Chapter 274: Seraphina Vs Darian [1] After Seraphina’s devastating strike concluded, Darian didn’t hesitate for even a moment. He immediately launched himself toward the queen, closing the distance between them to engage in close-quarters combat. His reasoning was sound—even though she had awakened a powerful dormant skill, such abilities invariably carried significant limitations. There was no conceivable way Seraphina could deploy the same massive light execution technique again so quickly, making this the optimal window for aggressive assault. Darian’s speed allowed him to cover the battlefield distance with supernatural speed, his approach creating sonic booms as he pushed his augmented physical capabilities to their limits. "Dark Strike!" he roared while closing in, launching dozens of concentrated dark projectiles designed to overwhelm her defensive capabilities through sheer volume. Seraphina, still recovering from the enormous mana expenditure of her previous attack, found herself forced into defensive positioning. Her enhanced attributes allowed her to deflect most of his projectiles, but the sustained assault pushed her backwards across the battlefield. "Light Barrier!" she commanded, creating a shimmering wall of radiant energy between them. But Darian’s strike proved sufficient to shatter through her hastily constructed defense, his shadow-wreathed fist punching through the barrier like it was made of glass. The close-range engagement that followed showcased the true extent of their capabilities. Both rulers moved with speed that made their forms blur, exchanging devastating strikes that would have levelled buildings if they had missed their intended targets. Seraphina’s light magic clashed directly with Darian’s shadow abilities in a series of rapid exchanges that lit up the battlefield with alternating brilliance and darkness. The two powerful leaders of the elven faction were finally testing their capabilities against each other in direct combat, determining whose talent would prove superior in a decisive battle. Watching their respective leaders engage in direct combat, both factions fought with renewed intensity. The display of unprecedented power motivated each side, as they recognised that victory now seemed genuinely achievable through their rulers’ artificial augmentation. "Come on, everyone! Fight to the death, we will not stop until light prevails and darkness is abolished!" One of the archmages from the light elf faction shouted. The response to the light elf’s words was immediate. "Hmph! You sure are delusional. The only light you will see is the one at the end of the tunnel. Come on, let’s show these pathetic light elves that we are the superior race! We are the ones chosen by the world tree, not them!" As light fought against darkness, one individual remained conspicuously absent from this surge of battlefield enthusiasm. Prince Adrian Silveroak found himself locked in combat with a dark elf opponent, his grandmaster-rank abilities allowing him to maintain defensive positioning despite his obvious reluctance to fight. As the queen’s nephew, participation was mandatory. Otherwise, serious questions about his loyalty to their cause would inevitably arise. He delivered a powerful kick that sent his opponent staggering backwards, creating the distance he needed for his true purpose. Without hesitation, Adrian immediately abandoned the engagement and sprinted toward Noah’s neutral zone. He had endured enough of this senseless war. Now that the mysterious shopkeeper had revealed himself and demonstrated his willingness to intervene in their conflict, Adrian decided the risk of approaching him was worthwhile. "Don’t let him run!" The dark elf that was fighting Adrian shouted before attempting to follow Adrian. Multiple dark elf forces launched attacks at the fleeing prince as he crossed the battlefield, recognising an opportunity to eliminate high-value leadership among the light elves. Adrian avoided what projectiles he could while defending against those that couldn’t be evaded, his enhanced capabilities allowing him to maintain forward momentum despite the sustained assault. Soon enough, he reached the territorial boundary and crossed into Noah’s protected zone, immediately making his way toward the shop entrance with obvious determination despite the accumulating wounds on his body. Once he arrived, he let out the breath he had been holding before taking out a loaf of bread to eat. His body’s natural regeneration immediately increased, and his body entered a state of revitalisation. A sigh of relief escaped his mouth as he was finally away from all the bloodshed on the battlefield. Noah watched the approaching elf with curious interest, noting that he was the only combatant from either faction who had chosen to seek him out rather than continue fighting. Lola, beside Noah, glanced at him before saying with a curious tone. "What do you think he wants?" Noah shrugged before saying. "Not sure, but we are about to find out." "What brings you to my establishment during such intense conflict?" Noah asked as Adrian approached, genuinely intrigued by what this individual might want that couldn’t wait until the battle concluded. Taking a deep breath, Adrian walked until he stood before Noah, who remained positioned at the shop entrance. Lola stayed alert nearby, ready to intervene if this unexpected visitor harboured hostile intentions. "I need your help, human shopkeeper," Adrian said with obvious desperation. "My help? What do you want? I can’t sell you anything, my stock has been depleted by your rulers’ purchases." Adrian shook his head with urgent dismissal. "I want your help with something else entirely. We both know you’re not a simple merchant, and frankly speaking, I’m exhausted by this endless war. For the past few decades, it has brought our nations nothing but suffering and pain. So I’m pleading with you, oh great human—save our kingdoms." Noah looked at Adrian with an expression that suggested he was regarding someone who had lost touch with the reality before him, though his tone remained respectful rather than dismissive. "Prince Adrian, I think you’re fundamentally misunderstanding my role here. I’m a shopkeeper who sells items. I’m not some hero waiting to solve your centuries-old political conflicts." He gestured toward the ongoing battle where enhanced rulers were reshaping the landscape with their powers. "What you’re witnessing out there is the direct result of your leaders’ choices—both in starting this war and in how they’ve chosen to use the capabilities I provided. I didn’t create your conflict; they did."