Back at the headquarters of the Bottomless Void, Michael stood unfazed before the gazes of the faction’s nurous mbers.
It wasn’t rare for enraged cultivators to barge into their base, but usually their leader, Nesis, was the one who ensured such situations never escalated, properly handling the intruders.
However, with their leader gone, the troops found themselves hesitant. If Michael had co in peace, then there was nothing to worry about... But if he had ulterior motives, nobody could stand against him, considering he had defeated their leader in a prior duel.
"A proposition?" Finally, one of the Lords gathered enough courage to speak. "What exactly are your terms, and what do you want from us?"
Michael shifted his gaze toward the voice.
It belonged to a tall woman, towering about 190 centiters, making her rival Michael’s height. Although she held a certain feminine charm, she also possessed a formidable build beneath her attire. Sharp purple eyes and light blue hair extending to her shoulders. Lastly, a thin but noticeable scar ran across her otherwise clear face, accompanied by several larger ones along her arms. Undoubtedly true warrior through and through.
The Lords gathered were all at the Radiant stage, like Michael, yet he could sense that this woman had perhaps been cultivating for a long ti, resulting in her nearing the Transcendent stage.
"What is your na?" He asked, brushing aside her pressure effortlessly.
"Katherine." She frowned, though chose to answer.
From her expression, it was easy to deduce that she would rather not be involved but didn’t have the choice to refuse. Perhaps Nesis had intended for her to take the reins in situations like this, making use of her presence... One that could have otherwise intimidated most people.
"Katherine... and all of you." Abruptly a warm smile spread across Michael’s face, catching everyone off guard.
"How about you all join my faction?"
"..."
In perfect synchronization, everybody blinked.
Was the fad Lord Michael drunk... or perhaps on mushrooms?
By now, it was public knowledge that his faction had absorbed a few others, but for him to ask them so openly was completely out of the blue.
"Us... aning the Lords, or everyone?" Katherine asked after regaining her composure.
Despite not exactly being on friendly terms with everyone since the faction was simply that big, they were still her comrades... She was reluctant to leave them behind, even if given the chance for a better future for herself.
Michael’s smile never faltered.
"Everyone."
Katherine found herself in a predicant. She had expected a confrontation, not a friendly proposition for an alliance.
Clearly, her thoughts were shared among the ranks of her comrades, everybody exchanging glances.
After clearing her throat, she answered.
"Forgive us." She exclaid, the dangerous edge in her voice replaced with regret. "But Absolute Lord Nesis would never allow us to leave the Bottomless Void that easily. I am afraid that if he were to find out we intend to join your faction, he would slay everyone who dares. He doesn’t exactly like you."
Katherine paused briefly.
"No one would dare make an enemy of a man that dangerous, so we will have to regretfully decline."
Michael nodded in understanding, all of his theories confird.
"I understand your concerns... but there is no need to worry about that man now."
His eyes sharpened ever so slightly.
"Nesis is dead. I killed him."
Coming from any other Radiant Lord, that statent might have sounded like a joke. Yet, with Michael’s reputation for doing the impossible, they felt inclined to believe him.
"You killed an... Absolute Lord?"
Katherine’s concern intensified. If that were the case, didn’t that an Michael was forcing them rather than proposing they join his faction?
Worse, if he could kill the man and speak of it so casually, didn’t that an Michael could be considered even more unhinged than their forr leader?
Maybe joining the Indomitable Alliance would lead the mbers of the Bottomless Void to experience even more brutal abuse?
So mirrored Katherine’s anxiety, fear etched into their eyes. Others sneered, wide grins spreading across their faces, eyes shining with hope for the first ti in a long while, eager for the future.
Michael didn’t bla them for their unease... Rather, he welcod it. It was a clear sign that they were able to think for themselves, sothing always good for soldiers of humanity.
Every soldier was their own person. At the end of the day, the decision to join the Indomitable Alliance would be theirs. He wouldn’t be forcing anyone.
Just as the tension seed to reach its peak, Michael spoke again, this ti with a more soothing voice.
"A Lord, by extension, possesses vast reserves of spiritual energy. Unless they are wounded by special attacks, healing any kind of scars should be easy enough."
Gradually, he extended his hand. Katherine trembled slightly but didn’t move as Michael placed his hand beneath her chin, his finger trailing across the mark on her face.
"Which can only an that scars like this are not erased intentionally because they are ant to send a ssage. Perhaps to remind one of past disobedience and warn others, or to complete a warrior’s image, making them appear more formidable despite their true wishes."
Michael paused briefly.
"Honestly, I don’t believe I am a good person. Certainly not an angel like the public might be misled to assu... But I give you my word. I would never force any of my comrades to bear scars, nor would I ever abuse them for whatever reason."
Given the kind of person Nesis had been, Michael easily concluded that Katherine’s scars hadn’t been earned through battle but inflicted through her leader’s abuse. To make matters worse, the sadistic bastard had forced her to bear those marks as a reminder for so twisted reason.
Making his stance clear, Michael redirected a portion of his spiritual energy throughout Katherine’s body.
Taken by surprise, yet finding herself unwilling to resist, she felt the energy flowing gently, passing over the scars before accelerating the healing of her skin, erasing them for good.
Withdrawing his hand, Michael gazed at her with his usual warm smile.
"See? Just because you might be a bit taller doesn’t an you have to give off a scary appearance. Despite it all, you are quite beautiful, and there’s no need to hide it or feel ashad about it anymore."
Slowly, Katherine traced the smooth texture of her face with unsteady hands.
Had she always been this easy to read, or was Michael simply that good at discerning people’s states with a single smile? She wondered.
Whatever the case, he had been painfully right in his assumption. Katherine might have rivaled Michael in height, but at this very mont, she had never felt so small in her entire life. Her gaze fell downward, too nervous to et his eyes.
"I—I..."
Her mind struggled with nurous thoughts and emotions swirling around. Eventually, she managed to speak in a shaky voice.
"I am willing... to join your faction."
With Nesis’ demise, there was no clear leader among the Bottomless Void. However, since most regarded Katherine as the strongest and most worthy to take the leadership role, her willingness to join Michael’s faction caused a domino effect.
"M— too, please!"
"Is the offer still open?!"
"I m—might not be a Lord, but I am determined to prove my worth through hard work!"
One by one, everyone displayed their desire to join the Indomitable Alliance.
More or less Michael managed to persuade the Bottomless Void.
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