The Conquerors Path Chapter 992 - 990-Good Taste.

"Sorry for the wait, it’s been a hectic time all around."

A man entered the waiting room and addressed me with those words. This moment unfolded the day after my intense threesome encounter with Eira and Luminara. Though the experience was enjoyable, pressing matters demanded my attention, pushing me toward the crucial next step in my agenda. I assigned them further instructions and tasks to handle, then made my way to this location.

Numerous strategies for my company were already underway, set to unfold gradually. The primary motive behind appointing elves as leaders stemmed from their extended lifespans, which proved invaluable for building enduring legacies and maintaining oversight, even absent pursuits of greater power.

Furthermore, elves stood as the wealthiest race, excelling in commerce, finances, and related domains. This combination of traits had influenced my decision to select them previously. Although I now commanded higher authorities and broader choices, I intended to retain them. Their performance had been solid, and I aimed to sustain that success.

The following day, once I wrapped up the essential lessons and interactions, I proceeded straight to this spot—the central hub of the war council. Goodness, chaos reigned everywhere, with folks scrambling amid endless troubles, signaling that the entire group was overwhelmed.

Just one day following the disruptions I unleashed, signs of intense activity gripped the war council. They faced outright public disgrace on a massive scale. After all, I had exposed their core rot, revealing deep-seated corruption that proved they had slacked off completely. Indeed, they had slacked off far too much.

As a result, blame, challenges, and accusations poured down heavily, sparking a comprehensive internal investigation. Each member underwent intense scrutiny, strategy sessions, and gatherings. Multiple grand assemblies occurred, and to demonstrate resilience to the world, fresh policies rolled out swiftly.

This turned into a massive ordeal, swarming with fiery conflicts and dilemmas, all demanding resolution, which piled immense strain and complications onto the war council. And amid this storm, the very instigator lurked disguised in the waiting area. I assure you, countless high-ranking war council figures yearned to see me eliminated.

Should they capture me, I’m certain they would strike me down without hesitation. Yet here I sat, right in the heart of it all, within the waiting room. Athena fretted endlessly, truly on edge. She even insisted on accompanying me by force. I just managed to dissuade her, though that didn’t stop her from pacing at home in anxiety.

Only my vow to reach out immediately upon completion, plus establishing a deadline after which she could intervene to check on me, convinced her to let me go. Not without handing over potent defensive artifacts first, which I considered declining but realized she’d never accept, so I accepted them to ease her concerns.

The core reason for my presence here boiled down to arranging a straightforward discussion with a prominent war council faction head. Under ordinary circumstances, I lacked the clout to secure such an appointment, but currently, I succeeded because the war council sought to remain in the DarkNight’s favor.

As key players in gathering, disseminating intelligence, and steering covert gossip networks, the war council urgently required backing and insights from such sources to swiftly restore their reputation. Moreover, a concealed motive lingered as well.

The emergence of "Rex" had crashed in like a comet, shattering their top prodigy—a rarity among millions—and then vanished. They failed to unearth even a scrap of detail about me. Efforts to dig deeper proved futile, yielding nothing, which heightened their caution and, in some ways, intensified their desire to uncover more.

Fresh humiliation came from Austin Lionheart, and they now grasped that reining in Austin Lionheart wouldn’t prove easy. That single burst of might established an unprecedented benchmark, leaving lingering doubts in their minds that craved resolution.

Do I possess additional stones?

Those stones granting draconic might—do I hold more?

Without answers to that riddle, they had to cower and evade my fury, for if I chose a desperate all-out assault, I could unleash serious havoc. Naturally, repercussions would follow for me, and measures existed to prevent such extremes.

Yet the dread persisted undiminished. Thus, they sought a fresh face. They craved a new icon to parade before the world as their ultimate champion, a dazzling powerhouse radiating supreme talent, ideal for overshadowing Austin Lionheart.

At this juncture, with them desperately hunting for such a figure, presenting myself felt like waving tempting bait before ravenous predators. They couldn’t resist snapping at it, probing whether they could claim it, despite suspicions of hidden toxins.

Consequently, when the DarkNight reached out, and it became clear the request involved "me," the targeted member swiftly consented to the rendezvous. That’s why I arrived here, now lingering in the waiting room for my summons. Half an hour past the scheduled time, this fellow finally appeared to escort me.

I grinned at the delay, noting how the room catered to a solitary visitor, where mere luxury fell short of describing its opulence—think gilded accents everywhere, a massive chandelier overhead, perfect climate control, exquisite delicacies, and beyond. So I held no grudge as I replied.

"It’s fine, I can understand how hectic things can get."

With that, I rose, offering the man a warm smile while inquiring.

"Shall we?"

"Oh, yes, of course, this way."

He responded, then guided me from the chamber. Beyond lay an expansive, grand expanse bustling with diverse beings mingling and conducting affairs. The path I took led through a key zone frequented by war council affiliates.

Much like a shared hub.

The guide, ever courteous, navigated me across the area into an adjoining corridor, secured by barriers he promptly deactivated with his clearance, stepping inside as I trailed. Indeed, figures of note and authority bustled about, and I spotted numerous branching doors along the passage, with individuals coming and going.

"The majority of such talks take place in secure rooms headed away from teleportation. The Madam Belzebeth wishes to talk with you in her own personal meeting room. It’s a very big honour."

"Then the honour is all mine."

I replied with a grin to my escort, as we approached a hallway door adorned with a striking red bat emblem, which he unlocked. Upon opening, a radiant portal shimmered into view, and he gestured toward it, positioning himself respectfully aside with a bow. I returned the gesture before stepping through.

Sensations flickered briefly, then I emerged via another entrance, where a woman awaited. This vampire featured ashen skin, crimson eyes, and short black bobbed hair. She appeared in her thirties, clad in a secretary-style outfit. As I appeared, she started to greet me but halted abruptly, as if thunderstruck.

"Gulp..."

That sound escaped her lips.