Chapter 748
"Alliance leader of the Holy Sword?" The Leader of the White Blood Religion sneered at Rector, reflected in the last gray window. "You think you can handle the Holy Sword Alliance?"
She waved her hand dismissively, signaling him not to speak nonsense.
"That's none of your business. I've already ascended to the position of Alliance leader." Rector sneered back, tilting his chin arrogantly.
"You're insolent." The Leader of the White Blood Religion uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, her killing intent rising. "How dare you, an old man who's been hiding behind the previous leader."
"Let's wait a moment." The Fallen waved his hand at the White Blood Religion leader, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at Rector. "Lord Rector, calling yourself the Alliance leader means you've taken control of the Holy Sword Alliance, right?"
"If that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have come here," Rector replied coolly. His eyes were dry and sharp.
"Impressive. However..." The Fallen's gaze began to gleam red. "To swallow up that massive alliance as if you'd been waiting, you must have prepared even before the previous leader died..." His snake-like eyes studied Rector intently.
"Hmm..." Derus Robert sank back into his throne, stroking his chin, clearly intrigued.
"Think what you want," Rector said, unfazed by the Leader of the White Blood Religion's provocation or The Fallen's challenge. "If my presence is uncomfortable, I'll leave." His voice was cold, detached.
"Fine. Get lost." The White Blood Religion leader snorted. "We're better off without the likes of you anyway."
"Let's wait," Derus interjected between them. "Even though there are some concerning factors, the Five Kings are more united than ever. It would be foolish to abandon a force like the Holy Sword Alliance now."
"The reason the Holy Sword Alliance is so massive was because of their leader! Do you think that old man can replace the previous leader?" The White Blood Religion leader tapped her temple, emphasizing her point.
"Of course he can't. He probably knows that better than anyone." Derus turned his gaze to Rector, a faint smile on his lips.
"But everyone here can sense that his martial prowess is not that of an ordinary Transcendent Warrior." Even the White Blood Religion leader seemed to acknowledge Rector's skill, wrinkling her nose.
"Except for the leaders of the Five Kings and Five Demons, no one on this continent can match the Sword Demon. Unless the Warlord or the Blade Queen returns. Even the riffraff of the Five Divine Orders are no match." Derus's voice carried absolute confidence.
"That's not true, though?" The White Blood Religion leader narrowed her eyes. "There is one person not inferior even compared to him..."
"That's not a card you can casually play, is it?" Derus laughed lightly.
"You..." The White Blood Religion leader's expression froze.
"How much do you know?"
"Well..." Derus turned his head, not answering directly. "Anyway, it's right to acknowledge the Sword Demon's martial prowess and his ability to control the Holy Sword Alliance so quickly. If no one opposes, let's proceed with the conference."
He gestured for opposition. The Fallen and the Black Tower Master did not raise a finger, and even the White Blood Religion leader, while frowning, remained silent.
"Since it's come to this," Derus nodded to Rector. "As fellow newcomers, I look forward to working with you."
"Hm." Rector leaned back in his chair, snorting as if expecting this outcome.
"But..." The White Blood Religion leader frowned, glaring at Derus. "Why is the newcomer leading the conference like he's the head?"
"Because I convened this conference," Derus shrugged. "I've opened a secretive channel using the Six Kings' conference method. That should be acceptable, right?"
"I don't mind." The Fallen smiled softly. The Black Tower Master's window shook ominously, though it was unclear if it signified agreement or refusal.
"Since there seems to be no opposition, let's start the conference…"
"Ah, before that." The Fallen raised his hand with a chilling smile. "Could you tell us who the Archangel you summoned is?"
"It's Archangel Uriel," Derus answered without hesitation.
"Is he on our side?" The White Blood Religion leader narrowed her eyes.
"It's not that simple. Let's call it mutual assistance," Derus explained calmly. "I help with his affairs, he helps with mine. It's similar to the relationship you all have."
"At least that means he's not an enemy."
"Correct. As long as we don't provoke him, Uriel won't attack the Five Demons. I guarantee it." Derus snapped his fingers as if to emphasize his point.
"I don't like it," the White Blood Religion leader frowned deeply.
"Believe me or not, just don't provoke Uriel. Simply put, you could call him a new demon," Derus laughed lightly, "or even the Sixth Demon."
"Is that answer satisfactory?"
"...It's sufficient." The Fallen nodded calmly.
"Then let me ask one thing too," Derus continued, stroking the armrest. "Is the one called the Heavenly Demon not coming out?"
"I actually went to look for him," The Fallen sighed. "I came back without even meeting him. It seems he has no intention of coming out yet. It might take some time."
