Chapter 519: Discussion
Suddenly, with a sinister hiss, a bewitching flame slowly rose in the distance, about two kilometers away. It radiated an eerie energy fluctuation, which the magical array clearly detected...
"That's odd..."
Leon glanced several times in that direction, his face clouded with confusion. But in the end, he merely shook his head and dismissed the idea of investigating.
There was no way around it—this was the critical moment for activating the Dragon Revival Array. In at most three days, the protective barrier would fully dissipate. Under these circumstances, he simply couldn't spare the time...
Still, that place was indeed peculiar. Once the matter of the Dragon Revival Array was settled, he would have to pay it a visit...
Over the past eight days, Specter Valley had undergone a dramatic transformation. As agreed before the negotiations, both the Merlin Family and the Black Tower had dispatched large contingents to garrison the valley.
Now, with the threat of the Blazeforge Orcs gone, both the Merlin Family and the Black Tower were noticeably more at ease compared to other factions from the Blazeforge Plane. Both sides drew promising young talents from their major fortresses to meditate within Specter Valley. In just a few days, the upper echelons of both factions were visibly delighted...
The sheer density of magical energy in this place was almost frightening...
Not only Archmages, but even Magisters found their growth rate astonishing in such an environment.
Gaining full control of Specter Valley was an obvious boon for both factions...
Yet, in Leon's eyes, the true winner of this alliance wasn't the Black Tower—it was himself and the Merlin Family.
With the Dragon Revival Array's barrier about to be broken, it meant that soon, the legendary Five-Colored Dragon Core would be within reach. At that point, the Doombringer Staff—an artifact of boundless potential—would undergo a fundamental transformation, paving the way for it to become the strongest Magic Relic, perhaps even transcending to a legendary artifact.
Even by his own standards, the time and effort spent coming to the Blazeforge Realm had been well worth it...
As for the Merlin Family, there was even less to complain about...
During the conquest of Specter Valley and the campaign against the Blazeforge Orcs, they had hardly expended any effort or suffered losses, yet their gains were immense—a windfall, practically for free.
Months ago, Leon and Heron had determined that the Merlin Family would claim seventy percent of Specter Valley—a share that meant seventy percent of the valley belonged to them.
In Northend, any place rich in magical energy is never barren. Just like Leon's natural demi-plane, where the mana density is twenty times that of the outside world, and in only a few months, vast mana ponds have formed, their depths filled with countless mana crystals. Last time Leon entered, he even discovered nascent mineral veins and, in some areas suitable for plant growth, rare herbs sprouting.
Specter Valley has been like this for who knows how many years. Just from some secret records sent from the Merlin Family's ancestral estate, it's clear the valley has been this way for at least a millennium...
Although Specter Valley's mana density still falls short of a natural demi-plane, after so much time, it has already nurtured countless precious resources.
In fact, when Leon first arrived at Specter Valley, he'd already noticed these things. Recently, he found detailed records about the valley and discovered its resources were astonishingly abundant—over twenty rich mineral veins and a wealth of rare herbs.
For the Merlin Family, who controlled seventy percent of Specter Valley, the valley's profits alone matched what they'd gained from the entire Blazeforge Realm—now more than double their previous returns.
Just then, as Leon meditated, he sensed a powerful magical fluctuation approaching. Instantly, he opened his eyes, his expression darkening, and strode off in that direction. Minutes later, several figures appeared ahead.
"Councilor Suville, I swear I'm not lying—Archmage Merlin is busy and can't see you right now. Could you wait another two days?"
"No! I have an urgent matter to discuss with him, and it can't wait. I must see him today. You have two choices: call him out to meet me, or I'll force my way in. Think carefully about your decision..." Suville stared coldly at Edgar Merlin, a faint sneer on his lips.
"Please understand, Archmage Merlin really isn't able to receive guests right now..." Edgar Merlin forced a stiff smile, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. His face looked dreadful. If it were anyone else, he'd simply drive them off, but this was Suville, a major figure in the Black Tower. One wrong move could spell trouble for the Merlin Family.
He was truly in a bind. The young mage had instructed days ago that no one was to disturb him. Edgar deeply respected the young mage—after all, his contributions in the campaign against the Blazeforge Orcs had brought the Merlin Family unimaginable gains, far more than most in the ancestral estate.
