Chapter 630: Chapter 631: Simple Calculus Kronos kept his expression impassive. Seeing the lack of mirth in his tone, Kadelas frowned. "You’re serious..." He took a deep breath, his pale crimson eyes narrowing with unease. "I wouldn’t have called you all here if I was not. However, I can understand the reaction... those words sound like an uninspired joke." There was a soft sigh from the man with bags under his eyes. The man was Duke Astranova, his weary face illuminated by the faint magical glow of the council chamber. "You mean someone actually managed to defeat Ashcroft... forcing him into a retreat?" Grand Duke Brightwater glanced at everyone present, his imposing frame leaning forward, his eyes hard. "Over the years we have joined with the Temple and dealt with Ashcroft’s fragments, but none of those fragments have any will. However, this was Ashcroft himself." Narrowing his eyes, his voice deepened. "Each fragment of Ashcroft contained embers of his fierce will... does that seem like the will of someone who could ever be defeated." Next to Kadelas, an old elf with a long goatee sighed, the crest of the Halls of Steel gleaming on his robes. His voice was steady and heavy with age. "The Dominator who has never known defeat... no mortal could overcome him. From the Demon Continent to Soltheon he redefined war. It took the Goddess personally acting to kill him, because Aetherus could not." There was a long moment of silence, the weight of history pressing down on the chamber. Then one of the figures made of light representing the Magic Continent spoke. His silhouette was that of a man with antlers, a beard and a long robe, his voice carrying a mystical echo. "What exactly happened?" Kronos leaned his chin against his hand, his gaze sweeping across the gathered rulers. "I was going to let you all talk in circles for a while, but clearly some of us want this meeting to progress." His sarcasm was sharp, perhaps his way of lashing back after being mocked earlier. Maybe these people had forgotten, but as leaders of the world they could at least maintain some political decorum. Still, they were all old monsters, eccentric and beyond ordinary etiquette. As far as the history books were concerned, this meeting never even took place. He waved his hand lightly and small documents appeared before each member present. "As I had stated earlier, my daughter, who had been part of an elite military force dedicated to finding, destroying, or otherwise sealing fragments of the Dominator, ran into Ashcroft himself." Grand Duke Brightwater opened the report, reading through it with a calm expression. "Hmmm... this is actually plausible. Ashcroft’s soul returning into the body of a mere goblin is quite the surprise. However, anyone in the fourth class advancement can easily detach their soul from their body and possess a new host." The Duchess Astranova smiled faintly, though suspicion lingered in her eyes. "Yes, however most souls do not last long outside the body, and possession is quite difficult to accomplish." Cassian had his doubts as well as he read the report, his brow furrowed. "Why a goblin’s body though? I surmise he had to make do with available resources." Kadelas’ eyes were narrowed, his white hair fluttering without any wind inside the enclosed chamber. As one of the few present in person, his pressure weighed heavier than most. "I see. So that is how it was... he was trapped in a failing body, losing power with each passing second." The old man from the Halls of Steel next to him stroked his beard slowly, his expression thoughtful. "That stands to reason. A will like Ashcroft’s could never be contained in such a small body." There was a small moment of murmurs as everyone exchanged their opinions on the matter, filling the room with low voices and speculation. Cassian dropped the files on the table, his gaze fixing sharply on the emperor. "Where is he... this Damian, if that even is his name... this unknown man?" Kronos glanced at the Duke, then at the Grand Duke seated beside him. "Abellona came to the suspicion that he was a noble of Valtheron. A particularly high-ranked one, based on his mannerisms and mastery over the arts." His gaze settled firmly on House Brightwater. "Would you know anything about that?" The Grand Duke noticed everyone’s eyes turn toward him. He crossed his arms and leaned forward, his presence growing heavier. "What exactly are you implying, Kronos?" He said the emperor’s name without honorifics, without even a trace of fear. This was, after all, Damian Brightwater. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦 Kronos shook his head. Having ruled for centuries, he remained composed. "When someone wants to assume a fake name, they always stay close to the familiar. I was merely asking a question. Pay it no mind." Aspen sighed, shaking his head slowly. "According to the Third Princess’ report, she only woke to the aftermath of the battle. While she had documented this man to be dead, she seems unsure of her assessment." Kadelas sighed, his expression tightening as though the discussion itself gave him a headache. "Our only clue to Ashcroft’s whereabouts rests on some unknown person who we know next to nothing about, from the words of a young woman who, for all we know, might have been hallucinating under extreme stress or fallen for one of Ashcroft’s tricks." Kronos frowned. Kadelas had made a valid point, but he trusted in Abellona’s judgement. "In that case, how do you all suggest we proceed?" Cassian glanced at his father, then back at Kronos. "The only way we know how. Expect the worst and hope that at least a quarter of us are alive to see the end of this." Duke Astranova sighed, his tired face shadowed by the council’s light. Though he looked weary, his posture remained imposing. "You’re all making this more complicated than it has to be. Find the man, and we find the first clue to Ashcroft." He stood up from his seat, his cane tapping the ground as he rose. "The Third Princess seems certain of his mortality. We must find him. He will be our clue to Ashcroft." "This Damian..." He scanned the reports again. "The reports say he uses a rare shadow attribute. Rare, but not unheard of. He has dark hair and dark eyes, less uncommon. He’s a young swordsman, and a noble. I believe we just narrowed it down." His gaze fell on Cassian. "Find he who meets all these criteria, and we have our target. It is a simple calculus." He slowly sat down again, his eyes cold but steady. "Do not let the fear of Ashcroft poison your minds."