"Be careful," Silvermoon warned, her voice filled with concern. "The battle has reached a critical stage. Both sides are on high alert. They could easily mistake you for an enemy spy."
"I know," Rowan replied with a calm nod. "But we have to try. Every minute we delay means more innocent people die."
Drawing upon the Storm King's inheritance, Rowan activated his concealment technique and silently approached the flagship of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.
The massive battleship floated at the center of the imperial fleet, surrounded by dozens of escort vessels that formed an impenetrable defensive perimeter.
Using his spiritual perception, Rowan quickly mapped out the vessel's internal structure, identifying the command center and other strategic locations. His goal was to meet the commanding officer without causing unnecessary panic.
The opportunity arrived sooner than expected.
During a temporary tactical redeployment, part of the flagship's security force was dispatched to reinforce the front lines. Rowan seized the moment and slipped aboard undetected.
The interior of the flagship was a maze of corridors and security checkpoints, but his enhanced perception guided him directly toward the command center.
"Halt! Who are you?"
The guards spotted him the moment he stepped into view.
"I'm a mediator from the Virtual Universe Company. I carry urgent intelligence that must be delivered directly to your commander."
Rowan slowly raised both hands to show he had no hostile intentions.
"A mediator from the Virtual Universe Company?"
The guards exchanged uncertain glances before reporting the situation.
A few minutes later, the command center doors slid open.
A broad-shouldered middle-aged man emerged.
He wore the uniform of a Black Dragon Mountain Empire general. The insignia on his chest identified him as the supreme commander of the Shadowblade Legion.
His name was Carlos Drake.
"A mediator from the Virtual Universe Company?"
Carlos studied Rowan with cold, suspicious eyes.
"What are you doing here? More importantly, how did you get aboard my flagship?"
"I came to stop a pointless war, General."
Rowan didn't waste time with formalities.
"A massive conspiracy is unfolding behind this conflict. You and your soldiers are being manipulated."
"Manipulated?"
A flicker of anger flashed across Carlos's face.
"Young man, do you have any idea what you're saying? The Black Dragon Mountain Empire has never been anyone's pawn."
"Please hear me out."
Rowan kept his voice steady.
"Our investigation uncovered evidence that a mysterious organization deliberately spread false information about the Storm King's inheritance. At the same time, they fed fabricated intelligence to both empires in order to provoke this conflict."
"Fabricated intelligence?"
Carlos sneered.
"Then explain why the Ganwu Empire had already assembled its fleet before we even arrived. Doesn't that prove they planned this from the beginning?"
"They mobilized because they received false reports about your empire's intentions."
Rowan answered patiently.
"Think about it. If the Ganwu Empire truly intended to wage war against you, why choose a battlefield so far from their own territory?"
"That only proves they're cunning."
Carlos remained unmoved.
"Fighting far from our homeland gives them the advantage."
Rowan realized that logic alone would never convince such a stubborn commander.
He decided to reveal the evidence.
"General, we discovered the remains of an ancient mind-control formation on a deserted island."
He explained everything they had found, including their battle against the mysterious figures who claimed to serve the Dark Lord.
"The Dark Lord?"
Carlos laughed mockingly.
"So now you're telling me some legendary demon king is controlling everything from the shadows?"
"You actually expect me to believe a fairy tale?"
"This isn't a fairy tale."
Rowan met his gaze without flinching.
"The Virtual Universe Company's ancient archives contain records about the Dark Lord. He was an incredibly dangerous existence who nearly destroyed the universe long ago."
"Even if I accepted that..."
Carlos's tone softened slightly.
"...the Ganwu Empire's fleet is still out there."
"They're attacking us."
"My soldiers are bleeding."
"My warships are sinking."
"I cannot stop fighting simply because someone tells me an ancient legend."
"But continuing this battle is exactly what the conspirators want."
Rowan's voice grew more urgent.
"They feed on the negative energy created by war."
"Every strike."
"Every death."
