“Rise up.
Nerathis needs you,
A New Era is about to begin.
An Era where the Old Timers would be left to rot in dust.”
Saying those words, Selene and the other Mages affiliated with Xenthalor disappeared, surprising everyone present.
“D-Did they use Teleportation Crystals…?
All of them…?”
“That’s the Xenthalor Empire for you.
Using one-time-use artifacts just to make a dramatic exit…”
They muttered in shock.
Kael blinked in surprise as well. He had absolutely no clue what had just happened.
[It is a Teleportation Crystal, one of the Artifacts created by the Xenthalor Empire that allows you to teleport to a previously marked point.]
Kael nodded in understanding.
Elira then patted a little gem near her gown and said,
[And this is the Whisperstone, the Artifact I have been using to talk to you all this while, also created by the Xenthalor Empire.]
“Just how many things have they created?”
Kael wondered out loud, and Elira just smiled at those words.
[Why do you think their threat of ceasing trades with Drakthar had such a big impact? I would have been in big trouble if Prince Edric hadn’t stepped in.]
Kael’s expression turned grim at those words. He had too many questions in his head, but for now, he decided to stay silent and observe.
Too many things had happened in a short amount of time; he couldn’t even keep track of them all.
He needed time to sort his thoughts.
“They came prepared.”
On the other side, Cedric, who had now come to Alden’s side and saw how the Xenthalor Mages disappeared, spoke with a solemn look on his face.
Alden nodded. The King had the same expression on his face as he stared at his nobles.
Unlike them, who still thought that the Teleportation Crystals were used for a dramatic exit, Alden, Cedric, and Aurelia—who was here as well, knew the true reason behind it.
It was a way for them to disappear without having to answer questions they didn’t want to answer.
The very fact that even the Xenthalor Delegation was gone made it clear that they had no intentions of answering any questions in the future either.
Selene knew her words had tempted the audience. Even if they didn’t show it on their faces, more than a few people were affected by her words, and Alden understood that.
After all, who would not be tempted by power?
And those words about the New Era and how those who do not keep up would fade away…
It was obvious that those words would have an impact, especially after their dominating performance that defeated all three representatives of other nations like it was nothing.
The use of Teleportation Crystals with such extravagance just strengthened that impact even further. It also ensured that the mages would return alive in case anyone decided to act against them.
It wasn’t a rash decision taken in the spur of the moment; it was a carefully orchestrated and well-thought-out move.
“That woman planned it all.
This is how she wanted all this to play out to begin with. We were outsmarted.”
Aurelia spoke with a grim look on her face, and once again, Alden nodded. He realized this as well.
This gathering…
It was nothing but a stage for Xenthalor to display their might. Even the Hero’s powers were overshadowed by them.
“Xenthalor’s connection with Twilight is worrying.”
Cedric commented with a grim look on his face.
Not for a single moment did any of them believe Selene when she said they had no relation with Twilight.
“Using Twilight’s Energy to stand against them, what a foolish notion.”
Aurelia snorted.
“Who would even believe them?”
She questioned out loud, but then,
“This isn’t good…”
Edric spoke up, staring at the rest of the nobles, who were oddly silent.
Everyone could tell that they were using Whisperstones to converse with each other. As for what they were talking about…
Even a child could guess that.
“We need to do something.”
Edric muttered with a grim look on his face.
Cedric and Aurelia nodded at those words. Then suddenly,
“That was quite the display, huh? It was surprising indeed.”
Another person walked into the King’s viewing area.
It was Dorian Voss, the Merchant representing the Grand Council of Gold. The man walked in with a smile on his face, but soon, he frowned.
“Hmm? Why the grim atmosphere? Is it because of the loss? Well, there was nothing you could do about it, could you? None of us were expecting Xenthalor to pull off something like this.
Who knew that we have been looking at the Energy of Dawn from the wrong perspective all this while?”
“It is called the Power of Corruption, Merchant.”
Cedric narrowed his eyes at Dorian’s words.
“Right. Of course.”
Dorian nodded, quickly understanding what Cedric was trying to say. He then smiled as he lightly slapped his head,
“What was I thinking? I guess I was tempted by Tower Head Selene’s words.
How could I even think of using the Power of Corruption to strengthen my Bonds? I would never subject the Bonds I love to such torture.
Even if it was not clear from its physical display, that Beast was obviously in pain. Those Mages must have come up with a way to hide its pain, just like they hid that vile Power of Corruption.
Do you thin-“
“Silence.”
Before Dorian could say anything further, Cedric ordered as he narrowed his eyes.
Clearly, he didn’t like Dorian, and considering how Aurelia and Alden didn’t stop him, it was apparent that the two didn’t like the Merchant either.
After all, anyone who knew even a little about these Merchants knew that the first thing Dorian would do after leaving the Kingdom would be to go to Xenthalor and strike some sort of deal, becoming their biggest sponsor.
Heck, it wouldn’t be surprising if they already had some sort of deal.
“We will end the banquet now.”
The King spoke in a low voice.
He then stared at the two warriors standing next to him and said,
“Once you return, report everything that happened here in detail.”
The two warriors nodded with solemn looks on their faces. They knew how important this was.
This might very well change Nerathis’s power balance as they knew it.
“I will do as you said and inform the other Councilmen, Your Majesty.”
Dorian bowed his head and was ignored once again.
Of course, the merchant couldn’t care less. He just smiled as he imagined the future and the money he would be making.