Chapter 272: Darian’s plans Before launching himself back into direct confrontation, Darian made a calculated choice. Victory, he knew, was never claimed by strength alone but by timing, by control, and by the will to bend others into the rhythm of his design. He raised his hand in a commanding gesture, sharp and absolute, toward his remaining forces. "Ray. Veil. Mordain. To me. Immediately." His voice cut through the chaos of the battlefield like a blade, sharp and undeniable. Three of his most powerful archmages, champions who had survived countless campaigns against the light eleves, broke away from their current positions without hesitation. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞 Their movements were swift and disciplined, as though the very air parted to allow them passage toward the boundary line where their king awaited. Seraphina, watchful of Darian’s movement, caught sight of their retreat. A dangerous smile curled upon her lips. She lifted her hand, luminous energy gathering around her fingers like the sunlight, preparing a spell meant to obliterate them mid way or, at the very least, to halt their advance. But Darian had seen through her before the thought had even finished forming in her mind. Anticipation radiated from his eyes as he conjured his own weapon: a spear of shadow, honed to perfection. It was the same spear that he had struck Seraphina with moments earlier, and Noah’s interception, would’ve been the end of the light elves in this world. The moment Seraphina’s radiance surged forward towards Darian’s oncoming subjects, Darian’s dark spear met it. Light and shadow collided in midair, detonating with a catastrophic force that splite the air. The explosion tore through the sky, scattering fragments of blinding brilliance and consuming gloom across the battlefield. To the distant onlookers, it was awe-inspiring, as th X a cosmic duel painted in black and gold. But to those within its reach, it was devastation incarnate, a cataclysm that could unmake archmages as though they were fragile clay dolls. Through this maelstrom, Darian’s summons arrived unscathed, their loyalty shielding them from hesitation and their power shielding them from the aftermath of the attacks. Soon enougy, they stood before Darian as the battlefield roared around them. "My Lord, what are your orders?" Ray said, his voice steady despite the carnage. His expression was as calm as ever, as though death didn’t bother him. Darian’s gaze hardened, his words carrying two messages, a warning and a command. With his eyes still on Seraphina, he said. "That woman has gained unknown abilities from that smoothie. She’s being insidious, hiding the full scope of her new power. That makes her dangerous beyond measure. We must force her to reveal her ace before we commit to a true assault." Veil, inclined his head before saying. "You want to perform a probing attack, enough to press her defenses and reveal her hidden ace." "Exactly." Darian’s voice was iron. "We will strike from multiple angles. Overwhelm her normal power, force her to dip into this... new concealed strength. Only then will we know what she has awakened." Mordain narrowed his eyes, studying Seraphina from across the chaos. The queen glowed faintly, standing nearer to her own forces than was typical for her boldness. "She’s keeping her distance, avoiding direct engagement. That suggests she’s being overly cautious... or preparing for something far greater that what seems apparent." "Which is precisely why intelligence is paramount," Darian said coldly. "I will not risk our legions blindly. Probe her. Bleed her. Then I will strike once we understand what we face." Before dispatching them, Darian reached into his storage ring. Within were the newly acquired treasures from that human shopkeeper. He withdrew one of the items and turned to Veil. "Veil, you stand closest to the peak of archmage rank. Take this." From the ring emerged a smoothie that pulsed with faint, unnatural energy. "It will help you push beyond your current limit." Veil’s eyes widened at the sight, his composure faltering. "Lord Darian... this is too much. Such an item..." "Veil? That’s enough. I am not here to debate. This is my command. Drink it. Now. Our brothers bleed while we waste words!" Darian’s tone cracked like a whip, silencing further protest from veil. Spotting the unyielding glare in his king’s eyes, Veil bowed his head in shame, his pride bruised but his loyalty unshaken. "Your command is my will, my lord. I will not fail you." He raised the vessel reverently, consuming its contents in one defiant gulp. Darian gave a firm nod before turning to the others. From his ring came a variety of strange yet familiar items from the shops whether it was the protein bar, energy drink, instant cofee, everything was there. "You two are not yet ready for the greater item," Darian told Ray and Mordain, his tone firm but not unkind. "Do not resent this, it is only a matter of timing. Your day will come, once we’ve torn the heart from our enemies. For now, take these. Strengthen yourselves." "Of course, your majesty. We don’t dare think so presumptuously, Vael deserves it. Especially as the strongest one out of us." Both men accepted the gifts with reverence, bowing before their king. They consumed the items swiftly, power coursing through their veins in visible waves. "Thank you, Lord Darian," they said as one, their voices resolute. Darian’s eyes burned with grim satisfaction as his grandmasters spread into their formation, spacing themselves at calculated intervals along the neutral boundary. Their stance was not one of reckless advance but of controlled menace, poised to strike and retreat at will. Seraphina’s eyes had remained on Darian and his own group as they whispered smong each other. She had tried to eavesdrop, but they had obviously stopp her attempt by encrypting their voices using their mana. Sensing that the dark elves were planning a coordinated assault, Seraphina refused to wait passively like some incompetent antagonist. Instead, she called for her five strongest remaining grandmasters to form protective formation around her position. The light elf elite arrived almost instantaneously, their enhanced speed allowing rapid deployment despite the battlefield chaos.