As the air crackled with Alister’s mana, all the halted attacks… the spikes of ice, crackling
lightning, roaring flames, and poisonous clouds… vanished in an instant. The oppressive aura dissipated, leaving the battlefield uneasily silent.
Vira, still seated on the hover bike at a safe distance, stared wide-eyed at the scene. She couldn’t hide her shock.
“How… how did he do that?” she muttered to herself, gripping the handlebars tightly.
Quinton, despite his broken leg chuckled faintly. “Guess you aren’t the Overlord for nothing,” he said, a sly grin spreading across his face.
Alister’s gaze was sharp, his tone filled with a dmall but deadly warning. “You’d better start talking. My patience is thin.”
Quinton raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk softening. “Alright, alright, no need to get so grim. I come in peace.”
He said, shifting slightly on his good leg. “And I intend to make this worth your while.”
“Then get to it,” Alister said, the weight of his voice unmistakable.
Quinton inhaled sharply, steadying himself. He narrowed his eyes, his expression growing serious as he spoke.
“Overlord, I believe you’re looking for something. Something… critical. An ingredient of utmost importance, one you hope to use to craft something.”
Alister’s golden eyes narrowed, his mana flaring. Golden light coiled around his body, radiating an intense pressure that made the air vibrate.
“And if that’s true,” Alister said, his voice low and dangerous, “what of it?”
Quinton met Alister’s gaze unflinchingly, a look of confidence flashing in his own eyes. “What if I told you,” he began, a slow smile curling his lips, “that I not only know what that ingredient is… but that I have it with me right now?”
The battlefield suddenly fell completely silent, the weight of Quinton’s words sinking in.
Alister’s mana flared brighter for a moment before steadying, his sharp eyes scanning Quinton for any signs of deceit.
Mar’Garet tightened her grip on her spear, her expression darkening. “A bold claim, human,” she hissed, stepping forward slightly. “If you’re lying—”
Quinton cut her off, his grin widening. “I’m not lying. And I think your Overlord here knows that too,” he said, tilting his head toward Alister.
Alister held up a hand, silencing Mar’Garet without a word. His gaze never left Quinton as he spoke.
“Prove it.”
Quinton’s confident grin faded slightly as his gaze narrowed. His voice took on a serious edge. “I will, Overlord,” he said, his tone measured. “But first, I need your word. Once you take hold of the item, you’ll respect the terms of our agreement. If not…” His eyes glinted sharply. “Then we have no deal.”
Mar’Garet bristled at his audacity, her crimson mana flaring violently around her. Her spear glowed as she stepped forward.
“Insolent wretch! How dare you make demands of my Lord!” she snapped, her voice echoing. She raised her weapon, ready to strike.
Before she could move another step, Alister raised a hand. His commanding gesture halted her in her tracks.
“Enough, Mar’Garet,” he said, his voice calm but firm. His eyes never left Quinton.
Mar’Garet hesitated, her grip tightening on her spear, but she bowed her head and stepped back.
“Understood my lord.” she said.
The crimson aura around her dimmed slightly, though her sharp gaze remained locked on the human.
Alister leaned forward slightly, his piercing eyes locking onto Quinton’s.
“You have my word,” he said. “Now deliver.”
A smile slowly crept back onto Quinton’s face. He straightened, looking as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“That’s all I needed to hear,” he said. He turned his attention to Vira, his tone shifting to a lighter, almost teasing one. “Alright, Vira. Toss it over.”
Vira hesitated for a moment, still seated on the hover bike. Then, with a sigh, she stood and dismounted, her expression was neutral. She reached behind the bike seat, lifting it to reveal a hidden compartment. From within, she pulled out a sleek silver briefcase, its polished surface reflecting the moon light.
She glanced briefly at Quinton before tossing the briefcase toward him with a sharp flick of her wrist. The case spun in the air before Quinton caught it effortlessly, gripping the handle
firmly.
“Finally,” Quinton said, his voice filled with satisfaction as he cradled the briefcase. He tapped the top of the case lightly, a sly grin appearing on his face.
Alister’s golden eyes narrowed, his mana rippling faintly around him in anticipation.
“Open it,” he commanded.
Quinton unlatched the briefcase and slowly opened it, the faint click of the lock echoing. As the lid lifted, a faint glow emanated from inside, bathing the area in a soft, ethereal light.
Nestled within the case was a stone unlike any other… As the light from the moon above landed on its surface, it’m seemed to glow.
Alister’s eyes widened, his usual stoic demeanor momentarily disappeared. The glow of his golden mana dimmed slightly, as a look of awe could be seen on his scaly face.
A system window materialized before him, displaying the name in crisp, glowing white text:
[Ethereal Moonstone.
Item rank: Legendary.]
He stared at the name, his breath caught in his throat. Slowly, his hand reached forward, almost trembling.
‘That’s it…’ he thought, his mind racing. ‘It really is… With this, I’ll finally be able to save
Miyu…’
Before his fingertips could graze the stone, Quinton swiftly closed the briefcase with a snap, breaking the moment.
“Ah, ah, ah,” Quinton said with a sly smile, holding the case close. “Our deal comes first, Overlord.”
Alister’s hand froze mid-air before he lowered it, his expression returning to its calm yet
intense state.
“Go on,” he said.
Quinton smirked, satisfied with the control he now held. “First,” he began, holding up a finger, “in the case of a future disaster… when the world is plunged into chaos… I want your assurance that I and some select others will be under your protection.”
Alister’s eyes narrowed slightly but he didn’t speak, his silence signaling Quinton to continue.
“Second,” Quinton said, raising another finger, “I would like for you to spare the humans still alive here. No more mass purges, no fiery wrath. Let them be.”
Before Alister could respond, Cinder, standing to the side, erupted in fury. Her fiery crimson mana surged, her crimson eyes blazing as she stepped forward.
“How dare you make such demands of our lord!” she hissed. “I should reduce you to ash
where you stand!”
Before her power could escalate, Alister raised his hand, silencing her instantly, His gaze
returned to Quinton.
“Is there anything else?”
Quinton nodded, his expression growing serious.
“Yes,” he said. “The last, and perhaps the most important part of our deal…” He leaned slightly forward, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
“In the future, a certain celestial will require your aid. It is thanks to them that I’m here
today, presenting you with this item. I ask that when the time comes, you help them-no
questions, no hesitation.”
Alister’s golden eyes studied Quinton, weighing the request. The space around them seemed
to hold its breath as he considered the terms.
“Is that all?” Alister finally asked.
Quinton nodded once, his confidence unshaken. “That’s all.”