Because of the intensity of the clash between Nolan and Ruin's magic attacks, the two had subconsciously moved to a larger space.
After confronting each other for hours, the area around them had already been deformed. It was likely that any local who saw the surroundings would have trouble recognizing it. They might even think it was no longer part of the city. It was the proof of the power the two clashing mages had unleashed thus far.
Anyone who was aware of how long the two had been confronting each other would also believe they were already nearing their limit. However, neither showed any signs of exhaustion. As a matter of fact, both were as lively as ever.
The two had just destroyed each other's magic attacks— Ruin summoned a scourge that looked like a black snake with translucent silver wings while Nolan created a golem made of gold, silver, and obsidian, which ended up blowing each other after clashing for a few minutes— and now they kept a distance from each other.
After that, Nolan saw Ruin pause and look up to the sky before showing a sinister smile.
Before he could continue attacking, Nolan's eyes narrowed and he also glanced at the sky. His heart suddenly turned cold from what he had sensed.
"Did you also feel that?" Ruin suddenly asked while turning his attention back to Nolan.
Nolan did not respond. He simply looked back at Ruin with a grim expression.
Ruin's smile turned even more malicious as his red eyes squinted in glee, "No need to show such a scary face. I didn't call for them. I don't mind working with others, but I will never make a sneaky move as to call for others' help."
That was right. What Nolan had sensed were powerful auras approaching the Human plane.
As a mage who was on the verge of becoming a Sovereign, Nolan was far more sensitive to the auras of all existences outside the Human plane. Although he was not usually sensitive to them when he was with Kyran and the others because he deliberately sealed his magic, now that he had unsealed it, he could sense them clearly.
There were at least three powerful auras outside the Human plane.
One of them, Nolan was already familiar with. It was Deception, whom he had forced to retreat not long ago. As for the other two, he did not know them. But he had an inkling that Kyran might know them if he was there.
Nolan's guess was not without reason.
Kyran was more acquainted with Deception because of what happened in the Myedeo plane. Thus, Nolan guessed the other two with her were fellow Sovereigns that had some relation to that plane. They could also be related to Deception and Kyran from another incident, but the point was, they likely knew each other. Otherwise, she would not have convinced the other two to come help.
"I came here because I want to find my prey," Ruin continued, appearing quite relaxed while sitting cross-legged in midair. It was as if he and Nolan had not been fighting for hours but were only chatting like old friends. "That b*tch Deception swore to help find and take him without damaging his body, as repayment for my assistance in her plans to acquire the Myedeo plane."
A gust of wind blew sweeping Nolan's cloak. He only looked at Ruin in silence, seemingly with no intention of resuming their fight. As a matter of fact, he even appeared interested in what the latter had to say.
"But it seems, that b*tch has decided to go back on her words because she has also developed an interest in him."
As Ruin said these words, his aura turned cold and the air around him crackled as he affected the magic energies in the surroundings. A thought crossed his mind as he glared at Nolan again.
"You're not here because you're also interested in my prey, are you?"
"F*ck, no," Nolan finally replied grouchily. It was as if he would die if he did not get that cleared out. "I don't even know who your prey is."
"Then why did you come here and stop me?"
Nolan did not reply.
"Is it because of that person? The new prey I am interested in?"
Nolan remained silent.
"It doesn't matter if you don't tell me. Obviously, you cared about that person, and he happened to be related to my prey. However, I am only interested in taking his head and presenting it to my prey."
Nolan's brow twitched slightly after hearing Ruin admit what he wanted to do with Cade. But he did not make a move and simply continue to listen in silence.
"If that person is important to you, I can understand why you wanted to save him," Ruin continued with a slight shrug. "Anyway, you already saved him, and as you already noticed, my powers may be suppressed in this plane but you can't kill me. I think there is no point in us wasting our time."
"Now you're telling me that?"
Ruin chuckled and glanced at the sky again, "I only realized it after sensing those pesky guys above. Besides, even if we continue fighting, we will only end up exhausting ourselves and letting those b*stards take advantage of the situation."
He looked back at Nolan and smiled meaningfully, "Since you don't seem to be interested in my prey. How about we stop this nonsense?"
Nolan furrowed his brows, "You sound as if you have something on your mind"
"If I do, are you interested?"
"Cut the f*cking crap and get to the point."
Ruin smiled. But his smile did not meet his eyes.
"I'm proposing a truce."
When Nolan did not respond, Ruin continued. "Don't worry, I won't ask for something unreasonable. I won't ask you to surrender my prey. Knowing he is related to that person you saved, I won't be shameless as to ask you to surrender him.
"I will stop cooperating with the young b*tch, and can even offer my service to you— free of charge, of course. As long as no one else gets my prey but me, I'll help you hold back those three."
Nolan could not help but give Ruin a strange look. He had met quite a lot of eccentric people, but it was his first time meeting someone who could be this obsessive and possessive about his prey. What was even strange was that Ruin did not seem to be adamant about killing Kyran. Which kind of ruined the meaning behind calling him 'prey.'
So what exactly is it that Ruin wanted with Kyran?
"What do you even want with him?" Nolan could no longer help but ask. Still, he did not outright say Kyran's name because he did not understand Ruin's magic or where the latter came from. Names were very powerful and mages from some planes could curse their target as long as they knew their full name.
Spirits could do this, which was why the Royal Family had tried to hide the Crown Princess's real name.
Although Ruin might already know Kyran's name, there was still a chance the Crown Princess had not mentioned it directly or had given him a pseudo. In any case, there was no harm in being cautious.
Ruin shrugged.
His action made Nolan believe he would not answer his question. But the next second, he was surprised at his answer.
"He and I go way back— let's say about a thousand years?"
"Don't f*ck with yourself," Nolan scowled. "That kid is still wet behind the ears. What are you even saying?"
Ruin suddenly let out a hysterical laugh.
Nolan's expression darkened but he did not dare interrupt the latter because he wanted to understand.
"You're f*cking right," Ruin said as soon as he regained his composure. "I didn't mean him per se, but the him that lives inside him."
"What do you mean?"
Ruin looked at Nolan and smiled mischievously, "Since you know he is a kid, which is still 'wet behind the ears,' it means you really understand the situation far better than anyone."
Nolan fell silent. He did not refute nor deny Ruin's claims.
"However, I had a feeling that you people still don't know why the young b*tch is after him."
"Just get to the point," Nolan growled.
"That guy has something in him. He possessed something that the Soul Emperor wants. Of course, he from a thousand years ago did not possess it. Now, he does."
Nolan suddenly had a bad feeling. He more or less had a feeling that Ruin was talking about Kyran's bloodline. Or to be more precise, how he belonged to the Regis Clan, which gave birth to the Dragon Lord.
It made him remember the reveal of Rin being the Spirit Child and how she would give birth to a very special child but was shunned by the world.
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