Legacy of the Dark Sage

Every tribe leader looked at Cade with furrowed brows. His suggestion made sense. However, it was also risky. The Emperor had always been wary of the Dragon Emperor. He would assume the worst if he heard the latter suddenly choose to pass on his position as the clan leader. If that happened, their intention to conceal Aillos’s seclusion might backfire.

Ducal glanced at Cade. Like most in the room, he had reservations about the latter’s suggestion. At the same time, Ducal did not think Cade would suggest that without considering every possible scenario it would result in.

While Ducal pondered this, one of the tribe leaders pointed out the same thought to Cade.

"Suddenly announcing a new clan leader poses a lot of risk," the tribe leader said. "Although I understand that will prevent The Emperor from accusing us of insubordination, it will only make him more suspicious."

"I agree. The Emperor visited a few months back, and Lord Aillos met him personally. Though there had been no real confrontation to confirm each other’s state, The Emperor should have confirmed that Lord Aillos was in good condition."

"True. The Emperor will question the sudden decision to pass down the clan leadership and will likely guess that Lord Aillos went into seclusion to undergo an advancement. Advancing at his level poses a lot of danger, so it will not be strange if The Emperor thinks that Lord Aillos surrendered his position in case he fails, so to ensure the clan’s stability."

"I understand what you are all worried about," Cade replied before another tribe leader could follow on through the comments of the others. "But apart from Lord Aillos entering seclusion to advance, there is another possible reason he had to step down."

Ducal raised his eyebrows, observing Cade’s wording. Cade chose to say ’step down’ instead of ’pass down.’ Although both phrases can convey a similar idea, their implications can vary based on context.

"You want The Emperor to think that Lord Aillos has already completed his seclusion and failed."

Immediately, the rest of the leaders in presence looked at Ducal in confusion. However, most of them did not take long to understand his remark.

"What?" one of them exclaimed before glancing toward Cade. "Is that what you meant about announcing a new leader?"

Cade gave a faint smile and nodded. "A sudden leadership change can stem from various events. One strategy that might benefit us is to suggest that Lord Aillos was unsuccessful in his ascension and had to step down as the clan leader."

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"You understand that statements can hold power, right?" Aella voiced her concern while looking at Cade with furrowed brows. "Declaring something so ominous may invite a negative omen."

Although she didn’t voice her thoughts, she feared the Fates might exploit those words and bring them to fruition. After all, no one could resist their fates once they intervened.

"I know you are worried about the Fates," Cade replied solemnly as if reading Aella’s mind. "But my son will not have suggested that Lord Aillos go in seclusion if he will not be successful."

When Cade mentioned the Fates, almost everyone shifted nervously in their seats. No one could blame them.

Contrary to what most believed, the dragons were not wholly immune to the Fates’ intervention. They could also influence them, albeit not as much as others, given their unique origin. As long as they did not exploit their advantage as beings who could wield one of the Ancient Magic, albeit partially, the Fates would leave them be. However, if the dragons did something to tempt them, they would respond

kindly

.

Veles leaned back on his chair and looked at Cade, "You’re referring to how Fates cannot interfere with an Ancient Magic user’s affairs. But, sir Cade, that only applies to them. It doesn’t concern us. Even Lord Aillos’s ascension is still entirely up to him. If we do something the Fates deemed as tempting their influence, they will intervene."

"That is not how their immunity to Fates works," Cade replied with a smile. Everyone waited for him to elaborate but was taken aback by his following words. "My son dislikes talking."

"..."

"What?"

"Why suddenly...?"

Cade chuckled, seeing everyone’s puzzled expressions. He continued without giving them time to contemplate his words because he planned on explaining it anyway.

"...However, no matter how much he dislikes talking, he attended the banquet, mingled with the clan’s leaders and young representatives, and even shared everything he could while meeting them in person."

"..."

"...What are you trying to say?" Aella asked, clearly unable to follow.

