This wasn’t a rare instance. The birth of a True God practically guaranteed such an event. Just a few ten thousand years ago, the Shruti Clan was actually ahead of the Atlas Clan on the rankings, but a single True God flipped everything on its head. This was the value of a True God.

But now, the Clans had gained an opportunity to grow close once more. The Atlas Clan had birthed a True God of the last generation, while the Shruti had finally birthed one of their own in Saru. If both Clans used their past relationship as pretense, they could form a strong alliance headed into the future.

Wars within the tower quadrants was frowned upon and only allowed within one’s own quadrant. Intra-quadrant warfare was prohibited. Or else what reason would, for example, the Diasho Clan have to not claim the easy Faith that was the 100th ranked quadrant?

However, the Ancient Battlefield event was quickly approaching. Many smarter leaders knew that this peace would soon come to an abrupt end. If they didn’t shore their defenses and prepare, they could get caught with their pants down.

This matter was made even worse by the actions of the Kitsune who the Shruti shared their quadrant with. King Shruti had spent the past several years walking on eggshells, wondering just what it is that they were planning.

The Kitsune had inexplicably closed themselves off from the world, they had even allowed the Shruti to conquer all of their border Gates without putting up any ounce of resistance. But while that should have made King Shruti happy, it actually made him anxious.

This was why he wanted to solidify his alliance with the Atlas Clan. They were a noble family who valued friendship. Even in the face of his weakness, King Atlas never looked down on him and always treated him like a brother. It was also clear to King Shruti that King Atlas had raised his son with the same values. This reassured him that this partnership would be great.

Although Adonis wasn’t a True God like his father, he was still an upper echelon Emperor, just like Tej was. In addition, King Atlas obviously wasn’t going to die any time soon. Once Saru matured, they’d have two True God level experts as their backbone and that would leave them all reassured.

But here was his daughter, living off in some fantasy land. Sure, he was aware that it was partially his fault for allowing her to learn that Sutra at such a young age, and sure he knew that the Sutra and his daughter’s instincts could be trusted. But… 𝘪𝘳.𝒸𝑜𝑚

The matter of hierarchy within the martial world was too important. And, Dyon had far to lofty a status for his daughter.

According to reason, attaching oneself to a Clan with a Higher Existence protecting them was the smarter choice. But King Shruti was not this kind of man.

For one, he refused to abandon his friendship with the Atlas Clan just because a better choice had appeared. And secondly, he didn’t want his daughter to just become one of a powerful man’s many wives. Saru deserved a man who put his soul into her and only her. Adonis would have to do this whether he wanted to or not purely because Saru would one day be far stronger than he was.

However, a wrench had been thrown into his plans.

‘Who would have expected a genius of his caliber to actually have such a good heart at the same time? Shouldn’t all geniuses be evil womanizing bastards at their core? Except for my little girl, of course.

‘Dammit Heavens, couldn’t you have given that boy some glaring flaws Little Saru’s Sutra could see right through?’ King Shruti lamented his misfortune, feeling a massive headache coming on.

He still didn’t understand how a boy from that weak universe had suddenly gotten himself Higher Existence as a backer. Maybe he was like Saru and had gone there for a trial…?

Suddenly, King Shruti felt a tap on his shoulder.

He turned to see a grinning young man who seemed to be in his mid 20s. But, he knew clearly that this man was actually his age. It was none other than King Atlas.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave these matters to the kids, you’re always so stubborn.”

King Shruti rubbed his nose awkwardly. It had indeed been him who insisted on marrying their households together.

“Aren’t you and my little sister enough?” King Atlas winked at Queen Shruti. “Our households are already as one.”

“That’s what I said, but this one doesn’t listen. Apparently I’m not good enough for him, he needs little nephew Adonis too.” Queen Shruti seemed adept at playing the little girl role when her elder brother was around as she pouted.

King Shruti’s headache grew worse. He always hated when these two siblings started to bully him.

“Let’s talk about something different, hm?” King Atlas turned serious. “We need to deal with the Kitsune problem you’re facing quickly. With the coming wave, having a knife at your back is the worst possible outcome.”

King Shruti frowned. “Do you know something?”

King Atlas sighed. “Yes, but for reasons I can’t explain, it’s impossible to tell you. I think we should attack sooner rather than later.”

Like this, the 11th welcoming banquet held in just as many days became a war council.

“From the intel we gathered before all information was perfectly sealed, Head Void died under unknown circumstances. Though, we have a few clues.” King Shruti spoke.

The atmosphere turned serious. Since this was the 11th banquet King Shruti had held, it had dwindled in size considerably. Other than himself, his wife, his two children, not to mention King Atlas, his wife, and Adonis, there was only Saru’s Death Guard, Death Guard Elinor Hanu, present.

[Author’s Note: Death Guard Hanu is Aoife’s mother, mentioned during the Mino Clan introduction just after Head Void’s attack. She doesn’t share the Mino Clan name, though King Mino still calls her his wife.]

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