Spellcasting Gods

But the leader clearly had no time to pay attention to his subordinates' thoughts. He squinted and looked the two boys up and down, and after a full minute, he tentatively asked, "Perhaps we can talk. What do you think?"

"Talk? Talk about what?" Luke asked with interest.

"I believe you are well aware that we and our civilization harbor no ill will towards you two. Rather than engaging in this pointless pursuit and confrontation, it would be better to join forces. I guarantee with my own identity and reputation that the Council will never do anything excessive to you, much less restrict your freedom." The leader of the Shadow Guard sincerely offered terms for reconciliation.

Because he wasn't confident he could bring the two boys back alive in an environment where his strength was severely limited.

What's more, he had recently received bad news: the council had broken its promise and allowed a massive expeditionary force to invade the world ahead of schedule.

If they can break even the agreed-upon agreement, breaking it again probably won't be a big deal.

Because of that thing, the Shadow Guard would be no match for the Council in the event of a direct conflict, so he hoped to have an external ally.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Since the two boys are full of hostility and vigilance towards the parliament, they are naturally potential allies who can be won over and cooperated with...

Chapter 1372 Internal Conflicts

"A joint venture?"

A playful smile appeared on Luke's face as he turned his head to look at his brother.

He felt that the reason the other party made such a condition was probably because they didn't know that the guy who also belonged to the Shadow Guard had already been dismembered and studied inside and out several times, and was currently being imprisoned in a sealed container.

“That’s right! I believe you should know that the main power of the Darrent civilization is concentrated in the hands of the council. This situation has lasted for thousands of years and has even become a kind of customary rule. But in fact, in earlier times, there were two parallel power systems. The council was just an auxiliary institution responsible for managing the lower classes, while we were the ones who truly held the power.”

As he spoke these words, the Shadow Guard leader's face revealed intense resentment and anger.

His eyes, in particular, were empty and lifeless, as if he were lost in ancient memories.

"So... you want to use the two of us to get back to the center of power, or at least to the periphery of it, and try to make a comeback?" The boy stepped forward and took over the conversation.

He could sense the burning desire within the other person's heart.

This is by no means a trap or deceptive tactic, but rather a genuine expression of strong dissatisfaction with Parliament.

Although he didn't understand what disagreements, conflicts, or historical problems existed within the Darents, it didn't stop him from using this to achieve his ulterior motives.

The leader of the Shadow Guard nodded directly: "Yes! Perhaps you don't know this, but those guys in the council have secretly set up a research center, working day and night to try to figure out the secret of the deep blue liquid inside that crystal. As far as I know, they have successfully weaponized it and intend to use it against the two of you."

"arms?!"

Luke's pupils contracted sharply upon hearing the word, and he instinctively gripped the silver pendant hanging around his neck.

The boy undoubtedly noticed this subtle movement, a glint of desire and greed flashing in his eyes, before he continued, "Why? Why do you choose to betray your own race and cooperate with us?"

"The reason is simple! I believe you've read the history of the Darents and understand that there's a watershed moment in our history: before that was the age of theocracy, and after that was the age of magic. Unfortunately, the Shadow Guard is a product of the remnants of the theocracy. Despite our immense power, from the moment of our birth, we were destined to cower in the shadows, silently guarding the entire civilization. No matter how great the sacrifices we make, no matter how many threats we eliminate, we can never gain power, wealth, or glory. Remember, this situation has lasted not just a day or two, not a year or two, but thousands upon thousands of years. If you were in our shoes, what would you do?" The leader of the Shadow Guard asked meaningfully.

As the saying goes, time is the cruelest and most ruthless thing in the world.

It can turn noble people into despicable ones, and kind people into cruel ones.

Nothing lasts forever, especially the complex inner world.

Perhaps the earliest members of the Shadow Guard were indeed willing to sacrifice themselves to silently protect the civilization that was suffering from the wounds of war.

However, as the knowledge, technology and power of the Darents developed rapidly, those who joined later were no longer there voluntarily, but rather under some kind of coercion. Coupled with their long period of isolation from the world, their minds inevitably became more and more distorted, more and more angry, and more and more resentful.

