Chapter 231

Chapter 231: The Gran Forest Pact

Winter of the Year 986 of the Arad Calendar.

Forest of Gran.

The once-lush forest had become charred earth after the apocalyptic fire, further scarred by war and trampling hooves. Now blanketed by Belmar Kingdom’s first heavy snowfall, the land turned pure white.

Snowflakes like goose feathers swirled through the air, gently cloaking the earth in white. Though deep winter, the scene pulsed with vitality—as if green shoots would soon push stubbornly through the snow.

A year prior, in winter of 985, the Delos Empire’s attempted invasion sparked brutal clashes between their expeditionary troops and Belmar’s new Hawk Brigade across this land, drenching soil with soldiers’ blood.

Six months ago, both sides shifted focus to West Coast upon signs of Sky City’s awakening, leaving only sporadic skirmishes here.

One month ago, when Faero Bay erupted in conflict and Sky City finally rose from the sea, this place fell silent—both sides guarding their fortresses in frozen standoff.

Until today.

The Forest of Gran’s silence shattered again.

An imperial caravan advanced swiftly along the forest’s widest military road. Silver-armored knights guarded carriages pulled by eight purebred horses, their gilded frames radiating grandeur. At the procession’s head fluttered a golden banner bearing both Delos Empire’s crest and royal insignia.

This was Delos Empire’s diplomatic convoy.

Leading it stood two crown princes:

Second Prince Philip Skart Heinrich.

Fourth Prince Reinhardt Skart Heinrich—who’d previously crossed paths with Midi.

Their purpose wasn’t renewed war, but rather ending years of conflict with Belmar.

They came to negotiate a pact.

"Who’d have thought Delos Empire would ally with Belmar?" mused a voice thick with mixed emotions inside the lavish carriage.

The speaker was a nearly-thirty nobleman—square-jawed, tall, with steady eyes projecting both gentleness and resolve. Second Prince Philip Skart Heinrich, Reinhardt’s elder brother. With rebellious Sword Master Sodoros imprisoned, this flawlessly composed prince stood as prime heir to the throne. Even while privately scorning Belmar, he’d never voice it—too prudent to risk appearing immature.

Beside him, Reinhardt’s lips twitched but stayed silent.

Among imperial higher-ups, only he’d witnessed Midi Asreks’ awakened power firsthand. Only he understood resistance against that overwhelming force was unthinkable.

When Midi descended victorious that day, Reinhardt had surrendered—his trump card being merely two earthly stone bombs left by "Nightmare Hand" Wiseman. But if Midi feared neither the Light City Lord’s self-destruction nor skyfall itself, what threat were mere explosives?

Yet when Reinhardt expected betrayal after securing Sky City, Midi shockingly renewed alliance proposals.

"Because stronger foes like the Light City Lord await above," Midi explained, gesturing skyward past Floating City. "Humankind must unite."

Clearly, this "Sword of Victory and Guardian" now gazed beyond Arad’s petty conflicts toward higher horizons.

Such vision!

Reinhardt knew Philip’s royal scheming would crumble before Midi’s might. But why warn him? Let the smug heir blunder. This pact negotiation placed Philip in charge—Reinhardt merely assisted. Better to watch the comedy unfold, perhaps loosening his brother’s footing for future advantage.

Thinking of this, Reinhardt chose silence.

Philip clearly disliked this attitude. When his fourth brother didn’t respond, he frowned.

Though both sides had joined forces to defeat the Lord of the Light City in the Sky City battle, everyone knew Belmar’s Hawk Brigade emerged as the true victor. The Imperial army suffered heavy losses, weakening their influence.

Another battle was impossible. But during pact negotiations, Philip aimed to secure as many benefits as possible for the Empire, ensuring control over Awakening Ground’s resources.

As lead negotiator, Philip sought every advantage.

Part of his plan involved using Reinhardt to gather intelligence on Midi. But Reinhardt’s passive resistance frustrated him.

He didn’t realize Reinhardt feared provoking Midi, the Killing God, who could erase him without a trace.

Even without Reinhardt’s help, Philip had other cards.

A true Perfect Awakened One.

After the Sky City battle, Midi had opened Star Mountain for awakening. Adventurers, soldiers, psionicists—any qualified under his rules—could access Awakening Crystals. The Delos Empire seized this chance.

Within a month, they awakened nearly a hundred experts, including one Perfect Awakened One.

Philip believed Midi’s early advantage had vanished. With these Awakened Ones, the Empire could demand more during negotiations.

Strength was everything—the Empire’s creed. Today, Philip would dominate using this power.

“Midi Asreks may be an unbeaten general, but he’s politically naive. I’d never have opened Sky City or let rivals awaken before signing the pact,” Philip remarked, sipping wine.

But when facing Midi, he realized his error.

To prevent Imperial schemes, Midi took three steps.

First, he secretly sent Fina and Alice to the Azure Palace’s Seventeen Peaks. Using the Dragon’s Blood White Crystal Pool, they achieved Extraordinary Awakening—exactly as planned.

Second, he brought Alice to the negotiations.

Third, together, they unleashed their Dragon’s might.

When the Dragon’s might erupted, everyone froze in fear. Even the Empire’s Perfect Awakened One trembled under Midi’s dark gaze and Alice’s icy aura, drenched in cold sweat.

Only Dragonkin resisted the pressure.

Midi intentionally used Dragonkin instead of Hawk Brigade warriors to maintain order.

The result? The Empire’s delegation stood shaking, heads bowed, some fainting. Belmar’s representatives watched proudly.

The second prince, who prided himself on political mastery, finally understood.

Midi wasn’t a Perfect Awakened One.

He’d surpassed it.

And Alice’s power revealed Belmar had three such beings—Midi, Alice, and surely Fina too.

Midi had wanted all three present. But Fina, as Queen, couldn’t attend unless the Empire’s Sword Emperor Yuren came—beneath her status.

Still, two Extraordinary Awakened Ones sufficed.

Their presence crushed all opposition—even from an Imperial prince.

As Philip reluctantly stamped the Delos royal seal, the Belmar-Delos alliance formed.

Under Midi’s plan, nations like eastern Xuzu and northern Bantu would later join.

This alliance, born to divide Awakening Ground, would one day unite all Arad as humanity’s shield.

“What next?” A silver-bell voice asked.

Black-haired Alice gazed at Midi—their shared question.

“Next?” He looked at the blue sky and pointed.

“Let’s climb higher. See better views.”

He smiled confidently.