Wizard: Stronger through Marriage Chapter 927 - 419: Salos’s Submission
Previously on Wizard: Stronger through Marriage...
Salos’s heart was a tempest of conflicting emotions. He understood the dire disadvantage he was in, realizing that refusing David’s offer might lead to a far worse fate. Yet, as a wizard steeped in pride, the notion of becoming another’s subordinate felt unbearable. His eyes darted between David, Shuili, and Fire Dance, searching for any sliver of an escape route.
"David, do you truly believe this will make me submit?" Salos’s voice, though strained, carried a defiant resolve. "I, Salos, have dedicated my life to the pursuit of power, never once bowing to another!"
A flicker of coldness crossed David’s eyes at these words. He slowly extended his right hand, palm facing Salos, and the contract mark upon it began to radiate with increased brilliance, casting a potent pressure down upon Salos. An unseen force surged into Salos's consciousness, attempting to seize control of his very thoughts.
"Salos, cease your resistance," David’s voice was frigid and unyielding. "Your power, while considerable, is still insignificant before me. Accepting the contract is your sole recourse."
Grinding his teeth, Salos exerted all his might to repel the intrusion into his mind. His eyes turned bloodshot from the strain, and his body trembled subtly under the immense pressure. Despite his efforts, the encroaching force seemed to grow steadily stronger, becoming almost unbearable.
At that precise moment, an energy surge shattered the battlefield's tense quiet. The master of the Endless Sea manifested in the air, cloaked in dark robes that concealed his face within the hood's shadow, his eyes as profound and enigmatic as an abyss.
"David, might you grant Salos leniency for my sake?"
David’s gaze instantly sharpened as he directed it towards the mysterious figure hovering above. His voice resonated with unwavering firmness: "Your sake holds little weight in this matter. Salos has transgressed the boundaries of the Chaos Realm; his avarice and actions have inflicted grave calamities upon both the Endless Sea and the Chaos Realm. Such transgressions cannot be ignored for anyone."
The master of the Endless Sea appeared momentarily taken aback, evidently unprepared for such a direct refusal. After a brief silence, he stated in a resonant, low voice, "David, I comprehend your stance. However, Salos is a constituent of my Endless Sea, and his destiny lies within my purview. I implore you to grant me this courtesy and permit me to handle this personally."
David responded with a frigid chuckle, shaking his head. "Master of the Endless Sea, perhaps within your domain, your authority is absolute. Yet, here, your influence wanes. Salos’s transgressions extend beyond personal animosity, directly endangering the entire Chaos Realm. I cannot permit you to abscond with him, nor can I allow this matter to be resolved in private."
A glint of anger flashed in the master of the Endless Sea’s eyes, though he quickly regained his composure. He descended slowly, positioning himself directly before David, and the air between them became thick with palpable tension and pressure.
"David, do you truly intend to oppose me?" The master of the Endless Sea’s voice was deep, laden with menace. "Do not forget, the might of my Endless Sea is not to be trifled with."
David stood his ground, his posture resolute, meeting the master of the Endless Sea’s gaze unflinchingly. "I harbor no desire for enmity, but I will not yield out of apprehension. Salos must account for his deeds; this is an edict of the Chaos Realm and a vital measure for preserving peace and justice."
"Furthermore, not only Salos, but your entire Endless Sea must also face repercussions."
David’s declaration struck the master of the Endless Sea like a physical blow, causing the surrounding atmosphere to congeal, leaving only the sound of their strained breaths audible. The master of the Endless Sea's expression shifted subtly; he had not anticipated David's accusation reaching the entirety of the Endless Sea.
He drew a deep breath, striving to quell the turmoil within, and stated in a low, yet undeniably firm tone, "David, is your pronouncement not excessively harsh? The Endless Sea and the Chaos Realm have maintained peaceful coexistence for eons. How can you assert that the entire Endless Sea must atone for Salos’s sole misstep?"
David’s voice, amplified across the silent expanse, landed with the impact of a hammer blow upon the master of the Endless Sea's heart. "Salos's actions are merely the visible manifestation of deeper issues. The recent unrest and disquiet within the Endless Sea have already heightened the Chaos Realm's vigilance. Your internal power struggles and your outward ambition for expansion have already crossed the inviolable boundaries."
The master of the Endless Sea’s countenance darkened considerably; he now understood that the situation confronting him was significantly more intricate and grave than he had initially perceived.
He had believed his standing within the Endless Sea would allow him to easily quell this brewing storm, yet David's demeanor suggested a deeper conflict, far beyond mere personal disputes. "David, it seems there's been a grave misunderstanding regarding the intentions of the Endless Sea," the master of the Endless Sea attempted to reason. "Our pursuit is the equilibrium of power and the maintenance of order, not wanton chaos or ruthless conquest. Salos's recent actions do not, and cannot, reflect the will of the entire Endless Sea." Nevertheless, David remained unconvinced. He let out a chilling chuckle, responding, "Misunderstanding? Perhaps. But the evidence speaks for itself: certain actions originating from the Endless Sea have unequivocally endangered the safety of the Chaos Realm. As a sworn Guardian of this realm, it is my solemn duty to bring such threats to an end." With these words, David surged forward, a bolt of pure lightning, hurtling directly towards the master of the Endless Sea.