(Two Years Later, The Eternal Garden, Leo's POV)
Following the confrontation with Mauriss upon the Eternal Garden, the next couple years passed in relative peace for the Cult Of Ascension, as no major universal conflict erupted during that period despite the tension steadily building beneath the surface.
The Cult continued expanding its influence steadily across the Rainbow Stream while more neutral systems quietly submitted beneath their authority voluntarily, choosing stability beneath Cult administration over uncertainty beneath weakening Great Clan influence.
And strangely enough, as the Cult's territories expanded further and further outward, resistance across newly conquered planets gradually beca weaker with every passing year.
Because by now, most ordinary citizens throughout the universe had already accepted one simple truth.
The Cult was not going anywhere.
anwhile, with the tension between father and son finally repaired properly, Mairon began visiting the Eternal Garden far more frequently than before, as whenever he was not managing the Fundantalists or overseeing operations upon Planet Bennett, he could usually be found training beneath Leo directly.
Ever since his encounter with Clarence, if there was one thing Mairon pursued obsessively above all else now, it was personal strength.
And under Leo's guidance, his growth rapidly accelerated.
Because although Mairon always possessed trendous talent naturally, the thing he lacked previously was discipline and proper direction.
However now, after personally experiencing helplessness before a true monster, he trained with a desperation bordering upon madness.
anwhile, Caleb continued achieving one military success after another across the front lines, as over these two years, he delivered several nearly flawless conquest campaigns while earning increasing respect from fellow Commanders and soldiers alike.
As slowly but surely, he beca one of Leo's most trusted military leaders.
"We did a good job raising them, Amanda…."
Leo said once, as watching both his children grow steadily into capable individuals in their own ways genuinely made Leo feel proud.
However, despite the peaceful atmosphere outwardly surrounding the Cult during these years…
Leo never once lowered his guard internally.
Because ever since the day Mauriss departed from the Eternal Garden smiling like a lunatic, Leo fully understood that another great conflict was inevitably approaching the universe sooner or later.
Which was precisely why, two years later, when Shadow Number One arrived carrying an urgent report, Leo imdiately understood sothing important had finally shifted.
"My Lord, there has been an interesting developnt across the Rainbow Stream lately."
Shadow Number One reported respectfully while kneeling before Leo inside one of the Eternal Garden's overlooking pavilions, as Leo calmly gestured for him to continue.
"My Lord, we always understood that the Dragons lacked the population necessary to maintain stable control over the number of planets they were conquering.
As while the Dragon race itself is individually powerful, their total numbers remain far too limited to properly administer and occupy more than roughly twenty worlds simultaneously."
Shadow Number One explained calmly while several holographic planetary maps materialized before Leo automatically.
"However despite this limitation, Moltherak continued expanding aggressively regardless, and as of now, Dragon controlled territory has already exceeded forty planets total.
Which naturally spread their military presence extrely thin."
Leo nodded slowly hearing that explanation, because he already understood this problem long ago himself.
The Dragons were terrifying conquerors.
However they were terrible administrators.
Initially, the Dragon race only controlled a handful of worlds directly beneath their authority, and although their population increased significantly during recent years, their growth was nowhere near sufficient enough to support a proper interstellar empire spanning dozens of planets.
And because Moltherak kept prioritizing conquest endlessly, the cracks within Dragon territory were eventually bound to appear.
"My Lord, approximately twenty four hours ago, the surviving Great Clans launched a massive coordinated counter offensive against Dragon occupied territories."
Shadow Number One continued while several planets upon the holographic display changed color rapidly.
"The Mu Clan, Lu Clan, and Du Clan have each successfully reclaid three planets already, for a total of nine worlds retaken from Dragon control within a single day."
Leo narrowed his eyes slightly hearing those words, however, he wasn't completely shocked either.
"Yeah…
Honestly speaking, that was inevitable."
Leo muttered calmly while observing the holographic maps carefully.
"Moltherak is an extraordinary warrior personally, however administration was never his strength.
And the Dragon army beneath him behaves like a pack of barbarians most of the ti."
A faint smirk appeared across Leo's face afterward.
"Hopefully this disaster teaches them at least so degree of restraint moving forward."
Leo muttered, however instead of relaxing hearing his response, Shadow Number One's expression grew even more serious.
"My Lord… I believe there's more happening beneath the surface here."
He warned quietly, as Leo's gaze imdiately shifted toward him sharply.
"The surviving Great Clan Gods are terrified of Moltherak normally.
Under ordinary circumstances, none of them would possess the courage necessary to provoke the Dragons directly to this extent."
Several additional battle reports appeared across the holographic projection while Shadow Number One continued explaining.
"However across four of the nine major campaigns launched during the counter offensive…
Clarence and Terrence were both personally spotted fighting alongside Great Clan forces upon the front lines."
The mont Leo heard those nas, a slow smile gradually spread across his face.
Because imdiately, the missing piece fell into place perfectly inside his mind.
"I see…"
Leo muttered softly while leaning back against his chair.
"So the alliance has finally beco official."
Shadow Number One nodded silently in agreent.
"Yes, my Lord.
Based on our current intelligence, I believe the surviving Great Clan Gods have formally entered into an alliance with Mauriss behind closed doors."
For several monts, silence lingered inside the pavilion.
Then suddenly—
"Hahahaha…"
Leo burst into low laughter while shaking his head slowly.
Because honestly speaking, this developnt was sothing he had already been expecting for years now.
Ever since Mauriss left the Eternal Garden that day, Leo understood clearly that eventually the Great Clan Gods would beco desperate enough to crawl toward the Deceiver for protection.
They feared the Cult.
They feared the Dragons.
And more than anything else…
They feared becoming irrelevant within the new universe being born.
"I figured this would eventually happen."
Leo admitted calmly while the amusent gradually faded from his expression once more.
"The Great Clan Gods are cowards by nature.
The mont survival beca uncertain, they were always going to gather beneath the strongest manipulator willing to protect them."
His eyes slowly narrowed afterward while his tone beca colder.
"And Mauriss…
That lunatic has probably been waiting for exactly this mont patiently for years."
Shadow Number One remained silent while Leo quietly organized his thoughts internally.
Because now, the shape of the coming conflict finally beca significantly clearer.
The Cult.
The Dragons.
Mauriss.
The surviving Great Clan Gods.
All the major powers within the universe were slowly beginning to drift toward inevitable collision.
"I see…"
Leo muttered once more while resting one hand against his chin thoughtfully.
"So the final war is probably approaching sooner than expected."
A dangerous calm settled across the pavilion afterward while distant winds continued blowing softly across the Eternal Garden's silver trees nearby.
"Tell the Shadow network to sharpen their surveillance imdiately.
I want constant monitoring placed upon every important figure connected to Mauriss, the surviving Great Clans, and the Dragon territories alike."
Leo instructed calmly while Shadow Number One listened attentively without missing a single word.
"I highly doubt these recent campaigns are isolated events.
Sothing bigger is coming within the next couple years."
His gaze slowly drifted toward the distant skies overhead.
"And when that event finally arrives…
I refuse to allow the Cult to be manipulated into dancing according to Mauriss's plans."
Leo declared quietly while a cold smile slowly appeared across his face.
"We already know the Deceiver is preparing the board for sothing enormous.
Which ans we still possess the advantage."
His eyes sharpened faintly afterward.
"Because if there's one thing I'm confident about…
It's that we're smart enough not to let him have his way."
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