For a few moments, Daneel had no idea regarding what he should say.
Although this matter regarding Bartholomew had been in the back of his mind, he had been entirely absorbed in everything that he was mired in because of Jessica. Hence, this apology kind of came out of nowhere, and for a few seconds, he had to just keep looking into the Head's eyes while seeing the changes that were happening in them right after he had come out with the truth.
Where before there had been hesitation and self-doubt, there was clarity now, and this was the clarity that one could only achieve if they faced their inner demons and defeated them successfully, instead of sweeping them under the rug and resorting to things like excuses or justifications.
Daneel could imagine just how hard it must be for someone like the Head to speak in this way and apologize to someone who was supposed just supposed to be someone with a little talent from the Central Continent. True, he had never seemed like someone who had the same prejudice against those not from the Big Four like the others, but that didn't mean that he didn't have his own honor which belonged to one who had reached his amazing level of power, both as the Head and as a Hero who had recently awed everyone with that tremendous display when fighting against the Church.
Along with this clarity came the determination to do whatever was necessary to make amends for what he had done, and this made Daneel finally find out about the true conduct and character of this man whom he had once suspected to be just as bad as those he had heard of in the Big Four.
He might have his faults, but at the end of the day, he was someone noble, and he just might even be someone whom Daneel was inclined to admire.
After all, people with this kind of character were rare, and when found, they should never be left alone, especially if one wished to find the best of subordinates for themselves.
However, sadly, Daneel still wasn't in a position to think in that manner, but still, it felt good that the continent was in the hands of someone like this. If it wasn't, things might have been much worse, and he really did not want to think about how much more of a struggle he might have had to go through if that was the case.
Putting all that aside, he remembered the last words of the Head, and agreed that such an opportunity was really rare to come by.
Right away, he considered whether he should take the Head's help in going against Jessica, but after considering the rest of what he had said, it became clear that that might not be wise, and should only probably be chosen if there was no other option.
In the matter of Jessica, he would only depend on himself, and even though he didn't like that too much, it was a good thing that he at least now had clarity regarding just what she could and couldn't do.
It was clear that she wanted to go against him and beat him at his own game so that she could make him feel despair and hopelessness, so his professional pride which arose from being someone who had schemed...er, struggled his way to becoming the Head of the First Alliance of Angaria pushed him to want to defeat her fair and square, without taking outside help.
So… This offer of the Head should be used in a different way, but no matter how much Daneel thought about it, he couldn't figure out something at the moment.
As for his feelings regarding this man being involved in the entire thing with Bartholomew… It was clear now that he really had no way to expect that things would develop in the way that they had, and besides, Daneel had never been the sort to become vengeful for baseless reasons. He had already taken his revenge against that guy who was now in a painful coma at the moment, so he was satisfied with the way everything had turned out. In fact, now that he thought about it, the whole thing might actually have been to his profit, because he now had this offer that was definitely invaluable for anyone on the continent.
Finally, Daneel decided on what he should do, and said, "I understand that you had no way to change how things might have gone. Who knows, if it wasn't for the pressure, I might not even have uncovered the Bloodline with myself. I do not blame you, but I will happily take your offer, because like you said, all of it might not have happened at all if it weren't for you. But I will contact you later regarding just what I want from you. For now, I want it to be on hold, while I also go to the other two sects to go through their libraries, because I have still yet to break through as a mage."
The emotions that appeared on the Head's face while Daneel said his part were like a rollercoaster- at first, they were those of relief, but then, they showed a bit of consternation that was definitely because he was recalling what Bartholomew had done. After that, though, when the Bloodline was mentioned, there was agreement that was visible on his face, and finally, after Daneel stopped talking, he said, "Yes, I know. After that, you are expected to enter the Big Four. I hope you haven't forgotten that."
With a chuckle, Daneel shook his Head, following which the Head continued.
"Good, then. I must admit that my heart feels much lighter. Of course, I don't think I need to mention that you should never speak to anyone about this, right? What he did was wrong, but now, he really is in the perfect position to enter the Church and become a valuable spy. All of that will be ruined if even the slightest whisper is passed along to the Church that something like this might be possible. It is a plan long in the making, and I would really be loath to see it fail. The other two sects await your arrival, and you can go anytime to peruse their libraries. Be wary of ridicule, though, especially from the seeds who do not think too highly of your Bloodline, although the truth is that if you reach the peak, they will not stand a chance of landing even a scratch on you. This is a special trinket that I've made for you, which will be concealed to all, while in truth, it is a Hero-level barrier that will activate when you face any danger. Please, accept it as a last token of my apology."
