Chapter 995 Target & Plan
"What's going on?" Young Master Zion asked with astonishment after seeing the bloodied subordinate.
The Third Palace was the least affected by Lord Rholthos' coup out of the three palaces. The other two palaces had no time to react when Lord Rholthos suddenly led all his subordinates to attack
As such, the First Palace and Second Palace could only defend and not retaliate.
"Is the Third Palace under attack? How did you suffer such serious injuries?" Young Master Zion inquired.
However, the Extremity-rank Battle Master shook his head urgently.
"There's no time to explain, Young Master! Lord Rholthos has fallen, and Supreme Elder Ragnir wants all of Lord Rholthos's family dead! You need to get away from this place quickly! The others won't stall the Supreme Elder's people for long!"
Young Master Zion wanted to ask further, but his mother quickly dragged him into the back of the room and opened a secret underground passage.
"Leave, Zion. This secret passage will take you to the bottom of the mountain. You must survive to take revenge for us one day, Zion!" Zion's mother said decisively.
However, everything was happening too quickly. Zion couldn't accept what his mother was trying to do.
"What do you mean, mother? Are you not coming with me?" Zion asked with a trembling voice.
"No, I cannot. I am the third wife of Palace Lord Rholthos. I am easily recognized wherever I go," Zion's mother said.
"However, you are different. You are my son, the youngest child of Palace Lord Rholthos; not many people recognize you. There's a chance you can slip away once you reach the bottom of the mountain."
"Now, go! Don't make me repeat myself! I will buy as much time for your escape!" Zion's mother stated firmly.
"Young Master Zion!" a small group of Battle Masters quickly rushed into the inner courtyard with urgent news.
They were Young Master Zion's loyal subordinates.
"The situation outside is very terrible! Supreme Elder Ragnir has betrayed Palace Lord Rholthos and forcefully assumed the Palace Master position! You need to get away from here quickly!"
"You all came just in time. Take my son away and make sure he makes it out of the mountains alive!" Zion's mother instructed the newcomers.
"Understood, my Lady. Even if we have to sacrifice our lives, we will make sure Young Master Zion gets out of the Battle God Palace alive!" the subordinates assured.
Shortly after, they grabbed Zion and forcefully dragged him into the secret underground passage.
"No—! Mother, don't leave me! I don't want to leave you behind! Stop, Uncle Bonz! I don't want to leave without my mother!" Zion cried.
No matter how talented or how strong Zion was, he was still a 13-year-old boy. He was not ready to part with his mother.
"I understand your pain, but now is not the time to throw a tantrum! Lady Gwena has already made her choice!" Bonz stated seriously.
As time passed, the sounds of battle outside drew closer. Everyone knew they were running out of time.
"There's no more time. The enemy is already at the door. You all need to leave!" Zion's mother urged.
After the subordinates took Zion through the secret underground passage, Zion's mother sealed the entrance and covered up all traces of its existence.
Afterward, she awaited her fate alongside the bloodied subordinate.
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Battle God Palace, First Palace
Supreme Elder Ragnir listened to the distant screams of battle with an indifferent look while gazing in the western direction.
Although the Battle God Palace lost precious strength due to their internal conflict, it was necessary to clean the house in order to stabilize his rule.
"Supreme Elder—No, Palace Master, about four-fifths of Palace Lord Rholthos's forces have surrendered and expressed their support in you becoming the Palace Master," a subordinate reported.
"Four-fifths of Palace Lord Rholthos's forces surrendered, huh?" Supreme Elder Ragnir muttered.
"This is higher than I anticipated. I suppose that just means Palace Lord Rholthos's forces had many smart people within their ranks. At least they won't have to die needlessly."
"Or it could just mean that Palace Lord Rholthos didn't have that many loyal subordinates, Palace Master," the subordinate added. "What are your next orders, my Lord?"
"The Battle God Palace has been too reclused from the affairs in the Infertile Plains. Many tribes have risen with the hopes of replacing us," Supreme Elder Ragnir mentioned.
"After Palace Lord Rholthos's family members are dealt with, reorganize the Palace Lord Rholthos's forces into our ranks and have them prepare for war. The Battle God Palace needs to show its strength to the world and let these ambitious tribes know who the hegemon of the Infertile Plains is."
"We'll start with the eastern tribes," Supreme Elder Ragnir stated.
"Understood, Palace Master."
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Darkmoon Tribe, Great Hall
"And that's what happened in the past few days, Alliance Leader," an informant finished his report on Central Region's situation—or more precisely, the Battle God Palace's situation.
"I see. So a coup happened in the Battle God Palace, yet none of the palace lords became the victor, huh?" Leon rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Perhaps, it could have been more interesting if I had left the other two palace lords to return alive. However, now is not the time to dwell on past choices."
"Since the Battle God Palace has started making its move on the eastern tribes, it's time that we also started making our moves," Leon declared.
"Are we going to join the fray in the Central Region? Our strength has certainly grown, but we are still lacking in terms of Battle Kings," Chief Valencia mentioned with a frown.
However, Leon shook his head.
"No, the Central Region is the heart of the storm. If the Southern tribes attack the central tribes, it will only fuel the chaos and increase the death toll drastically."
"We will target the western tribes," Leon stated.
"Furthermore, we will avoid violence if necessary. Our main objective is to promote the peaceful assimilation of other tribes through our words alone."
Chief Valencia and the other leaders in the hall immediately frowned.
"This… Are you sure this option is even possible, Alliance Leader?" Battle King One-Eye asked.