Chapter 88: [88] Comfrontation

Eliron remembered it like it was yesterday. Not long after he gained his memories of Earth, this was one of the skills he had used.

This very spell that was the basis for the lie he now lived by.

[SSSR Skill, Storm Manipulation.]

The first time Eliron used this skill, he had not gained the lightning affinity, so all he could do was cause the lightning to appear, controlling it was still out of his reach…

But now—

BTZZZ!

Lightning coursed around the sky, begging to be released. The sky darkened even further, casting a shadow over the world, and down came the rain.

The water cascaded down the sky like transparent arrows, forcefully beating down on the floor with pitter-patter sounds.

The wind was frigid, blowing past them intensely and cutting right through their bones.

Eliron took in a long breath, exhaling steam. Then he waved his hand in the air, in one simple motion.

Drakili was frozen in place, too shocked to make a single move. Although his body was still regenerating, he was about to be bombarded with another strike.

One he would never wake up from.

“Y-you—!” He wanted to yell, to scream, to beg! But no words came out, save for a strangled gasp.

Eliron’s lips parted as he spoke. “DIVINE JUDGEMENT.”

The lightning coiled around itself, a dozen bolts of pure, livid rage racing down upon Drakili.

He stared up at the lightning, helpless, the white flash brightening up his vision as it came down.

’It is just like that day…’

The utter feeling of hopelessness, the perfect understanding that there was nothing you could ever do to save yourself…

Everything became white.

Smack!

“Wake the f*ck up kid! If you sleep in this cold you’re going to have frostbite!”

Drakili grudgingly stirred awake and blinked, seeing an endless landscape of white in front of him.

It was the day of the expedition. Drakili was the youngest member in the elite group of twelve, specially picked out by the elven lord.

“You’re going to crack my skull one of these days…” the young elf complained while rubbing his sore spot.

His face was blushed pink from the cold, and the constant blizzards made the journey anything but peaceful.

Drakeni, the elven lord, laughed. “I just hope you don’t fall asleep during our meeting. If you do, you’ll doom us all to death.”

He said it in a jovial manner, but Drakili knew it was anything but a joke.

After centuries of living at odds with each other, the high elves for the first time had actually called for a meeting to discuss a mutual way to move forward.

The wood elves were ecstatic. For so long, they had lived in the hardship of the forest, living off wild berries and whatever they could cultivate.

But the land was getting barren due to continuous farming.

Because they could not trade with any other nation, lest they upset the high elves, they were slowly spiraling down to their doom.

At least, that was the case, until Drakeni became lord.

“Pfft.” Drakili scoffed. “Those high elves think they are tough shit, but I bet you’ll floor them in five seconds.” He said smugly.

The only reason the high elves were even considering a negotiation was because Drakeni was a generational talent.

“With your one punch skill, you’re sure to bring any one down, hehehe!”

Drakeni pushed the little elf’s head down and sighed before ruffling it. “Ahh… what am I going to do with this kid?”

“He sure has an active imagination!”

“At least the lad’s healthy. When he hits 200 his bone will creak like an oak tree in summer, hahaha!”

The other elves teased from the sides as they made their way through the snow, the horses trotting slowly to pull the cart.

“Listen up little dragon.” Drakeni said, his voice serious. “I want you to become the next elven lord.”

“W-what?”

Drakili’s eyes widened. Being recommended by the lord was one of the greatest honors you could ever get.

But the elven lord was not done speaking.

“Now pay attention to me. There are two things you must never do.”

He raised a finger. “First, you must never turn against your kin.” He smiled. “We wood elves are a unity, we ride together, we die together.”

Then he raised a finger, this time there was no emotion in his eyes as he said, “Never cross the high elves.”

After one week of traveling through thick snow, the elves finally arrived at the location for their meeting.

Za-hen peak.

When they arrived, the high elves were already there. They had a big fire up, and had created buildings to house themselves from the harsh climate.

Yet, the wood elves did not dare warm themselves by the fire.

Drakeni hurried over to them and greeted their group, conversing amongst the leaders.

Amongst them was a man whose very presence filled Drakili’s heart with unease.

The man had long, pale blonde hair that almost resembled the snow, coupled with sharp golden eyes typical of the high elves.

As Drakeni spoke, the man did not bother to listen, he just lazily slouched on his chair as he stared into the fire.

“Yeah, yeah.” He yawned, cutting Drakeni off. “You were late because the blizzard held you back, that is your excuse is it not?”

