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.

with his hands, and the bodies of the two Protectors vanished from within his grasp as they disintegrated into yellow

"Come."

his hand as he extended his thin

what this

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

to absorb them, but they were not something that he could absorb, which was unfortunate given

well give this

was unable to absorb them, that

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

learn a bit about

'But is two enough?'

were seven clans and only two

other Protectors, whose expressions had become distorted after the deaths of the previous

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

"You'll pay for that."

of them muttered in unison.

"Oh."

heard

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

need those

***

[Planet Idoania]

decided to settle in. It was a strategic point, strategically positioned

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

with the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass. It

this paradise was not meant

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

the verdant

"Huak!"

"Ehk!"

air, and the

war had taken over

midst of this

who seemed to be struggling

glowed mysteriously, and her brows furrowed at the sight

Xiu!

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

her body, and just as she was about to retaliate, she

"Tsk."

and stopped

a small barrier formed

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

But that was it.

Tik. Tik. Tik.

"That's it?"

warriors who stared at her barrier

nonchalant look before waving her hand

"Hey wha―huak!"

tranced, one of the elven warriors turned around and

snapped out of it and gazed at the

"What just happened?"

muttered, his eyes

Puchi!

through his chest before he could figure out

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

Thump!

her eyes, he was

should I handle

up on her pretty features. Twirling her body toward the elven

"He―"

last for long as it soon froze. She witnessed the elven warrior suddenly fall over from the tree branch they were standing on, and