The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness

Chapter 44, Sacrifice

Rod leaped through the air towards Tiya, like a moth drawn to a flame.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly; Eluka could clearly see their figures drawing closer, and she could also see the brilliant lightning gathering in the Lake Master’s horn, becoming ever more dazzling.

Under the gradually approaching footsteps of death, Rod’s actions seemed so ridiculous, yet so lamentable.

“Rod, do you really like Tiya?”

This thought flashed through Eluka’s mind, but she quickly shook it away.

As Rod’s childhood friend, she understood well what kind of person he was.

Brave, gentle, kind, always wearing a smile for everyone.

Like the morning sun just rising.

Such a person easily attracts the attention of others.

Yet, when it comes to feelings, he was as clueless as a block of wood.

So in this moment, regardless of who it was, Rod would sacrifice himself to save them.

“This gentle warmth radiating towards everyone would drive anyone mad with jealousy.”

But even so, she still liked him.

So…

Eluka suddenly tightened her grip on her magic wand, disregarding the pain in her head, and infused her last bit of magical power into it.

“I never thought I would have a day to save my rival… well, it fits my kind and lovely persona quite well.”

“Fortunately, I accidentally learned this kind of magic before.”

“If I use it now, it should be fine, right?”

“Charming Magic!”

Ailuka pointed her wand at the Lake Master, and with what seemed to be a delicate gasp accompanying her loud shout, pink hearts emerged from her clear double pupils.

This was Ailuka’s first magic that didn’t require chanting, and it was also the magic she grasped the quickest; the talent she displayed in this magic even frightened her.

But the target was not human after all, so she still felt a bit anxious, unsure if the Lake Master would fall for it.

Zzz…

Under Ailuka’s expectant gaze, the Lake Master’s massive body, which had been tense and poised to strike, suddenly visibly relaxed.

The lightning that had been building up to its peak on its horn also began to dissipate.

The Lake Master turned its head to look at Ailuka.

In its fierce eyes, two pink hearts appeared as well!

“Success!”

Ailuka couldn’t help but clench her fists in excitement.

As long as the Lake Master was drawn to her, Rod would be safe; as a third-tier warrior, there was no way he could drown in the lake.

However…

“Roar!”

The Lake Master let out a hoarse roar, its massive body twisting in the lake, displaying agility and speed that did not belong to its size.

It was charging towards her.

Without regard for anything.

Its eyes held pink hearts, but reflecting behind those pink hearts… seemed to be the image of its long-dead mate!

In that moment, Ailuka seemed to see a lovesick woman, recklessly rushing toward her husband whom she thought had long since passed, ready to give him a loving embrace.

It was truly touching.

If only this lovesick woman wasn’t thirty meters long, capable of smashing a boat with a single tail swipe.

“God of Ice and Snow, please…”

Ailuka gritted her teeth and waved her wand again.

But before she could even finish chanting, she nearly fainted from the sharp pain in her head.

“It’s over…”

Ailuka’s face turned pale, revealing despair.

Her magical power was completely exhausted.

Not even a trace could be squeezed out.

Even manipulating her floating technique to evade the approaching lake master was impossible.

“Is that so? Is my fate coming to an end?”

As death drew near, Eluka surprisingly felt no fear.

She lifted her gaze, looking into the distance, trying to find something.

Unfortunately, everything was obscured by the waves stirred up by the lake master, and nothing was clear.

However…

“Rod should have rescued Tia by now.”

“In that case, my death won’t be entirely meaningless.”

Eluka revealed a satisfied smile, then slowly closed her eyes.

“I hope Tia can truly succeed in capturing Rod’s heart, and then bring him happiness.”

That way, even in the afterlife, I would be pleased.

…

Not at all.

I wouldn’t feel happy at all.

…

“Yū.”

A cold command echoed in Eluka’s ears.

Accompanying it were countless sharp sounds, like metal twisting and grinding, causing her teeth to ache, along with the lake master’s roar hidden behind those piercing noises.

Death did not arrive as expected.

Eluka opened her eyes in confusion.

She saw a figure cloaked in a trench coat and hood standing in front of her.

The figure was so slender that she seemed to be a delicate girl, but when she stood before Eluka, it felt as if all the winds in the world had fallen silent.

The figure turned back, revealing a dignified and beautiful face.

“Are you okay?” An asked.

“I… I’m fine.” Eluka nodded gently, like a frightened kitten.

“That’s good.”

An turned her head:

“Next, I’m going to kill it; you take care of yourself.”

“Okay… okay.”

Eluka stared blankly.

Until now, she had only just discerned the source of those sharp sounds.

It was metal.

Countless metals.

Living metal!

Silver-white, dark gold, reddish copper, and even many stained with rust, a dark red as if dyed in blood—so many varieties,

so many quantities of metal, intertwining like serpents, completely defying the laws of physics, rubbing against each other, combining, weaving into an insurmountable wall.

But when this wall stood before the lake master, it regained its inherent, metallic hardness and resilience!

The lake master, charging forward with all its might, had no chance to brake, crashing into the wall with unavoidable force.

And then…

The expected shrieks of agony began.

Even that exoskeleton, which seemed impenetrable to magic and incredibly hard, could not compare to the towering wall of metal. In the brief moment of contact, Eluka saw the lake master’s prominently featured, grotesque horn snap clean off.

“Honestly.”

An lifted into the air, slowly hovering above the lake master, who was writhing in pain.

She looked down at the lake master, her eyes filled with cold murderous intent.

“What will I do if you scare away the fish I was supposed to bring back for the young master?”

An raised her hand.

Her ten fingers curled slightly, then suddenly came together above her head!

“Prison.”

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The voice was icy and merciless.

Like a deity issuing a supreme decree.

In an instant, the metallic wall disintegrated into fragments.

And those fragments, under some powerful rule, reformed once more.

A thicket of metal thorns shot up from the ground in an instant!

Completely enveloping the lake master!

“Roar!”

The lake master twisted its body, struggling frantically.

Its terrifying strength bent the steel, and its hard scales resisted the sharpness of the metal, yet even so, it could not prevent its body from being gradually “grown,” as the thorny thicket continued to sprout new “branches,” pulling it out of the water!

Without water, the lake master’s struggles seemed even more futile.

“Is it ultimately just a fish?”

A massive, grotesque scythe appeared in An’s hand, reflecting a chilling gleam. She stepped down the steel staircase, one step at a time, until she stood before the lake master.

“Even a dominator-level beast is only this strong; it seems it won’t take long for me to fetch the dragon whip for the young master.”