Chapter 254: The Arrogant White Star Sage 4
Ramiro and the others forcefully rose despite their injuries upon hearing Elton's strange and unexpected voice. Whatever skill he had used had struck indiscriminately, affecting everyone present. Ramiro strained as he forced the ki within his body to surge, releasing a powerful roar that partially offset the terrible mental pressure weighing down on his nearby allies.
"Oi, Elton! What the hell are you doing?!" Ramiro shouted loudly, though Elton was far too distant to hear him.
"W-Wow… so the Sect Master really has come. Though his vibe and methods are a bit…" An expert affiliated with the Lion's Spearhearts jolted awake alongside many others, his gaze locking onto the distant Elton with a mixture of fear and admiration.
Elton's appearance alone caused chaos in a single sweep.
Elsewhere, John Soloman, who had arrived with the main Soloman clan force, stood trembling in disbelief. Shock and even a trace of fear filled his gaze as he watched the scene unfold. He could not begin to comprehend what he was witnessing, nor the feelings stirring within him. Nearby, figures familiar with Elton such as Sarkies Soloman and other clansmen who had only heard legends of his exploits were equally baffled.
"…He's already a Mortal Lord? And a Middle Stage Mortal Lord at that?" a Soloman clan Mortal Lord muttered, his face pale.
Similar reactions spread through the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, the Aka Boshi No Tengan clan, the Fae Spirit Alliance, and numerous other sects and clans. Even forces under various kingdoms were left in stunned disbelief.
Aeloria herself froze for a moment before bursting into laughter, like a bloodstained flower blooming defiantly on the battlefield. "Fufufufu, Oh, Margrave Elton Solman. Future divine guardian of the Fanged Elf Tribe. Regardless of whether it is you or 'you,' I am satisfied."
'Elton' looked down smugly, his disdainful expression dripping with arrogance. Then he frowned slightly, as if puzzled.
"Hey… what is this? Did this Sage not give a command to the ants below?" he muttered. A look of pure disgust twisted his face before he shouted with even greater force. "THIS SAGE TOLD YOU TRASH TO BEGONE!!!!"
The giant projection of Elton warped violently as his roar unleashed a horrific shockwave. White lightning and flames appeared to distorted the surrounding space as thunder crashed again. Panic surged through the battlefield as chaos intensified. Experts trampled over one another, and even some allies attempted to flee as if driven mad.
Golden Lord and Mortal Lord experts from both sides desperately tried to restore order. Capable practitioners unleashed spells and techniques to stabilize their comrades, yet the scene felt like an inescapable nightmare.
One of the Soul Tier Native experts snarled in fury as he charged toward Elton, riding atop a large plated device in the sky. His suffocating power pressed down on the battlefield. 'Elton' merely glanced at him with a faint smirk, not a shred of fear in his eyes.
The Native's heart jolted as he barely dodged a sudden strike. A sharp ringing echoed as blood burst from his side. He grimaced in pain.
"You actually dared to attack this incredible Junior Brother of mine in front of me? Do you truly wish to die that badly?" Rukia's voice rang out coldly as she appeared where the Native had been moments earlier, a bloodstained sword in her hand.
She sheathed the blade and grasped the staff floating beside her. Her face went completely expressionless as a terrifying killing intent erupted, causing experts across the battlefield even far in the distance to shiver. Late Stage Mortal Lords and even Soul Tier experts broke out in cold sweat.
"A-Aetherial Lord Rukia, please!" a Pristine Soul expert from the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect pleaded urgently.
"Haaah? Why stop her?" 'Elton' scoffed casually. "This Sage is her 'beloved Junior Brother' after all. Besides, there are still far too many eyesores here that deserve execution."
He turned around and seized the unconscious Mortal Lord demon woman behind him. White lightning crackled in his palm as he struck her body repeatedly. "Hey, you demon slave woman. This Sage needs you to tend to his needs."
The Bright Brilliant Blade Sect's Pristine Soul expert froze, utterly dumbfounded. "W-What? Wait, Sect Master Solman—"
The demon woman, Taurawnack, jolted awake with a shrill cry. "Heeeee!! S-Stop, please! It hurts!"
'Elton' stopped and smiled arrogantly. "Oh, so you are awake now, riiiight? This Sage grants you permission to massacre fleeing enemies—Native, demon, or any other trash that opposes this Sage. I will grant you some of my power, so do not fail me."
"W-What?! That's treason! Hunting my own comrades—" Taurawnack cried desperately before flinching as 'Elton's' hand crashed toward her head. "N-Nooo!! I will do it! Please, don't!"
"Haaah? Quit whining, you lowly demon slave. Did this Sage not say he would grant you power?" 'Elton' sneered. His palm pressed against her head as a torrent of power flooded into her body. White lightning and flames wrapped around her like armor. Her body convulsed as an expression of twisted pleasure overtook her face. "Now go. Carry out this Sage's will."
"Aaaahnn! T-This power! I will obey, my Sage!" Taurawnack screamed ecstatically as she leapt from Orochicanda's head. She fell like a shooting star, laughing maniacally as terrifying killing intent poured from her.
The two badly injured Late Stage Mortal Lord demons and the Pristine Soul demon stared in disbelief mixed with fury. They knew, however, that touching Elton was impossible.
The Pristine Soul demon released a heavy sigh. He retrieved an object and poured his energy into it. A deep bell-like sound rang out, mixed with agonized roars that spread for miles. The moment demons heard it, regardless of location, they began a full retreat.
Seeing this, the two Pristine Soul Natives also signaled a withdrawal. The White Star Radiance Alliance refused to let either force escape easily. Relentless attacks rained down upon the retreating enemies.
"Oi, flying serpent. Have your demonic beasts give chase," 'Elton' ordered coldly as he leapt onto his Blue Heavenly Star Destroyer and shot into the distance, killing intent blazing.
Orochicanda shuddered but immediately relayed the command. His demonic beasts surged forward, slaughtering all enemies not affiliated with the White Star Radiance Alliance.
Cursing inwardly, Orochicanda followed after Elton. Instinct told him that the safest place to avoid death was beside that walking calamity himself, guarded by Late Stage Mortal Lords and Soul Tier experts alike.
…
The Late Stage Mortal Lord demon fighting Boorme Soloman fled desperately, his body riddled with wounds. A grim expression never left his face as he dodged deadly attacks from multiple directions.
With a violent shudder, he stomped the ground, generating explosive friction that launched him away. A heavy sword-ki slash tore through the space he had occupied moments earlier, carving the landscape without resistance. The demon snarled as a barrage of beams slammed into him. He struggled to defend with sword and ki alike.
"Demon, why flee now?" Boorme's calm voice echoed as he charged forward, massive sword in hand, towering ki and whistling winds trailing behind him. "Did I not tell you that you were not my match? With so much backup hunting you down now, you stand even less of a chance."
The demon roared as demonic ki surged through his blade. He struck Boorme head-on. A thunderous collision erupted, sending shockwaves rippling through the land. Once again, the demon was forced back, barely stopping himself as blood streamed from his wounds.
Another devastating wave of attacks crashed down upon him, leaving him with even less room to defend.