The Villain's Story

Chapter 963: Elemental Havoc.

As Alan continued his descent into the caves, the mana of the cave, and the natural treasure his guide, he soon found himself questioning one thing.

‘This would all be over so quick if I just used my domain…’

The long trek down had impacted him, especially after he reached a point where his wings were only a burden. The earth mana in the vicinity was hostile to anything even remotely close to flying, forcing Alan to descend on foot.

He could still power through it, but he would prefer to be comfortable and in top shape before the eventual fight with the big bad boss below.

If he used the Jade Palace, chances were he could take over the entire canyon without lifting a finger. He was eager to experiment with his domain, but he stayed true to his promise, and that was to save as much mana as possible.

Although, Alan had already been promised a good, secret opportunity to use his domain would arise during the expedition. It was also close, even. He’d have to break his rule for a moment there before continuing.

The Jade Palace was indeed a unique domain, and there was nothing like it in the entire known universe, according to Valus. Some domains were special, like Crucible of Chaos, but the Jade Palace trumped them all in uniqueness, and Alan was hungry to expand this uniqueness.

Though, he would be lying if he said he didn’t just want to play Supreme General… After he had been unsealed, a lot of his interests, or if going by a more apt term, childish fantasies almost everyone possessed… had resurfaced.

Simply put, Alan wanted to do cool shit. He had shown off back on the wall because he wanted to be cool, and his usage of the Jade Palace later on would be similar as well. He was going to keep that a secret, however.

He didn’t want to reveal all of his trump cards now, did he? He had some sense in him, even if he wanted to be cool, doing something like that was ill-advised. Valus would probably smite him with a dark thunderbolt if he did such a thing.

Something the Supreme Dragon of Darkness could easily do on Earth, His status as a ‘God’ wasn’t just for show. Alan had been smitten many times before… and a part of his PTSD to the lightning element was due to this.

Regardless, he shook his head violently, getting rid of all bad thoughts and proceeded forward. He met quite a few elementals on the way, however, they avoided him or made way. It was odd behavior.

Perhaps they were feeling threatened? Alan couldn’t blame them, the sheer difference between him and the normal elementals was large, incredibly large. He couldn’t fault them at all if they chose to run, though a part of him did think they were being forced to do this.

Maybe the Big bad elemental beneath had ordered them to make way for him. It made him believe he was being led into a trap, and he whole-heartedly accepted it. A part of him wished to see what they had in store for him.

He’d like a bit of fun.

The earth mana in the vicinity reached a breaking point, forcing Alan to erect a small barrier around himself to stop it from annoying him too much. However, it was a sign he was close, and soon he was proven correct.

The tunnel he was in ended, expanding into a large expanse. Smooth stone lined the walls and the ground, tough enough that Alan would need a few punches to break it. The mana in the surroundings was no joke, and it had enhanced this chamber immensely.

Sadly, it wasn’t any affinity he was close too, making him frown a little bit. Alan focused on the center of this chamber, where he finally found the treasure that had spawned the elementals, as well as the minerals in the Grand Canyon.

His eyes flashed for a brief moment, as the information was laid bare before him.

[Lesser Terra Life core.]

[Rank: SSS]

[Description:

A fist-sized crystalline heart composed of countless layers of jade, obsidian, and veins of living gold. The core beats with a slow, rhythmic pulse, each beat causing tiny grains of dust and metal fragments nearby to rise into the air before gently settling again. Moss, flowers, and crystalline formations continuously bloom and recede across its surface as though the item experiences decade in mere seconds.

Looking directly into its center reveals a miniature world, a vast mountain range filled with glittering ore veins, emerald forests, and newborn stone creatures wandering beneath an eternal dawn.

Whenever it remains undisturbed, the surrounding ground gradually becomes fertile and mineral-rich. The core gives birth to many ores, life, and other such creatures in it’s vicinity, the latter to serve as Guardians.]

That was merely the short version of it, the core had many other specialties as well, which were useless to Alan but he knew many would go to war over it. It was still a treasure worth noting, though. Alan wasn’t interested in the core much, but rather the being sitting in front of it, calmly absorbing the mana released by the Life core.

It was a humanoid elemental three meters tall, it’s body was composed of metal, bark, and a small tree was growing on it’s left shoulder, one that exuded heavy affinity of Life.

[Name: King Terra Elemental.]

[Rank: SS+]

Before he could get a good look at the description, the Elemental opened it’s mouth and spoke. Naturally, it wasn’t any language belonging to earth, but rather Glyphs, the tongue of the spirits.

Alan understood it easily, the basic gift of a dragon was really helpful.

“What business do you have here, Young… mage?”

It seemed confused at the end, as if struggling to comprehend Alan’s identity. He couldn’t blame the guy, though. He was a Dragon, God Beast, and Void Spawn, they conflicted with one another, and veiled the fact that he belonged to any of the Three Prime Species unless he chose to reveal it.

It most likely called him a mage due to his mana reserves, a reasonable judgement.

“Eh, this Area is considered a Hazardous area, the existence of you and the elementals is going to be troublesome in the coming months.”

“So you seek to destroy us?”

Alan smiled, and raised his hands up in the air, signifying that he meant no harm. Alan had expected to get into a fight immediately, but seeing the Elemental capable of speech and harboring no malicious intent, he was willing to negotiate.

He was a Dragon, and Prince of the House of Death. Alan was certain Valus would smite him if he attacked the poor elemental without any reason. Dragons had a rule that they had to follow.

If negotiation is possible, negotiate. Alan had to follow this, simply because of his position, and also the fact that after being unsealed, this felt compulsory.

“Not exactly, though, some measures have to be taken.”

He said, as he slowly approached the Elemental, it stood up, dwarfing Alan in size and looked at him with it’s weird, hollow eyes. It had a mask of wood on its face, an odd one with a high leveled enchantment.

Alan continued, seeing the confusion of the Terra King.

“In a few months, the Demons will invade the world, and Elementals are susceptible to Chaotic influence. The last thing we want is a bunch of elementals being influenced by the demons and wreaking more havoc.”

“Nonsense, We of the Earth will not fall to abyssal temptation.”

“You will.”

Alan’s tone turned serious, and Alan knew the concerns of Humanity were real. Elementals were pathetically weak to Chaotic influence, and this was a fact known to the entire universe. The only ones unaware? Elementals themselves.

Those of the lower rank couldn’t be blamed, they had barely any intelligence to form thought, but those capable of leading their fellow elementals? They were unaware simply because they chose to spend their time in seclusion, rarely listening to anyone else. The one in front of him was the same.

The Terra King chose to never leave the source of his birth, and growing power.

“The Earth will not yield to the demonic.”

Alan let out a sigh, he suspected the Earth and Metal elements were influencing the Elemental a bit too much. He had been told that users of the two elements would be stubborn, but wasn’t this too much?

“Your brethren will fall to chaotic influence, mutated beyond recognition and turn to mindless rampaging monsters. The Core you protect will face the same fate.

However, you are an intelligent being, so take a moment to consider. With my position and influence, I can relocate you and the Elementals someplace safe, a human city where you will be left alone, However, you must promise to control the Elementals so they do not harm the humans there. You, and your brethren, will be able take absorb the power of the Life core without interruption.

I am also certain this will open up many other benefits with the Human race as well. Ye who wishes to become a spirit, will thou not consider this offer?”

Alan explained to the Elemental, feeling a bit cool about taking this kind of approach, and hoped that the Terra King would listen.