Chapter 836: Absolute Strength
They walked through the winding corridors of the palace. Daiki reached the grand hall and pushed the heavy obsidian doors open. Tarkan sat upon his massive iron throne at the far end of the room. The clan leader looked exactly as he had not long ago.
Tarkan looked up as the doors opened. He shifted his gaze from his son to Li Yu and finally to Master Harrow.
"That was remarkably fast." Tarkan called out as he stood up from his throne. "I assume you bring news of the grand competition?"
"I bring news of a complete and total triumph." Harrow said proudly. He stepped forward and began retelling the events.
Harrow detailed the brutal trials the candidates had faced. Tarkan listened in silence as he has always done. He did not show any outward emotion while Harrow praised Daiki's combat prowess and unyielding will.
"Daiki emerged as a victor of the Domain King bracket along with one other." Harrow announced with a booming voice. "He defeated the finest talents from the seven great academies. However, the tournament held a hidden purpose this year. Emissaries from a higher tier world known as the Valeran Realm were present and they were searching for specific disciples to recruit."
Tarkan finally showed a flicker of surprise. A higher tier world was a concept that commanded respect.
"Your son was chosen by Master Uthara." Harrow continued with a serious tone. "She is a cultivator in the Sovereign realm. Daiki is now one of her direct disciples. Our academy has pledged our full support to him and we hope to build an even stronger friendship with your clan moving forward."
The throne room fell silent. A Sovereign realm master was powerful. They could conquer this realm if they wanted to. Tarkan and other leaders in this realm could not hope to match such power. It was a full two realms higher than Tarkan himself. The power gap was unimaginable and Daiki had just secured that backing.
Daiki stepped forward and grinned broadly as he looked up at his father. He had waited his entire life to stand before Tarkan as a man who had forged his own destiny.
"I jointly won my bracket in the tournament and I secured the medicine from their vault." Daiki confirmed with a steady voice. "I do not need the resources from the Blood Iron Clan anymore. Therefore, I am officially breaking the engagement you arranged with the Hydra clan."
Tarkan looked down at his son. His face was still a mask of stone.
"I have a new master now." Daiki continued firmly. "Before I left, I asked her if I could invoke her name to settle my affairs here. She agreed because she understands my true purpose. I am going back to The Veil to save Sora. Once my time there is finished, I will be traveling to the Valeran Realm to train under Master Uthara."
Daiki reached into his spatial ring and pulled out a small object. It was a heavy iron talisman etched with the crest of two crossed spears.
"You said the Hydra alliance was necessary to secure our borders and our future." Daiki said softly. He walked up the steps of the dais and extended his hand. "My master gave me this as a protective gift. It contains a single attack imbued with her personal power. It can strike with the full force of a Sovereign."
Tarkan looked at the heavy iron talisman in his son's hand.
"It was one of the welcoming gifts she had given me before leaving." Daiki explained while he placed the talisman on the armrest of the throne. "I want you to have it. Keep it to safeguard the clan. It is a trump card that will ensure no one in this realm can ever threaten our people."
Tarkan stared at the talisman for a long time. He slowly reached out and picked it up. He felt the terrifying dormant energy locked within the iron. It was a power that could annihilate any enemy he had in the Kurogane Realm if it was unleashed. He would only use it for defense and in the face of annihilation.
His face remained completely unreadable for several tense moments. Daiki stood his ground and waited. Li Yu watched closely from the bottom of the steps while Harrow smiled knowingly of his friend. A slow smile finally broke across Tarkan's face.
The smile grew wider and wider until the clan leader let out a quiet chuckle. Then his expression suddenly shifted into a harsh frown. He reached forward and knocked Daiki directly on the forehead with his thick finger. It was a heavy flick but it was done in a surprisingly loving way.
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"Ouch." Daiki rubbed his forehead.
"Just because you have a powerful backing now, you think you can come in here and start giving orders to me?" Tarkan asked with a low growl.
Daiki did not hesitate for a single second.
"That is exactly what you taught me." Daiki replied while looking his father right in the eye. "You agreed that strength dictates the rules and renders alliances obsolete. So why not."
Tarkan stared at him for a moment. Then the clan leader threw his head back and let out a booming laugh. The sound echoed through the grand hall and shattered the remaining tension completely.
