The short knife slammed into the blade, and when it was retracted, it was a little difficult because of the force of the opponent's rapid downward pressure. The cacophony of grinding made Helenor turn her gaze back to the circle, but the battle wasn't over...... Far from over.

Panasses pulled back, his sore, numb wrist turning grimly. With a short knife in one hand and a long sword in the other, he was swift as the wind and agile - a typical elven way of fighting, and he had always been a good fighter.

In contrast, Payne's advantage is actually his strength. His moves didn't vary much, but each blow was too heavy to parry, with an indomitable sharpness and unexpected strength, which made Parnasas feel that he was not facing his kindred, who was known for his grace and agility, but a dwarf taller than him...... Although he has not fought with the dwarves either.

As the King of Elves, Payne Silverleaf never had to do it herself. Panasses's knowledge of him was limited to the news sent back by the spies: although he occasionally sparred with his own guards, the Silver Leaf King did not like to fight...... I've never heard of how skilled he is.

They still underestimated him after all.

To Parnasus' annoyance, Payne didn't even use his own sword - the king who brought his guests to visit the Tower of Silence naturally didn't know how to wear a sword. The sword came from his dead guard, delicate, but ordinary, and now even the magic of Panasses' short knife had been broken in several places, but the elven king who held it still looked calm, as if he didn't care.

He wielded his sword like an iron rod...... It really doesn't matter if it's a little defective on it.

Parnasas kept moving, looking for an opportunity to attack, but Payne remained motionless, his sword tapping the ground. That unhurried posture is another attack. The anger and shame of being despised burned violently and coldly in the soul like a black flame...... Panasses knew he should calm down, but it was hard to do so.

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

For a moment, his gaze met Helenno's, and he quickly moved away, and once again raised his sword and rushed towards Payne.

In any case, there was no room for him to retreat.

Helenor withdrew her gaze indifferently, her slender fingers moving in her long-hanging sleeves.

The sickle of light fluttered like a veil around her. Without that muffled hum, this terrible creature would have looked as beautiful and harmless as the morning mist illuminated by the sun. The momentary loss of control was almost like an illusion on her part—they were still faithfully obeying her orders, and no one else in this world could control these death-born relics.

But she couldn't ignore the vague unease. She is a chanter, and her instincts are rooted in her blood, experience, and strength...... Even if the ode to the gods is no longer heard, the power remains, not abandoning her, not punishing her—even if she has betrayed her faith.

The power of the gods still surrounds this world, but the sea that has lost its source will always dry up...... But if God has decayed into ashes, must the creation connected to their spirit perish with it?

How proud she used to be, how unwilling she is now.

She could see Parnasses' agitation. Although it was expected, it was inevitable that there would be some disappointment—for the sake of blood, she had already given him a chance, but the son that Kretika was proud of was nothing more than that.

If Sesyana is here......

The thought unconsciously flashed through her mind, and she shook it off again - her son didn't need to face these dark and ugly things. She will create a new world for him.

She had to admit that, in comparison, Payne Silver Leaf was the one who was more likely to win...... But the people of the Silver Leaf clan, whether they are irritable and suspicious, stubborn and arrogant, or forbearant and forgiving, are not easy to control. What's more, even she couldn't guess how much Payne already knew and what he wanted to do.

Such an uncontrollable danger should not hesitate to crush when she has absolute power.

The dice hidden in the palm of her hand were slightly warm, and when she connected her soul to it, she felt that it was a heart that was still beating, with a steady rhythm, but it seemed to be able to affect the whole world.

The thin wings of the Scythe of Light vibrated with a tiny hum and swept towards Franci like a gust of wind.

Payne must die at the hands of Parnassus—if it wasn't the easiest and fastest way to open that door, even she would find such a duel stupid and savage. Obviously, Panasses could not do this on their own...... And she's lost her patience.

The young singer still stood straight, her eyes bright and fearless, proud and calm in the face of her inescapable death...... Payne's movements involuntarily lost their rhythm.

Panasses' face was gloomy. He didn't want such help, but he seized the rare opportunity.

The long sword that was raised was blocked by Payne's swing, and the short knife that rushed out like a snake finally opened a long wound in his left abdomen.

Payne retreated fast enough. The wound wasn't fatal, but it was enough to change the tide of the battle—after all, it was impossible for Faranti to heal him anymore.

The Elven King's gaze sank, but Parnasas couldn't laugh either.

There was a gust of wind behind him. He had to abandon the next attack that should have been in a row, dodging.

The invisible arrow grazed against his right arm, and the anger that made his roar almost change its tone:

“...... Saumur!!"

The archers who had betrayed the leader closed their lips and turned pale, but their hands trembling without a hint of trembling.

"Stop, Parnasus. He spoke, his voice low but determined, "No victory is worth such a price!"

"You know what?!" Panasses roared.

Another roar rang out almost simultaneously...... It was Helenno's voice, sharp enough to pierce an eardrum.

Panasses looked back in amazement to see Faranti's entire body disappear into a dazzling mist of light.

At that moment, there was a sharp sting in his heart...... But it was quickly replaced by surprise.

There was no blood mist in front of him that he had unexpectedly dispersed. The scythe of light, which had lost its purpose, exploded, and the apparition vanished with it—Franky wasn't there at all.

Anger and fear are intertwined. Helenno stepped back, waving her sleeves to hide her involuntary trembling. She didn't even notice when Faranti had resorted to such a tactic...... But where has she gone? She must still be here...... No, more importantly, the Scythe of Light should have been able to stop her from escaping, no matter what way she did! They weren't supposed to be unresponsive when she cast her spells......

What the hell went wrong?!

“...... Stop, Parnasus. Payne began, "It's not your only option. ”

.