"No need to fill me in, Marcus. I already know what's there to know."
He looked at the empty patch of land where Edgar's forces stood and narrowed his eyes before commenting.
"I guess that's why they dared to show themselves. They have a reliable exit strategy ready. This complicates things."
Garos sighed before looking at Gregory. He smiled gracefully before addressing the enemy elf.
"Greg, you are not thinking of leaving early, are you? Now that you have blessed us with your uninvited presence, why not stay here forever?"
Gregory felt a chill down his spine when he met Garos' white eyes. Looking into them made him feel like he was drowning in a lake as deep as the sky above. As much as he tried to sound confident, Gregory's voice trembled as he answered.
"Sa… Sage Garos…. You have no business dealing with matters related to the two kingdoms. The rules of the Anfang Alliance clearly state that…"
Swoosh!
A spectral tidal wave manifested in the battlefield. It didn't hurt or drown anybody. Its only target was Gregory.
This tidal wave swept Gregory Grant in a blink. He felt like he was thrown into deep waters in the middle of his speech.
The space around him manifested water properties, converting even the air into fluid-like properties. The air became so thick and tangible that it could be said to have liquid viscosity.
Gregory stopped his speech midway through because he felt water had entered his mouth and nostrils. In the next moment, his body reacted to his silent suffering. He started coughing like a mortal on a deathbed.
It should be noted that Gregory was a water-element ranker himself. He had never feared drowning before meeting Garos. It was as if meeting Garos had rendered Gregory's elemental abilities null and void. Or that he didn't have easy access to them anymore.
Garos maintained a light smile on his face before speaking up– his voice was somber and devoid of compassion.
"I shouldn't have intervened? Rules of the Anfang Alliance?
Haha. That was a good one. Are there any more jokes you want to make for us?"
Garos stopped clapping his hands and looked at Gregory seriously before continuing.
"Never try to teach your father how to fornicate, Greg boy. I know the Anfang Alliance rules better than anyone here.
I had already made a name for myself before you were born. And I had retired from the public stage and entered into seclusion when you still drank milk straight from your mother's tit.
Do you think becoming a Sage ranker gives you the right to reply to me? Tch tch tch."
Garos' voice sounded like he had no malice towards Gregory. But that put Greg more on the edge. Because to Garos, killing Gregory or letting him live was not a matter of concern for Garos. As if he could get rid of Gregory anytime he wished.
Gregory tried to run away from the battlefield. He had already decided to get rid of all the elf infiltrators behind him. But Garos' individual actions had simply overwhelmed Gregory's consciousness. The elf Sage could not ignore it.
Garos' presence faded into nothingness. His deep and raspy voice, however, was tinged with authority. An authority that came from the night he was capable of unleashing.
Gregory looked at Garos with fear and vigilance. There was a part of him that wanted an easier death than drowning.
Garos liked Gregory's changed attitude. His voice somehow turned gentle and soothing as he spoke.
"There's a vast difference between us, my young "Sage". Despite knowing it deeply, you refuse to accept it. Just because your survival instinct prevents you from surrendering yourself to me."
One could hear mockery in Garros' voice when he referred to Gregory as a Sage. The young rankers found it difficult to accept Gregory could be called a "young Sage" when he looked like an old man– especially older than the one who called him young.
Garos chuckled when he realized what the younger generation of rankers and infiltrators thought. He took a deep breath before speaking up.
A person's fear either makes them lose their mind or gives them clarity on their lives in ways they hadn't seen before. So I can understand why you said or behaved as you did.
But…"
Garos dissolved into space before appearing in front of Gregory. To meet his eyes, Gregory lifted him in the air. Gregory could feel Garos' breath on his face when he spoke.
"But don't try to use the game rules against me when you are the first to break them. It makes you a hypocrite. And I hate dealing with those the most."
Gregory tried to wrestle himself away from Garos' grip by throwing his legs around. He tried to loosen Garos' grip as well. But Gregory soon understood that all his efforts were futile.
Gregory felt like all of his Sage-ranked powers and water attainments could not help him. He turned into a helpless mortal after being caught by Garos. Since he couldn't run away from Garos, he decided to talk to him instead.
"Sa… Sage Garos. I…. cough… I think there's a misunderstanding. I didn't break any Anfang Alliance rules. My side wasn't even aware of those abominations' arrival. And we certainly didn't work together.
Your intervention… cough... your intervention is unnecessary. That's… that's all I'm trying to say."
Garos looked at Gregory like he didn't believe him. But the former knew that the latter's words had some truth in them. Still, he had another question to ask Gregory. He tightened his grip on Gregory's neck before asking him in a low and threatening voice.
"I'll tell you if my intervention is unnecessary or not. I'll also tell you if your breaths are unnecessary or not. Not the other way around. But let's discuss that after I turn you into a hostage.
I have another question to ask... Greg. It's something that can't wait. So answer me honestly. Preferably yes or no.
Did you…. Did you steal the spirit beast I cultivated for three centuries?"
AN: Garos Renar was first introduced in chapter 852. ;)