"Hmph. Can't even control one guy like that." The White Blood Religion leader rolled her eyes.
"As I've said many times, he and I are equals. I can't just order him around," The Fallen explained, clasping his hands.
"I see."
"Yes. That's right." Derus and The Fallen exchanged subtle smiles.
"If your curiosity is satisfied, shall we start the conference?"
Rector furrowed his brow, eager to finish. "You're impatient. Fine."
Derus spread his right hand. "The Five Kings are currently using Black Market intelligence to locate the Five Demons' headquarters. If they pinpoint our location, they'll mobilize Transcendent Warriors to wipe us out in one fell swoop."
"In this situation, moving directly isn't wise. We could be picked off one by one."
"So what do you suggest we do?" The White Blood Religion leader waved her hand impatiently.
"At times like this, we need to create disturbances from the outside, not within."
"Outside?"
"Yes. We should grow our strength at the edges of the continent."
A map of the continent unfolded behind Derus. "The Five Kings are strengthening themselves by exploiting our retreat. If we stay idle, we'll inevitably be crushed. We must grow stronger."
He pointed to areas at the continent's edges. "These are uncharted lands, with ancient relics and dungeons. Dangerous, yes—but the rewards are greater."
"Send your trusted subordinates to grow stronger, adding even one sharp blade to the coming war." Derus clenched his fist, his smile chilling.
"Don't state the obvious," the White Blood Religion leader snapped, glaring at him. "And don't speak in a commanding tone. It makes me want to kill you."
"I'll keep that in mind," Derus said serenely.
Hmph. The White Blood Religion leader snorted, erasing her gray window. The Black Tower Master's window also disappeared. The conference ended in silence.
"A conference of little value," Rector muttered coldly before his window disappeared.
"Lord Derus…" The Fallen smiled faintly. "Do you trust Lord Rector?"
"Who knows?" Derus raised his hand. "Lord Rector has saved Raon Zieghart three times. He might have other intentions. But regardless, we need his power."
"It's also true there's something to exploit, isn't it?"
The Fallen nodded.
Derus and The Fallen ended the video conference with eerie smiles, probing each other's intentions.
"He seems perceptive," Derus snorted, erasing The Fallen's window. "Did he actually see the Heavenly Demon?"
Though The Fallen claimed he hadn't met the Heavenly Demon, it was clear he had observed him.
"Lord Derus," Kubara, who had been observing from behind, stepped forward. "Are you planning to hide the fact that the Demon King's power resides in Raon Zieghart? That card is too valuable for others to misuse."
Derus shook his head lightly. "I alone… Only I have the right to bring down Raon Zieghart."
Meanwhile, Rector leaned back in his chair.
"Well done, Master… No, Alliance Leader." Mustan approached and bowed.
"Call me Master, as you have been." Rector waved weakly, slumping in his chair.
"I'm just a bit drained," he admitted. As expected, they're not easy opponents.
Even a video conference made his lungs feel dry. Derus Robert's power was unfathomable, but the others weren't at that level. He could buy time—but barely.
For Raon and Sylvia. Rector wanted to create opportunities that would empower them, even at the cost of his old life.
"What happened to the Formless Sword Lord and the White Demon Swordsman?" Mustan asked.
"They still don't acknowledge you as Union Leader, Master."
"That's to be expected. They were drawn by the madness of the previous Holy Sword Alliance Leader…" Rector shook his head, eyes meeting those of a squirrel outside.
"Master?"
"It's nothing."
Rector stood and left the platform. His back was broad and sturdy, but a sense of loneliness lingered.
Meanwhile, Raon and Burren sparred fiercely. Their swords clashed, then separated roughly.
"Not a bad sword," Raon said, lowering his Heavenly Drive. "It's fast, disciplined, sharp—but the intricacies are disconnected."
"You probably know why better than I do."
Raon struck Burren's thigh. "It's because you can't let go of the finesse you've had from the beginning. Fully embrace what you want to keep, discard what you want to let go—but you're doing neither."
Burren groaned, spitting blood, but nodded. "I'll make a clear decision… let's continue."
Raon waved his hand. "You've reached your limit. Push further and you'll regress due to injury. Besides, training time is over." He pointed at the moonlit sky.
That eyeball brat… His personality has changed, but his eyes… Wrath muttered.
Burren smiled regretfully, sheathing his sword. "Looks like I'll have to wait a while again."
"L-Lord Raon! Lord Burren!" Dorian ran over with bread in his mouth. "The Central Martial Palace Lord has come out of the Room of Self!"
Raon sheathed the Heavenly Drive, sighed, and left the training ground with heavy steps.
Karoon Zieghart… Whether you'll stand before me or…