Chapter 119: Chapter 119

A chilling night air, sharpened by the lingering touch of Eversnow's eternal winter, carried the faint scent of pine needles as the day of the meeting arrived.

Brunhild and Margiory walked at Sokram's side, the rich fabric of their Sigilcrest Mantles rustling softly with each stride, the intricate embroidery gleaming under the night street lights.

As they stepped into the palace's grand entrance, the usual gasps and murmurs that had once followed the sight of the three family sigils on Sokram’s back were notably lesser, replaced by knowing nods and respectful and curious gazes.

The only ones truly surprised were Kamus and Kasine, who, despite hearing about Sokram’s backing, hadn’t fully grasped it.

Kamus and Kasine approached Sokram, drawing many glances with their newly recovered youth, each wearing a white mantle bearing the sigil of the Whitefur clan: a wolf's head.

Sokram officially introduced Kamus and Kasine to his grandmothers as they walked together toward the meeting room.

When they arrived, Sokram was surprised to see that Neloph had decided to attend instead of leaving the matter to Moira, as he always did.

Sokram knew Neloph had gone to the capital alongside Hannah.

But he was sure the Grand-Magus and patriarch of the Chrystalia family would have returned to the Frozen Root Academy rather than staying in Eversnow.

When Neloph's gaze fell upon Kamus and Kasine, a flicker of disbelief crossed his eyes, which widened almost imperceptibly as he took in their renewed vibrant youth.

Then his eyes narrowed in surprise as he registered the sheer power emanating from them despite their Tier 1 cultivation.

Seeing him approach, Kamus locked arms with Kasine and teased, “Old Elf, how about that spar now?”

Neloph’s jaw tightened, but he swiftly turned to Kasine with a bright, sincere smile, “Congratulations on your advancement, Lady Kasine.”

Then, his gaze snapped to Kamus, his lips curled back, and a flash of jealousy briefly glinted in his eyes, “And you too, mutt!”

“Hehe, he is jealous.” Kamus grinned widely and continued with his provocation while Kasine giggled in his arms.

Then, Kamus turned serious again, “Don’t worry, you will receive the same opportunity, our benefactor is a true son of Eversnow. It was he who requested that your family be included in this meeting, which would have been exclusive to the founding families. Even my Whitefur clan was included because of him.”

Neloph, caught off guard by the statement, was taken aback. “And how can there be someone with this level of influence and power in Eversnow, while I have never heard of him? The only one I can think of is the Grand Duchess, but she’s in the Royal City.”

“Oh, you heard of him, you just don’t realize it yet, hahaha. But once the meeting starts, try not to fall out of your chair in shock. Hahaha!”

Kamus, like Kasine, was also affected by the hormonal rush that caused their state of euphoria, but Sokram could tell that it had subsided by now; they were only using their youth as an excuse to act like kids.

Still, seeing them so happy, Sokram wasn't at all bothered by that.

The meeting hall, unlike the opulent Royal Audience Room, exuded a more grounded, yet equally pleasant décor.

The air within was thick with the faint, woody scent of polished mahogany steel-bark walls gleaming with intricate, almost organic, ornamentation that caught the low light from the Magi Light overhead.

Sokram could also sense rippling mana emanating from the sound isolation enchantments on the walls, as nothing discussed inside these walls could ever come out to the public.

The hall was spacious, but most of that space was occupied by a large, oval wooden table that matched the décor and could seat all attendees.

As Sokram and his grandmothers found their seats, purposefully placed between the Blackfur and Whitefur Clans, the other family heads started arriving one by one.

Once the members of all founding families, and the other influential families invited at Sokram’s insistence, arrived and were seated, the air in the room became tense, as only a few among them had any idea of the meeting's purpose.

On one end of the long oval table sat Licarus, and beside him, on his right, was Liaranna, and on the other side, instead of Lycius, who wasn’t attending, was Leona.

And on the other end of the table, as was customary, sat Sahvus, the one who had called the meeting.

On his right, as usual, was Sienna; and on his left, Cecille, who, despite being married into the Blackfur family, continued carrying her responsibilities with the Armfrosts.

