Chapter 381


    The Grand Elder whispered solemnly, "vin has a strong bond with Cedrick of the Iron family. It


    might be Cedrick who called upon the Iron family''s folk."


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    Lord Falconcrest''s face was a mask of icy sternness as he spoke even colder, "vin has quite the


    gall to summon the Iron family''s kin. I suspect you had a hand in it. Cedrick is a direct heir of the


    Iron family, sent by the n''s patriarch himself to be fostered by Cobalt Strike. Now, you dare to


    rebel and nearly slew the Cobalt Strike Commander. The Iron family values loyalty and honor; they


    won''t let you off easily."


    The Grand Elder''s face shifted from pale to flushed, but he could find no words to counter, nor did


    he dare to challenge Lord Falconcrest. He could feel the Lord Falconcrest''s prejudice against him.


    He mped his mouth shut and retreated to the back, his expression dark and dreadful. He, the


    Grand Elder of Cobalt Strike, was reduced to a state where he could be humiliated by others. It felt


    as though a dagger was being twisted in his heart. Thesest few days, each time a Lord visited or


    a Commander came by, that bastard, Jarad, would mock him mercilessly, parading him before


    others for their scorn. He couldn''t withstand such humiliation.


    Lord Mountguard spoke gravely, "We can''t keep waiting like this; we must devise a n."


    The Ster Precepts Commander pondered silently. With the Iron family joining the fray, Stormcast’s


    strength had increased by at least a third. Jarad, Bah, and the Iron family patriarch were all wild


    madmen of Stage VII and Stage VIII in prowess. His gaze shifted subtly, ncing toward the Five


    Lords. Should he join forces with them? No, he must not! But how, then, could he breach the walls


    and secure the Kings'' eptance?


    Inside the ancient city, Balder and Mari greeted Cedrick personally, while the Mallister family


    folks were too moved to speak. With the Iron family''s involvement, they had enough might to deter


    the Eight Orders and the Five Lords. They were saved atst!


    "Where is vin? What has befallen?" Cedrick''s brows furrowed with concern. When he had left, it


    was to attend the Iron family''s n gathering. Upon their departure, Cedrick had initially invited a


    dozen kinsmen to visit Stormcast, hoping they would have a sit-down and stay awhile, to show the


    close ties between the Iron family and the Mallister family. But the patriarch had never anticipated


    such an unexpected turn, and in the end, he had rallied a hundred kinsmen to follow him.


    They came out of curiosity for the Kings'' eptance, to witness the rare confluence of events, and


    to lend aid to Cobalt Strike.


    "vin is not in the city, but he will return shortly. We assure you." Celesse bowed in respect to the


    Iron family members, exining the situation with vin. She was well aware of the Iron family''s


    power and influence and was keen on retaining their support as best as possible.


    One day... Two days...


    The arrival of the Iron family truly intimidated the various Organizations and the Five Lords, as well


    as the Blessed Citadel''s forces.


    The Five Lords wished to attack but feared a stealth strike from the Ster Precepts, given that its


    Commander was the Nortnds'' acknowledged mightiest.


    The Ster Precepts Commander desired the Kings'' eptance but couldn''t overtly seize it by


    force, being part of the same Eight Orders alliance.


    Jarad and Bah ceased their provocations against the Five Lords. Once the battlemenced,


    they would face the greatest pressure.


    More and more people gathered in the wilderness, waiting for the factions to sh, none able to see


    through the intentions of the three parties.


    The sh of the ancient city calmed temporarily amidst the various considerations. Everyone had


    ns, yet all had reservations. After all, it was not a trifling skirmish; they were dignified figures with


    powerful organizations behind them. None wished to perish senselessly in this ce.


    Cobalt Strike''s Protégés, like Carlys and Myke, gathered in the distance, mustering for the


    Commander and keeping a wary eye on the sanctified warriors above. They could not fathom the


    thoughts and emotions of these lofty overlords and could only pray for a peaceful resolution.


    Although... such hope was exceedingly faint.


    On the afternoon of the second day, the Grand Elder, unable to bear it any longer, broached the


    subject with a stern face once again. "Things have escted to this point, appearing chaotic and


    dangerous, but could this not be an opportunity?"


    "What sort of opportunity?"


    “What was the true purpose behind the Royal House establishing the five great noble courts in the


    Nortnds? It was to contain and suppress the might of the Eight Orders. Yet for years, the Eight


    Orders stood united againstmon foes, and you never had the chance to strike, always waiting.


    But today, no matter how the tides of battle shift, the Orders will no longer be as they were. Their


    alliance is crumbling without a blow struck. I suggest we seize this moment to wage war, y a few


    of their Commanders, and crush the Eight Orders once and for all. And while we''re at it, let''s


    capture vin—two birds with one stone.”