Since the discovery, the two sides have long been at odds. Although they still maintain cooperation on the surface, they are only one step away from turning into enemies.

“I see… I think I understand.” A thoughtful expression appeared on the boy’s face. “But I still have one question. Since you possess such great power, why don’t you just launch a coup and fight for your own rights?”

"Hahahaha! That's a good question! It's not that we don't want to launch a coup, it's that the council possesses a powerful magical artifact, and this artifact is our nemesis. Even just getting close to it will cause every member of the Shadow Guard to lose all their power and become lambs to the slaughter." The leader laughed as he gave his answer.

"So your real purpose in cooperating with us is to seize or destroy this magical artifact?"

Luke seemed to understand the other party's true intention in cooperating, and exchanged a glance with his brother while stroking his chin.

Unfortunately, the latter shook his head without batting an eye, rejecting his silent proposal.

The leader of the Shadow Guard noticed the exchange between the two and immediately sneered, "Don't waste your energy! If you want to seize that magical item to control us, that's just wishful thinking. Not only is the method of using this magical item known only to the successive Speakers, but the fact that only Darents can activate it is enough to make you abandon your unrealistic fantasies."

"Oh? If that's the case, what benefits would we gain from cooperating with you? Why should we risk our lives to return to the control of the Darrents?" Luke questioned bluntly.

"Isn't helping you escape the endless pursuit enough?" another member of the Shadow Guard retorted.

“Not enough! Of course not enough! This universe is so vast and boundless, there are civilizations even more powerful than the Darrents, so getting rid of you isn’t too difficult.” The boy began to bargain expressionlessly.

Although he had long ago made up his mind to go back and take back what belonged to him no matter what.

"Then what do you want?" the Shadow Guard leader asked cautiously.

"It's simple! I need you to help me decipher the secrets recorded on that stone pillar! All of them! Without hiding a single detail!" The boy stated his condition without hesitation.

Before the leader could give a similar or refusal answer, the shortest member of the Shadow Guard couldn't help but jump out and shout, "Dream on! That's taboo for the Darrents. Not to mention you, even the current Speaker of the Council is not qualified to know what's recorded there."

"Forbidden? That's what interests me most! Either give me what you want and I'll help you destroy that magical artifact, or we'll become enemies and continue this endless hunt. Believe me, it won't be long before you realize who's the hunter and who's the prey. Don't forget, we're still young, with unlimited potential..."

Chapter 1373 The Enemy's Enemy is His Friend

"Chief! We cannot agree to their demands! As you know, only our Shadow Guard is qualified to read and safeguard the contents of the Origin Pillar. Anyone who attempts to decipher it, regardless of their objective nature, will become our mortal enemy."

"Shut up! It's none of your business how the leader behaves!"

"What do you mean? Do you intend to break the oath you made?"

"No! I'm just tired of all these endless responsibilities and obligations!"

“That’s right! It’s time for a change! This time we’re doing it for ourselves, so we won’t be enslaved anymore.”

……

Without a doubt, the stone pillar in the center of the Dark Lake held an absolutely supreme position for the Darents.

So the boy's single comment immediately sparked a fierce argument within the Shadow Guard.

On one hand, there are traditions and heavy responsibilities that have been followed for thousands of years; on the other hand, there are matters that concern the vital interests of everyone.

It is often at times like these that the ugliness of human nature is revealed.

In just a few minutes, they split into two opposing factions, staring at each other with tense expressions, as if a life-or-death battle was about to break out at any moment.

Seeing this, Luke couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth slightly, and said to his brother beside him in sign language, "Well done!"

“No! I didn’t do it. They’ve always had internal problems. What I did was just amplify those differences.” The boy responded silently in sign language as well.

Just as the two were secretly exchanging words, the leader of the Shadow Guard finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted, "Enough! What do you want to do? Are you planning to kill each other and become a laughingstock in the council?"

"But……"

"No buts! Remember your place and your role!"

