Chapter 423: Handshake

No one else, frozen by the Time Stop, could comprehend what had just transpired in a single second. All they heard was a series of sharp cracks as metal shattered. Perhaps it was unexpected, or perhaps it was to be expected; Jilannis’s fatal strike had successfully hit her other self, but against the wall her opponent hastily erected, it did little more than graze her fair neck before being stopped dead. On the contrary, the recoil shattered Silence itself. Its magical Spiritual Light rapidly faded, and in an instant, the longsword dissolved into a pile of useless scrap metal!

"No—!" The two Old Elves were stunned for a moment, then let out a gut-wrenching, hoarse cry of anguish. They could accept that their sword had been missing for centuries, but they could not accept watching it be pulverized into dust before their very eyes!

And the culprit was none other than their most prized and successful disciple!

"I’m sorry, Teachers," Jilannis apologized, but her assault on her counterpart continued without pause. Beneath her mask, immense Arcane Energy surged once again. A seven-colored radiance wove itself into a wall in front of her. Although the other Jilannis and the Sword-Singing Lion Armor on her arm desperately broke through a portion of it, they couldn’t completely stop the Rainbow Light Magic Wall. With a pained grunt, the Moon Elf was sent flying backward, smashing through several cave walls before being swallowed by the darkness.

"It seems you still haven’t managed to integrate all the spell models into your vambrace. Remember? That was one of my research topics as well: adding additional effects to existing spells."

Jilannis slowly descended from the cavern’s ceiling. Unlike her other self, she preferred the solid feeling of her feet on the ground. She turned to face Ron, whose expression was shifting. "Alright, my business is settled. And you?"

"I hear you’re the Lord here. And that you defeated that brat from the Laine Clan?"

"You can call me Ron," Ron said, slightly lowering his shortbow but still maintaining a guarded stance. "How is she?"

"Who knows? Maybe she’s dead, maybe just unconscious," Jilannis replied, seemingly unconcerned. "You don’t need to worry about it. I’ll go and make a final confirmation shortly."

"I imagine you don’t need to be so concerned with whether she lives or dies, do you? After all, she is me. Anything she could have offered you, I can provide as well. And since I’m the ’more authentic’ Jilannis, I can give you even more."

"Why don’t we just forget about her and discuss the terms of our cooperation anew?"

"I’m flattered to have the opportunity to cooperate with a Grand Mage of your caliber, but... why?" Ron frowned slightly. "The other Jilannis had her reasons, but the path you’ve chosen seems different from hers."

"Of course. But I still need your assistance—that much hasn’t changed." Certain of her newfound singularity, Jilannis seemed to be in a good mood and explained patiently to Ron, "There are some principles in my research that I still can’t figure out. However, according to the information I’ve obtained, there are likely precedents here in the Delusional Land. But you’re probably already aware of the rules in these murky waters: only by reaching an agreement with the players behind the scenes, or by trying to take a seat at the table yourself, can you ever touch upon the deepest secrets."

"I’m not cut out for that sort of thing; I’ve confirmed as much over the last few hundred years. Becoming a Magic Empress or the like just doesn’t suit me. I need a partner."

The lake-blue eyes beneath her mask held an indescribable contempt as they swept over the restrained Vampire Count. The Count felt that peculiar gaze and couldn’t help but flinch, offering a fawning, awkward smile.

"This one," Jilannis said with a slight shrug toward the Vampire Count, "I thought he might be a suitable replacement, but unfortunately, he’s just a failure. An outcast. But you," she continued, turning to Ron, "are the current Lord of the Delusional Land. You should be able to help me. And in return—I don’t believe I need to elaborate on what I can do, do I?"

"Jian, let me remind you, blindly pursuing power will lead you to a point of no return!" the Old Elf said, trembling as he got to his feet. He looked at Jilannis gravely. "The very land we stand on was the territory of its former rulers. You know perfectly well what became of them!"

"Of course," Jilannis replied, her expression unchanging. "That’s why I have no intention of being like them, borrowing power from some other entity. Power like that is best held in your own hands."

"So, Lord Ron, what do you think? I have no interest in your rule, but we do have a common goal. Without an ally like me, winning amidst this all-encompassing conspiracy... I imagine that won’t be so easy, will it?"

Ron seemed to sink into thought. After a long moment, he nodded slightly, lowered his weapon, and walked toward Jilannis. "You’re right. We can certainly reach an agreement on that point."

When the young Lord was just a step away, he leaned forward slightly. It seemed he had truly given up on the other Jilannis. The Moon Elf was very pleased with this outcome. She extended her hand, waiting for Ron to shake it as was customary.

This Lord, it seemed, was not the utter ruffian of common birth the Vampire Count had claimed. His manners were impeccable, which put Jilannis in an even better mood. But in the next moment, instead of tactfully letting go, the human suddenly shot his hand forward and seized her wrist!

"What are you doing!" The Moon Elf was startled for a second, then snapped in displeasure, "Was this how I behaved with you before?!"

’This shouldn’t be happening! The only difference between us was supposed to be our philosophies. How could our personal habits be different as well? And—’

Jilannis tried to yank her arm away, but Ron’s right hand clamped down on her like an iron vise. His terrifying grip was so strong it made her bones ache!

"Let go! I command you!"

Ron slowly raised his head and stared directly at Jilannis. The Moon Elf was stunned to see a bright, blue-green light dancing in the human’s eyes. "My apologies, Your Excellency, Chief Grand Mage, but this is my domain. You don’t get to command me here!"

The Moon Elf tried to use Magic to break free from Ron’s grip. However, to her, Ron seemed to be in some kind of close-combat trance; her movements felt as sluggish as if she were caught in a Time Stop. His free hand shot out and interrupted her one-handed Casting. Before she could even register the sharp, cracking pain in her wrist, Ron’s head slammed forward like a Siege Hammer, brutally smashing into the high bridge of her nose!