My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

Chapter 1132: Chapter 1133: Greed Of Men

Figures cloaked and shrouded in white robes and hoods sat around the room. They wore ornaments that shone softly and lit up the chamber. Each of them seemed to radiate authority, as if they were people accustomed to commanding the world.

Perhaps that was because they were in fact such people.

The great doors opened, and a man with long dark hair entered with calm and measured steps. He offered them no greeting and simply pulled out a chair before taking his seat at the end of the long table. Behind him, a woman with violet hair stood with her hands folded behind her back while a short leprechaun hopped onto a chair beside him, adjusting his hat.

This was disrespectful to the people gathered here. Anyone who saw them would at least offer a greeting, assuming they did not simply fall to their knees and kiss their rings.

”Well then, thank you for coming. I must have kept you waiting.”

”You did a lot more than keep us waiting. You dare disregard the Holy Council?” one of them said, his voice thick with irritation.

Damon chuckled softly as he leaned back in his chair.

”What’s so funny?” another asked coldly.

The atmosphere shifted.

The shadows beneath the table lengthened, spreading across the marble floor as Damon slowly raised his eyes.

”Bold of someone here to ask for favors.”

His voice was calm, yet something within it pierced the soul.

The room darkened as the shadows deepened from his simple expression alone. Several members of the council instinctively straightened in their seats.

Suddenly, someone raised a hand.

The darkness receded at once, and the chamber returned to normal.

”Enough. We did not come here to trade words. I believe you read our proposal. We are here to discuss it in person.”

This person’s voice carried far greater authority, and it sounded somewhat familiar. Damon could tell who it was.

It was the ruler of the Holy City.

The Holy Emperor.

Though in truth, much of his authority was suppressed by the High Templar, who held most of the empire’s real power.

”I believe you read mine as well,” Damon replied, showing little regard for the figurehead before him.

These days, the true power within the Holy Empire was Aetherus, and Damon had been avoiding him like the plague.

There was simply something deeply unnerving about the man.

Something that made Damon want to stay as far away from him as possible.

”Yes, we have, and they are not agreeable to us.” The Holy Emperor folded his hands on the table. ”We would like better conditions. This is a holy war, one that will determine the fate of this world. I would ask that you reconsider the percentage on the interest you have offered.”

”No.”

Damon cut him off before he could continue.

”Eighty percent is my standard. You can ask anyone who has dealt with me before.”

”We have heard of your unscrupulous contracts, and the Temple will not stand for such evil and unethical arrangements.”

One of the clergy spoke slowly, his aura spilling into the room.

Damon merely nodded before glancing toward Kudi.

”Let’s go. What’s next on my schedule today?”

Renata immediately turned while Kudi hopped down from his chair.

The three of them stood.

”Wait.”

The Holy Emperor’s voice echoed across the chamber.

Damon paused at the door, a faint smile appearing on his face.

He knew they were desperate.

The most powerful organization in the world had entered decline, and the clearest sign of it was their lack of money.

”We... accept your terms.”

Damon glanced toward Renata.

Without a word, she stepped forward and dropped a thick stack of documents onto the table alongside several oath scrolls.

”Looking forward to doing business with you.”

He left without another word.

The doors shut behind him.

For several moments, silence filled the chamber.

Then one of the templars slammed his fist against the table.

”He can’t get away with this. How dare he? He is supposed to be on our side as the Holy Child.”

”When the ship sinks, the rats are the first to feel it,” another said.

”Watch your mouth, Barristan. We are still very much in control. We still have Lord Aetherus, and the people do not know about our current situation,” a priest replied sharply.

”Be that as it may, we still have Lord Aetherus and many high-ranking paladins in the Seventh Class Advancement.”

”We are still powerful,” another added.

”I don’t suppose Lord Aetherus can make us money to fund our upcoming campaigns.”

”Blasphemous words. Watch your tongue.”

One of the elders rose to his feet with a furious roar.

”Oh, shut up. It’s just us here. Let us be realistic. We have no money. We are drowning in debt, and to make matters worse, our followers are losing faith in us thanks to the Unknown Order defeating us at every turn.”

The stern-voiced templar folded his arms.

”We only need patience. Lord Aetherus has a plan, does he not? Damon Grey can afford to be arrogant for now. When Lord Aetherus succeeds, his vessel will be within our control.”

The chamber fell quiet.

The Holy Emperor slowly smiled beneath his hood.

”You mean the plan to use Damon Grey as the vessel for the resurrection?”

”Indeed.”

The templar nodded.

”For now, let us secure funds and prepare for the campaign in Lysithara. Our agents have also reported strange movements around the Anarchy Mountains.”

”And what of Lord Aetherus?” another templar asked. ”What if his plans do not align with ours?”

”Worry not.”

The Holy Emperor rested his chin upon his hand.

”I have already spoken with the High Templar. It would greatly benefit us if he were to return to his injured state.”

”What about the Tomb of Lesser Gods?” another asked.

”We have Seras Blade working on that matter. A method of entry remains unknown, but I doubt it will remain so for long. It should be resolved before the assault on Lysithara.”

He slowly rose from his seat, and the others followed.

”Our Holy Temple shall emerge victorious in this era after all.”

”Hail the goddess.”

”Hail the goddess.”

In the end, what drove the Temple was not faith.

It was greed.

The greed of men.

These men truly believed they stood above all others, and in this era of endings, they believed they would seize the heavens in the palm of their hands.