"Who are you?" Although his body was frozen, the man asked as he stared at Drakar with traces of blood spilling out of his lips.
"Haven't I already answered your question?" Drakar responded as he narrowed his eyes at the man.
"Now, if you don't want to end up like your comrades, answer my question and tell me who you are," Drakar said, glancing at the Vylkr vines that were slowly surrounding them after being blasted away by the intensity of the battle.
The man narrowed his gaze back at Drakar before he burst out in laughter, "Hahahaha!! Luckily, I've already fixed one vial before coming here," he said.
Seeing that the man's confidence had not diminished in the slightest, Drakar couldn't help but frown.
As a warrior, he could tell that the man's confidence was not born from ignorance but absolute certainty that he wouldn't lose this battle.
The man suddenly uttered, "Boost," the thick bracelet around his left arm instantly vibrated intensely, drawing Drakar's attention and causing him to frown deeply, as his instincts were immediately triggered.
Abruptly, before he could react or take action, a wave of inky black strands of violent, destructive energy erupted out of the position of the thick bracelet around his arm, spreading from his wrist to his forearms, and covering every inch of his body.
Even his eyes were covered entirely with an inky black tint.
Strangely, it looked similar to the warriors' 'Vylkr warrior mode,' which only warriors who had achieved their full potential could activate.
Staring at the familiar blackish inky energy around the man's body, Drakar's frown deepened even more before he suddenly sighed tiredly, "Very well, since this is how you want to do it, then, I'll play along too," Drakar said before he allowed his Vylkr energy to course through every vein, tissue, bone, and fibre of his body, and erupt outside of his being.
Vylkr warrior mode!
Although he didn't want to use it, fearing falling into 'Warrior's addiction' and going on a deadly rampage with no one around to stop him, seeing as the man in front of him wasn't planning on going down anytime soon, Drakar understood that he needed to go all out to win this battle.
"I don't think I need to say this twice, but if you don't surrender..." The man was about to speak; however, his words were immediately stuck within his mouth as he witnessed Drakar's body being completely covered by several inky blackish strands of violent energy erupting out of his body and covering every single inch of it.
Vylkr energy!
Even without taking a second glance, he could tell what he was currently looking at.
His lips couldn't help but part as he muttered, "Impossible."
…....
Hours after witnessing what the outside world looked like, heavy-hearted, they all returned to the mountain and focused on stabilizing the Prismerian Kingdom.
Within that day, a ritual was held for the Gemheart Clan, the Luminaris Clan, and the vassal clans under them, binding them as Subordinate Clans to the Crystalforge Clan and placing them under the authority of Queen Selene. This also meant that everything they owned and occupied was seized by the Crystalforge Clan, making their lives not only owned by the Crystalforge Clan but also reliant on them for their daily needs.
Usually, such a decision could only be made after the acceptance of the top clans of the Prismerion Kingdom; however, none of them dared to voice objections considering their current situation.
They kept their lips tightly sealed and went along with the Crystalforge Clan's plans because they were all aware of the consequences of disagreeing.
Not only did they consider Flintor's current strength and that of the surviving Crystalforge Elite Warriors, which was formidable enough to contend with or take down any clan or family despite their modest numbers, but they were also aware that behind the Crystalforge Clan stood Orion.
Even the Crystalforge Clan did not dare to refute or challenge him. As such, this was not merely a meeting, but the Crystalforge Clan further consolidated its rule as the single authority within the Prismerian.
Regardless, the efficiency in stabilizing the Prismerian kingdom improved so much that what could have taken several days was accomplished in a single day.
…..
Within the Prismerian Healer Sanctuary
As Orion waited outside the door with Fifi, he couldn't help but be impressed by the scenery.
Various flowers adorned the hallway alongside beautiful gems and crystals that had been placed to decorate the walls and ceiling. Observing the Prismerion healers walking back and forth along the hallway, each adorned with what looked like an identity badge on their chests, he shifted his attention towards Fifi.
She appeared to observe everything around her with a serious and intense expression.
"What are you thinking about?" Orion asked.
Fifi immediately snapped out of her thoughts and shifted her attention to him.
"I'm just thinking about whether Greta and Lola would love to have something like this," Fifi responded.
"Considering that Greta usually stays at the farm or back at her hut where those who are sick or injured are brought unless they possess enough wealth to invite her over, I think that having a place like this in the village where every individual who is injured or sick can be brought to, and would only be given treatment based on their wealth, would work wonders."
Orion nodded in response.
What Fifi had just suggested was something akin to a healthcare centre. However, thinking he could enhance the idea further, his thoughts wondered momentarily, before he responded, "Alright, I also think that it's a good idea, and it would save her some stress, especially since she's pregnant. When we return to the village, I'll speak to her and the Village Chief about it and see if we can make it even better."
"Even better?" Fifi asked with a raised brow.
"Yes, there are some ideas I have in mind that could greatly benefit the village," Orion responded.
