Chapter 83: Closed-Door Negotiations
Word had begun to silently ripple through the Fae Region: certain powerful sects were not just negotiating, but possibly aligning with the Grand Fae Spirit Alliance. There were two other major factions in the Fae Region, though not on the same level as the Alliance, and when they finally caught wind of this, a tremor of panic ran through them. Criticisms mounted, accusing the Alliance of collaborating with outsiders. The Celebi Forest Kingdom, spearheading their alliance, simply ignored them. After all, nothing was set in stone yet.
More and more battles erupted across the Fae Region. The relentless skirmishes escalated to a point where all three major Fae factions decided it was time to shift to offense, launching their own invasions. Slowly, even False Mortal Shedding Realm experts began to join the fray across the Pocket World, with rare instances of Mortal Shedding Realm Early Stage experts making fleeting appearances on the battlefield.
The Laughing Blue Reapers weren't as active as before, but when they moved, they struck like lightning. Their unexpected appearances turned the tides of battle, drawing out an ever-increasing number of experts desperately trying to hunt them down. There were even times when their situation seemed dire, only for an unknown, infamous expert—a phantom-like figure wielding a colossal greatsword—to appear, leaving a trail of near-massacre in his wake. People began to call him the Blue Reaper Guardian, and a bounty rivaling those on Zoro and Elton was swiftly placed on his head.
It was precisely due to this escalating chaos that over a week passed before another meeting between the Grand Fae Spirit Alliance and the Seven Sects and Clans Alliance could finally reconvene. This time, however, the arriving forces from the Seven Sects and Clans looked like a veritable allied army, brimming with warriors and cultivators. Their sheer presence swiftly dealt with many invaders, effectively transforming the Fae Region—where the Fanged Elves and their allies resided—into a temporary, war-free haven. Many external powers, spectating the sudden shift, considered encroaching on this newfound calm but refrained, uncertain of the implications.
The meeting finally commenced. This time, the assembly of leaders included not only groups of Golden Lords from both sides, but also several Mortal Lords. The sheer number of Mortal Shedding Realm experts in attendance was shocking, though most skillfully concealed their true cultivation. Christy's father was present as well, and even though he wasn't of the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan, he still recognized the cloaked Christy. Similarly, both of Erica's parents easily sensed her due to their direct bloodline connection. What further perplexed some of the Soloman clan experts, however, was an unexpected sensation: another bloodline member already within the vicinity, though the connection was strangely tenuous, leaving them with an unsettling uncertainty.
As for the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect higher-ups, their excitement was palpable as they observed so many powerful prospects from their own sect gathered before them.
Discussions began, reiterating numerous points from the last meeting alongside various new considerations. From the trajectory of the negotiations, a dual alliance between both powerful factions seemed all but solidified. But then, Aeloria spoke, her words catching the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect—no, perhaps everyone besides the Fanged Elf Nobles—completely off guard.
"I would like to elect our honorary Margrave, Sir Solman, who happens to be a member of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, as our Fanged Elf Tribe's intermediary for certain contracts and the movement of our Fanged Elf tribe. He is not only an incredible genius who has tremendously helped our clan in various ways, but he has unofficially been adopted into the Fanged Elf Royal Family due to… certain relationships being born."
A profound silence descended upon the hall, expressions shifting from surprise to doubt, uncertainty, and for some, a calculating glint.
"This… Margrave Solman, you say. Who is he, and where is he? What's this all about?" questioned one of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect Elders, his voice breaking the stillness.
"This should be discussed in a meeting with only a few higher-ups, for his and perhaps everyone's safety, just in case," Aeloria replied, her expression hardening, her aura subtly pressing down on the room.
"Ohhh?? Fine then," conceded the Elder, clearly a Mortal Lord himself. "Then let us all begin to discuss this in a separate meeting. The rest of you will continue the various other negotiations."
"Yes, Elder," chorused the sect disciples and elders, bowing respectfully.
With that, a small portion of the dignitaries quietly departed the hall. Unbeknownst to most, one of the Laughing Blue Reapers had been conspicuously absent from this particular meeting the entire time. A few of the more perceptive individuals noticed this, their thoughts churning with unspoken suspicions, but they remained uncertain.
