The Conquerors Path Chapter 974 - 972-What’s The Issue?

A heavy silence descended, stretching as far as the ear could hear. Those watching from the shadows and those standing in the open could only stare, their mouths agape. I could sense it all. My perception captured every detail: a turbulent cocktail of awe, exhilaration, shock, and dread. It was a symphony of clashing emotions, but it was the dark, negative feelings swirling beneath the surface that I felt most clearly as they began to seep out. I could almost taste the bitterness in the air.

Redirecting my attention, I looked toward Eldon, who was struggling to his feet. His expression was a mirror of the others—a blend of reverence and terror, fueled by the sheer impossibility of the scene before him. From any logical perspective, this displayed power looked like a fever dream, a fantasy that had no place in reality. Yet, it was undeniably happening.

I paused to reflect. This course of action was the result of meticulous planning. It wasn't merely a fix for the immediate crisis; it was a move designed to resolve several tangled problems at once. I previously mentioned the need to strip away the "spells" and "surveillances" that had been placed upon me, didn't I? Well, there was no better moment than this to settle that score.

My current state of power had only a few minutes remaining, with one minute already spent. In a blur of motion, I shifted to the exterior. The guards and the members of the war council who had intruded were now scattered outside. I had arranged them neatly at the base of my tower’s steps, looking battered and exhausted. I had been careful not to inflict permanent injuries, but there was no doubt they were in an immense amount of pain.

"You all look wonderful," I remarked, a smile playing on my lips.

The Imperials began to steady themselves as they rose. When I struck them, I had used my aura and mana to seal their abilities. This was a feat only possible because of my current cultivation level; under normal circumstances, their powers would be untouchable. For the time being, they were effectively powerless.

Of course, they weren't without resources to mend their wounds. Before long, the four of them had recovered their composure and health. However, their eyes were bloodshot, burning with a mixture of fury and shame as they glared at me. I merely smirked in response. Maintaining my intimidating posture, I hovered several inches above the ground with my arms crossed, staring them down.

"What? Are you lining up for another round of beatings?" I asked.

The three subordinate Imperials flinched at my tone. Their leader, the elf, remained remarkably composed. He showed no signs of panic as he straightened his attire and began to speak.

"There will be grave consequences for what you have done today. Do you think tossing us out and defeating us changes anything? Eventually, this borrowed power will fade, and the weight of your actions will crush you."

His assessment was entirely accurate. I had beaten them and bolstered the reputation of the tower association, but I couldn't simply execute them, nor was the fundamental conflict resolved. I was merely buying time. Furthermore, the fallout from this physical confrontation would inevitably return to haunt me.

Contemplating the road ahead, I surveyed the four figures before me. Members of the war council were scattered about, recovering, while their warships still loomed in the sky above. Taking it all in, I finally spoke.

"I recall hearing that my archery tower was being subjected to a sudden investigation regarding ties to corruption. There was a claim that a corrupted individual had emerged within these walls, was there not?"

I projected my voice so that it carried for miles. This was a performance, and I intended to be the director, ensuring everything remained under my thumb. I made certain that every word spoken by this elf and the others would be broadcast to the masses.

The elven leader frowned, clearly uneasy with the narrative I was weaving. The calculated nature of my words made him realize that the situation was slipping from his grasp.

"Whatever the case may be, the actions and privacy of the war council are for the council alone to manage," he countered.

Ignoring his protest, I called out to Eldon, who was standing nearby, taking everything in.

"Eldon, what justification did they give for this intrusion? Surely that loud-mouthed fellow explained their reasoning."

Startled by the sudden prompt, Eldon quickly regained his composure and stood tall as he answered.

"They arrived with the claim that QuiverLord Draxton had fallen to corruption. They accused an entire tower under our jurisdiction of serving the enemy."

As these words echoed across the area, gasps erupted from the crowd. The onlookers grew somber, and I noticed the reporters were frantically documenting every second of the revelation. Ordinarily, Eldon would never have been so blunt in public, but he spoke with confidence because of the backing I provided.

"I see. That is a grave accusation indeed. However, I have personally spoken with QuiverLord Draxton, and he is perfectly sane. This interference by the war council is a direct breach of our standing agreements."

With those words, I snapped my fingers. The sound resonated like a thunderclap, and the very fabric of space seemed to tear open. A figure tumbled out of the rift. Before the eyes of the gathered crowd, Draxton appeared. He was in a pitiful state, collapsing onto the ground, battered and broken. He was bound in heavy chains, bearing the unmistakable marks of brutal torture.

Draxton was unable to even offer a greeting; he simply lay there trembling, consumed by agony and terror.

I have to endure a small loss here to secure a greater victory later. But I won't forget this.

"Young lord!" Draxton cried out, his voice thick with desperation and fear.

"QuiverLord Draxton, the war council seems convinced that you have been corrupted and that we are concealing your condition from the public. Is there any truth to these claims?"

Draxton looked genuinely bewildered by the question, as if the very concept was foreign to him. He continued to shudder on the pavement, his voice trembling with pure fright.

"Young lord, please have mercy! Just end it, kill me now!"

Draxton’s desperate pleas only added to the confusion of the crowd. I noticed several of my own subordinates turning pale, unable to grasp the turn of events. Remaining calm, I looked back at the elven leader, acting as though nothing else mattered.

"Go ahead. Check him for any trace of corruption. If you find nothing, the war council will owe a massive debt for this insult."

The elf narrowed his eyes, deep in thought, before finally giving a curt nod. One of his subordinates, visibly shaking, stepped forward with a detection device and began the scan. Within moments, the results were clear.

No Corruption Detected...

That single result was enough to shatter their narrative. The weight of the truth began to settle over everyone present.

"We still need to—"

"If you’re about to suggest a full sweep of everyone else just to be certain, don't bother. I have already performed the inspection myself. My word should be more than sufficient, shouldn't it?"

I spoke with a mocking edge. I could see the elf was stung by the remark. After all, they were the ones who had built me up as a legendary hero—the one destined to lead the world against corruption. Given my current level of power, my authority to declare someone "clean" was absolute.

"Because of my unique blessing and abilities, no corruption can hide from my sight, especially at my current peak. No amount of concealment can bypass me. I have declared him clean, and therefore... he is clean."

I wasn't finished. I reached down and grabbed Draxton by the hair, yanking his head up as I continued.

"And don't even think about claiming I healed him. Even if I had, residual traces would remain. I am perfectly willing to submit him to a truth serum or any test to prove he was never tainted."

My ultimatum silenced the elf's protests. He looked back and forth between the miserable, broken Draxton and my imposing figure, the words dying in his throat.

"As for why QuiverLord Draxton is in this condition, that is strictly an internal affair of the tower. Since there is no corruption involved, our private matters are no business of yours."