Chapter 240 — Samal’s Chosen

Chapter 240: Chapter 240 — Samal’s Chosen

Chapter 240 — Samal’s Chosen

Victor looked around at the masked figures.

One by one, they slowly rose from their kneeling positions.

The entire atmosphere in the room had changed.

Only minutes ago, some of these people had called him a liar. One had even demanded his death.

Now Rakasha had appeared before them and declared him Samal’s successor.

Victor wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about that.

He’d already dealt with enough people bowing to him in the Sanctuary. The last thing he wanted was for everyone here to start doing the same.

Still, there was one good thing that had come from all of this.

They would help him.

That was what mattered.

Lyra was still somewhere in Region F, and now Victor finally had the manpower he needed to save her and destroy one of the Evil God Organization’s base.

Victor allowed the silence to linger for a few moments before looking toward the man at the center of the room.

The Tower Master.

"So?"

Victor met his eyes through the white mask.

"What do you say now? Can you trust me?"

The Tower Master remained silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"Yes."

Some of the tension finally left Victor’s shoulders.

"You being Samal’s chosen successor means that we, as members of the Order of Samal, are obligated to provide you with our help."

Order of Samal.

So that was what they called themselves.

"But you must understand something, Victor."

The Tower Master’s tone became more serious.

"You are still only fourteen years old. You may be Samal’s successor, but that does not mean we will blindly follow every command you give us."

Victor nodded.

"That’s fair."

"It will take time before you’re capable of taking the reins. However, no one within the Order will disrespect you again."

The Tower Master glanced around the room.

"From this moment forward, as Samal’s successor, you are one of the most important people to our Order."

Victor wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that either.

But he’d worry about it later.

"For now," the Tower Master continued, "we have more immediate concerns. We need to save Lyra, your Shadow Fox companion, and formulate a plan to eliminate this Evil God base."

His eyes hardened.

"If they’re operating inside the Tower, then they’re a sore that needs to be cut out."

Several masked figures immediately reacted.

"Yes."

"Let’s destroy them."

Another voice called out from across the room.

"If the boy’s information is true, this could be our first real victory against them in who knows how long."

The change was almost ridiculous.

Minutes ago, Victor couldn’t get these people to believe a word he said.

Now some of them looked ready to charge into battle.

The Tower Master’s eyes showed the faintest hint of amusement as he surveyed the room before returning his attention to Victor.

"So, Victor."

He paused.

"Chosen successor of Samal. What say you?"

Victor thought for a moment.

"I don’t know enough about the base itself to make a detailed plan."

That was the unfortunate truth.

"I never entered. But I saw two guards outside the entrance, and both were Rank Seven Spirit Gathering."

A few people murmured among themselves.

"So I doubt we’re dealing with anything weak inside. There could easily be Spirit Core cultivators."

Victor’s expression hardened.

"We shouldn’t underestimate them. If we’re going in, we should be prepared for the worst."

The Tower Master gave a small nod.

"You’re cautious."

His gaze remained on Victor.

"That’s good."

Victor wasn’t sure whether that was praise or another test.

"When this is over," the Tower Master continued, "I’d like to hear more about what happened in the Sanctuary and learn exactly what you’re capable of."

Victor nodded.

"I’d be happy to."

Then his expression turned serious.

"But until Lyra is safe, I’d rather not discuss any of that."

"Agreed."

Victor considered the situation.

"I don’t know what kind of forces you currently have available inside the Tower."

The Tower Master leaned back slightly.

"We have many pieces throughout the Tower."

Pieces.

Victor caught the choice of word.

"But many of those pieces are extremely important," the Tower Master continued. "We cannot afford to expose them unnecessarily, nor can we afford to lose them."

His gaze sharpened.

"The Evil God Organization is dangerous because of how deeply it hides itself. Maintaining our own people in the correct positions is one of the few reasons we’ve survived this long."

Victor nodded.

"Understood."

He wasn’t going to argue with that.

Not anymore.

"What can you give me?"

The Tower Master paused.

"You’re planning to go?"

Victor raised an eyebrow.

"Of course."

"Even if we send a team capable of handling the situation?"

"Yes."

The answer came immediately.

"You’re not going to have me sitting somewhere waiting while Lyra is in there."

The Tower Master studied him.

Before he could answer, another masked figure spoke.

"At least we know the boy isn’t a coward."

A few quiet laughs moved through the room.

"That’s good to know."

"Indeed."

Victor glanced toward them.

