“So… have we reached an agreement?” asked the Fifth Elder, his eyes sweeping across the chamber, pausing on each of his fellow elders.

Though not everyone spoke, and the air remained thick with a lingering reluctance, the answer was clear. One by one, they all nodded—some slowly, others with quiet resolve. Even the First Elder gave his nod of approval. But then, he raised another question—one that had been building since the plan was first laid bare.

“Since this idea is yours, Fifth Elder,” he began, his tone calm but focused, “surely you’ve thought about who we should approach with this information? You yourself said—and we all know—that many will want a share. A large share, of a sector that, while barren now, will soon surge back to life.”

His gaze sharpened.

“Once the artifact completes its restoration cycle, the value of the Forbidden Zone won’t diminish—it’ll explode. So, which powers are you prepared to invite into this?”

The other elders turned toward the Fifth Elder, eagerness flickering in their eyes. If anyone had a clear strategy, it would be him.

“I have,” the Fifth Elder replied plainly, without theatrics. “The Alchemist Association and the Forger Syndicate are the two we must approach first.”

“Why those two?” asked the Seventh Elder, frowning.

“It must be because of the resources,” muttered the Ninth Elder, then turned directly to the Fifth. “The crucial resources they both produce and refine. That’s the real reason, isn’t it?”

“You’re right,” the Fifth Elder nodded. “Exactly right.”

“Then allow me to speak on that a little more,” said the Ninth Elder.

“Go ahead,” nodded the Fifth, “I want to hear your thoughts.”

The Ninth Elder gave a slight nod before speaking again. “As I said—crucial resources. Those two associations provide things every major power needs. Potions, relics, refined cores, enchanted alloys. And more than that—they’re both backed by a universal charter. Few dare move against them openly. So if we bring them in… their presence alone would serve as a deterrent to half the galaxy.”

The Fifth Elder gave a small smile. “Mostly true, Ninth Elder. But you’re missing something—something you, of all people, should know. You’re an alchemist yourself… and a part-time forger.”

He paused. “You know how arrogant those associations can be. Their demands, once they hold ground, could turn into chains. If we give them too much control, they might become more of a threat than protection.”

He stood slowly, pacing as he continued.

“That’s why we won’t rely on just them. We’ll approach others. The Dark Elven Empire, for one. The Titan Dwarven Clans as well. They can help balance the scales—serve as a counterweight if the Alchemist or Forger factions become too bold.”

He turned back toward the chamber’s center.

“And if we include the Star Empire in this arrangement, even just marginally, then we secure more than resources—we secure influence. We’ll hold a share, and we’ll hold it without having to fear being cut out of it later.”

The chamber stirred as the Second Elder rose abruptly, voice sharp with skepticism.

“Hold it there, Fifth Elder,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “The Alchemy and Forger Associations—fine. Even the Dark Elves and Mountain Dwarves make sense. But the Star Empire?”

He let the question hang, tension rippling in the air.

“Have you forgotten who they are? That race thrives on dominance. Their arrogance is legend. They once stood toe-to-toe with the Dragon and Phoenix Clans. Their pride could split a star. And you suggest them?”

A murmur swept through the chamber as others echoed the doubt, until the Fifth Elder finally raised his hand for silence.

“That’s exactly why,” he said. “Their pride, their power, their mystique—it’s all part of their strength. And make no mistake, that strength protects. The Star Empire is one of the few forces even First-Tier Super States avoid provoking, let alone challenging outright.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“Because of what they are—because of their inner world bonds.”

Even the Second Elder paused at that.

“Yes,” the Fifth Elder continued. “A gift we spend centuries cultivating… they’re born with it. It makes them monsters in the battlefield and legends in cultivation. But it’s also their curse. Their numbers are low, and their population growth is strictly controlled by the laws of the greater galaxy.”

He let his words settle before delivering the point:

“They need resources. Rare ones. And the sector we’re about to open… it has everything they crave. If we offer them a share, they’ll guard it like it’s their own bloodline. And that protection? That’s something no other alliance can buy.”

