"As a sign of our sincerity, this is the results of the investigation you wanted," a man spoke.
He was the patriarch of one of the most powerful Hochlaegen Families, and with him joining the Arcellius Family, he became the First Elder. He, along with the other family heads, would form an elder council, which could greatly influence the direction of the Arcellius Family. As the First Elder, he had the highest authority on the elder council. He would be Protector Avin's right-hand man!
Perusing through the report, Protector Avin had a solemn look. This was the first thing he asked the various families for. It was to investigate why the Third Hand and the Whispering Shadow attacked Freon, Nassandra, and him those years ago. He swore to take revenge, but before he could act, the Alzar Kingdom delivered divine retribution and annihilated the Whispering Shadow. Despite being a vast organization that spanned the continent, their every trace was thoroughly uprooted and obliterated. Their destruction was absolute! Protector Avin's investigation stopped, before it could start. However, he did not give up, because this could be a vital clue related to the Arcellius Family's collapse fifty years ago. It was imperative that he discovered his enemies!
He could not find anything alone, but these families here were different. They could leverage their vast network to quickly gather information. This was precisely why he had to ally with them. Their strength was something he lacked. This report had detailed and comprehensive. It was clearly the product of a lot of work. Who knew how many people helped to write it?
At the end, there was one name that stood out: the Rellion Engelsheft Family! Protector Avin narrowed his eyes viciously. He had little impression of this family. It was arguably the weakest Engelsheft Family out of the current seven. In fact, many Hochlaegen Families were clamoring for its demotion, so they could overtake its spot. But as the saying goes, even a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Its foundations still held firm! Protector Avin remembered in the banquet party, the Rellion Family was the only Engelsheft Family he did not speak with. He did not know why. To think, it was because they were afraid of facing his retaliation!
His lips curled into a smirk. "It seems I need to pay the Rellion Family a visit."
The First Elder was hesitant. "We still haven't discovered how the Engelsheft Families will respond. In my opinion, this act may be premature."
"I agree. Our alliance was just formed. We need time to inform our families and prepare for our announcement!" the Second Elder advised. The announcement he was referring to was publicly declaring the formation of the Arcellius Family, and the merging of over twenty-six families! At the same time, they would contest for their spot as the eighth Engelsheft Family! It was an event of paramount importance.
"I don't think so. The longer we wait, the more time the Rellion Family will have to prepare. We should use this chance to catch them off-guard," the Third Elder swiftly denied. She looked around at everyone, her eyes cold. "Many families are gathered here today. Who knows if there are traitors?" Her words landed like a splash, creating heavy waves in everyone. The chance of a traitor was highly likely!
Protector Avin chuckled. Of course, he knew that. Their agreement was only verbal. It did not have any teeth behind it. He did not have any binding spells like the Featherwind Sect's Nine Regrets Reincarnation vow. This miraculous spell could enforce the agreement between two parties, and if either side violated it, they would receive a backlash! Some backlashes might be minor, like an injury or two. Others were more vicious, killing the person or even their entire family! With this punishment in mind, nobody would dare to violate it. Since Protector Avin did not have these methods, this alliance was more fragile, and susceptible to spies. It was unavoidable, if he wanted the help of these families. He could not do anything about it for now.
"For now, we should deepen our ties. I believe the coming days will be very busy!" he laughed with a casual air, as if everything was within his grasp! He raised his wine glass, signalling a toast. Everyone quickly followed suit and drank. The mood returned to a harmonious one.
On the twenty-eighth floor of the Celestial Court, First Sage Pannark Winhelm stood in front of his window, staring into the cold, dark night. Far below him, there were innumerable lights as people returned home, and lit candles. Above, heavy storm clouds blotted the sky as snowflakes danced. When Pannark's breath landed on the glass, it fogged up. It was currently November. The weather was getting colder and soon, the land would be painted in a tint of white. Winter was approaching! Time passed so quickly, it made his reflection in the window look foreign. He could almost not recognize himself. How many storms had he weathered? How many battles had he fought? He could not even begin to count. And once again, he had to drag his tired body to fight another battle. His eyes burned with ferocious flames. The Arcellius Family's revival… Sage Pannark would definitely not let Protector Avin succeed!
He turned around, and in his office, there were a few people seated. It was certainly not as lively as Protector Avin's banquet; however, everyone sitting here was an absolute pillar of the Zino Kingdom. Their power could move the heavens! The first was a large man. His chest was large and his arms and legs were thick. When he stood up, he resembled a wall. He could barely fit in the small chair. He was Lord Denno Arkfell, the newest patriarch of the Arkfell Engelsheft Family after Ten Dawn Rosemary perished. Next to him was an older woman. She sat straight in her chair. Her posture was impeccable. She radiated a stern air, as if the word 'joke' did not exist in her vocabulary. It was Lady Alice Cisvernia, the matriarch of the Cisvernia Engelsheft Family!
Second Sage Alana Lanark was not present. She had a poor physical condition that required her to constantly rest. Her husband, First Sage Pannark, was representing her on her behalf. As for the Welgen Family, Lady Joanna did not participate. She sent a someone else in her place. The Vensire Family and the Rellion Family did the same thing. In total, there were six people in this room. They represented the seven esteemed Engelsheft Families, the core authority of the Zino Kingdom!
Although Sage Pannark assembled them to discuss the looming threat of the Arcellius Family, it was clear that the Welgen, Vensire, and Rellion Families did not take the threat seriously by sending substitutes in their place. And even though Lady Alice and Lord Denno attended personally, they came out of a sense of duty, not out of fear. After all, it was hard to imagine what a decrepit Engelsheft Family could do. This was simply a show of respect to Sage Pannark's summons.
He explained, "Protector Avin has allied with seventeen Hochlaegen Families, and nine Kreftig Families. They intend to rebuild the Arcellius Engelsheft Family before the end of the year. How should we proceed?"
Lady Alice frowned. "Our previous interference is a joke compared to this move. Unless we interfere directly, I fear we cannot stop them."
Lord Denno snorted. "Protector Avin wants to rebuild the Arcellius Family with these random families. How can it be that easy? They just want more status and power. So, we'll give it to them! We'll contact them in secret and offer more benefits than Protector Avin can. I refuse to believe that he can offer more than us. Once their alliance crumbles, we can deal with Protector Avin directly."
A man from the Vensire Family said, "The only ones to benefit would be those families. They would have full control over the negotiations. They can demand whatever they want. We'll be bled dry by them!"
"It'll be hard to deal with them. Our concessions will be great," the woman from the Welgen Family agreed. "And I doubt Protector Avin will stand by and watch. He's still our biggest problem. How will we handle a Blue Depth Core Arcanist? Need I remind everyone about the 'heavenly phenomenon' that happened last year. That was caused by him alone! We should plan around him first."
"In the worst case scenario, if we do come to fight, our side is too weak," Lady Alice stated. "Four of the Ten Dawns died in the Xingyuu Empire, which leaves us with three. Ten Dawn Yvonne and Runenda are in Yongtein assisting the Conquestian. They can't help us. And the last Ten Dawn is… Ten Dawn Nassandra. We don't have any Ten Dawns left!"