Xuan was getting better and better with each day, and although a lot of the credit also went to her personality which had always been strong, a significant part was due to the orb at her waist.
And honestly… Daneel agreed with her, in regards to the fact that this was one of the best punishments that existed for someone who had done so much.
After all, being tortured to death and then being healed was no easy thing to endure, and it was even poetic, as it was what she had indirectly inflicted on Xuan, in the first place.
She was also right regarding the effects that the orb and that event had had over the Order and the rest of the Big Four, but one last push was necessary, and that was exactly the reason they were here.
Taking a deep breath, he said, "The big day… will come very, very soon. Finally, Angaria will unite into one under me, and we will all stride together towards our enemy. Only… I expect that there might be one final hurdle for us to cross, but I don't really mind – no matter how many of them we come across, we shall succeed, because this unification has so much more meaning and importance than what is visible on the surface. I just can't believe that finally, FINALLY… It is almost time."
'… For me to upgrade the system.'
That last part which he said in his mind made him get a broad, broad smile on his face, and while he enjoyed the feverish antic.i.p.ation that he was feeling due to the knowledge that all of his efforts until now would finally be paying off, the rest of the sovereigns caught the information trinkets that he had suddenly thrown in the air after saying the last word.
Each of them was addressed individually, and as they began to study them, Daneel said, "Each of you now have your duties. My dear sovereigns… It's the final leg. Let's put on a show!"
With that, he disappeared, as there were a few small things that he needed to take care of.
In his absence, all of the sovereigns continued to study the tasks that they were given with such intense interest that it was almost as if they didn't even notice that he was gone.
Well, what he had written was just that engrossing, and after studying the reactions of all of his sovereigns from afar and seeing that there were no problems, Daneel laughed quietly to himself and proceeded on his way to the Endless Sea.
He was in an exceptionally good mood, mainly because of the grand event that would essentially change everything which was soon going to happen, but apart from that, there were other reasons, too.
And one of those… Was exactly why he was headed in this direction.
A few seconds later, he was back at the spot in the Endless Sea where he had spoken to the basilisk, and induced that fake prophecy.
Even now, the risk he had taken, and the payoff that it had given made him feel like throwing back his head and letting out a roar of laughter, but seeing that his guest was already waiting for him, he controlled himself and put on a dignified expression.
It had to be said that the luck of the man from the TriCobra sect was definitely down in the dumps.
It was his position and power that had let him take such an important duty and come to the continent of Angaria, but after arriving, he had been degraded to nothing but a mouthpiece for one of the founders of his sect.
His eyes hadn't even been allowed to heal – sensing that Daneel had arrived, he activated a trinket that enclosed them and even blocked out the rain and lightning before raising his hands to take away the bandage that he had tied on his head.
As soon as those voids which were present where his eyes used to be met the air, they flashed, and for the fourth time, Daneel witnessed the incredible magic that facilitated the arrival of the ancient ally of the emperor.
Not even taking a moment to engage in pleasantries, she got right down to the matter.
"King, you are in luck, or perhaps… It should be called fate. I was on the fence regarding this, but the other two founders of the sect are firm – prophecies must be followed whenever possible, and in the grand scheme of things, it matters more that we follow along with the Heavens rather than go against it and risk the annoying wrath of those above. Hence, the TriCobra sect hereby proposes an alliance. We shall help you in every way you need us to, including sending experts who will ramp up the power of your army to unimaginable levels. It is to be expected, for, after all, our hegemony stretches far – both back in time, and in all directions. The Church is an upstart in the Mainland – we've seen many rise and fall, and it shall be no different. Apart from this, we will also be providing you any help that you need, and due to the fact that you are my descendant, I have decided that this shall be my test… You shall be in command of everything, so use this opportunity well and show me what you are worth. And of course, in return, we propose to you the same deal we have with quite a few other continents: you shall allow us to set up a chapter of our sect in your Empire, and every year, a certain number of talented individuals will be sent to join our ranks and bolster our forces. Don't worry, that number is an upper limit, not a lower one – and you'll be quite pleased with what I've negotiated. It was the least I could do, as, after all, I was born to this world, too."
The King of Lanthanor had been nodding along, without showing any surprise, as if he had been expecting this all along.
When she was done, he clapped his hands and rub them together, before replying in an excited tone.
"Alright! Now, this is what I need from you…"
