Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

"King Emil," Ozaek Oloris spoke in a grave tone.

"it seems this venomous snake has attacked both our sides with equal ferocity. If my Rankers had been slaughtered by your army on the battlefield, I wouldn't suggest this.

But we can't let an upstart demonkin fuck with us like this, can we? It would tarnish both our images among our people. I… I propose we call for a truce and address the issue at hand.

Our top priority should be to eliminate Eren and all his allies as swiftly as possible. We will allow the Anfang Alliance to handle Eliza Samael, the ancient threat. Naturally, we'll offer any support we can to the Alliance.

However, we won't side with that threat just to score a victory against each other. How does that sound?" King Ozark Oloris inquired of King Emil with a piercing gaze, expecting a swift and decisive response.

King Emil swiftly grasped King Ozark's intention. He could discern that King Ozark feared Edinburgh forming a clandestine alliance with the Witch of the Enderflames. The Elven King was also concerned that the populace would mock him if they discovered the true course of events on the battlefield.

Engaging in an all-out war and losing a significant army was one thing, but permitting a mere Master Ranker to conspire against both armies was a humiliating situation for the kings and their immediate Sage subordinates.

Such revelations would inevitably sow chaos within both kingdoms' borders, endangering internal security and fomenting negative sentiments among the people toward their current rulers.

Thus, King Ozark proposed a solution that essentially involved creating a cover-up with the assistance of the Kingdom of Edinburgh. In return, he promised to support King Emil's version of the cover-up, in an effort to quell any potential chaos.

However, this arrangement relied on both King Ozark and King Emil refraining from exploiting the situation for their own benefit.

Rodrick was inclined to protest that this was not the time for political maneuvering or cover-ups through conspiracy theories. But he wisely chose to remain silent and allow the two kings to reach a mutual agreement.

'No matter what I say, they won't listen anyway. So I might as well play the role of a silent observer. That guy once told me that keeping one's mouth shut during critical moments was an art that few could master. I'll use his method to deal with the mess he's created,' Rodrick thought, keeping his thoughts to himself.

After a moment of reflection, King Emil responded to King Ozark's proposal.

"You need not worry about the Kingdom of Edinburgh harboring a threat as formidable as the Witch of the Enderflames solely to target Layos. I assure you that we will not..." King Emil was about to continue, but he was interrupted by a powerful surge of mana emanating from inside the Birdcage Barrier. It rippled out in all directions for miles.

King Ozark followed King Emil's gaze and beheld the Birdcage Barrier in the distance. It appeared as if the sky above the Birdcage Barrier had transformed into a massive storm's eye, casting the surrounding area into a twilight-like state. The elemental forces exhibited unusual behavior, gathering around the Birdcage Barrier.

"There is something amiss," a Sage from Layos murmured before quickly joining King Ozark's side.

"My King, we must depart immediately. Now that the war has officially ceased, there is no need for you or King Emil to remain here," she advised, casting an assessing gaze toward Edinburgh's party.

The Sages from Edinburgh reacted similarly, forming a protective circle around King Emil.

As such, the kings of both kingdoms decided to exit the battlefield and leave the rest in the hands of their subordinates. Even the Sages were helpless in the face of Eren and Eliza's grand play at this stage.

As mere A-Ranked entities, both Ozark and Emil were not only powerless but also burdensome to the Sages who had acted as their protectors.

'You are a terrible friend, Eren. Emotionally bankrupt and inherently malevolent. You epitomize the kind of bad company the old men say to their younger generation to avoid at all costs because it only brings trouble.

Yet, as my one and only friend, I hope you survive, if only so I can kick in your balls the next time I see you.'

Rodrick silently reflected, sighing as he withdrew from the battlefield alongside his father. He kept his thoughts of wanting Eren to survive this incident to himself, knowing that revealing them would likely result in being labeled a traitor alongside Eren and facing prosecution by the King of Edinburgh himself.

***

The Soul Seed Insertion Array Formation sprang to life as soon as Lady Zee fell unconscious. Her posture resembled someone dozing off in a cross-legged position, her head slumping forward.

From her body emerged a spectral blur, radiant and accompanied by a subtle spiritual aura. This was none other than Lady Zee's soul, separated from her physical form through the Astral Projection Potion and transformed into a tiny seed-like sphere under the influence of the Soul Seed Insertion Array.

Layla, utilizing soul-related runes empowered by the array, isolated her Soul Seed.

Preventing Lady Zee's soul from dispersing was crucial. Her body could fall into a vegetative state or worse, perish if her soul was harmed or lost. For the Lazarus Project to proceed smoothly, Lady Zee's soul needed to remain dormant while her body entered a coma-like state.

"Master, you can consume the potion I provided now."

Layla said with contained excitement. The Lazarus Project was advancing according to her and Eliza's desires. The Little Witch was impatient for her master to be reborn in a new vessel and regain her full power.

"It seems my judgment day has finally come," Sage Eliza mumbled, her feeble voice emanating as she slowly opened her sunken eyes. Her mummified appearance looked even more fragile under the relentless pressure of the Array Eye.

"Fufufu. I am prepared for whatever awaits. Wish me luck, little kitten," she added, directing her gaze toward Eren.