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Seeing that Kyran did not plan on answering, Nahir did not get angry. He also did not leave even when Kyran's attention drifted off again. By then, Nahir had already guessed the younger man was talking to someone telepathically.
As Nahir suspected, Kyran's attention went back to Gael's report. After the latter relayed the information his shadow minion sent from the fort, he then relayed the information they gathered while locating the King's forces that went to the border.
[We could not find their trace or any movement around the border even after increasing the search range, which is why I decided to have a few of my minions check around the castle again. After rechecking, they finally discovered thin remnant traces of an array activation. Although they could not determine its formation, we believed it was a large-scale transmission array the King's army used to reach the border— or, at least, in one of the forts nearby.]
Kyran's expression remained unreadable. Nevertheless, his mind absorbed every information Gael relayed while recalculating and adjusting his plan.
'Has your search range gone as far as the closest fort to the border?'
[Yes, Master. As a matter of fact, I have saved several shadow points all over the Armakea, which one or two Shadow Minions maintain. During the initial phase of the conquest, after Achim and the others destroyed a fort, I had one or two of my minions stay behind just in case.]
Kyran smiled wryly after hearing Gael's explanation. He remembered Gael's Shadow Minions reverted to zero after becoming his Servant. Although Gael had absorbed quite several beast-like and complete beings during their first excursion in Somuli, there should not be that many for him to order around.
Besides that, Kyran remembered Gael had to be cautious when moving around the knights because of their powerful perception. How could he now search the castle without being detected by the remaining knights?
[Please do not underestimate your capability of supporting our growth, Master.]
Gael said as if reading Kyran's thoughts. As a matter of fact, the former did sense the latter's doubts, which was why he could not help but explain himself.
[The more you grow stronger, the more we can unlock our potential. Also, I have so many Shadow Minions now because I have absorbed quite a lot of beast-likes, complete beings, and even feral beasts roaming around the Armakea territory during the initial phase of the conquest. As for how I can now move around without being detected by the knights... this happened after I absorbed a high-ranking Knight.]
Gael hastily added.
[Ah, but that knight was dimwitted and useless. I believe he would not become an excellent subordinate to you, Master. I hope you will be lenient with your punishment.]
'That's fine,' Kyran replied. He did not expect Gael to continue absorbing beast-likes and complete beings. After all, they would no longer supplement his growth, unlike when he was not yet a Servant. Not that Kyran was complaining. If Gael could continue to amass his army, that would also become an excellent bane to Kyran. Their level might be low to be useful in battle, but they could be helpful in gathering intel.
'I'll permit you to absorb any knight that will not be useful to me. If you can, create a team of Shadow Knights that will be useful in offense and not only in covert missions. As for their level... we'll think of a way on how we can improve it.'
Kyran sensed Gael's overflowing gratitude and excitement.
[Thank you, Master!]
'Now that we're on the subject. If you can absorb the knights with Space-based Divine Armaments, go ahead.'
Gael raised his brows in surprise.
[Should I take it that we are allowed to confront that group?]
'There are only about a thousand of them. Aim to absorb as many officers and knights as possible to even the numbers.'
[Then, I will aim for those with Arch Magus level and below.]
'Will the Legendary Knights be impossible for you?'
[At my current level, I am afraid it will take some time to subdue them, Master.]
'I see. Then I'll have Kesiah and Haji assist you in dealing with them.'
[I understand.]
'Regarding the King's army that will target the border, there is no longer a need to look for them. Instead, find the transmission array they used to leave the castle and destroy it.'
[Shall I advise the group staying in the Armakea border to retreat to the Eidum's side?]
'There is no need at all. I already enhanced the defensive array around the Armakea border. Even if the King's army tried to attack, it could last a few days. But we must ensure they stay there while the operation is in progress. I can't have them return to the castle and cause problems in my arrangement.'
[Understood. I will have my minions look for the array now. Please wait for my good news.]
Gael disconnected soon after he said that.
Kyran took a deep breath as he continued to look at the castle from afar.
"Care to tell what your people reported?" Nahir asked as soon as he realized Kyran was no longer talking to someone.
