Death... and me

Duran then changed the topic as he continued, "Well, it's not something you need to be concerned about. I have my reason to be like that. I just mentioned it so that you wouldn't open your mouth in case you get captured or something like that. Now, let's talk about the plan. Will the Divine Demon Beasts really do it?"

Rean nodded, saying, "They will. They, too, are very aware that taking control over the entire planet is impossible. The Zasfins have constructed a strong foundation after so many years, expanding as much as possible. At the moment, ending this war is the best option, even for demon beasts like them. It's just that the Zasfins won't give up the best territories that easily."

Duran obviously knew about that, saying in response, "We've gained control over those continents ever since we got Celis, which has been a very, very long time. Even I feel like it would be a waste to simply let all of that go."

Rean shook his head as he replied, "It'll be impossible to defend everything since those regions aren't all close to each other. The demon beasts will definitely succeed in overtaking some of them with just sheer strength and numbers. You must understand that other than the Demon Beast Continent, most of the different areas they have control over are not as good as what the Zasfins have. That being said, they have no need to defend them since the Zasfins would need to take their forces from the good areas to attack. The demon beasts can simply ignore defense and focus on all-out attacks."

There was one thing that Sevinia didn't understand, though. "But why would you come up with this plan if you can already take some of the territories by yourselves?"

Duran knew the answer for that, saying, "That's simple. Even if they do take it, our side won't give up that easily. It's not like you don't understand how prideful the Soul Rulers organization is. The reason to help us with this plan is so that a member of our clan takes the position of leader. With that in hand, we can stop that from happening."

Rean smiled in response, saying, "Good thing that you understand."

Red asked something else, though. "But what if the Hafel Clan becomes the one who wants to take the territories bac-ah!" Red already understood why even before finishing his question.

Rean noticed that and smiled once again as he said, "Seems like you get it. It's because of us that the Hafel Clan would get to be the next leader. If we reveal our plans after that happens, do you think the other clans would stay quiet? In the end, both demon beasts and the Hafel Clan would be in a position where they couldn't break each other's promise since it would be detrimental for both sides. Nothing good would come of it."

Duran and Sevinia nodded after hearing that. That also worked as insurance for them. After all, if they get overthrown because the plan was found out, the next leader would definitely attack the territories again. That's not what the demon beasts wanted. 

At the same time, back in the Demon Beast Alliance, Phex, Roan, and Frin were having a conversation. Phex had come to ask for his opinion on the war happening on his side. After all, Roan proved that he was a much better commander than any of them. 

However, what Roan decided to talk about was not what Phex and Frin expected. "Wait! Rean did what?!"

Roan repeated his previous words, saying, "He went to Watisan City to meet the leader of the Hafel Clan, Sevinia Hafel."

If Phex or Frin had found out about it from someone else, they would have laughed it off. After all, Rean must want to die to do such a thing. Even if they believed those words, they would think that Rean betrayed the demon beasts by doing that. However, the one saying it now was none other than his brother, Roan. And from the looks of it, that was something Roan and Rean decided together. 

Phex calmed down first and finally decided to ask, "For you to come up with this bomb, it seems like you aren't trying to betray us, right?"

Roan snorted as he replied, "Hmph! Isn't that obvious? Why would we do such an idiotic thing and stay here in the Demon Beast Alliance? We did that because we obviously want to get the most out of this war."

Phex and Frin looked at each other and nodded after that as Phex said in response, "Alright, tell us more."

Roan then proceeded to explain the same thing as Rean did to Duran and Sevinia. "If we do that, we can keep control over the good territories for the next few thousand years. Only after the ones involved in this plan ascend or die would this agreement disappear in the darkness. However, by that time, both sides would have already consolidated their positions. Simply put, it will have nothing to do with us anymore. Whether the demon beasts or the Zasfins of the future lose their territories, they will only have themselves to blame."

Phex and Frin looked at Roan with weird expressions, saying, "You do know that our demon beasts have been confined in the Demon Beast Continent for a long time, right? I don't think they'll stop attacking just because we got a few of the good territories."

Roan shrugged his shoulders as he said, "That's your problem to solve, not mine. If you're really thinking about the future of the demon beasts, you will have to convince them. First of all, it's not like both sides will suddenly become friends after the war is over. Battles will still happen here and there. It's just that something like taking over a continent won't be possible anymore. In any case, they can release their anger as much as they want."

Phex pondered over it a bit and had to admit it made sense. "Well, that might work."

Still, he couldn't help but ask, "However, you still haven't told us how you will make a Hafel Clan member become the next Soul Rulers' leader."

Roan shrugged his shoulders as he said, "At their present stage, there's only one way. War merits." Sure enough, Roan said the same thing as Rean.