Legacy of the Dark Sage

Deception's body stiffened, not only from the pressure that suddenly fell from above but also from fear.

She knew who that voice belonged to and feared the judgment he would mete out.

No one knew she wanted to capture the new Dark Sage for herself until Ruin spilled the beans. If the ones who heard him were only the six Sovereigns beside her, she could still come up with a convincing lie to make it sound like Ruin was lying. If a normal lie was not enough, she could use her magic to make them change their perspective. Her magic was not powerful offensively, but in this type of situation, no one could top her— at least, no one among the six Sovereigns.

But he was different.

After all, he was one of the leading figures of the Radical Order.

Sovereign of Obstruction.

His magic could easily obstruct the magic influence of Deception.

"Deception," Sovereign of Obstruction's calm yet deep and power-filled voice shook the surroundings, creating an almost palpable ripple that affected the seven Sovereigns.

Surprisingly, Nolan and Ruin were not affected by Obstruction's aura. However, they still felt his strong pressure.

The truth, the reason they were not affected was simply because Obstruction directed his aura toward the seven Sovereigns— especially on Deception.

"You have truly caused an irreconcilable situation to the Radical Order."

"Argh!!" Deception let out an agonized wail as she fell to her knees. The rim of her eyes instantly turned bloodshot, and her breathing turned labored from the combined strength of Obstruction's magic aura and pressure.

"O-Obstruction! Y-You don't really believe what he said!" Deception tried to reason. "I will never do something that may hinder the order's goal!"

"There is no reason for Ruin to lie," Obstruction reasoned calmly. "Tomb warned us of your character and Flos made the right judgment to have me come here."

Deception ground her teeth.

Sovereign of Tomb was also a leading figure of the order and she was one of the members Deception stirred clear from. The two had known each other for hundreds of years and although they never fought before, and were civil with each other, they were also wary of each other.

As for Flos, he was the Radical Order's founder. He was a new Sovereign that only a few had seen in person. He was quite elusive but when he made a sound, it would usually cause a huge stir in almost all of the planes in the Lower Realm— which was owned by a Sovereign. It was all because his actions would always result in a radical event.

For example, Flos once entered a plane that the Coven deemed to be off-limits. It was said that the plane had a strange energy that was poisonous to Sovereigns and above. The Coven sent out a few of their members to investigate the plane but in the end, they announced it was a dangerous place and sealed it.

Due to the danger, the Coven did not place a guardian to guard the plane.

Flos made use of this and entered the plane. No one knew what he did inside, but it resulted in the plane's destruction.

In any case, if Deception looked at Flos's character based on his exploits, she was convinced he would not pay much attention to her. Unfortunately, she failed to recognize Flos's dedication to watching every member of the order.

Deception shook her head. This was not the time to think about those things. She had to find a way to convince Obstruction she would not do anything to hinder the order's plans.

"P-Please," Deception started. "W-Why would I even have designs on his prey? E-Everyone— not just me— would never want to get on Ruin's bad side—! AARGH!"

Even before Deception could complete was she was saying, the space around her distorted, and an almost visible hand grabbed hold of her.

"If you have anything to say, tell it to Flos," Obstruction said.

FOOM!

The distortion around Deception shrank, taking her along and in a blink of an eye, she vanished along with signs of distortion.

Toad could not help but break out in cold sweat. Though he was unaware of Deception's real goal, he had agreed to help her. Would Obstruction mete out another punishment directed to him?

"You can relax, Toad. Flos will only punish those who cause trouble to the order."

"T-Thank you..." Toad croaked, sighing in relief.

"However."

Toad's body tensed at once after realizing Obstruction was not done.

"You are to return and reflect on your lack of foresight."

"I-I— Guah!"

The space around him was also distorted and in a blink of an eye, he disappeared too.

Nolan, who was watching the events unfold right in front suddenly felt his scalp go numb.

He met mages using Space magic before, but Obstruction's magic might appear similar to it, yet felt different. At the very least, the magic energy that responded when the space around Deception and Toad distorted was different.

But that was not the reason Nolan had gone numb. It was the fact that Obstruction had used his magic without even revealing his location. There was not even a fluctuation of magic when he attacked. Such an attack would definitely be trouble— not just to him, but to Kyran and the others.

Basically, if a mage attacked without even a telltale sign that he or she made a move, it could be fatal to whoever his or her attack was directed.

"What's this?" Ruin suddenly let out a dry laugh as he flew— while still sitting cross-legged— close to the middle separating him and Nolan from the remaining Sovereigns.

Gemini and the four remaining Sovereigns squirmed at the approaching Ruin in fear he would suddenly use his magic on them.

"You're making such a huge scene just to take your people to safety?" Ruin continued as he stopped a few minutes after leaving him behind.

Nolan's eyes turned bloodshot as he glared at Ruin's back.

'F*ck. Don't interrupt him, d*mn it! If he wanted to take his people away then let him! The fewer there is the better chance I can work with Kyran and the others to defeat those remaining!' Nolan could not help but curse Ruin inwardly.

As if sensing his thoughts, Ruin turned to look at him with an odd expression.

Nolan only stared back with a slight smile. His expression was unreadable as always.

"You know such taunts won't work on me, Ruin," Obstruction's response brought Nolan and Ruin's attention back to the demons.

Ruin grinned and said, "It was worth a try."

"I had them retreat because of the mess they have caused. If you would allow me to enter the Human plane, I also want to retrieve Light. After that, we will talk again."

"Talk?" Ruin snorted. "But I don't want to talk to you."

"Ruin—!"

Ruin's aura and magic pressure erupted, seemingly fighting off Obstruction's own.

"If you want war. Come. Stop hiding behind your men."

Nolan's expression turned blank. This guy was acting as unreasonable as always! Even he— Nolan, known as a person who acts recklessly— felt Ruin's behavior was far too reckless.

If this was any other time, Nolan would not mind Ruin's behavior. However, their situation was somewhat different from normal.

There was only one Sovereign on their side while their enemies had five or six. They were clearly outnumbered.

Even if Nolan called for Kyran to help out, they were still short on people.

"There is no rush," Obstruction replied to Ruin's taunting. "Everyone is ready— thanks to you and your little friend here keeping them at bay."

Ruin's expression did not change from Obstruction's reply. However, his eyes glinted in anger.

"In the end, there are still six of them," Nolan suddenly said, directing his words to Ruin.

"You take three, I take three."

"Go f*ck yourself," Nolan replied to Ruin almost in an instant. "Don't spout the impossible."

"You can handle these small fries."

"True, but I don't f*cking want to. In the first place, I only have beef with that b*tch for setting her eyes on your prey. But to the rest, I don't f*cking care what they want to do in the Human plane."

As the two continued to converse, the five Sovereigns who were still enduring Obstruction's aura and pressure all felt indignation toward Nolan and Ruin.

How could they even converse and act relaxed in front of them? Were they not afraid to offend Obstruction? More importantly, why were they looking down on them?

The five of them were far stronger compared to Deception and Toad.

"Human," Obstruction turned his attention to Nolan. "You are wise. We have not come to wage war. However, we want to go down to the Human plane."

"To find that Light guy right?"

"Yes."

"I can find him myself. There is no need for you to come."

"That won't do."

"Why?"

"We also have some business to attend to."

"What?"

"That is none of your concern."

Nolan chuckled, "Then the answer is no."

"You do not have a choice."

"F*ck, yes, I do," Nolan replied, and also unleashed his magic aura and pressure.