The Monster King's Legacy-Chapter 95: A Disturbing Offer 2

Following Ithil’s words, the air within the Central Tower turned tense as the two elven elders narrowed their eyes at Ithil. Their hands moved subtly as if they were about to make a move, and just as telegraphed, they started weaving the beginnings of a spell separately. Despite their age, they were among the strongest mages in the elven kingdom, after all, elves were a well preserved race, and despite Ithil’s criticism, those were only relative to the standards he held on their heads. Any other person would look at these elders with respect for their centuries of wisdom and magical prowess.

"You leave us no choice," the first elder declared.

"We will not let you taint this sacred place with this madness," the second elder added.

Their magic flared to life, glowing faintly as they prepared to cast restraining spells, at least, that was what Ithil recognized.

But, they never got the chance to release them.

Suddenly, thick vines of wood burst from the very walls of the tower behind the elders, twisting through the air like living serpents. Before the elders could react, the vines struck from behind, their sharp tips piercing into their backs towards their hearts. The impact forced a gasp from their lips, their spells fizzling out and their body accompanied by pain and gradual weakness.

Strangely enough, the vines did not pierce all the way through.

Their breath came in ragged pants as they stared at Ithil in horror.

"W-what…?" one of them choked out.

"M-my magic…" The other barely said, through his lips.

"You don’t even have any idea what the root of your magic is, do you?" Ithil said, more as a statement than a question. Ithil stepped forward, looking at them with an expression devoid of malice, yet utterly unyielding. "Do not be afraid," he said calmly. "You will not die. You will do much greater than that."

As he spoke, the vines began to grow, spreading across their bodies with unnatural speed. More branches sprouted, wrapping around their arms, legs, and torsos like a cocoon. Their bodies weakened as the wood drained their strength, making resistance impossible, even talking was such a chore at that moment.

"You sought to stop me before understanding my purpose," Ithil continued, his golden eyes gleaming. "I do not blame you. Change is frightening. But whether you accept it or not… it will come to pass."

The elders, barely able to move, collapsed to their knees as the vines continued to grow, fully engulfing them. Their forms were soon completely encapsulated in living wood, leaving them trapped in a deep, magical slumber.

Ithil turned away from them without another glance, the encapsulated elders sinking into the floor as though it was fluid. Now, it appeared that Ithil’s control over nature had jumped leaps and bounds.

Now though, he had something far more important to do.

…

He moved to the center of the tower, where a large crystalline orb floated in midair. It was a marvel of an object, the Core of the Elven Capital’s Barrier.

This very artifact had shielded the elven kingdom for thousands of years, allowing only those marked or with permission to enter or leave. Its power was absolute, preventing even the strongest invaders from breaching its defenses easily.

Ithil raised his hand as he got close to it, and golden threads of energy extended from his fingertips, linking with the core. Immediately, resistance flared as the artifact resisted his influence, trying to reject him, sensing an unauthorized influence.

It took some time, but eventually, Ithil got through. The golden threads of Ithil’s energy slithered deeper into its structure, tweaking the core’s laws.

The change took mere seconds to take effect. When it was complete, Ithil withdrew his hand, his expression still the same. The entire capital trembled as the protective barrier that once safeguarded the elves… transformed. No longer was it a mere shield… now, it was a prison.

From that moment forward, no one could enter or leave.

The elves inside were trapped.

And those outside… no way to enter.

…

Cauldrus arrived at the capital, not bothering to follow normal procedures of entry and opting to go in quickly. That plan fell as immediately once he crashed into the barrier. He tumbled back, his silver robes billowing as he landed just outside the barrier.

He was confused as to what just happened. Certainly, something was wrong.

He moved closer, placing his palm against the barrier’s surface. Normally, he would be recognized and allowed entry seamlessly without any resistance, but now, when he reached out… it rejected him.

He wasted no time, extending his hand, he called forth his magic. A powerful wave of ice energy surged forward, slamming into the shimmering shield with the force of a mountain’s avalanche… Yet, Nothing.

The barrier did not waver. Not even a single crack appeared.

A deep frown formed on his face. He clenched his fist, focusing his energy again. This time, his magic struck like a frozen spear, sharper and denser than before. Still, the barrier did not react.

"The barrier… shouldn’t work like this," he muttered.

Cauldrus turned his gaze toward the capital, feeling a deep sense that something felt off, it was too quiet.

His grip tightened. "What in the world is happening in there?"

His instincts screamed at him, something unnatural had taken root in the heart of the elven kingdom, and yet he had no way to stop it, or so it appeared.

…

Several minutes had gone by and Cauldrus still stood before the barrier, his eyes scanning every flicker of its energy. His hands were clenched tight, frustration simmering beneath his usually composed exterior. No matter how much power he used, the barrier refused to give way. Even teleportation magic failed, the space around the capital had been sealed off.

"Someone tampered with it." He muttered to himself.

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His mind immediately went to one possibility. Ithil.

"But why? Why now?" A wave of emotions rolled through his very gut, but he ignored it for the time being. He couldn’t waste time wondering.Whatever was happening, he had to stop it.

He took a deep breath, calming himself. A direct attack won’t work… but perhaps there was another way.

With one last glance at the barrier, he turned and vanished into the wind, heading toward the nearest elven outpost.

…

Inside the capital, Ithil walked through the now empty streets. He could have teleported to where he was headed to, reaching his destination in an instant, but instead, he chose to walk.

The streets were eerily silent, the entire city wrapped in an unnatural slumber as leaves rustled in the soft breeze, the only sign of movement in the abandoned streets.

Melina, out of nowhere, as though she had emerged from nothing or out of the darkness, appeared beside him, her movements graceful as ever, immediately matching his pace.

"It is done, master" she reported. "Apart from the elders and a few individuals with resistance, everyone in the capital has been put to sleep."

Ithil nodded. "Good. Have the others make rounds, let’s avoid any surprises."

Melina gave a slight bow before vanishing again, melting into the shadows.

Ithil continued his walk, unhurried, until he reached his destination.

He entered a grand chamber, one of the most important halls in the elven capital. It was a vast, circular room, large enough to hold at least five hundred people comfortably. The architecture was ancient yet refined, with intricate vines carved into the walls, pulsing with a faint magical glow.

At the center of the chamber stood a raised platform, and around it, arranged in a circular pattern, were ornate seats, each one belonging to an elder.

This was where the most important decisions in elven history had been made, and tonight… It would be where the future of the elven race was decided.

Ithil stood in the center, waiting.

Moments later, one by one, the elders arrived.

Some came cautiously, their expressions wary. Others strode in with confidence and anger, it was a mix of a lot of different emotions. They had sensed the disturbance in the city, and once elves started dropping and falling into unwakable sleep, it was clear that the situation was not an easy one at all. Followed the only trail, they were all led straight to this hall.

Following them were other capable figures who had not been affected, who had remained behind rather than joining the war against the Demon Lord.

The tension in the room thickened as the moment passed by.

"Ithil." One of the elders finally spoke, his voice firm. "You have much to explain."

Another narrowed his eyes. "What have you done?"

Others murmured in agreement, their gazes sharp and accusing as they demanded an explanation immediately.

Despite all their questions, Ithil only let them speak, let them question, but he did not answer, not yet at least.

He studied them, their expressions, their body language, then, once they had all calmed enough to allow for him to speak without being interrupted, he spoke.

"I will not waste time answering your questions," he said, his voice calm but absolute. "Instead, I will tell you why we are here. What "this" is all about."