Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

Chapter 348 - Taming Threats

”And what alternative do you propose?” Selphira asked. She swept her hand over the glowing map, causing ripples of light that highlighted vulnerable territories. ”Start a war that weʼre practically certain to lose? A war that would destroy our families and might even end what we donʼt yet understand?”

The ancient Ashenway proceeded to explain about Renʼs current limitations in purification but his future potential, about his almost unexplored capabilities, about how his methods could radically transform the cityʼs combat readiness... if only they had time.

She deliberately withheld certain important or sensitive details for herself alone, for now...

”If Yino were so certain of their victory,” she concluded, ”they would have attacked already. The fact that they wait, that they maneuver politically, suggests they harbor doubts. We can use the time these doubts give us to observe the first results.”

The brothers exchanged glances, uncertainty visible in their features.

”A house arrest wonʼt be sufficient to appease public opinion,” Julius insisted, his diplomatic instincts surfacing. ”The people will see weakness, not justice. The nobles will whisper of cowardice, and the common folk will question our resolve against Yinoʼs ways.”

”Not if we execute the plan correctly and reclaim that public opinion in our favor,” Selphira smiled faintly. ”I have an idea that could keep our political image intact while buying the time we need.”

”What plan?” asked Sirius, finally showing interest as he stepped away from his corner toward the illuminated map.

”A plan that requires Ren Patinderʼs participation,” Selphira responded. ”And one that will transform the narrative of this crisis...”

All present, except Sirius, leaned forward, intrigued by what the ancient Ashenway was about to reveal.

♢♢♢♢

In the depths of his mansion, Kharzan closed his eyes, letting his consciousness slide through the bond he shared with one of the three most prominent family leaders of Yino, Ravenspire.

The imposing figure of the three-legged Maginogi Raven materialized before him, its black plumage absorbing light like a hole in reality itself. Its three legs, symbols of its superior nature, anchored firmly to the ground, defying natural laws with their very existence.

”The situation has become complicated,” Kharzan began without preamble, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. ”We need to act now.”

The voice that emerged from the ravenʼs beak wasnʼt animal, but deeply human, though tinged with a strange accent that seemed to echo across vast distances. ”Why should we relinquish the advantage we currently possess? Have you already assured yourself they donʼt have Yanoʼs third ring?”

The raven tilted its head, its eyes gleaming with supernatural intelligence as it studied Kharzanʼs increasingly agitated state.

”Simply waiting would give us more and more advantage with the new triples. Even you yourself have experienced that up to four extra monsters can be obtained if the bearer was already a powerful double. In just 4 more years...”

Kharzan roared, his patience visibly evaporating like morning mist under a harsh sun. ”They have me trapped! Trapped, nothing can be done!” His fists clenched with such force that his nails dug into his palms. ”You know perfectly well that Yino needs my genetic key if we want to advance to the next phase.”

Ravenspireʼs feathers bristled, creating a crown of darkness around its head. ”Just as the Starweavers have our second ring... The genetic key your family stole so many generations ago shouldnʼt be with you in the first place,” it responded with poorly disguised disdain, its voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. ”They rightfully belong to the King of Yino.”

”Are you going to start with that nonsense again? Donʼt you have ours too from that dumb exchange?” Kharzan took a threatening step toward the raven. ”Do you want me to cancel everything then!?”

The raven opened its beak but took several seconds to respond. Finally, it cleared its throat in an almost human manner, the sound incongruous coming from an avian form. ”We can apply pressure for his release,” it conceded, ”but it was foolish to allow capture in the first place.”

”It was your fault!” exclaimed Kharzan, pointing accusingly at the raven, his finger trembling with fury. ”You and your cursed potion! You assured me there would be no visible or perceptible effect and that it would ensure cultivation.” His voice dropped to a threatening growl that seemed to vibrate the very air. ”Youʼd better hurry before the old woman or the ʼdarkʼ old man do something stupid.”

Ravenspire stepped back, its three legs moving with unnatural grace across the marble floor. ”Are you certain you want to separate your entire faction from the city and turn them hostile so soon?” Its tone suggested genuine concern, though it was difficult to differentiate from manipulation. ”The costs would be...”

”You donʼt need to play stupid, just do what I told you. Weʼve always had the ʼYangʼs tailʼ anyway,” Kharzan interrupted bitterly, pacing with the restless energy of a caged predator. ”Weʼve never received our rightful share of the city.”

A contemptuous smile spread across his face, briefly revealing teeth that seemed too sharp, too numerous.

”Our own city in the outskirts will be powerful... After all, buildings are cheap, can be constructed in days with our earth tamers. And we have enough space, which is what truly matters, to reorganize all our soldiers.”

The raven remained silent for a long moment, its head tilted as if evaluating Kharzanʼs words. Finally, its wings extended slowly, spanning an impossible width that seemed to stretch beyond the chamberʼs dimensions.

”So be it then,” Ravenspire conceded, its three legs shifting subtly in what might have been discomfort. ”But remember: each step you take leads you further from the path of return.”

”There has never been a path of return,” Kharzan responded with cold determination, his eyes briefly flashing with that disturbing purple hue. ”Only advancement... or destruction.”

♢♢♢♢

Three days later, the sentries reported increased activity across the Great Rift. Yino was reinforcing its defenses, mobilizing additional troops that materialized like dark specks against the horizon.

In response, Yano had done the same and additionally closed the entrance to the Giant Stone Bridge, the ʼonlyʼ connection point between both cities.

What was truly alarming, however, was the passivity of the Goldcrest border section. While the rest of Yano prepared for a possible war against Yino, the territory under Kharzanʼs control was conspicuously lacking additional defenses. Instead, the golden lion houseʼs border soldiers had been redirected to establish internal divisions, creating physical barriers between their third of the cityʼs territory and the rest.