The Fate of Ancient Beast Summoner-Chapter 35: The Tea Leaves of War

The distance between the trolls and the group had narrowed to about ten meters. Liora stepped forward, raising her staff as she cast her spell: *Fruitstorm Barrage*.

Fruits the size of hand grenades—resembling oranges, lemons, and apples—launched like rockets, exploding violently upon impact with the trolls' bodies.

The explosions tore through their flesh, causing chunks of meat to fly off, but the trolls pressed on, their regenerative abilities swiftly restoring the lost parts.

Before the smoke from the explosions could clear, Liora calmly swung her staff again. She was fully aware that her initial attack wouldn't be enough to finish the trolls—it was merely a distraction.

Her real plan was already in motion. With precision, she invoked her next spell: *Dreamleaf Cascade*. Instantly, tea leaves and sakura petals rained down from the sky like a serene storm.

Each leaf and petal released a toxic gas that took immediate effect, hypnotizing the trolls and driving them into a frenzied madness. Suddenly, the trolls stopped running.

Some began hugging each other tightly, others strangled one another, and a few simply stood motionless, staring blankly into space. Not a single troll escaped the effects of the poisonous gas.

Amidst this bizarre spectacle, Liora didn't hesitate. She launched her final attack: *Maple Blade Cyclone*. A massive maple leaf, as large as a 20-inch wheel, materialized in the air. Its edges were razor-sharp, akin to blades or samurai swords.

The leaf began spinning rapidly, transforming into a cyclone-like vortex that moved with missile-like speed and precision. It darted toward the trolls, slicing cleanly through their necks one by one.

Like soda bottle caps being popped off in rapid succession, the trolls' heads flew off their shoulders. None of them escaped the lethal maple blade's wrath.

All who witnessed the scene were left awestruck, frozen in silence. Mouths hung open, eyes wide with disbelief. The official recap for Liora was staggering: twenty trolls annihilated cleanly and spectacularly—all alone, in under five minutes.

Then, Elowen shattered the silence with a satisfied laugh, clapping her hands. "Hahaha... absolutely incredible, Liora!"

She strode toward Liora and embraced her—a warm, proud hug, from a friend, a mentor, and one mage to another. That hug was Elowen's acknowledgment—one of humanity's greatest mages recognizing another who was her equal, or perhaps even greater.

Liora returned the embrace. "Thank you, Elowen. Thank you so much." They held each other for several minutes before Elowen finally pulled away, grinning. "Come on, Liora. After a show like that, you deserve a treat at People's Square."

As they walked back toward their horses, Liora hesitated, her voice laced with confusion and awkwardness. "B-but... what about them, Elowen? Why aren't they coming too?"

Elowen, still holding Liora's hand, kept walking nonchalantly. "Leave them. They're all grown-ups—they know the way back."

"B-but... I... th-they...?" Liora stumbled over her words, unsure what to do, but she couldn't resist as Elowen tugged her along.

By the time Elowen and Liora mounted their horses and rode back toward the Royal Tree, the others left behind still hadn't snapped out of their daze—stunned, bewildered, and utterly awestruck.

Only when the sound of hoofbeats faded into the distance did the soldiers finally move, inspecting the troll corpses to confirm they were truly dead. King Darius, Elder Amir, and Advisor Zayn followed slowly, still struggling to believe what they had just witnessed.

Meanwhile, Liora and Elowen arrived at People's Square, strolling leisurely as if the tension of the troll hunt had never existed.

They hopped from stall to stall, indulging in the delights of traditional market treats, their minds completely detached from the hunt and the people they'd left behind.

Eventually, they settled on a park bench not far from the square, snacking as they chatted. Then, Elowen turned serious. "Liora... was this trial not as difficult for you? The last one seemed so harsh—I didn't even know what to say. At the time, I thought only time could comfort you."

Liora smiled. "It's alright, Elowen. I understand that some problems don't have immediate solutions or comfort."

Elowen sighed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness. You've truly grown stronger."

They laughed, proud of each other's growth, before Liora added, "But this trial was still frustrating, Elowen. It felt like chasing my own tail—no clear end in sight." freewebnσvel.cøm

Elowen chuckled. "Really? Yet you didn't seem as shaken as you were after Windoria."

"Well, this one was annoying in a different way," Liora admitted. "Exhausting, but not enough to shake my values. Plus, the Ancient Beast made up for it with fascinating conversations. I'd say it was... oddly healing."

Elowen smiled. "I'm glad, then. I was worried for nothing."

Liora's gaze drifted into the distance, her expression wistful. "Talking to the Ancient Beast reminded me of my mother. Even when I was little, she always took my questions seriously—patient, sincere. I felt respected, and that made me happy."

