Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 209

The Goldcrests still maintained enough power in Yano to be above accusations without substantial proof. The director couldn’t act openly against them; it would just hasten Yino’s invasion and unleash a conflict for which Yano wasn’t prepared.

The city’s best hope remained waiting for the King’s return, while noble families continued their secret conversations, seeking a solution that wouldn’t trigger open warfare.

But from Kassian’s doubts, Yino would also think they weren’t prepared...

♢♢♢♢

Yino’s dark council had always been a place where shadows seemed to have a life of their own. The purplish light from abyssal crystals barely illuminated the faces of those present, creating an unsettling chiaroscuro effect that blurred expressions and concealed reactions.

The King occupied the central seat, his eyes reflecting the violet glow as he reread the encrypted message for the third time. His fingers traced the symbols with deliberate slowness, as if trying to extract meaning beyond the words themselves.

"Read it again," he ordered, his voice resonating in the black obsidian chamber like distant thunder.

Lord Ravenspire cleared his throat and translated the code, his voice measured and precise.

"Urgent message from our ally in Yano," he began. "Request for confirmation on operative Harold’s status. He hasn’t reported according to established protocols. Suspects fatal compromise during release incident. Preliminary information suggests ancestral seed opening and agent’s death. Third ring possibly in Yano’s hands. Increased surveillance prevented quick and detailed communication. Requests instructions."

The silence that followed was dense, charged with implications no one dared to express openly. The council members exchanged glances, each gauging the others’ reactions without betraying their own thoughts.

"So Harold has failed," the King finally broke the silence. "Just when we were so close."

"We can’t be certain," Lord Venmont cautiously intervened, shifting in his seat. "He could still be hiding, seeking a safe route for the ring to..."

"If he had the ring, he would have found a way to notify us... Harold was trained to prioritize the mission over his own safety. Such prolonged silence can only mean one thing."

The King raised a hand, stopping the debate. "If the ring is in Yano’s hands, we must reconsider our strategy."

He rose and began circling the table, the shadows at his feet seeming to follow his movements like extensions of his will.

"The irony," he commented bitterly, "just when we thought the triples would leave us prepared for open conflict, this happens..."

"But Yano remains vulnerable," Lord Bloodwyn pointed out. "Without their King, their army lacks unified direction. The noble families are divided. With the Goldcrests on our side..."

"We would have a significant advantage, yes," the King interrupted. "But not decisively enough. The Goldcrests would betray us."

Young Selthia, seated silently until that moment, leaned forward, her pale face eager in the dim light.

"Aren’t the triples enough even then?" she asked, her childlike voice contrasting with the gravity of the topic.

The King returned to his seat, interlacing his fingers while considering the options, the gemstone in his ring catching and fracturing the purple light.

"The problem is that the Goldcrests’ situation would be precarious," he observed. "If they openly declare in our favor before we attack first, they’ll be almost completely eliminated... It would be very useful to us, but they’ll never accept that."

"They’ll only summon the courage when we attack Yano," Lord Ravenspire added. "As opportunistic traitors, not as declared allies."

"That’s right," the King nodded. "The ideal battle for them is one that allows the Goldcrests to attack from behind when we’re winning from the front."

A messenger entered silently, delivering a new sealed scroll to Lord Ravenspire. The noble read it quickly, his expression subtly changing, the muscles around his eyes tightening.

The King smiled, a gesture rarely seen on his severe face, transforming it into something even more unsettling. "Something our enemies cannot anticipate. Something that will change the rules of the game before the king returns to play." _{fгeewebnovёl.com}