In a sacred and far more sealed room, the small number of high-level expert representatives took their seats. Aeloria and a few Fanged Elf Royals and Guardians entered, their faces grave.
"So, tell us, what exactly is going on here? What is this all about?" pressed one of the Elders.
Aeloria began to recount in far greater detail the astonishing turn of events surrounding the appearance of Margrave Solman and his profound significance to the Fanged Elf tribe. Everyone listened intently. Among the attendees was a light-brown-skinned woman appearing to be in her mid-40s, with long, gold and white hair. She wore the robes of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect with the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan insignia. Her eyes remained fixed on a door within the room, a profound curiosity shining within them.
After Aeloria's comprehensive explanation, she finally announced, "Margrave Solman, you may enter the room."
With that, a figure cloaked in the signature blue robes and wearing the laughing mask of the Blue Reapers walked in. On his back, his long sword faintly shimmered blue through the tiny slit of its sheath.
"It's him?!" gasped one of the Elders, a Peak Golden Lord expert, utter astonishment etched on his face. Everyone else in the room was equally stunned.
"Isn't he the so called Laughing Blue Blade Reaper? No, rather, I think his newer title seems to fit his aura better: Daoist Blue Heavens Sword," another elder mused aloud.
The Aka Boshi no Tengan clan woman peered at Elton, a strange look in her eyes. "Eh? So it's this boy, huh? Oh? I understand now… Is this a form of fate?"
"Lady Christian, what do you mean?" one of the elders inquired.
"Ah, nothing, nothing. Just something amusing related to my family, I suppose," she smirked subtly.
Elton, upon seeing this lady and hearing her words, flinched. No matter how he looked at her, she was almost the spitting image of Christy's mother, at least in the next decade or so if cultivation didn't preserve her youth. Which also meant she very much resembled Christy herself! Could this perhaps be her aunt? Her grandmother?
Aeloria, witnessing everyone's reactions, especially the woman named Christian, secretly harbored a small, joyous glint in her eyes. She then asked Elton to remove his mask and reintroduce himself, as it was clear that these high-level figures—perhaps with the exception of Christian—weren't fully aware of him until the last meeting. Elton slowly removed his mask and undid the cloak hiding his features and his aura, before he began to introduce himself.
"Greetings, Elders. My name is Elton Solman. I was a member of the Bright Blade Sect before disaster struck, and I managed to find myself passing through a dimensional crack from the gate into this place. Not only me, but also two others, Zoro Tatsumaki and Ramiro León, all landed in this place."
Upon seeing Elton, all the Elders were ecstatic, witnessing such a prodigious talent standing directly before their eyes. But then, one of the Elders suddenly had a shocking thought… Passing through a dimensional crack? And three of them survived just like that? The sects had long been keeping tabs on the dimensional gate, and no such people had appeared in that manner since the early stages of the gate's appearance. And he mentioned it was after the disaster struck their Subsect… There were indeed records that three disciples vanished while four others were knocked off after holding onto them. Could it be?!
While that Elder was lost in thought, grappling with the implications, Christian didn't hesitate to speak. "Although I would like to hear more details regarding negotiations, I will officially state that I am in agreement with letting Elton be the intermediary Representative between the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect and the Fanged Elf Clan."
The other elders were astonished by her swift and direct acceptance. Even Aeloria and the Fanged Elf nobles were amazed.
"I too agree, and I think that it's honestly for the best given future circumstances," affirmed the Elder who had experienced a sudden revelation, his gaze on Elton serious.
The others looked at each other with uncertainty before one of them finally said, "Well, let's begin the core of the negotiations before any more agreements are made."
Everyone nodded, and the crucial meeting commenced. It was also during this period that numerous forces began to make preparations for an all-out attack on Fae Territory. This, in turn, led to the official, complete collapse of the Rudell Region into destructive chaos, as various organizations from all sides attacked regions that were overly focused on the Fae region, further escalating the giant war campaign into full-on Mortal Shedding Realm involvement.