Chapter 31: Conquering the Elves – The Ring of the Sage
Elf Queen Galadriel's pupils widened in shock, as if she had just heard something unbelievable.
Ryuu watched her reaction with amusement, then raised three fingers.
"I'll give you three minutes to decide," he said coldly. "When time's up, your elders start dying."
Galadriel's hands trembled at her sides. Never before had anyone dared to threaten her like this.
Even if she could escape, what would happen to her people?
As Queen of the Elves, her duty was to protect her people at all costs. Running was not an option.
Ryuu could tell a storm of emotions was raging inside her.
Letting the tension linger, he strolled toward the closest elder, Kailan, then snapped his fingers beside her ear.
Galadriel gasped and turned, eyes filled with terror.
"It seems the Queen still needs time to think," Ryuu mused. "Allow me to help you decide."
He casually approached the sage who had tried to flee earlier—Bolash.
Bending slightly, he whispered something into the elf's ear.
Bolash's blank expression twisted into one of eerie obedience. He suddenly lifted his staff—
—and, without hesitation, drove it straight through his own throat.
Blood splattered across the sacred elven hall.
"NO!" Galadriel shrieked in horror.
"You… you monster!"
Ryuu chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
He then glanced around. "Now then, who's next?"
His crimson Mangekyō Sharingan spun, and his gaze fell upon another sage.
The sound of Ryuu's boots clicking against the marble floor was like a death knell as he approached his next target.
Galadriel couldn't take it anymore.
"WAIT!" she screamed, falling to her knees. "I… I am willing to submit to His Majesty, the Demon King!"
Silence.
Ryuu smirked, his back still turned toward her.
And then—the sage before him collapsed, his throat impaled.
"WHY?!" Galadriel wailed.
Ryuu glanced over his shoulder. "Oh? Did I forget to mention? Orders can't be taken back."
She shook with fury, but Ryuu ignored her anger completely.
"Now then," he said, stretching his arms, "why don't we make sure you're actually loyal?"
Galadriel's body froze.
He slowly walked toward her, his movements deliberate, his presence suffocating.
A single tear slipped down Galadriel's cheek.
She had never felt so powerless.
Ryuu tilted her chin upward, forcing her to look at him.
Then, before she could react—he kissed her.
Galadriel stiffened. Her mind screamed at her to resist, but—
Her people.
Her duty.
She closed her eyes… and gave in.
At that moment, a dark energy surged from Ryuu into her body.
A Demon Seed—his mark, ensuring her life was now in his hands.
The process left her trembling, her breaths uneven.
She could feel it—a dark chain binding her soul to him.
Ryuu pulled back, licking his lips. "Sweet," he murmured.
Galadriel clenched her fists, her shame burning into her skin.
But she had no choice.
"Now then," Ryuu said casually. "Where is the Ring of the Sage?"
Galadriel lowered her head. "It… is in the Lake of Holy Water. Please, follow me, my lord."
She no longer resisted.
Between the hero and her people, she had made her choice.
---
Lake of Holy Water
The elven citizens watched in awe as their Queen walked through the city… with an unknown man's arm wrapped around her waist.
The Demon King.
Most assumed he was a Hero.
They cheered for their Queen, believing she had forged an alliance with a powerful champion.
Galadriel's cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she didn't dare resist.
She quickened her steps.
When they finally reached the lake, Ryuu's grip loosened.
He breathed in deeply—the concentration of magic here was overwhelming.
Galadriel pointed to the center of the lake.
"The Ring of the Sage rests within," she said softly.
"Good," Ryuu nodded. "Bring it to me."
She stepped onto the lake's surface—
—and did not sink.
Ryuu raised an eyebrow. Interesting.
Using an ancient elven spell, Galadriel glided across the water, reaching the lake's center.
She whispered an incantation, and a soft glow emerged from the depths.
A light-blue ring slowly rose into the air.
The legendary Ring of the Sage.
Galadriel hesitated—a flicker of resistance in her eyes.
But she knew.
Fighting back would accomplish nothing.
She turned and walked back, stopping before Ryuu.
Then, without a word, she offered the ring.
Ryuu took it and slid it onto his finger.
Immediately—
The elements of the world rejoiced.
The air hummed. The ground quivered.
Ryuu smirked.
He raised his hand—
—and with a single motion, unleashed a high-tier Water Spell.
The lake erupted.
The sheer force of the explosion sent massive waves crashing against the shore.
Galadriel shielded herself, eyes wide in astonishment.
"Not bad," Ryuu murmured, admiring the ring.
The Ring of the Sage enhanced all forms of magic, raising a mage's ability by an entire rank.
There were nine elemental magics in this world: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Light, Dark, Wood, and Metal.
Each had four levels—Low, Mid, High, and Super.
The Ring of the Sage pushed magic up an entire level.
For a true magician, this ring was a treasure beyond compare.
But for Ryuu, who preferred direct combat, the effect was limited.
Still…
It would be useful for one of his future subordinates.
He removed the ring and stored it in his System Inventory.
Then, he turned to Galadriel, who stood silently.
"You did well," he said. "Now, make the announcement."
Galadriel stiffened.
She knew what he meant.
"Tell the world," Ryuu continued, his tone playful yet merciless. "The Elves now serve the Demon King."
Her chest tightened.
The moment she made that declaration, there was no going back.
She slowly raised her head, meeting his piercing gaze.
"…I understand," she whispered.
A cruel smirk played at Ryuu's lips.
"Good. And remember—" He tapped her chest lightly, right where the Demon Seed pulsed within her.
"If anything happens, call me."
Galadriel shuddered at his touch, then quickly turned away, trying to steady her breath.
"Yes… my lord."
The world would soon know.
The Elves had fallen.
And their Queen now belonged to the Demon King.
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