The Conquerors Path Chapter 968 - 966-Time To Fuck Things Up.

My thoughts were racing at a frenetic pace. In a mere heartbeat, the situation had reached a boiling point. Setting aside the complications with the girls, I still had to contend with the ripples caused by my recent actions. I had just toppled the reigning juggernaut of this era through raw physical power alone. In a sense, if I truly desired it, I could seize that title and claim it as my own right now.

However, this victory also paves the way for a multitude of new inquiries that have been circulating throughout the world for quite some time.

Exactly where does my limit lie?

As far as the world is concerned, no one has ever witnessed the full extent of my capabilities. Every time they believe they have deciphered my strength, I reveal a new facet: high-level mana combat, fundamental martial arts, and now, overwhelming physical dominance. What else do I have hidden away for the world to discover? Is there even a ceiling to my power? And of course, the most pressing question being whispered in every corner daily: what is my true Origin realm?

Only those closest to me have the slightest clue about my actual level; for everyone else, it remains a tantalizing mystery they are desperate to solve. At this moment, I am perceived as a combat prodigy who stands at the pinnacle of any rank. I have dismantled my enemies in groups, and now, I have crushed them individually with nothing but pure strength. People are left wondering just how formidable I will be when I finally stop holding back. That uncertainty is undoubtedly causing several powerful figures to feel incredibly anxious.

Up until this point, they were content to simply observe from the sidelines. Now, however, I am certain they will begin to take action. With my luck seemingly on the decline, I anticipate that unfavorable events will start manifesting around me, which is far from ideal. In fact, even the older generation will likely start making moves now because they have become genuinely rattled.

In the near future, their goal will be to manipulate me, using my strength to restore the influence the war council has forfeited. As I noted previously, I am the quintessential figurehead for them to thrust into the limelight. While they have stayed in the shadows watching and analyzing until now, that passive stance is about to end. The power and growth I am currently displaying suggest that once I reach my peak, I might become a force they can never hope to restrain.

The atmosphere around me is already shifting, signaling that these shifts will soon manifest in reality. This is happening even before I have finished positioning all my pieces within the war council.

A flicker of greed danced in my eyes at that realization. Furthermore, none of the girls had come to find me yet—not out of a lack of desire, but because they were lost in their own reflections. The recent shifts have impacted them significantly, meaning the rules of the game have evolved.

Nevertheless, they each sent me a message to offer their congratulations and apologies, which I fully understood. The changes they are undergoing are forcing them to recalibrate their plans. This situation has also exposed several truths I had hoped to keep concealed, indicating that an all-out confrontation is fast approaching.

Beyond that, I must maintain contact with all of them to ensure they don't impulsively attempt to eliminate one another. Should they try, I have to be the one to ensure such a thing never comes to pass.

I quickly dispatched messages to my friends and associates, instructing them not to seek me out for the time being. I requested some space to clear my mind; otherwise, the entire group would come charging toward me. On the bright side, I achieved my primary objective: I restored the pride and morale of the student body, boosting their spirits, and I proved that I cannot be easily suppressed, regardless of who tries.

Just as these thoughts crossed my mind, a sudden notification arrived. I skimmed the contents, and my expression immediately darkened.

A dull ache throbbed in my head as I processed what had occurred. Just as I tried to relax, a knock sounded at my door. I tapped Elda, who had been resting on my lap; she pouted as she sat up and moved to the side.

"Come in."

The moment the words left my mouth, Elysia and Nihil stepped inside. Their grim expressions told me everything I needed to know.

"So you’ve already heard..."

Elysia spoke in a hushed, somber tone. Nihil followed up immediately.

"How could this have happened?!"

Hearing their distress, Elda looked confused and increasingly anxious as she asked,

"What’s wrong? What happened?"

I offered her a reassuring smile and patted her head to calm her nerves.

"Don't worry about it; it’s just a matter your big brother needs to handle."

I could tell Elda wasn't entirely satisfied with that answer, but she chose not to press the issue. Standing up from the sofa, I took a moment to stretch while maintaining a smile.

"I have to go take care of something; it’s quite urgent."

"Fine, but make sure you're back for dinner."

Elda added her condition, which brought a genuine smile to my face.

"I can't make any promises."

With that, I exited the room, with Nihil and Elysia following closely as we headed through the corridor toward the teleportation center. I kept my stride light as I left the coliseum, but as I reached the more public areas, I became the center of attention. Whispers followed me everywhere, and fellow students shouted words of encouragement as I passed.

Many attempted to approach me, but I projected a sharp "do not disturb" aura—a menacing, swirling pressure that kept the crowds at a distance.

"It looks like the war council has made their move; the tower is completely surrounded,"

Nihil remarked, his voice heavy with the weight of the situation. Elysia looked visibly distressed, biting her lip in worry.

"Stay calm; we’ll find a way through this,"

I answered steadily as we approached the nearest teleportation hub. All around, eyes were fixed on me, people were murmuring about the recent win, and some were even chanting my name. Fortunately, my forbidding aura ensured no one actually blocked my path through the plaza.

The teleportation center was about a fifteen-minute walk away. During the trek, my mind remained in overdrive. I could feel Celestinia’s gaze lingering on me—she seemed worried, but was likely calculating how to turn these events to her advantage. Meanwhile, I mentally cycled through various strategies to manage this sudden crisis.

The crux of the matter was that news had finally reached the high-ranking officials: one of the QuiverLords was actually a fully corrupted individual!

Yes, the truth about that wretch had finally leaked. This meant the chance to control the narrative had slipped away. Now, the War Council could spin the story however they pleased, potentially dragging the entire council's reputation down to a disastrous level globally.

My eyes hardened with the determination to shatter any obstacle in my path, feeling the tension in the air.

[Indeed, you were once outside the grand design, but now you have entered it. Do not expect fate to be pleased. To be a conqueror is to invite resistance; the world will strive to cast you down to prevent your total dominion. The path of a conqueror always carries such burdens.]

A smirk touched my lips as I pressed forward. Given my status as a holder, I was granted immediate approval for off-campus travel—one of many convenient privileges. However, the same did not apply to Nihil and Elysia. They would have to submit formal requests for external travel, which would take time to process. For me, everything was instantaneous.

With these thoughts spinning in my mind, I turned to my companions.

"Submit your requests to leave the academy immediately and meet me as soon as you are cleared; I’ll have the Dean expedite the processing."

They both nodded and quickly moved to comply, splitting off from me. I reached the transportation center shortly after. My rank allowed me to bypass the usual queues as onlookers watched in silence.

"I require transport out of the academy,"

I stated with a polite smile. The receptionist processed my request after verifying my off-campus transfer approval, and an escort arrived to lead the way. Because external transfers are sensitive operations, I was brought to a large, open chamber. With a brief nod to the mages stationed there, the teleportation sequence began.