The Conquerors Path Chapter 983 - 981-Made The Move.

Eleanor was bearing the brunt of the emotional trauma. She was consumed by self-blame, convinced that Austin’s current state was entirely her fault. The weight of her guilt was nearly unbearable. For the first seventy-two hours, she had refused to leave Austin’s side, only stepping away when her duties and a desperate thirst for vengeance forced her to act.

Once again, Eleanor was confronted with the reality of her own perceived weakness. Seeing Austin collapsed and unconscious, with no certainty of when he might wake, was her ultimate nightmare. She felt as though physical torture would have been a mercy compared to this mental anguish. This relentless guilt became her fuel, driving her to demand the maximum possible reparations from the war council.

She sought resources that could bolster her own strength. Eleanor never wanted to witness Austin falling in her defense ever again. Initially, she had dedicated herself to training so she could protect him, yet when the moment of crisis arrived, it was Austin who shielded her. While that realization touched her deeply, it simultaneously stoked the fires of guilt regarding the aftermath. Her only ambition now was to ensure such a tragedy never repeated itself.

.......

“He appears to be at peace.”

Max remarked while observing the slumbering Austin. He ran a hand through the boy's hair, his gaze steady and authoritative. He then shifted his attention to Elda, who had drifted off to sleep right next to Austin. Even in her rest, her face bore the marks of exhaustion, her hands still clutching onto him.

“She seems to be holding up as well.”

Max noted as he turned toward Grace. He noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes as he addressed her.

“You ought to get some sleep. You’ve earned the rest.”

Grace simply shook her head in refusal.

“I will rest once he opens his eyes and I know he is healed.”

Max let out a sigh at Grace’s persistence. He saw that same stubborn streak in Mira and Nora as well, though Nora had succumbed to exhaustion long ago. Nora lacked the high-level power that allowed Grace to endure long periods without sleep, yet the strain was clearly beginning to affect Grace too.

Suppressing his further thoughts, Max looked toward Mira and asked in a hushed tone.

“Where are the captives?”

Mira understood the implication immediately. Her features darkened with a grim expression as she replied.

“They are being held in a dungeon under my personal seal. I am the sole individual permitted to enter or exit.”

“Understood...”

Max nodded, processing the information.

“I assume you have finished the interrogations?”

Mira gave a firm nod.

“Indeed. At this point, they are only being kept breathing for the sake of their punishment.”

“Excellent. However, I’ve brought a specialist of my own. Grant him access. He will oversee their treatment on a daily basis from this point forward.”

Max instructed, and Mira agreed. Those who had attempted to abduct Elda had already endured horrors beyond words, and every shred of intel had been squeezed out of them. All six prisoners had attempted suicide to escape their fate, but they were being forced to stay alive. They were currently pleading for the mercy of death—a mercy that was not forthcoming.

Their nightmare was only beginning. The suffering they were about to endure was so profound that even the demons of hell might find something to learn from these practitioners if they ever escaped.

“So, there is still no word on his recovery timeline?”

“None. The Saintess merely indicated it would be soon. His physical form is restored; it is simply a matter of his consciousness returning.”

Mira spoke with a tinge of sadness. Max offered his daughter a comforting pat before turning his focus toward his other objectives—objectives that would inevitably lead to significant violence. Despite the chaos, the elite warriors and assassins under Max’s command remained stationed at the manor. Any intruder would have to forfeit their life before crossing the threshold without authorization.

While the world outside fretted and prayed, the very man they were worried about was already initiating several schemes. These plans were destined to reshape the future significantly. In reality, Austin was already deep within the heart of the war council, calculating his subsequent moves.

.......

One Week Earlier:

The Day Austin Fell Asleep:

Austin POV:

Watching my family dissolve into tears amidst the surrounding turmoil, I can’t deny a twinge of guilt. It weighed on my conscience, but this deception was a necessity. Things have become far more dangerous now that the protection I once relied on seems to have vanished.

Currently, I am hovering in the sky above the academy. I can feel the ripples of the problems I’m causing; while it’s actually nourishing my divinity, it’s doing little for my peace of mind. Regardless, there were multiple reasons why I chose to feign this “unconscious” state.

First, after revealing such overwhelming power, I had to demonstrate a heavy cost for using it. If I had emerged completely unscathed, it would have raised too many suspicions. There must be visible consequences. Conveniently, the stone I obtained from the Dragon God’s reward explicitly states that its use carries a heavy toll, so I am simply playing the part expected of me.

Secondly, I needed to vanish for a while. I have contracts to manage and issues to resolve away from prying eyes. Furthermore, with the current state of affairs, I required time to reflect on my strategy. Despite my foresight, I was caught off guard by unexpected developments. It was a wake-up call that I had become too arrogant, believing I had everything under control.

Most importantly, it was time for Rex to begin his maneuvers within the war council. This situation provides the perfect cover for me to take high-value actions. The timing is ideal. The war council is currently in disarray, and chaos is the best environment for exploitation.

The thought made my eyes sharpen. I needed a secure location to plan my next move, and I had several safe houses prepared. However, I did need to inform a select few that I was actually fine. If I didn't, the combined might of two supreme churches might descend upon this place to heal me, causing even more complications.

Foreseeing that disaster, I quickly reached out to those I trusted to keep a secret, assuring them that my condition was merely a ruse. With them calmed, it was time for a face-to-face meeting.

I slipped through the spatial layers with ease, bypassing the city's defenses to arrive at the Darknight headquarters. Their security systems felt as flimsy as paper to me. I materialized in a room, standing silently behind Ralph.

“Don’t worry, Austin! I will avenge you. Everyone who had a hand in this will be made to pay!”

The man was radiating righteous fury. Beside him, Athena looked visibly shaken as Ralph attempted to comfort her.

“I need to see him!”

Athena insisted, leaving Ralph looking conflicted.

“Athena...”

Their genuine concern was moving, and my conscience pricked me again for watching them suffer. I decided to reveal myself and gave a slight cough.

“Cough...”

They both reacted instantly, ready for combat. But the moment they recognized my face and felt my aura—not to mention the authentic key they had given me—the tension evaporated.

“Austin, how are—Ah!”

Ralph started toward me with an open hug, but Athena practically tackled him out of the way. She sent him tumbling and moved with a speed that defied her Origin level, throwing her arms around me. She pulled me into a tight embrace, her hands trembling as she stroked my hair.

“Austin, you’re safe!”

Her voice was thick with relief as she held me against her chest. She remained like that for a long time. I could see Ralph still on the floor, looking dazed. The poor guy had been shoved aside in a heartbeat. As Athena continued to hold me, I gently patted her back.

“It’s alright, I’m fine.”

I spoke softly. It took several minutes for her shock to subside into joy. When she finally pulled back, she held my face between her hands, inspecting me thoroughly to ensure I wasn't injured.

“You’re truly okay?”

“Yes, I’m perfectly fine.”

I offered a smile. She placed a soft kiss on my forehead before finally letting go, though she kept a firm grip on my hand as if afraid I might vanish.

I looked over at Ralph, who was now standing and smiling at me. He walked over and clapped me on the shoulder that Athena wasn't currently occupying.

“It is truly good to see you well,” Ralph said, his voice steady but full of genuine emotion. I smiled back at him.