"Wait right there!"
As soon as Gabriel started walking closer to Rong, a shout came from the back.
Gabriel didn't even have to turn to know who it was. Rong's friends were here.
"I am the Princess of Yan! Stop right there! If you don-"
"If I don't, then what?" Xin hadn't even finished speaking when she heard some words.
Gabriel had disappeared from where he was standing and now was right behind her. She could feel his cold hand around her neck. All he needed was to apply a little pressure, and he could kill her.
"H-how?" The other Nobles were also stunned to find him right there. Wasn't he standing far away from them? How was he next to them in the next minute itself? Was this a teleportation spell?
They couldn't even react, and Gabriel had already taken their Princess hostage?
"Finish your sentence. If I don't, then what?" Gabriel asked again as his demonic voice made Xin feel chills deep down.
"You people came here, you destroyed houses there, and you tried to kill innocent people in this town. Do you think you have the moral high ground? You want to use your influence to scare me?" Gabriel asked.
"Raphael!" Gabriel called out to the Infernal King.
The Infernal King stepped forward.
"That guy used Flames to destroy Olivia's home. I want you to show him what true flames look like. But make sure not to kill him that easily," Gabriel instructed the Infernal King.
He was really angry, and there was no way he was going to let him live. It didn't matter if it was the Yan or Lumen Empire. Whoever made him angry deserved death!
The Infernal King, who was named Raphael by Gabriel, stepped forward.
It wasn't just Gabriel who was upset here. This girl and her family had earnestly helped them in the last two days. And for something like this being done to them as soon as they left for no reason at all? This was infuriating.
"You! Stay away!" Rong didn't know what to do anymore. When Xin arrived, he thought that he was going to be saved. He believed that together, they could take out Gabriel, but that looked unlikely now that Xin was Gabriel's hostage.
Moreover, dragging things for time also seemed unlikely. His only hope was the arrival of his army. He was really regretting not listening to Xin's advice and waiting for their companion armies to reach the town.
"Listen, I didn't mean-"
Rong tried to talk things out. Unfortunately, it was too late now. He had already crossed the line that he shouldn't have.
The Infernal King appeared before Rong, who was still speaking, grabbing Rong's tongue between his fingers.
"You speak too much," he said as a small black fire lit between his fingers.
"Aaa!"
Rong cried in pain as his tongue was on fire. It wasn't an ordinary fire either. The pain... He could feel that pain even in his soul.
He couldn't even control his tears that kept dripping out of his bloodshot eyes.
Until now, people had only heard about the brutality of the Dark Mages against the ones who offended them, but it was the first time for everyone here to witness that. Most people realized that the rumors weren't false at all!
****
"You are making a big mistake. You don't know the strength of our Yan Empire. You will have a chance. Let us all go, and I give you my word as the Second Princess of Yan that we won't pursue this matter!"
At this moment, it looked impossible for Rong to survive, but Xin didn't give up. Having revenge after their death was useless, according to her. If she could get their freedom in exchange for not pursuing this matter, it was much better.
Even though Rong was hurt, he could still be treated by Head Priests of Light after all!
"Strength of Yan?" Gabriel repeatedly. "Is Yan's strength more than the strength of all Churches combined? With my identity, I already have enough enemies. Do you really believe I can't afford one more?'
"Olivia!" Olivia's father was sitting near Olivia. He had carried her away from all the battle, only to find out that her breathing was feeble. At this rate, she wasn't going to live for long.
Olivia was hanging between life and death. Still, she was happy. She couldn't believe that Gabriel had come back to protect her. For some reason, that made her happy enough and sad at the same time.
The people who were called emotionless demons were the ones who were truly humans, according to her.
'What an irony...' she thought as her eyes started closing.
"This..." Gabriel also noticed Olivia's condition. He couldn't delay it longer, or she was going to die. After that girl helped him, could she really let her die? For him, the answer was no.
"I warn you, Princess. Leave while you have a chance, and don't dare hurt this town in the future. If anything happens to this town, let alone you, your entire Empire won't be safe from my wrath."
Gabriel freed Xin after issuing a warning and walked to Olivia, who was hanging by a thread.
"What about Rong?" Xin asked.
"He will stay here and accept the punishment for what he did. Heed my warning and be wise. Don't make the same mistake he did. It's for your and your Empire's sake," Gabriel responded as he sat before Olivia.
"Her condition is really bad. No medicines can help her now," he stated, observing Olivia's condition. He placed his hand on the young girl's chest.
He didn't prefer using his spells before strengthening his body, but for small spells, he could still use them without much worries.
"Heal."
Following one word, Olivia's body was surrounded by a beautiful golden light that covered her entire body.
The nourishing natural energy started entering Olivia's body, healing all her wounds. Her broken legs were healed, and so did her bleeding head.
Her heartbeat also stabilized within a few seconds.
"Um..." Olivia was in so much pain that she didn't believe she could live. Her face was covered in tears. She had already embraced her fate but didn't as she felt as if it was her last moment; all the pain in her body disappeared entirely.
Some strange energy filled up her body. It was such a beautiful feeling... Something that she had never experienced before.
"Light Magic? Healing?" Xin hadn't left yet. She wanted to see what Gabriel was going to do with Olivia, but seeing that familiar golden energy, her eyes widened.
There was no doubt about it! That was the Healing Magic of Light! How could a Dark Mage use the Element of Light?
****
"Sigh, finally we are here! Those young brats really move fast!" An old man sighed, looking at a small town in the distance. "They left even their own entourage behind..."
"Hahaha, old man, don't think much. It's not like they even need us anymore. They are already strong enough to protect themselves," Another man chimed in, laughing. "The Kids have grown up."
He wasn't alone. There were hundreds of Mages with him, all having the attire of Yan Empire.
