The Author's POV

"Khhuakk.. auhk"

"It's futile."

Jezebeth beamed as he gazed at the Protector, who was in his grasp. The look of utter disbelief and despair on their faces brought nothing more than joy to Jezebeth, who wanted to savor the moment for as long as possible.

…There was once upon a time when he looked at them with the same gaze.

They reminded him of his past self.

"Hm?"

Shhhh―! He suddenly became aware of a powerful force moving in his direction from the right. Jezebeth didn't even bother to look at the attack and instead simply raised his hand in response to it.

Clank―!

The blade came to a stop on Jezebeth's hand, and dark blood dripped from his palm. Even though it hurt a little, Jezebeth didn't pay the slightest bit of attention to the discomfort.

He just wanted to take in their expressions.

…He couldn't get enough of them.

"Come now. Don't struggle anymore when the results are already set in stone."

He secured his grip on the sword and pulled it with his hand.

"Akh."

As the second Protector fell forward, he reached out with his free hand and grabbed hold of her neck, firmly securing it in his hand.

"Ah… Now, this… this is a sight I would die for."

Two Protectors… and they were both in his grasp.

Rumble―!

Just as he was savoring the view, the space around him began to warp, and four massive fissures appeared.

The massive sun that was facing him shrank, and within the cracks that were created, four figures materialized.

There were two orcs and two dwarves in the group.

Jezebeth experienced a tremendous amount of pressure almost immediately after they made their appearance. Greater than what the two Protectors he was holding in his hand had previously given him, and almost caused him to lose his hold on them.

"Demon King."

The space filled with the sound of a voice that was both ancient and ethereal. It belonged to one of the Orcen Protectors.

The sight of him made Jezebeth smile even more, and his head lowered.

"Ah, if it isn't the Protector of the Seat of Patience."

Ignoring Jezebeth's words, the Protector's icy gaze passed over Jezebeth before pausing on the two Protectors that he was holding in his grasp. His brows were drawn together, and the tone of his voice conveyed obvious dissatisfaction.

"Let them go."

"Oh."

As the eyes of the two Protectors in his hand changed, Jezebeth's expression shifted to one of obvious dissatisfaction.

…The despair and horror that were previously clouding their faces were gone.

'What pity.'

He nodded his head.

"Okay."

Crack. Crack.

his hands, and the bodies of the two Protectors vanished from within his grasp as they disintegrated into yellow particles that floated in the space

"Come."

yellow orbs materialized in his hand as he extended his thin finger, and he observed

wonder what this

he tried, he just couldn't figure out what

absorb them, but they were not something that he could absorb, which was unfortunate given that the power that was concealed within them was something that could have helped

well give this to

though he was unable to absorb them, that did not mean they were useless to

one was capable enough and studied them properly, they'd be able to

to learn a bit about the

'But is two enough?'

seven clans and only two orbs…

looked up at the other Protectors, whose expressions had become distorted

the skin on their bodies began to peel off. A tidal wave of power gushed forth from each of their

"You'll pay for that."

of them muttered in unison. Their voices in sync with one

"Oh."

He'd heard

at the four Protectors while he

those yellow orbs

***

[Planet Idoania]

verdant paradise was the planet where the elite elven force had decided to settle in. It was a strategic point, strategically

and crystalline rivers that sparkled in the sunlight. It was a breathtaking sight, a world that could make

a deep shade of blue, without a single cloud in sight, and the air was perfumed with the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass. It was an idyllic paradise, where the soft breeze carried the songs of the birds and the rustle of the

this paradise was not meant

refreshing scent of flowers faded, replaced by a repulsive, iron-like scent that slowly took over the

stained the verdant grass

"Huak!"

"Ehk!"

the air, and the ground

war had taken over the entirety of

this

by three elven warriors, who seemed to

and her brows furrowed at the sight of a silver streak

Xiu!

and just in time, she caught a glimpse of

sprang forth from her body, and just as she was about to retaliate, she sensed multiple attacks coming

"Tsk."

her tongue and stopped whatever

brought her hand forward, and a

thick. The arrows came, and like the

But that was it.

Tik. Tik. Tik.

"That's it?"

gaze over the elven warriors who

a nonchalant look before waving

"Hey wha―huak!"

one of the elven warriors turned

atmosphere froze. The elf snapped out of it and gazed

"What just happened?"

muttered, his eyes wide with

Puchi!

his chest before he could

filled with disbelief. His figure fell to the ground shortly

Thump!

her eyes, he was the most

I handle

smile crept up on her pretty features. Twirling her body toward the elven warrior in the distance,

"He―"

She witnessed the elven warrior suddenly fall over from the tree branch they were standing on, and a head slowly rolled in her