Crashing the Party

The moment I unleashed my Fang of Heavenly Light—Meteor Flash Screw Attack, the force was overwhelming. A blinding explosion of energy erupted in the secluded grove, engulfing Eldrin in a brilliant, searing light. The attack was precise, devastatingly powerful, and executed with a level of mastery that left no doubt about Terran’s growth in strength.

When the light subsided, Eldrin was slumped on the ground, unconscious, his elegant form barely stirring. His eyes fluttered closed, the attack having rendered him temporarily incapacitated. A testament to its ferocity. While Princess Uriko remained unharmed. 

I stood over him, breathing heavily, eyes blazing with determination. I had struck with purpose—an ultimatum, a declaration of my resolve to protect Uriko and the empire from hidden threats.

But what I didn’t realize in that moment was the depth of what Eldrin had admitted—his involvement in puppeteering the demons to rebuild their army. The elf’s confession, spoken in a moment of weakness or desperation, revealed a dark conspiracy aimed at reigniting chaos and war.

As Eldrin’s words echoed in the air, My keen senses enhanced by Enuma’s spiritual presence listened in, catching every word. From the shadows, through Enuma’s invisible link, he heard Eldrin threaten Uriko directly.

I acted once I heard the words from Eldrin hoarsely, voice laced with cold resolve. “I will beat you senseless and force you to understand that you will not dictate my agenda. It will do you good to understand true strength." 

My eyes widened as I absorbed the words. My heart pounded with fury and protectiveness. This wasn’t just a reckless elf; it was a manipulator, a conspirator threatening the very future of the empire—and my beloved princess.

I stepped closer, voice low but fierce, “You won’t threaten her. You won’t threaten Uriko or anyone I care about. Your schemes end here.”

The attack had been powerful and precise—a clear message that Terran was willing to do whatever it took to defend his princess, his future empress, and the realm itself. 

As Eldrin lay unconscious, my mind raced with thoughts to end the elf's life now. This was just the beginning—the dark truth had to be exposed, and Eldrin’s dangerous ambitions halted before chaos could reign once more.

Eldrin’s eyes widened in surprise as he awoke from the attack. It was not reckless, nor random; it was calculated, deliberate, and executed with the kind of precision that only a master could wield. A magic attack turned into a physical and enhanced. A spell of unseen force—whatever it was, it moved faster than Eldrin could react.

The elf’s graceful form managed to dodge many surprise attacks in his life. A flicker of shock crossing his face. He was caught off guard—completely unaware of the depth of Terran’s capabilities, the power he was capable of wielding when driven by purpose.  Eldrin was hearing the conversation between Uriko and Terran.

As the dust settled from my powerful attack, the remnants of the grove shimmered with residual energy. Eldrin, unconscious and battered, lay amidst the wreckage of his workshop, the evidence of my fierce resolve clear in the destruction around him.

Uriko rushed forward, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink. She watched her fiancé with wide, admiring eyes as he stood over Eldrin's fallen form, muscles tense, eyes burning with righteous fury. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of relief and awe. She swooned just slightly, her hands clutching her dress as she looked up at him.

“Terran,” she whispered softly, a shy smile touching her lips, “you came to my defense… I’m so grateful,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

But then, she saw the look in my eyes—cold, intense, and unyielding. It was a look of a man ready to pass judgment, to decide life or death. Her breath caught in her throat as she stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on my arm.

“Stop,” she pleaded, her voice firm yet pleading. “Please, don’t do this. We don’t need to become monsters. Not yet.”

Terran hesitated, the fire in his eyes flickering as he looked down at her. After a moment’s pause, he nodded slowly, obeying her plea.

“What shall we do with him?” Uriko asked quietly, her gaze flickering between Eldrin’s unconscious form and her steadfast fiancé.

Enuma’s voice resonated in my mind, calm and measured. "Eldrin is a dangerous man, but he’s also a figure of great influence. Banishing him from the empire might be a solution—removing him from our sight but not necessarily punishing him harshly. Alternatively, if you wish to make an example, execution is an option, but it could have repercussions given his status as the Great Hunter and a member of the Hero Party."

I replied. "Ehh?"

He paused briefly before continuing. "Remember, Eldrin is remembered as part of the Hero Party, a hero of the realm. Punishing him severely might create unrest or turn him into a martyr. Perhaps exile or stripping his titles would be more practical punishment, but also mercy."

I nodded slowly, the weight of the decision settling heavily on him. “Exile, then. No executions unless he tries to come back or threaten the realm again. We’ll keep the peace—without becoming what we fight against.”

Uriko looked at me, her expression thoughtful. “He’s dangerous, and he’s clearly culpable. But if we make an example of him, it could cause chaos within the realm. We are young and will have our family's support. However, the people will not accept our words as is, being part of the Hero Party will leave people blind and deaf to our words. We will have to be careful if we ask my father to banish him.”

Uriko squeezed my arm gently, her eyes shining with resolve. “Thank you, my dear. We are agreed. We must be wise as well just, tempered with mercy. That’s the strength of a ruler.”

They turned their attention back to Eldrin, who still lay unconscious, unaware of the fate that awaited him. I was taken aback; I was ready to end my enemy who stood against me.

"That is what I would have done, but I also was Demon King that all respected my decisions." Enuma smirked, and elaborated, "You, boy, are just a new face. No matter how correct you are, you are still an unknown punishing a legendary hero. There will be people that will not see things your way." 

I had thought, "What if I win him over to our cause."  Which Enuma began to understand, and replied, "Yes, yes it could work. A bit of a risk. It definitely has a Demon King feel to it."

"What?" I was perplexed, "Demon King feel? I know he knows; I can beat him senseless anytime. I also have my father and emperor's support. He will come around to join Uriko's cause."

"Exactly!" Enuma said with relished smugness. "You brought him to heel. He will be obedient due to your strength. It was something, I made happen in my kingdom several times."  

I was astonished, "No, but... we are not forcing him! I am bringing to our justice side." and Enuma chuckled, "By force, he will follow you because he respects your power."

Terran stood quietly, gazing down at Eldrin’s unconscious form amid the wreckage of his workshop. A complex, contemplative expression crossed his face as he reflected on what he had just done and what it revealed about himself.  

In that moment, a silent understanding settled within him: The realization that I can bring Eldrin to heel through my strength and resolve is not so different from how the Demon King commands respect through power, dominance, and the ability to enforce will.

He felt a twinge of sadness, a bittersweet awareness of the similarities between himself and his master Enuma. The difference, he knew, was not in the method but in the intent—and in the rules society seemed to follow.

Enuma’s Demon King way was brutal, fear-based respect but the underlying principle remains the same: strength commands obedience. Where my childish notions of the code of respect, honor, and perhaps subtle manipulation still relied on strength to command respect. 

Terran clenched his fists, a mixture of disappointment and resolve. He had hoped that perhaps there was a different path—one of understanding, compassion, or diplomacy—but the rules of power, it seemed, were universal.

He looked at Uriko, seeing her gentle yet firm resolve, and felt a deep kinship with her ideals. But beneath that, he knew his own truth: The world operates on strength, whether through fear or respect. And I must decide what kind of ruler—and what kind of man—I want to be.

As soldiers of the empire came rushing in to see the wreckage and to rescue the injured. More and more poured in, all giving their respect to the Princess. Asking for permission to treat the injured Eldrin. 

She announced, "Treat the wounds of the Great Hunter, and please call an audience in great hall with my father, the Emperor. We have much to discuss. As right now, post a guard at Eldrin's recovery bed until further notice." 

The soldiers confirmed the order and moved to obey.