The Monster King's Legacy

Lance's golden eyes narrowed as he took in his surroundings. The sheer scale of the mountains dwarfed every other thing around.

He glanced around to see Serena standing a few paces ahead, her expression calm but predatory. She wasn't alone, Lance could see three others, though he didn't know who they were. The elven high mage, the dwarf, and the mysterious cloaked figure stood nearby, their stances relaxed but exuding power.

"And what do you think you're doing?" Lance demanded, his tone almost flat and bored, his voice echoing through the vast expanse.

The elven mage smirked, his emerald eyes gleaming with disdain before he turned his attention to Serena. "What is the meaning of this, Serena? I asked for a dragon, not… this." He said, pointing his hand at Lance.

Without taking her eyes off Lance, Serena became even more serious. "Trust me, this guy is more fascinating than the dragon. Apparently, the so called Monster King isn't just an empty title after all. It does take considerable strength to rule such a hoard."

"Hmm?"Eryndor looked back at Lance confused. "This better be worth while, Serena." He said with a scowl on his face.

"Hey you… are you also a god-blessed?" Grimner asked, his expression serious.

Hearing what was said, Eryndor's eyes shifted between the two, from Lance to Grimner and back. "Hey, shorty… what are you talking about?"

"I can feel it… he is not ordinary."

Remaining silent and at the back of the group, the hooded figure observed with keen senses, analyzing his target. 'His magic energy is almost pitiful, but putting the obvious aside, Grimner is right… there is indeed something strange about him.'

Serena stepped forward, her silver armor shimmering in the dim light. "We are the chosen of our gods. Blessed by their power, we are tasked with maintaining the balance of this world. You are not the first to rise against the natural order, and you won't be the last."

The elven mage raised his staff, the intricate runes along its length glowing faintly. "I am Eryndor, blessed by the elven deity of the forest and sky. Through her, I wield the forces of nature and the fury of the elements."

The dwarven commander pounded his runed hammer against his shield, sparks flying from the impact. "Grimnar Stonefist, chosen of the god of iron and forge. My strength is unmatched, my craft unparalleled. No matter who you are, you will before me."

'A ceremonial villain introductory… how original.' Lance thought to himself as his gaze landed on the one far back… "and you are?" He asked, his voice almost stale.

The cloaked figure hesitated for a few seconds as he wouldn't answer, but then he finally spoke, his voice a low, this time, almost like a resonant growl. "And I am the shadow of the unknown, the bearer of secrets whispered by the void. My god's power cannot be comprehended by mortals like you."

Serena's eyes locked onto Lance. "You appear tired, perhaps you take us lightly? Anyway, it doesn't matter."

Without warning, Eryndor raised his staff high, and the skies above them darkened. Thunder rumbled, and a massive bolt of lightning crashed down, striking the ground mere feet from Lance. The earth trembled as the bolt left a smoldering crater, its edges glowing red-hot. "Tsk, tsk, the accuracy certainly isn't the best." He said to himself, preparing another spell.

Lance was certainly impressed. He was sure that what he just used was a high tier magic, following the bit he had learnt from Aelyndra, but his opponent's casting speed was undeniably fast.

While Lance marveled at the skill or perhaps talent of his opponent, Grimnar stepped forward, slamming his hammer into the ground almost simultaneously. A wave of molten lava erupted from the point of impact, carving a path through the rocky terrain towards Lance. The intense heat wrapped the air, forcing Lance to take a cautious step back as the ground beneath where he stood erupted outward with a fierce wave of heat and a bit of lava.

'That was close… I would have ruined the clothes.' The thought to himself. As for the heat, he was the least scared of it. He could swim in lava and lie within glaciers, a little heat was nothing. Kaelthara's methods were indeed thorough.

Finally, Serena unsheathed her sword, its blade glowing with a divine radiance. She swung it in a wide arc, and a wave of light surged forward, carving a deep scar into the earth. The power radiating from her blade was suffocating, even from a distance. Apparently, Lance didn't need to dodge, as it was not aimed at him directly.

As the displays of power subsided, the delegates turned to Lance, their expressions smug and self-assured.

"You see?" Serena said, lowering her sword. "Your blessing may make you strong, but you're nothing compared to the god-blessed. Surrender now, and we might spare your kingdom."

Lance remained still, his gaze sweeping over each of his opponents. Despite the overwhelming power they had just displayed, he showed no fear. Instead, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Impressive," he admitted, his voice calm. "But strength isn't just about how much power you can unleash. It's about how you use it…" 'or so the saying goes.'

Eryndor sneered. "Empty words from a king who doesn't know his place."

Grimnar grunted. "Let's see if you're still so confident when we're done with you."

Serena pointed her glowing sword at Lance. "Then prove it. Show us what you're capable of."

Lance rolled his shoulders, his golden eyes glinting with determination. "I can kill all of you, right?"

On hearing that, the tension in the cold mountain air snapped like a taut bowstring as Grimnar roared, swinging his massive hammer, its head glowing with fiery flames as it heat up. The hammer struck the ground with a deafening impact, sending a wave of molten earth toward Lance. The molten lava surged forward, a blazing river carving through the rocky terrain, its intense heat warping the air. This time, the attack was visibly and clearly much more potent and powerful than the one Lance had seen just moments ago.

Lance sidestepped effortlessly, the molten path sizzling harmlessly past him.

'Perhaps I should really take some layers off?'