The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 363: The Elder’s Prestige

Chapter 363: The Elder’s Prestige

The air seemed to have frozen.

Everyone stared in shock at Elize. Even Hex couldn’t believe his ears.

’She has done it now.’

It didn’t matter whether he trusted her or not. The fact that she didn’t allow these Elders to do as they liked, earned his respect.

"You dare?!" Elder Marcela shrieked. "I am an Elder. An Elder. I have the power to strip your Blessings from you!"

Hex didn’t know how she would do something like that. But Jonathan flinched.

’She isn’t bluffing then,’ Hex concluded. Sensing a surge of energy, he looked up in shock.

’No, she wouldn’t.’

But she did. Light burst out her body and flew toward the Elder. The speed of the stream couldn’t be followed by the naked eye.

One moment, a burst occurred and the next moment Elder Marcella screamed in pain. Hex moved his head with a start. The elder fell on her knees, screaming in agony. Her once-regal clothes appeared scorched, with charred holes and smouldering fringes. The revealed skin was full of blisters and burn marks.

"Lady Elize!" barked the Enlightened Knight among the guards. His shock, fear, and indignation were on full display. "Don’t overstep your boundaries. You have hurt an Elder. Irrespective of your might and post, you are to be detained and put on trial."

"Weren’t you already planning on doing that?" Elize chuckled. She didn’t seem perturbed or even angry.

’She is having fun.’

It sounded preposterous but Hex was certain about it. The always aloof Lady Elize seemed to be having fun and was proactively antagonizing them.

’Has she lost it?’

He glanced at Jonathan, who happened to catch his gaze. He shrugged. They didn’t speak but it seemed the other man agreed with him without saying a word.

"What do you mean? We came as soon as we heard the call of help. As you know, an Elder can’t be touched. By no one. Not even by you."

The man looked grim. The others behind him readied themselves. After all, Lady Elize wouldn’t be an easy opponent for them. Plus, Sir Jonathan was there too.

Hex knew he was ignored by the others. A Refined Knight didn’t count in a struggle of this level.

’They are underestimating me. That’s the opening for me. I will hit them when they least expect it.’

Hex wasn’t crazy to side with Elize and Jonathan. It didn’t make sense to attack the official forces of a country if he wished to participate in the competition. But he wasn’t naive either. These people wouldn’t spare him. He would be labeled as a partner or an underling perhaps, even if there was no proof to link him.

And in this case there was proof. The entire Guardian camp believed him to be Elize’s follower. Hex processed all this at lightning speed before making his choice. Elize didn’t even answer the Enlightened Knight opposite her yet.

The other two elders seemed enraged too but they stuck to expressing their anger through glares and heavy breathes.

"Three Elders came with their entourage to solve this mystery as soon as possible. I believe that. After all, the competition to gain a seat among the High Elders is fierce," Elize said with a smirk on her lips.

"But I don’t believe they brought you along to help with the case, did they?" She asked with a smirk. "You are here so they can detain me. After all, that would help these three morons prove their prestige among their peers to gain more votes."

The color drained from the Elder’s faces.

’Even this magical land has so many issues. There is war around the world on the horizon and yet they squabble for flimsy things such as prestige and power at the local level.’

Hex couldn’t understand such a mindset.

"Good," Elder Marcella sneered through clenched teeth. Her guards helped her stand. Again, none of the two other Elders even moved a finger to help. They didn’t even flinch at her pain. All their emotions seemed to be reserved for themselves and against Elize.

"Now that you have seen through our plan, we don’t need to hold back."

The guards, already in position to battle, all jumped into action. They pulled all kinds of tools and weapons out and launched their attacks.

Jonathan, like Hex, had decided to take Elize’s side. The mud around them moved and piled up, forming a wall of sorts.

"Stop. Don’t get involved."

The Earth element flow halted. hex, who was about to inject one of the crystals with Souldust stopped the flow of it.

’What is she hoping to achieve going solo?’

Elize never struck him as a show off. With all the political twists and turns happening, he was sure she had other plans.

While he mused these things, the attacks reached Elize. They all hit her golden wings. She had used them to shield herself.

The wings always appeared flimsy and weak. But they weren’t. The attacks of the opponents tore the air, scorched the land, and caused trembles in several Space layers.

Hex shielded himself behind the Earthen wall erected by Jonathan. Although the man never asked Hex to stand behind him, Hex did so.

Even with his enhanced physique and elemental boosts, Hex doubted his chances. He sensed the density and energy levels concealed inside these attacks. If these landed on Grindeston, the town would have reduced to dust just in the first volley.

’Are they here to capture her or kill her?’

Hex peered from above the edge of the erected wall. The attacks ripped Space apart over time. Color drained from the world, aside from where Elize stood. She was encased in a cocoon of light.

Right then, Hex sensed another source of turbulence. Behind the attackers, the Elders stood in a triangle, holding each other’s hand. They seemed to be chanting something. In the middle of their triangle a small, dark ball filled with crimson light was bubbling and growing.

"The Elder’s Prestige!"

Jonathan said with narrowed eyes. He didn’t wait for Hex to ask for an explanation.

"It’s the most fearsome power the council holds. Within Wrixia it grants them the ability to strip a person power by one Stage. The High Elders can even do it up to three Stages, rendering some people crippled for life."

’That’s fucked up.’

The Elders finished their murmuring quickly.

"Take this, you fucking wretch!" Elder Marcella cursed – the dignified appearance had long been lost – as they hurled the ball of crimson light at Elize.

The guards moved to the side. Their hurried and scared attitude suggested that even they wouldn’t be spared if they came in contact with the ball of crimson light.

Hex watched in worry. Jonathan fled. He sunk into the Earth.

Just as the ball was about to hit Elize, she lifted her hand and caught it. With a grin on her face, she looked at the horrified group.

"I wonder how great the range of this thing is."

She threw it at the group of Elders and guardians who were too scared and stunned to move.

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