Chapter 60
"Eithere with me to Botanic Haven or... I''ll arrange for others to take you. Choose one."
"Mari, a high and mighty Botanic Haven Protégé, bullying a mere servant like me — it''s quite
unseemly."
"Tonight, at the stroke of midnight, the eastern entrance of Botanic Haven."
"Feel free to wait patiently." vin''s smile was firm, undisturbed by the threat.
"Lord Viperbane knows Botanic Haven''s secret and threatens to ally with Cobalt Strike."
"It''s not my concern." vin shrugged. The fate of Cobalt Strike was none of his business.
"The alliance is through marriage, between Marak and Celesse. I intend to resolve Botanic Haven''s
troubles, and you wouldn''t want Celesse wed to Lord Viperbane. Our goals align."
Mari left a few words behind, exited the storeroom, and gave a slight nod to Celesse as she
walked into the courtyard. "Celesse, congrattions on your advancement to Novice Mage."
"Thank you, Mari, for your kind thoughts." Celesse nodded in return, acknowledging the well-
wishes.
Before long, vin emerged from the storeroom, his gaze following the path Mari took as she
departed. His brow furrowed in concern.
"What''s happened?" Celesse knew that Mari would not have visited without cause, nor would
she leave Botanic Haven lightly.
vin shook his head. "I''ll try to handle it myself first; if I cannot, I may ask for your assistance."
"Is it that serious?"
After a moment of silence, vin replied, "If you see me around tomorrow making deliveries,
assume all is well. But if I''m nowhere to be seen, I''m likely detained in Botanic Haven."
In the dead of night, Botanic Haven erupted with a hoarse roar, thundering and reverberating
through the mountains. The shing of chains was faintly audible, as if some terrible beast was
struggling in the depths, attempting to break its bonds and shatter the towering peaks. The sense of
violence was palpable to all.
From a distance, one could see Botanic Haven alight with golden glimmers, blossoming en masse
against the dark, an eye-catching spectacle. Energy churned visibly, like a raging river in flood, at
times dispersing, at times swirling into vortexes.
The turmoil there was easy to imagine.
"The situation is worse than we anticipated; my presence here is warranted." Neasilis stood atop a
mountain, facing the chilling night breeze with his eyes fixed on Botanic Haven.
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"What exactly lies within that ce?" Marak stood beside him, feeling the violent energy from
Botanic Haven even at this distance. He was unaware of the true situation inside, only knowing that
after a long conversation with his father, Neasilis had left his father in high spirits, tasked with full
authority to handle the alliance with Cobalt Strike.
"A power that will allow us to control Cobalt Strike," Neasilis said with a smile. He had not expected
the Chained Spirit to awaken after so many years, nor to possess such formidable power, but it
provided him with the perfect opportunity to wield influence over Cobalt Strike. Should he seed,
his standing with Lord Viperbane could climb significantly, perhaps even elevating him to the leader
of the Seven Champions.
"With Cobalt Strike''s strength and the alliance of seven other organizations, who would we fear in
this world?"
"There are always greater powers beyond our own!"
"What do you mean?"
"You will understand in time, Lord Marak. For now, know that what lies within Botanic Haven can
grant you the most beautiful women of Cobalt Strike."
"What if I desire two? Would Cobalt Strike agree?" A grin crept across Marak''s face as he recalled
the two stunning women he had seen during the day. Celesse had bewitched him, and Mari had
caught his eye, too. Deep down, he yearned for Celesse, but the thought of having both was even
more enticing.
As for vin, after some investigation, he found him to be merely a bold servant, nothing more, and
not worthy of further attention.
Neasilis chuckled. "We hold the advantage, and all can be negotiated."
Marakughed. "Then I thank you in advance, Neasilis, and I won''t forget your generosity."