He folded his arms.

“Yes, they’re proud. But they’re also desperate for what only we can offer. And if we handle it right… we don’t get a watchdog—we get a dragon on our leash.”

There was a long pause.

Then the Third Elder smirked slightly. “That’s a dangerous game, Fifth Elder… riding a dragon.”

To which the Fifth Elder simply replied, “Better than being trampled under one.”

The chamber fell silent again as everyone began calculating in their own minds—questioning: Would this really work? Is it worth the risk?

The Fourth Elder was the first to break the quiet, the steady tapping of his fingers against the armrest drawing attention.

“Using them… It feels off,” he said. “Relying on powers stronger than us, especially ones as proud as the Star Empire—it’s dangerous. They’re not fools we can manipulate.”

He exhaled, then added, “Still… bringing in a force no one dares provoke, using them as a barrier—that’s a bold move. Risky. But bold.”

The Sixth Elder nodded. “If it works, no one will dare move on the Forbidden Zone—not when they see the Star Empire’s banner among ours. It might buy us just enough time to secure our position.”

The Third Elder leaned forward, her tone more cautious. “But that’s the question, isn’t it? Will it even work? It’s a clever plan, yes—but what happens when the powers we invite in decide they want more?”

She glanced around the room. “We’ll have the Alchemist and Forger Associations—then the Dark Elves and Mountain Dwarves to balance them. And now the Star Empire, proud and powerful. But with all these forces in play…”

Her voice lowered slightly. “Won’t they all end up wanting the whole Forbidden Zone for themselves?”

“That, they won’t do,” the First Elder said firmly, cutting in before the Third Elder could press further. There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in his voice—only calm certainty.

“Oh? And why is that?” the Third Elder asked, arching an eyebrow. “Will you enlighten us, Fifth Elder? Because I’m not convinced.”

The Fifth Elder didn’t bristle. He met her gaze evenly and responded.

“As arrogant and proud as the Star Empire is, they aren’t foolish. There’s a reason they’re not a first-tier superstate. Like us, they also prefer to avoid unnecessary conflict. And unlike what their pride might suggest, they understand risk.”

He paused, then continued, his tone dropping slightly.

“I received information not long ago—one of their own recently offended the High Elves. Badly. There’s tension brewing, and war may not be far off. The last thing they want is to provoke multiple powers at once by trying to seize the Forbidden Zone outright.”

The chamber quieted at that.

“So yes,” he went on, “they’ll agree to this framework—just like the others. Because in this plan, they’re not invading, they’re being invited. And in exchange for a controlled share, they gain access to a zone filled with rare resources—resources that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere. All while applying only moderate pressure.”

He glanced around.

“They’ll see that as a fair trade. And unless something goes horribly wrong, they’ll accept.”

A quiet murmur passed through the chamber—some nodding slowly, others still wearing the weight of hesitation. But the reasoning held. It was sound, and more importantly, it was realistic.

The Second Elder was next to speak, arms crossed, voice thoughtful.”Still… it’s unsettling. To willingly open the gates to forces that might one day tower over us. But I’ll admit—it’s better to face giants as partners than as enemies. If we’re the ones holding the map, we can at least guide the path they take.”

“Right… the map is everything—for now,” the Fourth Elder said, his tone grounding the room again. “The location, the entranceways, the state of the land, and the lingering effects that devil artifact has on the Forbidden Zone—that’s our leverage. And once we give that up, we’ll have no advantage left.”

He paused, then added with weight, “So we have to make it count. If we don’t, we’ll end up with nothing.”

He turned to the Fifth Elder. “But if things go as you say—if this works—then we’ll have enough to stabilize ourselves, even grow. And if we reach that point, we’ll have options. Leverage of a different kind.”

There were quiet nods around the chamber.

“So it’s a long game. Share the information, hold a percentage, feed a narrative that buys us time to build strength and position. It’s a good plan. Let’s give it a chance.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep