Caught in the chaotic swirl of Aston and William’s clashing magic, Oren could only take a few slow steps backward. He wanted to retreat to safety. Just then, pained roars echoed behind him. Oren glanced back.
Countless non-human soldiers lay scattered on the ground—likely ambushed before they could react. By the time they understood, it was already too late. With the non-humans subdued, the two human factions gradually regrouped behind their leaders.
In moments, Oren realized he stood alone between the two groups, drowning under waves of murderous glares and wary stares.
*I just want to go home…*
Oren sighed inwardly. Suddenly, a voice cut through the tension from the Elvis side. Several knights dragged Lacres before Aston. Seeing Lacres’ face, Aston’s brow visibly furrowed.
“My lord, we caught this elf trying to flee.”
“Oh?”
Aston smoothed his black robes, eyes locking onto Lacres.
“What’s your name, mongrel?”
Lacres didn’t answer. He jerked his head up and spat straight at Aston’s face. The spit hit an invisible magical barrier inches away.
*Tch…*
Aston sighed heavily at the droplets clinging to the shimmering shield.
“Why does every race pull this stunt?”
*After getting spat on during my first interrogation, I learned the trick.* Straightening up, Aston barked at his knights:
“Take this elf to the rear. I’ll question him personally.”
“Hold on, Aston.”
William stepped forward abruptly.
“We request custody of this elf. Our laws will handle his interrogation.”
“Hah?”
Aston’s expression darkened instantly.
“Our princess suffered an incident on your soil. I haven’t held you accountable—that’s mercy enough. Now you demand I hand over a key criminal?”
He strode up to William, voice icy.
“Are you mocking us?”
Elvis knights immediately gripped their sword hilts, advancing. Oren grimaced, shuffling back. But William slammed his cane down and stepped forward.
“No. We uphold agreements between nations. Our criminals answer to our laws—not foreign ones.”
William’s soldiers mirrored the knights’ advance. Oren stumbled back again. Then Aston let out a cold laugh.
“Do you truly believe you have leverage to negotiate with me?”
“What did you say?!”
A knight suddenly roared:
“Agreements?! You’ll kneel before His Imperial Majesty soon enough! Learn your place now!”
Elvis knights erupted in laughter. Oren saw Ellen’s face flush with rage beside William. Her sword flashed free—but William bellowed:
“Ellen! Stand down!”
Too late. Elvis blades cleared scabbards with a chorus of *shings*. Enforcement officers drew weapons in response. Steel glinted as Ellen screamed:
“Alliance scum, get out of the Duchy!”
“Alliance scum, get out of the Duchy!”
“ELLEN!”
William’s shout went ignored. Aston raised his staff, voice thunderous:
“Whose will do we serve?!”
“His Imperial Majesty Elvis! The Great Elvis Throne!”
Knights brandished weapons eagerly. Aston slammed his staff down.
“Then who do you defy when you raise swords against us?!”
“His Imperial Majesty Elvis! The Great Elvis Throne!”
Amid roaring chants, Aston lifted his staff again, grinning fiercely.
“We are the Emperor’s blade! Where it points, the Alliance falls! Long live His Majesty!”
“LONG LIVE HIS MAJESTY!”
Knights charged. Enforcement officers surged forward behind Ellen.
*Ah, damn it all—!*
Oren scrambled to escape the coming slaughter. A blinding white flash erupted beside him.
“In the name of Irina Elvis—I command you ALL TO HALT!”
Irina’s voice boomed, utterly unlike her own. Aston and his knights froze mid-stride as if yanked by chains. For the charging Duchy soldiers, Irina slashed her staff downward.
*BOOM!*
A deep fissure tore open between the armies. Ellen’s troops halted warily. As both sides retreated, Aston murmured to Irina:
“Your Highness… why?”
“I’m sparing you further disgrace, Aston.”
Her tone was sharp, formal—no longer “teacher.” Yet Aston bowed deeply.
“Disgrace? I clear the path for His Majesty Isaerel’s rule. For Prince Genesis to inherit this land.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Irina pointed at the restrained elf.
*Him.*
Oren followed her gesture. Lacres watched the retreating soldiers, a mocking smirk on his lips. He whispered:
“Wretched races. We needn’t lift a finger.”
Then he lifted his chin, voice ringing clear:
“You’ll destroy each other soon enough. Wipe yourselves out.”
“Oh?”
Aston seized Lacres’ ear. A wind blade sliced through cartilage.
*Splurt!*
Blood sprayed. Lacres shrieked—his ear now crudely shaped like a human’s. Aston yanked his head up, grinning.
“Dare insult humans? Let me give you a makeover, mongrel.”
His staff cracked across Lacres’ face. Teeth shattered. Blood trickled from the elf’s mouth.
“Hey! You can’t just—”
Oren lunged forward—but Irina blocked him. She turned to William, voice low but firm.
“I apologize for how this unfolded. But your side drew steel first. Hand over the elf. Consider it restitution.”
“What?! How dare you—”
Ellen started shouting. William silenced her with a glare.
“…We have no defense. Take him.”
“WILLIAM!”
Oren yelled at the unconscious elf. William stomped his foot, snapping: “Silence, Oren!” Irina bowed slightly.
“Thank you for your understanding. Let’s go, Aston.”
“As you command, Your Highness.”
Aston released Lacres, wiping blood on his robes. He fixed William with a cold stare.
“We’ll meet on the battlefield, William.”
“May that day never come,” William murmured.
Aston turned sharply, leading his knights away. Irina faced Oren. Seeing his troubled expression, she offered a bitter smile.
“I’m sorry, Oren. I am Elvis’s princess.”
Her eyes held genuine regret.
“My duty is to my nation first.”
She followed Aston into the shadowed streets. Watching the Elvis knights vanish, Ellen whirled on William, furious.
“William! How could you just—”
*SLAP!*
William’s palm cracked against her cheek. He sighed, weary and disappointed, then looked at Oren.
“We’re leaving. Go back to your dorm, Oren. I’m in no mood to talk. We’ll discuss tomorrow.”
“Ah… alright.”
Oren sighed heavily as William walked off. He rubbed his face. Things were spiraling—and for no reason he could grasp, he couldn’t stand that mage Aston.
*What a pain…*
He dragged his palm down his face, muttering into the empty street.
"Well, still no place to sleep today..."
"You could just go back to the dorm."
"The dorm? Forget it... That place still has..."
But before Oren could finish, he froze. He should’ve been the only one standing here.
As he thought this, Oren quickly turned to look behind him. There stood Lia, blushing as she gazed at him and whispered,
"So? What’s still there?"
"Wait a minute..."
Oren stared at Lia’s face, stammering,
"You mean you’re asking me to..."
"Sleep with me."
Before Oren could finish speaking, Lia turned her head away, fidgeting shyly as she said it.
Watching her bashful expression,
Oren couldn’t help but marvel at how奇妙 fate truly was.