"My son wanted to strengthen his bond with the clan so that the Fates’ intervention would be reduced if not lifted."

"That’s..." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Each tribe leader glanced at each other, with some exchanging short murmurs.

Cade stayed silent and let them talk among themselves. When the noise started to die down, he proceeded, "Ancient magic users’ immunity to the Fates can affect those around them, especially those with whom they formed a great bond."

"You mean to say that even if we declare something ominous, it will not provoke the Fates."

"Yes," Cade agreed with Veles’ rundown. Going back on topic, he immediately resumed the discussion, "Since the Fates cannot interfere, we will mislead the whole realm into thinking that Lord Aillos suffered after failing his ascension. The newly appointed clan leader will attend with the other clan representatives while we prepare."

Eissen immediately perked up at Cade’s last sentence.

"Prepare?" he repeated with narrowed eyes, "You don’t mean..."

Cade looked at them solemnly and said, "That is exactly what I meant."

He glanced at everyone seated around the table and added, "After the conference, The Emperor will attack."

*

"We have located the plane," one of the elder foxes reported after entering Marigold’s office.

Marigold looked up from her study table, her eyes flashing in anticipation, "How long will it take for us to get there?"

"Earliest in ten days. Two weeks at the latest."

"That is... too long."

"It can’t be helped. The plane is quite close to the outskirts, bordering the old Blade Dancer Clan’s jurisdiction and the Ogen Clan."

"And have our people confirmed the exact location inside the plane?"

The elder fox sighed and shook his head, "No. However, they are currently investigating many locations."

"So they haven’t completed scouting the plane?"

"There are far too many beasts," the elder fox replied, his face crumpled slightly after recalling the report on the native beasts on that plane. "Though we are not entirely hopeless against them, we also have no advantage. Moreover, our side has to move covertly."

"There is no need to move in secret," Marigold replied and stood up. "Since we want to establish a connection, it is best to make noise and let them find us."

The elder fox’s eyes widened in fear, "Let them find us? But if we do that, there is no telling how they will respond to our arrival. For all they know, that plane is considered out of the radar. If another clan appears..."

"It is fine," Marigold cut off the elder’s words with a smile. "They are no longer the people under The Emperor’s faction. They will not act drastically against intruders."

"Still..."

"They are our only clue to the Void Master. We have to establish this connection as soon as possible."

Seeing Marigold’s determined stance, the elder fox could only sigh in resignation. After a while, he nodded and said, "Very well. I will relay it to them."

"Oh, and tell them to inform them I am willing to meet with their leader."

"W-Wait! T-That is too dangerous!"

*

Five days later...

The ship carrying Leif and the others drifted near one of Junction Ports. They did not enter, however, and only stopped there to restock.

By then, Kyran had already recovered most of his strength. However, his natural magic energy absorption still did not show signs of recovery. While his condition was concerning, he was not that worried. This was because he could still rely on potions and pills to replenish his magic energy.

Alta, who woke up a week ago, did not suffer much. Still, she felt frustrated about her poor performance protecting Cynean and asked Mira to spar with her almost daily.

Meanwhile, True Void remained unconscious. But he had more or less recovered from the fatigue of being taken by his corrupted soul, and Cyneah judged that he would soon wake up.

Following True Void’s daily infusion of Kyran’s energy with Cyneah’s help, they monitored his condition briefly before leaving the infirmary.

"He still cannot absorb magic energy by himself," Cyneah said as they made their way to the ship’s small conference room. "But it is mostly due to his body suffering from trauma."

"..."

Kyran listened in silence as they walked side by side.

"I know you are worried, but don’t be. He’ll wake up soon," Cyneah assured him with a smile.

"...Yeah."

The two entered the conference room and saw Leif seated on a chair from the left side. From the massive screen on one side of the wall, Oceanus and Shiloh’s images were seen.

Leif looked at them as they entered and said, "We’ve more or less discussed what you told me so we can proceed with the rest."

Kyran nodded before looking at the screen to address the two, "Let’s start."