Chapter 492: Old Grudges
But unfortunately...
The nearby Forgefire Clan also covets Specter Valley. Although they haven't seized control of the valley, a powerful army is stationed there year-round. Whenever the Black Tower tries to make a move on Specter Valley, the Forgefire Clan strikes back fiercely. After several clashes, the Black Tower's higher-ups finally lost hope. They realized that to truly claim Specter Valley, they would have to wipe out the Forgefire Clan.
But the Forgefire Clan—one of the thirteen ancient tribes—isn't so easily destroyed.
This tribe has endured countless ages, its deep foundations forcing the Black Tower's leaders to weigh the cost: is it really worth the sacrifices to annihilate the Forgefire Clan?
"Of course it's relevant. The cooperation I mentioned is an alliance between the Merlin Family and the Black Tower to jointly strike against the Forgefire Clan. I believe, with the combined might of our two forces, destroying the Forgefire Clan shouldn't be a problem..."
Leon spoke again, interrupting Councilor Weiss's thoughts. As soon as Weiss heard Leon's proposal, he was startled—the alliance was actually aimed at the Forgefire Clan.
Weiss stared at Leon in amazement. It was hard to imagine that a young man barely in his twenties could possess such audacity. The benefits of destroying the Forgefire Clan were obvious, and even though the young mage hadn't mentioned how the spoils would be divided, Weiss could easily guess: once the Forgefire Clan was gone, Specter Valley would be jointly controlled by the Merlin Family and the Black Tower.
From Councilor Weiss's perspective, there was no reason to refuse this alliance. With the two forces united, the risks would be minimized. Most importantly, once the Forgefire Clan was out of the picture, the Black Tower wouldn't have to tread carefully anymore—they could reallocate resources to other fronts or seize other strongholds.
Calling it a win-win would be an understatement...
In truth, just Specter Valley alone is enough to make the Black Tower risk an alliance with the Merlin Family. After all, Specter Valley is the most magically saturated place in the northern Blazeforge Realm. If they succeed in claiming it and send a batch of young mages there each year, the benefits would be almost indescribable. The effects might not be obvious in the short term, but in decades or even centuries, how many powerful mages could Specter Valley nurture for the Black Tower?
It's no exaggeration to say that in the struggle for the Blazeforge Realm, Specter Valley could play a decisive role for the Black Tower!
And that's not all the benefits...
Holding a high position, Councilor Weiss received a top-secret document before heading to the Blazeforge Realm—only a handful of council members were qualified to see it...
It clearly recorded that the Forgefire Clan possessed a powerful magical artifact. If the Forgefire Clan could truly be wiped out and that artifact seized, the Black Tower would undoubtedly be the biggest winner.
However, before Weiss could respond, the young mage's voice sounded again.
Councilor Weiss, in fact, I know a way to at least double the magical density in Specter Valley. Once we've fully secured it, both the Merlin Family and the Black Tower could send a batch of young people there each year. Of course, there would be a fixed quota, which both sides would need to negotiate.
Leon folded his hands on the table, tapping lightly, smiling at Weiss. In truth, he did know a way to increase Specter Valley's magical density. He brought it up now to gain more leverage in the cooperation with the Black Tower.
What...?
Weiss was instantly stunned, staring at the young mage in disbelief. Had he heard correctly? The young mage claimed he could at least double the magical density of Specter Valley!
Doubling the magical density—what would that even mean...?
He couldn't even imagine it. If what the young mage said was true and Specter Valley's magical density could be doubled, he was certain there wouldn't be another place in the entire Blazeforge Realm that could compare.
You... you're serious?
He couldn't help it—the words the young mage had just spoken were simply too unbelievable. Although he was already half convinced, Weiss still wanted confirmation. If anyone else had said this, he wouldn't have believed it. Specter Valley's magical density was already high enough; how could it possibly be increased further...?
But the one saying it was the young mage—he had already witnessed several impossible things from him.
"It's true..." Leon nodded lightly, then fell silent, seemingly waiting for Weiss's response.
"Ahem, Magus Merlin, forgive me—this is simply too important, and I don't have the authority to decide..." Weiss was anything but calm, inside or out. The value of Specter Valley with doubled magical density was immense, and as he said, this was a major matter. Though he was a councilor, he didn't have the power to make the decision: "Please wait a moment, I'll consult Chairman Heron..."
