Chapter 337: Three Pillars United

Chapter 337: Chapter 337: Three Pillars United

Chapter 337: Three Pillars United

Midnight descended over Valdris City.

Within the Valdris Royal Academy’s underground chamber that completely severed all auras from the outside world, a historic meeting was taking place.

Rhain sat calmly at one side of a massive circular stone table.

Dean Qaylus stood beside him, with an intensely solemn expression.

Sitting opposite them were two men whose combined authority ruled the rest of Valdris City.

On the left sat the Vaelstrum Patriarch with a slightly ugly expression.

On the right sat a man with an aura so powerful it felt as though thousands of invisible blades were cutting the air around him.

This was Sect Master Wexian of the Nebula Sword Sect.

The atmosphere between the two leaders was unspeakably oppressive.

For a thousand years, their factions had fought for supremacy. To sit at the same table was an unprecedented anomaly.

"Let us dispense with the glares," Sect Master Wexian spoke first, his voice cold and sharp, matching his demeanor. He turned his gaze toward Rhain. "Second Prince Arien has requested me for your survival. Because of His Highness’s, the Nebula Sword Sect will formally align with you, Rhain Voss."

The Vaelstrum Patriarch let out a disdainful scoff, shooting a dirty look at his rival before turning to Rhain with a gaze full of gratitude.

"And the Vaelstrum Clan cares nothing for the Second Prince," the Patriarch declared proudly. "But because of you, Grandmaster Korryn agreed to help my dying ancestor. Our entire clans owes Grandmaster Korryn, and so the Vaelstrum Clan will also stand with you."

Qaylus let out a heavy exhale.

It had actually happened.

The Valdris Royal Academy, the Vaelstrum Clan, and the Nebula Sword Sect.

The three foundational pillars of Valdris City were completely united for the very first time in two and a half millennia!

"With our combined forces," Qaylus stated, his voice severe with the magnitude of the moment, "Even the Emperor would have to think twice before making any impetuous move against Rhain."

"Do not be foolish, Qaylus," Sect Master Wexian interrupted suddenly, crossing his arms. "Hiding behind our walls is a coward’s tactic, and it will eventually fail. The Emperor has issued a Royal Decree. If we simply ignore it, we force the Emperor into a corner where he must attack to preserve the dignity of the Imperial throne."

Vaelstrum Patriarch nodded in grim agreement, putting aside his hatred for the man sitting beside him. "Wexian is right. We cannot simply sit here and wait. We must give the Emperor a way to retreat, a way to retract the decree without losing his face."

Rhain’s dark grey eyes narrowed. "What are you proposing?"

Sect Master Wexian leaned forward, his piercing eyes locking onto Rhain.

"We take the initiative," Wexian stated boldly. "The three of us will personally escort you to Solathane City. We will march directly into the Royal Court before the deadline expires."

Qaylus’s face turned ghastly white. "Are you insane, Wexian? You want Rhain to walk into the trap surrounded by his enemies?"

"It is the only solution," Vaelstrum Patriarch countered, "If we present a unified front and formally request a pardon for Rhain, Emperor will be forced to weigh the cost. Executing the boy would mean instantly declaring war on the three of us right there in his court. By asking for a pardon respectfully, we give him the excuse he needs to spare the boy’s life while maintaining his supreme authority."

Wexian gave a sharp nod. "We guarantee your life, Rhain. As long as we stand beside you and ask for this pardon, you will survive for certain. Emperor is not stupid; he will not ruin his dynasty over a dead clone when faced with the combined might of Valdris."

The chamber fell silent.

It was an astronomical gamble.

They were literally proposing to walk the most wanted fugitive in the dynasty directly to the feet of the Emperor who wanted him dead.

A single miscalculation, and Rhain could lose his life.

Qaylus opened his mouth to object, terrified of the risk. But before he could speak, a calm, chilling voice came across the table.

"I agree."

Qaylus, Wexian, and the Vaelstrum Patriarch all snapped their heads toward Rhain.

Dean Qaylus stared at Rhain, utterly dumbfounded. "Rhain... do you understand what you are agreeing to?"

Rhain’s dark grey eyes did not waver in the slightest.

"I understand perfectly," Rhain stated flatly. "As Sect Master Wexian suggested, If we simply wait behind these walls, we will be forcing Emperor’s hands. But if we march to the capital with the combined might of Valdris City, we force the Emperor to make a choice. It is the most rational move."

