Chapter 46: Black Butterfly

As Zilpher and his group were close to wiping out the Jelly Monsters, a group of Lycans suddenly arrived, accompanied by Hilama.

Zilpher: Tsk!

Gusano: We have successfully evacuated the civilians, Your Majesty!

Zilpher: Good. Tell your comrades to join us in battle.

Gusano: Understood! bows

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Moments later…

Zilpher: Charge!!!

Soldiers: Yaaahhh!!!

Lycans: Growl! Growl!

Hilama: Yaaahhh!!!

As they clashed, they suddenly felt the ground beneath them shake.

Zilpher looks at the trembling ground (Why is the earth suddenly quaking, and the stones breaking apart?)

A woman appeared, her eyes blood-red, with long black hair. She wore armor reminiscent of a Valkyrie, but her entire attire, wings, and shield were pitch black. Her sword was made of silver, surrounded by dark magic, and black butterflies swarmed around her body. Everything in her path crumbled, the surroundings darkened into an abyss, plants withered, and the ground cracked beneath her feet. Because of this, both opposing camps momentarily ceased their battle.

The monsters all knelt as she arrived.

??? (It seems the owner of this body is quite powerful.) I like my newfound strength. I will take full control of this body. opens and closes her right hand

Zilpher stares at the woman

One of the Lycans growled and charged at Zilpher from his right side, but without even looking, Zilpher swiftly thrust his sword into the Lycan's heart and kicked it away.

Lycan: Aw! Aww!!

Gusano: I-Is that S-Selena??!!!

Zilpher: It seems I have failed to prevent one of my greatest fears… (That the woman I love would be possessed and controlled by these monsters.)

??? Who among you is Zilpher Farley? smirks menacingly

Hilama points at the silver-haired, green-eyed man Him! Princess Ireña!

Gusano: What??!!! Ireña??!!! But that's Selena! Only her attire, hair, and eye color have changed!

Hilama: Princess, kill them now!

Ireña glares at Hilama and points her sword at his neck You have no right to command or dictate me.

Hilama gulps Y-Yes, P-Princess! I-It won't happen again!

Ireña lowers her sword

Hilama: Phew! (That was close!) wipes the sweat from his forehead with his left arm

Ireña approaches Zilpher I challenge you to a duel. points her sword at his neck

Gusano: What are you doing, Selena?! That's Zilpher, the man who lo—

Before Gusano could finish, Selena—now Ireña—cut him off.

Ireña stares into Gusano's eyes Do I look like Selena to you? smirks menacingly

Gusano: Tsk!

Ireña looks at Zilpher Well? Do you accept, King of Exolorus?

Zilpher: What are your terms for this duel?

Ireña lowers her sword If you win, we will leave this place and never disturb you again. But if you lose, you die, and I will claim your kingdom, including your palace.

Zilpher: I accept your terms. Let the duel begin!

Gusano: Your Majesty?!

Zilpher whispers to Gusano Don't worry, I have a plan.

Zilpher recalled what Goddess Callista had once told him…

Callista: When that happens, all you need to do is remind Selena of who she truly is and where she came from to free her from Nefertirani's control.

Zilpher (I will do everything to bring you back, Sel.)

Both Ireña's and Zilpher's camps cleared a large space so the two could duel properly. They stretched their shoulders and firmly gripped their swords, positioning themselves for attack and defense.

Zilpher struck first, and Ireña skillfully blocked his attack.

Zilpher: Yaaahhh!!!

Clang! Clang!!!

The impact of their swords created a powerful gust of wind that spread across the battlefield. While they dueled, their respective camps continued their battle.

Hilama: Yaaahhh!!!

Gusano: Yaaahhh!!!!

As Zilpher and Ireña's fight intensified, they seemed to dance through the air, their blades clashing and sending powerful shockwaves around them.

While battling, Zilpher spoke to Selena about their past.

Zilpher: You have two sisters, and like you, they are powerful and beautiful. Their names are Aerielle and Aella. smiles

Ireña: Tsk!

Their duel continued.

Zilpher: Do you remember what you told me back in the forest near here?

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[Flashback]

Zilpher: You saw… you saw me transform earlier, didn't you?! (Did you see how I shifted from a monster back to my human form?!) Tsk!!! cries

Selena: …

Zilpher: Now that you know my disgusting secret… will you leave me forever, Selena?

Selena: I could never do that because I love you, Zilpher Farley. I don't care about your appearance or if you turn into a monster!

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[End of flashback]

During their fight, their clothes got slightly torn. Selena nearly struck Zilpher's neck, but he narrowly dodged and grazed her with his sword.

Ireña: Urghhh!!! (My head hurts!) Stop telling me these stories that have nothing to do with me! glares at Zilpher

Zilpher (I won't stop until you return to me!) No way! grins teasingly

Ireña: Aahhh!!!!

Zilpher: And then…

Ireña (This pain… I feel dizzy!) drops her sword

They both landed back on the ground.

Ireña holds her head Tsk!!

Zilpher: Selena, do you feel alright now? lowers his sword

Ireña's eyes began turning blue, but…

Ireña (No! I refuse to let Selena regain control!) bites her right thumb

Blood dripped from her finger, and her eyes turned red again. She quickly picked up her sword.

Ireña: This is your end, Zilpher! Yaaahhh!!! charges at him

But Zilpher dodged.

Zilpher: Impressive! smiles You're getting better at wielding a sword, Selena.

Ireña (Zip?!) her eyes flicker blue again (No!!!) her eyes turn red once more Tsk!!! (I need to finish this, or Selena will regain control!)

But Zilpher disarmed Ireña, sending her sword flying into the distance.

Ireña: This… This can't be! (I lost… to a mere human with limited power?!)

Zilpher points his sword at her neck I have won, Ireña. grins menacingly Now, leave Selena's body at once!

Ireña smirks annoyingly But that wasn't part of our deal, Zilpher.

Zilpher: Tsk!!!

Ireña: Since you defeated me, my army and I will leave.

Zilpher: No! I won't let you leave while still possessing the woman I love!

Ireña: Then you must kill me. But if you do, Selena will die with me. Hahaha!!!

Zilpher: Tsk!!!