Inside the inner halls of the Draconia Clan, the ssage traveled fast.
The Draconia patriarch was walking through one of the long stone corridors when he suddenly stopped mid-step.
"...Sorien of the Solmira Clan?" he repeated, turning his head slightly.
His brow furrowed, and the calm authority on his face tightened just a little.
"What business does he have here?" he asked.
The ssenger imdiately bowed. "He said he has important information to deliver in person."
The patriarch’s eyes narrowed.
"Important enough for him to co himself?" he muttered.
He thought for a brief mont, then waved a hand.
"...Very well."
He straightened his robes and spoke firmly. "Have them wait in the VIP guest hall."
He glanced at the ssenger again. "Make sure they are treated properly."
"Yes!" the ssenger replied and hurried away.
---
anwhile, in the VIP guest hall, Sorien and Sindral were already waiting.
The room was wide and elegant, with carved stone pillars lining the walls, and dragon-shaped decorations subtly embedded into the design.
A low table sat in the center, already prepared with tea and refreshnts.
Sorien stood calmly near the table, hands behind his back.
Sindral, on the other hand, shifted slightly, glancing around the hall.
"...This place hasn’t changed," he muttered quietly.
Sorien replied calmly, "Focus."
Sindral straightened at once.
The other Solmira mbers had already departed earlier, returning on a separate flying ship.
Only the two of them remained.
Footsteps echoed from the far end of the hall.
Both Sorien and Sindral turned.
A large man entered.
He was tall and broad, with a powerful build that radiated pressure even without releasing any aura.
His long hair was tied back, and faint traces of scales could be seen along his neck and arms.
The patriarch of the Draconia Clan.
Darius.
Sorien and Sindral stood imdiately.
Darius looked at them calmly, his sharp eyes pausing briefly on Sindral before settling on Sorien.
"Nice to et you," Darius said. "Sorien of the Solmira Clan."
Sorien inclined his head slightly. "The pleasure is mine."
He t Darius’s gaze. "Nice to et you as well, Darius. Patriarch of the Draconia Clan."
Darius gestured lightly toward the seats. "You requested this eting. What kind of important matter brings you here?"
Sorien smiled faintly.
"Let’s not rush," he said. "Please, let’s sit first."
Darius studied him for a mont, then nodded.
"...Very well."
They moved toward the table and took their seats across from one another.
A servant quietly poured tea, then withdrew, leaving the room silent again.
Darius rested one arm on the table and looked straight at Sorien.
"So," he said, getting straight to the point, "what is it you ca all this way to tell ?"
Sorien smiled faintly.
"Just beside your territory," he said calmly, "the Demon Gate Island and the surrounding archipelago have been claid."
Darius raised an eyebrow. "Claid?"
"Yes," Sorien replied. "A new Grand Faction has appeared."
The cup in Darius’s hand stopped halfway to his mouth.
"...What?" he said slowly. "A new Grand Faction?"
Sorien nodded. "Yes."
Darius set the cup down, his expression no longer relaxed.
"That’s not sothing that happens often," he said. "What faction?"
"It is called God Gym," Sorien replied. "It has officially been recognized as a Grand Faction."
Darius frowned slightly, clearly searching his mory.
"God Gym..." he muttered. "I’ve never heard of it."
"That’s normal," Sorien said. "It’s a new sect. Barely over a year old."
Darius looked up sharply. "A year?"
Sorien nodded again. "And yet, it has already reached Grand Faction status."
Silence fell over the table for a mont.
Darius leaned back slightly. "I see. So you ca here to inform about a new neighbor."
"Yes," Sorien said. "And also to warn you."
Darius’s eyes narrowed a little. "Warn ?"
Sorien’s tone remained even. "They are not a simple sect. They are really a strong one."
Darius snorted softly. "If they’re a Grand Faction, I wouldn’t treat them lightly anyway. I’m not so barbarian who picks fights for no reason."
Sorien smiled. "I know."
Then he added, "But what if I told you that one of the direct disciples of God Gym’s leader is nad Dahlia?"
Darius froze.
"...Dahlia?" he repeated.
His fingers slowly tightened around the armrest.
"Who is that?" he asked, though his voice had already changed.
Sorien didn’t answer imdiately. He only smiled.
"Dahlia," he said calmly, "your genius daughter who ran away."
The room grew cold.
Darius’s expression darkened. "Are you sure?"
Sorien turned his head slightly. "Sindral."
Sindral straightened at once.
"Yes, Patriarch Darius," he said. "I t her several years ago during the gathering of young elites. It’s her. Without a doubt."
Darius leaned forward, his eyes sharp and unblinking.
"You’re telling ..." he said slowly, "...she’s alive?"
Sorien nodded once. "That’s why I’m here."
His tone stayed calm, but the aning was heavy.
"Do not provoke God Gym."
Darius’s jaw tightened. His fingers pressed into the armrest.
"And what if I want to?" he asked coldly. "That child ran away and turned the great Draconia Clan into a joke."
His voice grew harsher.
"A genius abandoning her clan. People laughed. Other clans whispered. You think I forgot that?"
Sorien’s expression didn’t change.
"If you dare," he said evenly, "then I will stand with God Gym."
Darius’s eyes widened slightly.
"I will work with them," Sorien continued, "to destroy you."
The words landed cleanly. No threat. Just a statent.
"The Draconia Clan already has bad rumors," Sorien added. "Internal cruelty. Talent wasted. Bloodline pride over reason."
Darius clenched his fist.
"You think you can threaten in my own hall?" he growled.
Sorien t his gaze without flinching.
"I’m not threatening you," he said. "I’m warning you."
He leaned forward just a little.
"God Gym is not a faction you can bully. Their leader is not soone you can sche against. And Dahlia is not a weak girl who needs your permission to exist."
Darius said nothing.
Sorien straightened.
"So I’ll say this one last ti," he said. "Do not provoke them. Do not touch their territory. Do not send people to test them."
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