Sect Master Wexian let out a sharp, appreciative laugh. "You have courage, boy. I respect that."

The Vaelstrum Patriarch offered a solemn nod. "With the three of us standing by your side, Emperor Haldrion will not dare to execute you without risking an unrecoverable loss to his dynasty."

Qaylus looked at the unyielding, confident expression of all three men

He let out a long sigh.

"Fine," Qaylus finally conceded, realizing that trying to change Rhain’s mind was simply futile. "We will depart for Solathane City tomorrow morning."

-------------------

A short while later, Rhain stepped out of the secret chamber and made his way back through the moonlit pathways of the Academy.

As he approached his secluded guest courtyard, he immediately spotted the two beautiful women with worried expressions.

Seris and Liana had been waiting outside in the cool night air, pacing restlessly.

"Husband!" Seris looked up agitatedly as she saw Rhain approaching. "What happened? Did you all find a way to stop the Royal Decree?"

Liana stepped up closely behind her, her emerald eyes filled with an anxious look. "Rhain, what is the plan?"

Rhain looked at their fearful faces.

"The meeting was a success," Rhain spoke calmly. "Dean Qaylus, Sect Master Wexian, and the Vaelstrum Patriarch have formally agreed to an alliance."

Seris and Liana felt a wave of relief after hearing Rhain’s words.

Liana pressed a hand to her chest, feeling as if a heavy boulder had been lifted from her heart. "Thank the Gods... With the entire city united, the Imperial Families won’t dare to attack you in the Academy!"

"We are not staying in the Academy," Rhain stated.

The relieved smiles on the girls’ faces froze instantly. ℴ

"Tomorrow morning," Rhain continued carefully, "I am leaving for Solathane City. We are marching directly into the Royal Court. Dean Qaylus, Vaelstrum Patriarch, and Sect Master Wexian will personally escort me."

Seris’s smile instantly faded.

The color completely drained from her beautiful face.

"WHAT?!" Liana gasped.

"T-The Royal Capital?" Seris stammered, her voice shaking violently. "Husband, you are going to royal capital! The place where Lucuis is, where Emperor wants you dead."

"It is the best option we have in our hands," Rhain explained patiently. "By presenting a unified front of Valdris City’s highest powers inside his own court, we can force the Emperor to grant a pardon. It gives him a way to retract the decree without losing face."

Tears immediately welled up in Seris’s eyes.

Without a single second of hesitation, Seris fiercely gripped the fabric of his dark robes, her knuckles turning bone-white.

"I am coming with you! I cannot leave you alone surrounded by your enemies! If you go, I go!"

"Seris is right!" Liana also spoke, her tone filled with stubborn determination. "We will not let you face the Solathane Emperor alone!"

Rhain looked at the two girls, his heart warmed by their fierce care.

He gently wrapped his hand over Seris’s tightly clenched fists, his thumb softly stroking her knuckles to ease her trembling.

"You are not coming," Rhain said softly, but with an authority that left no room for argument. "Both of you will stay exactly here, under the protection of the Old Dean."

"But husband—!"

"Listen to me, Seris," Rhain interrupted gently, looking deeply into her tear-filled eyes, "Even if the Emperor himself tries to strike me down, I possess an artifact that can instantly teleport me thousands of miles away, bypassing any spatial lockdown they can muster."

Seris blinked through her tears, sniffing softly. "Truly?"

"Truly," Rhain nodded firmly. "Furthermore, I am being escorted by three peak Domain Masters whose combined authority rivals the Imperial Families. The Royal Court will not dare to make a reckless move."

Rhain gave her a confident, reassuring smile.

"I have never fought a battle I intended to lose. You just need to wait for me here. I promise, I will return to you completely unharmed."

He wiped a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb, "And you know I never break my promise."

Liana, watching his unwavering confidence, slowly let out a breath she had been holding.

She knew Rhain.

He was ruthless, calculating, and never took a gamble without a hidden trump card.

Seris bit her pink lip, still incredibly reluctant.

But feeling the reassuring warmth of his smile and looking into his placid, confident eyes, the frantic terror in her heart finally began to ease.

"You promise?" Seris whispered, her voice still trembling slightly.

"I promise," Rhain pulled her into a warm embrace, "I will return to you without a single scratch."

Seris gave a tiny defeated nod against his chest.

"Then you must come back safely, husband. I will be waiting for you."