Book 9: Chapter 154: Carnage (2)
Book 9: Chapter 154: Carnage (2)
On the other side of the gate, despite what the Shruti might have assumed was cheering and excitement toward the foolishness of their enemies, the atmosphere was solemn. Or, rather, it was solemn within a minimalistically decorated Commander’s Tent.
Within, there were several individuals. The Patriarchs and Grand Elders of the Heaven, Jikan and Void Clans, as well as a few individuals dressed in beast skins.
Outside the tent, however, there was happiness. The soldiers believed that Shruti had lost their minds and their victory was at hand. In truth, many within the Commander’s Tent felt this way as well. However, there was one reason they didn’t dare to celebrate, and that was because the person who had brought them all together was still frowning deeply.
The person at the head of them all was none other than Head Void’s son and Aki Void’s father, Kaori Void.
Over the years of the Kitsune Clans’ seclusion, this person had proved himself to be near infallible. If he wasn’t so talented, he wouldn’t be able to pull BPA to act for him so early on.
Of course, in the former timeline, Kaori failed to entice the Beast Protection Assocation into action, something they later regretted greatly. This alone showed the amount of foresight that Kaori had. Though he technically relied on Dyon killing 4 numbered warriors and forcing 2 to betray their organization in order to get his way, his method was right in the end.
“This is too odd.” Kaori finally spoke. “The Shruti aren’t stupid. It’s either they’re luring us into a trap, or they’ve gained substantial help. Enough that they’re willing to go against us now.
“It can’t be forgotten that the relationship between Atlas and Shruti Clan is deep. Maybe they believe that with the creation of the Federation, they can get away with ignoring the inter-quadrant war taboo.”
A snort resounded through the room. “The Atlas Clan? Their ranking is nothing but a mirage. Their foundations aren’t anywhere near as deep as the other top 9 quadrants. In just one generation, they already fell two spots, from 5th to 7th. They’ll definitely be the next to fall from the top 9, following the Water Mist Sect’s lead.”
The man who spoke stood at almost 9 feet tall and had a fiery red mane for a beard. Technically, his bloodline was actually from a mere Earth Grade race of Crimson Lion, but due to fortuitous encounters, he broke through continuously to raise himself to the Transcendent Grade.
He was Eight!
Kaori shook his head. “There is a 69% probability that Emperor Atlas chose a treasure capable of benefitting his entire Clan instead of choosing selfishly, possibly one capable of cleansing Faith to birth greater talents or increasing the qi density of a territory. He’s an ambitious individual who hides himself deeply. If you underestimate the Atlas Clan due to their foundations, you will lose.”
Eight snorted once more, but didn’t refute.
“What does Head Void suggest we do?”
A woman with narrow eyes spoke. Her visage was exceptionally venomous, but she didn’t have a serpentine bloodline. Though her eyes were sharp, the astounding beauty she held was no doubt from the Humming Sparrow Clan, a Peak Transcendent Grade bird race.
She was Four, the highest ranked numbered warrior dispatched. Since she spoke, the other numbered warriors didn’t dare to speak again.
“Ms. Humming, I think it’s best that we enter the Gate, we have no choice. Because your BPA is attempting to remain hidden, you haven’t accumulated any Faith on a large scale. If the Atlas Clan has truly come to help, we won’t stand a chance against their Faith and can only use the Gate’s help to block it.”
Four nodded her head. If it was someone else who called her by her true name, she might have killed him or her directly. But since it was Kaori… She allowed it.
“However, we can’t enter without a plan of action.” Kaori turned to an unassuming petite man who seemed invisible despite the fact he was clearly before them all.
“Five, I’ll have to rely on you and your Shadow Dhino warriors to scout the situation.” Kaori turned once more, this time to a tall and lanky woman. “Seven, I would like your Six-Wing Dhino warriors to act at the vanguard. Be swift and be prepared to retreat at a moment’s notice. In fact, I’d like you to launch only a single assault before quickly retreating.
“Eight, you Crimson Legion will act as the protectors of Seven’s warriors, holding up the backline and allowing them to retreat at a moment’s notice.”
The Dhino Race. It was a subspecies that controlled 50% of the Transcendent Beast Alliance. They were a group of beasts infinitesimally close to Dragons. Their dragon bloodline couldn’t be described as a few strands like Ten who Dyon killed… In fact, wyverns were a part of this subspecies.
The Shadow Dhino Clan had the bloodline of the extinct Shadow Dragon Race… The Six-Wing Dhino Clan had the bloodline of the extinct Six-Wing Rainbow Dragon Race… Their strength should be underestimated…
“Six, your Holy Mammoth warriors will stay at our entrance Key Tower and defend that like. And Ms. Humming… If necessary, I need you to hold down their strongest expert should the need arise.
“The goal for this campaign is to defend and retreats safely, we will minimize the losses and control for unexpected variables. Control yourselves, follow my commands, and even if we don’t win, we won’t lose either.”
The meeting ended without another word of protest.