"I beg you all to relax."
As Hulan's firm voice echoed, the room quieted, though their cautious stares remained on Atticus like he was a ticking ti bomb.
"It is an unfavorable situation," Hulan said, "but as the Saint herself stated, he is an ally. We cannot simply abandon him."
"But he's too big a risk!" the veteran snapped. "They could use him to find us! Mathias! Why are you quiet? Aren't you the one who claims everything is about survival?"
Mathias glanced at Atticus, who was calm and unmoved, and gulped.
"…I… I…"
He couldn't form a word. And it wasn't just him. Even the council mbers who had fought in Asterra didn't dare speak in Atticus' presence.
The veteran frowned. "What are yo—"
"But we're going to fight the Redflas, are we not?" Hulan interjected smoothly. "What ssage would it send if we abandon an ally right before war?"
The veteran fell silent. Hulan had used his own argunt against him.
"As I was saying," Hulan went on, "Atticus has brought us sothing valuable, sothing we have not been able to achieve ourselves. We cannot simply cast him aside."
Though they frowned, no one objected.
"However," Hulan tone turned heavier, "this new advantage must be protected at all cost. Since he is being actively tracked, we cannot ensure his safety, nor the resistance's safety during battle. Which is why I believe it is necessary… to transfer ownership of the territories to soone else."
Realization spread across their faces. From the rules, territories could be transferred willingly and death wasn't the only thod. Hulan smiled as the council mbers began to nod in agreent.
"Saint, as an ally, Atticus should be welcod. But we must secure the territories for the resistance, to prevent them from falling into Redfla hands."
"Yes, he's right!"
"We must secure them!"
"He should transfer it!"
As the chorus grew louder, Anorah chuckled softly.
"I'll let him answer."
Hulan frowned but turned to Atticus.
"What say you? The territories are yours, of course… but surely you understand this is for the good of us all."
"No."
The council mbers imdiately frowned, and Hulan's eyes narrowed.
"If we're to war with the Redflas, we all need to do our—"
"This shouldn't even be up for discussion," the veteran cut in, glaring at Atticus. "It's for the good of us all. Give it up."
"Or what?"
The veteran's eyes flashed. The air thickened.
"You only dare speak that way because the Saint protects you."
"Anorah."
Her eyes sharpened instantly.
"Hm?"
"Don't protect ."
"…alright." She narrowed her gaze, then added casually, "But don't kill him."
Atticus frowned.
'She saw through .'
He had been hoping he'd be able to provoke an attack, so he'll be able to kill and increase his power. 'Unfortunate'
He turned to the veteran.
"She's not protecting anymore. Go on. Show my place."
"Fine."
"Noram, wait—!"
Hulan's warning barely left his lips before the veteran god, Noram, exploded with crushing power that tore across the table toward Atticus.
But Atticus' eyes only flashed crimson.
"Kneel."
The temperature spiked. His will howled out, swatting Noram's power aside like an annoying insect. It slamd into the veteran and drove him into the ground.
"Hrk!"
The council mbers froze, eyes bulging. So tried to stand, but Atticus' will forced them back into their seats.
"The only reason I'm in this room is because of her," Atticus said coldly. "The territories are mine. They will stay mine unless I decide otherwise. If any of you try to take them, physically or… sneakily, I will kill you."
He looked at Anorah, who playfully feigned a shudder and smiled, then at Hulan, whose expression twisted despite his attempts to hide it.
"Am I clear?"
"…yes."
Atticus withdrew his aura. The pressure vanished, leaving the council mbers gasping and trembling. Noram staggered to his feet, glaring murderously, but he didn't say a word.
A tense silence settled.
"Anorah," Atticus said suddenly.
"Yes?"
"What am I doing here?"
"What do you an? You're attending an important eting so we can decide our next move."
"You don't need a eting for that." Atticus shook his head. "You lead them. You decide."
Anorah coughed lightly.
"They… suddenly ca to saying they had sothing important to discuss…"
"But you called for this et—"
Lazio froze as Anorah glared at him.
"…forgive ."
"You called for this eting." Atticus said.
Anorah shot Lazio another glare, then sighed.
"Alright. I did."
"Why?"
She looked away, cheeks reddening slightly.
"…I like it too."
"Like what?"
"Watching you dominate…" she muttered under her breath, though Atticus heard it perfectly.
He could only stare. "What?"
"Ahem." Anorah turned sharply toward the council mbers, whose stunned faces looked like they'd been slapped by reality.
"eting over." She waved her hand dismissively. "You can all leave. I'll inform you of our next move later."
The room didn't move. They just stared, stunned.
It was only when Anorah's will pressed down on them that they realized she wasn't joking. Eventually, they ascended and left in disbelief.
As the door shut, Atticus fixed his gaze on her.
"Explain yourself."
But Anorah had already thrown her arms around him.
"I've missed you!"
Atticus was taken aback. Though he returned the hug, he shot a shy glance toward Magnus, who was watching them with raised eyebrows.
"Hm? Why aren't you saying anything? Don't you miss ?" she pressed.
"…I do."
Anorah narrowed her eyes and leaned back just enough to study him.
"You're angry."
"No… that's not it."
"C'mon, don't be angry!" she whined softly, clinging to him. "I was just trying to teach those fools a lesson. I overheard Hulan and Noram plotting to take your territories. So I thought I'd clear the air and skip the whole useless performance."
Atticus frowned slightly.
"You could've just told . We're not supposed to lie to each other."
Anorah's expression softened imdiately. She hugged him tighter, squeezing his waist.
"I'm sorry! So sorry!" She pulled back just enough to et his eyes, and Atticus felt an electric jolt run down his spine at the way she looked at him.
"I can make it up to you in… you know…"
"Ahem."
'Shit. Grandpa.'
They turned to see Magnus staring at them.
"White hair… white hair…" Anorah looked back and forth between Atticus and Magnus before her eyes widened.
"Your grandfather!"
She sprinted over to Magnus and bowed so deeply her forehead nearly hit the floor.
"Grandpa! It's an honor to finally et you! I'm Atticus' woman, Anorah."
"Em…" Magnus blinked repeatedly, then slowly looked at Atticus for clarification.
With a weary sigh, Atticus stepped forward.
"Grandpa, this is Anorah. Anorah, my grandfather, Magnus."
"Magnus! Such a powerful na! I expected nothing less from such a powerful looking man," she said brightly.
"…thank you." Magnus cleared his throat and subtly lifted his chin. Atticus watched him with disbelief.
'He's really cheap with complints, huh.'
"I'm sure you two can bond later," Atticus cut in quickly. "Anyway, what's going on with the Redflas? Why are they still a big threat? With the number of territories I've taken, they shouldn't have that many left."
To Atticus, only rek should have remained a real problem. With the amount he'd killed, their numbers should've plumted.
Anorah's expression turned serious.
"I think you're underestimating the reach of the Redflas." She waved her arm, summoning a map whose surface was painted entirely crimson.
"The Redfla didn't just conquer this region," she said gravely.
"They've conquered the entire Viscount layer."
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