"You don't need to know how," the elf growled and launched another attack.
Lightning struck the array again, this time shaking the entire free zone.
"Damn it!" Leo shouted and immediately ordered all his soldiers to be on alert. At this point, there was no option left but to fight.
How the hell did that bastard have enough power to destroy an A-rank array so easily?
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Daniel, Andreas, and Ilaris were preparing to escape.
"What was that tremor?" Andreas suddenly asked.
"The array is getting destroyed," Daniel replied indifferently.
"But how? I thought the strongest elf in that army was only on par with Mr. Leo," he said in disbelief.
"That's true, but his weapon is special… if I'm not mistaken, his weapon gives him the power of a False A-rank," Daniel explained, shocking Andreas.
"Then shouldn't we run now?" Ilaris asked anxiously.
"It's better to wait for the array to fully collapse. That way, we'll only have to deal with one layer of sealing instead of two."
The two didn't respond, only nodded. Even though both were scared, Daniel's suggestion made sense.
They had a limited number of talismans and only one chance to escape, so it was best to use it wisely.
It didn't take long before the elf attacked for a third time, and this time, the array cracked.
"Filthy human, where's that proud look now? Just one more strike, and the array you were so proud of will be gone."
"You bastard, I'll tear you apart with my own hands when the time comes," Leo roared with killing intent.
He wasn't afraid of the array being destroyed—he was angry. He had paid a heavy price to buy that array, and an even greater cost to activate it today.
Seeing it fall apart this easily only fueled his rage.
"I'd love to see you try," the elf laughed and attacked again with his spear.
This time, even stronger and more terrifying bolts of lightning struck down from the sky, completely shattering the array.
A massive surge of energy spread out and shook the entire free zone.
"It's broken," Daniel said, glancing at the other two.
He quickly pulled out three talismans from his inventory and handed two of them over.
Before using his own, he took one last look at the situation. After the array broke, both sides clashed.
But from Daniel's perspective, it was a one-sided massacre. Elves might not be the strongest race, but they were definitely one of the top—on par with demons, only weaker than dragons.
Naturally, it wasn't surprising that humans were being slaughtered so brutally. What did surprise Daniel was how the elves planned to deal with the consequences afterward.
According to one of the Celestial Domain's UFG rules, any unprovoked or unjustified attack by local inhabitants on the people of the Central Plains would result in a firm and unified response from all Central Plains forces against the attackers.
By this rule, once news of this event spread, a meeting between the representatives and leaders of the UFG would be held to decide on a response to the elves.
"It's time to go," Daniel said, and the three of them activated their talismans without hesitation. A light enveloped them, followed by a large explosion and a wave of dispersed energy.
The space around them changed, and when they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in a vast plain that stretched beyond sight.
"We… we did it! We actually escaped!" Ilaris shouted with excitement.
"We finally got out of there," Andreas let out a sigh of relief and dropped onto his butt.
Daniel said nothing, but he too exhaled in relief.
"But where are we?" Ilaris looked around. There was nothing—just a huge field of grass.
"The Central Plains are structured as open fields. Between each zone, there are massive plains. We're probably in the middle of one of those right now," Daniel replied.
"So how do we find our way?"
Daniel took out the map he had bought before entering the Endless Spirit mountain range and looked at it.
It wasn't a full map of the Central Plains, but it covered the area around the Erin Free Zone.
"There are two plains we could be in—either the western plain or the northern one. According to this map, a large river runs through the northern plain, but there's no river here. So we're most likely in the western plain."
"The closest area to the western plain is a place called the Yurask region. That area is probably controlled by a guild. The best plan is to head there and use teleportation portals to leave the Central Plains," Daniel explained.
"You're not coming with us? Then how am I supposed to give you the invitation and the A-rank item I promised?" Andreas asked.
"Not right now. I've got some personal issues in my own world to deal with first. Then I want to challenge the second floor of the Tower, and after that… more personal stuff. So I'd prefer to stay in one place for a while," Daniel replied.
"Makes sense…"
"So this is our final goodbye?" Ilaris asked with worry in her beautiful eyes.
"Not really. Once I'm done with my business, I'll definitely come find Andreas and get what he owes me."
Ilaris gave him a beautiful smile and nodded.
"Oh, about the invitation—let's meet at the next auction hosted by the House of Ten Thousand Treasures. I think it's happening soon," Andreas suddenly said.
Daniel nodded in agreement. After that, they started moving toward the mentioned region.
Meanwhile, things weren't going so well back in the Erin Free Zone—at least not for Leo and his soldiers, but for the elves.
"I told you I'd tear you apart with my own hands," Leo said and punched the face of the elf commander, who was tied up in front of him.
"You can do whatever you want to him later. For now, go and bring those three here," a commanding voice rang out behind him.
"Ma'am, I already sent my daughter to go get them," Leo turned around and bowed when he saw the beautiful woman in noble attire.
The woman before him was one of the highest-ranking officials in his nation. He hadn't expected them to send someone like her.
But it wasn't really a problem. This woman had single-handedly slaughtered the entire elf army and only left their bastard commander alive.
"Father! They're not there! The three of them aren't inside the mansion!" Jasmin suddenly came running from the distance, visibly worried and scared.
"What do you mean they're not there? Where the hell are those bastards?" Leo's face turned pale at her words.
"They're gone! I searched the entire mansion—even the whole city—and they're not there!"
"How is that possible? I placed so many guards just to make sure they couldn't escape!" Leo shouted in rage.
"You couldn't even hold three pieces of trash?" the beautiful woman behind them growled coldly.
"My lady, I—" he bowed his head in panic, but before he could finish, the woman cut him off.
"Enough." She activated her divine senses—yes, divine senses, not spiritual ones—to scan the entire area and locate the three escapees.