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

"Come."

his hand as he extended his thin finger, and

what this

no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't figure

that he could absorb, which was unfortunate given that the power that was concealed within them was something that could have helped him become more

I might as well give

he was unable to absorb them, that

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

managed to learn a bit about the

'But is two enough?'

two orbs… clearly,

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

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

"You'll pay for that."

one of them muttered in unison.

"Oh."

He'd heard it many times

four Protectors while

then… I need those yellow orbs

***

[Planet Idoania]

in. It

rolling hills, and crystalline rivers that sparkled in the sunlight. It was a breathtaking

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

paradise was not meant

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

the verdant grass

"Huak!"

"Ehk!"

through the air, and

over the entirety

this

warriors, who seemed to be struggling

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

Xiu!

arrow, and just in time, she caught a

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

"Tsk."

and stopped whatever

a small barrier formed

rather thick. The arrows came, and like

But that was it.

Tik. Tik. Tik.

"That's it?"

over the elven warriors who stared at her barrier with a dumbfounded

nonchalant look before waving

"Hey wha―huak!"

if tranced, one of the elven warriors

froze. The elf snapped out of it and gazed at

"What just happened?"

his eyes wide

Puchi!

his chest before

a look filled with disbelief. His figure fell to the ground shortly after,

Thump!

her eyes, he was the most

should I

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

"He―"

froze. She witnessed the elven warrior suddenly fall over from the tree