Apparently, being declared Samal’s successor didn’t mean they’d suddenly stop judging him.

Good.

He preferred that to having two dozen strangers start worshipping him.

The Tower Master looked around at the others.

It had been a long time since he’d heard this much energy in some of their voices.

Too long.

For years, the Order had survived by remaining hidden. Watching. Waiting. Preserving what little they still had.

Perhaps somewhere along the way, survival had become too comfortable.

His gaze returned to the fourteen-year-old standing before him.

Perhaps Victor really was the change they’d been waiting for.

Or perhaps he would become another mistake they would have to survive.

Only time would answer that.

For now, there was an enemy to kill.

"I can provide you with a team of six."

Victor listened carefully.

"All six will be Peak Spirit Gathering cultivators."

Victor’s eyebrows rose slightly.

That was already far more power than he’d expected.

"And they’ll be accompanied by Space Witch."

Victor glanced toward the masked girl nearby.

She said nothing.

"Elder Benton will accompany you as well."

Victor looked toward Benton.

"However, Benton will not act unless absolutely necessary. His identity and position cannot be exposed."

"Understood."

"There will also be one more."

The Tower Master paused.

"Cyrus."

Victor waited.

"He is a member of the Order who recently broke through into the Spirit Core Realm."

Victor’s eyebrows rose again.

"Don’t let his recent breakthrough fool you. Cyrus is an exceptional talent. Even most Rank Two or Rank Three Spirit Core cultivators would struggle against him."

That caught Victor’s attention.

A newly advanced Spirit Core cultivator capable of fighting two or three ranks above himself?

The Tower Master continued.

"Cyrus will also serve as your personal guard."

Victor blinked.

"Even after this mission he will be following you everywhere."

Victor opened his mouth.

"Whether you like it or not."

Victor closed it again.

A few of the masked figures seemed amused.

The Tower Master wasn’t.

"Your life is about to change, Victor."

The room quieted.

"You will no longer have the freedom you had before. You’re too important now."

Several masked figures nodded.

"The future of alchemy—and perhaps humanity itself—has been placed on your shoulders by Samal."

A few others gave quiet grunts instead.

Victor noticed.

Rakasha’s appearance had proven he wasn’t lying.

It had not magically made everyone like him.

Some still clearly had reservations about placing so much importance on a fourteen-year-old boy.

Victor couldn’t blame them.

He would have to win them over with time.

But that wasn’t something he cared about right now.

The Tower Master leaned forward.

"You understand that by accepting our help, you’re also accepting your position?"

Victor met his gaze.

"You’re accepting the responsibility Samal has placed upon you. The fate of humanity and the future of alchemy may one day rest in your hands."

Victor’s expression became serious.

He’d heard similar words from Rakasha only minutes ago.

He still wasn’t sure he understood the full weight of them.

Maybe nobody in this room did.

But there was one thing Victor understood perfectly.

He had come here because he couldn’t save Lyra alone.

If accepting Samal’s legacy gave him the power and allies to protect the people he cared about, then he would accept whatever came with it.

"I understand."

The Tower Master waited.

"You’ll hear no complaints from me."

Something shifted in the Tower Master’s eyes.

Then he nodded.

"Good."

He stood.

"Then we leave at once."

His attention shifted toward one of the masked figures.

"Firestick."

A white-masked figure immediately stepped forward.

"Yes."

"Assemble the team as quickly as possible."

The Tower Master paused.

"And create the team from the Spirit Corpse division. We don’t know what’s waiting inside that base, and I won’t have us walking in unprepared."

Firestick bowed.

"Understood."

Then he vanished from where he stood.

Victor watched the empty space for a moment before turning back toward the Tower Master.

"You’ll have our help, Victor."

The Tower Master’s voice carried through the chamber.

"And you’ll have the support of the Order."

Victor nodded.

The Tower Master’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Not because of the feather."

He glanced toward Nala.

"Not because of anything else you’ve shown us."

Then he looked directly at Victor.

"But because Samal chose you as his successor."

His voice became firm.

"Don’t let us down."

Victor held his gaze.

"I won’t."

There was nothing else to say.

Victor turned and walked toward the doors.

The Space Witch silently followed behind him.

For the first time since Lyra had disappeared, Victor finally had what he needed.

Help.

But the Tower Master’s words followed him out of the room.

You will no longer have the freedom you had before.

Victor pushed the thought aside.

That was a problem for later.

Right now, only one thing mattered.

Getting back to Region F before it was too late.