Chapter 251: Negotiations
Selene’s information network had proven more valuable than Kael initially expected.
Within hours of their meeting, he had comprehensive intelligence on Greymoor City—military strength, economic output, defensive positions, supply lines, and most importantly, the hidden alchemical herb valley that Cassandra had mentioned. Selene’s agents had been monitoring Aldric’s operations for years, waiting for some sort of opportunity.
The herbs alone were worth millions. Rare alchemical reagents that high-tier alchemists would kill for—ingredients that could accelerate pill refinement, boost cultivation speed, and create remedies that didn’t exist in standard pharmacopeia. Aldric had been selling them through black market channels for a decade, building wealth that should have caught the family’s attention years ago.
It hadn’t. Which meant either Aldric was either very clever or someone higher up was taking a cut.
Kael left the black market with full control over Trevor City established. The transition was remarkably smooth—Selene’s organization handled civilian administration while Kael’s military forces secured strategic positions. No resistance. No bloodshed. The bandit queen had recognized which way the wind was blowing and positioned herself accordingly.
A Spirit Soul soldier from Vyra’s squad took command. Captain Reese—a grim-faced veteran with years of combat experience. He’d served under Vyra before her transfer to Kael’s service Selene’s organization would handle the civilian administration while Reese managed military affairs. The transition was smooth, efficient, and bloodless.
Three days later, Kael stood in a neutral tent on the border between his territory and Aldric’s.
Aldric De Vorn sat across from him, a man in his early forties with weathered features and the controlled demeanor of someone who had survived decades of family politics. His Shadow insignia marked him as Rank 12—a position he’d held for nearly a decade.
His brown hair was streaked with gray at the temples. His eyes were sharp, calculating, and absolutely devoid of warmth.
Kael studied him openly. Aldric studied him back.
"Let’s be reasonable about this," Aldric said, his voice measured. "As per the rules established by the Family Head, no Guardian Knight is permitted to participate in territorial disputes between children. That means neither of us can call in external military support."
Kael nodded slowly. "I’m aware of the rules."
"Which means this comes down to our personal forces and whatever allies we’ve cultivated within our territories."
Kael leaned back in his chair. "Then let’s make this simple. We avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Our Mana Heart soldiers and below fight. Whoever’s forces win, wins the territory. No Spirit Soul intervention from either side."
Aldric’s expression flickered—something between consideration and suspicion. The terms were fair on the surface. But Aldric had held Greymoor for a decade. His forces were integrated, experienced, and numerically superior. A pure soldier-vs-soldier conflict heavily favored him.
"And what prevents me from simply dismantling your army with my own strength?" A smile crept onto his face. "If I go all out, even a Mana Heart Rank 9 ordinary soldier would find me difficult to defeat. I’ve held Greymoor for ten years."
Kael smirked. "Then I’ll be the one to fight you."
The tent went silent.
Aldric’s smile froze. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You’re getting cocky," Aldric said slowly, "just from defeating Shadow Rank 11, Lucian De Vorn, and Shadow Rank 13, Valen De Vorn."
Kael shrugged. "We’ll see about that. They weren’t that impressive." He tilted his head slightly, his silver-flecked gray eyes meeting Aldric’s without flinching. "I also heard you haven’t challenged the rankings in a while. That’s why you’re stuck at Shadow Rank 12. Hopefully you haven’t lost your touch. After all, you were known for your insane control of mana."
Kael stood, the negotiation concluded. "Three days. Border of both territories. Bring your forces."
He left the tent without waiting for a response.
Gerard waited outside, falling into step beside him as they walked toward the flying beasts. "How did it go, my lord?"
"He’ll agree. His pride won’t let him refuse a direct challenge." Kael mounted the Wind Strider. "Back to Starfall City. We have preparations to make."
Inside the tent, Aldric watched Kael’s flying beast disappear into the distance. The smirk had returned to his face, but his eyes remained hard and calculating.
A figure materialized from the shadows beside him—one of Aldric’s personal assassins, a man named Vex who had served him for fifteen years without a single failure.
"He seems quite arrogant," Vex observed flatly.
Aldric didn’t look away from the sky. "He does have the strength to back up that arrogance. Became a Shadow at just twenty years old. The last person to achieve that was Lady Cassandra, and she did it at twenty-three. Before her? No one in living memory."
He paused, staring at the empty horizon.
"I only achieved the title of Shadow at thirty-one. Now I’m forty-one and still stuck at Rank 12." A bitter edge crept into his voice. "And he’s already Rank 7 at twenty. The same year he achieved Rank 14. The family hasn’t seen progression like that in generations."
"My Lord," Vex said carefully, "what are you going to do about this fight?"
Aldric turned from the window, his expression hardening with resolve.
"If I lose to him, I might as well forfeit my territory. Ten years of work will be gone. My reputation destroyed. I’ll be lucky to retain Shadow Rank at all." He began pacing, his boots clicking against the wooden floor. "But if I win—if I win—it will be my perfect chance to solidify my rank back and move up among the Shadows. Defeating the family’s rising star? The boy who jumped seven ranks in a single promotion? That would erase a decade of stagnation overnight."
He stopped pacing, his aura flickering with barely contained ambition.
"After all, he defeated Lucian. A sword prodigy who had never lost a single duel before that fight. If I can do what Lucian couldn’t—" He let the sentence hang.
Vex remained silent.
Aldric’s expression settled into something cold and certain.
"And there’s no way I will lose to a kid who I’m twice his age."