Seeing all of them seated in silence, Licarus stood up and started the meeting.

“Friends of Eversnow, I thank you all for taking the time to attend this urgent meeting. As it wasn’t me who asked for this gathering, despite knowing what it's about, I’ll pass the word to Sahvus as he has some things to discuss that can change the future of our city for the years to come.”

Sahvus stood up, and Sokram noticed how Sahvus’s deathly gauntness had warmed, his skin no longer mapping death, but life.

He even regained some muscle and was able to stand up straight.

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Though not as much as Kamus and Kasine had, which signified that he was nearing his advancement as well, albeit much slower.

“My Friends, this day is a good day for all of us. But before I explain why, for the safety of our benefactors, I must ask you to sign this Blood Contract of Secrecy.”

The words 'blood contract' caused murmurs to spread in waves among the family heads.

Sahvus frowned and cleared his throat, silencing the room.

“No one is obligated to sign, but only those who do will be able to stay in this meeting.”

After he said that, with a wave of his hand, multiple contracts materialized, each in front of its respective family head.

“Why all of this suspense, Uncle Sahvus?”

The one who asked was a human woman, appearing to be in her late thirties despite being one hundred and fifty years old.

She was a Tier 10 Magic Knight at the Flawless Existence level.

She had long, wavy, light-brown hair, freckles on her face, green eyes, pale skin, and a slender, athletic build, and was around 1.8 meters tall.

Draped in a green dress, with a metallic green mantle on her back, its sigil a heart with a snowflake at its core, she was Elise nid Snowheart id Armfrost, the matriarch of the Snowheart Family.

Like the Armfrosts, the Snowhearts were also a family of mages, though not as strong or influential.

“The contract first, dear. Trust me, you and your family can’t afford to lose this opportunity.”

Sahvus's tone was warm when he spoke to her, as if he were talking with his daughter or one of his granddaughters; however, she was his niece, his late younger brother’s daughter.

“Seeing the old Sahvus even sweet-talking his beloved niece, even I am curious now, hahaha.”

A lion-kin with black, mane-like hair, pale olive skin, a menacing face covered by scars, but always bearing a broad and warm smile.

He was 2 meters tall, very muscular, wearing a well-fitted suit and a metallic brown mantle with a golden sigil: a lion’s paw.

His name was Uriel vid Blackmane, patriarch of the Blackmane family.

Sokram and his two grandmothers were the first to sign after ensuring Sahvus hadn’t altered it, as it was Sokram who had drafted these contracts.

Lazar, sitting beside him, signed the contract, dropped his blood upon it, and nodded at Sokram.

Seeing that, the elders of the Goldenmane family, Liandra and Nirmal, also followed.

Kanami and her two brothers, Kayn and Koma, did the same.

Licarus, Liaranna, and Leona, representing the Blackfur, also signed. Kamus, Kasine, and Karini, representing the Whitefur, as well.

One after the other, those present signed without hesitation.

Neloph, accompanied by Moira and her younger sister Maira, who looked a lot like her with only a few differentiating facial features, saw all of them signing, and, at Moira’s insistence, also signed.

Only Kamal and Uriel were hesitantly reading through the contracts.

Elise, after confirming that there was nothing wrong with the contracts, signed, following her uncle’s advice.

The room remained in complete silence until Kamal and Uriel finished reading and rereading the contracts.

Finally, also signed them along with the elders accompanying them.

Once all the contracts were signed, with a flick of his fingers, Sahvus made all the signed contracts float toward him and stored them with a subtle gesture before continuing:

“Thank you for your cooperation, my friends. Today is an important day for all of us here. But even if I’m the one who asked for this meeting, I can’t be the one who will share the good news. But our benefactor asked me to give you a demonstration of his offer.”

Sahvus allowed his energy to leak, and soon all of them could feel something familiar yet more vibrant than what they remembered from the dragons of Dracony.

“This technique of Core conversion and cultivation was given to me by our benefactor present here tonight, and I’m not the only one who received his aid, right?”

Sahvus looked at the Licarus, who nodded and stood up.

“Yes, I have also received his aid, and so did Lia.”