"Every ounce of hatred."
"It all helps revive their master."
"Enough."
Carlos waved dismissively.
"Even if someone manipulated the situation, the Ganwu Empire still chose to believe those lies."
"They attacked us."
"That alone proves their hostility."
"The Black Dragon Mountain Empire will never accept a ceasefire."
"What if I can provide undeniable proof?"
Rowan made one final attempt.
"The Virtual Universe Company is already sending reinforcements. Once they arrive, we can investigate together and expose the real enemy."
"Proof?"
Carlos laughed bitterly.
"Can your proof bring back my dead soldiers?"
"Can it raise our sunken warships?"
"I don't care what conspiracy exists behind this."
"The war has already begun."
"It will only end when one side wins."
Rowan stared silently at the stubborn general.
Once war erupted, hatred multiplied on its own.
Reason was drowned beneath grief and vengeance.
Even undeniable evidence became meaningless.
"General..."
He lowered his voice.
"I beg you."
"At least consider a temporary ceasefire."
"Give us time to uncover the truth."
"Impossible."
Carlos refused without hesitation.
"The Black Dragon Mountain Empire bows to no enemy."
"If you truly want peace..."
"Go convince the Ganwu Empire to surrender."
The negotiations had completely failed.
With no other choice, Rowan quietly departed the flagship.
But he wasn't ready to give up.
If one commander refused to listen...
Perhaps the other would.
The Ganwu Empire's flagship occupied the opposite side of the battlefield, protected by equally formidable defenses.
Using the same infiltration technique, Rowan slipped aboard.
This time, however, he chose to reveal himself immediately.
"I request an audience with your commander."
He presented his credentials to the imperial soldiers.
"I'm a mediator from the Virtual Universe Company."
"I have a proposal that could end this war."
The Ganwu soldiers were even more cautious than those of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.
They escorted Rowan to an interrogation chamber, thoroughly verified his identity, and only then allowed him to meet their commander.
The commander of the Thunder Legion was a woman named Elena Storm.
She appeared younger than Carlos, but her sharp eyes carried the same unwavering determination.
"A mediator?"
Elena examined Rowan carefully.
"Since when has the Virtual Universe Company become interested in conflicts between empires?"
"When those conflicts threaten the peace of the universe."
Rowan answered calmly.
"General, a massive conspiracy is unfolding behind this war."
"Someone deliberately manipulated both empires into becoming enemies."
"Manipulated?"
Elena let out a cold laugh.
"Then explain why the Black Dragon Mountain Empire arrived with such an enormous fleet."
"If they came in peace, why bring so many warships?"
"Because they were also deceived."
Rowan patiently explained.
"A mysterious organization fed both empires false intelligence so that each would misunderstand the other's intentions."
"Even so..."
Elena remained unconvinced.
"They still chose to believe those reports."
"They still deployed their military."
"That alone proves their hostility."
"But that hostility was manufactured."
Rowan insisted.
"Without those lies, neither side would have gone to war."
"Young man..."
Elena shook her head.
"You're too naive."
"The Black Dragon Mountain Empire and the Ganwu Empire have been rivals for generations."
"A few provocateurs couldn't create a conflict like this."
"They merely ignited a fire that already existed."
"But the timing is too suspicious."
Rowan argued.
"Why now?"
"Why because of the Storm King's inheritance?"
"Because the inheritance is worth fighting over."
Elena answered as though it were obvious.
"The legacy of a King-Level Immortal is a treasure every power desires."
"If the Black Dragon Mountain Empire intends to claim it alone, naturally we won't allow it."
Rowan realized she was every bit as stubborn as Carlos.
Hatred had clouded her judgment just as thoroughly.
He produced his strongest piece of evidence.
"General, we discovered the remains of a massive mind-control formation nearby."
He handed her a recording crystal containing detailed images of the ancient formation.
"It was hidden on a deserted island."
"The formation was powerful enough to influence everyone throughout the Reno Harbor region."
