Chapter 81 On The Mountain Peak

Evening.

On the side of a mountain peak behind the imperial grounds, hundreds of people gathered. They were the masters of their respective regions accompanied by their handpicked representatives for this gathering.

On the slanted mountain peak rested three jade white thrones veiled in a screen of light blocking the vision and perception of the people below. According to status and prestige, even though this was the heart of House Sylvia's territory, the highest throne was reserved for House Exodia, with House Venus and House Sylvia seated left and right respectively.

"Her Majesty's flavor is really something else."

Said a man in the crowd, his sentiment echoed by those around him. People of their status are all too used to lavish halls and extravagance. Now, having to meet up outside in the lush yet empty wilderness gave some of them a novel feeling, but some of them felt something else entirely.

Guests and representatives were still filing in either on flying mounts or via a long staircase that stretched to the bottom of the mountain. However, even those that came flying didn't dare go over the heads of the three thrones on the peak.

Within moments, the dusky sky turned dim, then starlight and moonlight lit the mountain peak as a soft breeze went by. Accompanying the descent of moonlight, Leonardo ascended the final step to the staircase with Juvia following closely behind him.

The pair instantly drew everyone's attention as the entire meeting was practically a covert operation targeting Leonardo. Of course, not all sides were against Leonardo as some of them were simply neutral, while some of them offered their silent support.

For example, it could be said that by arranging for everyone to have a level ground of discussion, unlike the usual settings where the various powers and representatives are differentiated through their privileged seats, Queen Adeline was already expressing her silent support to Leonardo.

Hence, of those that were originally of opposing opinions to the young man, they switched neutral. As for the neutral camp, some of them were emboldened into supporting his cause.

Leonardo came dressed in white robes and a long imperial cape with the emblem of House Grace imprinted on its back, and a crimson-rimmed crest of gold pinned to his chest. Looking closely, the star that ought to be crimson in the angel's hands on his crest was actually glimmering white, dense essence energy fluctuations pulsating from its depths.

This was a condensed essence energy crystal, a whole tier above the usual energy crystals countless powers display to flaunt their wealth. While everyone was drawn to the extravagance of this imperial crest, another woman ascended the stairs and followed after Leonardo, stunning everyone once again.

This was a mature beauty clad in the Sylvian royal dress, her golden hair in a high imperial bun that allowed the beauty of her immaculate face, speckless emerald eyes, and pale white neck to bloom in the eyes of the onlookers.

Now, even the opposing factions were stunned and speechless by Princess Veronica personally accompanying Prince Leonardo to the mountain peak. Then, gasps of air resounded when Princess Veronica stepped forward and allowed Prince Leonardo to lead her by her dainty hand, even though it was clothed in a long white glove.

When the pair met eyes, Princess Veronica gave him a meaningful glance to remember their agreement in the hall of secrets. As for Prince Leonardo, he responded with a flat smile before bringing her hand up to kiss it lightly, indicating his position.

However, this whole act drew a rather ambiguous message in the eyes of the crowd, wild speculations flying about in their minds.

Even Princesses Veronica was stunned as she hadn't expected him to go so far and in public nonetheless. However, she was a practiced nobility and quickly controlled her emotions, not showing any expression on her face other than a cordial, polite smile. However, she clenched her hand and dug her nails lightly into Leonardo's flesh in retaliation.

She agreed to accompany him up the stairs, but he went and took advantage of their deal to shake the confidence of those with a wait-and-see attitude. Now, other than the three ruling powers, two factions of immense influence joined the party.

House Erudite with their clear ancestry and House Grace with their mysterious yet frightening background.

From House Erudite's camp, Lexus impatiently stepped forward and clapped his hands to receive everyone's attention. Then, he faced the direction of the three thrones and bowed lightly, followed by almost everyone else.

Then, light shrouded the mountain peak as boundless pressure descended to envelop the crowd. This was the formless domain of a third-cycle saint. However, it was unknown whether they were within the lower or upper boundaries of level 60.

Almost every saint exhausts their potential at level 61, very few make it to level 65, and Leonardo assumed that other than the sovereigns who capped at level 70; half-step divinities, the most one can reach is level 68.

Although they are only nine layers from 61 to level 70, those nine layers are like heaven and earth as each individual layer represents a qualitative change in someone's essence energy.

Anyway, the pressure weighing down on the crowd was a high-key declaration of presence so that the people wouldn't kneel down to empty thrones which would have been quite awkward. As the pressure enveloped everyone, they kneeled in respect.

Be it those from House Erudite, the princes that lord over the thirty-six prefectures, the dukes that lord over the seventy-two provinces, and the feudal lords that enjoy their independent, minor provinces in the cracks of power. Only Leonardo and Juvia kept to their feet, though Juvia was suffering greatly from the formless pressure that threatened to shatter her bones.

As for Leonardo, as the pressure invaded his body, it would be quickly, cleanly, and silently cleansed by his desolate martial intent. No kidding, not even the will of an entire planet could shake the internals of his body, let alone the combined wills of three saints.

Of course, if they decided to attack and shockwaves of power rippled into his body, that would be a totally different story. At most, he could maintain his little life for a moment of consciousness before being blasted to pieces.

Luckily, everyone was focused on paying their due respects and didn't have the time to pay attention to Leonardo, save for Princess Veronica and the three emperors; King Ivar, King Austin, and Queen Adeline.

The three of them glanced over Leonardo's body, their thoughts are known only to their respective hearts.

Queen Adeline of House Sylvia smiled imperceptibly, seemingly not surprised the least that their wills couldn't affect his body the least.

King Ivar of House Exodia creased his brows ever so slightly, inadvertently increasing the volume of his will probingly, wondering if there existed a treasure on Leonardo's body to protect him.

King Austin of House Venus smiled amicably, hiding the shock in the depths of his honey-brown eyes. He could feel his will dissipate inside Leonardo's body as though it was a mist floating above the surface of a calm, desolate sea, never to return. He was trying to confirm whether Leonardo was truly a non-cultivator, but he came to the same conclusion as King Ivar.

"Does House Grace fancy your Princess Veronica? Could it be that an auspicious joining of your two noble houses will be announced as an additional agenda on this fine evening?"

King Austin couldn't find anything from Leonardo, and since his Kingdom wasn't far off from the Sylvians, he decided to probe and satiate his curiosity. After all, the only person to have met Leonardo in private was Queen Adeline, hence it was only natural to guess that she knew him best among their trio.

Queen Adeline chuckled lightly and responded, "Who knows, a little bird told me that they've been all alone for quite a while now. Leave the youngsters and their house games themselves, and we, the adults, can focus on our game of chess."

Queen Adeline was tactfully saying that even if something did happen between Leonardo and Veronica, that wouldn't impact the big picture nor would she use it as a political bridge between her factions and the mysterious existence behind Leonardo.

Although this declaration was reassuring, no one can see the future or predict the sways of the winds. Thus, King Austin simply smiled in return while his focus shifted back to the gathering below.

"Rise," He commanded lightly.

Following the majestic voice, everyone rose to their feet as the pressures dissipated into formless comfort, allowing the cold breeze to once again brush past their faces young and old.

As everyone silently waited, Lexus stepped forward from House Erudite's entourage, a long scroll in his hand.

Leonardo wasn't looking at Lexus, but at the young blonde man who silently stood to the side behind the Erudites. That was Lucas, hence, Leonardo smiled brilliantly.

The show will start now…