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.

they disintegrated into yellow particles that floated in the space in front of him,

"Come."

hand as he extended his thin finger, and

wonder what this

but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't figure out what it was that they

given that the power that was concealed within them was something that could have helped him become

well. I might as well give

that did not mean they

one was capable enough and studied them properly,

to learn a bit about

'But is two enough?'

two orbs…

Protectors, whose

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

"You'll pay for that."

of them muttered in unison. Their

"Oh."

He'd heard it many

and stared at the four Protectors while he stuffed the two yellow orbs into

need those yellow

***

[Planet Idoania]

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

with lush forests, rolling hills, and crystalline rivers that sparkled in the sunlight. It was

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

was

The refreshing scent of flowers faded, replaced by a repulsive, iron-like scent that

the verdant grass as limbs

"Huak!"

"Ehk!"

air, and the ground shattered at

taken over

this chaos,

who seemed to be struggling

glowed mysteriously, and her brows furrowed at the sight

Xiu!

quickly moved her head to avoid the arrow, and just in time, she caught a glimpse of the

forth from her body, and just as she was about

"Tsk."

and stopped whatever she was

forward, and a small barrier formed

and like the sound of

But that was it.

Tik. Tik. Tik.

"That's it?"

who stared at her barrier

look

"Hey wha―huak!"

the elven warriors turned around

out, and the atmosphere froze. The elf snapped out of it and

"What just happened?"

eyes wide

Puchi!

him through his chest before he

look filled with disbelief. His figure

Thump!

he was

should I handle

on her pretty features. Twirling her body toward

"He―"

long as it soon froze. She witnessed the elven warrior suddenly fall