Saying so, the Head handed over a small square-shaped gold object which pricked Daneel's finger as soon as he accepted it. Right away, the system scanned it and told him that it had multiple Hero-level formations embedded which were both to hide it from others eyes and make it look as if he was defenseless, while also standing ready to activate and protect him from almost anything that might wish to kill him on this continent.
As soon as it was bound to him using the blood, the trinket even disappeared into his skin, leaving no traces behind.
Feeling quite pleased with it, Daneel smiled, following which the Head nodded one last time and teleported away.
Even after the man left, for a few moments, Daneel couldn't help but keep smiling, because it really was something that should be celebrated that the Head was this kind of a man.
After that, though, the smile soured, because he had remembered Jessica.
It really was tempting to use the offer to go against her, but Daneel was now set on the path to use his own intellect instead. She was smart, and as he now thought about it, he realized that the reason behind the operation being so open must also be to tease him so that he would feel frustrated.
A clear mind was what had given him this insight, and it made Daneel realise that he should control his emotions, and at least not allow them to take over. Just because he was getting powerful, it didn't mean that he should forget that kid who had managed to control his extreme anger even though he had been made to forcefully bow on his feet by the previous King of Lanthanor.
Taking a deep breath, he was about to decide on what he was going to do next, but it was then that he received a message from the Head, who looked like he had forgotten to say something when he was here.
It went:
"One last thing. Like I said, in the matter of Jessica, you have to depend on yourself, and I wanted to inform you that a few individuals on the High Council who idly like to keep an eye on the Central Continent are watching. They have already seen the formations and trinkets you have used and deployed, and they are quite impressed with your talent in formations that allowed you to identify and adapt the things you found in the libraries of the Big Four for this purpose. It has been quite a long time since you've been to the Goddess's Sanctum, and it does make sense that it took you this long to achieve this. I warn you that Jessica might not take as much time, though, because she has some of the foremost formation masters under her bidding due to her master. Anyway, the way that you handle this matter might just cause you to get a favourable impression with a few very important members of the High Council, whom even I have address with respect. They admire wit, and if you get them behind you… It might just be invaluable, especially if you decide to do something which will result in you coming in front of the High Council to be judged. Heavens forbid that something like that doesn't happen, but if it does, it is always good to plan ahead, and I know how much you like plans. I will be watching too, King. Show us all what your mind is capable of."
Daneel got a surprised expression on his face when he heard this long speech.
He already knew that there were hidden people in the High Council who were probably either more powerful or were at least as powerful as the Head, but he couldn't have thought that those people would be watching him at the moment.
Well, they were Heroes, so it made sense that the system couldn't identify them.
As for their interest in this matter, and the idea of getting them behind him… The moment Daneel thought of this, a plan started to form in his mind.
And of course, the part where they had assumed that he had been working on this since he had gone to the Goddess's Sanctum sect so long back was laughable, but also great news for him.
At the same time, he also felt really glad that he hadn't chosen to take the Head's help in the matter, and that he had taken the decision to handle it on his own anyway.
Well, if someone was watching… Daneel would just have to do it using a flashier method, and he was practically the master of such things in Angaria. Even if the plan was simple, it definitely had to be breathtaking.
Jessica… Just you wait.
Getting a broad smile on his face, Daneel immediately called for a meeting of his sovereigns and teleported away.
It looked like they were already assembled in anticipation of the meeting that he would call because this was a very grave matter, and as soon as he sent the message, they assembled in barely a few seconds.
It was Elanev who spoke up first among them.
Shaking his fist in anger, he exclaimed, "It's those damn trading families! I spoke to Jordan, too. I don't know how the hell they managed to replicate what you have done, but they should be shown just what happens if they go against us! I think we are powerful enough to handle the few Warriors they employed without exposing our true power, right?"
Raising a hand calmly, Daneel asked Elanev to sit down and then proceeded to explain everything he had just found out.
After he was done, Luther shook his head and said, "I really should have warned you about something like this before, My Lord. I have undertaken many cases over the years, and on eight different occasions, I was attacked by either the same person whom I identified to be guilty, or someone who was associated with them. Here, the one we convicted is a seed, and it should have been obvious that she would just not sit back and despair over the matter…"
As Luther's words trailed off into silence, the others got difficult expressions on their faces, because they now knew that they were up against a very formidable foe, who had already displayed that she was also quite smart.
Noticing this, Daneel decided to speak, and when they heard his words, smiles couldn't help but appear on their faces.
"My dear sovereigns, I can proudly declare that I am already forming a plan which will see Jessica stormed into the ground in the end. But before that, we have to defeat her in the platform that is the Central Continent. For that… let us engage our collective intelligence and might, and show just what the Council of the Nine Sovereigns is capable of."