In the grand, towering hall overlooking vast stretches of the Middle Regions, its walls seemed to speak with pride of the strength and wisdom of the middle clans that built it.
All the middle clans had come from every corner of the Middle Regions — the strong, the weak, and even the peace-loving ones — for none could ignore this summons.
The atmosphere was charged with a mix of tension and sorrow, a mad thirst for battle, and fear all at once.
They had all gathered for one reason… war was coming.
Every clan tried to learn what the great clans were thinking, and which side they would choose, for the storm of war would swallow everything, sparing only the strongest and those most determined to survive.
---
Outside the great gate of the hall, the processions of the middle clan kings arrived one after another.
Each king brought his heir to witness and learn from what would happen in this council — for that heir might soon become king, and this experience would be invaluable.
The scene reflected the status of every clan, whether weak or strong, but no one paid much attention to appearances.
The shadow of death loomed over them all — and it would not distinguish between the strong and the weak.
Among the processions, one king of a peace-loving clan looked visibly worried and frail.
He was deep in thought when his heir turned to him curiously and asked:
"Father… why must we go to war?
If humans are really coming to us, why not ally with them and strengthen ourselves?
Our true enemies are the Empires of the Multiverse — they are the ones who covet our world."
The king chuckled softly at his son's inexperience, seeing himself in him when he was young.
Then he sighed and said:
"My son, there is no such thing as absolute peace or absolute war.
If the great powers want to fight — who can stop them?
We are weak, and even if all the weak united, they could not compete with the strong clans.
And if those great powers wanted peace, then peace would spread — even if the weak clans sought vengeance for their loved ones' deaths… they could do nothing.
The problem is not with humans or any other clan, but with the influence of the higher and supreme clans.
They will never allow humans to return to the top of the hierarchy as they once were in the distant past.
And since the Egyptians have given us a chance to fight to become the chosen, unique clan that rules the cosmos — everyone will seize this opportunity."
The heir grew a little sad but composed himself and said:
"So, Father… there's no escaping war?
How many of us will die, and how many will survive?"
The king laughed again and looked at his inexperienced heir:
"There is a way, my son — you're just not thinking clearly.
If the great powers want war, only another power equal to them can force them to stop.
The clans are not so foolish as to destroy themselves in an endless battle."
The heir frowned.
"But how will such a power appear?
Didn't you say that even if the weak clans united, they could never rival the strong?"
The king answered calmly:
"Didn't you just ask me why we cannot ally with humans?
This power we are speaking of will surely be the humans themselves.
The clans here will evaluate the situation — some may even ally with the humans and fight alongside them.
This council is not just about war; it is about deciding which side each clan will stand on, and which alliance will give them resources and strength."
Then the king looked at his heir seriously and continued:
"Listen to me, my son — no clan is truly stupid.
They only make you think so to lower your guard, and then strike when you least expect it.
When you demand justice, they'll say: 'We are just fools, we meant no harm!'
We middle clans despise the higher clans.
Some clans are already considering allying with the humans — especially the legendary Egyptians who have not been seen for ages."
The heir smiled as he remembered the old stories of the ancient Egyptians — how they fought alone against the Empires of the Multiverse and never lost.
Every child from every clan dreamed of seeing those heroes, perhaps even fighting alongside them one day.
The king smiled as well, remembering how their clan once revered the Egyptians.
He also recalled his brief encounter with the King of Egypt in the Ceres World — the piercing gaze that seemed to see through souls, and the terrifying strength he radiated.
The king said to his son:
"Now you understand, my son?
Today you will witness how the clans scheme, how they deceive, and how the Dragon Clan will force us into war.
Do not be reckless — they will try to exploit the heirs' lack of experience, push them to rebel against their kings, and drag their clans into war… until death."
The heir asked, astonished:
"Then why do the kings bring their heirs with them, knowing this could happen?"
The king smirked:
"Fool!
If they didn't bring their heirs, their clan would lose status in the future.
Any heir who shows talent or power would then be invested in by the strong clans — it would appear as if he belonged to them… even if he didn't.
And the kings are not fools — they have contingency plans should their heir betray them."
The heir looked worriedly at his father.
"Father… will I be safe?"
The king smiled silently, only gazing at his son.
In that moment, the heir felt that his father was not just a parent — but a king before anything else.
He steadied himself and said:
"It seems I have stepped into a great storm… I must be careful."
Then he hesitated before asking:
"Won't the strong clans realize that we heirs are using them?"
The king replied:
"They know — but they don't care.
The heirs will fulfill certain tasks in exchange for what they desire… and that benefits them."
The heir sighed, impressed:
"This conversation is better than any book… I will learn so much from it."
He stared at his father in awe — never expecting such cunning from him.
Then he remembered something that puzzled him.
"Father… aren't we a peace-loving clan?
How can you think with such cunning, as if you fight every day?
You hardly ever leave the throne room!"
The king smiled calmly and nodded:
"It seems you've uncovered our secret, my son.
The first king of our clan chose for us to be peace-loving because peace is the best way to prepare for any possible war.
We do not recognize war or peace as absolute truths — we are a peace-loving clan at our core… yet ready for anything."
The heir looked at his father in a new light and thought:
"If my father is this wise and cunning… how devious must the other clans be?"
But then the king's expression returned to one of worry and frailty.
Before the heir could dwell on his thoughts, the procession reached the hall gates.
The dragon guard checked their identities, then allowed them entry.
Their procession stopped at their designated place.
The king and heir dismounted, escorted by servants to their seats.
The heir glanced at the colossal hall, which was divided into four sections: the Ice Region, the Volcano Region, the Forest Region, and the Mountain Region.
In front of each region stood one or two great thrones — seats of the great clans ruling those lands.
Their layout mirrored the geography of the Middle Regions.
The king and heir sat in the Forest section.
Slowly, the rest of the clans arrived, greeting their friends and allies, but avoiding other clans' areas to avoid accusations of betrayal.
The hall gradually filled — yet none of the strong clans had appeared.
When it was finally full, the Dragon Clan entered first, taking their seats in the Mountain section, declaring themselves the leaders of the region and of the council.
The other strong clans entered one after another, but one last supreme clan had yet to appear.
No one dared speak or start the meeting.
At last, the Yeti Clan arrived.
The overwhelming presence of their king made everyone cautious.
He looked straight at the Dragon leader, smirked, and then took his seat — the throne of the Ice Region.
The Yeti King spoke arrogantly:
"Thank you for waiting… I have arrived.
You may begin the council now."
The hall was filled with mixed emotions.
Some wished their clan was as strong as the Yeti, while others were visibly uneasy.
The Dragon King smiled as though unconcerned — though slightly annoyed — then raised his hand and declared:
"The council begins now."
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Next Stop: Survival belongs to the strongest… and the smartest.
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"Hello everyone! What do you think of the chapter and its planning? How do you believe the story will progress from now on? Does anyone have ideas about the novel's concept or its particular plot? If you have any questions, let me know—I'll answer them! And don't forget to support and rate the novel."