The leader glared fiercely at his subordinate who tried to continue arguing, then turned around, took a deep breath, and said, "I can grant your request! But on the condition that you let me see that magical item first, and then I will tell you how to interpret those symbols."

The boy nodded slightly: "Okay! That's fair! Now, you can tell me your plan."

“My plan is very simple! While you two continue your escape, you should help the inhabitants of this planet build a strong resistance force, and then seize the opportunity to severely damage the expeditionary force controlled by the Council. In this way, we can secretly develop our power and reawaken the power flowing in the blood of the Darrents. By the time the Council finds out, it will be too late to turn the tide. At that time, we can coordinate a play to have the Shadow Guard successfully capture you two…”

The leader's plan was not complicated; in fact, it could be described as very simple and old-fashioned.

Interestingly, given the current complex environment, it can indeed achieve a very perfect effect.

Moreover, in this process, whether it was the expeditionary force composed of ordinary Darents or the resistance force composed of Anyat people, they would all become cannon fodder without exception, becoming objects to be used and then discarded.

struggle!

Political struggles, in particular, are often darker, uglier, dirtier, and more unscrupulous than most people imagine.

As long as victory is achieved, the means and sacrifices are never important.

In any case, the victors can glorify themselves and vilify their enemies without any restraint.

When generations have passed, who will remember the true faces of those losers?

……

Meanwhile, far away in the Darent expeditionary camp, members of the council were working diligently to expand along the extensive network of underground tunnels, according to plan.

Before advancing and occupying any territory, they would deploy a large number of devices to resist the Earth's core force field, regardless of cost.

Only in this way can they ensure that their powerful spellcasting abilities will not be restrained or cause a strong backlash.

But the Anyat people weren't fools. Once they realized the devices were malfunctioning, they immediately launched a fierce retaliatory operation.

With their innate digging abilities, they easily dug a narrow tunnel in a corner unnoticed by the Darents, then surged out, disregarding casualties to destroy the magical devices first, and then used their numerical advantage to fight the enemy who had lost their magical aid.

Not long after, the rapid expansion of the Darrents came to a halt, replaced by endless harassment and raids.

There were no large-scale clashes!

There were no spectacular or dazzling large-scale spells!

Some were just small groups of a dozen to several dozen people fighting each other.

Under these conditions, the Darents' greatest advantage could not be brought into play, and casualties continued to rise.

Especially after losing their spellcasting abilities, the deaths of each spellcaster were enough to enrage the council's higher-ups.

On several occasions, they considered using some ultimate weapon to directly destroy the planet's core.

In the end, reason prevailed over impulse, and those outrageous proposals were not approved.

the reason is simple!

They came from afar not to destroy a once-abandoned planet, but to bring the two boys back alive, and it would be worth any price to pay for it.

Gazing at the horrific scenes transmitted back by the three-dimensional magic, the Speaker crossed his arms and rested his chin on his hand, asking in a hoarse voice, "How many warriors and spellcasters have we lost since the start of the war?"

“At least 50,000 warriors, and 2,000 spellcasters. In addition, our magical devices used to resist the Earth’s core force field have been largely destroyed, and our current stockpile is insufficient to suppress the entire planet.” An expeditionary commander wearing the Medal of Honor gave a rapid-fire list of figures.

It was clear that the commander was not in a good mood at the moment, with flashes of anger in his eyes.

It should be noted that the Medal of Honor is awarded only to the highest-ranking commanders of expeditionary forces who have achieved brilliant victories, symbolizing the highest honor.

Without exception, all those who wear this medal are the elite of the elite, having participated in at least a dozen evenly matched wars.

But now, this very commander is frowning, completely at a loss for what to do with the enemy who keeps digging holes and launching surprise attacks.

Because no matter what kind of action he takes, the enemy will destroy the magic suppression devices first, causing the spellcaster to lose his fighting ability first.

Unless they first consolidate their forces and regain absolute superiority in local areas.

Doing so would undoubtedly contradict the planned rapid expansion and the ultimate goal of containing the enemy deep within the Earth's core...