They both released a different type of energy, one that created a faint pinkish hue around them, the same energy the titanic elves of the empire emitted, but much stronger; it was Titan Force.

However, in Liaranna’s case, it was Spirit Magic.

Then Licarus glanced at Kamus and Kasine.

Kamus stood up and declared, “Yes, as you guessed, Kasine and I also received something that helped us advance to Semi-Perfect Existences.”

Kamal, not able to hold back any longer, asked, still stunned by what he was seeing, “Then who is this benefactor?”

But Elise, remembering some humor she had heard, and observing the rise of the Dracnakrid family and the techniques of guided cultivation for tamed beasts, as she had also been present during the impromptu auction Sokram hosted in the South Gates Stables, realized the truth.

The fact that Sokram was directly connected to all those who benefited made it obvious who it was.

“It’s you, isn’t it? I heard the rumors that you found some inheritance, but why are you sharing something so precious?”

Elise asked not Margiory nor Brunhild, but Sokram directly.

Uriel looked at Elise as if she were mad.

“The kid? Have you been drinking, woman?” He turned to Kamus and urged him, “Old Master Kamus, can you please tell us who this benefactor is?”

Kamus looked at him as if he were stupid, “She got it right, you dumb cat.”

And Kasine nodded along, confirming.

Uriel looked around, first at Lazar beside him, who also nodded; then at Sahvus, who merely raised an eyebrow but didn’t deny it.

Kamal looked at Sokram, even more stupefied.

All this time, Elise had held Sokram’s gaze, waiting for his reply.

Once the room was silent again, Sahvus pointed at Sokram and declared, “Young Head Dracnakrid, the word is yours.”

Sokram stood up and, with a brief nod and his fist over his heart, greeted them, “Greetings, friends of Eversnow. Thank you for coming.”

Silence fell over the room.

Sokram stood calmly as he addressed the family heads. “As Auntie Snowheart guessed, it was I who shared these techniques with the Armfrosts and Blackfurs. And aided my Grandmaster and Nana Kasine with their advancement.”

Sokram looked around, meeting the gazes of each family head until it landed back on Elise.

“As for why? I think it should be obvious. You all heard my speech during the feast Uncle Silverfang held. I said that my rising to become the patriarch of our three families would bring good opportunities for all who wish to see this city grow.”

Elise and Uriel's expressions became complicated as they remembered the recent events.

“The reason I didn’t offer this before was that it wasn’t safe to do so. We had a very venomous snake in our midst, but now that the Steelhearts are out of our city, we can start to grow together.”

Sokram glanced at Uriel, “I know Uncle Blackmane was the first to welcome the Steelhearts, selling them most of your butcheries and renting out the rest.” Google seaʀᴄh novel_fіre.net

Then his gaze shifted to Elise: “I know you, Auntie Snowheart, rented the East Gates Stables to them. As for how I found out…”

Just as Sokram said that, there was a knock on the door.

A guard locked eyes with Licarus, sending him a voice transmission. Licarus replied aloud, “Tell them to come inside.”

But even before the guard opened the door, Lucille and Ayame entered the room.

Sahvus handed them a pair of contracts, complaining in a sharp tone, “You’re late.”

“Sorry, I keep having these rat problems, rats from Whiteland, from the Steelheart, from Frostaxe, even from Dracony. I’m sure you can understand, right?” Lucille asked, pouting slightly as she and Ayame signed the contracts and handed them back to him.

“Well, if that’s the case, it’s fine, I guess.”

Sahvus stored the contracts and glared at the guard, who was still looking dazed at the foxes. “You can leave, soldier.”

“Y-Yes, sir.” The guard left with rushed steps, and the door shut silently behind him.

Lucille and Ayame chose the remaining empty seats, and Sokram continued, “Well, they are how I found out.”

Sokram pointed to Lucille and Ayame.

“Hi, handsome!” Lucille’s lips curved into a slow, predatory smile, like a fox that had cornered its prey.

Her ruby eyes glittered with a bold, flirtatious challenge.

Sokram, however, merely offered a faint, amused grin, used to her antics.