Tears welled in her eyes. "I just wish I could tell her about this now. She would've loved hearing it."

Elowen gently squeezed her hand. "I'm sure she's watching from above—happy and proud."

Liora smiled weakly. "I believe that too... but I miss her warmth, her presence."

"I understand," Elowen murmured. "Sometimes, I feel the same."

A melancholic silence settled between them, memories of loved ones surfacing in their minds.

Then Liora spoke again, hesitant. "But... you still have your father, Elowen. I-I hope I'm not overstepping, but... if my parents were still here, I'd set aside my anger and cherish whatever time we had left."

Elowen met her gaze softly. "It's alright, Liora. Coming from you, I don't mind. I know you mean well."

Liora blushed, laughing awkwardly. "Th-thank you. I was afraid you'd be upset."

"Of course not," Elowen replied with a faint chuckle. "I appreciate your honesty. I'm just... not ready yet. And with my duties and the expectations on me, I can't afford to be pulled back into politics. Not when humanity's fight comes first."

Liora hugged her warmly. "That's fine, Elowen. Take your time. As long as the intention to reconcile is there, that's what matters."

Elowen returned the embrace, the two sharing a moment of quiet sincerity before finally rising. They made their way back to the royal palace to rest and prepare—their next journey was already waiting.

Evening fell over Verdantia.

Liora found herself once again at the dining table, surrounded by the kingdom's most prominent figures. The sheer variety and extravagance of the dishes always defied logic, but she was too busy savoring each flavor to dwell on it.

Across the table, King Darius seemed indifferent to the feast, engrossed in a hushed, serious discussion with Advisor Zayn and Elder Amir. Whether the topic was critical or he'd simply grown numb to such luxury, Liora couldn't tell.

Midway through her meal, Elowen leaned in and whispered, "I'll need to leave early to prepare supplies for the journey. Go on without me." Liora nodded in understanding.

Elowen rose gracefully, addressing the table. "Gentlemen, forgive my early departure—there are matters to attend to."

Zayn and Amir stood at once, bowing. "Of course, Your Highness."

The king's conversation stalled as Elowen left. His gaze shifted to Liora. "Miss Liora, must you depart tonight? Can it not wait until dawn?"

Liora laughed awkwardly. "A-apologies, Your Majesty, but Elowen's orders come from the Six Great Mages. I'm merely following her lead."

The king exhaled. "I understand. The frontlines at Gritstone can collapse from calm to chaos in hours—minutes, even. How those demons reproduce so endlessly... it defies reason."

Zayn interjected, "Indeed. Their numbers replenish unnaturally, while our reinforcements crawl to the front."

Elder Amir grumbled, "Sometimes, it feels like they're toying with us. We scramble just to survive each assault."

Liora offered a strained smile. "P-perhaps that's why they want us there swiftly."

The table nodded grimly before resuming the meal in silence.

Once dinner ended, Darius motioned to Liora. "Miss Liora, if you'll indulge me—a private word while time permits?"

She bowed politely. "Of course, Your Majesty. It would be my honor."

As before, King Darius led Liora to the gazebo in the royal gardens. Without preamble, he bowed deeply to her and spoke.

"Forgive me. I couldn't do this in front of the soldiers or court. But I must beg a favor of you, Miss Liora."

Liora stiffened, flustered. "Y-Your Majesty, please—don't bow! I-I can't—"

Darius straightened, though his voice remained low. "Apologies. I didn't mean to discomfort you."

"I-It's not that," Liora stammered, cheeks flushed. "It's just... you shouldn't have to."

"I did so not as a king," he said quietly, "but as Elowen's father."

"S-still!"

A faint smile touched his lips. "Then I'll be direct. My request is this: Protect my daughter. I cannot lose another member of my family." The words were raw, stripped of royalty—just a father's plea.

Liora's fluster melted into warmth. "Your Majesty, you didn't need to ask. I'd do it anyway. Elowen... she's like an elder sister to me. I'll give everything to keep her safe."

Darius exhaled, shoulders loosening. "Thank you. That brings me peace."

Liora laughed awkwardly, rubbing her neck. "Though, if I'm honest, she's usually the one saving me... But I swear I'll grow stronger. Strong enough to shield her when it counts."

This time, Darius laughed too—not in mockery, but in relief. The sound was quiet, buoyant with trust. His daughter was in good hands.

Together, they returned to the palace hall, where the others waited. Soon, they'd depart for the frontlines—the bleeding edge of humanity's war, where hope and despair clashed without end.

And for Liora? It was more than a battlefield.

It was where she'd prove herself—not just as a mage, but as the one fated to wield the power from God.