The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Chapter 147: The Elven Loop (2) The Agreement

Aurelia stood tall beside me, her eyes fixed on the elven general. She was calm, composed, her aura still radiating the same fierce power she had unleashed in battle. Yet, despite her poise, I could sense the tension between her and the elven leaders.

The queen's expression was unreadable, but the young elven monarch, Elaitharis, observed us with curiosity, her regal features betraying none of the uncertainty she must have felt.

The elven general, the leader of their armies, stepped forward. She was striking—tall and battle-hardened, with flowing auburn hair pulled into a tight braid that framed her sharp features. Her armor, a masterful creation of silver and green, shimmered in the faint light filtering through the trees, and her emerald eyes pierced me with a gaze that spoke of suspicion and contempt.

Every motion she made was calculated, every step measured as if she were in constant battle. Her voice, when she spoke, was as sharp as the sword hanging by her side.

"You expect us to trust you?" she began, her tone cold. "A wielder of dark magic? A necromancer?" The word carried venom as it left her lips. "How do we know you're not leading us to ruin?"

I met her gaze evenly, refusing to flinch under the weight of her scrutiny. "I'm not asking for your trust," I said, my voice hard and unyielding. "But if you want your kingdom to survive today, you'll have to listen. The demons are growing stronger. If you continue to fight among yourselves, you'll be fighting over a kingdom reduced to nothing but ash."

The general's eyes narrowed further, but she didn't respond immediately. Her expression was set, hard as stone. For a moment, the tension between us grew, thick enough to choke the air.

She turned to Aurelia, her brows furrowing as she spoke again, now with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. "And you? What is your stake in this?" she asked, her voice filled with suspicion. "Who are you to vouch for him?"

Aurelia paused, and I could sense the weight of the question hang in the air. She could have revealed her title, her kingdom, but I knew that wasn't her way. She didn't need to lean on titles or lands to command respect.

"I am a warrior," she said, her voice steady. "And like you, I'm here to protect my people. Dravis has saved my life more times than I can count. If anyone can turn the tide in our favor, it's him."

The elven soldiers behind the general shifted uneasily, their eyes darting between Aurelia and me. The tension remained, but Aurelia's words carried weight. Though they didn't know her title, they could sense the strength in her presence.

Before the general could respond, a voice broke through the murmurs. It was deeper, older, and filled with a calm authority. "Perhaps this warrior speaks the truth."

A figure emerged from the shadows of the forest, his presence commanding the attention of all the elves around him. He was an ancient elf, his long silver hair falling past his shoulders, blending with his shimmering silver armor. His face, though weathered by time, bore the wisdom and strength of a leader who had seen countless battles.

His eyes, though clouded with age, held a sharpness that seemed to cut through the tension. This was a man who had lived through eras of war and peace, a warrior from a time long past.

The elves around him bowed their heads slightly as he approached, recognizing his authority.

He looked at me with calm, measured eyes. "Dravis, is it?" he asked, his voice smooth yet filled with the weight of centuries. "You speak as one who understands war. I have seen many battles, and while your methods are... unconventional, your urgency is clear. The demons grow bolder by the moment.

We cannot afford to squander time with suspicion."

The general, still standing stiff beside him, shot him a sharp look. Her jaw tightened, but she did not speak. Clearly, the ancient elf's presence and words carried significant weight. She was not happy, but she respected him enough to hold her tongue.

"I am General Elendorr," the ancient elf continued, "leader of my people from a time long past. We have been brought here through the rifts, but our purpose remains the same. To defend our lands." Experience tales at m v|l e'-NovelBin.net

The young elven queen, standing just behind Elendorr, finally stepped forward. She had a regal air about her, though there was a youthfulness to her features that betrayed her inexperience. Her golden hair was braided intricately, adorned with silver and emeralds, and her soft features were framed by a flowing, white and green gown.

Her eyes, bright and clear, flickered with a combination of curiosity and caution.

