When Jessica led the Azure Cloud army to help Walker reclaim their holand, Jon and the six factions of Starlight County were initially overjoyed.
However, their joy was short-lived.
Jessica abruptly withdrew her forces, claiming it was rely a feint, leaving the Psychics of Starlight County bewildered.
Even the Druids, who had prepared traps to ambush the Azure Cloud army, were left scratching their heads.
It wasn't until the battle in Cedar County comnced that they grasped the full picture.
At first, Jon was furious.
But as he ca to understand the situation, his anger subsided.
He realized that if Blackwood could keep their own allies in the dark, they could certainly deceive the Druids and the opportunistic factions lurking in the shadows of the Sunshine Mansion.
Besides, everyone was in this together now, and cooperation was paramount.
Once Jon embraced a more passive role, entrusting the heavy lifting to others and enjoying the ride, he found a newfound peace.
Duke Jon was, for once, content.
"Hahaha, excellent!" Bryce bood, clapping Jon on the back.
"My Phillips family's return to our holand wouldn't have been possible without your Walker family drawing the enemy's attention. Once we've driven out the Druids, we'll clear out those infesting your Starlight County!"
Bryce, brimming with confidence after his victory, surveyed the faces gathered in the courtyard, celebrating their triumph.
With a sly smile, he gestured to one of his kinsn.
A map unfurled across the table, depicting the recent battles.
Bryce cleared his throat.
"Friends, Blackwood and my family have been planning this counteroffensive for years. For the past five, I have dedicated every waking mont to preparing for this war. Now, observe..."
Bryce pointed to the map, his psychic powers projecting a three-dinsional representation of the three counties.
He spoke with an air of authority, outlining his strategies and plans.
He occasionally glanced at the Blackwood contingent, but Nathan, Daniel, Jessica, and Edward showed no signs of concern, only nodding along.
This puzzled Bryce slightly.
He turned back to the group and announced, "As you know, Blackwood and I had an agreent. They would help us reclaim our holand, and in return, Cedar County would be renad Azure Cloud."
"Therefore, I propose that from this day forward, the three counties shall be unified under the banner of Azure Cloud, divided into East and West territories, with Azure Cloud as the heartland. What say you?"
The Blackwood representatives remained impassive, nodding their agreent.
However, the other factions from Cloudview County, including the six factions of Starlight County and even Duke Jon, frowned.
In the past, Blackwood had always taken the lead in such matters.
Now, despite Cloudview County playing a crucial role in Phillips' victory, Bryce was acting as if he were the one in charge, disregarding his guests and assuming a position of authority.
Chuck from the Arcane Society, known for his fiery temper, rivaling even Julian, was the first to speak out.
Seeing Blackwood's silence and Bryce's self-assured deanor, he roared, "Bryce, what's the aning of this? I've never even t you, and you're here acting like you're giving us orders?"
Bryce, seemingly anticipating this reaction, chuckled.
"You must be Chuck from the Western Arcane Society, ranked thirty-ninth on the Pinnacle Apprentice Ranking."
"You're damn right I am!" Chuck glared at Bryce.
He couldn't explain it, but he disliked the man on sight.
Unlike Blackwood, who, despite their flaws, were always upfront and loyal to their allies, Bryce seed artificial, his every action calculated to assert his dominance.
Bryce brushed off Chuck's hostility.
"My dear Chuck, if I ca across as commanding, it's only because of my eagerness. You see, I accompanied Grand Tutor Gilbert on his eastern campaign many years ago and gained so experience in matters of war. I'm rely offering my humble suggestions."
He glanced at the assembled crowd and bowed slightly.
"If I have overstepped my bounds, I apologize."
Nathan, sensing the tension, let out a hearty laugh.
"Co now, Bryce, there's no need for such formalities. We're all friends here, sailing on the sa ship. Blackwood fully supports any ideas you may have."
"But I..." Chuck started, but Donna silenced him with a swift kick to the shin.
He gritted his teeth and whispered, "What was that for? Can't you see this Bryce fellow is bad news? I need to set him straight!"
Donna shook her head, knowing their whispers were likely audible to the powerful Psychics present.
Chuck, with a final huff of indignation, fell silent.
The eting dragged on for two hours, with Bryce dominating the conversation and everyone else rely listening.
The atmosphere remained tense and awkward.
As the attendees dispersed, Bryce watched them go, a frown etched on his face.
One of his elders leaned in and murmured, "Bryce, it seems Blackwood's influence here runs deep."
"Indeed, Great Grandfather," Bryce replied, his eyes narrowed.
"But ti changes everything. I've fulfilled my end of the bargain with Blackwood, and they've reaped considerable benefits from this alliance. My Phillips family has a Basic Mastery, our strength far surpasses that of Cloudview County, and our roots run deeper. This is our chance.
I trust Blackwood understands their place and the advantages of aligning themselves with the mightiest tree in the forest."
...
Back at their headquarters, the Blackwood contingent gathered beneath the crimson canopy of the Primordial Blood Tree.
Chuck, witnessing their nonchalant attitude towards Bryce's power play, finally understood the aning of "a watched pot never boils."
"Are you Blackwood folks blind?" he exploded, one hand on his hip, the other pointing accusingly.
Despite his handso features, his deanor resembled that of a disgruntled market vendor.
"You've brought a pack of wolves into our midst, helped them no less! Who does that Bryce fellow think he is? One would think he single-handedly defeated the Druids! He's got delusions of grandeur, I tell you!"
"Enough, Master, enough!" Donna cried, her pigtails bouncing as she leaped to her feet.
She wrapped an arm around Chuck's neck, dragging him back.
"You're embarrassing yourself! Have so decorum! What good does shouting achieve at your age?"
Had she always been so level-headed?
Perhaps having an even more impulsive master in Chuck had forced her to mature quickly, constantly needing to rein in his reckless outbursts.
Chuck, grumbling under his breath, reluctantly fell silent, though his gaze remained fixed on the courtyard outside, simring with indignation.
[Your descendant, Donna, having spent years cultivating psychic powers alongside Chuck, has beco increasingly accustod to her master's impulsiveness. She has beco like a caretaker, reining in his temper and guiding his actions. This has granted her the trait: Rebellious Disciple.]
[Respect for Master -80%, Success rate in preventing Master's outbursts increased by 50%, Damage dealt to Master increased by 50%, Psychic power cultivation speed increased by 10% when near Master.]
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