Chapter 166: First Act 35: Phase two

'Fuck... I let my emotions get ahead of me'

But seeing Elena coughing up blood like that made my body move instinctively, and I immediately jumped towards their direction. Elena and the princess loked at me with confusion, uncertain about my intentions.

The high-grade potion in my hands felt fragile, almost shattering undeor the pressure of my trembling fingers.

Although my sole purpose was to heal Elena, the reality was that I was currently playing the role of the Villain.

Kindly giving her a potion would only lead to more confusion, potentially jeopardizing the plan we had in motion.

But I really wanted to hug and apologize to her right now....

"Saintess, Princess!"

Tristan's urgent shout echoed from the distance. He swiftly dodged an attack from the Orc Lord and dashed right through, closing the gap between us in a matter of seconds.

It didn't take him more than a few moments to reach us. With concentrated mana on his blade, he executed a powerful slash towards me.

Of course, I anticipated the move and manifested a portal behind me, teleporting out of harm's way just in the nick of time.

As the portal closed, I reappeared a short distance away, maintaining a cautious distance from Tristan.

The confusion in Elena and the princess's eyes mirrored the turmoil within me. I had to suppress the desire to explain my intentions, knowing that clarity would only hinder the larger plan we were orchestrating.

"Are you guys, okay?"

Tristan immediately asked the princess and Elena, his eyes searching for me. His gaze wandered around before making eye contact with me again. I hadn't teleported far away, making it easy for him to spot me.

But, damn it, I dropped the potion.

The high-grade concoction lay shattered on the ground, a glimmering red shimmer near the princess and Elena.

The princess's calculative green eyes scrutinized me, clearly curious about y identity'

Elena's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the shattered potion. The revelation seemed to puzzle her, leaving her with questions.

'I'm not busted right?'

"Who is that?" the princess inquired; her gaze still fixed on me.

"I don't know... but there's a highly likely chance that he was the perpetrator in all of this," Tristan responded, his suspicion evident in his tone. Well, he wasn't entirely wrong. However, couldn't they pay attention right now? The Orc Lord was approaching, and there were more pressing matters at hand.

"Watch out!" Alex's urgent shout interrupted the conversation. A flying axe hurtled toward them.

Clang...! Tristan managed to deflect the axe with a swift strike, but the weight of the weapon still seemed to affect him.

Immediately, the Orc Lord attempted to rush towards them, but Alex intercepted it with relentless attacks.

Aria and Bella joined the fray, seamlessly coordinating their efforts despite fighting together for the first time.

Their teamwork was flawless, and it became apparent that these individuals, despite their differences, worked perfectly in tandem.

Tristan seized an opportunity to strike, advancing to cut the Orc Lord's head, only to be blocked by one of its four powerful hands.

His quick decision-making showcased a pragmatic approach, acknowledging the futility of focusing on me for the time being, as I remained motionless.

Meanwhile, I began gathering mana into my hands, condensing it to form four powerful mana bullets.

Tristan noticed my actions, but before he could react, I unleashed the projectiles.

The four purple streaks streaked through the air, and Tristan's eyes widened in realization.

However, it was too late for any counteraction as the mana bullets raced toward their intended targets—Aria, Bella, Alex, and the princess.

Explosions erupted upon reaching their supposed destination, but a simple celestial magic altered their trajectory.

Instead of hitting their initial marks, the shots redirected toward me with a speed even I couldn't register properly.

The battlefield became a chaotic dance of magical energy as the explosive shots closed in on me.

Expressions of amazement and realization filled the faces of everyone present.

"Can I borrow that?" Bella's question broke their awe and tension.

....

I couldn't ascertain whether it was accidental or intentional, but somehow Aria had managed to employ the reflection spell.

Despite dropping a subtle hint just moments ago, her confused look at the staff and the Orc Lord suggested that this time, it was more of an accidental occurrence.

Understandably, she had every right to be bewildered, considering the staff had reflected the shots not intended for her just a while ago.

As much as I wanted to extend congratulations on their apparent victory, a lingering sense of anticipation held me back. The battle was far from over.

Clapping my hands, I materialized just a few meters above the defeated Orc Lord. Seated on the crumbling floor, I looked down upon the party.

My mask concealed any emotions, and a perpetual smile adorned my face.

Tristan, ever vigilant, assumed a martial position, ready for a potential attack. However, the ground beneath us trembled once more.

The reddish aura of the Orc Lord enveloped its body anew, and its flesh and muscles convulsed, intertwining and condensing in a grotesque display.

Tristan and the others stepped back, repulsed by the nauseating sounds of merging bones and flesh, and even the foul smell that accompanied the transformation.

In a matter of moments, a small black cocoon formed around the spot where the Orc Lord had fallen, pulsating with an ominous red glow.

"Destroy it!"

Tristan commanded, recognizing the ominous signs.

The realization dawned on them—Phase two of the battle was about to begin.

'Sorry, but you'll handle this on your own this time, Tristan. I wonder if the goddess would participate in his little experiment of ours'

I snapped my fingers, and multiple black portals materialized under their feet.

"What—?"

Alex wondered but before he could question, they were all falling.

In an instant, everyone was swallowed by the shadows and transported to a different place.

Only Tristan remained, poised with his sword upfront, facing the emerging threat from the cocoon.

Tension, curiosity, and confusion played out across Tristan's face.

"Guys....?"

One thing was certain at this moment—he had to fight for his survival.

....

In the far distant northern edge of the empire, the skies trembled as a storm began to brew.

The horizon crackled with anticipation as green lightning sparked in the distance, and thunderous rumbles reverberated with each passing moment.

The atmospheric energy heightened, and the air became charged with an electrifying tension.

Suddenly, the thunderstorm exhibited an unprecedented speed, almost as if it were responding to some cosmic call.

At its center, a formidable being roared, its mighty voice echoing through the vast expanse.

Green eyes, aglow with sparks of lightning, reflected a mix of determination and anger that engulfed its formidable mind.

"How dare they harm my granddaughter!!" resonated a powerful thought within the being's consciousness.

The tribal communities of the north, deeply connected to nature and its mystical elements, would speak of the legend that unfolded on that day.

The skies bore witness to the majestic presence of the lightning dragon Azir, soaring with unmatched speed and fury.