Hearing Elder Oom's proclamation, a wave of bitterness washed over Thorian. Even with his diligent efforts, the reality that threats still loomed was a hard truth to accept. So, despite all my hard work and amassed knowledge, there are still people who can pose a threat to me. A truly hard pill to swallow, he thought.
“That... that cannot be,” Zogarth exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief at Elder Oom's assertion. “Our king has always been the epitome of strength, growing mightier with each passing day. How is it possible for her to surpass him? And how could you come to know of this?”
“I possess a unique ability,” Elder Oom replied with a calm certainty, “an ability our lord is aware of and can attest to.”
“We remain in the heart of enemy territory,” Thorian interjected, swiftly regaining his composure. “Let’s avoid divulging sensitive information that might fall into the wrong ears.”
Zogarth, though visibly unconvinced, gave a reluctant nod. “As you command, my lord.”
Meanwhile, Forlune, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, was merely muttering to himself.
It seems he has taken the lesson from our last encounter to heart. Thorian mused, His silence might be overdone, yet it's preferable to letting him speak his mind unbridled. Finding the right balance between politeness and frankness doesn’t come easily to him.
With this, the group continued their journey back to the village. As they crossed through the wooden gates, Thorian addressed his comrades with an air of urgency. “We must convene an emergency council meeting immediately. No matter their current engagements, bring my advisors to the Village Hall without delay. Our forthcoming decisions are critical; there is zero room for error.”
“Right away, my lord,” Zogarth responded with a respectful nod.
Forlune, however, furrowed his brows in contemplation before raising a pertinent question. “But what if they are engaged in their cultivation practices?”
Thorian, momentarily taken aback by a scenario he hadn't considered, raised an eyebrow in response. “In that case, let them be. Their initiation into cultivation is still in its nascent stages, and any disturbance could lead to Qi Deviation—a fatal mishap where they could literally cough up blood and die on the spot.”
A shade of pallor washed over their faces upon hearing this.
“Cultivation is indeed a precarious journey,” Elder Oom remarked, a hint of apprehension in his voice. “We must establish clear guidelines to avert such dire consequences in the future.”
“You speak the truth,” Thorian agreed, his tone serious. “However, for now, our priority remains gathering as many council members as possible at the Village Hall, without disrupting the cultivators.”
With their tasks delineated, the trio split up, each heading in a different direction to fulfill their mission. Meanwhile, Thorian made his way to the magus guild, diligently accepting his daily class quests. After completing this routine, he proceeded to the Village Hall, registering his normal quests before ascending to the meeting room.
Seated alone at the table, Thorian seized this solitary moment to refine his elemental mana control. As a lord, he understood the value of time; indulging in worry was a luxury he could not afford. Every moment was an opportunity for improvement, a chance to sharpen his skills and fortify his domain.
With a focused determination, Thorian engaged in simultaneous elemental manipulation. On his right index finger, he carefully conjured a minuscule fireball, its tiny flame flickering with controlled intensity. On his left, he balanced the equation with water, forming a small, perfectly spherical orb of water on his left index finger.
Inhaling deeply, Thorian ventured into uncharted territory. He turned his attention to his right middle finger, willing a second, albeit feeble and unstable flame into existence. Despite its fragility, his concentration remained steadfast. But as the nascent fireball took shape, Thorian's mental exertion reached its zenith, causing all his spells to dissipate simultaneously.
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So this is my current threshold, Thorian reflected, exhaling slowly. The journey of progress is indeed arduous and unrelenting. Patience is key.
His contemplation was interrupted by a commotion outside the room. Composing himself with a deep breath, Thorian swiftly resumed his customary, regal demeanor just as the council members entered.
Remarkable, everyone is here, he observed internally.
“My lord, your safe return is a great relief,” Lapis expressed, his eyes conveying sincere concern. “We were genuinely worried about you.”
“Thank you, Lapis,” Thorian replied with a warm smile, gesturing towards the table. “Now, please, everyone be seated.”
Obedient to their lord's command, the council members took their seats, anticipation hanging in the air.
