Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 386: I’ll Join Your Cause

“One? Or Two?”

“... I’ll join your cause,” Treeda mumbled, unable to fight her instincts.

Nodding, the man took another sip of his wine. “Wonderful! But before we toast to our newest ally, I’ll hold up my end of the bargain.

“Trada was in grave conditions, both when she left for your home and when she arrived. And it was I that took her back,” stated the man, easing some of Treeda’s tension. “Trada was adamant to speak with you and become one with your clan totem. So I obliged since she too helped me with my plans. With Dioro dead, Trada was the best person to assist Oli with his core.”

Treeda blinked and raised her hand to speak. “Oli? Ania’s boy?? What’s he got to do with this?”

“Everything... He’s the core of my plans. I killed Krasc, using him as a cover so that I could take Oli and begin properly training him. And I’ve been directly helping Oli ever since.”

“But what good will helping a young mortal do?” questioned Treeda. “There’s no merit to-”

.....

“Everything I hope to achieve is tied to Oli in some way, and a large portion of my goals are resting on his shoulders. And Oli is no mere mortal. Go ahead and ask Zelsh his opinion of the boy,” remarked the man.

Turning to Zelsh, Treeda asked, “Are you working with Oli? That doesn’t make much sense...”

“If Oli were a regular gorilla, perhaps,” Zelsh commented. “But he’s not. If he were more like his father in some aspects, having another gorilla or a pure earth cultivator train him would be best. But Oli’s not a pure earth cultivator, unlike his father Dioro.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Treeda asked.

The man chimed in, “Remember, I had your daughter help Oli. What’s something your daughter could offer Oli that no one else could?”

“She... She wouldn’t dare!!”

“Oh, she did, all for my promise to support her decision,” corrected the man.

Squinting, Treeda asked, “And what decision did Trada make?”

“To let her daughter live beyond the pressure of the Toxic-shadow Clan.”

“WHAT?!” Rushing to her feet, Treeda looked at the man in shock and fury. “Are you saying my grandchild is alive??”

“She is alive. But you won’t be meeting your granddaughter until she’s hatched, and only on the condition that you apply no pressure to her life.”

“Ridiculous! Trada and I had a deal-”

“And then Trada made a deal with me. Are you strong enough to break my deal with Trada?” the man chuckled, glaring at Treeda from under his hood.

“I... I’m not,” Treeda admitted.

The man nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Trada did everything she could to help her daughter gain the freedom that Trada had always longed to have. And she’ll have it. In exchange for helping Oli mutate his bloodline and using her lifeblood in Oli’s essence gathering formation.”

“SHE WHAT?!! You forced her, in her critical condition, to do such a thing!?” roared Treeda.

“No. I offered to save her child and extend her life. I kept Trada alive. Otherwise, she would’ve died along with Dioro, the moment the battle with Brak was over,” stated the man, startling everyone in the room. “Had I not interfered, Trada never would’ve made it home. Dioro and the gorillas wouldn’t have been in the same valley. Brak would’ve fled after eating your grandchild in front of your daughter’s dying eyes. Is that what you would’ve preferred?”

“...” Treeda was speechless. No external pressure stopped her, but it was impossible for Treeda to retort the man.

Ania and Vloz both had a strange look in their eyes. It wasn’t too surprising that the man had guided the clan in such a way, considering Dioro’s involvement. But it was still difficult to hear that Dioro’s death was at least somewhat coordinated.

But Bradok was unfazed. There was no doubt, hesitation, regret, or resentment on his face. Bradok was staring proudly at the hooded man, as if glad to hear the plan was so meticulous.

“The world is cruel, and I’m not trying to overturn that. But I will shift the balance in my favor at every opportunity I’m able.” The man continued, “You’ll be happy to know that I’m protecting your grandchild, and will support her growth alongside Oli.”

“How can a young ape help my grandchild better than me?!” Treeda shouted.

“Still doubting me? Well, considering your grandchild will have earth and dark essence, with a mutated bloodline, wouldn’t Oli make the perfect older brother, with his mutated bloodline? ... No objections? Good.

“Oli is currently undergoing preparations for the mortal championship, and it’s our top priority to keep things in motion while he’s busy,” added the man. “When the time comes, Oli will be entering the mortal championship under your prefecture, so you’ll be directly supporting him. Zelsh gave you an expert demonstration on how to do that during the exhibition, so I shouldn’t need to teach you how.”

“At the exhibition? ... No. Zelsh, don’t tell me that boy-”

“With a little assistance, Oli has already learned to create a human form, despite his age and mortal cultivation,” the man continued, answering Treeda’s thought. “And you’ve already met the young man. The only reason I appeared in your capital city was because you nearly forced Oli into revealing himself beyond my plans. Does that clear some things up for you?”

“... It does.” Treeda nodded slowly and sighed, “So... you’re betting on a mortal? Why? What could someone of your-”

“Uh, uh, uhh... no mentioning or hinting at any of my identities...” the man wagged his finger at Treeda.

Groaning lightly, Treeda asked, “Is Oli really that important? Why?”

Motioning for Treeda to lean closer, the man whispered something into her ear. Again, the man used his pressure to keep Treeda from freaking out in reflex. But it took her more than just a moment to calm down this time.

“... That’s why I’m betting on Oli. Wouldn’t you agree that’s a worthy reason?”

As Treeda nodded subconsciously, the man turned his attention to everyone in the room. “Alright. Now that Treeda is on board and understands the basis of my support for Oli, there are a couple more things to discuss. First, we’ll touch on the subject of Brak.”