Emperor's Reckoning

The elf frowned. He furrowed his brows as he looked at what was dangling in the orc's hand. It was the head of the human cultivator that was resting under the shade of the lone tree. 

The elf narrowed his eyes before he darted at the cloaked figure, "I take it that this is just a convenient trap to catch me?"

"Hahaha, you're quite smart, blondie," the leader of the orc laughed before he threw away the head and let it roll on the muddy ground of the forest.

"I'm not talking to you, green-skinned," said the elf with his sharpened eyes.

"What's that?" The orc's calm harrowing voice was followed with frivolous killing intent and balled fists, yet, the espionage elf was undeterred.

"Now, now, no need to fight over little things," said the cloaked person with a hint of a giggle.

"Hmph! You better watch your tongue next time, blondie," the leader of the orc snorted before crossing his arms.

The elf darted his eyes back at the cloaked person, "What do you want?"

"That's supposed to be my question," the cloaked person giggled. "I'm sure you know that you can't contest yourself against me, so spill the beans would you, are you trying to interfere with my plans?"

The espionage shook his head. "I was asked by my king to give you a message."

"What kind of message?"

"His Majesty wishes you to visit him in the kingdom, of course, I would escort you if you would so need," the espionage put one knee down.

"Hmm, that's interesting, I never thought an elf king would want my presence, he must be really into plotting things," the cloaked person chuckled. "Do you have any more words to spare to me, or is that the only thing you're allowed to share?"

The elf frowned but nevertheless, the cloaked person was about to be the guess of his king. Respect was a must, "I'm terribly sorry for my previous behavior, but His Majesty asked me to invite you to the kingdom."

"I see, so that's all you have," the cloaked person crossed his arms. "I will keep that in mind."

"I have to make sure if you want to visit the king in the near future," said the espionage.

"I can't make that decision right now, I'm occupied with things recently, besides," the cloaked person smiled, "I'm sure you know what organization I belonged to, after all, you've been watching us for a fair amount of time."

The espionage was not surprised at all. "Please, forgive me."

"No, it's fine, you are an espionage after all," said the cloaked person. "Though, I would very much like it if you stop doing that, unless you want to join us."

The elf stood up, "I'm afraid, I don't have such luxury in my hand."

"Hehe, it was just a joke, no need to get so serious about it," said the cloaked person. "Though, I would like it that the great elves join us in our short conquest, after all, the humans, they too look down on your race, don't they? You might utilize the same mana, but they enslaved your beautiful kins."

"As much as I hate the humans, I'm afraid my action would affect my king, thus I must refrain from doing so," said the espionage.

"Oof, I guess. Then I shall meet your king in the near future—but may I bring friends over?" said the cloaked person.

"That would be out of my power," the elf shook his head, "I was tasked to invite you over, not your friends—though, I could ask His Majesty if it's allowed and returned to you in the following day."

"Alright, do that," said the cloaked person.

"Then I shall excuse myself," the espionage vanished as he blended in with the forest in the blink of an eye.

"Hmm, are you sure you want to involve the elves?" asked the leader of the orc. "As much as I hate the humans, the elves are uqually detestable with their tricks."

"Hahaha, everyone that has a little beef with the elves knows that," said the cloaked person. "But, if they wanted to join us, than they are allowed to do so, a helping hand is better than no helping hand."

"I doubt so," the leader of the orc turned before he saw his army foraging away against the nearby villages. Soon screams of terror traveled across the meadow and into the reach of their ears.

"Oh, looks like they have started without you," the cloaked person smiled as he noticed small smoke rising up.

"They can take care of themselves," the leader of the orc smirked. "Though—" He turned. "I never thought that you would be aiding us."

"We are all aiding ourselves here," said the cloaked person. "You have hate to settle, I have my own reason."

"It's not just the hate, and you know that," the orc furrowed his brows before his breath turned heavy. "I still doubted that this method would work."

"We are going to test it once we received it, no need to worry," the cloaked person smiled. "It has been proven to be working by my friends."

"Hmm, you better hope it works," said the leader of the orc.

"Chief!"

"Hm?" the leader turned before he saw a pitch-black orb that didn't even reflect the light of the sun—on the hands of one of his underlings. "It's so small."

"Comparatively, of course," the cloaked person smiled before he went on his way and picked up the orb. "This is the source of power that you all used, the anti-mana."

The leader of the orc furrowed his thick brows as he looked at the orb in his hand. "How many more do you need."

"I don't know for sure, but the best bet, is as much as I can," said the cloaked person before he put it away from their sight. "I just hope that no one will interfere with our goal."

The leader of the orc snorted before he darted against his underling, "Tell the other that we are done for today, we shall retreat."

"Y-Yes chief!" the orc ran back and shouted on his way.

"If the humans meddle with our cause, then we shall fight to the bitter end."

"The bitter end eh," the cloaked person muttered before he darted at the orc, "This cause of ours will certainly benefit you as a whole."

"Huh?" The orc furrowed his brows. "By ours, you mean us, or did you mean you and that Legion of yours."

"The Legion of course, but you will benefit with it too," said the cloaked person. "Until we meet again—which is soon, thank you for your service." He then disappeared much like the espionage prior.

"Tch! It's not a service," muttered the orc as he watched the white smoke gradually turning black. "The humans fighting back, surely those four leaders would be taking notice if we started taking our next target, maybe the elf's aid is needed to take down that kingdom."

...

The king of the elf was sightseeing his own kingdom with a cup of elven wine in his hand. He had a bright smile before muttering, "I see that you're back."

"Your awareness is as amazing as ever, Your Majesty," said the espionage before revealing himself with one knee on the floor.

The smile stays, "How did it go? Did you make yourself clear?"

"Yes, I have relayed your message," said the espionage. "However, he did ask something."

"Hmm?" The king turned and revealed his furrowed brows. "Asking something? What would that be?"

"He asked if he can bring some friends over."

"Friends?" The king darted to his glowing wine before slurping it. He reached for the chair before sitting down and putting his wooden cup on the table. "Tell me, what do you think of him?"

"I didn't manage to release a single arrow, Your Majesty. Please forgive me."

"Huh? Then how did you come into contact with him?" The king frowned. 

"He contacted me."

"What?" he raised one of his brows. "You got caught?"

"No, Your Majesty. He revealed that he has been aware of my presence from the beginning."

The elf king let out a long breath through his nose as his eyes darted from him to the window and then back to him again. "That was unexpected, never thought that someone would outdo you."

"I apologize, Your Majesty. However, he is more capable than me, especially, how he turned reality of my eyes into something different entirely."

"Illusion?" The king frowned. "He put you in an illusion?"

"I'm afraid so, Your Majesty."

"So he spared my espionage," the king muttered before he said, "Then I will allow it, let him has his 'friends' come over to my kingdom."

The espionage raised his brows before darting from the floor to his king, "Are you sure, Your Majesty?"

"En, let them come," the elf king smiled. "If someone is capable enough to put you into an illusion then he has earned the right to meet me with his friends— or are you afraid that they would be able to kill me?"

"N-No Your Majesty, you are the strongest elf in the kingdom, they couldn't even contest you."

"Hahaha! I will not be meeting them alone anyway, be at ease," said the king before he stood up and waved his hand, "Go, relay my message."

"At once, Your Majesty!" the elf vanished.