'So many outroars in a single day'
As expected, the entire Castle was going crazy. Every lieutenant was dumbstruct as well. Including the other divine ranks present there.
Neither of them could believe he revealed that.
It straight up looked like an idiotic move to do. It was a great advantage after all.
The enemies knowing that the other has multiple cores will instantly make them more cautious.
But Caster believed it was the best thing to do. Simply because, with Caster's reknown, no one will take it easy on him anyways. But that doesn't mean he should reveal the nature.
There was a well thought out reason behind it.
And that was, failing his mission of killing Nephis.
He knew he wouldn't kill Nephis. But that didn't mean there would be no backlash. The backlash would come from not just his clan, the Han Li clan, but also from the song and the sword domains both.
Because sword domain is the one that issued the command to the Han Li clan, and Song domain is the one Han Li clan belongs to.
Both sword and the song domains sent someone to kill Nephis, Caster from the sword domain, despite being part of the song domain, and someone else from the song domain. That other person dies without even ever reaching the dark city.
So this means Caster failing would be against the wishes of both the song and sword domains.
But an awakened, doesn't matter the aspect rank, can not go against either of the domains, let alone both of the domains.
Which is why Caster decided to make his worth public.
Since Han Li is a clan under song already, Song would definitely forgive Caster and make him a legacy directly under Song itself. Sword would probably try to scout him as well. His talent was going to be sought after immensely.
Instead of being scrutinized by both domains, this would make it so that one of the domain will be at the beck and call of Caster in case he's in danger.
And only one domain will be after him.
Much better than being scrutinized by the entire world of legacies.
This would make it infinitely harder for him to get to chained Isles though, because he'll be a part of the song domain, and he needs to get to the chained isles for a very important reason.
Mordret.
He can't let Sunny meet the reflection of mordret, else his nature of shadow bond will be exposed to him.
He can't just join sword domain either, because he needs the Song sisters for another future plan. And Anvil is there.
So of course, this was still a massive risk. Seeing how he handled the last divine aspect user, mordret.
But there were more reasons for handling him like that... than him just being a divine aspect user. Which is why he trusted that even if he tries killing Caster, Ki Song would do all she can do not let that happen. Because Ki Song is much more reasonable than Anvil.
Well, in short, this means that chained Isles will be hard to reach for him and there'll be nothing he can do about it. Not at the moment at least.
'One can't have everything I guess.'
Essentially, his safety was obviously given more priority over Mordret finding out the nature of shadow bond... because this time there will be no Cassie trying to unleash mordret. Caster wouldn't let that happen.
But getting rid of a massive variable like mordret is very important as well. Caster had no plans to leave loose ends.
Him having a plan with the Song sisters just pushed Caster to join Song further. There were essentially no arguments for Caster to join sword, when he had many reasons to join song.
In conclusion, this plan of revealing his divine nature would not only make him get to his saturation of seven cores faster, possibly making him the strongest awakened in history, it would also make him safer. Well, as long as Ki Song valued a divine aspect user.
Still, revealing this was like a double edged sword. Him getting scrutinized by every domain and his clan would be bad, but him getting brutally assassinated by masters or saints from the Sword domain would definitely be worse.... if he doesn't get the protection from song.
He had to take a risk though.
***
However, Nephis and Sunny knew none of that. To them this was just a reckless decision made to get stronger immediately to fight a fallen terror at more even fields. Ignoring the consequences of everything apart from getting the people out of this place.
Even if it cost his own life.
Is that why he was the Opposed of Miracles?
They couldn't be sure of it.
But with this, they knew how Caster thought. Or well... they assumed it.
Caster is a noble person, willing to risk his all for the sake of his people. Revealing things about them that they would have never revealed about themselves.
However, that was not the truth.
And they wouldn't know that.
To them, this was the impression Caster would have on them forever.
'He's crazy.'
Thought the both of them in unison and then looked at the other.
Sunny looked because he suspected her to be a divine aspect user as well.
Nephis looked because she trusted Sunny and felt the need for getting some sort of closure.
However, both instantly found out due to this action that the other is a divine aspect user as well.
Why?
Neither of them knew.
They just felt like that was the case.
***
After the crowd calmed down, Caster spoke again.
"I know this may feel too good to be true. But I can assure you that it's true. I already have two cores as well. If I am able to get stronger and get seven cores... becoming a titan, I will have a much higher chance against the fallen terror. With this transcendent armor, it would bridge the gap further. I know this may feel like only strengthening me, but my strength will bring forth for the highest chance of your survival. My strength is your strength."
Caster paused for a moment, to think his next words carefully.
"Still! I wish for you to further strengthen me, after reaching full saturation yourself. Because your strength is my strength as well! It goes both ways."
"With this, I would like to conclude the announcement. I hope most of your questions have been asnwered for. I hope you know what changes we'll bring immediately. I hope you'll understand and cooperate regarding the 'why' we are doing. There's a ton of things that I'd like to make public as soon as possible, but that can only happen after we lieutenants discuss things. So for now, please work together so we can run this Castle effectively. So we can grow together and become an army that not even terrors can take down!"
Caster made a gesture of punching the air vertically, a gesture of unyielding, a gesture that indicates Caster's determination.
The entire hall, full of over a thousand people, shout out loud.
Many of them shouted praises for Caster.
Many of them shouted in anticipation.
Many of the shouted in displeasure.
Many of the shouted in loyalty.
"We shall prevail!"
"We shall prevail!"
"We shall prevail!"
With that Caster stopped standing in front of the throne finally.
He lowered himself onto the throne.
Sitting there, spine straight beneath the crushing weight of a thousand unseen lives, he did not look like a man crowned, but like a storm given flesh.
"Lord of Miracles!"
"Bright Lord!"
"Opposer of Miracles!"
"Eye of the Storm!"
All sorts of titles and epithets were being shot out of their mouths.
He was being treated as a deity.
He wasn't a deity, but he needed to become one for them.
It was an exhilarating feeling.
But also a nerve wracking feeling. Because now, the lives of over a thousand people saat on his shoulders.
He now had to fulfill his promises.
He can't let the others down anymore.
And he never will.
He had long dreamed of becoming something radiant, something beyond flesh and breath.
A miracle.
But he was also a paradox.
He was the opposer of miracles, but his existence itself was a miracle. He opposed one miracle with another.
He once thought it was a distant spark meant for saints and legends, never for the ordinary frame he bore.
Yet the world, relentless in its hungers, placed upon his shoulders the weight of a thousand lives. Each pulse a prayer, each voice a fragile ember, each soul asking him to be the wonder he had once only imagined.
He had discovered a truth during all this, riracles are not born from thunderclaps or divine hands, but from the slow endurance of one who refuses to falter when so many lean upon him. So, he won't become a miracle alone. He'll need the people who wants him to be their miracle, to become a miracle.
Because one must never underestimate the power of ordinary people to make a difference.
What he had once longed to be, he now was required to become. Required by the people of the castle.
He was their only hope.
Their miracle.
And becoming this miracle...
Was Caster's defiant promise.