Conclusion

The air crackled with tension as the first move came from the mid Body and Soul Fusion Realm mage, who had assisted Jonathan in altering the portal's coordinates before its destruction.

"Sorry, Jonathan, but this battle is lost," the mage said, teleporting away with a finality that echoed in the tense atmosphere.

'Isn't this the other person who was discussing their plan with Jonathan when I first overheard them?' Elion thought.

"You coward—" Jonathan began, but he couldn't finish before the other two warriors at his side sprinted off without warning, fleeing in sheer panic.

"Hahaha, who would've thought the demon colluders had such little loyalty? What a surprise!" the vampire had a smug smile dancing on his lips. "But who said you could leave?"

The vampire's expression shifted to one of deadly seriousness as he soared past Jonathan, swiftly positioning himself behind the first warrior. In a fluid motion, he beheaded the orc with a single, precise slash. The unfortunate creature barely had time to register his fate before his life slipped away.

The remaining warrior, gripped by terror, redoubled his efforts to escape. Yet the vampire pursued him relentlessly, closing the distance in an instant.

"My blade is saddened to taste the blood of a coward," he declared coldly.

"No, please, wa—" the warrior stammered, his eyes wide with panic as he begged for mercy.

But the vampire's blade showed no compassion, severing his head in one swift motion, leaving only silence in its wake.

A fountain of blood erupted from the warrior's body as it collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. Jonathan watched the scene unfold, calculating the strength of his opponent. 

'He's definitely stronger than I am. Even if I manage to defeat him, there's no benefit to it; I'd be better off using this opportunity to escape.'

With a final furious glance at Elion, Jonathan began channeling his mana for a long-distance teleportation. 

"Want to run? Ask the blade in my hand for permission!" the vampire warrior taunted, not allowing Jonathan the chance to complete his incantation. 

Sensing the imminent danger, Jonathan realized he wouldn't finish the spell before meeting his end. In a desperate move, he shifted to a short-distance teleportation, narrowly escaping decapitation. 

He reappeared fifty meters away, a thin line of blood tracing along his neck, a reminder of how close he had come to death. 

'Damnit, this guy is too fast,' Jonathan thought, frustration and fear mingling within him.

"Didn't you want to kill the boy? Why are you running already?" the vampire warrior taunted, his twin blades gleaming in the moonlight.

"Fuck you! Why is a king's shadow guard here? Is this human kid really that valuable?" Jonathan shot back, rage coursing through him. He recognized the warrior immediately; this vampire wasn't here for him at all—he was here to protect the boy.

"A dead man doesn't need to know," the vampire replied coolly, before launching himself at Jonathan, eager to end the battle swiftly

But Jonathan was no lamb to the slaughter. Realizing he had no immediate chance to escape, he prepared to fight. As the vampire closed the distance, Jonathan summoned a swirling vortex of mana around him, the air crackling with energy. 

The vampire struck first, blades flashing like silver streaks aimed at Jonathan's throat. In response, Jonathan twisted away, conjuring a barrier of space magic just in time to deflect the blades. The force of the impact sent him staggering back, but he quickly regained his footing.

"Not bad for a traitor," the vampire remarked, his tone dripping with disdain. "But let's see how you handle this!" 

With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a rapid flurry of strikes, each aimed to exploit any weaknesses in Jonathan's defenses. Jonathan countered with bursts of spatial distortion, creating brief rifts in the air to deflect the blows, but the vampire's relentless assault forced him onto the defensive. 

"Is this all you've got?" the vampire taunted, a smirk widening as he danced around Jonathan's defenses. 

"Not by a long shot!" Jonathan shot back, gathering his energy for a counterattack. He conjured a series of spatial energy blades and launched them with pinpoint accuracy. 

The vampire sidestepped with fluid grace, but one blade grazed his shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood. Annoyance flickered across the vampire's face, momentarily replacing his earlier confidence. 

"Now you've made me angry!" he snarled, closing the distance once more. This time, he unleashed a powerful combination of strikes, each blow driving Jonathan closer to the brink. 

Jonathan gritted his teeth, determined not to relent. He focused intently, channeling his mana into a singular burst that created a sudden distortion in the space around him. The resulting shockwave momentarily threw the vampire off balance, giving Jonathan the crucial opening he needed to regroup. 

