Chapter 47 Eve of War

Mercury talked to Cove about his findings and his reasoning, but to only use them if no other opinion was available. Overpowering the Formations could really break them if not done properly and they would still be damaged and need to be repaired if done correctly. Cove agreed to look into it and share it around, this included both to both Tenebrosity and Luminescence.

Mercury tried to repair the one he tested, but the Formation Attendants who worked for the city agreed to repair it instead because Mercury had already done so much to find out the problem. This left Mercury talking with the Ruby and everyone until he decided it was time to go. He asked them about places to stay in the city until the Formations could be ready to work again and was directed to several places.

He and Clover went to one of them and rented a courtyard for several days. After settling in Mercury and Clover started to make their plans.

“Clover, I think our next order of business is to get to Nascent Soul.” {Mercury}

“Then why have we not done so sooner?” {Clover}

“We held back with advancing too fast so that other people would not suspect how good our talents in Cultivation were. The only time to play your hidden cards is when you can get something out of it.” {Mercury}

“…”

“It is holding back a strong attack to use it when your opponent is open.” {Mercury}

“Oh. That makes sense.” {Clover}

Mercury handed several Earth Qi resources to Clover to use.

“For now, just work on getting to High Mortal Core. I will do the same.” {Mercury}

“What is your Cultivation Technique? I have not seen you do it.” {Clover}

“I have not shared it around because I do not know how other people would react to it. I am not sure you would even really understand it so I will tell you about it later.” {Mercury}

“Oh, okay.” {Clover}

Mercury and Clover retreated to their rooms and Mercury tried to call Earthlight again.

(“Mercury, I heard the news that the ‘Will of the World’ has been retrieved. Shame that Radiant Bastard is still missing.”) {Earthlight}

(“I… Is that what we are calling Radiant Firelight now?”) {Mercury}

(“Yep. He was stripped of his title and was given another.”) {Earthlight}

(“He is what I wanted to talk to you about. I can still track him.”) {Mercury}

(“Why did you not tell Starlight when you meet up at the tomb?”) {Earthlight}

(“I did not to be mistaken as the Ancestor.”) {Mercury}

(“I could see how that would happen. I guess that also limits our options. Too much of doing what you do and it could still happen.”) {Earthlight}

(“Exactly. Also, well I could just try to control him to kill himself but I am not sure that work and even if it did it would not allow for a clean resolution.”) {Mercury}

(“Everyone else would think he was alive and making plans. We also have to consider the Monster Faction and their plans. They have not done anything since the event but that does not mean that they are doing nothing. Could we use Radiant Bastard to attack the Monsters?”) {Earthlight}

(“It is a possibility but not one I really like as it only leads to more death and mistrust between both sides. Also, I have not asked about why the Monsters decided to attack and work with Radiant Bastard.”) {Mercury}

(“They were afraid that Tenebrosity and Luminescence forming an alliance would cause them to be the next targets for extermination.”) {Earthlight}

(“Then that is a hard one to solve peacefully.”) {Mercury}

(“I do not think peace will be a part of this. The way it is looking like is that both we are going to have an all-out war soon.”) {Earthlight}

(“Is it possible to try and reach a peaceful agreement?”) {Mercury}

(“Maybe… That would mean trying to communicate with them but that is unlikely.”) {Earthlight}

(“Where are they?”) {Mercury}

(“You cannot be thinking to just go and talk to them.”) {Earthlight}

(“Have you forgotten that I am immortal, can make more than one body, and can be something other than a human?”) {Mercury}

“…”

(“You really make me mad sometimes.”) {Earthlight}

(“How is the alcohol production coming along?”) {Mercury}

(“Really good. We should have sellable products in just a few more years. I have even decided not to drink them until they are just prefect.”) {Earthlight}

(“Good… Now about that location.”) {Mercury}

(“I do not know. We know several areas where Monster Elders could be, but not where they are or could be meeting.”) {Earthlight}

“…”

(“Then I will just wait and see for what we can do.”) {Mercury}

(“I think that is best, same for Radiant Bastard.”) {Earthlight}

Clover bust into Mercury’s room.

(“I need to go.”) {Mercury}

“Clover, what is wrong?” {Mercury}

“I CANNOT SLEEP!” {Clover}

“…”

“I was afraid of this.” {Mercury}

“You knew this could happen!?” {Clover}

“Well, I do not need sleep. So, neither should you now.” {Mercury}

“NO!” {Clover}

“Calm down. I can still sleep. I will just have to teach you.” {Mercury}

Mercury spent the next few days trying to teach Clover how to sleep while waiting for the Teleportation Formations to return to normal. Slowly the Teleportation Formations started working normally again and Mercury and Clover left to help remake the Formations that were destroyed.

