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.

grasp as they disintegrated

"Come."

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

wonder what

matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't figure out

to 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

well. I might as well give this

to absorb them, that did not mean they were

and studied them properly, they'd be able to come to a subtle understanding

subordinates managed to learn a

'But is two enough?'

only two orbs… clearly,

at the other Protectors, whose expressions

shift, and as a result, the skin on their bodies began to peel off. A tidal wave of power gushed forth from each of their bodies, and

"You'll pay for that."

unison. Their voices

"Oh."

He'd heard it

stared at the four Protectors while he stuffed

need those yellow orbs of

***

[Planet Idoania]

was the planet where the elite elven force had decided to settle in. It was a strategic point, strategically positioned to hold back the

that sparkled in the sunlight. It was a breathtaking sight, a

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

was

ground shook, and the sky dimmed. The refreshing scent of flowers faded, replaced by a repulsive, iron-like scent that slowly took over the

and stained the verdant grass

"Huak!"

"Ehk!"

screams reverberated through the air, and the ground shattered at

war had taken over

the midst of this chaos, Angelica stood

was surrounded by three elven warriors, who seemed to be struggling to

mysteriously, and her brows furrowed at the sight

Xiu!

her head to avoid the arrow, and just in time, she

and just as she was about to retaliate, she sensed multiple attacks coming her way from

"Tsk."

tongue and

and a small barrier formed

and like the sound of someone

But that was it.

Tik. Tik. Tik.

"That's it?"

elven warriors who

them a nonchalant look before waving her

"Hey wha―huak!"

of the elven

The elf snapped

"What just happened?"

eyes wide

Puchi!

pierced him through his chest before he could

with disbelief. His figure

Thump!

her eyes, he was the most troublesome

should I handle

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

"He―"

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