NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90 – A Pointless Discussion
To Elana’s displeasure, not everyone ran away in front of her passing. Her father didn’t lack loyal subjects. Lesser nobles and powerful guards shuffled around the Duke, protecting him now that the other Dukes had turned their attention to each other.
They looked unsure, still remembering Elana’s words about helping her father. Vermont’s cold glare penetrated his bubble, trying to incinerate his daughter. “She has betrayed us. Do not be fooled.” He removed doubts from his people's minds.
“Quite daring,” Ashton piped in. “I do like my women spicy.” His confidence was not shaken at all. “And beautiful. And your daughter fulfils both criteria.”
“Capture her.” Vermont spat out, now under pressure from the Prince, who clearly wanted Elana for himself - despite everything.
“Foolish cretins,” Elana scoffed, feeling unhappy she was still underestimated. They even dared to think about capturing her.
Moreover, they believed they could achieve that by not going all out. Elana did not believe any of them could come even close to breaking past her defences without putting all their might into it.
Not that she minded slaughtering more people. Days like these would be rare going forward. After all, Elana didn’t want to rule over a Kingdom of ruin.
A bolt of magic nicked the ice helmet, forcing Elana to tilt her head slightly. She glanced at the regretful woman, sending an icicle in return. It didn’t kill, but it did puncture the woman’s hand, forcing her to retreat.
“DON’T KILL HER!” Vermont’s voice was finally losing its cool. He glanced at Asthon, clearly nervous about actually finishing Elana off.
Which was curious. Elana looked at the Prince again, noting his amused demeanour as he observed the chaos around him. She slowed down, chewing on everything she knew about her new fiancee.
There was something. Elana was sure of it, but what was it? It had to do with the game’s ending and the rival kingdom. But she couldn’t recall for now.
Instead, Elana met a sword strike with her ice sword, which was still gaining bulk and strength as she fed it with mana. She pushed back against the attacker, overpowering him with sheer strength.
Another blow was incoming from the side, and Elana kicked her first opponent away, making him fly. She swung her sword, parrying the chop. Her counterattack didn’t stop, and she easily cut into the attacker’s chest, robbing him of his life.
It was so easy. Elana continued to rampage. She kept feeding her body with the Divine power surging forth from her bracelet. Her unstoppable might started to attract attention as more people fell by her hand.
But apart from her father’s forces, no one else interfered. The other camps were quite happy to see Elana storm Vermont’s forces and make his camp withdraw from the other power struggles around the hall.
Elana didn’t mind this either. She could deal with the other unruly factions afterwards. For now, she was happy to make a show and let the world witness the death of the terrible father who had sold his daughter to another prince. Or that was what would be told to the masses, according to Catarina.
With the magical energies clashing all around, Elana finally reached the large bubble her father kept up. Attacks still came, aimed at her, but they still were not meant to kill and were easy to deal with.
Vermont’s eyebrows were furrowed as he furiously was thinking. “I-I have another daughter,” He addressed Ashton.
“But you never showed her to me,” The Prince shrugged. “Is she as pretty as this Ice Queen?”
“Yes, so…” It seemed Vermont was struggling to form the request. “And she is feisty in a different manner.” He omitted a large part of what defined Mary. “So… We shouldn’t keep around who is rebelling so openly.”
“You do have a point…” Ashton hummed.
Not that Elana cared. She glanced at Moira, who had finished arguing with the guards. Unfortunately, the Princess had been pulled to her father, delaying the moment her woman would reveal her true nature.
Shrugging, Elana began to study the moving mass of water. She didn’t dare to simply touch the flowing wall. Her father was still a great mage despite his weakened state.
Around her spun tiny ice needles. Elana periodically sent them flying, keeping her immediate surroundings clear of any interference. A few pieces of ice formed and floated towards any incoming projectile that would disturb her.
Elana raised her hand, slowly moving her finger towards the water. She sent cold air into the spell. It was hard, but not impossible, to freeze her father’s spell.
Deciding this solution was just as good as any other, Elana began pumping the water bubble full of her mana, contending with her father. She kept freezing the liquid mass, making it sluggish, but couldn’t fully stop it.
But she didn’t have to. Vermont began sweating, his condition worsening as he pushed his poisoned body to its limits.
Elana’s smile turned more savage as she began gaining ground on the control over the bubble.
It was too much for the Duke. “I can’t hold.” He heaved, wiping sweat from his brows. “Ashton, you have to help.”
“No.” The Prince didn’t move. “I am not going to resolve your petty family squabble.” He suddenly announced. “Even though I think Elana is marvellous, the same can not be said about you.”
“We had a plan,” Vermont sweat even more. “You are changing our agreement.”
“And you made sure it is magically enforced.” Ashton shrugged. “And I am not going against any of the points.” He pointed out, clapping on the Duke’s back. “There was a very clear point in that contract about who should punish your daughter if she behaved. You go, tiger!” He cheered on.
Elana forced her will into the water bubble, finally freezing most of it. The tension and Vermont’s mana still contended with her, shattering the final defence between him and his daughter.
“Finally,” Elana let more of the cold spread. “A punishment, you say? Let’s see what he had in mind.” She raised her ice sword.
