Shinta's heart pounded as she stood her ground, facing the three figures before her. Kaelyin Silverlief, poised and composed. Beside her, the two fairy-race attendants, stood like silent sentinels, their iridescent wings shimring under the dim lantern light. Each of them was a cosmic expert. "Senior… let's just wait until my father awakens, okay?" she said carefully, forcing a weak smile. "I'm sure he won't take too long. He's not that much of a genius."
Kaelyin didn't so much as blink. Her expression remained as unreadable as ever as she responded in a calm, unwavering voice, "Let's not make a fuss. Follow , and your father might not even know you were gone."
Shinta took a deep sigh. There was no negotiation here. They had made up their minds. She swallowed, taking a slow step back. "No… no. This is the middle of a city... If you co any closer, I'll scream."
The mont she finished speaking, one of the fairies moved. With a flick of her hand, an invisible force pulsed outward, expanding in all directions. A thick mist swirled into existence, shrouding them in an unnatural silence. It was as if the world outside had simply ceased to exist.
A battlefield domain.
Shinta clenched her fists as realization sank in. This fairy was a level 4 cosmic expert, and she had just cut them off from the outside world.
"There is no need to resist," Kaelyin said, stepping forward. "You can't escape this."
But just as they prepared to seize her, the ground beneath them rumbled violently.
A tremor rippled through the courtyard, sending cracks splintering across the stone floor. The fairy's domain flickered, destabilized by the sudden disruption. The thick mist grew lighter, montarily losing its hold. And then, through the dissipating haze, a figure stepped forward.
"What is this? This is not how a guest should act."
Shinta's heart leapt. "Grandpa Soltz!" she cried, "Don't let them take !"
The old man, dressed in his usual earthen-toned robes, let out a dry chuckle. "Cunning girl… since when did I beco your grandpa?"
Kaelyin turned to face the newcor, her violet eyes narrowing. "You should not involve yourself in our clan matters," she said, her voice clipped.
Kaelyin turned to face the newcor, her violet eyes narrowing. "You should not involve yourself in our clan matters," she said, her voice clipped.
Soltz let out a deep sigh. "I don't want to be involved either… but I was hired to guard them."
With a re wave of his hand, the ground quaked once more. From beneath the cracked stone floor, towering stone golems erged, their massive fras forming a protective barrier around Shinta. The rest stood ready, their hulking forms casting long shadows in the mist.
"I suggest you leave before this turns ugly," Soltz warned, his voice steady.
Kaelyin remained unfazed. Without hesitation, she gave a subtle signal.
In an instant, the two fairy attendants sprang into action. Their wings flared, rainbow-hued energy rippling off them as they shot forward like blurs. Each wielded a javelin, their weapons charged with cosmic energy. With unnatural speed, they tore through the stone golems in their path, shattering them like brittle clay before launching their weapons at Soltz.
The old warrior didn't flinch. As the javelins ca hurtling toward him, he raised his arms. The weapons struck—but instead of piercing through, they halted against his forearms with an ear-splitting clang.
Soltz stood firm, unmoving, like an unbreakable fortress. Then, with a forceful push, he sent the fairies skidding backward.
Kaelyin's eyes glead with sudden realization. "Level 6… You hid your power well."
"Not hid," Soltz corrected, cracking his knuckles. "I just recovered from my wounds, thanks to Master Ery. So yes… I owe him and you will not take his daughter"
With that, he lunged forward.
The ground beneath his feet cracked as he propelled himself toward Kaelyin. Vines erupted from the ground, thick and thorny, reaching out to ensnare him. But with a single punch, Soltz shattered them to pieces.
BAAAM!
However, before his strike could land, sothing shimred between them—a golden silk-like barrier, thin yet unyielding. His fist t resistance, unable to break through.
Soltz narrowed his eyes. "What is that? A tier 8… no, tier 9 artifact!... you.. you are not a simple fey mber to be holding such items. Who are you really?"
Kaelyin remained composed. "If you understand... then you should stand down."
As she spoke, the golden strands lashed out—toward Shinta.
Shinta reacted instantly, using her Slithering Steps technique to weave between the attacks. But the silk moved unnaturally fast, adjusting to her every movent. Just as she was about to be ensnared, Soltz reappeared at her side, intercepting the strands with his own counterforce, keeping her safe.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Shinta nodded. "I'm fine. Thank you."
"We just need to hold on for a little longer," he assured her. "The Pardera guards will be here soon."
But instead of the guards, two figures rushed into the fading mist.
Kingrig and HaRon.
The two had co to rescue her, their faces set with determination. But they had underestimated their opponents. Within seconds, the fairies moved. A shimr of energy, a whispered incantation—before either could react, they were caught in a spell and collapsed, unconscious.
Shinta sighed. "Those idiots…"
Kaelyin knew ti was slipping away. "We have no intention of harming any of you," she said, her voice firm. "Co with us."
Shinta took a deep breath. She exhaled sharply, making her decision.
"Let them go," she said. "I'll go with you."
Soltz turned to her, his brow furrowed. "I've made up my mind," she interrupted. Then, forcing a small smirk, she added, "If I have yet to return... Tell my father to co pick up. I'm just going on a little trip."
Kaelyin gave a nod of approval. Without wasting another second, she turned and took off, her wings pulsing with energy. The two fairies followed, their grip firm on Shinta's arms as they lifted her into the air.
Soltz could only watch as they disappeared into the sky.
By the ti the Pardera guards arrived, the battle was over. The fey had already left, and there was nothing more to be done. Soltz let out a weary sigh.
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