Chapter 415: Chapter 415 - The Right Side of the Future
"Before I continue," the man said calmly, "I want to make one thing clear. What I am about to say is not an act of betrayal toward my alliance, nor is it meant to diminish the respect I hold for this battle and for every lord who has taken part in it."
Atlas remained silent as he listened.
"With all due respect," the man continued, "I am confident in my system ability and in the forces under my command. Victory is never guaranteed, but I believe I can offer resistance that would be both strong and relentless."
Atlas could see no hesitation at all in the eyes of the lord standing before him.
"For that reason, I propose that we end this battle here. I will surrender, and you will receive the full score," he said firmly.
"What do you want in return?" Atlas asked.
The man bowed lightly once more. "Allow me to join your alliance after this battle is concluded. I wish to become part of it and serve as one of its strengths, contributing to the alliance’s future growth and stability."
Atlas fell silent for a moment before responding.
"How can I trust someone who leaves their alliance’s interests to join mine? You could leave this alliance as well if it no longer benefits you."
The man bowed again, his tone steady. "I ask that you do not judge this from that perspective, Lord Atlas. I hold great respect for this battle and for my alliance. However, I will not stand in arrogance and force a battle where heavy losses on both sides are unavoidable."
"My alliance has already fallen. Most of the lords on our side have been defeated. Those of us who remain were given freedom by Elder Bolin, before his death, to choose whatever path we deemed right if he were to lose his battle against you."
So Bolin had said such a thing?
"Someone as arrogant as Bolin said that?" Atlas replied flatly. "That is not easy to believe."
The man offered no response after that.
Still, the scale of their destruction was clear. The fact that their alliance leader had prepared such words before the war even began showed a certain level of respect toward Atlas, no matter how confident they appeared on the surface.
"I am simply taking a strategic action," the man finally said, "to avoid greater casualties on both sides, and to protect my island and my people."
In truth, Atlas had never been opposed to gaining more forces within his alliance, especially those with great potential. However, no matter how it was viewed, this man was still his opponent in this battle. Trust could not be formed so easily from such a position.
Perhaps Atlas himself could extend that trust, but that did not mean others would feel the same.
As Atlas was still weighing those thoughts, the man in front of him suddenly placed a firm hand against his chest. Something immediately began to happen.
A powerful flow of energy surged through the man’s body, moving like rushing water. It then froze, hardened, and shaped itself neatly, wrapping around him layer by layer until it formed a complete set of armor.
Atlas fell silent as he watched the scene unfold.
Soulbinding Armor?
"Perhaps fate truly intended for us to meet at this moment, Lord Atlas," the man said calmly. "As I believe we are still bound by contract for some time, I am sure you would not wish to destroy your own client, especially when they can still afford to purchase more of this," he added.
So this lord was the one who had won the auction for the Soulbinding Armor Atlas had sold back then. He also held the right to purchase more of these armors from Atlas in the future.
Information between sellers and buyers was strictly protected by the Awakener Association. Still, Atlas had never hidden the fact that he activated his full armor set in battle. Many of his forces also wore armor with very similar characteristics.
It was clear enough. Atlas was undeniably the creator and owner of the Soulbinding Armor Set.
After thinking it over for a moment longer, Atlas finally nodded slowly.
"I will grant you limited access as a trial member of the alliance," he said calmly. "If you can prove your loyalty through your actions, then your position can be reconsidered. Everything from that point on will depend on you."
The moment those words left his mouth, a series of system messages began to appear one after another before Atlas’s eyes. They confirmed that the final opposing lord had officially surrendered. Atlas had won this Dominion Convergence. The score was not perfect, but the result was still outstanding.
The man in front of him began to walk forward once the protective barrier dissolved. He stopped at a respectful distance, then extended his hand toward Atlas.
Atlas accepted the handshake without hesitation. "Thank you for your cooperation," he said. "This decision saved the lives of many people."
"I am glad I chose to stand on the right side of this future," the man replied calmly.
There were still two weeks remaining before the current lord battle event came to an end and the final rewards would be distributed. Atlas and his alliance had clearly secured victory, and the chance to obtain the most extraordinary reward, something every alliance and lord could only dream of, was now within their grasp.
It was an opportunity to obtain an Arcane-Grade artifact. Not merely Mythic grade, but Arcane grade. Two full tiers above the Legendary grade.
Atlas stepped out of the portal and was immediately greeted by the faces of the lords within the alliance, all lined up before him. The elite subordinates stood mixed among them, while behind them, the residents of Gacha Haven filled the area, all gathered and ready to celebrate this victory together with him.
"You all get time off," Atlas said simply.
A wave of loud cheers erupted at once.
"Two days," he added.
The cheering stopped instantly, replaced by a sudden, heavy silence.
"Only two days? My lord, my bones are still screaming," someone complained from the crowd.
"I haven’t even slept properly since the second battle," another voice protested. "Two days is just one long nap."
"Even the system gives longer cooldowns than this," yet another complaint followed, drawing a few laughs.
Atlas could only smile as he watched it all.
They truly could rest now, at least for a while.
