Chapter 85: Valuable Information
Darius wasn’t dumb. The reason for the prince’s invitation was to coax him into joining his camp. As for why he accepted the invitation, he believed that no matter one’s realm, once they experienced his pavilion’s services, they would, one way or another, become addicted.
Indeed!
Darius was here to promote his pavilion and nothing else. Getting involved in struggles for rulership? That was a hard no for him. Even if he were willing to do so, the system would never allow it unless he wished to stop being its host...which, of course, was never going to happen.
As for why the Eldest Prince had chosen him, the reason was very simple... Gabriel’s appearance!
Alchemists were aloof existences that everyone sought to befriend and get close to. For an individual to make a Tier-2 Alchemist personally step forward was by no means a joke or something to be overlooked. Anyone with a brain would know that such a person held great importance to that alchemist and potentially many others as well.
Furthermore, before this, alchemists would never interfere in the competition for the throne, as they stood completely above it. However, with Darius’s appearance, many unpredictable variables had suddenly been added to the balance.
If any prince managed to gain Darius’s support, it would be equivalent to gaining the support of the alchemists of Dragon City and perhaps even beyond, given Gabriel’s connections. This was an incomparably terrifying force, and even the current Dragon City Lord would have to think carefully before passing on his throne. After all, such influence could potentially shake the foundations of the entire region.
Thus, the Eldest Prince hoped to establish a good relationship with Darius. Additionally, Gabriel’s previous attitude had only reinforced this idea in his mind.
At first, he had merely wanted to make trouble for James and was somewhat interested in this pavilion owner who had driven Wolf Fang into a frenzy and caused them to target his friends in retaliation. If Darius proved useful, he could be utilized; if not, then at least he had done him a favor.
However, the Eldest Prince had been utterly shocked when Gabriel appeared and quickly adjusted his plans.
Darius smiled and said, "Does Your Highness know what kind of backing James...or rather, Wolf Fang...has obtained that even Headmaster William would be so partial toward him?"
The Eldest Prince frowned and revealed a furious expression. He could not help but smack a hand onto the table as he said, "That traitor!"
He might not hate James that much, but it was obvious that James and Darius were mortal enemies. Thus, he naturally did not mind displaying a slightly exaggerated reaction in order to build a closer relationship with Darius.
"This man possesses a special physique and is also very powerful in battle. However, if that were all, he could at most earn William’s recognition, but he would never be able to command him. Yet from James’s attitude, though he appears respectful on the surface, it seems as if he views himself as William’s superior. That is indeed strange," Darius murmured.
The Eldest Prince sank into thought as well. What kind of power had Wolf Fang obtained that could actually cause a respected Celestial Human Realm expert...and the highly revered former headmaster of Dragon City Academy...to practically obey their wishes?
As the Eldest Prince of Dragon City, he actually knew nothing about this, and that realization caused a sense of unease to rise within him.
"I will begin investigating this matter," the Eldest Prince said. Then he looked toward Darius and continued with a serious expression, "Brother Darius is an intelligent man, so I will not beat around the bush."
"What would Your Highness like to say?" Darius asked with a slight smile, though he already knew why the Eldest Prince had invited him.
"I would like to ask for your assistance in helping me ascend to the throne," the Eldest Prince said. Suddenly, the aura of a ruler emanated from him, and his eyes shone with a powerful light.
Darius smiled faintly and replied, "What ability do I possess that would allow me to help Your Highness ascend to the throne?"
"Hahaha, Brother Darius, you are being far too modest!" The Eldest Prince laughed loudly before suddenly changing the topic. "If I successfully ascend to the throne, your pavilion will be recognized as a loyal force that rendered great service. I would bestow upon you the title of King and spread your fame throughout the land!"
King!
Had the court officials heard such words, they would have been shocked by the weight of this promise.
Throughout Earth’s history, there had rarely been anyone outside a ruling family who had been granted the title of King. For a ruler’s subject, this could be considered the highest honor attainable in a lifetime.
As a result, the Eldest Prince’s face was filled with expectation. He believed that Darius would immediately agree.
However, he was quickly disappointed. There was not the slightest change in Darius’s expression. His eyes remained calm and deep, as though the authority of an entire region was nothing more than a passing cloud.
Darius slowly opened his mouth and said, "I have no interest in power."
In this life, he possessed the Strongest Pavilion System as his greatest support and source of confidence. As long as he stayed alive, reaching the pinnacle would only be a matter of time. How could the position of a mere mortal king compare to the power he would one day hold in his hands?
In this lifetime, he had only one goal: to become the Supreme Pavilion Master. Through that path, he would stand at the peak of cultivation, shatter the void, break free of his mortal shackles, and witness what lay beyond.
The Eldest Prince was usually a very eloquent speaker, but now he suddenly felt a sense of awkwardness and did not know how to continue the conversation. He had already revealed his greatest bargaining chip, yet Darius had not shown the slightest interest.
Could it be that he had to offer the throne itself to Darius? That would be absurd.
After considering the matter for a moment, he said, "Brother Darius, if I manage to ascend to the throne, I will grant you the opportunity to break through to the Divine Realm."
Darius could not help but reveal a strange expression as he looked at the Eldest Prince.
