CHAPTER 312: EX 312. MISSING PEOPLE

Alexander’s composure faltered for the first time. His silence spoke volumes, he didn’t have an answer for that. None of them did. The Living Tether wasn’t something you could defend against.

"I’ll handle that." Leon suddenly spoke.

All eyes turned to him instantly. His tone was calm and confident, but not arrogant. It was the kind of quiet assurance that made even seasoned rulers listen.

Elaine tilted her head slightly beneath the blindfold. "And how exactly, do you plan to do that?"

Leon could have given a dismissive answer, he could’ve brushed it off with his usual sarcasm, but this wasn’t a casual conversation. These were rulers deciding the fate of the world. He owed them an honest answer.

"I can feel my connection to corruption growing," Leon said, his voice steady. "The stronger I get, the deeper that link becomes."

He paused, looking around the table. "If I keep getting stronger, I believe there’ll come a point where I can not only suppress corruption, but control it to some extent."

For a moment, silence reigned again.

Elaine’s expression softened beneath the blindfold. Francis leaned back in his seat, studying Leon like a puzzle piece he couldn’t quite fit into the board. Even Eragon’s calculating eyes showed a flicker of intrigue.

Alexander, though, simply smiled faintly, the kind of smile that carried relief and something else.

Hope.

Leon leaned back in his chair, exhaling quietly. "So that’s my plan," he added, almost under his breath. "I’ll just get stronger."

The way he said it was simple. Too simple. But the conviction in his tone made even those centuries older than him believe it might just be possible.

****

Alexander nodded once, a small approving smile tugging at his lips. "Well said, Leon," he said, his tone carrying both respect and finality. Then, turning toward the other rulers seated around the glowing table, he added, "We’ll leave the influence of the Living Tether to Leon. That settles one of our greatest uncertainties. Now, let’s move on to the remaining criteria."

The chamber stirred to life again as the rulers began exchanging ideas. Their voices carried weight and power, each word echoing slightly through the vast, dark expanse of the council hall. Leon stayed silent, his posture calm but his attention sharp. He watched and listened as the greatest minds of Pandora debated war logistics, spell matrices, and political implications all for a single purpose: to breach the Hallow.

Yet, no matter how much he tried to focus, he couldn’t ignore it.

Every few minutes, Eragon’s golden eyes flicked toward him, it was steady, unblinking and studying. The dragon lord wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore.

Leon’s brow twitched. ’What’s wrong with that guy?’ he thought, resisting the urge to glare.

In his mind, Originus’ ancient voice hummed low. ’I don’t know, but there’s something... off about his aura. It’s not purely draconic.’

Leon’s eyes shifted slightly toward Eragon, narrowing. ’What do you mean?’

’It’s... serpentine,’ Originus replied. ’Dragons don’t suppress their presence that way. Whatever he is, it’s as if he’s hiding part of himself.’

Leon didn’t reply, but his instincts were already sharpening. If Originus thought something was strange about the Dragon Lord of Pandora, then it wasn’t something to ignore.

By the time the rulers concluded their debate, the flickering runes around the table dimmed slightly a signal that the council’s primary discussion was coming to a close. The results were clear and decisive.

First: a grand tournament would be held in the Dragon Mountains to select the finest warriors, mages, and specialists from all domains, the chosen ones who would enter the Hallow alongside themselves and Leon.

Second: Leon himself was to be granted unrestricted access to any resource, art, or facility across Pandora to strengthen himself as much as possible. The stronger he became, the higher their chances of survival.

And third: the expedition into the Hallow would commence in five days, five days in Pandora’s measure, which equaled roughly one hundred and fifty days on the blue planet . It wasn’t much, but it was enough.

Alexander rose slightly from his throne, his tone carrying authority once more. "Since there are no objections to the decisions made today," he said, "these plans will be enacted immediately after the council’s adjournment." His gaze swept across the other three rulers. "Does anyone have any additions before we close?"

There was a brief silence. Then—

"Yes."

Every head turned toward Leon.

His calm voice broke the quiet as easily as a blade through silk. The rulers exchanged brief glances, wondering what the boy was about to say. Eragon’s curiosity flared again; Elaine tilted her head as if to study him through her blindfold.

Leon’s tone remained composed. "It’s less of a suggestion," he said, "and more of a request."

Alexander leaned forward immediately, almost too eager. "Whatever it is, I’m sure we can accommodate it," he said without hesitation.

Francis nearly rolled his eyes, suppressing the urge to smirk. ’The human emperor really is trying to curry favor,’ he thought. Still, even he couldn’t deny his curiosity, what could someone like Leon possibly need from them?

Leon didn’t make them wait long.

"Your Grace," he said, turning to Alexander, "you already know what I’m about to ask."

Alexander’s expression shifted, first confusion, then realization. His eyes widened just slightly, recognition dawning.

Leon then looked at the remaining three rulers, his gaze steady. "I need your assistance..." he said quietly, but the tone in his voice made every ruler focus.

"...in finding some people."

The words hung in the air, simple yet weighted.

The room went still again, and for the first time since the meeting began, it wasn’t because of Leon’s power, but because of what might lie behind those words.

****

Emperor Alexander had spared no effort. He’d mobilized spies, seers, and ancient diviners from every corner of the Human Dominion. He’d searched the archives of both the living and the dead, scanning traces of mana signatures and soul imprints, yet nothing had come up. No record, no trace, not even a rumor of the people Leon had asked him to find.

As he sat in the council chamber now, listening to Leon’s calm tone, Alexander couldn’t help but think, ’I had planned to ask the other rulers for assistance... but it seems he beat me to it.’

Elaine, ever poised and unbothered, lifted her head. "If it’s just that, it won’t be hard. Between the four of us, no soul can remain hidden on Pandora."

Leon inclined his head in thanks. "I’d appreciate it," he said, his tone respectful but laced with quiet resolve. He then began to list their descriptions one by one.

Then Leon began to describe Elizabeth.

The moment her name and features left his lips, Eragon’s calm composure faltered, barely, but enough for the sharp-eyed to notice. His pupils contracted for a fleeting instant, a faint flicker of disbelief crossing his draconic eyes before he masked it beneath a neutral façade.

’It couldn’t be the same person,’ he thought, forcing his features still.

Inside Leon’s mind, Originus stirred immediately. ’The Dragon Lord knows something,’ the ancient dragon rumbled. ’His aura flared the moment you spoke her name.’

Leon’s gaze sharpened like a drawn blade. His blue eyes met Eragon’s gold across the table. For a long heartbeat, neither spoke. The council chamber seemed to still again, the air heavy with quiet tension.

Eragon felt the weight of that gaze, and though his expression didn’t change, a flicker of unease rippled through his chest. ’Did he notice?’

Leon finally broke the silence, his tone measured but direct. "Dragon Lord," he said, every syllable deliberate, "have you seen any of the people I just described?"

The question was simple. But the quiet that followed it was anything but.

****

A/N: Guys if we reach top 50 in golden ticket ranking we get a mass release and Eragon doesn’t become a cockroach villain.