A few minutes earlier, inside the prison cell.

Calder’s expression shifted when he saw that nasty smile on Emperal’s face. In that instant, he knew. He knew this bastard was cooking something entirely outside his level.

"Hey, tell me too, you bastard."

He couldn’t help but ask, only for Emperal to snort in disdain.

"Just sit back," Emperal closed his eyes slightly, as if calculating something. A second later, his smile widened. "The answers should be arriving any second now."

Just as his words echoed...

BOOM!!!

The entrance of the prison cell was blasted apart; the assailant didn’t even try to hide the explosion.

Step. Step. Step. Step.

"My My, Emperal, I have to say, you really are a cunning snake."

A melodious voice rang out. Hearing those words, Calder stiffened lightly. That voice...it was oddly familiar.

"L-Lady Dresh?"

He couldn’t help speaking out loud, standing up, and he rushed outside. And there she was, a beautiful elf walking through the prison hallway with a swagger.

Emperal followed behind, his lips curling up.

"Lady Dresh, you are just in time. I really missed you."

He teased as he stepped forward to greet her.

"Hehe~ A big fat lie right there, but I don’t mind it, since it’s coming from you."

Dresh chuckled; her expression was all smiley. It seems she truly was in a good mood today.

"Lady Dresh, if you don’t mind, can I tag along with you? I want to see that woman’s face too."

Dresh frowned slightly when she heard that, "Why do you wanna see her?"

When she heard Emperal talking about seeing a woman’s face, a strange feeling arose in her chest—unknown to her.

Emperal, oblivious to her tone. Smirked.

"Nothing, it’s just that I want to see her face when the truth slaps her cheeks."

"I see, you can come along then."

Saying that, she turned around. Calder looked at Emperal for a second.

"So what about you, Calder?"

He asked.

"I’ll join you, let’s go."

Emperal nodded, though he didn’t ask about the reason for his capture in the prison; he believed Calder would eventually tell them.

...

"W-What? What happened to our arrays and formations? Didn’t that lil rat fix them in front of us?"

Daereth couldn’t help but ask; the desperation in her tone was as clear as day.

After all, they only had four Verth Shapers with them. Excluding Calder, one of them had led a team and gone out for exploration. One had been killed.

There were only two Verth Shapers left to hold the ground, and that was...just she and Korrath.

And the enemy was still unknown, though she could probably guess who it was.

Seeing that there was no way forward, Daereth made a decision.

"Everyone! We will meet at the Inner Regions border! Scatter in all directions!"

She roared; immense Verth began radiating from her body as she prepared to fly.

BOOM!!

The door suddenly blasted open, making Daereth freeze.

"This fast!!?"

Korrath drew his weapon and moved to Daereth’s side immediately.

The rest of the Verth Wielders did the same. Verth began gathering collectively towards them.

"Heh~ Long time no see, Daereth. I see that you are as cowardly as always."

Three different footsteps echoed. Daereth’s eyes narrowed.

"...Dresh? You nasty elf."

Daereth spoke that name with immense hatred, as if she had seen her mortal enemy. Which was kind of true.

Dresh invaded her and destroyed her territory, partially, and even managed to steal half of the map! 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Now, not satisfied with just that. She once again came back and slaughtered the Ironscale Dragonkin left and right!

"Yours truly."

From the smoke, three figures stepped out.

"Lady Dresh, you shouldn’t lower yourself to talking to such dogs. Leave that part to me."

Emperal smirked as his eyes swept the present cultivators and finally landed on Daereth.

"Lady Daereth, I hope you like the arrays and formations I fixed. After all, I put my heart and soul into fixing those for you."

Emperal sighed dramatically, making Daereth almost cough out blood in anger.

"Y-You brat! I should have known it! There is no way a random kid I found trespassing would be a genius formation master."

She spat with clear venom and...regret in her tone. Yes, she had been foolish and greedy.

Emperal shook his head when he heard those words, "The situation would still have been salvageable if you hadn’t locked me up in the prison. But, you did. Making Lady Dresh have a heartbreak."

Dresh’s eyes twitched slightly when she heard that, but she tried her best to keep it to herself. But, Daereth, it seemed she had finally lost it.

"DIE, YOU DOUBLE-FACED BASTARD!!"

Her hands transformed into thick iron-clad claws as she lunged at Emperal with a feral expression on her face.

CLANG!!

FWOON!!

Her attack was instantly intercepted by a glowing sword; the wind shifted immensely as it easily blocked the strike.

Dresh’s smile widened when she saw this, "The last time it was because I wasn’t prepared enough for this and fell for your nasty tricks. But this time, it won’t happen."

She clashed with her violently in a matter of a few seconds. The two exchanged dozens and dozens of moves.

The residence of Daereth couldn’t handle it any longer as the walls were blasted off!

"Calder, could you handle that bastard? Though it won’t be necessary since Lady Dresh’s forces have surrounded this area."

Emperal tilted his head as he drew the Stormvein sword. Dense Verth coated the blade as Emperal exhaled lightly.

"Heh, I will try to hold him. I have some grudges with that dog."

Calder chuckled lightly, just in time for him to hear Korrath’s voice.

"Who are you calling a dog, you motherless bastard!?"

"How dare you!?"

Calder flew into a rage when he heard Korrath’s words, a dense green liquid materialized...turning into a small dagger.

Calder vanished from his spot alongside Korrath, and both clashed in the distance. Leaving Emperal and three other Verth Wielders.

Looking at them, he couldn’t help but smile. Taking a step forward, he dashed at the nearest Verth Wielder.

"Arrogant prick!"

The Verth Wielder shouted as he punched forward.

Sling!!

SCHUNK~!

A hand flew in the air, as blood splattered everywhere.

"Fool."

...

(A/N: 101 Chapters done! I thank you all who supporting it once again. If you have a few minutes to spare, do leave a review! Good reading!:)