Chapter 483: Perhaps, Ma’abu Was Right...
"...You might as well be responsible for our stagnation."
Kael’s words rang loud and clear for all to hear.
Most of the fortune lions that were still revolving around the red star on their islands didn’t hear it. But those who were linked to the lion system heard it all.
This was because Kael had allowed forums to record a live audio post of all he was saying.
All across heaven, all the lions linked to the lion system were able to listen to the live audio feed on the forums.
They listened in silence.
The lion kings who were present did not need to listen to the audio feed because they were seeing and hearing everything clearly in person.
Inside their individual command chambers, their arkships projected the scene in the form of holographic images.
Kael was standing before a group of floating islands and spewing from his mouth the heaviest accusation they had ever heard.
King Vander’s smile was completely wiped away and a frown had finally appeared on his face.
"Primordial, respect is reciprocal. I would appreciate it if you respect our boundaries and not spew such nonsense.
Just because you’re the All-King doesn’t mean you can tarnish the image of our coalition however you like."
King Vander spoke with anger rising in his heart. He seemed to have now remembered that he was a legitimate tier 7 and Kael was tier 5 at best.
The audacity.
"Your image? What image?" Kael asked, stepping forward with a ferocious gaze. His arms were apart and his golden fangs could be seen elongating.
"Is it the image that wouldn’t exist without the backing of your civilization?
I’m beginning to think that you have been conspiring with outside forces..."
Kael wasn’t allowed to finish his accusation before someone familiar stepped up.
"Heeeeey, please, All-King, that’s not what’s happening, I assure you." The owner of the voice was Saul, father of Thawne.
He was the only one who wasn’t standing alone on his island among the other groups.
With him was his son, Thawne, who had joined Xu Ying’s team on the expedition to Eridoria.
Seeing Kael here, Thawne couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of melancholy well up inside him. This was a lot for even him who wasn’t usually that emotional.
The events of that expedition flashed in his mind like they had happened yesterday. The fellow members, trickster Crane, eventually found out that they were close to a Primordial Lion.
It was somewhat sad.
All the members of that expedition team had gone their own way and encountered their own fate.
Alora became a Lion Queen.
Chloe became the consort of the Primordial Lion.
Adolf and his father died a gruesome death after being swarmed by the forces of multiple Lion clans.
Orion went with his uncle and has not been heard from since.
Aurelius lost a challenge in his clan and was exiled, banned from becoming a prince or a lord.
Xu Ying had focused his mind on other things and had not been heard from since.
The twin grandchildren of King Larvis had been killed along with their grandfather after Ma’abu personally took action against them.
The other expedition team members never really tried to catch up with each other.
After the Cross Claw Alliance was disbanded, everyone had to go their separate ways.
Such was life.
Kael saw King Saul and recognized Thawne beside him. He didn’t pay too much attention though and was more focused on what King Saul was saying.
"All-King, if you say that, it might look like something else.
We have truly just been trying to keep the civilization from crashing," Saul said.
"But in doing so, we have stagnated. Do you blame me for being suspicious?
It’s not like there haven’t been eras without Primordial Lions in our history. But the era after Noel has recorded absolutely zero overall growth."
Kael’s words carried truth that aligned with the thoughts of the listeners.
It made one question what the String of Fate Coalition was actually doing all this time. Were they guiding the race to a desired future of conquest or were they keeping them stagnant under the guise of maintaining stability?
"For someone who has not contributed one bit to our development, you have a really big mouth."
King Vander fired back, not waiting for King Saul to say something. All the pretense had disappeared and he was showing his true face.
It was hard to say who was right and wrong in this situation. King Vander knew the Coalition was genuinely trying to keep the civilization together in their best possible way.
However, his reaction to Kael’s question was met with a sudden surge of killing intent all around.
The killing intent of thousands of lion kings rushed forth and latched onto King Vander’s body.
King Vander flinched. He had just raised his voice, he didn’t even do anything to Kael.
Unfortunately for him, he didn’t know that he was painting himself as a target.
The Great Purification mission was very much active and all the lion kings were aware of it.
Just because Kael was talking now didn’t mean that it was out of their mind.
Many were hungry to see that mystery gift and get that Lionhood refill slot.
King Vander had better watch his back.
King Vander calmed himself and the frown on his face relaxed.
"I haven’t contributed anything to our race?" Kael asked mockingly.
He turned to Exalon to see Exalon’s cold gaze focused on King Vander, "Exalon, he said I haven’t contributed anything to our civilization."
"All who have benefited from your existence know that that is false. The rest are too blind to understand the significance of the gift you have brought for us." Exalon said calmly.
Kael nodded, "You’re right, they don’t understand," He talked as though he needed everyone to hear his thoughts.
"But we can usher them into a new era and spread my gift.
Exalon, the Strings of Fate Coalition must reassess its priorities immediately and start guiding our civilization to the desired future.
Failure to comply will make them enemies of the Primordial Supporters and the lion race at large..."
"It will be so, All-King," Exalon said and took a powerful step forward.
The smile on Ozia’s face widened maniacally as he felt the tension in the air.
Something about the possibility of conflict just turned him on in the right ways.
King Vander was not one to back down, he took a mighty step forward too.
"Do you know what you’re asking us to do?
You want us to abandon stability and focus on growth and ambition. It sounds nice until you realize that the risk of us collapsing is very high." King Vander said.
"And you think trapping us in stagnation is better?" Kael asked, his golden eyes widening.
"The only time we should be talking about stability is when the universe wails beneath our paws. Not now when we are still at its mercy!
King Vander, do you speak for the whole Coalition as you hold the lion race hostage?"
Kael just kept throwing out one blatant accusation after the other.
King Vander was livid. Of course, he could not take such accusations like that. But he also didn’t dare say he was speaking for the whole Coalition.
"Are you trying to force our hand, Primordial?" Vander asked. Lowering his large head and narrowing his eyes.
This time, his aura was spewing forth.
Exalon’s eyes grew sharp and the veins on his body bulged.
Killing intent surged from every corner behind Kael, locking malicious gazes on King Vander.
"Yes, I am. It is my duty to fix what has been broken in our civilization.
Or do you think I can’t force you? Who do you think you are?
Go back and announce to the others what needs to be done."
The authority in which Kael spoke, even he was secretly surprised. The way he felt around these lions, was like someone had made him the boss of bosses.
Well, that was to be expected when he had up to ten thousand arkships behind him ready to run hell.
"Primordial," King Vander raised his head high and looked down at Kael with his elderly gaze, "The collective power of fate is not something you can just challenge.
Even those supporters of yours who have infiltrated our coalition dare not act out of order. They know what is at stake.
Perhaps, Ma’abu was right, the Primordial Lion is bound to cause trouble..."
King Vander shut his mouth, realizing too late what he had done.
King Saul and Thawne, members of Kael’s Lion System, looked at King Vander as if they were looking at a fool.
They wondered how such an elderly and experienced lion could let the younger generation lead him around like a dog to the point that he couldn’t control himself from saying something stupid.
Ozia chuckled, "We found a sinner father."
Kael nodded softly, his expression calm, "I was right, this place is in dire need of Purification..."