"Your little scheme is about to go terribly wrong?"
In the darkened hall, an elder clad in golden robes stroked his long beard, eyes narrowing slightly as a mocking curve formed at the corners of his mouth.
High above in the hall, the black-armored knight seated upon the throne propped his cheek with his right hand.
On the black water screen at the hall's center, Rope and Sumi's exchange played out at a rather favorable angle.
"Indeed, trouble has arisen. But it was merely a sacrificial pawn. Luring such a big fish out is rather a pleasant surprise."
A hoarse, decayed voice emerged from beneath the black armor. A hint of amusement flickered in eyes crimson as blood-red crystal.
Seeing no further reaction from the knight in black armor, the smile on the golden-robed elder's face gradually faded, finally settling into cold indifference.
"I advise you not to set your sights on that child. When those creatures besiege you, I will not lift a finger to help."
The black-armored knight responded with a hoarse chuckle.
"Hah! How could I possibly provoke them? It's rare for so many Sovereigns in the Void to unite so seamlessly over a single matter."
"I'm not insane. I won't give them an opening at this critical juncture."
The Black Armored Knight appeared genuinely pleased. Though his words denied interest, the Golden-Robed Elder detected a hint of anticipation in his tone.
The Golden-Robed Elder shook his head silently. There was no sound approach to dealing with this madman before him.
"What do you think of my proposal?"
The golden-robed elder abruptly changed tack: "This is a genuine invitation. The petty skirmishes you orchestrate yield nowhere near sufficient gains. If only..."
"I... have no interest in the 'gains' you speak of."
The elder's words were cut short by the Black Armor Knight's interruption.
The elder snapped irritably, "At least let me finish! How am I supposed to account for this mission now?"
"Mission? I thought you lot would be more equal when you banded together? Turns out there's still those who do the work and those who assign it?"
For some reason, the Black Armor Knight's voice seemed to perk up noticeably when the topic of labor came up.
"You call that an alliance? Is your idea of an alliance everyone sharing a drink together, then facing danger each fighting for themselves, needlessly feeding their opponents?"
The golden-robed elder rolled his eyes. "How many such people have we encountered in our growth? And how many have become the souls beneath our feet?"
The Black Armor Knight replied with little enthusiasm: "Honestly, I have no interest in your alliance. I have no interest in this war. If you ever decide to punch through the ceiling, then come knocking on my door."
"A pointless alliance, a tedious war, uninteresting opponents."
By the end of his statement, the Black Armor Knight's tone had even taken on a hint of coldness.
The golden-robed elder, familiar with him, knew this tone wasn't directed at himself.
Still, he said nothing more. Instead, he gazed at Rope's face reflected on the water screen and stroked his beard once more.
"I wouldn't advise targeting him either. After all, I doubt our plans for sabotage would align," the Black Armor Knight said sullenly. My approach might be acceptable to them, but yours? The moment it surfaces, your fledgling alliance could be wiped out."
"At the very least, that monkey would storm your temple and burn every last branch of your golden tree for kindling."
At these words, the gleam in the golden-robed elder's eyes abruptly faded. After a long silence, he finally sighed.
"I once believed the Supreme were the pinnacle of this world. Even if there were differences in strength among them, the gaps couldn't be that vast. But now it seems the disparities between the Supreme are absurdly enormous."
The Black Armored Knight paid no heed to the elder's despondency, merely replying indifferently, "Power will not forsake you. The alliances forged among the weak are often nothing but a laughingstock to the strong. You'd be wise to focus solely on self-preservation..."
Before finishing his sentence, the Black Armored Knight let out a laugh.
How could those seeking alliances under such circumstances possibly aim to peacefully weather this storm? They were undoubtedly pursuing something.
"You needn't set your sights on me. I'm quite content with what I possess now. And regardless of who emerges victorious in your conflict, it won't affect me. Or rather, I welcome you to come looking for trouble."
"Gerd, I'm giving you solid advice. Seek gains, yes. But don't even think about shaking any of the privileges. That's not something you can touch."
The Black Armored Knight's words were thick with warning.
"Even the privileges in your own hands? Kiran?"
The golden-robed elder, Gerd, suddenly spoke up.
Kiran paused, then burst into laughter once more.
"Hahahaha! Welcome! I eagerly anticipate our battle! May you bring me great amusement!!!"
With that, Kiran seemed possessed, snatching the black greatsword beside him and swinging it toward Gerd.
A black blade of light drifted toward Gerd.
Gerd's expression changed instantly. He grabbed his branch-like staff, plucked a leaf from it, and held it before him.
A golden leaf-shaped shield unfolded, blocking Gerd's path. The collision between the black sword beam and the golden leaf shield forced Gerd and his shield backward.
Visible cracks appeared on the leaf shield, intertwining with the dazzling golden veins like a spiderweb. The entire shield looked as if it could be pierced with a single jab.
After a long moment, the black sword light's power steadily diminished, while the cracks on the golden leaf shield multiplied.
Finally, the black blade light dissipated, and the golden leaf shield bore visible signs of shattering. Yet it remained steadfast, refusing to collapse.
Gerd dispersed the shield. A single, now-dulled golden leaf drifted to the ground.
On the branch-like staff, one more leaf fell from the already sparse foliage. Still, the leaf's root remained visible, attached to the staff. It appeared capable of regeneration.
"Are you out of your mind?"
Gerd roared furiously. "I was just speaking off the cuff!"
"This was merely a casual strike from me."
Kiran spoke without mercy.
"Gerd, if you wish to challenge me, I welcome it anytime. But I don't want you among them."
"I don't have many friends. I don't want to kill another one with my own hands."
With that, Kiran fell silent.
Just as Gerd was about to speak, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
Turning around, he saw a young boy dressed in black servant's attire standing there, wearing a polite smile.
The crucial point was this: before Gerd could react, the child had the capability to deliver a backstab with ease.
"Mr. Gerd, please leave. The master is resting."
Gerd exhaled in relief, then glanced at Kiran. "I understand your thoughts. We both owe a debt to the Ancestral Dragon. I won't harm him."
With that, Gerd lifted his staff and departed.
Kiran watched his friend leave in silence.
"Your Excellency, such drastic measures were unnecessary."
The young attendant murmured, head bowed.
"I have few friends. I wish to lose none more."
Kiran replied, his tone detached.
He watched the water screen display Rope's surging power, silently shaking his head. With a flick of his hand, the screen dissolved.
"The legacy of those who came before can offer much shelter. The aid of your kind will carry you far. But... could you be the one to break free from these bonds?"
At this, a self-mocking smile touched the face beneath the mask.
——————————
Rope remained unaware of the current issues within the void. Power surged relentlessly through his body. Even with the utmost restraint, traces of dreamscapes and temporal ripples reappeared on Rope's form.
Year had restrained his power as much as possible. Yet despite this, when Rope's body absorbed Year's energy, unavoidable leaks of elemental attributes still occurred.
Rope's overall energy had undergone a massive, albeit slight, enhancement. His flame abilities remained intact, yet he could now also wield Year's powers of dreams, time, and space.
More crucially,
Year's will had not descended.
Feeling the surging power within him, Rope finally let out a breath of relief.
He also sensed the pressure emanating from the world itself.
As his power reached a certain threshold, he thought he heard a voice.
He strained to listen. The sound grew clearer, more distinct.
Finally, Rope made out the words.
"Stop growing any bigger! I can't fit any more!"