But he didn't get far.
Golden chains shot toward him from behind. He glanced over his shoulder, twisting his body midair. He dodged some—but not all.
The chains caught him, wrapping around his limbs, binding his body tightly like living metal. He clenched his teeth as they began dragging him backward.
Hovering in the air, Elira glowed with divine power. Multiple magic circles spun around her, her 5th Circle Binding Magic controlling the chains.
Ivan's jaw tightened as he struggled, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth. The chains pulled, merciless and slow.
"For a demon," Elira said coldly, "you not only had the audacity to step into the royal castle, but you dared to think you could escape... after killing the Queen." Her voice burned with fury. "I will cleanse your wretched soul with the light of Her Radiant Mother!"
Ivan scoffed, the chains cracking under his relentless resistance.
"Cleanse my soul?" he said through gritted teeth. "Tch. Don't make me laugh."
With a final surge, the chains snapped. Ivan straightened midair, blood magic swirling around him as he smiled coldly.
Now free, he looked at Elira, still smirking.
"You speak as if I'm some kind of monster. Sure, I killed the queen—but didn't Her Radiant Mother see it coming? Why didn't she stop me?"
He floated higher, arms spreading mockingly. "Maybe… she didn't care.Maybe the Queen's life was insignificant. Not worth saving."
Elira's eyes blazed. "Blasphemy! You dare speak such nonsense of Her Radiant Mother? As if a demonic being like you could ever tarnish the divinity that burns in her name?"
Her voice thundered across the battlefield.
"She did not intervene not because the queen was insignificant,—but because you are A test—a stain—a fleeting corruption on this world."
She raised her hand, a radiant sigil flaring into existence. "And now, by Her divine will, I cast judgment upon you, wretched demon!"
Ivan floated, blood swords forming in the air around him like a crimson halo. He sneered.
"Judgment by her will? Spare me the sermon." He raised a hand. "Since you're such a devoted follower... I'll be kind enough to send you to join the Queen. You can personally deliver my regards to Her Radiant Mother."
With a flick of his finger, blood swords rained down toward Elira in a deadly barrage.
Then, without waiting to see the result, he turned to fly away.
But before he could escape—like a bolt of divine lightning—Cedric appeared in the air beside him. His eyes glowed. His blade crackled with electricity.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" he growled, swinging his blade.
Ivan's eyes widened. He clenched his teeth, summoning a blood sword just in time to block.
CLANG!
The impact rang out like thunder. Cedric's strike shattered through Ivan's guard, the force hurling him down like a meteor.
He crashed into the earth below, smashing into the ground with a deafening impact—leaving a deep crater in his wake.