Chapter 356: Larger Manor

Of course, recruiting the entire Bottomless Void was unrealistic, even for the most persuasive of leaders.

However, Michael’s goal had been achieved by securing the vast majority of the Lords, while a portion of the lesser troops, growing tired of being part of a faction, chose to operate independently from now on.

Considering everything they had been through, Michael didn’t blame them.

With the Indomitable Alliance now having absorbed members from the Bottomless Void, as well as the Unbroken Chain and the Flawless Starlight, their numbers had soared.

Overall, they now commanded over a thousand soldiers. In retrospect, that number might seem insignificant compared to the massive battles of the past. But in reality, such clashes were only possible through the cooperation of numerous factions, clans, families, and even ordinary residents pushed to the brink of action.

That was why for so many capable individuals to unite under a single faction was a rare and formidable occurrence.

Even more notable was that their weakest members were of the Expert realm, with the vast majority regarded as Masters.

Perhaps the most impressive feat was that their ranks included around a hundred and thirty Lords. Given the immense influence such cultivators could wield, this was a tremendous achievement.

Yet with this sudden increase in numbers, the Indomitable Alliance found itself in a difficult predicament…

Accommodating such a large force and securing a place for them to reside became a challenge. The building the Indomitable Alliance had lived in until now was simply too small.

Fortunately, due to their rising fame and growing numbers, a solution was found quickly. Since the first round of the tournament had caused dozens of factions to be driven off the blessed lands, several of them had been Michael’s neighbors, opening up potential territory.

Additionally, thanks to Victoria’s and Claire’s experience in such matters, they were able to swiftly sort out the paperwork.

Now, the base where Michael’s crew resided had become the headquarters of the Indomitable Alliance. Only those closest to Michael lived there, while the rest of the faction’s members were housed in nearby facilities.

Typically, such procedures would take quite some time, but given the urgency after the tournament, matters were resolved in barely over a day.

Climbing onto the roof of their base, Michael and his crew surveyed the surroundings.

“Suddenly, I’m feeling like some noble from a historical drama…” Michael murmured. “The base can be considered the manor, while the surroundings are the estate.”

Richard scoffed, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Well, you’ve got the looks to drive most women wild, so a noble title seems fitting.”

Ruby’s tail swung playfully as she grabbed Michael’s arm.

“He can drive whoever he wants crazy, but I’ve already called dibs on him!” She declared. “I’ll marry him so I can always eat his mother’s cooking!”

Isabella wasn’t currently present, yet she would have surely grinned at the sight of having captured the feline girl with her cooking.

“You’ve gotten pretty bold lately!” Ava proclaimed.

“I have to agree with my cute junior.” Victoria added, her eyes narrowing.

“I don’t intend on letting anyone hog him.” Claire exclaimed, her tone determined.

Respectfully, Ruby stuck out her tongue, teasing them even further. “So, does that mean you don’t want me to marry him, or that you want to marry him yourself?”

“…”

The three of them were left utterly stunned. The timid, shy feline girl they had once found hiding in dark tunnels was nowhere to be found. Instead, Ruby now seemed confident enough to express herself freely, no longer holding back.

It was a positive change, overall. Yet, it also caused the girls to realize that Ruby was now a potential rival…

Eventually, the crew split off to help with the effort of finishing the logistics.

Meanwhile, Michael called Scarlett and Isabella over to the underground training chamber.

Isolated from the outside world, he made Devil assume his real form.

Which was how Devil and Scarlett found themselves kneeling on the ground, hands on their thighs. He bore an expression of utter boredom, while she was secretly sweating buckets.

“We can finally have the talk…” Michael’s eyes sharpened, having filled his mother in on his sister’s secret training with Devil. He wasn’t willing to hold any secret, much less from his family.

“You were serious about it?” Devil bellowed. “What happened with being grateful? You goddamn brat—”

“Shut it, Mister.” Isabella spoke in her scolding, motherly tone.

“Yes, ma’am.” Devil obeyed. Being part of Michael’s soul, it came as no surprise that Michael’s mother held a certain influence over him.

“Now…” Isabella gazed down at her daughter. “Young lady…”

Scarlett gulped, awaiting judgment. Being a proper child all her life, she had never found herself under her mother’s piercing gaze.

’Why is she so terrifying?! Uncle has made me experience the fear of death, yet this is an entirely different matter!’ She thought, throwing a discreet glance towards Devil.

“Don’t you cast the blame on me!” Devil whispered in annoyance.

The tension in the room built up to boiling levels.

At the end, Isabella sighed.

“You know what you did was bad, right?”

Shame washed over Scarlett as she stared at the ground, unable to meet her mother’s gaze.

“Yes…” She muttered timidly.

Isabella’s expression softened, patting her on the head.

“Then that’s fine. If you are so eager to get stronger, do it, but don’t do it behind our backs. Don’t you think that your brother deserves complete transparency, considering how much he has helped us?”

Scarlett nodded, expressing a sincere apology to her brother.

With that, the talk about Devil training Scarlett concluded.

“From now on, I shall be training with you. The idea of Devil doing it makes me uneasy.” Michael declared.

At that moment, Scarlett brightened up. Rising on her feet, she pounced on him, wrapping herself around him in a hug.

“I love you! I love you! I love you!” Because he was sturdier than metal, she squeezed him with full force. “Though Uncle is quite the capable teacher, there is no need to worry about his influence over me.”

Michael’s eyebrow twitched.

“Uncle?” He gazed at Devil, awaiting an explanation, only receiving a shrug and blissful whistling in return.

Shaking his head, Michael glanced at Isabella.

“Mom, I reckon that you want me to train you as well.”

A breathtaking smile tugged at Isabella’s face. Her hands softly scratched his head.

“Only if you feel comfortable enough.” She said in her motherly tone. “But honestly… I would love it.”

With his family taking priority over everything else, Michael spent the whole day training his sister and mother, making sure to be harsh when needed and lenient when the time arose.

He was determined to turn them into warriors that no one would dare mess with.

In the meantime, away from the expanded base of the Indomitable Alliance, several figures silently watched the inside of their territory, keeping a safe distance.

“Is this really a wise idea? What happens if we get caught?” A woman expressed her concerns.

“The job is simple enough. We’ll be in and out in just a few minutes. With the tournament’s semi-finals underway, everyone would be too on edge to spot us.” A male voice belonging to the leader echoed.

“We’re to abduct Scarlett or Isabella. Either of them would do.” The man smirked. “Come on, loosen up a little. What is the worst that can happen?”

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