Villain Ch 1837. Effortless
Azura's chest heaved as Allen's smirk brushed her skin closer than any blade had. His hand still lingered near her wrist like a shackle, warm, unrelenting, and far too familiar. She wanted to wrench away, to shout, 'stop toying with me!'—but before she could, the battlefield cracked apart.
"Elio! On me!" Arcana bellowed.
The Paladin's shield slammed down, sending a pulse of holy light across the cobblestones. It struck Allen's aura like a gong, the two energies colliding in sparks of gold and crimson. For a split second, the Devil Emperor's grin sharpened into something feral.
Then he laughed. Loud. Wild. Like this was the best show he'd paid for in years.
"Come to me," Allen said, releasing Azura and spinning his sword into a reverse grip.
