Chapter 34 - Gathering

In the midst of Luke's attention to the two kids, Raelor ushered Lunaria discreetly into the castle's shadowy recesses.

A veil of mystery enveloped her countenance as she finally unraveled the unsettling truth behind the lockdown, leaving her with an indescribable expression. Her face contorted with irritation, as she grappled with the unwelcome prospect of dealing with a challenging situation.

However, the compelling authority of her father, who was also Rank 7, left Lunaria with no choice but to yield.

In reluctant compliance, she followed him towards the castle, her steps laden with discontent and dismay. At this moment, they discarded their disguises, revealing their enigmatic long ears, a distinctive mark that set them apart from mere humans, accentuating the enigma surrounding their presence within the castle's cryptic corridors.

Lunaria's heart sank in despair as she contemplated the missed opportunity to be with Luke had it not been for the unforeseen circumstances. Her mind was plagued with thoughts of uncovering his secrets, a notion that troubled her deeply.

Despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within, their journey to the castle remained relatively smooth. The guards allowed them entry without any hindrance, a testament to Raelor's meticulous preparations before embarking on this venture.

With an air of reverence, the attendant guided them through the opulent and intricate corridors of the castle. Their footsteps resonated with a sense of anticipation and gravity as they neared the grand door leading to the diplomatic hall, a place shrouded in intrigue and solemnity.

As the attendant opened the door, Raelor and Lunaria were met with an awe-inspiring sight – a majestic round table dominated the hall, emanating an aura of authority and wisdom.

The gravity of the moment settled upon them as they beheld the scene before them – powerful and influential figures adorned the table, their presence exuding an undeniable air of command and distinction.

More than twenty figures graced the chamber, each radiating an undeniable and formidable aura. Their presence filled the air with an array of energies, ranging from quiet intensity to commanding power. As Raelor and Lunaria entered, the penetrating gazes of these influential beings fixed upon them, imbuing the atmosphere with an unspoken expectation.

With a composed demeanor, Raelor and Lunaria took their places at the reserved seats, displaying an air of quiet confidence even in the face of the penetrating scrutiny from the surrounding powerful figures.

The gaze of the King of the Luminaire Kingdom fell upon them, a glimmer of hope evident in his tired eyes. It was as if he perceived a ray of salvation in their presence, an expectation that they might hold the key to navigating the predicament that had befallen him.

The powerhouses persisted in their inquiries to him, seeking answers about the elusive genius who had undergone the baptism of the Phantasmal Astral Nimbus. They had scoured the capital, leaving no stone unturned in their search for this prodigious individual, yet their efforts had been in vain, and the genius remained elusive, like a phantom in the night.

In a moment of calculated decision, Raelor took the initiative to approach the King beforehand and engage in a candid conversation about the situation at hand.

During their exchange, it was revealed that the breakthrough and the magical phenomenon were not caused by any citizen of the Luminaire Kingdom, thus leaving the King without any leads to follow. He find out that the genius responsible for the event was not even human.

With a sigh laden with both weariness and indignation, the King couldn't help but express his inner frustrations about the misdirected approach of the powerhouses who had previously sought answers from him.

Despite his own considerable power as a Rank 6 powerhouse— the minimum requirement to be a king, the burden of the situation weighed heavily on him.

The misalignment of expectations between the Luminaire Kingdom and the visiting powerhouses left him grappling with both internal and external pressures.

The influential figures who had arrived for this crucial gathering were no strangers to power themselves, with most of them holding ranks ranging from 3 to 6.

In a one-on-one scenario, the King might have harbored some semblance of confidence in his abilities to hold his ground. However, faced with the collective and united front of the powerhouses, his hope began to wane. The realization that their combined strength far surpassed his own left him feeling disheartened and vulnerable.

The gravity of the situation heightened when a representative from the Southern Empire arrived, a formidable Rank 7 powerhouse.

The atmosphere in the hall seemed to shift as his commanding presence loomed over the gathering. The King felt an overwhelming sense of pressure, realizing that he was merely a small entity in the face of such immense power.

As the gazes of the powerhouses then turned towards Lunaria and Raelor, an air of vigilance permeated the room. Their presence, two enigmatic elves amidst the gathering of distinguished figures, sparked curiosity and suspicion among the powerful individuals present. The mystery of their purpose and connection to the unfolding events added an intriguing layer to the already enigmatic circumstances.

The King sought to allay their doubts, proclaiming that he had found the genius responsible for the event. However, the presence of the two elves seemed to cast a shadow of doubt upon the veracity of his claim, arousing suspicion among the powerhouses. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, and the atmosphere crackled with tension as they grappled with the uncertainty surrounding the enigmatic duo.

Despite being familiar with the female elf, who had garnered a reputation of grace and power in the southern continent, the powerhouses unconsciously harbored a subtle prejudice against her due to her gender. Renowned as the Spirit Goddess, a title that attested to her formidable strength.

However, the pervasive bias in the male-dominated world of power and authority led some of the powerhouses to unconsciously underestimate her abilities. The combination of her gender and her elven heritage seemed to cast a veil of doubt over her true potential, overshadowing her accomplishments and prowess.

In the charged atmosphere of the hall, the arrogance of a young man from a human supremacist kingdom reached its peak, and he let loose his formidable Rank 6 magic power with reckless abandon, directing it towards Lunaria and Raelor.

Swiftly discerning the threat, Raelor responded with decisive action, unleashing his own potent magic power to intercept the arrogant man's attack. Their energies collided in a fierce display of force, and Raelor's strength prevailed, shattering the man's magic power into oblivion.

