Chapter 214: The Mass Magical Portal Conspiracy
Deep within Grimhollow Valley, constant skirmishes raged as countless forces moved about.
Among them was a large group of experts following closely behind the Dragon Spear Hero, Ramiro León.
Inside his massive magical aircraft, Ramiro and the members of Lion's Spearhearts sat around a table, their eyes fixed on Seralily. In her palms rested a small Shayleaf doll, a less refined version of the one Elton carried, yet still capable of basic communication and magic.
"Alright, Shay, what's happening that's so important? Those maniacs from the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan and the Soloman Clan are losing their minds and even bothering us!" Ramiro grumbled, irritation clear in his tone.
"Tch! Those pests better watch themselves and stop troubling Rami Rey…" Isebella León muttered darkly, her eyes flashing with menace.
"Now, now, Isa," Gabriela said sweetly, her smile sharp enough to cut steel. "They know not to cross the line, I hope. Anyone who bothers Rami Rey or Brother El Rey will regret it."
"Hahaha! You two always say what I'm thinking! I, Princess Helga, will never let those fools get away with touching m my Rami!" Helga stammered near the end, her cheeks turning crimson.
"Oooh! Such beautiful declarations!" Shayleaf's doll exclaimed cheerfully. "Anyway, you all listen to me now, kaaay?"
The room quieted. Every core member of Lion's Spearhearts, led by Ramiro and coordinated by Seralily, turned their attention toward the doll.
"Fufufu… go ahead, Milady Shayleaf," Seralily said with a calm smile.
"Ahem! Brother Elly has a plan! But only a portion of your forces can take part, and they need to be trustworthy. We've uncovered something big during a mission," Shayleaf explained brightly.
"Haaah? Something secretive? Hmm… I wonder what that guy Elton found this time," Ramiro said, rubbing his chin with interest.
"Hehehe! It's a surprise! Uh, though it'd be nice if our surprise didn't get ruined by an invasion…" The doll's cheerful voice trailed off, her tiny head shaking as if conflicted.
"Eh!? Say no more, Shay! Tell us what to do!" Ramiro declared, puffing out his chest and furrowing his brows.
"Hehehe, as expected from Brother Ramiro! Oh, right… You'll need to leave someone in charge here, someone with enough power and authority to lead the rest safely," Shayleaf advised.
Ramiro shrugged confidently. "Don't worry about that. I've got plenty of capable people to rely on. I'll leave it to El Gran Jefe, my big brother, Carlos Jr."
…
Elsewhere, aboard another magical aircraft, Zoro Tatsumaki and the core members of the Black Reaper Corps gathered. They had secured this vessel after conquering their last battleground against the Night's Light Devouring Church. Zoro sat at the head, surrounded by powerful experts, Rudecka among them, along with several who had once been enemies spared by his hand.
Standing before them with a confident smile, Joe Pine held up a Shayleaf doll nearly identical to Seralily's.
"Brother Joooee! Brother Zorooo! Hiiii! You all look well, still alive, yes?" Shayleaf's doll chirped, tilting its head cutely.
"Hahaha! Oh, Milady Shay, how could we not be? Look at us, as vibrant as ever! Right, guys?" Joe Pine laughed, flashing a grin around the room.
The reactions varied. Some faintly nodded, others looked dismissive or wary. Rudecka narrowed her eyes, familiar enough with Shayleaf to feel uneasy. A few of the others, veterans of White Star Radiance, regarded her with quiet respect, second only to their respect for Zoro and Elton themselves.
"Heh. I'm sure you're doing better than us, Shayleaf," Zoro said, smirking with faint amusement. "So what's this about?"
"Yes! Brother Elly has a plan! Only part of your forces can join in right now! Umm…" The doll tilted her head in thought. "Ehhh, I don't know if some of these people are trustworthy though?"
The room instantly grew tense. The previously disinterested experts flared with dark auras, the temperature dropping like ice.
"Hmm? Ehhh? Brother Zoro, why are your friends so mean and gloomy!?" Shayleaf's doll puffed up adorably, her small voice echoing through the chamber.
"They're just a rough bunch," Zoro replied calmly, though his tone carried the weight of death itself. "If any of them weren't trustworthy, I'd have already killed them."
A faint surge of killing intent swept the cabin, enough to make every fighter tense. Those who had glared at Shayleaf instantly backed down.
Rudecka, sensing the atmosphere, quietly activated her Divine Eye, two of her four eyes glowing with deep power. But the instant her gaze touched the doll, it slammed into an invisible wall of pressure. Her heart nearly froze. A suffocating sense of inferiority, stronger even than what she once felt before Aeloria, washed over her.