Off on the Gray Continent, there was a deep valley that some Monster Elders were gathering in. They meet in human form because their true forms would be too big. There was the Nest Grand Mother, a very old woman wearing a white feathered cloak. There was the old King of the Shadow Lizards, an older man with a black leather cloak. Then there was the new Queen of the Shadow Lizards, a younger woman with a black dress and carrying a Shadow Lizard on her back. The same Shadow Lizard Mercury did not attack in the Juvenile Jungle. Other Monster Elders existed in the world but this meeting did not include them.

The group looked up to see Hollow and his Light Bird Elder companion flying down. The Shadow Queen smirked as they landed.

“So much for your brilliant plan.” {Shadow Queen}

“Shut it.” {Hollow}

“Is that any way to talk to your new queen?” {Shadow Queen, threateningly}

Their Aura flared up but both stopped as the other members intervened.

“We are not here to watch you bicker.” {Old Shadow King}

“Agreed. We must plan our next move.” {Nest Grand Mother}

“We would not be in this mess if these two did not agree to attack Grand Darkness daughter!” {Shadow Queen}

“IT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO” {Hollow}

“IT WHAT!? GET US ALL KILLED!? Or just to get your pathetic candidate killed.” {Shadow Queen}

“YOU!” {Hollow}

“ENOUGH!” {Old Shadow King}

“The only thing that matters now is what to do next.” {Nest Grand Mother}

“Then I request sending their broken bodies back as a peace offering.” {Shadow Queen}

“!” {Light Bird Elder}

“YOU B*TCH!” {Hollow}

“That way we can claim that you acted on your own without our knowledge or consent. We can cut all ties with you while repairing what little relationship we have with the humans.” {Shadow Queen}

“…”

“You cannot be considering this!?” {Hollow}

The Nest Grand Mother and the old Shadow King looked at each other, then back at everyone else.

“That would not work.” {Old Shadow King}

“We would lose two Palace Elders for no real guarantee that war would be avoided.” {Nest Grand Mother}

“I still think that they should pay in some way. Trusting that unknown source of theirs was a mistake. That whole plan was a mistake!” {Shadow Queen}

“THE PLAN WAS PERFECT!” {Hollow}

“Was it? Was it really? I guess that is why we have Grand Darkness daughter here. Ready to be a hostage to keep him from KILLING US ALL!” {Shadow Queen}

“The information and plan was from a trusted source.” {Old Shadow King}

“Then WHO IS IT!? I was only informed about this plan AFTER it was already started.” {Shadow Queen}

“It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. A chance like this would not have happened again.” {Old Shadow King}

“WHO WAS IT!?” {Shadow Queen}

“It was their Firelight.” {Old Shadow King}

“WHAT!? YOU TRUSTED AN ELEMENTAL LIGHT!” {Shadow Queen}

“You are still new to the position and do not know everything about our history. We have worked together several times to kill important humans who treated us.” {Old Shadow King}

“That is even more suspicious! What would he gain by doing that!?” {Shadow Queen}

“We gave him resources and gave his family some protection.” {Old Shadow King}

“That cannot be all that he got out of it. If it was then you are blind for not seeing that he was just playing us.” {Shadow Queen}

“Do not disrespect me, girl. I gave you the crown because I believed it was time for you to learn to lead, but that does not mean that I am weaker now.” {Old Shadow King}

“I know. That is why I will be a better ruler than you.” {Shadow Queen}

“Then what should we do. Doing nothing means death.” {Old Shadow King}

“…”

“I will prepare to attack and hold the Forest Fire City. It is the weakest major city without Forest Fire around. We will hold it to and use that leverage to hopefully stall for peace. Everyone else will attack other cities as a distraction. And you.” {Shadow Queen}

She turned to Hollow.

(“Do not think I don’t know your plan to have killed Grand Darkness daughter instead of capturing her.”) {Shadow Queen}

“Make sure your neck and face is cleaned. I hear humans like to hold up the heads of executed people to cheer up the crowd. You should at least look nice.” {Shadow Queen}

The group quickly made plans for what to do and went off to start them. Only Hollow was thinking about something else.

“You b*tch! I still have connections to Firelight and will make sure that your precious child is the first one to die from this war! Let’s see how you like that!” {Hollow}

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Thank you for reading.