Legacy of the Dark Sage

"I have listened to their report directly," Aillos replied, not one bit threatened by Lucian's rising energy. "They relayed what happened in the tower in full detail. I'll answer your questions myself."

Lucian's frown deepened at Aillos's unyielding defiance. He had anticipated resistance to his demand, but not to this degree. He had hoped that Aillos would at least consider his proposal, but Aillos's loyalty to his clan was unshakeable. The clash between Lucian's pursuit of justice and Aillos's steadfast loyalty created a chasm that seemed insurmountable.

"The more you refuse to hand them over, the more you admit that you have something to hide."

Aillos shrugged, "It is pointless to reason with you since you'll doubt anything I say. For this reason, I cannot allow you to take any of my people." Find your next read at m_v l|e-.net

Lucian's frustration with the Dragon Clan was palpable. Their close-knit bond was one of the things he despised about them— even their clan leader would not hesitate to defy the most powerful being in the Higher Realm if it meant protecting the rest of the clan.

Several powerful presences from the Dragon plane approached them right after Aillos said his piece.

Lucian did not have to check who they were to know that they were the Dragon Clan's aides. His eyes narrowed at once. The fact that the aides decided to come out of the plane meant they were done preparing for a worst-case scenario and ready to assist Aillos if Lucian chose to attack.

This put Lucian in an awkward situation. He did not want to leave empty-handed because who knew what rumor those annoying clan leaders would spread if word of his retreat found their way there. They would exaggerate the story and say that The Emperor retreated empty-handed because he was so afraid of the Dragon Emperor's overwhelming presence.

Lucian was acutely aware of the political intricacies among the clans. His long reign over the Higher Realm had not been without its challenges. Some harbored discontent, even within his own faction, and would seize any opportunity to undermine him. It so happened that the pawn they placed their hopes on to disrupt the status quo was the Dragon Emperor— not that the latter actually agreed.

In fact, Aillos did not want anything to do with the political side of things among the clans by avoiding Lucian for the past five years.

In the end, Lucian made up his mind to deal with those pests by utilizing the current situation. Rather than giving those annoying clans what they wanted, he would slowly show them that none of their hidden agendas could deter him.

"You're wrong," Lucian told Aillos while giving him an unfaltering smile. "I am not without reason. I understand that you are worried that I will be biased over what your people will say, but you need not worry. There is a reason I want to speak with them directly rather than hear the answers from you.

After all, hearing the answers directly from the people involved is far more reliable than hearing it from another."

Aillos did not try to refute it because what he said was right. The true meaning behind the words spoken by the people involved in what happened might be different from the ones who only heard of it. For this reason, he could understand why Lucian wanted to hear what happened in the Tower of the Ancients directly from Ladon and the others.

"Ah~!" Lucian exclaimed suddenly as if realizing something. "Are you worried that I will try to mess with their heads during interrogation? You don't have to worry about that. How about this? You can come with them or..." he looked over the aides that were on stand-by a few kilometers behind Aillos. "You can have one, two— even all of them escort them.

Of course, I don't mind them accompanying your clan representatives during the interrogation. If they realize I am doing something contrary to what I have said, they can step in and stop me, and I will not hold it against them."

Aillos scowled at Lucian's suggestion. It was actually not a bad suggestion, but there were far too many risks if he agreed to it.

For example, if he agreed to go with Ladon and the others with Lucian, the Dragon Plane would be exposed to outside threats without him reinforcing the plane's barrier.

But if he asked a few of the aides to escort Ladon and the others, their level— though high, and their natural senses far exceeded those of the same level as them— they would still not sense Lucian's tricks, especially if the latter took advantage of his mage level. Moreover, the aides could not leave on such short notice. Not when they had yet to recover from the last war.

If the recovery of the plane was hindered by the absence of a few aides, who knew what Lucian would do to weaken their side further?

Lucian smiled upon sensing Aillos's hesitance. He knew the latter was trying to find the best way how to approach his suggestion. But that was not necessary because Lucian had yet to throw the bait.

Aillos tried to conceal his emotions by acting indifferently. However, Lucian was quite preceptive, which was why Aillos was sure he was already aware of his hesitation.

To be honest, there was a way to even out Lucian's suggestion. The problem was it would only be applicable if Aillos had nothing to hide. He was not worried that Lucian might discover something when he interrogated Ladon and the rest because they were innocent. At the very least, they did not witness what happened to the other clan representatives, so Lucian could not make them accountable.

They had an idea of what might have happened to them, but since they did not witness them personally, they were not guilty of whatever sin the rest of the clans threw at them.

But Ladon and the rest being innocent did not mean the Dragon Clan was not involved. In fact, they were hiding the real culprit.

Just as Aillos was deep in thought, Lucian finally threw in the bait.

"You're having a hard time making up your mind, and I think I know why," he started while expressing his understanding. "I have just returned, so I only heard a brief report of the things that happened among the clans in the past few months. I admit my judgment has been clouded after I heard of what happened to my people in the recent hunt.

But I want you to know that after dealing with this, I plan on dealing with the one that my subjects did to your clan without my knowledge."

Aillos's expression hardened at once. Even the eight aides, who were quietly listening to their conversation, showed an unpleasant expression.

In the end, The Emperor denied being involved in the recent attack of the Solis Clan against the Dragon Clan.

That did not sit well with Aillos and the rest.

True, Lucian did not participate in that war, but his subjects would not have made such a bold move if they had not received his consent. Besides, the Solis Clan were not the only ones who made a move but also, a few other clans who were loyal to them, like the Blade Dancer Clan. Those clans would never have moved if Lucian did not order a decree.

"How about this? I'll conduct my interrogation here, in the Dragon Plane. I'm sure you'd feel more reassured if your clan representatives are within your jurisdiction."

Aillos jaw visibly tightened as he clenched his teeth. He glared hatefully at Lucian after suggesting such an obvious bait.

Lucian's last suggestion could be considered the most disadvantageous approach to the current situation for him. At the same time, it could also be considered the most advantageous. It was disadvantageous because he would be alone within the Dragon Clan's territory during the interrogation; thus, he could not do what he pleased.

However, it was also advantageous because Aillos could not do anything to him while inside his territory. Not to mention, if those clans who wanted to undermine him found that Aillos allowed him to enter the Dragon Plane, they could no longer spread rumors about the two of them being on bad terms.

Moreover, it would even signify that the Dragon Emperor did not want to fight with The Emperor, even after all that had happened between their clans recently.

Aillos wanted to refuse. But if he did, he would truly have admitted that he was hiding something. And knowing Lucian, he would realize it and that whatever it was was inside the Dragon Plane. And again, knowing him, he would definitely force his way to the plane.

Ultimately, Aillos knew he could no longer refuse. He had to choose whether to sacrifice Ladon and the rest or to allow Lucian inside the Dragon Plane.

Between those two, it was obvious that the latter was the most dangerous.

After a moment's pause, Aillos finally opened his mouth to give his answer.

But then.

Crackle!

The space behind Lucian distorted as a figure emerged. From the way the figure almost stumbled out of the distortion, it was clear he was there because of an emergency.

"Y-Your majesty!"

The figure that came out of the distortion wore a white robe with golden accents. A typical uniform of one of Lucian's subjects.

Lucian's expression remained calm. However, the sudden interruption obviously angered him as the energy coming out of him began to expand once more.

"One of the representatives from the Blade Dancer Clan had already regained consciousness, and h-he confirmed the culprit behind the mass killings of the clan representatives!

"A mage suspected to possess the most dangerous Ancient Magic of all!"

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