"Yes." Tarkan laughed loudly. "That is exactly what I taught you."
Tarkan placed a heavy hand on his son's shoulder and squeezed it firmly. His eyes were filled with genuine and overwhelming pride.
"You have finally grown up to be such a fine person." Tarkan said with a warm voice. "You went out and found the strength required to forge your own path. But you did not forget about your clan's needs while securing your freedom. You brought back a treasure to protect us and ensure our future. You have earned your path."
Daiki felt his chest swell with emotion. He had spent his entire life fearing his father's judgment. Hearing those words of validation meant more to him than winning the tournament and acquiring a new master.
"I will handle the Hydra clan personally." Tarkan promised while he tucked the Sovereign talisman into his armored robes. "They will not dare raise an issue when I tell them you are the disciple of a higher realm master. Your engagement is officially broken and they will simply have to accept it."
"Thank you, father." Daiki smiled in relief.
"You need to go back to The Veil." Tarkan instructed gently. "You have the medicines and you have a duty to finish. Go and save your woman. You have done enough for the clan by giving me this treasure."
Tarkan paused for a moment and his expression softened even further.
"I hope you can bring Sora back here to visit once you are both done with your trials." Tarkan said quietly. "I need to meet her and thank her properly for everything she has done. She took a lost boy and helped forge him into a respectable person. She did what I could never do."
Daiki felt his cheeks burn hot. He blushed deeply but he was incredibly happy. His father had not only accepted his choices but had fully acknowledged the woman he loved. It was a complete victory on every front.
"I will bring her." Daiki promised while he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "She will be glad to meet you."
"Good." Tarkan nodded in satisfaction. He turned his attention toward the guests standing in the hall. "But you are not leaving today. We will host a proper banquet tonight to celebrate your victory and celebrate you finally growing up."
The atmosphere in the palace transformed immediately. The cooks in the kitchens began preparing massive amounts of food. The entire clan buzzed with excitement as the news of Daiki's victory and his new Sovereign master spread through the halls.
The banquet was held in a grand dining pavilion that overlooked a river of slow moving magma. The heat was intense but the food was spectacular. Massive platters of roasted beasts were brought out and placed on thick iron tables. The meat was heavily spiced and served alongside bowls of glowing root vegetables.
Master Harrow sat at the table with a wide smile. He was completely in his element. He cut large pieces of the spicy meat and drank deeply from a heavy iron goblet. He offered frequent toasts to Tarkan and Daiki while he laughed loudly at old memories.
Li Yu thoroughly enjoyed the meal as well. He ate massive portions of the roasted beast and drank cups of rich wine. He watched Daiki and Tarkan converse across the table. He was happy to see his friend finally find peace with his family.
Daiki and Tarkan were talking like true equals now. Daiki shared stories about his grueling matches in the pagodas and the strange illusions he had faced. He explained the philosophy he had learned during his Karma Severing simulation. Tarkan listened with keen interest and occasionally offered his own insights on martial techniques.
There was no longer any fear or resentment between them. The conversation flowed naturally and easily. They discussed the future of the clan and the political landscape of the Kurogane Realm. Tarkan treated Daiki's opinions with respect. The Karma Severing simulation had helped Daiki realize his own worth and this banquet was the final proof of his growth.
Daiki was no longer running away from his responsibilities. He had conquered them and he was growing from them.
Harrow and Tarkan eventually began trading stories about their youth. They recounted old battles and foolish mistakes they had made together. Daiki and Li Yu listened with amusement as the two older men drank more wine and their stories became increasingly exaggerated. It was a night of celebration and relief.
The banquet lasted late into the night. The heavy iron tables were finally cleared away and the guests were shown to comfortable stone quarters deep within the palace.
Daiki lay on his bed and stared up at the dark rock ceiling. He felt a sense of peace wash over him. Everything was falling into place. There was still a lot of work to do ahead but at least he was on the right track.
He closed his eyes and thought about Sora. He pictured her pale face resting at The Veil. He imagined the moment he would feed her the medicines and watch her soul flare back to life. He imagined her opening her eyes and looking at him again.
The journey had been short but dangerous. He had faced monsters and illusions and the crushing weight of his own doubts. But he had survived it all. He had grown stronger for her and he had grown stronger for himself. Tomorrow Li Yu would contact Old Du and arrange their return trip.