A bewitching smile appeared on Layla's face. She tilted her head and looked at Obstruction coyly.
"You're asking that now?" She paused dramatically before tilting her head to the other side. "Ah, that's right. Deception only met my successor... I may have been guiding her all those times, but she tends to do her own things, thus the differing knowledge and schemes. It is quite annoying, to be honest, when your own successor messes up your plans."
She turned her attention to the golden array above once more and continued, "Then again, if not for her stubbornness, I would not be able to take full control of her body."
Layla opted not to tell Obstruction that Haylee's body was only half complete. She could not let him know her vulnerability.
Even if Layla did not answer Obstruction's question straightforwardly, he was able to glean the answer from the things she did not say aloud.
He once heard of a rumor stating that mages possessing Ancient magic could pass down their life and magic experience to their predecessor after death. But he did not expect their 'consciousness' could manifest and even take charge of their successor's body.
Then again, the latter might only be possible with mages possessing Soul magic.
In any case, if the consciousness residing in the Soul Emperor's body was the previous one, her value increased once more.
This was because she had been alive around the time of the past War of the Sovereigns. Her knowledge about the events of that era was valuable to them.
While it was true that there were Sovereigns in their faction who had been alive during that era, their mage levels were far too low. For this reason, they had not heard of any news on that war. Their knowledge was mostly from what had happened in their own plane.
Sensing a change in Obstruction's countenance, Layla chose to stay silent. She more or less guessed what was playing in Obstruction's head. But she had no plans to reveal what she knew at this point.
"When will your people start their work outside?"
After a few moments of silence, Obstruction opted to veer their conversation back on topic.
There would be plenty of times to talk about what Layla knew after they dealt with the new Void Master.
Still wearing her bewitching smile, Layla replied, "They are already doing their part."
Her sapphire blue eyes glistened in amusement as she added, "As a matter of fact, they had done a good job diverting the new Dark Sage's focus away from their main job."
If Kyran had heard her, he would have realized Layla had been playing with him all along.
As a matter of fact, Layla made her presence known to Mimi and Zuri in hopes of them reporting it to Kyran. As long as she could keep his minions busy, her side could deal with the veil that had enshrouded the whole estate.
Obstruction frowned slightly. He more or less understood what Layla meant, but he did not frown because of her plan but from how she called Kyran.
"You still call him Dark Sage even when you have already taken the Macabre Glacier. Don't you think that title belongs to you now?"
He placed great importance on this fact because she practically admitted the Macabre Glacier was not yet under her control. Though her knowledge of the past was invaluable to them, it was the same with the Macabre Glacier. Their plan for the upcoming War of the Sovereigns rested on how much the Soul Emperor could use the mirror.
"Possessing the Macabre Glacier does not mean I have inherited the Dark Sage title," Layla responded with a slight shake of her head. "There is a reason the previous Void Master inherited that title, and it is not only because of the mirror. It has something to do with the original Dark Sage's will."
She looked at Obstruction before adding, "Besides, the previous Void Master inherited far more things from the original Dark Sage. And those things are now in the possession of the new Void Master.
"Considering all this, he remains the Dark Sage of this era."
The light in Obstruction's eyes dimmed as he digested what Layla said.
They did hear about the previous Void Master inheriting everything that the original Dark Sage possessed. However, the Macabre Glacier's fame as the latter's most Feared Magic Weapon had overshadowed the rest of his possessions.
In the end, in the eyes of the new Sovereigns, possessing the Macabre Glacier equates to inheriting the Dark Sage's title.
Obstruction did not respond to Layla's words.
It was not a big deal because she was not expecting a reply anyway. At the moment, she was busy manipulating Ane and Soll so they could properly direct all of the Royal Army's Array Specialists in creating an array to counter the estate's veil.
"How long will it take? As I mentioned, I will have to leave the plane," Obstruction started while turning his attention back to the golden array above.
Currently, one of the chains piercing the obelisk had completely shattered, while the cracks on the remaining two kept appearing. It would not be long before all of the chains were destroyed. When that happened, True Void would truly be unleashed, and Layla would have trouble proceeding with her plan.
"I'll have them create an opening for you to leave. After that, you only have half an hour before True Void fully awakens."
Obstruction fell silent. Half an hour was too short because they also had to deal with the Human plane's new Sovereign before entering the Human plane again.
As long as they retained their mage levels, dealing with the new Dark Sage— Obstruction decided to call Kyran that once more— would not be a problem. Kyran's level was obviously below a Sovereign, and he could not handle Obstruction and his faction leader on his own, even if he used an awakened True Void.
As a matter of fact, Obstruction would not have to lift a finger and leave everything to their leader. That was how strong his fate in their leader was.
"Very well."
"Then prepare yourself."
Obstruction need not be told twice. He focused his senses and observed the veil all over the estate at once.
Layla's sapphire blue eyes glowed as she manipulated Ane and Soll.
About five hundred meters from the Regis Estate, Ane and Soll guided several thousands of mages and Array Specialists in preparing an Array to counter the estate's veil.
Twelve array formations were scattered in an orderly fashion around the estate, with two main arrays located on the east and west. At least hundreds of mages with Array Knowledge, or were Array Specialists, gathered inside every formation.
The mages were there to supplement the formation while an Array Specialist or two manipulated the array and targeted the veil around the estate.
Ane and Soll were at the two main arrays, respectively, and Layla looked at the situation through their eyes.
Then using their bodies, she said, "Coordinate the target of the formation and open a path at this coordinates."
She provided a rough estimate of the floating Ravenpass's location before continuing, "Make sure you apply the concealing formula before releasing the array's energy."
The mages and Array Specialists who heard Ane and Soll speak in a female voice fell to their knees respectfully. They did not need Layla to confirm she had taken over their bodies because all of them already knew she was manipulating them.
"Yes, your Highness."
They replied in unison and did what they were told.
Sizzle! Crackle!
'There!'
Obstruction saw a small crack appearing right above the floating Ravenpass.
With the huge golden array blocking the view above, Obstruction would have missed the appearance of that crack. But he saw it clearly because he had focused all his senses on observing the veil.
Without waiting for Layla to give the signal, Obstruction had already made a move.
Since he could not rouse his magic energy, he could only fly toward the crack at the fastest 'normal' speed he could muster.
'Hm?'
Cade's eyes narrowed as soon as he sensed a crack appearing on the veil above the floating Ravenpass. After that, he saw through his mind's eye Obstruction's move.
Instinctively, Cade wanted to stop Obstruction.
However, the Grand Array was already at its most critical section. If the distribution of magic energy in the golden array fluctuated— no matter how small or short it was— there was a possibility it would fail. When that happened, Cade, together with Jared and Kyran, would receive the full backlash of the array's failure.
Cade already anticipated Layla wanting to destroy the veil and letting Obstruction escape to gather help. Nevertheless, he could only turn a blind eye because he could not afford to fail in releasing the Grand Array— or, more accurately— releasing True Void's real form.
Still, even if Cade could not do anything, that was not the case with the rest.
As a matter of fact, Tritus already told Kyran about Obstruction's move, and Kyran already gave an order.
'Don't let him leave the estate, Tritus.'
Kyran said, his eyes glowing silver as he activated the Sigil to its fullest.
Tritus had only advanced to Legendary, and Obstruction seemed to possess the power of a Sage or even a Sovereign. Even if the latter could not use magic, he might have more tricks up his sleeves. Thus, Kyran planned to support Tritus as far as possible.
Tritus's eyes glowed as a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He had been waiting to challenge himself against a powerful opponent, and now a great opportunity presented itself.
"I will not fail you, Master."
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om