"Hmm? Ohh!! You're the Tetrahand lady who used to be with Aunt Aeloria! Wow, what a powerful ability you have! My main body could probably grab hold of your spirit body if I tried, ah, no, I'm getting distracted! Anyway, Brother Zoro, about the plan!" Shayleaf rambled, giggling afterward.
Rudecka's face paled further. Her instincts screamed that Shayleaf's words weren't bluster, they were truth. Worse yet, Shayleaf, just like her, wasn't even a Mortal Lord, only a Golden Lord, barely half a step beyond her own realm. And still, the difference between them was immeasurable.
Her eyes flicked to Zoro, and she shivered again. He, too, was a Golden Lord, yet carried the strength of an early stage Mortal Lord.
…
Shayleaf sat atop a massive magical aircraft seated in meditation beside Elchris. She sat with a magical aura glowing around her body until her eyes finally opened. Near them stood her three familiars, Corvin, Cromlin, and Prawna.
Before her, a projection of Aeloria shimmered into view, smiling warmly.
"So," Aeloria began, folding her arms with an amused look, "care to fill me in so I can start preparing?"
"Yes! I'm about to do something that will cause a huge commotion, but for Brother Elly's sake and for the future of my friends, it's worth it. Thank you for always helping me, Aunt Aeloria."
Shayleaf's smile radiated sincerity and affection.
Aeloria chuckled softly. "No need for so much thanks. I'm doing this for our Fanged Elf clan first, but also because you're like a cute niece to me. Besides, watching you alongside Christy and Erica gives me even more confidence…" Her voice softened as her thoughts wandered to a certain Fanged Elf man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Shayleaf.
"Hehehe, thank you, Aunty! Now, before anything happens, I should tell you the plan. Brother Elly has officially founded our sect, though the circumstances are complicated. It's only in the early stages. The sect is backed by the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, and its foundation comes from what used to be called the Blue Star Sect."
Aeloria froze. "…Wait, what?! That's a lot to take in. Is this all true!?"
Shayleaf nodded with a bright grin. Aeloria's composed expression faltered as she processed everything. She hadn't expected things to progress so quickly within only days of returning to Desert Red Star.
…
Not long afterward, Jewleaf, Christina, Jonovan, and other key members of their inner circle were informed of Elton and Shayleaf's plans. Each immediately began mobilizing, selecting only the most loyal and capable allies to participate.
From a familial and personal standpoint, it was natural to support their friends. Yet from a clan and sect perspective, this was a once in an era opportunity, a chance to anchor themselves to a rising power destined for greatness, one that could surpass the convoluted hierarchies of their own clans and sects.
Even members of the Soloman Clan caught wind of this. Among the higher ups, discussions turned to quiet decisions. Figures like Rija Soloman didn't hesitate long. Whether Elton accepted it or not, he was still a descendant of their clan, and as Elton Solman, he had become a symbol who stirred the hearts of many clansmen.
Regardless of shifting loyalties, it was clear that the Fanged Elves possessed the greatest capital among White Star Radiance's allies, second only to the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect itself.
…
Moments later, three enormous magical formations appeared across distant regions, shaking the entire world.
The first erupted after a bloody battle near the southern central edge of Grimhollow Valley. In a flash of light, a portion of experts aligned with the Black Reaper Corps vanished without a trace.
A similar event followed within Ramiro's camp, many followers disappearing into a blinding magical portal. Chaos spread as allied and rival forces alike scrambled in confusion.
Jumanga Helmsley stared in disbelief as part of the Black Reaper Corps vanished before his eyes. When he retreated to regroup, reports confirmed that the same phenomenon had occurred with Ramiro's army. His intricate plots crumbled instantly. No one, not even his spies, could explain what was happening.
But the greatest shock came from the ranks of the Fae Grand Spirit Alliance.
There, a massive portal far larger than the former two burst open among their armies. The Crimson Eyed Army, the combined Five Races Forces, and numerous other individuals, especially Fanged Elves, were engulfed by the swirling light and disappeared entirely.
Observers quickly realized something strange. Every disappearance was orchestrated. Each vanished group shared one connection. They were all aligned with White Star Radiance.
No one could yet fathom how these large scale teleportations had been achieved.
Within the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan, unrest spread like wildfire. Internal factions argued fiercely as rumors confirmed that several of their own had been sent away through the mysterious portals. For the first time, they were forced to reconsider their stance toward White Star Radiance.
The Soloman Clan found itself in an even deeper state of turmoil. The sudden rumors from the southern Central region about the White Corrosive Flame Empress and the unmistakable descriptions identifying her as Erica Soloman shook the clan to its core.
The events of the past week felt surreal. Had her name not still been associated with the Golden Lord Realm, they might have already declared her advancement into the Mortal Shedding Realm.
Regardless, her status was already being elevated. Official or not, Erica Soloman was now regarded with a status equivalent to an early stage Mortal Lord.