Chapter 715 Valyr
The Forest Elves were not the only race preparing to approach Michael for his Spirit Armaments, combat prowess, and Soultrait Symbols. The Valyr Lordess, her daughter, and the higher-ups of her family's Clan were all present.
"We have sacrificed a good portion of the Clan's resources to claim the Savannah Region, but we're still facing too many issues. The Lords and monsters bordering the Savannah Region are intentionally creating as much trouble as possible to slow the construction of the border settlements!" One of the higher-ups, a Valyr with four horns, said annoyedly.
"But isn't that obvious?" An elderly woman, the Valyr, seated at the end of the table, asked with a shrug, "My daughter lost her territory in the Regional War. She was betrayed and forced to retreat but managed to claim the entire Savannah Region at the end of the day. The Savannah Region is roughly 70 times larger than before. Valkyria didn't have enough time to prepare for such a large-scale expansion. It is only obvious that the enemies bordering the Savannah Region test Valkyria's defenses to determine if she's a threat or if they can attack to claim her land instead."
The burly Valyr seated next to the elderly woman groaned.
"Valkyria didn't do anything. No, she did something. She lost her territory because she was foolish enough to believe her allies wouldn't betray her. Then she tarnished our reputation by seeking asylum in another Lord's territory, only to end up relying on that Lord to claim the Savannah Region."
The burly Valyr was the Valyr Lordess' father. Valkyria always had issues with her father, who was never satisfied with her. The worst, however, was when she married someone her father hated to the core and when she gave birth to Zira.
Her father loved his granddaughter from the bottom of his heart, but he was disappointed in his one and only daughter. She was a disgrace in his eyes.
"I..." Valkyria's lips parted, but she didn't know what to say.
Zira hated seeing her mother like this. She was usually not that flustered. Valkyria was strong and determined. The Valyr Lordess knew what she wanted and would do everything to acquire what she desired. However, in front of her father, Valkyria was powerless.
"Gramps, please don't be so harsh on Mother. It was obvious that the Trilance would lose. The Zynur Lord's betrayal was bad, but I never expected that we would survive this long against the massive power of 106 Lords. Their council was filled with flaws, yes. Nonetheless, their numbers were more than a hundred times greater than ours. Don't you think it was already a miracle that we survived so long against their council?"
Zira's grandfather wanted to say something, but his wife elbowed him gently. That's enough. Her eyes said with a dangerous glimmer in them.
"How about we pay more attention to the main topic of today's meeting?" She asked lightly but with a trace of determination in her voice.
The main topic. That's what they called their worries and doubts about the Lord of the Untamed Jungle, the man who managed to obliterate an army of millions singlehandedly. He was still a Lesser Lifeform, but his Soultraits and horrifyingly high physical strength pushed his combat power above the thresholds of an ordinary Higher Lifeform.
"I consider that his Mythical Class Soultrait can dissect the living with so much precision that he can rip his enemies' Soultrait Symbols out of their souls!"
Zira nodded vigorously when she heard, "I knew Michael was weaker before. He must have gotten his hands on more Soultraits after he defeated the Kitsun Lord. His Soultrait is probably also how his Subordinates got so much stronger. He gives them Soultraits and strengthens them!"
Zira's grandparents looked at each other, understanding dawning upon them.
"That's also why he queried for living criminals. He takes their Soultraits," The grandfather said, only for the grandmother to nod slowly.
"We're feeding him with Soultrait Symbols...What a sly fox. He didn't lose anything by selling the Savannah Region to us. "
The Valyrs continued to watch the visualized clips of the conversations the Valyrs had with the Lord of the Untamed Jungle. More details and slightly more private topics were mentioned every now and then. A snippet where Michael queried about Zira's Soultrait appeared as well. Usually, the Valyrs would frown upon that question because their race was known for their low-ranked Soultraits, but the expression on the Lord of the Untamed Jungle's face attracted the viewers' interest instead.
It was almost like there was a hidden intention in his expression. Everyone got more serious as they continued watching the projected snippets of memories. The Lord of the Untamed Jungle was dangerous. It was essential to find out what he wanted and if he could become a threat to the Valyrs. However, at the same time, the Lord of the Untamed Jungle was an opportunity. Maybe it was possible to change the Valyrs' fate with Michael's power.
Over several hours, the Valyr learned a lot about Michael. They understood enough about his business deals, tactics, the powers he'd exhibited, and personality to conclude that the Lord of the Untamed Jungle wouldn't attack them as long as they were useful to him.
They understood that Michael didn't have the means to control larger areas of land yet, that his race didn't support him like the Valyrs supported their kind.
The Valyrs finally found something they could make use of.
If the Lord of the Untamed Jungle didn't have a race to rely on...how about the Valyrs become his pillars of support? For an equivalent exchange, of course!
Michael knew nothing about the Valyr race's ideas but would be happy to hear about them. He had always known that the Valyrs' Soultraits were below average. Providing them with some Soultrait Symbols and Soultrait Upgrades would help the Valyr Lordess keep the Savannah Region safe. That meant Michael would have fewer adversaries to face from the Savannah's direction.
Of course, Michael wouldn't hand over his Soultrait Symbols and SoulStar Fragments for free. He was a Lord and businessman, after all!