"I am Queen Elaitharis," she introduced herself, her voice soft but filled with a quiet strength. "We do not trust easily, necromancer. But if this warrior speaks for you, then so shall I listen." Her eyes briefly met Aurelia's, a flicker of understanding passing between them.

There was something shared in that glance—two leaders who bore the weight of their people on their shoulders, and perhaps a recognition of the battles they had both faced.

Aurelia smiled in return, a small gesture of respect and gratitude.

The general—whom I now knew as Aelthria Tersalan—exhaled slowly. It was clear she did not like this decision, but with both the ancient general and the queen in agreement, she had little choice.

"Very well," Aelthria said, her tone clipped and professional. "What is your plan, Dravis?"

I glanced between the three elven leaders, assessing the situation. They were strong, skilled, and proud. But this battle required more than pride—it required precision, strategy, and a willingness to embrace unconventional methods.

"The demons are using the time distortions to their advantage," I explained, gesturing toward the distant rift where I could sense the demons gathering. "They're exploiting the chaos the distortions create. Attacking from multiple fronts. If we spread our forces too thin, we'll be overwhelmed."

I pointed toward the eastern ridge, where the forest grew thicker and darker. "The main force of demons is concentrating there. If we can fortify that position and hold the line, we'll have a chance. Meanwhile, I'll lead a smaller force to the west, where the rifts are weaker. We'll flank them and collapse their line."

Aelthria crossed her arms, her brows knitting together as she considered the plan. "And you think your... creatures will be able to hold them off?"

"They've faced worse," I replied sharply. "My forces can keep the demons at bay long enough for your soldiers to secure the ridge. Once their formation is broken, we can launch a counterattack."

There was a brief silence as the elves processed my words. Finally, Aelthria nodded, though her expression remained stern. "It's risky, but it could work."

Without wasting another moment, she turned to her soldiers and barked orders, her voice carrying the unmistakable authority of a seasoned leader. "Reinforce the eastern ridge! Prepare for a counterattack!"

The elven soldiers moved swiftly, their discipline evident in the way they responded to her commands. They were a well-trained force, no doubt about that.

Elendorr watched me with a thoughtful expression. "You fight with the mind of a tactician," he said, his voice calm. "We will see if your plan is as sound as it seems."

I nodded in acknowledgment. "We will."

As the elves moved into position, I felt Aurelia's presence beside me. She didn't say anything, but her gaze lingered on me, and I could feel the unspoken trust between us. She had vouched for me, and now, more than ever, I needed to prove that trust was not misplaced.

The battle began shortly after.

The sky darkened as the first wave of demons emerged from the rift, their twisted forms rushing toward the elven forces with terrifying speed. The ground shook with the force of their charge, and the acrid stench of sulfur filled the air.

"Hold the line!" Aelthria's voice rang out across the battlefield as she led her warriors into battle. Elven arrows filled the sky, each shot precise, each hit deadly. The demons were fast, but the elves were faster.

Elendorr fought alongside his kin, his movements fluid and graceful despite his age. His blade cut through the demons with ease, and his soldiers followed his lead, their coordination impeccable. Though his methods were ancient, his presence was a reminder of the strength of the elven people.

The battle raged, but as I had anticipated, the demons were using the time distortions to their advantage. I could see the rifts flickering around us, pulling demons from different timelines, warping their forms and making them more unpredictable. But I had prepared for this.

"Now!" I barked, sending my creatures forward.

The goblin king charged, crashing into the demonic ranks with brute force. Its massive fists slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The chimeras darted through the chaos, their mismatched forms tearing through the demons with a savagery that matched their appearance.

The elves, too, fought valiantly, their blades flashing in the dim light as they held the line. Aelthria led her forces with precision, her commands sharp and effective. I could see the determination in her eyes—she was a warrior through and through, and despite her initial distrust, she fought as though this plan was her own.

But the battle was far from over.

The rifts began to pulse, the air shimmering with distortion. I could feel the pull of time warping around us, threatening to drag us into chaos.

"Dravis!" Aurelia shouted, her sword glowing with arcane energy as she cleaved through a demon. "The rifts are intensifying!"