Weiss knew full well that consulting Chairman Heron was just a formality. With Heron's wisdom, he would see that this was an irresistible alliance. If the Forgefire Clan was successfully destroyed, the Black Tower would gain not only Specter Valley but also an extremely powerful magical artifact.
Both of these benefits would have an enormous impact on the Black Tower...
Alright...
Leon didn't mind, quietly sitting to the side.
Weiss, I don't think we need to bother Chairman Heron!
However, at that moment, a cold, gloomy voice came from outside the reception room, carrying an intense magical aura and clear hostility.
Then, the doors to the reception room were pushed open.
The newcomer was an old man, wrapped in a long black robe and appearing to be in his seventies. His expression was gloomy, and while he looked like any ordinary elder, the terrifying magical aura emanating from him was anything but ordinary. His sleeves were embroidered with intertwined gold and silver patterns...
This was a high-ranking Title Archmage!
Ah, Suville, what brings you here...' Weiss, who was about to rise, frowned as he saw the old man enter, his expression growing serious.
This is bad...
Only now did Weiss realize that Suville's arrival was no good omen.
The old man named Suville held a position in the Black Tower equal to Weiss—they were both councilors. But Suville's seniority far surpassed his own; three hundred years ago, he was already a top prodigy of his era. It had to be said, Suville was truly outstanding in his youth.
In those days, the name Suville was known throughout all of Andalusia—like a mountain, he crushed countless geniuses beneath his shadow. Back then, he was hailed as the best candidate for Council Chairman, and Suville didn't disappoint the Black Tower's leadership. In just a few decades, he broke through to Title Archmage and kept advancing down that path...
At that time, Suville was already a Seventh Level Title Archmage, leaving the geniuses of his generation far behind and smoothly entering the Black Tower's core of power as one of the Sevenfold Council members.
Everything changed when Thornton Merlin of the Merlin Family burst onto the scene, clashing with Suville in a great battle at the Aurich Mountains. That fight brought Suville's glory crashing down. To be exact, Suville not only lost, but suffered such grave injuries that his magical path was forever severed—he would remain a Seventh Level Title Archmage for life.
The blow was so heavy that Suville couldn't accept it—his personality changed drastically for a time. Later, a powerful figure from the Black Tower Sanctuary appeared and took Suville away, supposedly to help him continue his magical journey. But he was gone for nearly three hundred years, only returning recently to reclaim a council seat.
In truth, even the ancestors in the Sanctuary could do nothing for Suville's condition. Crushed by defeat, he stayed in the Sanctuary and didn't come out.
So when Weiss saw Suville appear now, he knew it was bad news. Even without thinking, he could tell that because of Thornton Merlin, Suville bore a special grudge against the Merlin Family...
What do I do now...?
Weiss broke out in a cold sweat.
The old man named Suville walked in with measured steps, radiating a terrifying presence. From afar, he cast a look of disdain and loathing at Leon before turning to Weiss: "Why shouldn't I be here? I'm well aware of everything that's happened. Weiss, how could you so easily trust a Fifth Level Archmage? Can he even represent the Merlin Family?"
Hmph, even if he could represent the Merlin Family, it wouldn't matter...
After speaking, Suville shot Leon a look of disgust and snorted coldly: "Your Merlin Family sure thinks highly of itself. What do you take the Black Tower for? If you want to cooperate with us, sending such a young kid isn't exactly sincere! If you want to talk about cooperation, Orren Merlin himself needs to come—otherwise, forget it..."
Suville's face was gloomy, a cold smile on his lips. Even if Orren Merlin came in person, he wouldn't let the Black Tower cooperate. The grudge he bore against Thornton Merlin had festered for three hundred years, and over time, he'd come to hate the entire Merlin Family. How glorious he once was!
He had defeated one powerhouse after another and created legend after legend, but Thornton Merlin's appearance sent his fate spiraling downward. He was left with hidden ailments and would remain a Seventh Level Title Archmage for life, no matter how hard he tried. Later, a Sanctuary expert tried to heal him, but it was all for nothing—the injuries couldn't be cured...
It was all Thornton Merlin's fault...
He had dreamed countless times of crushing Thornton Merlin, but not long after retreating to the Sanctuary, news arrived that Thornton Merlin had reached Sky Rank. Upon hearing that, Suville was truly in despair.
He had no way to take revenge on a Sky Rank powerhouse...