Chapter 728: Traitors
While Vlad had asked for all the Legends to leave, he did not question Marshal Maximo’s decision to allow Spartacus and General Tiberius to remain behind.
Once only the Depravitas and the trio were inside the fortified chamber, Vlad’s psychic power flooded the room like a silent tide. This power acted as a formidable seal, preventing any form of energy or surveillance from penetrating. The added protection of the A.I. Chip’s electromagic force field ensured that not even the most advanced technological and magical spying methods could succeed.
Marshal Maximo, General Tiberius, and Spartacus were once again taken aback by the sheer breadth and precision of Vlad’s abilities. Despite having witnessed his power many times, they could not help but stand in awe of the young man and the capabilities that came with being a Depravita.
However, the time for wonder was short. Their eyes soon sharpened as they focused on the matter at hand—something ominous had been stirring in the shadows and nearly cost them the war.
Vlad’s expression was resolute and serious as he began. "I have reason to believe that the force meddling in this war—those who aided the Vorometallicae with detailed knowledge about our Legends, who deployed spies to betray us during our most precarious moments, and who provided the Automatons that reinforced enemy defenses—are none other than the Zanis Association."
The air grew tense. Marshal Maximo, Spartacus, and General Tiberius’ eyes widened in disbelief at the accusation, their faces a mixture of shock and caution. But just as quickly as the surprise set in, skepticism followed.
Vlad had proven himself to be a man of unwavering integrity, courage, and honor. Each of the three commanders had come to trust him deeply, to the point where they would place their lives in his hands without hesitation. However, accusing the Zanis Association—a long-standing pillar of the Graecian Empire—of high treason was no trivial matter.
"How certain are you of this information?" Marshal Maximo asked immediately, his voice stern. "Are you sure you are not allowing personal feelings to cloud your judgment? The Zanis Association may be greedy, yes, but they have served the Graecian Empire for generations. Branding them as traitors cannot be done lightly."
He wasn’t dismissing the theory, but he was emphasizing the weight of the claim and the importance of evidence. A false accusation at such a level could destabilize what remained of their fragile alliances.
Vlad nodded respectfully. "I won’t deny that I hold no affection for the Zanis Association. However, my conclusion does not stem from personal grievances. It is rooted in objective analysis and data. First and foremost, we began to lose ground in the Legendary battle precisely because our enemies had intricate knowledge of our Legends’ cultivation techniques and abilities."
"I can confirm that," General Tiberius interjected, nodding in agreement. "They had a distinct edge. It was obvious they understood not just our strengths, but also our weaknesses. However, that alone does not mean there is a traitor among us—or that the traitor belongs to the Zanis Association."