“Before delving into the details of my encounter with our adversaries, I must first explain why I specifically chose Elder Oom for this mission,” Thorian began, his voice carrying an air of gravitas. At his words, the attention of everyone in the room shifted towards Elder Oom, their interest piqued.
The council members had been harboring a keen curiosity about what distinguished Elder Oom ever since Thorian's previous endorsement. “Elder Oom, please explain to us your unique abilities.”
With a respectful bow, Elder Oom acquiesced. “Beyond my known capabilities in curses and healing spells, I possess a gift bestowed upon me as a disciple of the great goddess Shora.”
As he spoke, Elder Oom's eyes glimmered with a golden radiance. “This gift is known as the Eyes of Identification. It allows me to see beyond the veil of mere appearances, revealing the underlying truth of things. Remarkably, it can even glimpse a part of the display panel of those I observe.”
Zogarth murmured in awe, “To imagine such an ability exists…” The room was filled with a collective astonishment, except for Yur and Jarvis, the two elders who already knew of their fellow tribe leader's prowess.
Aqua, with a chuckle that blended admiration and cunning, commented, “My lord, your foresight is unparalleled. Utilizing this crisis to extract crucial information from our foes – I am amazed.”
Ventus, struck by a sudden realization, exclaimed, “So that's the reason!” His gaze shifted to Thorian, a knowing smile on his lips. “King, you should have shared this with us. I wouldn’t have been so mad had I known.”
Aqua, visibly irked, retorted to Ventus, “And who are you to feel entitled to anger towards our lord?”
Forlune promptly intervened, his voice cutting through the brewing disagreement. “Silence, everyone. This is a crucial meeting, not a venue for your never-ending squabbles.” Even though Ventus clicked his tongue in annoyance, Forlune’s words effectively restored order, sparing Thorian the need to intercede.
The Celestial Kobold Champion's earnest expression, marked by a rare seriousness, prompted a smile from Thorian. He's maturing into an exemplary general. His progress fills me with pride.
“To address the issue concerning the lady in green, we'll delve into that later,” Thorian interjected, a strategic cough reclaiming the council's focus. “Firstly, let me apprise you of the pact we've forged with them.”
As Thorian detailed the series of events during the encounter, the room was engulfed in a hushed attention. The council members' reactions varied, but all maintained a respectful silence. Thorian narrated the roles of Ragnor and Soren, the vulnerability of the enemy footsoldiers, and the opulence of their meals. He delved into the intricacies of his private discussion with Nalia, ensuring no detail was spared.
“So, they seek access to our dungeons in exchange for the abyss, promising a wealth of experience points that we desperately need,” Vivax surmised, deep in contemplation. “And considering they're also offering to release Alacritas and the others, it appears this deal is significantly in our favor.”
“That may seem so at first glance,” Aqua interjected with caution. “But remember, this is the same woman who fiercely attacked our village and then coldly sacrificed thousands of her own men to enhance her quest rewards. Trusting her words blindly would be folly. She may still harbor plans to entrap us.”
“You're correct to be wary of her intentions,” Thorian agreed solemnly. “Yet, the primary motive behind my agreement was not the passage to the abyss. It was solely to secure the safe return of my men.”
In the wake of Thorian's declaration, a profound silence enveloped the room. The depth of his commitment to Alacritas and his team, evident in his words, resonated deeply with everyone present, underscoring the gravity of their leader's decision.
Aqua's smile was tinged with admiration and respect. “My king, your judgment and compassion are commendable. Even if we set aside the considerations of her motives or our safe passage, the outcome remains favorable. Securing Alacritas's return is an indisputable gain from this negotiation, one that cannot be undone.”
Ventus, his curiosity piqued, leaned forward. “So, do we plan to preemptively strike her before she can execute any treacherous plans against us?”
Thorian, his voice low and contemplative, weighed in. “A direct ambush might be imprudent, given her formidable capabilities.” He then turned his gaze to Elder Oom. “Elder, this would be an opportune moment to share your insights. What did your Eyes of Identification reveal about her powers?”