What the Sovereign of Light said was the truth.
During Kyran's first year of training, a number of Sovereigns had already been aware of him. What happened between him and Ruin had been big news not only to all the factions in the Lower Realm but also in the Higher Realm.
For one thing, Ruin was known as a powerful rouge mage who successfully acquired several planes all by himself. With only an essence guarding each of those planes, he also succeeded in warding off other Sovereigns' attempts to conquer them.
That was until Kyran arrived in the Lignum plane and freed it. What baffled them further was Ruin did not try to retake the plane even after it was restored.
While Sovereigns planned to conquer the Lignum plane after it lost its owner, they discovered something amazing— The Coven of The Twelve actually took it upon themselves to protect the Lignum plane. Such a thing had not happened before.
The Coven of The Twelve were Venerables from the Higher Realm. They only meddle in the Lower Realm's affairs concerning the activities of the Sovereigns, never in protecting a plane. The only possible reason was the Lignum plane's matter might have involved someone from the Higher Realm.
After discovering their involvement, almost every sovereign in the Lower Realm finally took an interest in the person who usurped Ruin— Kyran.
Initially, they only kept an eye on him because the harsh environment of some planes he dared appear in could very well spell his doom. Although his magic could counter Ruin, his low mage level and great talent for attracting trouble were like a double-edged sword.
However, when the matter of Kyran abducting the Solum Tribe, which was considered a tribe with unique skill among the Lower Realm tribes, the Sovereigns started to have doubts about Kyran's origin.
After all, it was impossible for such a person to abduct those people under the watch of some known Sovereigns, especially with his low mage level.
When they found that Ruin agreed to work with Deception to 'get even' with Kyran, the other Sovereigns, still hesitant to meddle, made up their minds and finally investigated the latter's origin.
Soon they found a piece of news in the Automata plane that shook them to the core. Apparently, that plane's new Sovereign advanced after meeting a mage— whose description was similar to Kyran— who gave him enlightenment. But that was not the surprising news but the magic the mage possessed: Void magic.
When this news broke out, all Sovereigns who had been alive a thousand years ago recalled how one lone mage with Void magic usurped the Dark Sage and inherited everything the latter possessed— including all his knowledge and magic items.
This discovery led to differing opinions among the Sovereign factions. The majority wanted to form a partnership with Kyran. Others wanted to exploit him by first gaining his favor. There was also a minority who wanted to control him or kill him.
Kyran was now famous in the Lower Realm. To be precise, his identity as the new Dark Sage was now known by almost every Sovereign. Nevertheless, few really knew what he looked like.
Ultimately, the reason for all this buzz was because of a known rumor— that in the history of the War of the Sovereigns, the side of the Dark Sage always won.
Kyran looked at the Sovereign of Light with an odd expression. Only recently, another Sovereign had appeared before him, asking for a meeting. He was not expecting another one to appear, wanting to gain his favor.
Was not this guy here because Deception asked for its help?
As if sensing Kyran's doubts, the Sovereign of Light said, "You may be wondering why I had come."
Without waiting for Kyran to respond, Light continued, "Deception asked us to assist her in something. Since the three of us can be considered 'close' within our faction, we agreed. However, her interest in this plane already deviates from the faction's objective."
"And you're saying you're here to uphold your faction's objective?" Kyran asked, speaking for the first time.
"That is correct," Light confirmed with a slight nod. "Toad and I are here because we can't let Deception do as she pleases. After all, the faction's objective only involves you and the Soul Emperor."
Kyran's eyes narrowed as soon as he heard it mentioned the Soul Emperor.
Could it be that this guy knew Haylee and was aware of her real plans? Or could it be that Haylee's plans were influenced by the faction this guy's faction right from the start? Did that mean she was already one of them? Was Deception, Ruin and Savagery helping Haylee unconditionally because they all came from the same faction?
No, that was not right.
Ruin was not the type to work with others. Although he eventually worked with Deception to find Kyran, it was under the premise that Deception would not do anything to Kyran because he was Ruin's prey.
Besides, Haylee and Deception only met because of Ruin.
Based on Ruin's reaction when he and Kyran first met, the former had been to the Human plane before. The things Kyran discovered about the Shaiha Ruins and his clan's history also showed that Ruin was likely the Demon General Kyran's ancestor had fought in the past.
In any case, Ruin was linked with the Soul Emperor— not Deception, making it impossible for Haylee to be part of their faction.
What if Deception recruited Haylee after arriving in the Human plane? And after learning of the faction's objective, she combined it with her plans.
Kyran rejected the thought at once. Whatever plan the Soul Emperor had cooked up was not influenced by others. That much, he was sure of.
But then, what did Sovereign of Light mean about Kyran and Haylee being their faction's objective?
"You are confused," Light said, after noticing Kyran's silence was not his usual 'don't want to reply to your nonsense' attitude.
"I am aware I sound ambiguous, but that can be remedied easily."
Light extended its free hand to Kyran, saying, "The Soul Emperor has been waiting for our arrival. Why don't you come with me and meet her? We can talk more after."
"She knows you're coming?"
"Of course. You see, before Deception came to us for assistance, the faction had already decided to approach the Soul Emperor. Unfortunately, we are not supposed to approach you yet, but that is unimportant now that you are here."
Kyran could not help but frown at Light's words.
According to Light, they had their own reason for coming to the Human plane. They were not here to help Deception achieve her goal.
What was their reason? Obviously, it was not to properly introduce themselves to Haylee.
Kyran sensed something was amiss, and his expression darkened as an idea formed in his mind. Each and every one of them had its own ulterior motives.
After some thought, Kyran asked, "Are you aware of the situation in the Human plane?"
Without lowering its outstretched hand, Light tilted its head and replied, "Of course. That is why we are here."
Kyran's frown deepened as he repeated, "'That's why you're here?'"
Light nodded, "Deception told us the gist of the matter."
"Did Deception tell you exactly why she needed help?"
Light chuckled, "Of course."
"Then why aren't you doing anything?"
Light paused at Kyran's question.
Judging from how Light's outstretched hand twitched slightly and its silence, it did not comprehend his question.
Kyran shook his head and let out a dry laugh, "You said Deception's interest deviates from your faction's objective. I initially thought it was because you wanted to gain my favor, while on the other hand, she wanted to capture me."
"What did you say?"
"It seems she lied to you— or no," Kyran paused dramatically before adding, "She withheld information from you."
Light's magic energy slowly surged as its eyes, hidden beneath the hood, turned golden.
"Her interest deviated from the faction's objective, yes, because she was supposed to gain the favor of the Dark Sage and the Soul Emperor, yet she was interested in an unknown mage's ability and magic. She needed our help because the mage she was interested in was protected by another powerful mage who easily disposed of her essence. She wanted us to kill that powerful mage and then capture the mage she wanted."
"The powerful mage she mentioned was the one you called a lowly human, working together with Ruin out there," Kyran told Light while pointing at the hole above. "And the unknown mage she wanted to capture is me."
"You are sowing discord!" Light growled as a blinding light erupted from under its golden robes.
Kyran had to squint his eyes because it was getting harder to look at Light.
As expected of the Sovereign with the title of Light.
"You said she explained the situation here," Kyran continued. "How come you don't know that the so-called 'Dark Sage' is actually at odds with the Soul Emperor? And right now, a war about to happen."
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