Elena carefully studied the recording.
Her expression slowly grew serious.
"This is indeed an ancient mind-control formation."
"And it's extremely old."
"But what does that prove?"
"Perhaps the Black Dragon Mountain Empire built it to manipulate us."
"This formation predates the war by several months."
Rowan explained.
"And its construction methods belong to an ancient civilization."
"The Black Dragon Mountain Empire couldn't have created technology like this."
"So..."
Elena nodded thoughtfully.
"A third party may indeed exist."
"But that changes nothing."
"The Black Dragon Mountain Empire is still attacking us."
"We have every right to defend ourselves."
"If both sides agree to a ceasefire, we can uncover the truth together."
"The Virtual Universe Company's experts will arrive soon."
"They're fully capable of identifying whoever is behind this."
"A ceasefire?"
Elena slowly shook her head.
"Impossible."
"Stopping now would make the Ganwu Empire appear weak."
"And who can guarantee that the Black Dragon Mountain Empire wouldn't break the agreement?"
"The Virtual Universe Company can act as the guarantor."
Rowan proposed.
"Our reinforcements are powerful enough to supervise both sides."
"Supervise?"
Elena's expression turned cold.
"Since when does the Virtual Universe Company have the authority to oversee imperial affairs?"
"We don't need outsiders telling us how to govern our own nation."
"General..."
Rowan tried to ease the tension.
"Our only goal is to preserve peace."
"We aren't taking anyone's side."
"Peace?"
She laughed bitterly.
"If you truly wanted peace, why aren't you stopping the Black Dragon Mountain Empire's invasion?"
"Why come here asking us to stop defending ourselves?"
"We already spoke with their commander."
Rowan answered honestly.
"He rejected the ceasefire as well."
"There."
Elena immediately seized upon his words.
"That proves exactly what I've been saying."
"The Black Dragon Mountain Empire has always preferred war."
"They never wanted peace."
"They only believe in force."
At that moment, Rowan understood the true problem.
Every action by one side became proof of the other's malice.
The logic of war had completely overwhelmed the possibility of peace.
"General..."
He made one final appeal.
"If this war truly began because someone manipulated both sides..."
"Continuing to fight only gives the real enemy exactly what they want."
"Even if that's true..."
Elena's voice remained unwavering.
"The war has already begun."
"The threat before us is real."
"Not some unseen conspiracy."
"My duty is to protect the Ganwu Empire."
"Not hunt mysterious puppeteers."
"But if you never uncover those puppeteers..."
Rowan warned.
"This won't be the last war."
"This may only be the beginning."
"Then let it come."
Elena answered without hesitation.
"The Ganwu Empire fears no challenge."
"If someone wants to create conflict..."
"We'll answer with strength."
Seeing that nothing he said could change her mind, Rowan finally accepted defeat.
"General..."
"I hope you won't regret today's decision."
"If the situation worsens..."
"The responsibility won't lie with the Virtual Universe Company."
"The responsibility belongs to the Black Dragon Mountain Empire."
Elena's reply was icy.
"If they hadn't launched this war..."
"We wouldn't be standing here today."
Leaving the Ganwu flagship, Rowan felt a level of frustration he had never experienced before.
As a professional mediator, he had never encountered two sides so completely consumed by hatred.
When he returned to the safe zone, Silvermoon was already waiting.
"Both commanders rejected the ceasefire."
Rowan sighed.
"Each believes the other is the aggressor."
"Each believes they're simply fighting a righteous defensive war."
"That's only natural."
Silvermoon offered a sympathetic smile.
"Once war begins, hatred feeds upon itself."
"Every attack becomes the justification for another."
"There's another problem."
Rowan continued.
"Neither commander trusts the Virtual Universe Company."
"They both see our involvement as an intrusion upon their sovereignty."
"That's understandable."
Silvermoon nodded thoughtfully.
"Powerful empires rarely welcome outside interference."
"Even when that interference comes in the name of peace."
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