Weapon seller in the world of magic

An hour ago, Sylvandrial Dominion;

In front of the altar located deep inside the forest, the Princess was seen sitting in the middle of a circle that resembled the pupil of an eye. She had her palms on her knees but facing the sky.

With a glowing dagger in her hands, the High Priestess crouched before her and said, "Your Highness, if you are not up for it, then, you don't need to do this. It's not worth risking your life."

The High Priestess' expression was quite grave as if she doesn't approve of this arrangement but is helpless about it. 

However, the Elven Princess appeared to be quite determined. She replied in a firm tone, "No, as the only living royalty, it is my responsibility to do this. If I could reduce the burden on your soul in this ritual, I would gladly risk my life. Do it now."

The High Priestess stared at the stubborn princess for a couple of seconds and let out a deep sigh before she raised the golden dagger and cut the latter's palms.

"Argh…" the Princess let out a painful groan but bore the pain and proceeded to push her palms against the ground.

The ground below the princess glowed in golden color and the beam of light shot up, transforming into a giant eye.

As the giant eye batted its eyelid, the princess went into a trance. Meanwhile, the High Priestess transformed into a speck of light.

Thousands of futures opened up before her eyes in an instant before they disappeared, leaving behind one specific future timeline where the Demon Emperor was killed.

As if the prophecy came true, the Demon Emperor was killed in Mark's hands. A woman was seen floating in his arms with Mark's right hand around her waist. At one glance, they looked quite intimate.

However, it wasn't her. There was someone else but the face wasn't clear. The Princess was sure that it wasn't her because she saw herself lying on the ground, not knowing whether she was unconscious or dead.

Her vision immediately blacked out and she returned to reality without getting to look at the future afterward or the events that led to this incident.

The divine eye disappeared from the sky and specks of light transformed back into the High Priestess, whose pale face turned even paler as if she experienced a nightmare.

"What was that, High Priestess Sylvandria?" The Princess looked a bit confused.

The High Priestess came out of her stupor and replied in a stuttered voice, "I… I… I… selected the wrong future possibility. Don't need to think too much and take a rest. Wait a second. I will heal…"

"I apologize, Your grace. I need to report something important," An elven warrior hurried to the altar and greeted with one of his knees on the ground, interrupting her. 

"Hmm?"  "Hmm?"

As both of the ladies turned toward the warrior, the latter spoke a bit hesitantly, "The Hero has returned and wishes to meet you."

"Mr. Lu?" "Eek, Lu Zhen?"

The High Priestess' strange reaction brought a surprise to the Princess as well as the guard, but they didn't question her and merely stayed silent as she quickly regained her calmness and asked him to bring the guest.

While Mark was on his way, The Princess observed the High Priestess as the latter started walking back and forth in tension. She couldn't help but become suspicious as she never saw this woman act this way. 

Is it because of that mysterious future? Or is it just that the High Priestess was thinking about how to deal with this runaway who was destined to be their savior? The Princess couldn't help but wonder.

About 5 minutes later, Mark reached the Altar. He looked fine on the outside but his cultivation couldn't be sensed this time, even by the High Priestess.

"He has either a divine weapon or a higher cultivation," thought the High priestess. "No wonder he ran away. But, why did he return in that case? Is it to fulfill the prophecy or is that something else?" Upon thinking about the prophecy, she remembered the future she saw earlier. The High Priestess couldn't help but become paler once again. "No, that can never happen. Instead of blessing, it'll bring a curse to our race."

Meanwhile, Mark was checking out the Elven beauties.

Elowen Silverleaf

Race: Celestial Elf

Age: 96

Rank: 6 (elementary-stage)

Spirit Path: Archer

Attribute: Fire

Bloodline: N/A

Affiliation: Ixitus Empire (former)

Description: The last remaining heiress to the throne of the Ixitus Empire. Elowen is a celestial elf, the highest kind in the elf race.

*

Sylvandria Silverleaf

Race: Celestial Elf

Age: 488

Rank: 9 (peak stage)

Spirit Path: Mage, Seer

Attribute: Wind, Divine

Affiliation: Ixitus Empire (former), Heavenly Domain

Description: As one of the avatars of Aerdrie Faenya, the Elven goddess of sky, weather, and birds, Sylvandria was born with divine energy. She worships Auri-El, the chief deity of the Elven Pantheon, just like the citizens of the Ixitus Empire. As the High Priestess, she has sworn to celibacy.

*

"They must really take me for a fool to accept marriage with a 96-year-old grandma," Mark felt disgusted as he took a glance at the Elven princess.

While she is a beauty, in his eyes, she isn't as beautiful as Song Yue. Adding on top of that, her old age only made him feel like this 500-year-old woman tried to scam him by offering a divine-grade weapon.

As he put up a fake smile on his face for the sake of his task, the High Priestess greeted him, "Mr. Lu, what do we owe from your visit?"

Mark understood the hidden meaning behind her question. She was asking why he returned after going back on his words and running away.

Mark took a deep breath and said, "I'm ready to kill your enemy, Ms. Sylvandria. However, I need you as my guide to your capital city."

"Eh? Why? Why? Why me?" The High Priestess suddenly acted like a scaredy cat, taking the others by surprise.

Even Mark was the same as them, not expecting her to lose her calmness. Did she figure out his plan or something? He couldn't help but wonder.

Perhaps, the High Priestess also realized the abnormality. She quickly retained her demeanor and explained, "I'm sorry but I cannot come with you as I need to look after the people. In my absence, the forest will be vulnerable."

After a brief pause, she glanced at the Princess who was staring at her, and an idea popped up in her head. "You can take her with you. She knows the city better than anyone. She can take you directly into the palace without being spotted by anyone. And you don't need to worry about her well-being either. She has enough life-saving treasures to escape. With our divine weapon, she could be your support."

The Princess meaningfully looked at the High Priestess, wondering what this woman cooking up. She knew a few secret underground tunnels for sure. However, what she didn't understand was the reason why this woman who had been quite protective of her until now suddenly decided to send her away with a stranger.

Nevertheless, she was prepared to die for her people and if the High Priestess thinks that she is up for the task, then, she will do it.

Princess Elowen responded to the High Priestess' proposal by telling Mark that he could depend on her.

Unfortunately for either of them, Mark isn't in the mood to entertain their idea. His response to Elowen's assurance came in the form of action.

In an instant, the lightning clone made its appearance beside him. As the High Priestess was staring at it in shock due to its demigod realm, Mark's facial expression changed to that of coldness as he motioned his hand, "I'm not asking, Ms. Sylvandria."

Following those words, the Lightning clone turned into a blur and before the High Priestess knew it, a powerful chop to the neck knocked out in one move, and Mark walked to her, carrying her in his arms.

Floating in the air, he looked down below at the Princess, "Now, I shall give you two options. One, voluntarily come with me as the guide and there will be peace restored in your lives. Two, I will take you by force even if I have to kill everyone who opposes me. Make your choice…"

"Mr. Lu, what the hell are you doing?" A voice responded in place of the stunned princess.

"Hmm?" Mark looked in the direction of the source. "Steve? James?"