. "You are mistaken, Elyssia. Linggis is not the threat you believe him to be. He is merely defending himself. This is all part of the Demon King's scheme to sow chaos among you."
Elyssia narrowed her eyes, not entirely convinced. "Defending himself? He attacked relentlessly. He killed that man—" Elyssia gestured toward the lifeless body of a naive man lying in the distance. "—and nearly killed Seo and the others. You call that self-defense?"
The Goddess glanced at the fallen man before returning her gaze to Elyssia. "What you see is only a fraction of the bigger picture. The Demon King has been orchestrating this from the shadows, manipulating events so that you see Linggis as your enemy. Even that man's death was designed to provoke you, to make you believe Linggis is a threat. But the truth is different."
Elyssia remained tense, clearly still skeptical. "Then what is the purpose of this scheme? What does the Demon King gain from creating this chaos?"
The Goddess let out a long sigh. "He wants to weaken you, Elyssia. Not just physically, but also your conviction. By creating conflict between humans and beings like yourself, he hopes to divide your strength, ensuring that when the time comes, you will not be strong enough to oppose him. Linggis is merely a tool in his plan, just as you are."
Seo, still lying on the ground, looked up weakly. "So... Linggis... isn't the villain here?" His voice was hoarse, barely audible.
The Goddess turned to him and gave a gentle nod. "No. Linggis is only trying to survive. He never asked to be part of the war between demons and humans. But because of his immense power, he became the perfect target for the Demon King's manipulation."
Elyssia clenched her fists. "Then why doesn't he speak? Why does he choose to attack rather than explain his situation?"
The Goddess offered a faint smile. "Because this world has never given beings like him the chance to speak. When he tries to explain, he is called a liar. When he defends himself, he is called a threat. Linggis knows that no matter what he does, he will always be seen as an enemy."
Those words left Elyssia silent, her gaze gradually softening. Yet, her mind still swirled with doubt. "So what should we do now? If all of this is the Demon King's plan, how do we stop him?"
The Goddess looked deep into Elyssia's eyes. "First, you must let go of your hatred toward Linggis. Do not see him as a threat, but as someone who is also a victim. Second, you must prepare for the real enemy—the Demon King. Because this is only the beginning of what he has planned."
Elyssia clenched her fists, then nodded. "Alright. But if Linggis shows any signs of danger again, I won't hesitate to take him down."
The Goddess gave a small smile but did not respond. Instead, she turned toward the spot where Linggis lay buried beneath the massive boulder. Her gaze was gentle yet filled with unspoken meaning, as if issuing a silent warning to the being beneath the rubble.
"For now, end this battle," the Goddess declared, her voice echoing across the battlefield. "Focus on the true enemy. Your time is running short."
With that, the Goddess slowly faded into golden light, leaving behind a battlefield now wrapped in eerie silence—only the sound of labored breaths from the remaining warriors filled the air.
Though Linggis remained unseen, his presence still lingered, a shadow that weighed heavily on Elyssia and the others' minds.