64 Playing 4D Chess(Part 1)

--- Zenon Griffey ---

Locating that trash's whereabouts wasn't too difficult. He had just emerged from a confrontation with five people, after all.

While the Capital wasn't vast, traversing from its outskirts to the Academy's location took time.

Even if he sought refuge within the Academy, it wouldn't pose a problem. Fortunately, luck favored me; he had yet to reach his destination.

'Found you'

 I thought with a sly grin as I gave the order to seize Alexia Midgar before casually crossing paths with him.

"My apologies... Oh, Fray Von Garoff? What a coincidental encounter," I remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

The man with ebony hair and crimson eyes met my gaze before responding, his smile tinged with mockery. "Indeed. Quite the coincidence, Zenon sensei..."

His tone revealed he was well aware that our meeting was anything but accidental.

Since he's the one who's playing around with my fiancée, he'd likely assume I intended to confront him and put him in his place. However, the truth was quite the opposite.

A certain artifact glowed in a vivid green hue, eliciting a satisfied smile from me.

"It'd be best if you come with me quietly. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee the princess' safety."

I warned, meeting his gaze with a steely resolve.

Confusion flickered in his eyes, prompting me to take out the crystal ball I'd been using to coordinate with my underlings.

"Show her"

Within moments, the orb illuminated, revealing an image of a girl with striking red eyes and shimmering silver hair. She lay bound by magical chains, unconscious on a bed.

My plan had already proven successful.

"Now, do you believe me?" I challenged, my tone firm and unwavering. "The princess is in my custody, and if you wish to see her alive, it would be in your best interest to cooperate."

Of course, it was a fabrication. We had no intention of killing the princess; she was a valuable asset for our purposes. However, he wasn't privy to that information.

I anticipated shock, rage, or perhaps even fear in response to my revelation. To my surprise, he burst into laughter as if I had cracked a particularly amusing joke.

"That fool deserves an award for his acting skills," The amusement was evident in his tone.

"I must admit, I'm thoroughly impressed."

Confusion washed over me, and before I could fully comprehend his reaction, the artifact I held in my hands was abruptly split in two. Despite my initial bewilderment, I quickly regained my composure.

"Are you out of your mind!?" I exclaimed, my frustration evident in my tone.

What's going on? Why isn't he even remotely concerned?

I never thought they were genuinely in love, but could it be that he doesn't care about her at all?

...Well, it doesn't matter. If that's the case, I'll proceed with plan B.

Fray Von Garoff has lost his mind over love! He seeks to eliminate his rival, but finding him too formidable, he fled with the princess to elope.

That's the narrative that will dominate the headlines of every newspaper by tomorrow.

I'll ensure it.

Anyway, since he attacked me, I had a reason to attack back.

"Raising your sword against a Dark Knight is a decision you'll soon regret," I warned, drawing my own blade.

"Frankly, you don't strike me as particularly intimidating." he retorted.

Mocking me like that won't be enough to anger me. What a foolish mistake.

---

Seizing the moment, I lunged forward with precision, my blade slicing through the air with a swift, calculated arc aimed straight at his arm, intending to render him defenseless.

But as my strike approached, he moved with surprising agility, effortlessly parrying my blow with a deft maneuver, the clash of our swords echoing through the air like thunder.

Undeterred by his swift response, I anticipated his next move, shifting my weight to evade his counterattack with practiced ease.

As we continued our deadly dance, the intensity of our clash intensified, each movement accompanied by the distinct clang of metal meeting metal. Magical power crackled in the air around us, sparks flying as our enchanted blades clashed with increasing ferocity.

The unleashed Magical Power began to wreak havoc on our surroundings, dislodging bricks and crumbling pieces of nearby structures. The shockwaves sent through the battlefield made all the people present in the area flee in fear.

if I don't end this soon, the commotion will be disadvantageous to me.

"You've got some skill," I admitted, my tone carrying a touch of mockery. Is that the extent of his power? Did he honestly believe he stood a chance against me with just that?

"Is that so?" He responded, throwing back a rhetorical question. I brushed it off; his words mattered little to me.

Amidst our clash, my mind was still fixated on the plan. The meticulous reports outlining the lack of serious sword training in his life were rendered inconsequential at this point. My exclusive objective was to kidnap him at the present moment.

I decided to channel all my magical power into my sword, enhancing both its strength and speed to the utmost limit. With a seamless motion, I unleashed a formidable strike, my blade flowing like water as it zeroed in on his hip, aiming to incapacitate him and swiftly conclude the confrontation.

To my astonishment, a barrier abruptly manifested, encasing him within its protective confines like a cocoon.

The shield shimmered with a mesmerizing blue hue, its surface crackling with magical power. As my sword clashed against it, the barrier emitted a sharp, piercing sensation, as if each strand of magical energy contained within was honed to a razor's edge.

The damaged state of my sword revealed that the barrier had the capacity to harm anyone who dared to make contact. Such a defensive measure was unexpected but intriguing.

"So, that's what you used to fend off my subordinates," I mused. It had to be some kind of artifact.

Observing the gleam emanating from the ring on his finger, I reached a swift conclusion.

Though, I expected it.

"Well, that won't work on me!" I spat out, slamming an artifact of my own against the barrier, expecting it to crumble like a house of cards.

But instead...

When my artifact clashed with the barrier, it felt like a thousand knives slicing through it, leaving me with nothing but a handful of dust in my hands.

"Damn, this thing's a beast! I've seen its performance in tests, but even against a legit artifact..."

He spoke as the barrier dissolved, leaving me questioning its sudden disappearance.

Was it drained of Magical Power?

"Anyway, Zenon Sensei, you seem to be misunderstanding something."

He flashed a smile, but something about it felt off...

I held back, allowing him the chance to reveal his hand.

"The person you have under custody, who do you think that is?"

What kind of question is that...

The unsettling sensation that had taken hold of me now intensified tenfold.

I felt a deep sense of dread.

My subordinates wouldn't make such a critical error in identifying the princess. They went so far as to reveal her capture, showcasing her confinement in a secret cell secured by magic-restricting chains. So, why were his words triggering this unsettling anxiety in me?

Moreover, they've been keeping a vigilant eye on the princess all this time, so there's no way they abducted the wrong person...

Is he just trying to rattle me, creating an opportunity to escape?

I should deal with him now and ask questions later...

With that resolve, I raised my sword once again. This time, though, I opted to unveil the hidden card under my sleeve. Without addressing that barrier, I won't be able to confront him effectively.

It's time to employ the Tears of Diablos.

---

Author's Note:

Bud really thinks everything is goin according to keikaku. 

He doesn't know we're playing 4D chess here.

Can you guess what's happening here? Though it will all be explained by next chap.

Anyway! I would like to thank justin avalos for deciding to support me and becoming my Patron! I am infinitely grateful :)