Beside him sat a woman with a similar complexion, dressed in matching attire. Her flowing black hair fell over her shoulders, and she, too, had a horn protruding from her forehead.
Seated across from them was a young woman clad in a form-fitting robe of mixed orange and black embroidered with crow-like wings. Her raven black hair poured downwards like a waterfall, framing her sharp features and the gleaming white horn protruding from her forehead.
She bore a similar resemblance to the pair before her.
The man and woman were Duke Zaelthar and Duchess Rhylla. The young woman before them was their daughter, Karli, a Viscount-rank Spirit Beast.
"I received information that another spy from the Spirit Beast Coalition was captured today," Karli said solemnly. "It says that they’ve decided to pause the war against the Divine Corps and instead send their forces here to suppress the uprising."
Zaelthar snorted in response. "They still wouldn’t dare launch an all-out attack on the territory they lost because of that mysterious Supreme Leader. The fact that they were able to capture the spy and obtain that information suggests they haven’t yet made a final decision. This is likely a trap."
"More likely, they’re trying to find out what kind of deal we’ve made that compels us to remain here and serve as this territory’s protectors."
"According to the report I received," Rhylla added, her voice and expression cold, "the former Supreme Base Leader of the 1112th External Division of the Celestial Spirit Court, Viscount Veyrahl, and a mysterious individual associated with that same Supreme Leader, destroyed yet another base two days ago."
"They haven’t been caught. They vanished right after the deed was done. Their presence was only detected by the Celestial Spirit Court’s intelligence network afterwards, which led to a bounty being placed on them."
"A bounty has also been placed on the other high-ranking officials from the base who betrayed and deserted the Celestial Spirit Court, conspiring with them to destroy more of the court’s strongholds. The court suspects they’re residing in this territory."
"As a result, they’re using the bounty to lure powerful Spirit Beasts from outside to invade and test the waters before taking any direct action."
She narrowed her eyes, her expression thoughtful.
"That must be why they sent a spy here, to deliberately spread the message that they would end the war against the Divine Corps. It creates the illusion of urgency, making the bounty more attractive to outsiders."
"With so many Duke and Duchess residing here, and presumably even higher beings drawn in by the aura of a King, our reaction will ultimately determine their next move."
"If that’s their plan, then we’ve already found ourselves in a predicament," Karli said, her tone tinged with worry and nervousness.
"I know you recklessly took an oath to protect this territory, but there are others who didn’t. If they decide to use the bounty as an opportunity to attack, then not only will you face other Dukes whose strength we know little about, but there’s also a chance you might break your oath for failing to protect this territory. That would render everything meaningless."
Although she hadn’t met the mysterious Supreme Leader, the one who had led his forces to reclaim a massive portion of the Celestial Spirit Court’s territory and return it to the natives, Karli understood that to accomplish such a feat, that person had to be extremely powerful.
They would have to wield power comparable to the Celestial Spirit Court itself. The current leader of the Court was a Marquis, but rumours suggested that even more mysterious and powerful individuals existed within the Court’s upper ranks.
Yet, the Celestial Spirit Court wasn’t the strongest faction within the Spirit Beast Coalition. There were three others even more formidable, known for their ability to sustain a war against the Divine Corps.
If those forces truly decided to pause their war and unite to wage one here, combined with others hidden in the shadows, Karli doubted whether even that mysterious leader and his forces could withstand such overwhelming power. Even her parents and the other Dukes who had taken the oath might not be able to protect themselves.
Those below that rank weren’t even worth mentioning.
However, contrary to her expectations, her parents looked calm, unbothered by her words. Their composed expressions irritated her. Ever since they had come here, drawn by the aura of a King and their encounter with this mysterious force, their personalities had changed entirely.
Though her parents had always been among the more principled and morally upright compared to other Spirit Beasts, Karli couldn’t bring herself to believe they would be willing to sacrifice themselves for strangers they had only just met.
"You’re right. This is indeed turning into a predicament," Zaelthar responded with a nod, his tone calm. "But it isn’t something we should worry about just yet. I’ve also been gathering information from the war front between the Spirit Beast Coalition and the Divine Corps, and it’s clear that the conflict is reaching a critical stage."
"The Spirit Beast Coalition can’t afford to pause the war. Pulling their forces from the front lines would be tantamount to admitting defeat. The Divine Corps are known to be relentless and willing to throw their fighters into death if it means achieving their goals."
"Even if they choose to forfeit the war, launching an attack against the mysterious force that took control of this territory won’t be easy. They risk suffering even greater losses if they’re caught between two fronts."
"What do you mean?" Karli asked, her voice sharp. "Are you saying this mysterious force can resist an army made up of multiple Duke-ranked powerhouses? You said you’re from the Material Realm, right? How could a force from the Material Realm possess such power when their strength is halved upon entering the Spirit Realm?"
"And don’t forget, I’m still annoyed that you lured me here using a King’s aura as bait just to meet this so-called mysterious Supreme Leader. I didn’t take an oath like you did, so I have no intention of staying if war breaks out."
Watching his daughter’s frustration, Zaelthar sighed. "You won’t understand until you meet him," he said quietly.
"Even if the Spirit Beast Coalition launched a joint attack against them with the Divine Corps, their chances of victory would still be slim."
He recalled the moment he met the mysterious Supreme Leader. Although the leader hadn’t shared the information they had hoped for, claiming to be preoccupied, neither Zaelthar nor the others present dared to voice a complaint.
The aura he had sensed from that man was terrifying and far more powerful than anything he had encountered in his long life. It was comparable, if not superior, to the pressure of a top-ranked Royal Prince or Princess among Spirit Beasts.
And that was still because his strength was halved upon entering into the Spirit Realm. Zaelthar doubted that it might be the equivalent of a King-rank in the Material Realm.
Even a Royal Prince or Princess who had lived for over 250,000 years was enough to quell any rebellious thoughts they might have had.
This alone was the greatest proof that the mysterious force truly possessed information about the King who had lingered in this territory because only a power that terrifying could draw the attention of such a frightening being.
At this moment, instead of feeling anxious about their current predicament, Zaelthar couldn’t help but feel excited that he had taken the step of making an oath.
As someone who had always been willing to protect tribes and Spirit Beasts in danger, he had made a significant number of enemies, which were enough to make him cautious of his family’s safety.
But now, standing beneath the shadow of a terrifying figure who seemed to share his ideals, Zaelthar saw this as an opportunity to secure a powerful backing that could deter all his enemies, especially after learning that J’garin, a Baron, and Zymera, an Aristocrat, had already formed contracts with this formidable leader, with Zymera becoming one of his wives.
Zaelthar was determined to do the same. He was certain that many others at the gathering shared similar thoughts and were secretly plotting the same.
That was why he had brought his family here: so they could all sign a contract with the Supreme Leader. He had already spoken to his daughter about the idea, hoping to arrange a proposal between both parties.
But the fact that she hadn’t mentioned it again likely meant she had rejected the idea. Unless she witnessed the power of this mysterious Supreme Leader herself, convincing her to form a contract would be even more difficult.
Suddenly, Zaelthar felt a gentle touch as a hand softly grasped his.
"You’re trembling again. It’s best not to overthink this right now. The only choice we have is to wait and observe how the situation unfolds," Rhylla said with a sigh, releasing his hand.
She understood her husband’s emotions because she felt the same way.