CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36 - PUTTING EXTRAS IN THEIR PLACE

Everyone was silent, just watching as the situation unfolded. They didn’t utter a word and slowly accepted reality.

"S-So, is anyone going to heal Dylan?" The priestess asked

"Oh, good idea. You go do that." Raven nodded, her nose still hanging high with pride at her nephew’s actions.

"Okay, now that everything is over, you eight, introduce yourselves and get familiar with each other. The journey to the dungeon is a week by carriage, so make sure you have everything you need now. You leave in an hour."

After the Mage representative spoke, the rest of the representatives alongside Raven headed in another direction, discussing things only people of their status were allowed to hear.

"Well, since you already met the ’Great Goblin Slayer’ Dylan over there, I’ll introduce myself." The Knight Order girl spoke. "I’m Patricia a True Expert Martial Artist. I use a greatsword, like Dylan."

Patricia’s beauty was undeniable. Unlike some of the other women, she didn’t boast an exaggerated chest, but that hardly diminished her allure. Her charm lay elsewhere, like in the generous curve of her hips and the way her ass, round and temptingly soft, swayed with every step. It was enough to make Zion’s lips part, his tongue sweeping over them in quiet appreciation.

Her fierce black eyes were that of a warrior, one who sees anyone as a potential enemy, assessing them to see how much of a threat they would pose.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Rupert, I’m a True Expert Mage and my specialty is elemental magic. Not to brag, but I can use three elements. Fire, Earth, and Wind." Although his actions came off as humble and respectful, his voice betrayed him, and his blue hair covered his eyes that looked down on those around him.

Zion rolled his eyes. ’Tsk, not to brag my ass.’

"I’m Christen. A Proficient Stage Mage. I specialize in the Arcane Arts." She didn’t even bother looking at anyone, just fooling around with her magic as her pink hair blew in the wind.

Zion couldn’t deny it, Christen looked stunning in her Magic Tower uniform. Her effortless pink eyes, shoulder-length hair, and modest yet enticing figure stirred something in him. For a moment, he considered making a move, but the thought quickly soured. Their arrogance still lingered in his mind, dampening his interest.

Walking back, Dylan and the green-haired priestess rejoined everyone and were informed of everything that transpired in their absence.

"Oh, then we should introduce ourselves!" The Priestess smiled, clasping her hands together.

"Hello everyone, you may call me Janea. I am a fifth-order Priestess of the Holy Church of Arion. While I may not be the best at physical combat, I excel at holy enchantments and spells." She bowed, her large breasts swaying from the action.

Followers of the church use a different power ranking system than normal going from First to Tenth order, tenth being the most powerful. This meant that Janea was around the level of an Expert cultivator at the bare minimum. Since there aren’t any subdivisions in their ranking system, it’s hard to say whether she’s around the inept, proficient, or true Expert Stage.

"I am Lordrick. I am a paladin for the Church of Arion. Just like Janea, I am also in the fifth order. My blade is my god’s and in his name, I shall cut down any demon or demonic human who sullies the will of our god!"

’Eugh, I’m getting hero vibes from that guy. Better keep my distance.’ Zion frowned.

"Well, now that the important people are out of the way, how about you two introduce yourselves? How about you start, Princess." Rupert smiled meniacly.

"Nice to meet all of you annoying, stuck-up, religious bastards." Everyone turned their heads to Zion as those words escaped his mouth. "I’m sure you already know who I am, with me beating up small penis over there and my Aunt speaking my name, but, just to get it back in your heads, I’m Zion Zagan, a Proficient Expert Martial Artist."

Crystal was shocked, looking at Zion with confusion. She didn’t know he was that strong. She knew he was stronger than her, most likely being in the Advanced Stage, but she would have never expected him to be in the Expert stage at only 18. Besides them, the youngest here was 21.

"What the fuck?! Y-You’re Zion Zagan?" Dylan asked, pointing at him with confusion.

"Yeah, man." Patricia slapped his back. "Your jaw was off your mouth when his aunt revealed this to us, hahaha!"

Now Dylan was embarrassed. He was talking big when the most popular person of their generation was standing before him.

Dylan couldn’t even look Zion in the face anymore once learning who he was. "Fuuuuuuck."