The room stood witness to Raelor's unparalleled might as his magic power engulfed the arrogant man, seemingly suffocating him in its overwhelming force. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the showdown intensified, leaving the powerhouses in awe of the sheer potency of Raelor's strength.

In a single moment, the tide had turned, as Raelor's actions emphasized his own power and protected Lunaria from harm. The gravity of the situation became even more pronounced, as the display of might left a resounding impression on all those present, emphasizing the seriousness of the gathering and the potential consequences of their actions.

The echoing exclamation of "Rank 7!!!" resounded through the hall, leaving everyone in a state of disbelief. The revelation of Raelor's true power left the powerhouses stunned, their preconceived notions shattered, and their perception of him fundamentally altered.

As the other Rank 7 from the empire witnessed the display of Raelor's might, he reacted with a sense of arrogance and scorn. Attempting to defend his "fellow human," he unleashed his own formidable magic power to counter Raelor's display.

However, to his surprise and horror, a suffocating sensation enveloped him, and a tempest of a thousand blades of wind materialized around him. The revelation left him drenched in sweat, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.

His attempts to break free from the suffocating grip proved futile, as if an unseen force sensed his intentions and thwarted his every move. A single wind blade grazed his cheeks, sending a shiver down his spine. The fear in his eyes was evident, as he came to the stark realization that he was no match for the force that had ensnared him.

In the midst of the unfolding confrontation, the room fell into a tense silence, all eyes fixated on the unfolding spectacle. The atmosphere was charged with an aura of trepidation, as the arrogance of the Rank 7 powerhouse had been humbled by an unforeseen and uncontrollable force.

The Rank 7's gaze darted around the room, seeking the source of the overwhelming force that had ensnared him. Finally, his eyes settled on the single elf - the very woman who bore the nickname of Spirit Goddess and was known for her elegance and grace.

Their eyes met, and he was immediately taken aback by the piercing intensity of her gaze. The aura of power emanating from her was palpable, and he felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him. His attempts to maintain eye contact faltered, as he found himself unable to withstand the intensity of her presence.

A sense of helplessness washed over him as he realized the extent of her strength and determination. He understood that any suspicious move on his part could lead to dire consequences. His once-confident demeanor crumbled, replaced by a feeling of vulnerability as a cold sweat enveloped him.

The astonishment in the room reached new heights when another Rank 7 powerhouse made their presence known. The revelation that the seemingly frail-looking elves possessed such extraordinary strength left everyone in awe and disbelief. The powerhouses, who had carried themselves with confidence, now shuddered in the face of this unexpected display of power.

The Spirit Goddess, in particular, left an indelible impression, as her strength miraculously matched that of the other Rank 7 powerhouse from the empire. The realization that these two enigmatic elves, who had been underestimated and dismissed, were now on equal footing with the most formidable beings present left the powerhouses speechless.

The room crackled with tension, the atmosphere imbued with the weight of the momentous confrontation. The power dynamics had shifted dramatically, and the powerhouses found themselves humbled in the face of the unforeseen strength possessed by the two elves.

The room trembled with Raelor's anger as he felt the injustice of the situation. Their intention was to resolve a misunderstanding, yet the ignorance of the humans had led to an unwarranted confrontation. The weight of their disrespect and underestimation fueled his fury, and he was determined to make a stand against their insolence.

On the other hand, Lunaria's annoyance grew, fueled by the desire to prevent further troubles. She refused to let others underestimate her and her abilities. With a firm resolve, she unleashed her magic power, enveloping everyone in the room with an overwhelming force. The sudden change in the atmosphere left everyone feeling suffocated, a testament to the extent of her strength and the authority she held.

The king, who had been spared from Lunaria's magic power, attempted to gain the attention of the two elves by feigning a cough. However, his attempts were futile as Raelor and Lunaria remained focused on the unfolding situation, seemingly unfazed by the interruption.

The king's embarrassment at being ignored was overshadowed by a sense of relief, knowing that he had been spared from the suffocating force that had affected others in the room.

Although the king appeared troubled on the surface, there was a subtle sense of satisfaction in him. Deep inside, he found a sense of delight in witnessing the powerhouses experiencing the difficulties they rightfully deserved.

The unfolding events had turned the tables, and the king seemed content with the powerhouses facing the consequences of their actions.

As the atmosphere in the room remained tense, the king's inner celebration contrasted with the gravity of the gathering. The powerhouses were now confronted by the strength and authority of the two elves, leaving them to grapple with the implications of their disrespect and the unfolding events.

The seriousness of the situation deepened, as the power dynamics shifted, and the king's complex emotions added to the intrigue and complexity of the gathering.

Suddenly, the door swung open and a sense of surprise filled the room. A strikingly beautiful lady, exuding an aura of noble dignity, made her entrance. It was Ophelia, whose presence immediately caught the attention of everyone in the hall. Her astonishment at the unfolding situation was evident on her face as she surveyed the room.

Ophelia's gaze fell upon the elf who seemed to be at the center of the commotion, and her shock deepened. There was something strangely familiar about the elf's appearance that left Ophelia questioning her own senses. The enigmatic elf's presence seemed to trigger memories in Ophelia. They then locked gazes.

The atmosphere in the room grew even more charged, as the unexpected appearance of Ophelia added a new layer of intrigue to the gathering. The serious mood intensified, as all eyes now turned to the enigmatic connection between Ophelia and the elf, further deepening the mystery surrounding their identities and the events that had brought them together in this critical moment.