Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 212: Unexpected

"Well, that was unexpected," Takoda said. He looked across from the door of the room he and the others were in to the locked one where Vale was staying. "I mean, I don’t know the man personally like that, but shouldn’t he be the most protected man in Athrimir territories?"

Pomora was frowning as well. "Yes. Even without that, he is powerful as a Master Knight and very cautious. He has a powerful artifact too. It seems... things are not as they should be."

Takoda grunted. "More politics, eh? People should just say who they don’t like and why, then fight it out. It’s going to save a lot of us time and needless death."

Pomora winced. "You say that, but you’re also playing one with Commander Vale. I don’t believe your thick-skulled personality. Besides, the Clan Leader was good at politics... the former Clan Leader."

"That’s because that Commander Wrt can’t be working alone," Tiber said flatly. He had been expecting something to happen at court, but nothing as big as this. This was like the worst-case scenario for Vale. "To kill the Clan Leader, it would be extremely difficult and would need the help and authority of an insider."

Slya, who had been tapping her knee since she entered the room, raised her face. "His stepbrother probably did it."

It was what everyone who knew the previous situation at court was thinking as well, but nobody had dared say anything out loud. Slya shrugged. "That’s why he came for Vale immediately—to clear out the immediate threat that he posed."

She pointed as if they could see the outside through the walls of the room. "Those Coiled Fangs are here to make sure he doesn’t leave this place alive. Everything else he is doing is just performance."

Pomora snorted. "Commander Wrt. They picked him for the fall. I wonder what they promised him to betray the Clan Leader. But honestly, I’m not surprised a coup was carried out—I’m more surprised they succeeded.

"The previous Clan Leader was a disaster, at least in his later years, and probably the least liked of any Clan Leader in the Clan’s history."

Silence descended once again. This wasn’t what they had expected upon returning from clearing the Rift. At most, the Flagbearers had wanted to use the period to think about Vale’s offer and how well it would benefit them.

Vale had planned to slowly return to court and be accepted with his feats in the borderland, then build his own faction. But now, everything was flipped.

The Clan Leader was dead, and another had taken his place—one who hated Vale and had a reason to kill him.

Suddenly, Tiber stood up and faced them, his voice lowered as he said, "I want to go outside and learn as much as I can about the situation in the capital."

They nodded, and Tiber left the room, his footsteps silent.

"So, what are you going to do?" Pomora asked Takoda, looking at him sideways. "The decision will be forced out now—no choice."

Takoda grunted and shook his head. "I still don’t know. This is the Clan, Pomora. It’s not something like the Rift. They will and can destroy us if we are only this much force."

Pomora hesitated before she finally admitted, "I want to support him, but I don’t know. I hate a hopeless battle."

On her seat, Slya was clenching her hand into a fist as she listened to the Flagbearers. She knew what they were saying was the truth, but it still rubbed her the wrong way—especially because she wasn’t even strong enough.

’...i..we have to get stronger so we can better support Atrox...’

The Flagbearers didn’t spend much time sitting around. After talking for a while, they went their separate ways to deal with their Flags and answer to the Steelclaw Alliance Knights—they were planning to handle them like the Scuffed Bones and CrimsonHood.

They left Slya alone in the room, and her eyes locked on the door opposite her.

’...he never talked about his life back at the Clan that much, but I know it wasn’t good... I mean, he’s always been out looking for a way to end his father and brother... One of them just beat him to it...’

’...and then there’s that servant that was killed... What’s her name again? Who was she to Atrox?...’

But what really made her heart heavy was the realization that things wouldn’t be easy from here on. She had thought they would have at least the next few years to themselves—to grow and just focus on their powers.

She should have known, though. Things rarely went their way.

Before long, Tiber returned. He went to the door and gently knocked on it. "I have news," he said calmly.

Then he joined Slya in the room, and they both waited for Vale, who emerged a few minutes later. His face was as impassive as always, but there was a heaviness to it, some kind of weight and his green light had lost some of its glow.

He sat down on a chair wearily and asked, "What news?"

Tiber and Slya exchanged looks. They had never seen Vale in a state like this before. It made them uneasy, a bit restless, without them even knowing why.

Tiber cleared his throat. "Informants have been carrying the news for a few days now, which is impressive because the capital is on lockdown. But yes, it’s the truth. The Clan Leader is dead, and the First Young Master has taken his place."

Vale stiffened slightly but nodded for him to continue.

"The rumors about Commander Wrt were spread by the palace, that’s what I can confirm but not what actually happened or who actually killed the Clan Leader.

"A lot of people died because the traitors directly attacked the palace, and others were caught in it.

"Nothing about the intentions of the new Clan Leader is known. He’s been focusing on repairing the palace. But there’s a rumor that he’s planning to shut down the borders."

Vale smiled without warmth. "So he wants to focus on internal crises first. He does not have all the Chiefs under his command, and he wants to focus on them."