The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 2117 Rebuffed

The Elders of the Yam Zabat Warriors Alliance remained unconvinced by Karl's argument that he was not going to be joining any side of the battle. In their minds, everyone would be joining in, and the Legend's refusal was simply him putting on a front before he took over the Church's territories and changed the path of the battle in his favour.

What they wanted was to make sure that the Church was in as bad of a position as possible when that happened.

If Eryman stepped in after the church lost half its land, he likely wouldn't push to take it all back. And then the factions that were supporting him taking over would effectively collapse.

And that would give the advantage to the other Clan Leaders who were reaching Legendary status.

If even one or two of them could advance during the chaos of the civil war, everything would change for the power balance across the continent.

"Surely you can see how the Darklight Host joining the alliance would be beneficial to everyone. The change in power dynamics, with so many Supreme Ranked warriors joining, would encourage a faster end to the war, and your Guild's supplies alone are enough to shave years off the battles," the Elder tried.

Karl shook his head. "I see it differently. If I joined, with my powerhouse members, and my crafting skills, it would only encourage the other factions to pull in even more members from further up the continent to try to stop us, with the promise that whoever won would have first dibs on the Darklight Host's resources and secrets.

To the victor go the spoils, and while you are confident in your victory, I do not intend to make my Guild a target of opportunity for every other faction."

"Sitting out the battles won't protect your guild from being coveted by the factions."

Karl shrugged. "But it will keep them from targeting us as a whole, and if they don't put their whole heart into it, there is little chance that they can win. But if they attack and lose, their entire faction, and all allied factions, lose access to our supplies, while their enemies do not."

Karl saw that they had taken the warning, but he wasn't sure that it was going to sink in.

Too many of their members were of the opinion that they could take the Darklight Host in a fight, and they had sent more Supreme Ranked members than the Darklight Host officially had. So, on paper it was a plausible theory.

But in practice, the skills that the Darklight Host members had used on the city itself would make it impossible for any of the region's factions to actually capture the Blackwoods Branch Office.

"Perhaps it is too soon to convince you of the urgency. We will take our leave for today, and return when you might feel more amenable to understanding our position."

The Supreme Ranked Clan Leaders stood, and Karl rose to shake their hands.

"I am sorry that we couldn't come to an agreement today, gentlemen. However, if you wish to remain in the city and watch the tournament, I can arrange rooms for you at the Dollhouse, the finest hotel in the city."

To their credit, they actually considered it for a moment before answering.

"Perhaps another time, we must return to our homes and speak with our allies about the future steps needed."

Karl nodded, and gestured toward the door. "I can open you a portal to the cities of Yizimon or Caracas, which will greatly shorten your portal distance home."

The men looked impressed. "You have dedicated portal arrays to both cities?"

Karl shook his head. "Not quite. I do have one to Yizimon, but not to Caracas itself. There is one to a Clan near Caracas, though, if you would like to use the public portal array. I was implying that I would send you to either city directly.

I have significant talent with transportation magic, as an Avatar of the World Dragon."

The men paused, annoyed that the Darklight Host's Guild Leader was choosing to flex on them even at the end of the meeting where he rejected their offer.

"Thank you, we will use the public portals back to the Clan, we would hate to impose on your time any further."

Then, they simply walked away, leaving Karl with a store full of curious shoppers, and a few knowing glances from those who recognized the Clan Leaders who had come to visit, and their anger at being rebuffed.

It was clear to everyone that the Darklight Host was not joining the battle, or at least not for their faction.

The public announcement that Eryman had put out made many wonder if the Darklight Host and the Holy Light Church were working together, or at least, Eryman's faction of the church. It seemed farfetched that a World Dragon aligned Guild would involve themselves in the mess, but they had seen stranger things in the past, and Eryman was a Legend, with significant influence.

He might have made the Guild an offer they couldn't refuse.

Those who knew the Darklight Host the best thought that was unlikely. Eryman did not have enough craftsmen, bunnies, or entertaining toys to keep the Darklight Host working for him against their own interests.

Instead, his announcement was likely exactly what it appeared to be. A statement of intent from both of them to stay out of the Civil War as long as possible.

They didn't dwell on it for long.

Everyone in the shop today was up in the arena soon, ready to finish their trials, but in need of a little something that would give them an edge.

A new piece of gear, one of the shop's potions, which were less suspicious to buy here than at the actual alchemist's shop, or even just a little something to boost their confidence, like the disguise and hair regrowth creams.

Looking your very best when you went into battle was an intangible benefit that could not be underestimated.

Rae was absolutely sure of that.