Legacy of the Dark Sage

Outside the Human plane, Nolan remained on the lookout for any movement from the three Sovereigns nearby.

Ruin, who appeared bored while sitting cross-legged in front, still had his summons out. They were all positioned systematically that it would be impossible for anyone to sneak past them.

'Hm?'

Nolan perked up as he sensed something was amiss.

Ruin's eyes also narrowed as he straightened and looked up ahead.

"Looks like someone just left," he said with a slight frown.

Although Ruin did not personally know the Sovereign who had left, that one had been infamous in the Lower Realm the moment he had appeared.

Sovereign of Flos.

"Why leave?" Ruin wondered out loud. "Is he giving up?"

Just as Ruin had said this, Nolan finally realized what was amiss. He turned toward the almost fixed hole in the space leading to the sky in the Human plane and caught a glimpse of something disappearing.

He did not make out what it was but it was black.

Immediately, Nolan used his authority as the Sovereign to observe the Human plane. He had been concerned about the three Sovereings nearby making a surprise move that he barely focused on what was happening in the Human plane.

When Nolan's consciousness looked at the Human plane, his eyes grew wide in shock.

"No!" he exclaimed. "That guy did not leave! He found a way to enter the Human plane!"

Ruin's eyes flashed malevolently after hearing this. He turned toward the Human plane and found a distortion in space at its surface.

He did not care about what would happen in the Human plane in general. Unfortunately, his prey was at the center of it. Thus, he could not turn a blind eye. Especially when he knew those Sovereigns were also after his prey.

Apart from this, Ruin felt a little indignant at being sneaked up on.

Even if that Sovereign was the infamous Flos, compared to being 'infamous' Ruin was far ahead of him. He would not be outdone!

"Someone actually dared sneak up on me? I'll ruin him!"

Hearing Ruin shouted in anger, Nolan felt mixed emotion.

Nolan felt this way not because he found it touching that this 'enemy' would be angered to this point when he had nothing to do with the Human plane. It was more to the fact that Ruin was triggered for such a simple reason.

Nevertheless, because of Ruin's simple-mindedness albeit somewhat twisted at times, assured Nolan that he would not suddenly betray him. After all, he knew Ruin was only interested in Kyran.

Choosing not to react openly at Ruin's anger, Nolan immediately turned, rushing back inside the plane. No matter what, he would not let that Sovereign succeed in entering the plane!.

However, Ruin shouted after him with a slight shake of his head, "It's impossible for you to do anything now."

Nolan ignored him and was about to enter when a powerful force enveloped his whole body.

"What the f*ck?"

"I told you," Ruin clicked his tongue as he flew to his side. "That guy is called Flos. You probably did not know who he is, but he had made a name these past few years. He had a way of entering another plane even when it was protected by a powerful barrier.

"Though no one mentioned it specifically, that also meant he could bypass the Sovereign's Cradle."

Nolan scowled as he looked at him, "I don't give a f*ck about that. His f*cking target is definitely my family!"

"That is why it is already impossible for you to do anything."

The moment Ruin said this, Nolan felt his insides churn.

That was right, as the Sovereign, he could no longer meddle in the affairs of the Human plane. His sole existence now was for the Human plane.

Flos, had no intentions of occupying the Human plane. Instead, he wanted to meddle in its internal affairs. Thus, Nolan could do nothing to stop him.

The only thing he could do was ensure Flos's level was suppressed so as to prevent him from damaging the Human plane.

"If you let me go in, I promise to stop him," Ruin suddenly offered with a serious expression.

Nolan stopped short and turned to him with a scowl. He might have believed Ruin would not betray him, but that did not mean Nolan trust him.

Ruin wanted to massacre the whole Regis Clan. Nolan would never trust a person like him.

"You don't have to give me such a dirty look," Ruin said with a snide sneer. "I am still your enemy. But that Flos... I know he came personally because he wants to take my prey. I can't let that happen. Since you don't want anything to happen to my prey, we have a common goal."

