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.

exerted pressure with 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 in front of him, leaving two yellow orbs

"Come."

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

what

curious about it, but no matter how hard he tried, he

given that the

well. I might as well give this to

them, that

the faint golden runes surrounding the orbs, if one was capable enough and studied them properly, they'd be able to come

subordinates managed to learn a bit

'But is two enough?'

and only two orbs… clearly, there weren't

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

began to peel off. A

"You'll pay for that."

muttered in unison. Their

"Oh."

heard it many times

shook his head and stared at the four Protectors while he stuffed the

need those yellow

***

[Planet Idoania]

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

was blessed with lush forests, rolling hills, and crystalline rivers that sparkled in the sunlight. It was a breathtaking sight, a world that could make even the most stoic

in sight, and the air was perfumed with the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass. It was an idyllic paradise, where 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 verdant

"Huak!"

"Ehk!"

and

taken over the

this

surrounded by three elven warriors, who seemed to be

mysteriously, and her brows furrowed at the sight of a silver streak heading her

Xiu!

the arrow, and just

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

"Tsk."

her tongue and stopped whatever

a small barrier

rather thick. The arrows came, and like the sound of

But that was it.

Tik. Tik. Tik.

"That's it?"

who stared at her barrier with a dumbfounded

them a nonchalant look before waving

"Hey wha―huak!"

the elven warriors turned around and

elf snapped out of it

"What just happened?"

his eyes wide with

Puchi!

chest before

filled with disbelief. His figure fell to the ground shortly after, and Angelica's gaze

Thump!

was the

I

crept up on

"He―"

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