Cellica's magic power surged from her body and immediately, a heavy pressure descended upon the area, causing Zestari to frown slightly.
Earthen spikes emerged from the ground and launched right at Zestari but High Elf just silently swung her sword and split them into harmless pieces of rock in a single movement.
"Hmm?"
Zestari then noticed that Cellica's arm on the floor was no more there but now in the Half-Elf's hand.
"Oh, that was your aim…"
The High Elf took a deep breath and infused deep dark magic power into her blade, causing it to radiate a black light as she took a battle-ready stance.
Seeing this, Cellica frowned as the fact that Zestari was preparing for battle, despite knowing even the residual aura from her attacks could end the lives of every elf within a kilometre of her, meant that the woman did not care for their lives at all.
'Whatever concealment method she's using, I doubt it'd prevent them from feeling our attacks. The fact that the people in the park were affected by my aura proves this.'
Cellica sighed with light exasperation, before holding out her right hand towards Zestari. A Sword appeared in her hand and five others manifested behind her, floating with their tips pointed to the sky.
Silence pervaded the area as Cellica's sword was slowly infused with her magic power.
"…"
"…"
The Half-Elf made the first move. She instantly swung her blade and released a wide slash of grey aura that surged towards Zestari. In response, Zestari swung her blade and blocked it, causing a momentary explosion of magic power which shone brilliantly.
When it died down, only Zestari was left standing in the centre of the park while Cellica had vanished.
This was expected as Cellica was not stupid to face Zestari in combat while missing an arm. That was just her asking for death.
So, running away was the wise choice, even if it meant confirming to Zestari that she was indeed, part of the Demonic Hand.
"To think I didn't aim for the head with the first strike…I've grown soft."
Zestari muttered to herself before sheathing her blade and then turning around. She tapped a bracelet on her arm and the artifact cloaking on her disappeared, allowing people to now realise that she was there.
However, they were too busy dealing with all the normal elves who had been knocked unconscious by the pressure of Cellica's aura to bother with her as she walked out of the park.
◇ ◇ ◇
Zestari returned to the Elverston Citadel, heading straight for Abigail's room and saw the teenage girl seated on the balcony and staring at the sun in the sky.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"You didn't kill her?"
"…"
The High Elf remained silent and seeing this, Abigail only smiled wryly. She expected this to happen, as even if she was a member of the Demonic Hand, Cellica was someone Zestari saw as a friend.
There was no way the woman would have been able to switch up and go at her like she would an enemy in an instant.
'So, it was Cellica Berzon, huh? Who would have expected that?'
Abigail was indeed supposed to be in the Jine-Alora duchy like Cellica had thought, but she had noticed a new group of people shadowing her movements and after capturing and torturing one of them, she discovered that they were sent to confirm that she was NOT in the capital.
Immediately after she made this discovery, Abigal proceeded to return to the capital to find out why their employer didn't want her present and the next day, she received a message from a certain being that made her go out into the main city.
[The 'Eternal of Tand Destruction' says a pleasant surprise awaits you in the city. He further states that it may not be so pleasant for your dear friend, though.]
'Indeed, it was not a pleasant surprise for Zestari.'
Abigail sighed and got up from her seat, before informing Zestari of her desire to return to Jine-Alora. The woman nodded and left the room to get the Imperial Family's mages to teleport them to their destination.
"Thanks for the tip."
[The 'Eternal of Tand Destruction' says that you are welcome.
He looks forward to your future 'entertaining' actions.]
Right after that message appeared, Abigail felt the pressure on her soul disappear, signifying that this being had taken his gaze off her.
She raised her hand and twirled a stream of iridescent energy around her fingers, thinking of the fact that this being had only taken note of her because she could perceive and manipulate this energy.The teenager sighed and put on her glasses, before walking out of the room to meet up with Zestari.
◇ ◇ ◇
Unnamed Mansion.
