Chapter 232: Chapter 232 : Turn of events (1)

Elaria folded her arms, her emerald eyes narrowing as she looked directly at Lucifer.

“Well, even though it’s an order from my beloved father,” she said coldly, “I can’t say I am thrilled to be used as your tour guide for a mission.”

Lucifer tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips beneath the mask. “Don’t worry,”

he replied with a calm, mocking ease,

“The feeling’s mutual.”

Elaria’s mouth twitched in irritation. Before she could retort, Seraphina let out a small scoff, unable to restrain herself.

The sound echoed faintly across the training field, and it instantly made Elaria’s brow crease in annoyance.

Ethan caught the expression and quickly shot Seraphina a sharp look. She covered her mouth, suppressing her laughter with effort, though her shoulders still shook.

Ethan, regaining his composure, turned his attention to Lucifer. “So you’re the famous hunter, Lucifer Morningstar, huh?” His voice carried a polite tone, though his eyes were sharp, evaluating every inch of the man. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Alex simply nodded once, offering no more than that. His attention slid back to Elaria. “I came here to talk to you about the mission both of us are forced into,” he said bluntly.

“But…” His eyes glinted faintly with amusement. “I see something very interesting is happening here. So tell me, Miss Elaria, can I join in too?”

Elaria’s brows rose slightly. She turned her gaze back to him, her voice calm but biting. “Mr. Lucifer, I’ve heard of your feats, even seen a few of them. I must admit, you are… talented.” A thin smile tugged at her lips.

“But I’ve never heard you were good at archery. And archery isn’t something you just pick up on a whim because you feel like it. It’s not some brutish sport. It’s a discipline, one of the most respected traditions in the Elven Empire.” Her eyes narrowed. “So tell me, have you ever trained yourself in archery?”

Alex tilted his head slightly. “Well, to tell you the truth, I haven’t done it before, but I—”

“Disrespectful,” Elaria cut him off, her tone like a blade. “You’ve never even tried it, and yet you dare to compete with me in this art as if it were nothing but a game?”

For a moment, silence stretched. Then Alex chuckled softly. “Well, the thing is,” he said with casual arrogance, “I’m pretty good at the things I try for the first time.” His smirk deepened. “So how about this—if I lose, you can demand one thing from me. But if you lose, I’ll demand one thing from you.”

Elaria’s thoughts flickered as a sly smirk curved her lips. ’A perfect opportunity. If I win, I can end Ethan and Seraphina’s endless pestering and rid myself of this so-called mission with him at the same time. He’ll take the blame all on his own.’ She nodded.

“Fine. I accept.”

Her gaze then shifted toward Ethan. “Tell me, Ethan… have you ever tried it? Or are you also just overconfident?”

Ethan stepped forward confidently, his hand brushing against the hilt of his sword as he met her eyes. “There isn’t a sport I haven’t tried before,” he said firmly. “You could say I’m pretty good at everything.”

Elaria’s lips curved into a sharp smile. “We’ll see about that.”

Just as the agreement was set, a loud voice cut through the field. “The princess has not permitted you to enter!”

BAM!

The sound was followed by the rush of air—three elves came flying toward them, charging recklessly as if to throw the intruders out by force.

One darted straight toward alex. Without hesitation, Alex shifted, his boot slamming upward in a sharp kick. The elf’s head snapped back mid-flight, his body spinning out of control before crashing into a stone wall with a dull thud.

Another rushed at Elaria. She didn’t even blink. Her body shifted ever so slightly, dodging the attack with elegance and letting him crash to the ground behind her. Her face showed no concern for his condition—her indifference colder than ice.

The third came barreling toward Ethan and Seraphina. Ethan reacted instantly, stepping forward and catching the elf with surprising gentleness, redirecting his momentum before the elf could hurt himself. He lowered the dazed elf to the ground, ensuring he wasn’t injured.

The field went still for a moment. Ethan’s eyes flicked to Alex and Elaria, irritation written on his face. “Elaria, isn’t that guy the one who always acts as your servant? Your self-proclaimed bodyguard? Shouldn’t you have helped him?”

Elaria didn’t even glance toward the elf sprawled on the ground. “Are you an idiot? It’s a bodyguard’s job to protect their master, even if he’s self-proclaimed. Not the other way around. Why should I protect him?”

Ethan’s mouth twitched. He turned his gaze toward Lucifer. “Mr. Lucifer… shouldn’t you have helped him?”

Lucifer gave him a flat look, his tone dripping with disdain. “You really are an idiot, aren’t you? Why the hell would I save him?”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Because people are supposed to help each other,” he argued.

Lucifer sighed and shook his head slowly. “Didn’t you hear what that guy said when we walked in? He claimed his race was superior to humans. So, I gave him the perfect chance to prove his superiority—by not saving him.”

His lips curved into a sharp grin as he added, “Looks like it’s not me, but these pointy-eared bastards that are full of themselves.”

Elaria’s gaze sharpened, her expression darkening. “Are you mocking me, Mr. Lucifer?”

Alex tilted his head slightly, his grin widening beneath the mask. “What do you think?”

A vein popped on Elaria’s forehead, her aura flickering dangerously. Just as she was about to retort, another voice rang out.

“So you were here huh.”

Everyone turned at once. Alex’s eyes lit up with amusement as a grin spread across his face.

Elaria, however, didn’t look surprised in the least. Ethan, on the other hand, nearly shouted. “What the hell are you doing here, Alden?! Beating people up without a reason again?!”

Alden von Crestvale stood calmly before them, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder. His smirk was sharp and arrogant as always.

“These guys were babbling about superiority again,” he said lazily. “So I tested it. Turns out, they’re superior in only one thing—getting their asses kicked.”

Alex chuckled under his breath, Seraphina burst into open laughter, and Ethan could only sigh in frustration. “So, you’ve come here to convince Elaria too for the support, haven’t you?”

Alden’s gaze swept over the group, his smirk deepening. “You’re not exactly wrong,” he said. “But not right either.” His eyes locked on Alex and Ethan. “I’ve got business with both of you especially you ethan.”

—-

A/N:

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