"Lord Aersus?" The others repeated as they realized that the powerful figure, who was helping them secretly, had finally arrived.
Soon, a figure appeared at the center of the chamber. Unlike the others, who remained hidden in shadow, this one was visible to all.
His presence silenced the room instantly.
He looked like a middle-aged man dressed like a noble gentleman. His aura was carefully restrained and didn’t seem like an Arcanist but soone with authority...
Nonetheless, despite his presence not showing intimidating powers, every leader present knew instinctively that this was no ordinary noble.
This was indeed Aersus, the Soul-Eater Dragon, who had been hiding in the human realm for many years.
Currently, he wore the identity of a Count within the Millton Kingdom, a wealthy aristocrat with influence across trade and politics. Yet here, in this chamber, he revealed himself as sothing far greater.
Aersus spoke calmly as he looked at the representatives of the factions and addressed their concerns.
"Enough of this talk of resistance. You’ve seen it yourselves... The Demon Invasion failed. The Chaos Immortals failed. Vale’s Territory cannot be defeated head-on. To fight him directly is to waste your strength."
The leaders exchanged uneasy glances.
Aersus continued as he wasn’t planning to give up either.
"Vale does not ddle in mortal affairs. His only concern is his Marshall Academy and the students he raises there. That is where his influence grows. That is where his Shadow Domain spreads. If you wish to change the balance, you must change it from within."
The Rune Arts leader frowned. "From within? What do you an?"
Aersus smiled faintly. "Send your finest young Arcanists to his Academy. Let them rise through his ranks. Let them beco the top perforrs. Once they stand at the peak, they will not belong to Vale... they will belong to you. Through them, you will control the Shadow Domain without ever raising a sword."
The chamber erupted in murmurs of shock.
The Alchemy Arts leader leaned forward, incredulous at this suggestion... "You want us to hand our best disciples to Vale? To strengthen his Academy even further?"
The Combat Arts leader growled. "That’s madness. We’d be feeding him power."
The Holy Arts leader’s voice trembled with doubt. "And what if those students truly beco loyal to him? What if they abandon us?"
Aersus raised his hand, silencing them all. His eyes suddenly glowed with draconic fire.
"You misunderstand. Vale cannot control everything. He may guide them, but their roots remain with you. If you prepare them properly, if you bind them to your factions before they enter, then when they rise, they will carry your will into his Academy. They will shape the Shadow Domain from the inside."
Of course, he was hinting for them to use binding spells or other forbidden spells that the others would not be able to detect at all.
Soon, the Dark Arts leader chuckled, intrigued. "So instead of breaking his walls, we plant seeds within them."
Aersus nodded. "Exactly. Defeating Vale may be impossible. But controlling the Shadow Domain through influence, through disciples, is not."
The Mystic Arts leader didn’t like this idea, but since Aersus himself couldn’t deal with Vale and his immortals, they had no other choice... "And what of you, Lord Aersus? Why reveal yourself now?"
Aersus’s smile widened after hearing the question.
"Because while you weave your influence, I will hunt. The Shadow Domain hides ten other dragons. I will find them. I will take their souls. And when I advance, I will stand strong enough to contend against Vale and his Immortal allies. Then, this world will not be ruled by Chaos Immortals or Vale alone. We can bring back the balance you’ve wished for."
The chamber fell silent again. Every leader felt the importance of his words.
The Rune Arts leader finally spoke, though he was hesitant...
"So... we send our best to his Academy, and you gather strength from the dragons. Together, we’ll shift the balance without ever declaring war."
Aersus nodded since it would be a suicide to fight Vale head-on at this point.
"Precisely. Let Vale enjoy his Academy. Let him think he is shaping the future. In truth, it will be your factions that hold the reins. And when the ti cos, the Shadow Domain will not belong to him... it will belong to us."
The leaders sat in silence, they certainly understood Aersus’ plans. Though they still have reservations about this, they believe that this was also their best option, considering the fact that they also didn’t want to fight Vale.
***
In the anti, the al slowly ca to an end within Vale’s Immortal Tower.
Plates were emptied, cups were drained, and the lingering energy of the Shadow Realm dishes filled the hall.
One by one, everyone expressed their gratitude to Vale.
Lisa was the first to speak... "Thank you for the experience, Vale. Next ti, don’t be late. We’re really in trouble against those Chaos Immortals."
Odessa gave a thumbs-up after hearing her words. "She’s right... Anyway, I can feel my aura smoothing already. I’ll ditate on this."
Chad laughed as he also felt that he had to calm the energy circulating in his veins.
But it was Aubrey and Denise who were most affected. Their bodies were heating up, and their veins were thrumming with energy.
Aubrey pressed a hand to her chest...
"My senses... they’re sharper. If I ditate now, I might break through."
Denise’s excitent was even greater. "My body feels like it’s overflowing. Advancent... it’s coming. I can’t waste this chance."
Vale nodded, already prepared.
"Then don’t delay. Each of you will have a ditation chamber. The Immortal Tower will provide what you need."
With a wave of his hand, the Shadow Soldiers guided them away, each to a private room designed for cultivation. Soon, the hall grew quiet. Only Vale and Manager Faith remained.
Faith sat calmly, her eyes still closed, though Vale could sense the faint fluctuations in her aura. He studied her for a mont before finally speaking.
"I can feel you added seals on your body... How is your condition?" Vale asked, he sounded but he was also concerned.
After all, Vale could still recall Manager Faith’s special physique...
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