I Just Inherited The Arcane Emperor's Legacy

He then turned to the Viscount. "And as for your offer, clearly, I don't have a need for your ring. But I appreciate it," Leo said to the Viscount. In response, he sighed.

"Well, I really didn't want it to come to this. But you offered me no choice," he said with a glum tone. He clearly had something to do but didn't like that he had to choose that option. Both Leo and Elise were confused. Did he have some trick under his sleeve that he hadn't displayed yet?

A metal spike came flying toward Leo and Elise. Leo grabbed Elise and dove out of the way. He then looked at the Viscount in surprise.

"So you gave up on trying to defend the girl?" He asked him.

"Yes. If you are planning on keeping her as a shield, then I can't help it," Greendove said.

"How dare you! If my father hears about this-" Elise was interrupted before she could finish her sentence again.

"No one cares, you prick! I wouldn't mind killing you myself at all because of how high and mighty you act. Do you think I am your slave? Ever since I welcomed you into my city, you have been making me do everything you want.

You made me fly this far into the forest in the blood moon! How stupid can you be? This is the perfect time to get rid of someone as useless as you," he said in response. Both Leo and Elise were shocked that they couldn't find the words to react.

"As for you, I can kill you without a problem too. If you were truly strong, then you would have attacked us the minute you saw us. If you need to take a hostage, then you are definitely weak. If you spare me the trouble, then I will give you a painless death," he said to Leo.

"What will you tell to her father?" Leo asked with curiosity.

"I can tell him that you killed her. I didn't become the Viscount of a city like mine by playing by the rules. I can even use the money that you and the girl have," he said. After looking at her a little closer, he added a few words to his previous comment.

"And maybe the girl can stay alive for a little while after I am done with you," he said while licking his lips.

Leo felt a little disgust when he saw that but lost it when he thought about who it was directed toward. It was one disgusting person trying to attack another. He didn't care about what would happen to either.

"So, I guess I don't have a choice but to fight either," he said while throwing Elise to the side. She was very surprised that he let go of her.

The moment she got free, she scrambled to her feet and tried to fly into the air. However, a Soul Fire Burst flew toward her. She scrambled to create a barrier which she managed to do just in time before being impacted by the spell.

When it hit the barrier, it created a huge explosion, shattering it. The remnant force hit her like a truck, knocking her out. Her body fell to the ground.

"I told you to keep her alive," Nefrati said.

"She is. Barely. She won't move now," he said in response. Opposite to him, Greendove was infuriated by his actions.

"It's one thing that you don't want to die easily. But why did you have to damage my toys?!" He roared while unleashing another metal spike at him. A barrier formed around him, but it was immediately destroyed by the spike.

"He is stronger than you," Nefrati noted.

"No one asked," Leo muttered while thinking about what he could do. The only spells that he could think of that could hurt Greendove were the 4th Star Spells. But he had very little mastery over them.

The main spell he had been practicing was the Shadow Veil and he got Beginner Proficiency in it because of his practice. But that was it. As for the other spells, he hadn't even started learning them.

The only spells that he could use to attack his opponent were the 3rd and 2nd Star Spells he had. The Soul Fire Burst was at Expert Proficiency after practicing it here and there in his free time. The other spells he had were also at the same level.

The only way a lower spell would impact the Viscount would be if he magically increased the proficiency of the Soul Fire Burst to completely master it. Then it would deal damage proportional to his own magic level.

As he was thinking that, a set of spikes came flying his way. He dodged both of them with his Shadow Step. A spike came flying toward him the minute he exited the shadows. Greendove was also very experienced with battling and had already figured out how the spell worked.

"I'm not surprised that you figured out how my spell works. But instead of focusing on me, try thinking about the girl who's trying to escape," he pointed to Elise who was trying to fly into the air.

She recovered from the previous spell and tried to make another run for it. The pain only made it harder to maintain her concentration though. As she almost shot away from the two, a black bolt hit her in the back.

The minute it hit her, it transformed into shadow tendrils that surrounded her and started absorbing her magic. She struggled to break free but couldn't because of her lack of energy. With the Shadowbind Bolt siphoning her magic away, she started falling to the ground, unable to use her spells.

Greendove frowned at this sight and moved his arm, making a gust that seeming lifted Elise and placed her beside him.

"Stop trying to play tricks with my toys," he said to Leo. Turning to Elise, he kicked her in her chin.

"As for you, I know that you want to run away, but give up on it. You should stay still for now, or you will suffer more. If you think death is the worst option, then you haven't thought this through. With someone like you, I could hand you to my soldiers as a prize. When they are done with you, you will realize why you shouldn't anger me," he said.

"Wow. You are sick. Why am I not surprised those are the words coming from a noble?" Leo said in response to those words.

"You aren't one? I wouldn't expect a noble to have tricks like you anyway," Greendove said in response.

"Big words coming from a lecher like you," Leo commented.

As he said that, a huge sword started forming behind his opponent.

"Oh, so that struck a nerve? Being called a pervert? Well, would it piss you off more if I said that I don't think you can really beat me," Leo kept taunting him.

"That's a smart move. Trying to throw him off by instigating his emotions. But for that to work, you need to have a counter to use at the right moment," Nefrati said.

"Ah, I forgot about that part."