(Planet Tithia, The First Elder's Mansion)
For a good five minutes after Leo left, the three elders remained standing in stunned silence, as they could not believe what had just transpired in this room.
No one, not even Soron, had ever talked to them with such blatant disrespect, and hence, they could not help but feel enraged at Leo's actions.
"T-that boy is completely out of line! Who does he think he is to talk to us like that?"
The First Elder complained, as the Second and Third Elders nodded in agreement.
However, although they shared his sentiment, none of them had the courage to do anything about it, as after rubbing their palms and scratching their necks for a bit, they all immediately came down to the ground reality.
"So... Lord First, will you pull back your orders and allow his people to do as they please?"
The Third Elder asked, as the First Elder blushed, his rage turning to shame as he shook his head.
"Well, of course I will... Did you look into his eyes? He wasn't kidding when he said he'd kill me if I crossed him. And I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to make an enemy of that madman just yet."
He said, as once again the other two nodded in agreement.
"The pressure he gave off... It wasn't normal. I felt like I was in Lord Soron's presence, not a mere Transcendent's. That boy has definitely lost a screw or two after Charles's death, and it's best if we let him be."
The Second Elder added, his voice faltering halfway through, his expression still pale from the encounter.
*Slide*
*Creek*
The First Elder slowly sank into his chair, the old wood creaking under his weight as he exhaled deeply, his fingers trembling slightly as he reached for the cup of tea beside him.
"He's unhinged. That's what he is. He's completely lost his mind... and yet, somehow, he's sharper than he's ever been."
He muttered, his eyes drifting toward the shattered doorway.
"You saw what he did to that enchanted seal, didn't you? That barrier was crafted by the Cult's top artificers— they said even Monarchs would struggle to pry it open, and yet he tore through it like paper."
He pointed out, as his body shivered involuntarily at the thought.
"Then maybe it's best we let him do as he pleases,"
The Third Elder said, his tone resigned as his earlier anger was now replaced by an uneasy submission.
"At least until this storm blows over. Once the evacuations are complete and Lord Søron returns, things will go back to normal."
He hoped, however, the First Elder immediately scoffed at his remarks.
"Normal? You think Søron will just come back and fix this circus? If he returns and finds that Skyshard ran the Cult better than we ever could, and that too during a crisis, do you think he'll still see a need for the Council to exist?"
He asked, as his question made the other elders widen their eyes in disbelief.
They had not considered this aspect of Leo's rise to power yet.
But now that they did, an unusual fear twisted inside them in ways they could not comprehend.
"Political power once lost is impossible to regain. If we become obsolete now, it will be forever."
The First Elder concluded, as his words plunged the Second and Third Elders into deep despair.
"So what then? Do we still follow Leo's lead like dogs, even if it turns us into useless pawns?"
The Third Elder asked, his voice rising slightly as frustration began to creep in.
"If following him keeps us alive, then yes we follow him. We obey every ridiculous command he gives. And we make sure the rest of the Council does the same. Because it's not like we have any other cards to play. He has public recognition, personal strength, and powerful servants. It's not like we can uproot him from his seat as Sect Master, even if we wanted to."
The First Elder replied before exhaling deeply in despair.
"But if we do that, then it's over anyway, no?"
The Second Elder started, only for the First to snap back almost instantly.
"You want to go tell him that you shall not obey his commands?"
He asked, his glare sharp enough to silence both of them.
"You saw how he looked at us. If we so much as breathe wrong around him, he'll chop our heads off in front of the whole Cult. Have fun clinging to your political power from the grave then."
He said, as silence once again filled the room, heavy and uneasy, broken only by the faint crackling of the mana lamps on the wall.
"So what's the plan then?"
The Third Elder finally asked, lowering his voice as though the very walls might report to Leo.
"Do we just sit around and take orders from that lunatic until Lord Søron returns?"
"For now, yes,"
The First Elder replied, his expression cold and calculated, his earlier anger replaced by reluctant pragmatism.
"We'll comply. We'll give him full cooperation, at least on the surface. I'll contact the rest of the Council and tell them to halt all obstructions and follow his lead without question."
"And if any of them resist?"
The Second Elder asked.
"Then they can explain their defiance to him themselves,"
The First Elder said dryly. "I'm not cleaning up that mess. Let them find out firsthand what it feels like to stand in front of that boy's killing intent."
"Fine. We'll play along then,"
The Third Elder muttered, his tone dripping with bitterness as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"But we can't let this slide forever. If we let him keep walking all over us, he'll start thinking the Elders are useless."
"Oh, don't worry,"
The First Elder said softly, a ghost of a smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"We'll let him have his fun for now. Let him enjoy his authority while it lasts. But when the time comes..."
He trailed off, his eyes darkening, as the other two leaned in ever so slightly.
"When fate turns in our favor, even slightly, we'll make sure the Shadow Dragon remembers his place. For no one humiliates the Council and walks away unscathed."
He said, as despite agreeing to Leo's terms for now, the First Elder still harbored thoughts of dissent down the line.