SSS Awakening: Creating Primordial Beasts To Be My Summons-Chapter 29: The Plans Used at the Guild War of Heavenly Spire
Farid explained the situation carefully so Cohen could easily grasp it.
"There are two main parties involved.. The Heavenly Spire Guild, which wants to completely crush Vanguard.
"Then there’s Vanguard. They don’t just want to establish a base here but also wants control over some of what Heavenly Spire has, like the Outliers."
Farid paused.
"Ophelius is a third party that only Heavenly Spire knows is present. They are passive and are just waiting for the right opportunity to decide what they’ll do. Spire believes they can handle them anytime."
"How does the Spire know of them and Vanguard doesn’t?" Cohen asked.
Farid took a sip of his drink, a calm smile crossing his features.
"Because the Heavenly Spire has me."
Cohen smiled at the man’s words, gesturing for him to continue.
"The plan Vanguard has chosen to use is that while they hide in the shadows, they’ll use public opinion to slowly erode Heavenly Spire’s reputation and cause panic.
"Then in the most vital moment, likely when an Outlier lets loose, they’ll come in and win the people’s trust."
"It’s an obvious tactic... almost too obvious. They underestimate the Heavenly Spire.
"Spire has already discovered Vanguard’s location and is only waiting for the moment when Vanguard is busy with the public’s opinion to strike them down."
Cohen raised a skeptical gaze. "Despite this, I feel like you don’t think Heavenly Spire will win."
Farid sighed.
"There are two factors. One, Vanguard and a minuscule part of Ophelius has control of a strange energy called Red. With Red, they could make the Outliers harder for Heavenly Spire to contain, making things less smooth."
"Red?" Cohen blurted.
"It’s a weird energy that grants powers in exchange for negative effects. It’s another topic on its own."
"I see," Cohen muttered, letting Farid continue.
"The second factor is a secret ability of Vanguard. The ability to cause a Dungeon Release."
"Huh?" Cohen was confused.
"They can release uncontrolled monsters... directly into the city. Although the monsters are low level, that’s the most troublesome thing that could happen."
Farid then showed an even more arrogant smile than earlier.
"But even that... can be handled. My people, those in the underworld and those here, can stand as a guild on its own. We can tilt the scales to favour our city completely."
Cohen asked, "So the Outliers are being used to cause public chaos? That’s why rumors are being spread fast, Vanguard is responsible."
Farid nodded.
"They’ll cause more chaos soon, framing the guild badly. In this whole situation, although the Spire will win, their reputation will be temporarily dented.
"But they want to maintain absolute control during this period so the exchange is worth it."
Cohen processed the information and asked:
"In this, what do you want? I can tell you have a goal."
Farid chuckled.
"You’re sharp. I do have a goal.
"One is to absolutely crush Vanguard, obviously. Second, it’s to use this situation for me to increase my influence within the City, or else, the Spire will waste it."
’That’s why you’ve secretly been raising your group in hidden locations?’ Cohen thought.
"I have a bold idea, very risky. I want you to tell me what you think of it."
Cohen adjusted in his seat, feeling the weight of what was about to be said.
"The panic Vanguard wants to cause, I want to escalate it... It’ll be a distraction so I can deploy my people to fix mediums for my barriers around the city.
"Can you guess why?"
Cohen pondered for a few seconds before saying no.
"I’m glad you don’t. The crazy ideas should be left to men like myself.
"I plan to force Vanguard to release those monsters. My men would handle that situation and gain credibility amongst the civilians. Like that, my influence spreads."
Cohen’s eyes widened.
"I want to escalate it... so I can deploy my people"
"It is," Farid said. "My other abilities are related to defense and barriers. I’m willing to burn through my own vitality to strengthen it so I can protect the whole city from the monster at once.
"In the end, my original plan for chaos would have a lot of disadvantages, like me destroying multiple civilian buildings.
"But Cohen, if you help, the chaos can be different. It would offer a plan where only my life is very threatened."
Cohen ran his hand through his hair.
"Are you certain you will be able to protect the civilians?"
Farid’s face was serious, his determination oozed.
"I have calculated all possible positions Vanguard can release monsters if I push them to it. There are 8,876 buildings in the city, and I have a plan for each district, maximizing my barrier and spatial abilities.
"I have about 437 men under me, I know all their abilities, and I have attributed each of their individual characteristics to the plan."
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly. "Even so... nothing is perfect. Some mistakes are inevitable, but I will minimize them as much as I can. Civilians will not be casualties if I can help it."
"Your father saved me... so protecting what he left behind is the least I can do. All I do now is for its sake."
Cohen stayed silent before he asked.
"Why exactly are you doing this? Why not let Heavenly Spire have absolute control?"
Farid took a deep breath.
"I know the guild.
"Unofficially, I’m one of the leaders of Heavenly Spire. And for the future that’s coming, the one I discovered after years of research, they’re underestimating it and that will have repercussions.
"To survive, I’d rather have a level of control."
Cohen sighed before releasing a smile.
It wasn’t relief. It was resolve.
"That’s exactly why I’ll accept your plan. For my family to survive, I also want to have a level of control."
Farid let out a satisfied sigh as he rested his back on the couch.
"Thank you so much, Cohen. I really appreciated this. What can I do to repay you?"
Cohen didn’t hesitate.
"Help me grow stronger. I need to level up... and I need beasts. I believe you know my archetype."
’I must be strong... strong enough to handle a variable in this risk!’
At that moment, a large roar sounded in Farid’s Teleportation Gate Hall.
The old man smiled.
"Perfect timing. Don’t worry, Cohen. I will definitely make you as strong as possible.
"That was the plan all along. That’s why I already told my men to catch something for you."
"No way..." Cohen revealed an amused glance.
Farid stood up, gesturing for Cohen to follow.
"I think you’ll like it."
Cohen excitedly followed.
’There’s no way he got me something ordinary! Is this what it feels like to have a godfather?!’
The roar echoed again—louder this time.
And this time, Cohen felt it in his bones.
