Chapter 288 40: I Am...
Zell's body moved faster than the Champion could react as he shot out his right leg like a chain, whipping the abdomen of the male three times with his full power, causing the armour around his body to crumble and cave in on his ribs, breaking several of them.
Zell then grabbed the Champion by his hair, lifting his broken body with ease before throwing him onto the ground with a loud thud, causing the humans present to shiver uncontrollably and look at him in horror.
"Haaa..." Chris just sighed and shook his head helplessly as he realised Zell wouldn't hold back.
Esmera trembled slightly as she remembered how gentle Zell had been over the past few days, yet how he could transform into this brutal monster so quickly and effortlessly, making her realise how weak she was.
She wanted to be strong and protect those she loved... but she felt like a burden at this moment, unable to control her emotions or fear as she stared at Zell moving once again.
Chris just placed his hand gently on Esmera's shoulder, comforting her softly before turning to watch Zell torture the Champion.
"Greetings, humans, champions and worms. I am Zel Draganus, Lord of all Dragons."
His back suddenly trembled as two black dragon wings unfurled from his shoulder blades, with two long red horns growing from his forehead with their sharp spike pointing towards the sky behind him.
"I am the one your gods and masters have asked you to hunt."
Zell's voice changed into a deep dragon roar as he spoke, causing everyone to tremble violently while Chris just shivered at the sudden transformation. Esmera just stared in awe, forgetting her fears as she gazed at the magnificent figure of Zell, his tanned skin and black scales tattoos glowing brilliantly as he stood there, radiating power.
The humans looked terrified while the male was on the floor—before his muscular leg lifted, covered in black scales like a boot of plate armour, he stomped down, crushing his head like a watermelon exploding into mush as blood splattered everywhere.
Esmera gasped as she saw this scene, Chris sighing softly as he knew Zell wouldn't stop there.
The Champions present trembled as they realised this creature before them was the target of their masters—the one they were supposed to hunt and bring back alive... but they could never defeat him.
"If you wish to summon your gods, let them use your bodies to fight me. I am always willing to crush them, one by one or all at once... But I will not allow humans to disrespect those under my protection and my dear brother and sister. Do you understand?"
Zell was excited as the power from the man below flooded his body, increasing his power even further, like finding a special level-up fruit several times in a game as his aura exploded, becoming stronger.
"Now... Either be crushed or choose another representative." Zell spoke coldly as he glared at the Champions, who immediately chose another female to represent them.
Zell just stared at them, waiting for the humans to decide what they would do, but he knew the answer.
However, he was suddenly surprised... as a familiar face appeared.
A beautiful girl... No, she was now a woman with a petite but muscular figure holding a spear and looking at Zell with misty blue eyes that sparkled with shock, amazement and desire. She stepped forward to face him with her flowing black hair with a box cut fring and long bangs.
"It's been so long, Zell... I thought you were gone."
Her voice wasn't arrogant, gentle like a still lake with a single bird tweeting upon a green leaf. Alice looked at the corpse of the male before she looked at the elves.
"Forgive me for the disgraceful actions of my former superior. I promise on my name is Alice Velmont, that we shall not regard you as savages anymore." Alice spoke politely and apologetically to Chris and Esmera before bowing deeply, shocking them both as they looked at Zell in confusion.
Zell just chuckled softly before retracting his dragon features and returning to his normal form, replying, "I see... It has been a while, Alice. You look good... Tell me, do you still wish to defeat me?"
Her eyes seemed to change colour, shining neon blue, "I do! To defeat you and make you my spouse!" Alice declared boldly, causing Zell to laugh loudly while Chris and Esmera just stared at Alice in shock.
The elves let out loud cries, wondering how the man who saved them had so many romantic debts! A few of the maidens feel shunned and disheartened with more rivals appear.
This girl was so different from the arrogant Champion... They couldn't believe it.
Alice just blushed as she realised how bold she had spoken and cleared her throat, looking at Zell with determined eyes, "However, not today... Today... was meant to form peace because of the foolish people who arrived first; our Bloom Knights seem to be disgusting criminals..."
Zell just sighed softly, "Indeed, Alice... Indeed."
Chris just coughed awkwardly, Esmera regaining her senses as she looked at Alice carefully before responding, "T-Thank you for apologising... We wish for peace as well..."
Alice just smiled faintly and nodded her head, bowing once again before stepping back, allowing the negotiations to begin.
Zell didn't let her go. Instead, he stepped forward and grabbed her by the waist, ignoring the negotiations. Now that he had made an impact, he was no longer needed. "You make such a cunning and bold confession, then flee?" Zell teased Alice softly as he pulled her close to his body.
Chris and Esmera just froze, wondering whether Zell was a playboy or a beast lord, as they realised that this man had so many women, and Chris was shocked at the amount of skill his former virgin brother now had!
However, Chris looked back to the human negotiators and began to speak, not wishing to put everything on Zell's back; he wanted to show his strengths, too!
Alice blushed brightly and tried to push him away, glaring at him hatefully as she responded, "L-Let me go! Y-You pervert!"
Zell just chuckled softly and ignored her struggles, whispering, "How about we train later? Show me how strong you have become, and I might just accept your proposal."
Alice looked at Zell in shock, her heart racing uncontrollably as she realised he accepted her challenge, "R-Really?! Y-You accept?!"
Before she could respond, Zell pulled her off her feet and kissed her passionately—Alice froze for a moment before she felt his warm tongue pry her mouth open as her body went limp in Zell's embrace as Alice melted at his touch, forgetting everything else as she returned the kiss eagerly, wrapping her arms around Zell's neck tightly and kissing him back fiercely.
Esmera blushed brightly as she watched this scene, Chris coughing awkwardly before continuing the negotiations—but secretly grinning widely as he knew Zell would handle everything.
Their kiss lasted several minutes, but the cute Alice didn't know how to breathe and started to gasp for air, so Zell released her, smirking faintly before looking at Chris, who was busy negotiating, "Brother, I am heading back to the tribe."
Chris just nodded his head, focused on his task, while Esmera was watching Alice stare at Zell longingly as he vanished, remaining quiet.
Alice just trembled softly as she realised Zell had agreed to marry her one day, causing her heart to race uncontrollably, and a wide grin formed on her cute face—before she regained her composure and faced Esmera with a serious expression, joining the negotiations seriously.
Several hours passed, and the negotiations were successful, as Alice promised that humans would move away from the elven territory and give them space while trading ores and materials while the elves would give them food and supplies in return.
Chris and Esmera returned to the camp, discussing matters with the elders before relaxing, smiling widely as they realised Zell had solved so many problems so easily—making them realise how powerful he was. Esmera was shocked at how Zell managed to charm Lady Alice.
Meanwhile, Zell appeared inside Lusia's tent, laying on the bed quietly as he relaxed, his mind filled with thoughts as the future appeared, while the naked Lusia with her body covered in kiss marks and her crotch oozing white fluids was curling up beside him and falling asleep instantly.
"Hmm... So troublesome." Zell muttered softly as he rested his eyes and prepared for anything.