Capítulo 717: Chapter 235: Secret Talk

Ultimately, there was a deadlock in how to handle the matter.

Duke Carrot and a Ninth Rank Extreme Guardian believed that, with the power of Truth Circle, they were now on equal footing to negotiate with the Olivendi Family and could engage in discussions with them.

However, Zero-Degree Ice Crystal Pomona and another Ninth Rank Guardian thought that there was no need to expose the Silver Key held by the family in order to find the location of that door.

After suspectedly gaining control over a new Floating City, Truth Circle was privately deemed by many forces to be on par with the Continent Magic Council.

In this situation, with the other side knowing the coordinates of the door and the key in their own hands, maintaining a hostile stance would benefit them none.

After all, the difference in strength between the two parties was not significant; it was impossible for the Olivendi Family to forcefully extract intelligence from Truth Circle. Likewise, it was virtually impossible for any member of Truth Circle to snatch the key from the Duke.

Thus, the best solution was naturally for both parties to sit down and discuss a partnership.

However, not everyone was satisfied with this outcome.

“This is too risky! So what if the Truth Circle has control over that door?! We don’t need to search for that door at all. The power contained in this key is enough to serve as the medium for a ceremony, to open the path to legend.”

After the holographic meeting concluded and consciousness returned to his laboratory, Zero-Degree Ice Crystal Pomona, in a rage, waved his hand and froze all the equipment and experimental materials in the room into ice sculptures.

“And that idiot Carrot, after achieving the title of the youngest Ninth Rank in the Empire, has become so arrogant that he cannot recognize his own place. He even takes that test subject as his real daughter, utterly ludicrous!

Does he think the family’s plan is a child’s play? Young people are indeed unreliable!”

After ranting for a while, the more Pomona thought about it, the angrier he got. He absorbed the solid ice covering the entire laboratory and prepared to go straight to Carrot to discuss some ‘reason’

However, before he could actually take action, a peculiar black crystal talisman in his arms trembled slightly, emitting a special wave.

Seeing the change in the talisman, Pomona was stunned for a moment before reaching out and grasping it.

As he made his move, a strand of faint green light flared up from the center of the transparent talisman, like a black eye opening.

“…Well, how is it, esteemed Zero-Degree Ice Crystal, have you made a decision regarding our previous proposal?”

An ice-cold mental message, lacking any distinguishing characteristics, suddenly transmitted from the ‘pupil’.

“Although I’m not clear on what you’re thinking in approaching me, there is absolutely no way I would agree, so don’t bring it up again.”

With a cold snort, Pomona outright rejected the proposal from the talisman without a second thought.

“Your highness seems to be in a troubled mood. It seems your principles have once again diverged from those of other Ninth Rank beings, correct?”

The talisman trembled slightly, sending out another message.

“Hmph… What of it? This is ultimately an internal affair of the Olivendi Family. I would not stoop to betray my family over such a matter!”

Pomona let out a cold sneer, then prepared to end the connection.

“You misunderstand, we do not need you to betray the Olivendi Family, your stance and goals do not conflict with ours!

Because the entity you wish to summon with that key is one of the greatest beings among the external deities we serve!”

Sensing Pomona’s impatience, the talisman’s tone became more urgent.

“…What did you say?”

Upon hearing those words, Pomona finally halted in his tracks.

“Yes, we are well aware of the matter concerning that Key. As one of the Holy Objects, we naturally have our ways of detection.”

Sensing a twist in the situation, the messages in the Talisman began to steady themselves.

“You wish to call upon ‘It’ with that Key, and with Its Strength, breakthrough the Legend. This does not conflict with our interests. What we need is merely for It to set Its gaze upon this world.

But as the price of the Secret Magic Ceremony, the only qualified being to serve as the sacrifice would be the girl from the Olivendi Family guarded by your family—a girl of the Legendary Bloodline with ancestral return [Fiona].”

And this indeed corresponds with the Prophecy: The shining star rises above the Crystal Bird Crown.

Using Fiona as the sacrifice, with the ‘Silver Key’ as the medium, communicate with ‘It’, who is far beyond countless worlds yet omnipresent, and succeed in breaking through the Legend to become that high-hung canopy, the Eternal undying Star!”

“What exactly… do you intend to do?”

After a moment of silence, Pomona finally spoke again, but there was a barely perceptible struggle in his voice.

Breaking through the Legend is the deepest and greatest obsession of all the Ninth Rank.

“Nothing much… just that, given that His Grace Duke Carrot, as the Family Head, it would presumably be quite difficult to realize the plan with your Strength alone, right?

Of course, we are not doubting your capabilities, but as a member of the Olivendi Family, there are many things that, after all, you are not at liberty to do.”

The psychic message from within the Talisman softly transmitted.

With Gloria III missing, the princes and princesses in the upper council are only caught up in their internal strife. The Royal Family’s hold over the Four Great Families has reached an all-time low; this is a golden opportunity that comes once in a millennium.

As far as I know, the other three Great Families have each already started their secret plans. Your cooperation with us would not be a betrayal to the Olivendi Family; rather, it would be the highest form of loyalty.

The strengthening of your power is likewise the strengthening of the Olivendi Family’s power. If you can find a way to break through the Legend, then all dissenting voices will dissipate. Because you will have proven with actions that your choice is the correct one!”

After listening to the other side, Pomona remained silent for a long time.

He was tempted to directly crush the Talisman, but after the disagreement with Carrot and the others during the previous meeting, a different voice was beginning to emerge in his heart.

Why not give it a try?

Just as the other party said, there is no loss to him; after all, this was the backup plan prepared by the family, and now he is merely initiating it in advance.

Especially at this time when the Royal Family’s attention is completely caught up by the disappearance of Gloria III, unable to attend to the slight movements of the Four Great Families, it is more crucial to make a decisive decision!

Otherwise, following Carrot’s slow-paced plan, by the time Fiona’s bloodline power naturally elevates to the point where it can break through the Legend, God knows how many unforeseen events might arise.

More likely is that Fiona disappears again due to some damned fate, ultimately leaving her whereabouts unknown and the family’s effort wasted in vain!

Struggling to find reasons to convince himself, Pomona steadied himself, making up his mind in secret.

Since Carrot is already prepared to cooperate with the Truth Circle, what does it matter if he cooperates with the [Songxing Secret Sect]?

“Tell me your plan…”

…..