"Not done yet, are you?" Jonathan sneered, despite the exhaustion creeping into his limbs. He knew he had to devise a way to escape this fight before it was too late.

A strong voice interrupted their ongoing fight.

"May I join the fun?" 

When Jonathan heard the voice, a chill ran down his spine. He turned slowly, his heart racing as he met the gaze of his worst fears. Lucius stood in the sky looking at him, his red eyes blazing with fury. 

At Lucius's side was his wife, Evelyn, effortlessly holding captive the escaped mage as if he were a mere puppy, utterly powerless to resist. Though still alive, the mage's life hung by a thread. 

Lucius's voice dripped with menace as he said, "I won't let the man who nearly killed my son and destroyed my city escape with an easy death." 

His gaze locked onto Jonathan, a storm of rage brewing beneath the surface. 

"You'll pay for your crimes, and it won't be quick." 

Desperation gripped him as he realized that his meticulously crafted plans, years in the making, had been shattered by a mere child. 

Even the mage who had fled at the opportune moment had failed to escape; what chance did he have now?

The very fabric of space around Lucius seemed to tremble under the weight of his energy. As a low Demigod Realm warrior, he was one of the most formidable beings in all of Alastor, and his gaze was locked onto Jonathan with chilling intensity. 

Jonathan felt his legs buckle beneath him, succumbing to Lucius's oppressive aura. He dropped to his knees, his willpower failing him. 

In mere seconds, his forehead collided with the ground, a sharp crack resonating as blood oozed from the wound, spreading into the earth beneath him. 

Lucius approached Jonathan with a deliberate, measured stride, his presence radiating an overwhelming authority that seemed to fill the air around him. 

As he drew closer, he cast a brief glance at Elion, his lips curling into a warm smile that contrasted sharply with the tension of the moment. 

"You did exceptionally well, kid," he said, his voice both reassuring and firm. "Now, let me take care of this." 

Turning to the vampire who had stood guard over Elion, Lucius offered a respectful nod, acknowledging the warrior's efforts. "Thank you for protecting the human child. Your loyalty does not go unnoticed. Please convey my regards to the king when you return."

The vampire bowed slightly, a gesture of respect. "Of course, Lord Lucius," he replied, his tone unwavering and sincere. 

Lucius's gaze shifted back to Jonathan, a predatory glint igniting in his eyes.

In a swift, fluid motion, Lucius closed the distance between them, his hand outstretched. Jonathan felt an invisible force grip him, rendering him immobile as if he were a lifeless doll in Lucius's grasp. 

With an effortless flick of his wrist, Lucius sent Jonathan flying toward Evelyn, who stood nearby, an unsettling smile creeping across her face.

"Ah, how delightful! The torture chamber will surely love this new addition," she remarked, her voice dripping with malice. The sinister implication of her words sent chills racing down Elion's spine, intensifying the dread that had settled in his gut. 

Grateful that he wasn't the one facing the wrath of the Blackthorn family, Elion still couldn't shake the lingering fear of what might unfold next. 

It wasn't that he felt any pity for Jonathan—the dwarf was a traitor who had colluded with demons, betraying his own world and everything it stood for. 

No, Jonathan didn't deserve an ounce of sympathy.

Yet, as he observed the chilling casualness with which Lucius and Evelyn discussed torture, a sense of unease settled in Elion's stomach. 

This was the first time he had witnessed such brutality up close, and it was disconcerting to see someone speak about inflicting pain with such nonchalance. He had always believed in fighting for justice, but now he was caught in a moral dilemma. 

If the outcome of this torment could yield useful information about his enemies, he found himself grappling with the unsettling notion that he wouldn't be opposed to it.

Still, the thought of what they would do to Jonathan made his skin crawl. The realization that cruelty could be wielded as a weapon, even against someone so unworthy, left Elion feeling both conflicted and apprehensive.

As Elion wrestled with his own internal conflict, Lucius turned his attention back to him. His tone was steady, yet there was an underlying warmth in his words. 

"Thank you for your help, kid. I have some matters to resolve, but I'd like you to come to Blackthorn Mansion in two days. I promise to treat you like a distinguished guest.." 

There was a hint of a smile on Lucius's lips, a contrast to the tense atmosphere that surrounded them. Elion nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude.

"Okay, thanks for the help."