Chapter 63
On the second day, the Commander summoned Neasilis and Marak to the grand hall atop the main
peak.
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"Have you made your decision, brother?" Neasilis asked with a smile, looking at the several Elders
present in the hall.
"I''d like to hear your thoughts once more," the Commander gestured for the Protégés to serve water
before asking everyone to leave.
Neasilis'' smile deepened as he leisurely sipped his water, exchanging a knowing nce with Marak
at his side.
"Let''s skip the pleasantries. Yesterday, Lord Marak fell head over heels for Celesse at first sight,
smitten with affection. Both of them are well-matched in status and talents, and they share mutual
fondness. I wish to seize this opportunity to arrange their marriage, to celebrate this union of love."
"What dowry does Lord Viperbane intend to offer?" The Commander asked, taking a sip from his
tea cup.
Unable to contain his excitement, Marak cleared his throat and sat upright. "Whatever gifts you ask
for, Commander, we of Lord Viperbane''s house will strive to satisfy and ensure Celesse is wed into
Lord Viperbane''s home with honor."
Neasilis spoke, "With this alliance, our houses will be kin. Your affairs will be ours, and
we shall advance together, conspiring for mutual prosperity."
"That sounds promising, but we currently face no troubles," the Commander remarked to the other
Elders.
The Elders exchanged looks and feigned ignorance. "What trouble could be so great that we would
marry off our girl to ovee it? None that we know of."
"There are no outsiders here, let''s speak inly. The threat of Botanic Haven..."
The portly Elder feigned surprise. "What about Botanic Haven?"
Neasilis maintained his smile as he observed them. "The matter concerning the previous Cobalt
Strike Commander."
"Our former Cobalt Strike Commander lived an honorable life, nevermitting unrighteous
deeds."
As Neasilis'' smile slowly faded, Marak sensed something was amiss.
The Commander said calmly, "I hold Lord Marak in high regard, but the matter of the alliance must
be considered carefully."
"Must we speak so frankly? If the threat of Botanic Haven isn''t addressed, Cobalt Strike could face
danger at any moment."
The portly Elder replied, "I really don''t see what threat Botanic Haven poses."
"Don''t take risks. If word of this gets out..."
A female Elder scoffed with a hint of warning in her voice, "Neasilis, fabricating usations against
your own order won''t be believed by outsiders. They might even question your character."
"Do you truly believe you can keep the secret of Botanic Haven?" Neasilis'' gaze turned cold as he
realized Cobalt Strike was tantly denying Botanic Haven''s secret.
"I really don''t know of any secret in Botanic Haven, but if you''re referring tost night''s strange
noises, I can tell you it was an Elder injured during training, nothing more."
Marak spoke gravely, "Commander, do not jest with the fate of Cobalt Strike."
Neasilis signaled Marak to be patient. "Would you dare take me to Botanic Haven to see for
myself?"
"Please!" The Commander stood and led the Elders out of the grand hall.
Soon, they arrived at Botanic Haven, at the spot where the suppression had taken ce. The pit
had been filled in, and the chains and boulders were gone. Neasilis walked around, frowning. No
trace of the Rune of Abandonment Lock could be found; it seemedpletely erased.
Had it been moved elsewhere?
Impossible!
Only the magic of Botanic Haven within Cobalt Strike could sustain the enchantment, and
redeploying it elsewhere would require immense resources and manpower, not something that
could be done silently.
Could it have been destroyed?
Equally impossible!
Cobalt Strike couldn''t bear that responsibility; otherwise, they would have executed the Chained
Spirit long ago, and not kept it imprisoned.
The female Elder reminded him again, "No one will believe a defector''s usations against his
order. Be mindful of your actions."
"Lord Marak, please forgive our poor hospitality. I have matters to attend to; I bid you farewell." the
Commander left abruptly, showing no interest in further hosting.
"Arrange for a few people to see our guests out," the Elders said with a coldugh, leaving one by
one.
Soon, only a few stern-faced middle-aged Protégés remained to watch over them.
"What''s going on?" Marak''s expression soured, puzzled at how Cobalt Strike''s demeanor had
changed overnight, seemingly confident and unafraid of any threat from Lord Viperbane.
"Let''s head back for now. This secret isn''t something that can be resolved with tricks; something
must have happened," Neasilis, who had spies within Cobalt Strike, instructed them to investigate in
secret.
"Are we just leaving?" Marak hadn''t secured the marriage agreement, nor had he brought up
Mari''s issue.
"We will return. Trust me," Neasilis reassured Marak, departing with a stern face.
Atop Botanic Haven, the Commander stood with hands behind his back, watching Neasilis and the
others leave. His expression was far from rxed.
The Elder of Botanic Haven slowly approached, "Don''t worry, the Chained Spirit has been moved. I
will inform you once everything is settled."
"Much obliged," the Commander said to the elder with great courtesy. In all of Cobalt Strike, there
was only one person who couldmand such respect and absolute trust from him. Since the
Elder had spoken, he had no choice but to believe.
"Leave the Chained Spirit matter to me, and deal with Lord Viperbane yourself. They will not rest
easy."
"Cobalt Strike has not fallen so far as to be at anyone''s mercy."
...
In the blink of an eye, the day of the contest between vin and Galos arrived.
Most Protégés within Cobalt Strike had forgotten about their wagered match, as each had their own
training and affairs to attend to. Who would keep such a thing at the forefront of their thoughts daily?
However, thanks to the reminder of some keen individuals, the 10th Arena was bustling with
Protégés from early on, with many more rushing over in great haste.