So recently, he and Uriel Merlin had been diligently standing guard here, letting no one approach...
But now that Black Tower Councilor Suville was here, Edgar was caught between not wanting the young mage disturbed and not daring to offend Suville.
"Hmph, you really overestimate yourselves. You think you can stop me?" Suville's expression was oddly calm—he wasn't angry, but inwardly, he was delighted. Now he had an excuse to act. Three hundred years ago, he'd been wounded by Sandon Merlin, ending his magical career. He hated every member of the Merlin Family with a passion.
"You..."
In an instant, both Edgar Merlin and Uriel Merlin broke out in a cold sweat, their faces pale as they stared at Suville. His domineering attitude and the overwhelming magical aura he exuded made it clear this wasn't just a bluff.
The two were so tense their nerves were stretched to the breaking point. Even dealing with a Fifth Rank Title Archmage was tough for them, let alone Suville, a Seventh Rank Title Archmage...
What now...
Edgar Merlin and Uriel Merlin exchanged glances, both seeing deep concern in the other's eyes. But just then, Edgar caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye—like grabbing a lifeline, he cried out, "Archmage Merlin, you're here..."
"Mm..."
Leon strode over with measured steps, glancing at Edgar Merlin and Uriel Merlin before flashing a faint smile. Then his gaze shifted to Suville, and his smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression. "So it's Councilor Suville of the Black Tower. What brings you here? Oh, by the way, is your injury healed? Sorry I was too busy to visit you earlier."
"We're not close, and I don't need your concern!" Suville's face darkened instantly. The recent battle at the Sanctuary with the Blazeforge Orc chieftain still haunted him. Leon's words were clearly loaded, and to Suville, they sounded like mockery, fueling his anger. "Archmage Merlin, enough with the small talk. I'm here to discuss something with you."
"Oh?"
"Archmage Merlin, you must realize our Black Tower's allotted territory in Specter Valley is far too small. We have too many people, and it's simply not enough. I hope the Merlin Family can cede some land to us. After all, we contributed greatly in the fight against the Blazeforge Orcs—surely this request isn't unreasonable?" Suville's eyes gleamed as he stared at Leon.
This was Suville's true purpose for coming...
The Black Tower held a thirty percent share in Specter Valley. As their activities increased, they discovered the valley was even more bountiful than expected. Even with only thirty percent, the annual wealth it generated for the Black Tower was staggering.
Yet the Merlin Family held a seventy percent share—more than double the Black Tower's. If it were any other faction, it wouldn't matter, since Chairman Heron had decided it. But this was the Merlin Family, whom Suville despised. If things continued, their power would only keep growing.
He didn't want to see that happen.
Truthfully, Suville hadn't given up on dealing with the Merlin Family. Chairman Heron had once warned him not to provoke Archmage Merlin or the Merlin Family, but Suville now understood it was all about interests—Heron had only warned him to protect the alliance.
But now the alliance was over...
So he used the excuse of the Black Tower's overcrowding to come to Merlin territory, hoping to sound out Chairman Heron's stance. If Heron made no move, it meant he would turn a blind eye, and Suville could act against the Merlin Family without restraint.
Heh, Councilor Suville, as you just said, we're not that close. Please don't expect the Merlin Family to give up territory—it's simply impossible. If Chairman Heron wanted it, I'd at least consider it, but is this really his idea?" Leon looked at Suville with amusement, shaking his head. The benefits he and the Merlin Family gained from this alliance were enormous, while the Black Tower was always aggressive. Once they realized the totem was useless, they'd surely be furious.
What Leon truly feared was that old fox, Chairman Heron...
But if Heron really wanted this, he'd send Weiss, not Suville.
"You..."
Leon's reply made Suville's face flush red. The young mage's meaning was clear—he was saying Suville didn't have enough weight. But just as Suville was about to erupt, Leon spoke again...
"Oh, I just remembered, there's a patch of open land to the east—but it seems a bit dangerous..." Leon's tone was calm, but his gaze at Suville was oddly amused.
"Is that so...?"
Suville's expression turned playful, the gloom vanishing from his face. He was elated—he'd thought the young mage would hold firm, but now it seemed Leon was intimidated by the Black Tower and was willingly ceding territory.