The Conquerors Path Chapter 1001 - 999-Plans Foiled.

"You really caused issues for me..."

I whispered to myself while the kneeling 007 shook in place, yet I managed to rein in the fury and frustration surging within. Based on 007's account, certain schemes I'd carefully launched had turned pointless. Sure, I keep backup strategies running, but this twist packs a real punch, believe me.

My face grew tense upon hearing that. According to 007, he'd admitted staying near Leonardo on my command, revealed my efforts to wreck and dominate his existence, and exposed how the entire Illuminati setup pulling his strings was my doing, all aimed at bending him to my will.

The amusing twist there is that this guy never outright revealed he's a guy, which, all things considered, turns out to be pretty hilarious. Still, for everything else, Leonardo's become far tougher to steer and influence now. His awareness has sharpened to the extent of my grip on him.

Moving forward, he'll prove trickier to handle. After all, the Illuminati's own records sparked Leonardo's rebellion against me, driving him to oppose me, and realizing it was all orchestrated hits hard. It's a major blow for him, and in turn, I've forged a stronger link to the rage inside him.

I chuckled to myself at the idea. This development isn't favorable at all, but the upside lies in 007 now being deep inside Leonardo's trusted group. The downside? I've forfeited my strongest tool for dictating Leonardo's every move. Previously, I could decide his choices, his paths, and his entire circle.

That's out of reach now.

A sly grin spread across my lips as a fresh scheme sparked after one of my major investments crumbled. Moreover, it highlighted the true caliber of allies I require near these so-called protagonists. Simple loyalty from underlings won't suffice. This mess demonstrates it clearly. Regardless of how thoroughly I screened them or how ruthless and ambition-fueled my inner circle was, events like this still unfold, and it's downright aggravating, I must say.

Riding that realization, I gazed at the prostrated 007 before me, a scheme to retaliate against Leonardo for this annoyance surging up, my wilder instincts seizing control once more as I opened my mouth.

"You can go back to him. Say with the fact that at the last moment, the silver light attacked me, weakening me, and the fact that you used that opportunity to escape. Spin a very believable story. He is going to believe you no matter what anyone says, since now a connection is formed between you two."

"Yes, Master."

007 answered without delay.

"And I permit you to go crazy in your own way fully. You can take out some of the darkness in your heart the best way."

My statement caused 007 to quiver on his knees, and moments later, he answered.

"Thank you, Master."

I smirked inwardly.

With that in mind, I began to speak again.

"Also, what else I want you to do is to guide him towards the war council. What I want is that you..."

From there, I outlined and detailed the strategy to 007, who absorbed it like sacred scripture, then he vanished from my sight. I positioned him nearer to where Leonardo had dropped. That setup allows space to smooth things over.

Once he'd departed, I rose from the stone, loosening up with cracks and stretches, a broad grin on my face as I shattered the spatial rifts anew and reemerged in the chamber, my aura unchanged as if I'd never slipped away. Right upon my return, Lily appeared, all primped and ready, dropping to her knees the instant she spotted me.

"Master..."

She uttered, but I sidestepped her and claimed a chair. Lucky for me, I'd handled this mess personally; had I not, it would've escalated far beyond control. It would've turned into a massive pain I had zero interest in tackling.

"Leave for now, and deal with the things I told you. Do well, and perhaps I might even fuck you in front of your husband."

My final remark sent a shiver through Lily as she stood, prompting her reply.

"Yes, Master~"

After that, she departed, and I shut my eyes briefly. It wasn't long before the previous vampire reached out, summoning me back to the spot where I'd encountered Vixuola. This signaled they'd hammered out some agreement in the interim, so I grinned and headed out.

Following the familiar routine: I trailed the woman to the elevator, which whisked me to that vast realm, my gaze locking onto Vixuola, lounging there in apparent repose. Yet this time, I sensed the turbulent energy cloaking her, so I settled into the usual spot. But now, my vibe had shifted entirely.

Prior to this, I'd approached as the novice seeking aid, chatting casually. With everything aligned, my stance, gestures, and position now radiated dominance, pressing into the void and overwhelming Vixuola effortlessly, whose mouth quirked at the sight as she retorted.

"That is one hell of a disrespectful move, you know?"

"Yeah, I do, but pretending anymore will just be an insult to your intelligence."

Her lips curved into a faint grin at my words as she probed first.

"You had let in a visitor, a vampire actually."

The final bit carried heavy implication, met with my smile.

"Yeah, someone I knew. Just wanted a talk with her."

"Just a talk?"

Her quick jab didn't faze me, so I held my composure steady in response.

"Just a talk. I know her from some time back; I wanted to catch up and see if she would be willing to come to my side. It would be quite helpful to have some experience on my side."

"I see."

Vixuola offered no more on that, then met my stare directly before continuing.

"It’s a done deal. My faction will support the rise in yours. From now onwards, we will move as one. Attacking you is an attack on our faction."

My smile broadened at her declaration.

"Good, so what’s the deal here?"

I cut straight to it.

"The deal for now is that we help you, though none of us would mind becoming something greater than before."

I restrained myself and shook my head in reply.

"You know what that entails, right? As I said, I have only interest in females, and I beg to differ that many of the powerful older women who want to change are not married or in a relationship."

"Nobody has to know the way it happens. It’s not like you will hold onto them possessively, will you?"

Vixuola countered, but I paused, shaking my head before answering.

"You know it’s not as simple as that. After tasting me, do you think any of them would be able to go back to what they had in the past? They will need me. It’s a given fact, so don’t play around the bush on this."

My comeback left Vixuola quiet for the moment.

"I haven’t spoken the truth of any of it, just the opportunity of what is to come to the rest. They understand the choice, and if we did ask it of you, the beginning would be towards someone younger. Nothing will be forced upon you, just choices as we go forth."

Silence fell between us, our intense gazes locked. Both knew it wouldn't unfold so neatly. The elders craving advancement would make their plays, and the fallout remained unpredictable. And truthfully, whatever transpired, it promised to get messy. That's the shadowy undercurrent neither voiced.

"I assume I will get someone special first to lead the way, perhaps..."

"Yes, it’s been decided, though officially you have our full support. The word has gone out."

I grinned at the confirmation as I rose from my chair, peering down at Vixuola.

"Then, we are done."

With those words, I tacked on one final thought.

"And you are welcome to come and visit anytime and meet me, especially if you have fixed your mind."

On that note, I departed, leaving Vixuola somewhat stunned in my wake.