"I know. Because I'm not the one who's supposed to ambush you."
Fleur answered him with the same mocking expression on her face. Clearly, she's enjoyed putting down someone like that guy.
Upon hearing that, it immediately made the Dark Elf Transcendent alerted, his Dark Energy circulated around him to prepare for any possible scenario.
However, he's already too late.
Stab!
"Y-you—Kuh! What's this…?"
The Dark Elf Transcendent questioned as he groaned in pain. His head looked down at the source and his eyes landed on his own abdomen. The blade of a sword was currently protruding out of it. His own blood dripping out from the sword's pointed tip.
Boom!
A few seconds later, even before he could react to the stabbed sword in his body, a muffled sound of explosion could be heard coming from inside him. Naturally, it was my Energy Explosion.
Boom!
And another one. The Luxian Transcendent behind eased up as he watched the terrible fate of the one chasing after him. The two daggers in his hand dropped down. In his eyes was a clear admiration to what I showed him.
Boom!
After three muffled explosions, I stopped counting and pulled out the Willful Sword that was stabbed from his back.
The same as how it smoothly stabbed him, pulling it out was the same. And along its way out, more Energy Explosions were planted.
Ever since they showed up in the area, I already flew up and positioned myself near him. The reason why everything that happened was caught in my eyes.
Of course, I'm in a concealed state. Using it on both Fleur and me, the ambush was planned out like that.
The Luxian Transcendent holding off on using his Purification Spell to appear weak in the Dark Elf's eyes.
Fleur's sudden appearance which looked like she was trying to ambush him but ultimately failed.
Those were for the sake of that one unguarded sword stab coming from yours truly. Even if he tried to gather his Dark Energy in a bid to prepare for an attack, engulfing him within the Nullification Zone instantly weakened his energy and with my Energy Control, parting that away was easily done.
The excited Willful Sword on my hand that was covered in his blood showed a new trait. The Dark Aura which merged with the Dark Elf was being absorbed by him and like the Lightning Dragon from the Transcendent Endurance Trial, the sword was trying to incorporate it into itself, enhancing its own body even without my instruction.
"N-no… I… I can't die here…! Not like this…!"
The Dark Elf indignant voice reached my ears. I sent a glance to see his state.
His eyes finally discovered me, an utter dread and regret filling it. But even that was too late.
Within my Nullification Zone, given that he's seriously injured from the stab and the continuous explosions that still hadn't stopped, there's no way for him to gather more of his Dark Energy to activate a skill or ability that could save him from his current fatal situation.
And by the time he uttered that word. The Energy Explosions which occurred inside his body has already numbered more than twenty. If his exploded innards failed to kill him, the excited Willful Sword is always ready to send him to the afterlife.
If he died from that, this will be my first kill of a Transcendent. But yeah, it doesn't really affect the big picture that much.
"Sir Great Protector!"
The Luxian Transcendent exclaimed. He's also unaware that I was concealed at the area so upon seeing me suddenly showing up behind the Dark Elf, he was just as surprised as him.
"Good job following my instruction, Rael."
I tapped his shoulder and praised him and at the same time, I used both Spirit and Physique Boosts on him.
When he felt that, the veneration in his eyes grew.
"Thank you for the blessings, Great Protector!"
Right. Those two skills were recorded in their Scripture as a type of Blessing. For them to be this zealous in an impromptu Church built by that girl to serve me in this present, I'm really amazed.
She might be able to create more elaborate setups in the future, I'll remember this talent of hers.
"What do we do now, Daisuke?"
Fleur asked. She flew over and rejoined us.
The Dark Elf Transcendent already fell down to the ground. He still has his last breath. However, with the state of his abdomen, he's already lucky enough that the explosions failed to break his body in half. If he's not treated as soon as possible, his fate of dying will be locked.
Well, killing him is what I really intended but if they can get something from him before he dies, then I'm in favor of preserving his life for a bit longer.
