Within the courtyard, fifty-plus commander-level experts were gathered together. Linley’s group of four was seated in the corner, while servants walked about, carrying platters and delivering wine, food, and fruit.
“This gathering is completely boring!” Bebe went ‘crunch’ ‘crunch’ as he chomped through a round, slick, violet-skinned fruit. The juice dribbled down. “What’s the point of having us come? This gathering is centered around those commanders with military camps discussing their strategies for the final battle. The rest of us are just sitting around and watching like idiots.”
Linley laughed, then glanced at the commanders located closer to them within the courtyard.
This group of commanders was consisted of commanders who managed military camps. Clearly, they were discussing some of the details of the final battle. As for Linley and the other solitary commanders, they didn’t participate in the discussions.
“We didn’t bring any soldiers. What is there to discuss?” Reisgem glanced at the commanders, then at the other commanders who, like them, were bored and chatting in the corners of the room. “The others are like us. They are just sitting there, bored, right? The purpose of us coming is to familiarize ourselves with the other commanders. This is just a gathering. Nothing else.”
Clearly, the discussion regarding the details of the final battle was a fairly simple one, as a short time later, that group of commanders finished their conversations.
“Everyone.” One of the commanders, a man with three eyes, stood up and looked at them. Smiling, he said, “There isn’t much time left between now and the final battle! Everyone, whether you choose to participate or to spectate is up to you! If you plan to participate, it will be the same as it always has been; you’ll be mixed in with the soldiers! I trust there’s nothing more that I need to say!”
The Planar Wars had been carried out many, many times now. Many things had become customs already.
When intermixed in with ordinary soldiers, it would be hard to tell commanders apart from ordinary soldiers. That helped guarantee that the enemies wouldn’t focus their fire on one commander in particular. It would increase the odds of survival, but of course, if someone’s performance was too impressive, it would still be dangerous.
“The side of the Divine Light Plane, do they have any particularly powerful experts? If they do, please let us know, so that we will be prepared.” The three-eyed commander said.
“I know that the Divine Light Plane has Magnus in their camp!” A commander-level expert said loudly.
“Magnus. We do indeed have to be careful.” The three-eyed commander nodded solemnly.
Reisgem, seated in the corner, laughed loudly. “I know of another person, the Paragon of Wind, ‘Bayer’. He is here as well. In addition, he is on the side of the Divine Light Plane.”
“Bayer?” This name attracted everyone’s attention.
Although though quite a few more names were listed, clearly, what everyone was truly concerned about was the presence of ‘Magnus’ and ‘Bayer’. After all, Paragons already stood at the very tip of power. If Paragons wished to kill ordinary commanders, it would be a slaughter. In addition, if one tried to use group attacks, given how astonishingly fast Paragons were, using such a tactic would just be laughable.
“Bluefire, why hasn’t Bluefire revealed himself?” Reisgem secretly chatted with Linley. “He belongs to our side. He should show himself.”
Linley shook his head, puzzled. “I’m not sure either. He prefers to travel alone, I suppose.”
This gathering was a chance for the various commander-level experts to meet each other; after all, outside of the Planar Battlefield, it wasn’t too practical to arrange a meeting of so many commanders. This sort of gathering was also a community; a community of the highest level Deities.
Although Linley didn’t want to chat much with these people, there were still many who came and said a few words to him. They were all acquainted now, and at least these people all knew who Linley was.
“I’ve already arranged residences for everyone.” The three-eyed commander then laughed. “Everyone, you can choose any of the residences nearby. This place is fairly close to the banks of the Stellar River. Once the final battle begins, all of you commanders will be able to easily enter the battle.”
No one stood on ceremony; they each selected a residence and moved in, quietly awaiting the final battle.
This was the situation on the side of the Divine Darkness Plane, and the side of the Divine Light Plane had its own gathering as well. However, of the Paragons belonging to the Divine Light Plane, only Magnus appeared; as for Bayer, he didn’t participate in the gathering.
“Mr. Magnus.” All of the commanders, over the course of this gathering, greeted Magnus in a very warm, friendly manner, unconsciously acting in a meek, humble manner.
Although they were commanders and very arrogant, in the face of a Paragon…it was very natural for them to act like this. They felt like commoners meeting an emperor. Although the commoner might be arrogant, they would naturally grow modest in this situation. And this sort of modesty…didn’t make them feel ashamed, because it was only appropriate.
For example, if one knelt upon seeing a Sovereign; this was something which their subconscious told them was only proper.
The reception Magnus received in his camp was completely opposite from the one Linley received in his.
But Magnus couldn’t care less about these people; he too went into a corner, and by his side was Oman, Chegwin, and Ramson.
“Everyone, are there any formidable experts on the side of the Divine Darkness Plane whom we need to be aware of? If you know of any, speak up and let us mentally prepare for them.” A white-browed, white-haired youth spoke out.
Immediately, all of the commanders began to list out some names, with the likes of Reisgem and Bebe being discussed.
“We encountered an expert who should be a Paragon.” Oman said. “He is a Paragon of Fire! He belongs to the enemy camp, but his name…we aren’t sure. All we know is that he has crimson eyebrows!”
The commanders immediately all fell silent. Compared to a Paragon, neither Reisgem nor Bebe were even as remotely as threatening.
“I have a name!” Hemmers said loudly. “I suspect he, too, is a Paragon!”
These words caused everyone to look towards Hemmers. Everyone knew who Hemmers was; given Hemmers’ strength, his words should be true.
“This person is a member of the Azure Dragon clan, of the Four Divine Beasts clan. His power is very bizarre; at first, he was very weak, but afterwards, he grew to be even stronger than me. He’s made vast improvements over just a few centuries, and he said that he has trained for less than three thousand years. I don’t dare believe it, but one thing is certain; his power is greater than mine!” Hemmers said unhappily. “I suspect that he has already reached the level of Paragon!”
Instantly, a unison of laughter.
Everyone knew that Hemmers was a thick-headed fellow who wasn’t very clever. Hearing Hemmers’ words, however, they all laughed hard.
“Hemmers, less than three thousand years, and a Paragon, you say? If he became a Paragon in less than three thousand years, then the rest of us no longer have any face to stay here. Haha.” Clearly, not a single member of these experts believed him.
“Hemmers, don’t believe this person’s lies.” The commanders didn’t believe it at all.
“That expert of the Azure Dragon clan, ‘Gislason’? He’s only on par with us; how could they have a Paragon? If they did, they wouldn’t have been abused to such an extent by the eight great clans.”
The discussion made it clear that no one believed Hemmers.
“Impossible!”