"You also want to take him," Nolan said through gritted teeth.

"Ah, well... True. But it's not like he will let me take him that easily. Besides, you marked me remember?"

"Don't give me that sh*t. I already know you already removed it after leaving the Human plane."

"Ahahaha!" Ruin burst out in laughter. "Since when did you realize?"

Nolan responded with a glare.

When Ruin realized Nolan had no intentions of replying, he sighed and said, "Come on. If you keep dallying, you'll give that guy, Flos, a chance to succeed. Since you can't make a move yourself, use me.

"I admit. You, tricking me in helping you earlier pissed me big time. But, come to think of it. Where's the fun in taking my prey now as he is? He is such a weakling that he could barely protect his loved ones.

"I want him to mature first. Once, he has grown, ruining him would be even more fun."

Nolan did not respond immediately. He sensed sincerity in Ruin's words to the point he found him sickening. Nevertheless, Ruin spoke the truth about dallying would only give Flos the opportunity to succeed.

"Make an oath to only drive that guy away and not hurt my family."

"I already did that."

"You only swore not to lay a hand on my family. That is different."

Obviously, Nolan knew Ruin's oath earlier had a 'trap.' The word 'lay a hand' could be interpreted in different ways. Ruin might take it literally as not laying a hand on them, but then he would use his summons, or even others to do his bidding.

"Ah~ such a doubtful guy. Fine, fine. I swear on my name as a Sovereign that I will not hurt your family. If I go back on my words then let the Fates and the Higher Being that presides on both the Lower and Higher Realms mete out their judgement."

Nolan frowned. He still sensed Ruin's sincerity when he swore that oath. However, he could not shake of the feeling that something was amiss.

"Are we okay now? Will you let me go in?" Ruin asked hurriedly. "I suggest exempting me from the Sovereign's Cradle. That Flos, seemed unaffected by it and will likely be able to use his full strength once he descended."

"If that's true and he wrecked havoc, I can interfere at last."

"Oh~! Good point. Since it already involved the plane's 'well-being' you can interfere. However, if he made a move without affecting the plane, then we're doomed."

"Are you admitting that he is far stronger than you?"

"Ahahaha!" Ruin burst out in laughter again before saying, "We both are in a different league. There is no point in comparing us."

Nolan was speechless. When Ruin entered the Human plane previously, his level was suppressed by Azaloth's cradle. In a sense, Flos and Ruin was truly in a different league of their own because the former could not be suppressed by the cradle, but the latter could.

"Well? What do you say?"

Nolan did not reply and only looked at Ruin.

While the two conversed outside the Human plane, the distortion had already appeared inside, and Obstruction could not contain his delight.

"He is here."

Though Obstruction said this in a low voice, it was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

Stella tensed at his words and braced herself as she conveyed her last message to Kyran.

However, this time she did not speak telepathically.

"Kyran, whatever happens, please know that I only did it because it is the best course of action at this point."

"What are you—?"

"NOW!" Stella shouted as a purple array appeared right above the Macabre Glacier.

Kyran's heart sank the moment he saw the array. He would never mistake that array, even if his Array attainment was low.

The telltale was pretty obvious.

The Array's color was purple!

From within the array, a figure emerged.

At the same time, the distortion in the sky stabilized as a figure appeared.

Layla, close to the Macabre Glacier, stared at the figure that emerged from the purple array. Her eyes widened in shock as she stammered, "You...! W-Why... how come...!"

The one who emerged was none other than Cyneah. The one Layla had been searching for all this time.

Cyneah, whose eyes seemed to reflect all the lights in the surroundings, looked dazzling as always. Floating in midair, she looked like a young goddess. She then lowered her gaze at Layla as if she could see.

Cyneah could not see Layla, of course. However, she could sense her. After all, she was her essence.

"I've come to take back what's mine," Cyneah said.

"NEAH, NO!"

Cyneah released her magic sense, and at once Layla and the Macabre Glacier reacted.