The Conquerors Path

Chapter 912 891-Subtle Dominance.

My talk with Eleanra was simple yet complex in many senses of the word. I went forth to talk about my life at the beginning, the things I had to overcome, and the love I had to give to my family. Then, I talked about the risks and the life I almost gave to my sisters. Throughout all this, Eleanra listened with a light smile on her face.

Though in between, hidden from my sight, her expressions did always kept changing. And thus now, I went forth to include how I met my teacher, how things went forth, the friends I made, and the journey I set upon after saving my sisters—a sense of legendary storytelling in my words as they flowed like smooth silk.

After which, I toned down many of my words, expressing more of the hidden secrets in them as I spoke of how I met my friends, the things I did throughout all of my travels, and the fun, sadness, betrayal, and anger I went through. All of them fell into the ears of Eleanra, who listened with a sympathetic look on her face.

Her emotions fluctuated and changed with mine as I spoke of the several tribulations I faced. By the end of it, silence engulfed the place. During my talk, I made sure to leave several gaps and a certain sense of hesitation in different parts, showing the fact that there are several secrets in my travels that I have yet to speak of.

In fact, I made sure that Eleanra picked up on my hesitation when I spoke about why I left on my travels. I made up the scenario of wanting to see the world, but she, with all her knowledge, should understand the fact that there lay deeper reasons for why I did it—perhaps the interlinking part of my bloodline, which awakened, would have caught her interest.

I have already laid out the breadcrumbs for the ones I want to follow my path, and they will always stumble upon the several tragedies and growth I went through, which will only force them onto my side better. Plus, the ʼfactʼ of me being a hidden hero has to be dealt with quite lightly. Rather than me saying it out loud, I think it would be better for everyone if they ʼcoincidentallyʼ find out about it during their investigation.

That would give me more power. I need it for now. I have already set all the cornerstones I need across Eleanraʼs mind. All that is left is for it to slowly bloom and grow better and better. So, for now, I waited with a smile on my face as I watched Eleanra speak after some time, digesting a lot of the things I told her.

”You must have had a rough time...”

She said with a small, sad smile on her face as she held my hand, the warmth in it being more familial as she continued forth.

”I canʼt speak for everything, but from now onwards, you shall be under my protection. I shall like to see which powerhouse out there would like to have their weapon supplies stopped.”

I chuckled at her words, shaking my head as I replied.

”All those things have only made me stronger. And if you wish to protect me, protect me from the greatest dangers out there. Leave the smaller ones to me. I prefer to grow stronger by facing the dangers this world has set for me.”

My words made Eleanra smile. I could see the sense of approval radiating from her as she nodded her head and replied.

”Then that shall be it. For now, return to your room. I have a lot of things I need to prepare before the reveal. It seems I will finally be making my move after a long time.”

Chuckling at her words, I nodded my head, my expression calm as I stood up from the seat, my steps light as I began to walk away. But before I could, the words of Eleanra rang in my ears.

”I know all of this looks quick and quite immoral if we look at it from another point of view, and I can tell the fact that there is more that you wish to tell me. But I can understand the fact that we have yet to fully establish and concrete trust between the two of us...”

Her words made my expression turn to one of surprise as I opened my mouth to reply. But before I could, Eleanra raised her hand to block me as she, with a swift smile, shook her head and replied.

”Donʼt worry about it. I can understand that too well, and the problem is quite easy to solve. Rather than with words, I shall show you with actions and let time strengthen the bond from there.”

I smiled at her words, a certain sense of hesitation flashing through my face as, after a moment of thought, I replied.

”The woman named Valdris—Is there any way you can keep her away from me?”

My sudden question caught Eleanra by surprise as she asked,

”What happened?”

A certain seriousness in her voice, to which, after a thought, I replied,

”She seems unusually interested in me.”

My words only surprised her more as she asked,

”How much unusual?”

To this, after a moment of hesitation, I replied,

”Like she is interested in me?”

I said it with some hesitation, but the innocence and assurance in my words made Eleanra shrink down as she, after a moment of thought, replied.

”Leave it to me. I shall think about it.”

Her words made me relax as I nodded my head and started to walk out of the place, soon meeting a new maid outside, who, with a very respectful bow, spoke.

”Please, follow me. I shall guide you back.”

I nodded my head at her words as we started to walk through the place, soon settling back into my room as I sat back on my sofa, my mind swirling with different thoughts as the system chimed in.

[You are going to set forth a very great rivalry if you do this.]

I laughed inwardly at the words of the system, there being a lot of truth to them. Right now, I have a lot of eyes focused on me within the palace. I can feel the irritation leaking from the king at the fact that I am spending a lot of time with his queen. The same with the crown prince, but his irritation is more towards my time spent with Valdris. There is also suspicion and doubt about what had taken place when I had my meeting with Lyssandra.

Just my stepping into this place has set forth a whole range of actions, and my plans for Eleanra donʼt just involve her help in keeping the war council in check or bringing an internal bloodbath. It also comes with my idea of controlling Valdris too.

Now, how could she, the one now swimming in insecurity, feel when Eleanra will publicly declared her guardianship over me?

It will drive Valdris mad, especially when she herself wonʼt be able to provide the same support for me. Unlike the direct blood connections of Eleanra, which make her, in a sense, the princess of her faction, Valdris doesnʼt have such power yet.

In fact, she is building towards such power. Right now, she keeps the strength of her talents at hand, and her daughter-in-law status holds an icon of power. She has been slowly gathering more and more power, but she hasnʼt reached the stage where she can go against the faction she has tied herself to.

And the sad part is, this faction has indeed played some roles in the past that led to the fall of such a powerful knight as Eleanra, which would mean an internal war between the two greatest factions that supply the greatest war materials throughout all factions.

And that will disrupt a lot of things in my favour, especially when I will be making a move for the grandmother of Trisha. If I play my cards right, I shall be able to even open a civil war within the war council. After all, there still lay a lot of good people who truly wish for good things around the world within the war council.

Now, coming back to the topic at hand—Eleanara openly declaring it will send Valdris into a spiral of insecurity. She wonʼt be able to match up to it, and that insecurity, driven by an intense desire to gain more power, to be more useful to me, will ensure that my love for her never fades. This will ignite the epic rivalry between Eleanara and Valdris.

The words I spoke will create a certain tension on Eleanaraʼs face as she glances at Valdris. That single glance will set off a storm of difficult thoughts in Valdrisʼ mind. Perhaps she will imagine that I have already fallen into Eleanaraʼs clutches. Maybe, just maybe, her mind will even conjure the thought that Eleanara is planning to steal away her perfect lover.

With her insecure mind, the possibilities are endless. And that—that—is the weakness I will hold in my hands. Especially when the rivalry between them already exists, a rivalry to prove who is better. And in Valdrisʼ eyes, I will be the final judge of that. This means...

Pleasing me will always remain her priority.

[This will be brutal.]

ʼI agree…ʼ