Despite his preparation, Rogue showed panic as the explosive feather shot toward him. He sidestepped too slowly—his hand was slashed, leaving a bloody gash.
The flesh began corroding, sending excruciating pain through him.
He clamped his other hand over the wound, burning the rotting flesh to suppress it. Rogue’s face paled. “Who’s there!”
“Of course it’s me, Rogue. Today is your death day!”
Eris stepped out of the shadows. This meeting was nothing like their last. Now, he wore a dark robe, gripping a black staff. Its magic warped the air around him.
Rogue had issued the challenge. He came ready to fight to the death.
The vines created a perfect battlefield. The demons watching him had been sent away. Whatever happened here, Lady Aria would never know.
The final outcome: Rogue would die on human territory, while Eris worked at the Demon Lord Fortress.
Having planned everything, Eris’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
Rogue gripped his elven staff, his face grim. “I didn’t expect you’d actually dare to strike. Aren’t you afraid of Lady Aria’s wrath? If I die here, you know your fate.”
Eris frowned. He didn’t understand why Rogue spouted such nonsense.
He had created this duel and opportunity himself. Wasn’t it to settle the score here?
What was he saying now? It was all irrelevant.
He sneered, “Only you and I are here. No need for words. Today, you die!”
As soon as he finished, Eris chanted a spell before Rogue could react. Instantly, his body transformed into countless small crows, spreading everywhere.
Rogue cursed inwardly. Eris acted like it was life or death, but Rogue knew this was likely just a clone.
In the Demon Lord Fortress, Eris’s cunning was well-known.
If not for this perfect chance with Rogue outside, Eris might not have risked it.
Both were just playing roles.
Facing the swarm of crow clones, Rogue didn’t act rashly. Just as he avoided close combat due to his mediocre swordsmanship, he knew finding Eris’s real body was hard without a giveaway.
Planting his staff on the ground, Rogue began chanting a defensive spell. But Eris’s magic was faster. Not just the terrifying feathers—numerous laser beams warped the air around them.
They shot at Rogue from all directions. Giant buds sprouting from the ground were easily pierced. Rogue scrambled around clumsily.
Elven magic communed with nature spirits. Rogue summoned elementals, but their attacks were useless against the crows.
So far, he had acted like a weak elven priest. His rare offensive spells relied on summons.
Smoke and explosions spread outward with imposing force. The vines blocked the center view, but to nobles and guards outside, it was terrifying.
The aura unique to a Legendary made the guards unable to stand.
After all, they were only levels two or three.
A Legendary killing them would be as easy as eating and drinking.
At the vine center, dust settled. Rogue was covered in wounds, appearing powerless. Panting heavily, he seemed a moment from being finished.
Too weak.
Compared to their last encounter, he was as weak as an ordinary human. No swordsmanship traces, only defensive magic. He looked like he was stalling for rescue.
Though Eris didn’t know Rogue’s plan, if this was all…
“Die!”
The crow swarm lunged at Rogue, closing in—then exploded.
The blast, more terrifying than before, shattered vines. Dust covered the city wall section.
In the dust, Rogue quietly switched weapons. A longsword glowing with blue light in hand, he murmured coldly, “Sword Skill: Three Thousand Water Streams!”
The blade blazed blue. Mist gathered in the air. Eris couldn’t see Rogue’s movements—only flashes of light, as if countless Rogues swung swords. Each crow was sliced in half before exploding.
The attached magical aura dissipated completely.
And that blue light streaked toward Eris’s real body!
“Impossible!” Eris reverted to human form. A gray shield appeared before his staff, barely blocking Rogue’s thrust. A moment slower, and his heart would have been pierced.
The Rogue before him smirked. “The act is over. I challenged you because I’m confident I can kill you!”
“You think you can?” Eris’s face twisted in anger, then madness. “O great Lord of Darkness and Shadow, I offer my life and flesh as tribute! Descend upon me and blot out the endless light!”
A terrifying aura erupted from Eris. Rogue had no time to react—he was hit, sent flying backward. He vomited blood, streams spraying from skin wounds.
Rogue crashed to the ground, soaked in blood.
“Hahahaha, Rogue! What can you fight me with now!” Eris’s blood-red wings fully spread. His body grew from under two meters to five meters tall, muscles bulging, dark aura swirling.
Rogue pushed himself up with his sword. High-level healing magic staunched minor wounds. “No wonder Aria pursues Deity. Just this aura makes it hard to breathe.”
“I know exactly what Lady Aria wants from you. I’ll offer your memories to her, and she’ll shower me with endless favor!” Eris took a step forward. The ground sank. His aura blew away surrounding wooden houses. Nearby guards exploded instantly.
The commotion reached the castle’s center.
Ilidian and Higor, still fighting, turned with horrified looks. The fake Legendary old man they battled looked terrified.
What was happening over there? Why was the aura so chilling!
“My lord is in danger!” Ilidian and Higor shouted in unison. They abandoned the old man, rushing toward Rogue’s direction.
Securing the elven slave was second priority. First was Rogue’s life!
The human old man didn’t chase—he fled immediately. Staying meant death!
On the battlefield, Rogue gripped his sword with both hands, one knee bent. He looked at the confident Eris, a smile on his blood-streaked face. “Eris, this sword tells me I can easily slay you. Do you believe it?”
“Hahahaha! How can a mortal slay a god? This is Divine Power!”