"Let me take him back to Aves, Great Protector, Mistress. We might learn something from him. The Church has methods to squeeze out information from a dying man."
Rael answered her. The title of Mistress was already plastered on her and she already stopped minding about it.
…What kind of Church did you build? I guess they have their own version of Inquisition. Either way, his suggestion sounds plausible.
"Alright. You do that. Remember, kill him as soon as you feel a threat coming from him. Even if he looks like that now, we shouldn't underestimate these Transcendents from a higher world."
"Understood!"
Rael acknowledged. He instantly flew down to pick up the tattered body of the Dark Elf Transcendent.
Just a little while ago, he's confidently chasing after Rael but now, he'll be wishing for his death soon.
As we watched them flew to the direction of Aves. A Communication Spell from Sofiel arrived. She probably only has time to respond from the earlier report of Rael.
After telling her what happened and how her subordinate was about to bring a half-dead Transcendent for them to interrogate, the woman on the other side became speechless. It's not even half an hour and we already took down a Transcendent.
In place of me, Fleur detailed what happened with a certain excitement in her voice.
Upon looking at her eyes, I could see that she really felt elated with what happened. Before my arrival here, all they suffered was defeat after defeat against Benedict and Marina.
This time though, even if she's not the main reason for that Dark Elf's fall, taking down a Transcendent is probably a milestone for her. The suppressed emotion of not being able to avenge her dead master and another fellow Transcendent was somewhat abated by this event.
After reporting to Sofiel, we both went back to the valley to continue watching over the two Doors of Transcendence.
Though she expressed her desire to set up more ambushes, I reminded her that not everything would go as smoothly as that.
Fortunately, she's listening to me. If not, she might make some drastic moves from that success.
Once they realized that one of their Transcendents went missing, they will surely put their guard up.
Until we're not sure of their entire forces and the location of the Portal, confronting them head-on is still a no-no. I will not risk my Companion's life for an uncertain situation like that.
-
-
Hours passed and the sky turned from blue sky to the dark blue night sky.
The Dark Energy wave continued and Arland already expressed his concern about the panic that was rising from the lower-ranked Humans.
Not just him, Elementals and Luxians possibly have the same concern.
Compared to when there are only two Transcendents from the enemies, the situation of those not as good at their Elemental Pathway will surely be overwhelmed with the number of Transcendent Battles that will happen soon.
"The Elemental Monarch I left in charge of the forest while I'm away contacted me. The wave of energy made the people restless and now most of them were crazily cultivating their Elemental Pathway for a chance to survive."
Fleur said as she returned to my side.
I guess the Elementals were full of enthusiasm, eh? That's better than the Humans from the city. They should take that as an example.
There's only a handful of Grand Magi to the Humans due to the deaths of the 14 elites that Arland sent on that mission. Those below, there should still be a sizeable army of Mage which came from the refugees who joined the city.
With the enhancement of his Defensive Formation, those not covered before were now included. If an army of Dark World and Noxian Mortals arrive again, they can now fight comfortably inside the city.
But yeah, the Humans of this world aren't like the Elementals. Even at the near-extinction of their race, there's still a lot who after graduating from the Academy stopped pursuing to further their Elemental Pathway.
"That's good for them. What about you? Have you calmed down?"
"Un. Thank you for the reminder. I got excited when I saw you easily take down one of them."
"It was with your help, you know? If we get another chance like that, I will let you do it."
"It's fine. I remembered what I needed to do. Also, I've decided…"
Fleur suddenly trailed her voice. I looked at her eyes and there's more than just her determination in it.
"… There's a possibility of me to end up in the same state as that Transcendent. That being the case, I decided to stop restraining this interest I have in you. Daisuke, can I still become your Companion?"
Upon hearing her words, a smile was naturally placed on my lips. She finally came around… to explore the emotion she never felt before.
"You can. And I am always hoping for it to happen. You just need to ask yourself, can you entrust your life with me?"
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