Chapter 861 Acquisition (1)
Malek was reluctant to let Layla go, but at that moment, he could only relent. If the worst-case scenario happened, then he would have to do everything to assist Achim's side and repel Filren and his company's attack. Malek was confident he could do this under Noir's array formation.
Once the array formation's effect was over... well, Malek did not even want to think about it.
Malek's doubts were proven to have been irrelevant because Layla kept her word. As a matter of fact, she only activated the Soul mark inside Filren and his company's bodies that she subtly placed on them and restrained their movements.
When Sigma, along with a few other Conclave members and the Emperor's army, who tried to delay their advance by using ready-made array formations to temporarily lower their vision, their speed, or even preparing crude traps on the floor, saw Filren and his company's movements sudden stop, they took that opportunity to restrain them using chains made of anti-cast stones. Sigma, with the help of the others, also pinned a black round badge at the back of their uniform. That badge was a magic item that Noir and Sigma crafted that prevented complete beings from summoning their Divine Armaments.
It actually took them four years to complete the array calculation behind the magic item, and that day was the first time they would use it in a real battle.
Unfortunately, with a disadvantage in numbers and possible resistant bodies of some of the knights— especially Filren— against Layla's mark, a few managed to use the teleportation scroll she supplied to them and returned to the capital.
After that, Achim led a group of knights to assist Sigma in taking back their prisoners.
Because these knights were different from the ones stationed around the forts outside the capital, Achim did not have the capability to place a mark on them. For this reason, Gael could only help in binding them with his Shadow magic.
Achim expected his uncle to mobilize more troops once Filren returned with bad news. Apart from that, he would definitely tell the King that Achim had outside help. Still, after inwardly calculating the time it would take them to gather as well as their time of travel, Achim guessed they would need more than two weeks before arriving at the fort.
Nevertheless, because they discovered Filren's use of an ancient underground passage for a sneak attack, he would no longer use it. If that was the case, instead of Filren, the King might mobilize Mo for a frontal confrontation.
After confining all their prisoners in the fort's prison cellar, Achim, Malek, Gael, Nahir, Noir, Layla, and Sigma gathered in the underground chamber again.
Achim judged it best not to let others join because their topic might appear confusing to them, especially if they talked about matters regarding outsiders.
"It will probably take 18 days before another company comes," Achim guessed. "We'll adjust our defenses before then and make sure to expand the range of our trap location. Kesiah and her group will have arrived before then as well, and she can provide her insights."
Layla frowned at what Achim had said, "Oi, I already did my part. Now, it is time we go to where the Void Master is."
"I hate to agree with this woman, but I also strongly advise you to abandon this fort and retreat."
Achim and Gael exchanged glances, which the rest caught immediately.
Layla's expression darkened as she more or less guessed the reason behind their glance.
"Don't tell me... did something happen?"
Nahir also had a grim expression. He had only heard what happened to Kyran and felt exasperated. After all, it was the latter who pushed through with the conquest idea, and yet he had fallen unconscious.
Talk about shirking one's duties!
"He had a run-in with two outsiders," Gael was the first one to speak. He looked at Layla meaningfully before adding, "And one of them, I believe your were very familiar with."
"Ruin?" Layla frowned at once. She obviously knew Ruin's obsession with Kyran. But it was mostly due to the latter being the new Void Master— or, to be precise, Caelan's successor.
Nevertheless, Layla knew Ruin would not be stupid enough to hurt Kyran when they both had an objective to fulfil. Kyran's participation was important to them, thus, they could not allow others to touch him.
'Wait, two outsiders?' Layla's eyes narrowed.
"Who is the other one? Do you know?"
Achim and Gael shook their heads.
"Unfortunately, no," Achim replied. "In any case, from what we've last heard, his condition has stabilize and is currently recovering."
"Can't you just have the Abbot or the Saint heal him?" Layla asked.
The moment she said this, Nahir's expression hardened. He looked at her and said, "Do you know who the Saint is?"
Layla's eyes contracted at his question.
To be honest, when Layla and Ruin came to Somuli, their priority was to recruit the King and his Knights to their side. Her reasons were obviously similar to why she wanted the Regis Clan. The Armakean Knights' extraordinary discipline and strength would be a perfect match for her undying army. Because of this, Layla focused on getting into the King's circle.
As for Ruin, he mostly frolicked about while also gathering intel on the other Sovereigns' movements.
Layla was aware of a blind Saint among the Eidums, and to be honest, she was intrigued. Unfortunately, she could not order Ruin and investigate the Saint against his will. He helped her most of the time, but that did not mean he listened to her commands. Ruin was not interested in the Saint and did not pay much attention to her. He only kept a very loose surveillance in what went around the Land of the Eidums. Frankly, if not for the incident of the silver humanoid dragon's appearance, Ruin would not even pay attention to the war happening in the Great Divide.
Seeing Nahir's expression, it did not take long for Layla to sense his emotions. She then recalled his words when he first saw her: "You.... Dare use that face...", and immediately she smiled.
"I see... so it is really her..."
Achim and Gael noticed a malicious glint in Layla's eyes, and they reacted at once. Their killing intent rose as they glared at her.
"Do not dare to touch the Mistress," they threatened at the same time. "Else, we will eliminate you here and now."
Malek, Noir, and Sigma also looked at her threateningly. The former even regretted removing his bind on her. If not, he would have tortured her with his magic again.
Layla shrugged at their reactions. Retaining a gentle smile on her face, she said coquettishly, "All of you are far too serious. What's wrong with feeling happy, knowing my successor is also here?"
Nahir frowned. He noticed everyone's reaction to Layla's response to him. Unfortunately, she chose to reply in their native language that he did not understand their exchange. However, judging by their reaction, it was obvious they unanimously felt disgusted by her.
"Besides, instead of directing such killing intent on me, don't you think asking for my help to heal your Master is a far wiser move?" Layla continued.
"There is no need," Achim replied with narrowed eyes. "Master is recovering steadily. In a few days, he will be fine."
"Okay. Suit yourselves," Layla said with a shrug. If they would rather let their Master suffer than be indebted to her, then so be it. She would not try to change their minds. Besides that, she was not in a hurry to reclaim Cyneah's body as her new vessel because her desire to speak with Kyran far outweighed everything else.
Achim looked at Malek once more and asked, "Can you tell us why you want us to abandon this fort?"
Malek heaved a sigh. He hated recalling a vision he saw but knew it would be difficult to convince Achim and the others to leave if he did not tell them.
"A vision," he said after a short pause. "I had a vision where all of you died."
"Death is something that we do not fear."
"Don't give me that cr*p," Malek growled at Achim. "You may not care about your deaths, but what about your Master? Did you even consider what he might do if you guys die?"
Gael's expression turned grim as if he was recalling something. Since he and Achim were somehow connected as two beings who had been reborn from the Void, the former's memories flashed through the latter's mind, and his face darkened.
What Gael remembered was what Kyran did back when Layla ordered Ruin to destroy the Regis Estate's defensive array. The scenes that flashed through Achim's mind worried him.
Layla could not help but chuckle.
"Alas, the Regis's morals are their strengths, and also their weakness."
"You can laugh now," Malek looked at her. "But even you will not escape the consequence when he snaps."
Layla did not reply, but her eyes turned cloudy as she recalled something unpleasant.
"We understand," Achim replied after a while. "But first, we'll wait for Kesiah and her group to arrive."
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