Chapter 290 -: 289 The Summit.[1]
Influential figures from across the Heartreach Continent had gathered in response to the summons issued by the Patriarch of the Solarian Family.
Although many of the branch families resented the Solarian Family’s overwhelming authority and viewed it as little more than tyranny maintained through generations of unmatched strength, none of them possessed the power to openly oppose it.
The Solarian bloodline stood at the very peak of the Zlycon race, and no branch family, regardless of its history or military might, could challenge their rule.
Under ordinary circumstances, some representatives might have deliberately delayed their arrival or sent lower-ranking officials as an act of silent defiance, but these were far from ordinary times.
Influential leaders were being assassinated one after another, the relationship between humans and Zlycons had grown increasingly unstable, and every sign pointed toward another war that could engulf both civilizations.
Personal grievances could wait. Survival of the race came first. Whether they wished to or not, every major branch family had answered the summons.
The headquarters of the Solarian Family stood at the very center of the Heartreach Continent, built upon the summit of an enormous hill that overlooked countless miles of forests and mountains below.
Rather than resembling an ordinary estate, the headquarters appeared more like a magnificent white castle stretching across the mountaintop, its towering walls gleaming beneath the daylight while countless banners bearing the Solarian crest fluttered proudly in the cold wind.
Due to its incredible altitude, the air remained noticeably thinner than elsewhere, making it difficult for ordinary Zlycons to even breathe comfortably after remaining there for long.
Only Awakened individuals could live and work atop the mountain without discomfort.
For that reason, even the servants responsible for maintaining the castle possessed awakened abilities, a testament to the standards maintained by the Solarian Family.
Deep within the castle lay one of its largest ceremonial halls, the very location where the emergency summit had been arranged.
Representatives from nearly every major branch family of the Heartreach Continent had already taken their seats long before the meeting was scheduled to begin.
The remaining three continents, however, had not been so fortunate.
Even with the transportation gates connecting the continents, traveling such vast distances still required valuable time.
Considering the urgency of the current crisis, the Solarian Family had decided not to postpone the gathering and instead proceeded with only the Heartreach representatives in attendance.
The absent seats reserved for the delegates of the other continents served as silent reminders that the crisis was unfolding faster than anyone had anticipated.
The enormous hall stretched for dozens of meters, supported by towering white pillars engraved with ancient symbols that dated back to the earliest years of Zlycon civilization.
At its far end rose a massive stone platform overlooking the entire assembly. Upon its highest level rested only two magnificent seats.
One belonged to the Patriarch of the Solarian Family, the undisputed ruler of the race.
Beside it stood another throne of equal grandeur, a seat that carried an authority second only to none.
The seat of the Warmaster.
Ever since the birth of the Zlycon race, that position had existed alongside the Solarian Patriarch.
According to the oldest legends, the Mother Goddess had given birth to two children, a son and a daughter, whose appearances and unique traits would later become the defining characteristics of the Zlycon race.
While their father had been human, it was from their divine mother that the Zlycons inherited their long pointed ears, powerful physiques, and the unusual tendency for Zlycon women to give birth to twins consisting of one son and one daughter.
Whether every detail of those ancient tales remained true after countless centuries was impossible to know.
Time had eroded many records, leaving only fragmented legends behind.
Some believed every word passed down by their ancestors, while others regarded them as little more than embellished stories.
Nevertheless, one fact remained universally accepted.
When the son of the Mother Goddess founded the Zlycon race, he established two supreme authorities instead of one.
The first was naturally his own position as Patriarch. The second was the rank of Warmaster, a title equal in authority to the Patriarch himself.
The very first person to occupy that seat had been his twin sister.
She ruled beside him for several decades before mysteriously disappearing without warning.
No explanation was ever given regarding her fate, and even the First Patriarch himself never spoke of what had happened to her.
Yet despite her disappearance, the position of Warmaster never vanished with her.
From that day onward, the throne had always remained occupied. Unlike the Patriarch’s seat, however, the title required no Solarian blood.
Any Zlycon, regardless of birth, lineage, or family, could one day become Warmaster, provided they possessed the strength, achievements, and recognition necessary to prove themselves worthy.
It remained the only position within the entire race capable of standing alongside the Solarian Patriarch without belonging to the Solarian bloodline itself.
For now, however, both thrones remained empty.
Below the elevated platform, representatives of each branch family sat upon seats arranged according to seniority and status.
While many remained vacant due to the absence of delegates from the other three continents, the Heartreach representatives had filled every designated place.
None spoke particularly loudly, yet the constant murmur of dozens of simultaneous conversations created a heavy atmosphere throughout the hall.
Everyone understood the significance of the gathering, even if none knew precisely what decisions would be announced.
"Haa... I have no idea what the Patriarch and the Warmaster intend to discuss," a deep feminine voice sighed.
"But I honestly hope they declare war despite this obviously being someone’s scheme."
The speaker was the representative of the Night Family.
Dianan Night.
Her dark brown skin contrasted sharply against the silver armor covering her broad shoulders.
Although undeniably beautiful, her appearance carried a masculine sharpness strengthened by powerful muscles earned through decades of relentless training.
She sat with one leg crossed over the other, resting her chin upon her fist while speaking without the slightest hesitation.
"You muscle-head... think before you speak."
The representative of the Moonrays Family immediately frowned.
Unlike Dianan, the man possessed a calm and refined demeanor despite having an equally muscular physique.
His sun-kissed skin and composed expression made him appear far more diplomatic than his counterpart.
"Starting a war against humanity now could prove disastrous. The entire situation has clearly been orchestrated by someone. What I don’t know is whether it’s the work of a single individual or an organization. If it’s an organization, then they must have something to gain once both races begin tearing each other apart."
He narrowed his eyes before glancing toward Dianan.
"...Although it could simply be a group of warmongers who think exactly like you."
"Ah, come on!"
Dianan burst into laughter without the slightest embarrassment.
"Who doesn’t want another war against the humans? Have you forgotten our ancestor’s words? Never let those humans breathe easy! We’ve spent centuries sitting around doing nothing. I’d say it’s about time we reminded them why they feared us."
Similar debates echoed throughout the enormous hall. Some agreed with Dianan, believing humanity should be crushed before they became an even greater threat.
Others insisted the assassinations were far too suspicious and that charging into war would only benefit whoever had orchestrated the entire affair.
Some argued over possible culprits, while others speculated whether another hidden force had emerged somewhere in the world.
Dozens of conversations intertwined until the hall became filled with countless competing opinions.
Then, without warning, the massive entrance doors slowly began to open.
The guards standing on either side immediately straightened their backs before shouting at the top of their lungs.
"Patriarch of the Solarian Family... Chakravartin!"
"...And the Warmaster... the Great Sanachi!"