The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Chapter 226

"During the Clash of Eight Orders, the Bloodlore Commander showed great interest in Alavin, and even visited his chambers for a private discussion that lasted half an hour. Furthermore, the Bloodlore Commander's granddaughter, Eyla, seems to have taken a fancy to Alavin, appearing in his courtyard several times after midnight. The terms they offered were very tempting. First, the Bloodlore Commander would take Alavin as an Elite Protégé; second, Eyla would become Alavin's lover; and third, they would help him solve various troubles. At the time, I wondered how Alavin could refuse Bloodlore. Now, thinking about it, it's very likely that while he appeared loyal to Cobalt Strike on the surface, he had already struck a deal with Bloodlore in secret."

Elder Connas had suspected the Mollen family, but after much consideration, he felt that the Mollen family didn't have the nerve. They were merely a mercantile guild, and not bold enough to massacre Cobalt Strike's Elders and Protégés just for Alavin. Aside from the Mollen family, the only ones who could aid Alavin and dare confront Cobalt Strike were those of Bloodlore.

The damned Alavin was too cunning! No, rather, too clever—he had anticipated that the Grand Elder would target the Mallisters.

They really underestimated Alavin!

The Grand Elder's hands, clasped behind his back, slowly tightened into fists. "Garrat has not yet returned."

"Could he also have been slain?" Elder Connas looked up in disbelief, then affirmed, "It must be Bloodlore, without a doubt."

"I was careless," admitted the Grand Elder. His plans had been designed to ensure that the operation would go smoothly, without fail, dealing with Alavin and the Mallisters once and for all. Once they were dead, even if the Commander would have doubts, he would no longer delve into

the matter. But the Grand Elder had underestimated Alavin, who had delivered a resounding slap to his dignity—Vandill, Garrat, and over seven hundred Protégés, were all lost to Alavin’s hand.

“What do we do now? Shall I arrange for someone to take out Alavin in Stormcast? We were careless this time; it won’t happen again.”

“The forest provided cover, allowing us to act without restraint, but in Stormcast, killing Alavin won’t be so simple,” the Grand Elder noted. He wasn’t so brazen that he would make it obvious to all that he was after Alavin.

“So we let it go?”

“Allow me to think on it.”

“What about the bodies at Azure Mountain?”

“I will arrange for other Elders to take control swiftly. Remember, keep this quiet.”

...

In the apothecary of Botanic Haven, Mariela detailed the events to the Botanic Haven Elder, including the Grand Elder’s dastardly actions, her suspicions of him, and the Chained Spirit within Alavin.

The Botanic Haven Elder sighed deeply. “The Grand Elder is ambitious. He is preparing to become Commander.”

As a former young Commander, what he least wanted to see was infighting within the Organization and factions vying for power, yet the Grand Elder’s current actions were clearly part of a power grab, psychologically dismissing the current Commander. This was a taboo, not to be easily forgiven.

“We can’t allow the Grand Elder to continue his reckless behavior. Alavin has made his position clear. If we can help restrain the Grand Elder, he will communicate with the Chained Spirit within him.”

“We should seize Alavin and confine him in Botanic Haven.”

“The matter of the Chained Spirit must be resolved; we cannot keep suppressing it forever. Now is our chance. The stronger Alavin becomes, the greater the possibility of controlling it, and the more leverage we’ll have in negotiations,” Mariela pleaded earnestly. The reason Botanic Haven couldn’t kill the Chained Spirit was that its soul was linked to the Death Stones of its tribe. Should its spirit be destroyed, the Warrior Tribe of the East’s Death Stones would alert them to its demise. Then, should the Warrior Tribe of the East descend upon Cobalt Strike, true destruction would follow.

She had always worried that Botanic Haven could suppress the Chained Spirit only temporarily, not forever. Eventually, the Chained Spirit would perish, and disaster would come. What then would happen if they captured Alavin? Would they continue to lock him up? Without a better solution, she preferred to invest efforts in Alavin.

The Botanic Haven Elder remained silent. He understood the logic, but could they pin their hopes on Alavin, a criminal who resented Cobalt Strike? He feared that Alavin might strike a deal with the Chained Spirit, bringing catastrophe to Cobalt Strike.

“If the Chained Spirit has chosen Alavin, there must be a reason. I can assure you, Alavin will not betray a favor.”

“How much do you really know about Alavin, and what about the incident eight years ago? If Alavin uncovers the truth, his wrath won’t just be aimed at the Grand Elder, but also the Cobalt Strike.” NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

At these words, Mariela suddenly thought of something, her face paling slightly. “Could it be that Alavin’s parents are involved with the Chained Spirit?”

“They’re not directly involved with the Chained Spirit, but they are connected to the secrets entangled with it.”

Secrets entangled with the Chained Spirit? Mariela was confused.

The Botanic Haven Elder pondered for a while. “Fine! I can aid in restraining the Grand Elder, but I have one condition. You must go to Stormcast and keep a vigilant watch over Alavin for me.”