Essence of Ambition ( 388 )

King Edmund.

Cloaked in shadows, his form radiated an unnatural, glowing aura.

His sly grin twisted into a manic smile, eyes gleaming like a predator toying with its prey.

"You—! Arghhh!!"

Ibzles's body began to distort, flickering as his soul—his celestial essence—was siphoned away, like smoke drawn into a vortex. The swirling light around him turned chaotic and unstable, as if rejecting him now.

The butler, watching in horror, panicked.

"M-My lord!!"

Without a second thought, he turned and ran back toward the corridor they had come from, tripping over his own panic.

The elite guards of House Ibzles drew their weapons with discipline and resolve, surrounding the king.

But it was pointless.

With a casual wave of his free hand, black and gold magic lashed out.

Silent. Precise. Instant.