"Hello everyone, I’m Crystal Von Astir, the fifth princess of the kingdom. I’m a true intermediate-stage cultivator. While I may not be as strong as you all, I promise to hold my own weight to not slow you down.

"Tsk, what are we, babysitters now? How is she going to help us? No offense, but you’re practically useless here. Even cutie over there has worth." Patricia spoke, nodding at Zion.

Crystal sighed, speaking under her breath. "I don’t know why I’m here either."

After an hour passed, everyone gathered their things and started on their one-week journey to the dungeon.

There were two carriages, one that held the Church members and the Knight Order members while the other held the Magic Tower members and The Academy members.

"You’re here for merit," Zion spoke to Crystal quietly.

"What?"

"Aunty made you go on this mission so you can have merit to your name. If this mission is successful, you’ll be known as one of the people who helped take down demonic humans and save the missing people." Zion explained as he leaned on the window sill.

Crystal didn’t respond, only squeezing her hands together tightly. She assumed she had to appear, being the princess and all, but now, she felt even more pressure.

"What if I mess up?"

"Then that’ll really suck for you," Zion replied without emotion.

A wry smile crept onto her face. She didn’t like his answer, but it was true. Feeling the gravity of her situation made a lump in her throat form. They were working with three rival factions, all more powerful than her, and one mess-up could ruin her image and reputation, forcing her to drop out of the line of succession.

’I got this! I only need to do my part and not get in the other’s way.’ After reassuring herself, she calmed down slightly.

"You should just give up while you’re at it. You’ll only bring more pain and suffering to yourself and the people around you." Rupert glared at Crystal, his smile not that of joy but pure malice.

Crystal sneered. "Shut up Rupert. I don’t want to hear anything from my brother’s dogs."

"His Highness has promised to guarantee your safety if you drop out and support him. Truthfully, he’s being awfully generous. Not only are you nothing, but you have nothing to your name. He could wipe out your entire family and act like it didn’t happen. You should be grateful that he’s left you alive."

With rage, Crystal slammed her fist on the carriage wall. "Shut up!" Ice froze over the wood, cooling the inside of their carriage. Crystal’s anger was apparent as she glared at Rupert.

"Hmph, so immature, I’d expect nothing less from the daughter of a whor-GAWRRKKKK!!" Rupert’s voice suddenly trailed off, his hands scratching at his throat as he felt a force squeezing it tight.

The mana within him flared, using all his strength to break free from the unknown phenomenon that put him in such a position.

Crystal and Christen were shocked and confused. Were they being attacked? Did a powerful mage ambush them? So many questions crossed their minds, but once Zion spoke, they understood what was happening.

"I’d choose your next choice of words carefully. Regardless of your status in the magic tower and Crystal’s birth, she’s still a princess of this kingdom. You can be executed for speaking that way to someone of her stature." Zion smiled, his cold golden eyes piercing through Rupert.

"Arggk! Y-You bastard!" He croaked. "D-Do you think you c-can get away with doing this t-to me! The Prince will make you suffer!"

"Don’t you dare lump me in with those pathetic, spineless extras who tremble before the Royal Family. I couldn’t care less about the second prince’s support, and I certainly don’t give a damn about the so-called consequences of my actions. I could slit your throat right now and sleep like a baby afterward. You’re nothing but a disposable pawn, an insignificant speck meant to be used, discarded, and forgotten the moment your usefulness runs out. You are less than nothing."

Christen stepped in, binding Zion in a spell that was meant to restrain his body and temporarily cut off his access to mana. But once the magical chains wrapped around his body, they instantly shattered.

’What?! I know we’re in the same Stage, but he shouldn’t be able to break out of my spell!’ Just then, an overwhelming bloodlust drowned everyone in the carriage. Disgust riddled over his face as Zion directed his anger at Christen.

’I-I can’t breathe! How is h-he so strong?!’ She clutched her throat, gasping for the air that wasn’t entering her lungs.

Zion let this scene play out for a while before releasing both his bloodlust and aura force. Both Rupert and Christen were sweating profusely, gasping for air as fear crept into their bodies.

Even Crystal was caught up in the bloodlust and was shaking, looking at Zion with fear. This was on purpose though. It may not seem like it, but this was a way to get Crystal to want his power, making it easier for him to bring her to his side.

"Know your fucking place, trash." And with that, Zion relaxed, closing his eyes to take a nap.