Chapter 230: Chapter 230 - Gwyndelle and Thryssia
Atlas soon took the seat prepared for him, with Edrik and Serenith standing dutifully at his back. Luna settled into the chair at his right, while Brigid occupied the seat to his left.
Along the length of the great table sat a total of fourteen lords, Atlas included. Which meant there were ten new lords he had not met before. The room had seemed even more crowded at first because each lord was accompanied by at least one attendant standing guard behind them.
Luna had spoken of this before, both to Atlas and to Mira, explaining why she often chose to aid new lords. It was something she had always done, especially for female lords, offering support so they could survive, grow stronger, and eventually pledge themselves to the alliance she had built.
And here it was: thirteen lords united under one banner. Yet in the last Dominion Skirmish, only three lords, including Luna, Brigid, and Celestia, had managed to secure enough points to gain access to the battlefield.
According to Luna, those three held the greatest potential or at least had the experience needed to survive their wars.
At that moment, Luna handed Atlas a list, detailing each lord and the system abilities they commanded.
"So, Atlas," she began, her tone firm yet calm, "I have already introduced you to everyone here. The Dominion Skirmish we are entering carries enormous risk, and everyone knows it. Even in a normal lord battle, outcomes are unpredictable. Whether it be a crushing defeat or even total annihilation. That is why we have already prepared leadership protocols. If I should fall, or if other scenarios come to pass, succession will be clear."
Atlas gave a slow nod. "Surely, Luna, you have far more experience in these matters than I do."
Luna smiled, nodding back. "Perhaps. But for the lords here, I want the discussion to be fair. And in the end, I will leave the decision to you. How you choose to treat them is in your hands. Even if you decide to take only me, Brigid, and Celestia into your fold, I ask at least that you allow me to continue supporting the others outside of our alliance."
Atlas nodded again and turned his attention to the list. To his surprise, every one of them had already reached Rank-2 Scout. Clearly, they had endured their challenges well to have made it this far.
But the question lingered. He glanced back at Luna.
"Is this... truly all of them?"
Luna gave a resigned smile, lifting her shoulders in a small shrug. "You know the reality of the lord battles, Atlas. This is the best we could hold together. Thirteen in total, including me."
So it was true. Some had already fallen in previous battles. Those gathered here were either the strongest... or simply the luckiest to have survived.
Atlas studied the list in his hand while the lords one by one rose from their seats to introduce themselves. His eyes moved over the names, noting how varied their races were. Among them were elves, beastkin—one with dragon-like features, and even a woman with horns sprouting from her head, unmistakably of demonkind.
Ten new lords were far too many for Atlas to absorb every detail, so he focused on the ones whose system abilities stood out to him during their introductions.
"Gwyndelle, or you can call her Gwen, she is an elf," Luna explained as a tall elven woman stepped forward. She bore a striking resemblance to Lyrassa, though not quite the same. Her short blonde hair shimmered under the light, and she wore a flowing green robe layered with subtle pieces of light armor.
"Her system allows her to accelerate the growth of any plant well beyond its natural speed. The boost is remarkable," Luna continued.
Atlas frowned, intrigued. "But plants on a floating island already grow faster than normal... and she can amplify that even further?"
"Yes," Luna confirmed with a nod.
Atlas leaned back slightly, his thoughts racing. If something like the magical seed he had drawn from the gacha, the Luminaria Grove—were planted on her floating island, the tree could grow into something many times larger, its functions magnified beyond imagination. Even on his own island, the seed had produced extraordinary results. Combined with her ability, the potential would be staggering.
And that was without even considering the countless other plants and trees scattered throughout the lord world. Some species could grow into monstrous forms, becoming allies in battle.
The potential of this particular lord was, without a doubt, extraordinary.
Atlas moved on to the next name on the list as Luna gestured toward another lord.
"She is Thryssia," Luna introduced, and the woman stood. She had short black hair and a piercing gaze that felt even sharper than Brigid’s or even Morganna’s!
Her form was clad in compact heavy armor, the kind that spoke of a close-combat fighter through and through.
"Thryssia, or we can call her Tessa," Luna continued. "Her system grants her the ability to impose absolute rules within battle."
"Absolute rules?" Atlas repeated, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes. The ability is still limited by her rank, but the first rule she can enforce during combat is the restriction of specific elements. She can forbid them from being used in a fight."
"Elements?" Atlas leaned forward, nodding slowly. "That is tricky... but I can already see the potential here."
Luna gave a knowing smile. "Imagine, Atlas. You face her, and she knows your strengths lie in water and lightning. She can deny all use of the water element, instantly crippling your greatest advantage. Or, more dangerously, she could forbid the use of the dark element, stripping your elite subordinates of their most powerful abilities."
Atlas let out a slow breath through his nose, his expression tightening.
"Indeed, that would strike a heavy blow against me and my army. Especially for Milo, he depends entirely on the dark element."
"Exactly," Luna said with a nod. "But this rule is not without cost. It affects her as well. It is a double-edged sword. Still, with the right strategy and quick adaptation, Tessa could command the flow of battle with frightening control."
Atlas tapped his fingers lightly against the table, his expression serious. "I can see it now. If she chooses to face a lord who is overly dependent on a single major element. Say, fire, water, or something similar to define their theme, her ability would utterly cripple them before they could even mount a proper fight."
The realization made his chest tighten. This was no ordinary gift. This was an ability that could swing a war with a single decree.
It was, in every sense of the word, overpowered.
Atlas pressed on with another thought.
"What about in a situation like the Dominion Skirmish? Or say we set foot on a neutral floating island for hunting, Luna? I mean, if she can deny one major element from the monsters there, does that not mean she could hunt with incredible efficiency?"
Luna smiled at his reasoning, her eyes glinting with approval.
"Well, Atlas, I believe Tessa herself will need to explain the full scope of her ability—both its strengths and its weaknesses. But yes, I am certain she could aid you in reaching your current target, helping you climb to your desired level before you advance to your next rank."
Atlas gave a steady nod, committing the idea to memory. His gaze dropped back to the list, and what he read next stirred even greater curiosity within him.