Jine-Alora Duchy
Beta Continent's Elven Empire
July 3rd
Year 1053
Abigail waltzed in right through the cantilever gates of this mansion like she owned the place. She gave a side glance at the defensive magic circles fitted around the compound and the destruction essence in her eyes made them shatter to pieces.
"Zestari, remindto fire the security company we hired.
If I can break these spells with a glance then they are weak."
The Princess spoke with a frown, before turning her gaze to the dozens of guards who had now surrounded her and Zestari.
At the centre of the guards was a burly man with tanned skin that had white tribal markings all over. Wielding a large great sword, this imposing 6 feet 5-inch tall man looked down on her with a cold gaze.
"HOW DARe you int…ru..de…"
The voice of the man at the forefront slowly reduced in intensity until it was barely a whisper.
The auras of a dozen Living Legends had locked onto him as if daring him to say another word and see if his head would not roll.
He was a Living Legend himself, but against 12 others of similar strength, he didn't stand a chance.
"Don't scare him too much, guys."
Abigail's voice rang out and the auras of the Living Legends disappeared, finally allowing the man to have sbreathing space.
"They wouldn't need to scare him if you'd entered like a sane person."
Zestari retorted, indirectly calling Abigail insane but the princess didn't mind it at all and replied calmly.
"It's my house, I can enter however I want."
She then walked up to the tall man in front of her and spoke.
"I know it's been a few years, but to think you forgot what I look like, Uncle Thrarr."
"…Abby?"
Finally, the man whom Abigail called Thrarr, spoke up, his voice unsure if the person he was looking at was indeed the one he knew.
"Oh wow, I said that as a joke, but you'd actually forgotten me."
Abigail looked genuinely hurt at this and the man was left lost for words. The beautiful young lady in front of him was in no way the sas the tiny child who used to jump on his shoulders and ride him like a horse when she was younger.
Zestari rolled her eyes when she saw this and flicked the back of Abigai's head.
"Stop messing with him."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAfter being dragged by Zestari into the mansion, dozens of servants rushed towards Abigail to greet her and she waved at them in response before asking a question.
"Sup guys. Where's Agnes?"
"…"
Immediately, the faces of the servants turned dark, and this made Abigail's smile vanish completely.
"Where's Agnes?"
She repeated her question but before the servants could even give a response, Zestari spread her magic power and scanned the entire mansion in an instant.
"It seems she isn't in the best of health."
"Huh? Agnes is sick? Is that even possible?"
Abigail's expression morphed into one of confusion, but it appeared even Zestari was at a loss on how to describe the other girl's condition.
"She appears to be wounded, but I cannot detect the source of the wounds."
"Well, let's go see her."
Even though the servants did not want Abigail to go see her, they could not stop the princess from doing what she wanted, especially since this mansion was her property.
She ran up the stairs and got to the topmost floor, before barging into the master bedroom and shouting.
"Sup bitch! I cto hang out but damn, you look horrible!!"
Those were Abigail's first words as she unceremoniously roused the white-haired teenager from her slumber.
"Your voice is certainly not the first thing I wished to hear in the morning, Abby."
"Is that something you should tell your Landlord? I can evict you from this house anytime, you know?"
Agnes sat up on the bed, running a hand through her scattered hair as she yawned a reply.
"The threat loses effectiveness after you use it a dozen times, Abby."
"…"
Abigail wanted to retort, but for a moment, she was taken aback by her friend's dishevelled yet captivating appearance.
Draped in a soft grey negligee, a tantalizing hit of her décolletage peeked through where a strap had slipped revealing a glimpse of creamy skin, untouched by the sun's rays.
With tousled hair and eyes still unfocused from sleep, she rubbed them gently while emitting a soft yawn, her demeanour exuding a charming innocence that was accentuated by her unintentional yet alluring disarray.
'I know I don't swing 'that' way, but damn…
This should never be shown to any guy.'