Infinite Realm

"That's enough." A deep voice sounded from the side.

As the voice resounded through the tent, the chilling aura Azure Dragon had released suddenly calmed, as if it had encountered a blockade and was forced to retreat.

Azure Dragon narrowed his eyes as he glanced over at the newcomer. It was a middle-aged man that looked to be in his early 30s or thereabout. He was the middle-aged man that was with Silver Wolf before Azure Dragon had arrived. He had a chiseled face and looked very matured but he gave off the aura of a war veteran. It wasn't like that of Iron Bear that was too brutish, or Silver Wolf's that felt like a battle expert. The aura the middle-aged man gave off was that of one who had been in command for a long time. Like a war general whose every command would assure his men of victory. 

Even as the middle-aged man's eyes came in contact with Azure Dragon, he didn't seem humble or polite neither did he seem rude. It was as if the middle-aged man was looking at someone beneath him; someone who wasn't worthy to be in his presence but he decided to just give him a glance. Azure Dragon had only seen that look in the eyes of very few people and every one of them was either an extremely strong opponent or a powerful personage in real life.

"King of the Hill, Han Otoki. It's a pleasure to see you here." Azure Dragon narrowed his eyes as he spoke. He had reined in his aura and cooled his temperament as he stared at the middle-aged man. This was a foe he couldn't afford to offend both in-game and in reality.

"Little Dragon, what Silver said is quite true. It's better to work together than to be fighting for who will lead first. The Kobold King is an opponent is I myself wouldn't dare to take on alone. Having our two guilds lead the allied raid team would be for the best." Han said.

"Sorry but even if your majesty says so, I still won't agree." Azure Dragon lightly frowned as he replied.

"*sighs* I guess we're destined to be enemies then." Han shook his head.

This sounded absurd as though this man wasn't the leader of the Howling Wolf Battalion team in this raid, nor the guild leader of Battle Wolves, he had just decided that the guild would go to war with Emperor's Might with just a few words.

Azure Dragon had a dark expression but he didn't say anything. This would have eventually happened sooner or later so making it clear at this point didn't matter. While he could afford this by conceding to the duo, Azure Dragon held his stand. Even Silver Wolf showed no reaction to this as if he had expected it too.

Normally, no matter how much guts a 1st tier guild has, they wouldn't go head-to-head with a super guild unless their interests are heavily affected. But in this case, not only was Battle Wolves' plan of building their headquarters in IR affected but their opponent was a mere branch of the real thing, which was only roughly on par with an average 1st tier guild or maybe just a tad bit stronger. In other words, even if Battle Wolves never planned to build their HQ in Black Rock City, they still wouldn't mind clashing with Emperor's Might subdivision there.

Logically, being aware of these two facts, the most strategic move that Azure Dragon should have taken would be to law low and not clash with Battle Wolves. It could be seen as him giving them face and in turn, Battle Wolves wouldn't make things hard for them and there might even be room for cooperation. However, Azure Dragon had gone ahead and chose the opposite the very second he discovered about their existence and plan.

It wasn't that Azure Dragon was being foolish or arrogant because he was the leader of a super guild's branch but that he had no choice. Azure Dragon was one of the up-and-coming young figures in the guild and one of the potential candidates for be it a high tier commander, an elder rank, or even the position of guild leader, the Emperor. However, for him to gain any one of these, he had to prove himself worthy. That was why the guild's upper echelons had delegated him as the guild leader for one of their branches and sent him away. And truthfully, he wasn't the only one. This was a test, and depending on how well he did here, his value and authority in the guild would rise, seeing him become a more powerful figure and increasing his shot at becoming the emperor. 

Therefore, no matter what, Azure Dragoon could not give up the ruling rights of Black Rock City. Even if doing so would see him gain a valuable ally, compared to the glory and merit of ruling the city by himself, the one with the highest advantage was pretty obvious. If Azure Dragon was the only one being tested, then it wouldn't be a bad thing for him to gain such a strong all like Battle Wolves, however, he wasn't. Supposing Azure Dragon went ahead and stepped down for Battle Wolves, giving up Black Rock city for an ally, but one of his competitors succeeds in taking control over their area of jurisdiction, Azure Dragon's significance in the eyes of the guild's upper echelons would drop and though both his prestige and influence might increase, it would only be a bit. From there, unless something special were to occur or the guild upper echelons were to have a change of heart, Azure Dragon's path to becoming the emperor would be blocked. At best he would end up as an elder rank figure in the future but the position of a high tier commander was more likely, and that was something Azure Dragon wouldn't like. 

It was like falling from the position of crown prince to become a measly baron. Someone with a low starting point might not be bothered but Azure Dragon would. Hence, unless Azure Dragon would want to resign himself with a lesser position, he would have to clash with Battle Wolves sooner or later. This event just made things happen sooner and Battle Wolves attitude of trying to force the two guilds to run the allied raid team together was something that had stepped on Azure Dragon's boundaries and pride.

"If there's nothing else, then I will take my leave now, your majesty." Azure Dragon glanced at the middle-aged man, Han Otoki.

"You can go now," Han said plainly.

Azure Dragon nodded and turned to leave but just as he did so, a player rushed into the tent and bowed before the Silver Wolf and Han, making Azure Dragon pause in his footsteps.

"What's the matter?" Silver Wolf wrinkled his eyebrows and asked. He had previously warned his men not to interrupt the meeting unless it was extremely important and even then, they were to make an announcement outside before they could enter.

"Apologies for the rush, captain, but the matter is extremely urgent and affects the entire raid." The player said with sweat covered all over him. Silver Wolf trained the players under him just like the military does, so this young man knew obviously what it meant to break a rule under him. However, the news he held was just too important to proceed with formalities.

Silver wolf hesitated a bit due to Azure Dragon's presence but Han spoke up "Continue."

The young player didn't know who Han was but seeing as his captain said nothing against that, he said,

"News coming in from the scouts at the frontlines.. An unknown group of players is currently engaging the Kobold King in battle. And from the looks of things according to them, the mysterious team is close to succeeding!"