"You're still here?" Kyran replied with a slight smile. Though he said that, he was aware Nahir was still there.
Nahir scowled, "You really annoy me."
Kyran chuckled.
"So?"
"Armakea truly lives up to its reputation of having a vast number of lost technology."
Nahir frowned, not understanding what Kyran meant.
Since Kyran could not be bothered to explain, he shrugged and said, "It's almost time for us to go."
"We're going without a plan?"
"Of course not. We'll go brief the rest," Kyran said and made his way back to the camp.
Nahir could not help but look at him in bafflement. Achim and Kesiah had been in a meeting with the others. Why did Kyran not join them then and brief them on his plan? Although those newly joined fort leaders, knights, and officers were wary of Kyran because of his appearance, they knew he was the pillar supporting Achim, Kesiah, and the Eidums in this conquest. They would not make trouble even if they were dissatisfied with Kyran because of his questionable identity and unknown origin.
In the end, Nahir could only put aside his doubts and followed after Kyran.
*
After the briefing, Kyran went over to the tent where Malek was looking after Layla.
Though Kyran did not want to talk to her yet, he did not want to deal with the unknown threat she might pose if her request was not granted. Thus, he decided to at least hear what she wanted to say.
Inside the tent, Malek sat on a wooden chair with his eyes closed while Layla sat at the center of an array formation. Thick chains made of anti-cast stones bound her hands and feet, while talismans with different debuffing spells were plastered all over her body.
Malek looked up as Kyran entered the tent. The two stared at each other for a few seconds before the former looked away and closed his eyes once more. After that, Kyran walked over the array.
As soon as Kyran stepped on the array, Layla raised her head and smiled. She did not notice Kyran's arrival because the array formation isolated her from the outside.
"There is no need to wear that ugly mask," she said. "Why not show me your handsome face?"
"Why do you want to talk to me?" Kyran asked, ignoring her words.
"Such a cold treatment."
Kyran did not respond. He only looked at her with his usual unreadable face.
Layla sighed, "And here I thought if I used this face, you would show some compassion."
Still no response.
"You are truly different from your predecessor."
"..."
"Fine. You're no fun at all," Layla snorted as she straightened her back. "Can you not stand there like that? My neck hurts from looking up at you."
Kyran pointed to the ground where she sat. Soon after, the air crackled around her as a chair emerged, lifting her off the ground.
Layla's expression changed slightly at what Kyran had done. They were inside an Isolation Array, which prevented any form of magic energy from entering. Although anyone inside with internal magic energy could still use magic, summoning magic would still require magic arrays. Yet Kyran did not use any.
Although the air crackled just now, which was a common result when someone was summoning magic, it was not caused by Kyran's signature purple-colored rings.
"You..."
"You're neck doesn't hurt now, right? Start talking."
Layla bit back the curse she wanted to say and tried to control her emotions.
That was right. The one in front of her was not Caelan. Kyran might have similarities to the latter's outer appearance, but they were not the same at the end of the day.
"I want us to collaborate," Layla said, no longer bothering to beat around the bush.
Kyran responded by raising his brows questioningly.
"Tsk," Layla clicked her tongue at the latter's arrogance. Nevertheless, she could only restrain her annoyance because she truly needed his help this time.
"There is still at least two years, in terms of the Human plane's time, before the War of the Sovereign starts. When that happens, the Human plane can no longer avoid it like the previous wars.
"If you agree to collaborate, we can prevent the war from happening."
"Go on. I'm listening..."
*
The last of the Somuli's four moons started to dim. Everyone at the camp had completed their preparations and were ready to go. A few of the officers did not understand why they had to start the operation when it was almost daybreak when they could have done so at night. Still, none voiced their discontent and followed their leaders' lead.
Everyone gathered at the center of the camp, with Kyran and the other leaders at the helm.
Kyran looked at the few familiar faces of his Servants and allies before looking to his right, where Cyneah stood among the Eidums.
After that, his eyes turned reddish-purple as a huge purple-colored magic array appeared on the ground.
It was time for them to visit the King.
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