Legacy of the Dark Sage

Kyran knew he did not stand a chance against Estrid if he did not take her by surprise. With this in mind, he coerced Shaiha to release her concealment so he could create an opportunity for himself.

The first step in his plan was to divert Estrid's attention even for a second. Because, as much as Kyran did not want to admit it, he could barely fight off her control. Moreover, he realized she insisted on taking him into her room and making him lie on the bed because that was her 'territory.'

Estrid's room was an active Dimension, and her bed was her magic weapon. Combining these two, she created a territory that would make it hard for anyone lured to fight off her influence.

Kyran racked his brain for ways to divert Estrid's attention. He also had to alert Cyneah and the others of his intentions. In the end, he decided to have Shaiha release her concealment.

Having Shaiha release her concealment was one of their emergency signals. If Kyran's presence was known, it meant that his situation had escalated to the point that he could no longer proceed with the plan, and they should prioritize their safety and escape.

Kyran also chose that move, betting that the Emperor's Elites would be near enough to sense his presence. He intended to use them to force the Emperor to come and have him and Estrid fight.

Though it was said that The Emperor did not want to get on the wrong side of Estrid, Kyran knew he would never compromise if it involved his lifelong goal— which was to gather all the Ancient Magic Cores. The Emperor would never allow Estrid to have Kyran.

Kyran knew that exposing himself to this degree could affect their plan to wage war against The Emperor and his clan. But as long as he did not leave any trace of his connection to the Dragon Clan, they could continue with their war preparation. Kyran would then focus on escaping while The Emperor and Estrid fought.

Although there was also a possibility that they would end up working together to imprison Kyran, it would only be a temporary one. Judging by The Emperor and Estrid's character, they would likely plan something to take each other out when they least expect it.

Unexpectedly, neither the Emperor nor his Elites were the first to notice Kyran's presence.

Ruin and True Void.

Kyran knew that True Void could sense him more or less, even with Shaiha's concealment. Kyran hoped to regroup with True Void but did not expect it to happen so soon.

Technically, they had yet to regroup, but it was pretty much the case since they were on the same plane. In any case, having Ruin with True Void was also a plus.

Kyran knew Ruin had a beef against The Emperor and most of the large clans in the Higher Realm, so it was not wrong to say that they had a common enemy, and he would not mind lending Kyran a hand. Besides, Ruin was using Neo's old body.

Kyran did not know what Ruin was up to while running around the Higher Realm, but he knew Ruin would eventually need his help to do maintenance work on his borrowed body.

With Ruin and True Void attacking the Crepescule Clan from the outside, Estrid's followers were thrown into a panic. They then created the opportunity Kyran needed to wrestle enough control over his body and attack Estrid by surprise.

Since Kyran already had Shaiha released her concealment, there was no point in hiding his magic. Fortunately, Estrid was still confused and did not recognize his magic energy.

—No.

True Void's presence might have confused Estrid, which was why she did not recognize who Kyran was.

Kyran cut off Estrid's tails wrapped around him and summoned a Void Sphere to imprison her, along with Reynard and the two mages.

To be honest, Kyran was tempted to absorb Estrid. But he had not even tried absorbing a High Sovereign— what more an Overlord?

Ultimately, Kyran opted to imprison Estrid first and deal with her after moving her away from her territory.

"...!"

The Void Sphere pulsated. It would appear that Estrid could still move inside and use her magic.

Blood trickled down the side of Kyran's lips as he stabilized the sphere.

"Void Halfling! What in blazes are you thinking about exposing your aura? Do you know what trouble I had to experience to send The Emperor's Elites into a wild goose chase?"

True Void shouted as soon as he disengaged himself from Ruin and swooped into the destroyed wall of Estrid's room. He then turned into his mini-armor guise and started to berate Kyran.

"And of all the clans you could take over, why did you choose the Crepuscule Clan? I may not know much about the current affairs of the clans in the Higher Realm, but this woman is crazy! Why would you want her as a subordinate?"

Kyran looked at True Void and could not help but feel nostalgic at his ramblings. It had been a while since they had seen each other, and yet the first thing he did was criticize him.

Typical True Void.

"Yeah, I kinda miss you, too."

"...!" True Void choked on the rest of the words he wanted to say after hearing Kyran's unexpected response. His reddish-purple eyes and cheeks seemed to darken, seemingly embarrassed at the latter's words.

"I-Is that so..."

Kyran chuckled at True Void's weak response while wiping the blood from his lips. He then turned to Ruin, who actually looked like him, and frowned slightly.

"I understand that you have to use that face while working with True Void, but can you change it now that no one's around?"

Ruin tilted his head and regarded Kyran in silence before focusing on the Void Sphere that continued to pulsate as Estrid tried to escape.

"Do you really plan on taking over the Crepuscule Clan?"

Hearing Ruin's question, True Void remembered why he was berating Kyran in the first place and went on another round.

"That's right! No matter how much you want to gather powerful mages on your side, you can't take this woman! I will not allow it!"

"Even if you don't allow it, it's not like I can turn her into my Servant," Kyran replied with an exasperated sigh. "She is an Overlord. See how she can still move and use magic inside the Void Sphere?"

"Then, if you can turn her, will you truly consider it?" Ruin asked again. He looked and sounded so serious that Kyran could not get used to it. Then again, it would have been a huge problem if he had not found it strange when Ruin was using his face.

"No," Kyran shook his head. As True Void had said, no matter how desperate he was to find powerful mages to help him, he would not consider Estrid. Even if Kyran could turn her into a Servant, there was no saying that he could completely change her character.

Gael and the other Servants had a change of heart after being reborn from the Void because they had not been alive that long. Their level was also along the range that Kyran could support them.

Estrid was different. She was at least as old as Aillos, and her magic... Kyran had an inkling that it was one of those magic that branched off from Soul magic. If not for this, he would not have been hopeless against it.

"Then," Ruin approached the sphere, a murderous glint shone in his eyes. "Do you mind leaving her to me?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Kyran frowned, "What do you intend to do with her?"

"Does it matter~?" Ruin replied, his playfulness appearing again.

Before Kyran could reply, High Sovereign mages of the Crepuscule Clan started to arrive. They gathered just outside the periphery of the Void Domain that Kyran cast around the mansion to render the combat mages unable to use their magic.

As for the combat mages that had already made their way to Estrid's room, though they could not circulate their magic, they seemed adamant about fighting them with their bare hands. Being a combat mage allowed them to have hand-to-hand battle experience after all.

"What have you done with Lady Estrid?"

One of the combat mages demanded as soon as they arrived. They could see a giant dark purple sphere in the room and sense their Lady's magic within.

Ruin looked at the combat mages and snorted, "See what you've done? You replied too late, and now they have come."

"Let's leave," True Void insisted and flew toward Kyran to rest on his shoulders. "There is no point fighting them. Your safety is the top priority."

"I'll handle the rest here," Ruin agreed with True Void.

"If I leave, my domain and this sphere will be released."

"Doesn't matter," Ruin replied with a shrug. "Since I'll be taking care of her too. Besides," he looked at Kyran and added, "Your woman is also here, right? Are you sure you have the time to dally around here?"

"Maybe no. But do you think I will allow you to leave?"

Kyran, Ruin, and True Void's eyes widened as they heard a familiar voice from outside the Void Domain.

Ruin's face distorted into a massive grin as he glared at the figure of a beautiful young-looking man in gigantic automaton armor.

"Deus!"