Chapter 18 Part 1 of 2 (Patreon)

Marco Tolentino’s expression was dull as the messenger related the news of his younger cousin and Uncle.

“Cowards! Using all of their weapons against Elder Sho! How dare they?” The Tolentino Clan head slapped her hand on her chair, cracking it.

It is his own fault for being so arrogant; to think that there was no one as powerful as him. If I was weaker, then I would use everything I have to defeat a stronger enemy. What does it matter if you win?

Marco snorted mentally but kept it hidden.

“What does the sect head intend to do?” Mariella Tolentino demanded.

“He has not promised anything at this time.”

“We have lost a genius of the younger generation and a venerated Elder and we won’t do anything? They are but one independent city!”

Marco cleared his throat, making the room look at him. Among the elders and leaders of his clan, he didn’t show the slightest anxiety.

“The sect has reached an agreement with the Associations. So there is an opportunity for us. We are fighting across many fronts. The sect has to prioritize.” The sooner I can get away from this sect the better. It is already crumbling. I’ve already been scouted by the Black Phoenix Clan in the Seventh Realm. My future is secured.

“Tell the Sect Head that the Tolentino Clan will not let this go.” Mariella’s words came through her teeth.

The clan must show their power now. If we make it through this calamity, then we can gain greater power. It opens a path for us to lead the attack on Vuzgal. Well done little cousin! Your death will come in use. It is good that we lost such a useless elder before we have to go into battle.

“We ask that Marco be given the honor of leading the army.”

A good play, we put forward a powerful figure, show our dedication first. We can get a commanding position over the other clans and get more benefits. Vuzgal doesn’t even have walls, only their odd square buildings, and their mana barrier. They are a trading and crafting city. As long as the crafters are allowed to flee then we won’t face any backlash.

These thoughts flashed through Marco’s brain as he stood and bowed to the Clan head.

“I am honored to be graced with the responsibility. I will make sure that the deaths of our Elder Sho and cousin Nico are paid in full!” His voice was hot and heavy, gritting his teeth together so hard they strained.

That should be enough to secure my position. It will look good to my teachers in the Seventh Realm as well.

***

“What the hell happened at Vuzgal?” Head Foster asked as the doors closed behind Cai Bo, locking her in his office. He opened both eyes, not stopping his mana cultivation.

“The Guild members were stronger than we thought and the City Lord was there.”

“Strong enough to kill an elder of the Sixth Realm?”

“They used everything they had on him,” Cai Bo said.

“Now is not the time to stroke my ego. They must have attack spell formations. They didn’t use any, just their regular weapons and one person. We think it was one of the city lords casting spells.”

“The guards reacted faster and were stronger than we thought,” Cai Bo started.

“Stronger than you thought? The Adventurer’s Guild has redoubled their attacks and revealed more experts than ever before! Your information was severely lacking! How did you not know that they had people who had formed their mana cores and attained Body Like Iron? Body Like Stone is not a rarity for them? It has backfired on us badly. People in our sect doubt our competence and other sects are forming armies to work against us.”

“Vuzgal’s reputation has also been harmed and there are other sects that are undoubtedly interested in taking the city. The city will fall with time.”

“We cannot let another sect win Vuzgal,” Foster’s eyes sharpened. “Marco Tolentino has already been scouted by the Black Phoenix Clan. His older brother is quickly rising in power in the Seventh Realm and has made a number of powerful friends. The sects in the Seventh Realm don’t care about the matters in the realms below. Though if their honor is stained then they’ll act.”

Cai Bo cupped her fists to Head Foster.

“We can use that to gather people to our side. Will Marco’s brother not be pleased by their actions to help his younger brother and make the transition to the Seventh Realm easier?”

“What are your orders, Sect Head?”

“Prepare our army in secret, support Marco, you will go and take Vuzgal, draw in support from the other sects to get their support. Then we can use them to attack the sects allied against us.”

“I will see to it.”

“What about that girl you sent to look for information on Vuzgal’s people? Have you heard anything?”

“She has sent me updates.”

“Anything of use?”

“We haven’t found any weaknesses yet, but we will.”

“Good, leave me.” Foster closed his eyes as the mana shifted around him drawn into his ten open mana gates.

Cai Bo bowed again and left. He was able to open two more mana gates with all of the resources of the Willful Institute behind him. She cut off her jealousy and left his office.

***

Blaze looked ten years older, his eyes burned like hot coals as he waited calmly as the guards for the Alvan command center.

“Thank you sir,” They passed back his alvan medallion and moved to the side, the doors opened.

He nodded and walked past them surrounded in a grim silence.

The command center quietened as he moved to the conference room.

He opened the door Elan was standing talking about the report in everyone’s hands.

Delilah, Erik, Rugrat, Glosil, and Yui sat at the table.

Blaze closed the door behind him he nodded to Elan and moved to a vacant seat.

“With killing Nico Tolentino, the Tolentino Clan will need to respond, which means that the Willful Institute will need to respond. They have cleared out many of the Adventurer guild locations. Many others have also advised the Adventurer’s guild to move.”

Elan finished and sat down.

“Blaze?” Erik asked.

Blaze looked over.

“How are your people?”

Blaze’s gut twisted but he talked numbly.

“The Guild has been shaken, command and discipline have been hampered. They’re angry and anger leads to more mistakes than it helps. We got overconfident. I have ordered all of our locations to be sold and to bring everything we have back to Vuzgal and other cities we can be sure won’t sell out to the Willful Institute. Different sects are pushing to renegotiate their contracts now we can be seen on the back foot.”

Erik’s eyes chilled as Blaze shifted his tight shoulders, not averting his gaze.

“Glosil, is there something we can do to assist the Adventurer’s Guild more? They might not be full Alvans all of them, but they fight for us.”

“I can think of a few ideas, Blaze if you want to talk options afterwards?”

“Certainly.”