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As the tension within the grand hall of King Roger's castle intensified, the regal figure on the throne scrutinized the intruders with a mix of curiosity and disdain. "Where do you come from?" King Roger finally broke the silence, his voice echoing slightly off the stone walls.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q8RNFmL6x
"We come from the Areala Universe, outside the boundaries of the Land of Spade," Zara responded confidently, standing firm despite the hostile environment.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVI2Wj0XML
King Roger raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued but his skepticism apparent. "I know of no such place. Your tales are as foreign to me as you are."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW3XLisBV6
Zara, undeterred, elaborated on their origins and mission. "Not only do we come from another universe, but we also stand as the new rulers of The Luminar Concordia Universe, Abyssos, and the Heavenly Ethereal Universe. We've come here seeking answers about a village named Ashenvale, which suffered greatly at the hands of your forces."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbppy62JfjQ
Roger's expression hardened at the mention of Ashenvale. "You should not concern yourself with matters that do not pertain to you," he retorted sharply, his tone dismissive.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ913aT5MGPg
High Mage Mike stepped forward, his voice firm. "All you need to do is rectify the wrongs done to Ashenvale, and we will leave your kingdom in peace."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrl1TTjPXB
Laughter erupted from King Roger, echoing ominously through the hall. "You enter my domain uninvited, speak of places I've never heard of, and now demand reparations? How amusing. Do you truly believe you hold any power here?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1OrwviyLf
Without another word, Roger nodded to one of his Elders, a signal that was quickly understood. Elder Terra, a robust man with eyes like embers, stepped forward with a sinister grin. Muttering an incantation, he summoned "Grasping Roots," causing gnarled vines to erupt from the ground, twisting and turning towards Zara, Levi, and Mike, entangling and immobilizing them.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUknZAb3DVc
"This is too easy," Elder Terra laughed mockingly. "You should know your place."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqVtrS4PTs
However, Mike's voice cut through the mockery, calm and unbothered, "Is that so?" To everyone's astonishment, he, along with Zara and Levi, stood unscathed on the other side of the room.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxzfl5p0x7
Elder Terra spun around, his shock palpable as he stared at the spot where the trio had seemingly been caught just moments before. The roots clutched at nothing but air, their illusionary targets fading into wisps of mist.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L1d4DKDyj
Elder Aether, a slender figure cloaked in flowing robes, stepped forward, his voice carrying a note of respect mixed with concern. "It must have been an illusion," he deduced, his gaze fixed on Mike. "And a potent one at that."
Terra, still reeling from the deception, couldn't hide his astonishment. "I've never seen illusion magic this strong," he admitted begrudgingly, his eyes narrowing as he reassessed the trio.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnxjad5zed
King Roger's initial amusement faded to a more cautious intrigue. He leaned forward, resting his chin on steepled fingers, his mind racing with the implications of this encounter. "Very well," he began slowly, "perhaps I underestimated your capabilities. Let us speak more on these matters. What exactly do you propose we do about Ashenvale, and why should my kingdom care?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4z0uJnklB
Zara's demand was clear and forceful. "Simply return what was taken and help rebuild Ashenvale. That is all we ask."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugWcDozyVg
Elder Aquata, whose presence was as fluid as the waters she commanded, scoffed at the suggestion. "We should not heed the demands of outsiders dictating our actions," she advised King Roger sharply, her tone laced with disdain.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnYJbzGrk6
King Roger, however, appeared contemplative, his gaze lingering on the trio. "Your boldness reminds me of another mage who passed through these lands weeks ago. He defeated my brother, King Malik, and left his kingdom in disarray," Roger revealed, his voice tinged with a mixture of respect and resentment.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUReJaI7zg
Zara's attention snapped to full alert at the mention of another mage, a flicker of hope igniting. "Was this mage alone, and did he carry a distinctive aura about him?" she inquired urgently, suspecting the mysterious figure might be Zack.
King Roger nodded, a grim smile playing on his lips. "Yes, and if you are allies of this mage, it seems our destinies are more entwined than I anticipated."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsQxtXkNKX
Mike pressed for more information, keen to understand the landscape they had walked into. "Where exactly is Malik’s kingdom? Can you direct us there?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1ZDzGKv6U
Roger's expression darkened. "It lies to the north, but why would I aid you further, knowing you might be aligned with my brother's destroyer?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4PhA8YNov
Zara, seizing the moment to steer the conversation back to their initial purpose, interjected, "The people of Ashenvale have suffered unjustly. We ask for redress. Will you make amends, or will you add to your wrongs?"159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaco176fRtR
King Roger's gaze hardened, his earlier amusement replaced by a calculating coldness. "If you indeed align with the mage who shattered my brother's realm, then perhaps it is not amends but vengeance that is due." With a swift motion, he drew his famed cutlass, "Stormrend," from its sheath. The blade gleamed ominously under the hall’s torchlight.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCsHmzKMBu
"Cutlass Crescendo," he announced, as his form blurred into motion, a flurry of rapid, almost invisible slashes aiming straight for Levi, Zara, and Mike.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjq7apuNOD
Reacting with lightning-fast reflexes, Levi drew his own legendary weapon, the Blade of God, to parry the onslaught. Each clash rang out like a bell, the air thick with the tension of a high-stakes duel.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWBUJQp202
King Roger, a grin spreading across his face, found joy in the challenge. "Finally, a swordsman worthy of my skill," he exclaimed, the thrill of the fight evident in his voice.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB7wTmYjmT
Turning to his Elders, he commanded, "Take the other two outside and deal with them. I will handle this one myself."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RPlWE0zPa
Elder Aquata, along with her counterparts, moved to obey, surrounding Zara and Mike with a mix of eagerness and caution. The battle lines were drawn, splitting the group into two distinct confrontations.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqcK5cztU6
Outside, the air grew charged as Elder Aquata led the charge, her abilities manipulating the very moisture in the air to form icy shackles aimed at subduing Zara and Mike. The other Elders prepared their own spells, each tailored to their unique command over their elemental domains.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQozjf1HRhK
Inside, Levi and King Roger continued their dance of blades, each strike and counterstrike more intense than the last. Levi's focus was absolute, his every movement deliberate and powerful, countering Roger’s aggressive style with a calm precision that belied the danger of each passing second.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uX701qYSw
The outcomes of these battles would not only determine the fates of Zara, Mike, and Levi but also set the course for their mission in the Land of Spade. The weight of their cause, the plight of Ashenvale, and the shadow of their missing companion loomed large over the duels, each moment unfolding with the gravity of history in the making.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfEw6EHFEM