Drakeni smiled politely. “Lord Gala—”

In a second, the guards had already drawn their weapons halfway.

Lord Galanhad raised a hand to stop them, but Drakili could tell that he was enjoying it.

He loved the way the other wood elves flinched at the sound of steel, he loved that if he wished, he could end their lives without a thought.

“Sorry, my subordinates do not take kindly to someone of your standing calling me by name.” He smiled.

Drakeni remained composed even in the face of mockery.

It was just the first day and they were already off to a rocky start. “What may I refer to you as then?”

Lord Galanhad shrugged. “Your Grace would suffice.”

Drakili’s expression hardened. ’How dare he?’

In terms of rank, while Galanhad was a mere Minor Lord, Drakeni was the leader of the entire wood elves.

His equal was the high elf queen, not this cold bastard!

He was about to take a step forward when one of the older elves held him back, shaking his head. “Calm yourself Drakili.”

“But Conrad!” Drakili whispered sharply.

Drakeni had picked him up when he was on the verge of death, when his family had been ravaged by monsters leaving him alone in this cold world.

Drakeni was all he had. How then could he remain silent when they bullied someone who was like a father to him.

But Conrad thought otherwise. “Shut up boy! Do you wish to put all our lives in jeopardy?!” He sharply whispered.

Drakili gritted his teeth and glanced at the other older elves.

All twelve of them were the best warriors in the village, people of repute, yet no one stepped forward to stop the injustice.

’Cowards… you’re all cowards.’ Drakili’s fist tightened by his side.

“You’ve wasted my time Drakeni.” Lord Galanhad said calmly, like a serpent tailing its prey.

He didn’t even bother to call Drakeni by his title.

The high elf sighed. “I have been out in this snow for days, my ears are starting to itch and my bones feel rigid.”

Drakili took one glance around the camp. ’Bullshit! They are basically living like kings!’

With earth magic they had built a shelter, and with fire magic they had a large fire that never ran out of fuel.

Drakeni bowed respectfully. “I apologize for the delay once more…”

“Hmm?” Lord Galanhad looked surprised. “I didn’t hear my title in that sentence, how am I to believe that was a sincere apology?”

“I did not think it was necessary…”

Now, even Drakili could tell his lord was doing his best to control his anger.

“Say it.”

A deathly silence fell over them.

Drakeni’s pride as an elf lord rejected the very thought of calling a minor lord Your Grace, yet, he had to swallow his pride.

“I am sorry your—”

“That is wrong!” Came a shrill voice, cutting him off. It was a voice Drakeni recognized all too well… Drakili’s voice.

Conrad immediately grabbed the boy, holding his mouth shut, but it was too late.

Lord Galanhad had fixed his gaze on him, his golden eyes so fierce that it was as though he could pierce through his soul.

“Let the boy speak.”

Conrad had no choice but to let Drakili go.

Drakeni was trying to signal him to remain quiet, but Drakili ignored him completely.

Drakili stepped forward and frowned. “With all due respect Your Grace, it is forbidden for a wood elf lord to call another Your Grace.”

Although he was angry, Drakili tried to be as polite as he could be.

’I can’t let Drakeni suffer such disgrace…’

He bowed his head as he spoke.

“Only those on equal standing with an Elf lord can be referred to as Your Grace.”

Immediately the words left his lips, the frigid winds felt even colder as Lord Galanhad’s guards fixed their intense gazes on him.

If not that Galanhad had not given the order, they would not have hesitated to take off his head from his body.

Galanhad tilted his head to the side, his golden eyes gleaming with curiosity as he watched the boy.

For a few seconds, the wood elves were anxious. They had no idea how to react concerning the situation, so they did the safest thing they could do.

They remained silent, hoping Lord Galanhad would not take offense.

After a few seconds, Galanhad laughed.

“This one is very amusing!” He cackled. “Never have I seen a child as bold as this, even amongst the High Elves.”

He stroked his cheek.

“Ahh… that means you were the one giving me dirty looks since you arrived? It was so bad that I could sense your gaze.”

The wood elves were stiff at this point, sweat beading down their faces even in the cold.

“I understand now. I apologize for upsetting your traditions, I will not make the same mistake.”

’Wait, what??’ Drakili could not believe his ears.

Even the other elves with him were shocked by his statement.

Drakeni sighed, his shoulders relaxing. ’We managed to avoid the worst possible—’

“Bring me his head.”

“?!”

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