“The dark elves have decided to surrender?”
When Nell heard this news from Rhode, she was astonished beyond words. Shortly after, this dark elf with unique skin color puckered her brows and gazed at her master in uncertainty. She sized him up and tried to get a read on his face, but it was a pity that his face was as emotionless as ever.
“Your Majesty, please pardon my rudeness. Surely you don’t believe in the matriarchs’ promise, right?”
“Why can’t I?”
Facing Nell’s question, the corners of Rhode’s mouth perked up into a confident smile.
“Dark elves are a bunch who keep their promises; at least, that is the case in certain aspects. Nonetheless, I think we do need spies in the underground too, don’t you agree?”
“But…”
Nell gazed at Rhode speechlessly. She felt like his smile concealed a hint of oddness as though the situation wasn’t as simple as she imagined. Although Nell was confident in her master’s abilities, destroying the dark elves was one matter, while manipulating them was another, especially in the current situation.
“Your Majesty, isn’t our most important mission right now to rescue Her Highness Erin?”
Nell blinked in confusion and asked.
“That’s right. This is our mission.”
Upon hearing her doubt, Rhode nodded.
“But it isn’t yours… Nell, your mission is completed the moment you lead us to Carlesodar. Your next task is to gain control over the city in the shortest time possible… How about that, Nell? Aren’t you interested in becoming the essential ruler of dark elves?”
“Me?!”
Nell couldn’t hold in her emotions any longer. She widened her eyes in bewilderment, staring straight at Rhode. She couldn’t believe that Rhode actually gave her a chance like this. Ruler of dark elves… This title was indeed tempting, but the problem was that Nell knew her own strength. She was just a fighter who couldn’t cast spells. Strength was always the most crucial in the world of dark elves. In terms of physical skills, Nell regarded herself as the strongest in Carlesodar City. But in terms of spell-casting, she didn’t stand a chance.
“But, Your Majesty…”
Nell just couldn’t figure out whether Rhode was messing with her or not. She considered her words carefully and continued.
“… Please pardon my rudeness. I don’t think I can do it.”
“I’m aware of that.”
Rhode squinted at her.
“But I will make you succeed.”
Rhode replied and beckoned to her. Upon witnessing his hand gesture, Nell sauntered toward him in puzzlement. Then, she witnessed Rhode placing his right hand in front of her, where dazzling, brilliant starlight emanated and displayed a mark of a dragon in midair.
“Hold my right hand.”
Upon hearing his order, Nell stretched out her hand without hesitation and held his hand.
At the next moment, Nell sensed a strong torrent of energy rushing into her body. All of a sudden, her entire body was bursting with strength. Not only did she feel the surging spiritual power, but she could also touch the rule threads. She widened her eyes in disbelief. If one were to show her reflection in the mirror, she would immediately notice that she was emanating faint rays of starlight from head to toe, while the mark of the dragon shone at the center of her forehead.
“Your Majesty, this is…”
Nell stared blankly at her hands. It went without saying that she knew what happened to her just now. In the blink of an eye, she gained immense strength that was beyond imagination. Her strength used to only be in the Master Stage. But now, she clearly felt like she was in the Peak Legendary Stage. Not only that, but in her head right now, there was also new wisdom that taught her how to control her strength and what she was capable of.
“This is the mark I bestow upon you.”
Rhode announced. The dragon mark was a power that Rhode obtained after becoming a Void Dragon. He was able to bestow the dragon mark upon others, passing on part of the dragon soul protection to them, which was similar to the relationship between God and angels. Of course, the dragon mark wasn’t completely flawless. Firstly, the power wouldn’t belong to the holders permanently. If the holders were to do anything that didn’t meet Rhode’s expectations, he could revoke his dragon mark and bestowed strength. Secondly, the mark was also divided into high, medium, and low ranks. For instance, a high-mark holder would be absolutely dominant and superior over a low-mark holder.
This was the power that only belonged to the Void Dragon. Perhaps because the Void Dragon was the true creation God of the Dragon Soul Continent, Rhode was able to create his very own ‘dependents’ to a certain degree. He didn’t have a suitable purpose all this while and now, he finally found one. This was the reason why he wanted to dominate the dark elves’ city. With the help of the dragon mark, he didn’t need to worry about the dark elves betraying him because when that happened, they would find out that they couldn’t refuse his orders at all…
“We, the first family, have decided to accept His Majesty the Void Dragon’s proposal.”
A crisp, melodious voice echoed in the meeting room. Everyone couldn’t help but turn around and stare in bafflement as soon as they heard the first family’s matriarch’s decision. Many among them were doubtful as to why the first family’s matriarch made her decision so quickly. Durelle was the only one whose heart sank slightly. It was apparent that the first family’s matriarch was the same as her. They realized the rich, hidden benefits and opportunities, which was why she made this decision.
I wonder what the other matriarchs think about it.
At this thought, Durelle shot a look at the other matriarchs. At that moment, they were stumped as though they didn’t expect the first family to give up their authority and position. Of course, no one was sure how many of the matriarchs were actually putting on an act to disguise their surprise, that was.
While the matriarchs exchanged looks, a voice shattered the silence.
“I’m glad all of you made a smart choice.”
“Who’s there?!”
Upon hearing the voice, the matriarchs turned toward it, gripping the snake whips hanging on their waists instantly. The thick shadow before their eyes warped. At the next moment, a man donned in a black attire sauntered out of the shadows. Upon witnessing his emergence, the matriarchs tensed up. There was only one man who was powerful enough to slip into the secret meeting room guarded by dozens of secret spells.
“Y-Your Majesty the Void Dragon.”
The matriarchs stuttered. They didn’t know how Rhode learned about this place and managed to enter. But this wasn’t the most important right now. Judging from his decision to arrive here, it was apparent that he wasn’t interested in waiting for their final decision. To the dark elves, apart from making a decision immediately, they didn’t have any other choice.
“Seems like you’ve made up your mind?”
Rhode unveiled a strange smile, sweeping a glance at the matriarchs. Upon sensing his gaze, the proud matriarchs couldn’t help but lower their heads. It wasn’t that they were trying to express their loyalty, but the moment Rhode turned around, his overwhelming dragon’s prestige enveloped the entire meeting room. If it weren’t for the matriarchs’ years of experience, perhaps they would have already plopped to the ground.
“Your Majesty, we…”
One of the matriarchs puckered her brows and tried to speak under the suppression of the dragon’s prestige. But Rhode merely swept a glance at her and she shut her mouth instantly. Shortly after, another matriarch knelt on the ground, lowering her head respectfully. They already knew that since Rhode came knocking on their doors, any resistance against him was futile. If they didn’t want to die like that bunch of idiots, the best choice for them was to surrender.
“We’re willing to accept your conditions and become your most loyal followers, Your Majesty the Void Dragon.”
“Good.”
Upon hearing the matriarchs’ answer, Rhode gave a short reply. He narrowed his eyes, scanned the surroundings, and nodded.
“Seems like you’ve agreed to submit to me. In that case, I shall not mistreat you.”
Rhode spoke and extended his arm. Along with his words, the dragon mark gradually took shape in midair. Upon witnessing the mark, the matriarchs couldn’t help but lift their heads. It went without saying that they sensed the pure, powerful energy brimming from it. At the same time, Rhode’s deep voice rang in their ears.
“In return for surrendering to me, I shall bestow strength and honor upon you…”
