Chapter 319


    Mari escorted vin down from the mountain''s peak, reminding him, "This is the most favorable


    decision my mentor and the Commander have made for you. You must seize it. To have the chance


    to be a Commander at sixteen is an honor none of the Protégés have ever had since the


    founding of Cobalt Strike."


    "I''m going to say something out of turn. The terms your mentor and the Commander are offering are


    tempting, but they''re all just words, things promised for ten years from now. Who can say what will


    happen?"


    E''s eyes sparkled, and she clung to vin''s arm. "Ha, they haven''t fooled you, have they?"


    "I''m not a three-year-old child who can be bribed with sweets."


    "I''m liking you more and more, what should I do?"


    "Stop that, we''re still young." vin was clearly overwhelmed by her affectionate gesture.


    Mari rolled her eyes, must they do this in front of her? "At the very least, this shows a


    commitment from my mentor and the Commander. You may not understand them, but I do. If


    they''ve said this to you, then that''s likely what''s been decided. The Commander''s position is far off,


    but the terms they''re offering you now are quite generous—protecting you, guarding Stormcast, and


    providing you with various resources and conditions. What I mean is, my mentor and the


    Commander have shown their stance, and you should respond in kind."


    "Don''t worry, I''m not a fool. I''ll grasp what truly benefits me. Thank your mentor and the Commander


    for me. I didn''t expect this attitude from them, I''m... truly touched." vin was sincere. Before his


    arrival, he had envisioned countless scenarios where he might have topromise to protect


    Stormcast and its legacy if the Commander and the Botanic Haven Elder asked for something in


    return.


    But they hadn''t. They chose to exchange ''favor'' for ''cooperation'' and didn''t pry too much into the


    affairs of the Shadowbringer.


    "Think it over carefully," Mari said earnestly, hoping vin would ept the terms. After all, it


    was all an advantage and not a drawback. It was also the best way to deal with the Chained Spirit.


    If vin became the Commander of Cobalt Strike, he would certainly not harm it anymore; he


    would find a way to settle the grudge between the Chained Spirit and Cobalt Strike. This was


    probably one of the main reasons her mentor had offered these terms, as in his heart, resolving the


    conflict with the Chained Spirit was just as important as the Kings'' eptance. After all, the power


    represented by the Chained Spirit was too terrifying; otherwise, her mentor wouldn''t have given up


    the position of Commander to stand guard over Botanic Haven for twenty years.


    E said, "If you go to Bloodlore, my grandfather will offer you even better terms."


    vin chuckled, "Suddenly, I''m in such demand; it''s a bit overwhelming."


    E and Mari both gave him a withering look.


    "Lord vin, how goes it?" Grima and Godfred were waiting at the base of the mountain, and as


    soon as they saw vine down, they rushed over.


    "I''m fine, don''t worry," vin reassured them.


    Eughed, "They want vin to be the next Commander."


    "What?" Grima and Godfred''s voices lifted.


    "He hasn''t epted."


    "What?" Their voices lifted again.


    ...


    The 5th Arena was already packed to the rafters, with every perilous nook and cranny on the


    mountaintop filled with onlookers. Five Elders and over forty Elite Protégés were all in the Arena


    awaiting the start ofbat, a sight rarely seen.


    Roald and the others stood in silence on the battlefield, believing vin would surelye, but


    while they could wait, the Protégés couldn''t, having arrived early, and now, with it nearing midday,


    where was he?


    "vin wouldn''t make us wait till evening, would he?"


    "Having four Golden Protégés waiting with bated breath, only vin could manage that."


    "Who says they''re waiting eagerly? Look at their faces, they haven''t shown impatience since


    morning. Heh, it’s the first time seeing Golden Protégés wait for someone else."


    "I really can''t wait anymore. What kind of fortune has vin stumbled upon to rise so high? If only I


    could have that chance, fame, and beauty, I''d have whatever I want."


    "Semar and the others have been seething since the championship. Losing isn''t scary, but the fear


    is losing to someone you''ve looked down upon, and that person winning. vin embarrassed them;


    they want to take revenge."


    "The tales of vin''s feats in The sh of Eight Orders have been astonishing. Just how strong is


    thatd? Where has he gone, keeping us in suspense? Hurry up and show up."


    "Semar and the others are insisting on challenging vin. They must have some n. Today will be


    quite the spectacle."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    "Where is he? Where is he? Is he dead? If he doesn''t show up soon, I''m going to give him a piece


    of my mind!"