Lord Everard's request showed that he did not have any thoughts of letting Grey leave this place. While he spoke, the other members of the Twilight Faction had already gone to surround Grey.
Grey paid no attention to these movements, his eyes were still as calm as the first time with no form of panic, looking at Lord Everard, he said, "I'm only willing to exchange this treasure out of respect, do not get the idea that I'm afraid of you."
Grey's voice was calm, but Lord Everard could hear the faint sense of anger in his words. He could tell that if they did not come to a conclusion soon, Grey would no longer speak to them in such a calm manner. He turned his gaze to Godric who nodded, well aware of his friend's intentions.
"Kid, I'll hand it to you that you are somewhat strange. But this isn't the place for you to act as you like." Godric said, taking a step forward, the majestic aura of a Ninth stage Sovereign spread out.
The crowd who had distanced themselves as soon as Grey and the group of four clashed, increased the distance once more as a few of them found it hard to breathe under the pressure of such an expert. Yes, this was a City a lot of experts pass through often, but Ninth stage Sovereigns like Godric and his group or Lord Everard were not that common. So sensing the oppressive aura, they all opted to retreat even further.
Of everyone, a middle aged man wore a worried expression as he watched on from the side. This was the City Lord of this City, and although he was also a Sovereign, he didn't dare to step forward. Everyone present on both sides, including the young man who was in the Fifth stage of the Sovereign Plane could easily kill him. Knowing this, he didn't dare to make a sound, only praying internally a fight doesn't break out. Being the City Lord, he naturally doesn't want to see his City left in ruins.
He was not the only one hoping a fight does not happen here, most of the Families whose Manor is close to where this building is located all could not afford for this battle to take place here. Unfortunately, there was nothing they could do as none of them is powerful or bold enough to tell Lord Everard and Grey not to fight. They were certain the first person to utter a word will lose their head like the man who was killed some time ago.
"If you're not willing to trade for it, then farewell."
Saying this, Grey turned around, wanting to leave.
Lord Everard and Godric exchanged glances as the duo prepared to make a move. However, before either of them could act, something unexpected happened. Grey, the same person who turned around to leave suddenly vanished.
Seeing Grey's figure disappear without warning, alarm bells rang in Lord Everard's head. He had been too careless with dealing with Grey.
He quickly spread out his powerful spiritual sense in hopes to locate Grey. It didn't take up to a second to locate him, the reason for this was because Grey was not too far away, and right now, his right hand was firmly holding the neck of someone.
Godric was the first to react since he was closer to where Grey stood, he sent a fist Grey's way. A fist made with lightning.
Grey did not bother to dodge, with a casual movement, he was able to place the figure he was holding between him and the lightning fist.
Godric panicked and hurriedly controlled his attack, missing the target by a tiny margin. He could not dare to allow this attack hit, because the person Grey was holding is none other than the Eighth stage Sovereign whose domain countered Grey's space element. Since the group arrived, Grey knew his chances of leaving this place without a fight were very low, so he started plotting against the Eighth stage Sovereign.
As long as this Eighth stage Sovereign was taken out of the picture, he can come and go as he pleases.
Looking at the man, Grey commented, "No offense, but I'll need you to cooperate so we can both get what we want."
The man's head was blank, a second ago he was standing with his companions, all of a sudden he was held like a ragdoll and almost used to block an attack. An attack he knew that even if it didn't kill him, he will be bedridden for months. Understanding his situation, he was drenched in sweat as he tried to struggle free from Grey's clutch. He felt despair when he noticed the vice-like grip tightening. Breathing was starting to become difficult, and looking in Grey's eyes, he knew if he continued, the former will kill him.
"Wise choice." Grey nodded before sealing the man's essence. After dealing the man's essence, he felt relatively more relaxed. This was the person he was most afraid of, and even though the capture of the man looked simple, it was anything but. The man is faster than the others, and he instinctively wanted to escape when he sensed Grey disappear, he even made use of his domain which could stop Grey's use of the space element. But he was a bit too late, and just as he tried to retreat, he felt a powerful force behind him drag him forward.
A single miscalculation would've resulted in an all out battle which Grey did not want, at least not when he could not use his space element.
At the moment, Grey was standing not more than fifteen meters away from Lord Everard, and he was even closer to Godric and his group.
Lord Everard eyes were wide open as he looked at Grey, still finding it hard to comprehend the fact that even with their numbers, they weren't the first to make a move, rather, it was Grey, the person they thought will be looking for ways to escape. His look of shock soon started to turn to anger as he slowly felt embarrassed that Grey could capture someone under his nose, and he could not even react. This was a slap in the face to him, and he will not take it without reply.
"Boy, let him go and I'll offer you a quick death." He spat coldly, there was no room for pretense any more.
"Is something wrong with your head?" Grey mused, using his free hand to play with a small wooden plaque. As soon as Lord Everard caught sight of this plaque, his attention was turned to it.
"My patience is limited. I'll only make this offer one more time, in exchange for this, I'll take those Beasts." Grey added before keeping the plaque.
Lord Everard sneered and said, "Kid, you're bold. I commend your bravery, but it seems you're still too young and still don't understand your situation."
Lord Everard was genuinely impressed by Grey's bravery, but he did not think too much about it. He captured that man, so what?
Grey could tell that Lord Everard isn't one to comply, especially in the presence of so many people.
"Since that's the case, then I'm afraid none of us will get what we want." Grey shook his head, staring at the Magical Beasts. Of course he knew that either way, he would still rescue them as long as it was within his means, that is.
"You think you can leave?" Lord Everard was once again amazed by Grey. Most people under this circumstance will be freaking out, but Grey negotiating with him in such a calm manner.
"None of you can stop me if I want to leave." Grey's words reminded Lord Everard of the strange movement technique he used to capture the Eighth stage Sovereign. To be honest, he did not understand how Grey disappeared and appeared almost instantaneously. This was an unfathomable technique, and he felt a little interested in it.
Lord Everard looked at Godric and recalled the other telling him of how Grey was able to escape from them. What he can not understand is why Grey took the risk of capturing that man. He gave Godric and inquisitive look and the latter explained pointing at the man in Grey's hand, "He's the only one who can stop him from using his strange movement technique."
Hearing Godric's words, Lord Everard understood they've made a grave mistake in not protecting the Eighth stage Sovereign better. No one would've thought that Grey would make the first move, not just making the first move, but he actually incapacitated the only person that can stand in his way. And with the ease in which Grey captured the man, it was clear to see that Grey's strength isn't any worse than Lord Everard who was a Ninth stage Sovereign.
'He's not foolish.' Lord Everard said internally. Grey's act of taking out the only person who can stop his strange movement technique his peak battle knowledge even Lord Everard could not help applauding. Achieving this feat under his current circumstance showed how coolheaded and calculative Grey was.