Chapter 114
Louis's POV
I sat in the high-backed chair, my gaze fixed on the man who had just entered the great hall.
The Crimson Flame Warlord, Xavier Scott.
Even in this savage land of the Blood River Pack, his name thundered like a storm.
The war god who commanded the fire element, the hero who had expanded Blood River's territory—and the man I needed to win over most at this moment.
I rose to greet him, nearly breaking into a trot as I approached.
"Warlord, you've finally arrived! You must be exhausted from the journey. I've already ordered a feast prepared to welcome you—"
"Thank you for Alpha's concern." Xavier bowed respectfully, though his tone carried a trace of weariness. "However, I've just returned from the border, travel-worn and dusty. I fear I'm not fit for a banquet. If Alpha doesn't mind, perhaps I could return home to rest first and pay my respects another day."
His manner was impeccable, yet I could still sense that subtle distance he maintained.
This man was far too perceptive...
"Oh, Warlord, you're too modest." I personally took his arm. "You've fought for the Blood River Pack for years with such distinguished service—how could my small gesture of hospitality compare? Come, come, sit down and rest your feet first."
Xavier didn't refuse, following me to the guest seating.
I poured tea for him myself, humble as a servant.
"Warlord, I've heard you've completely pacified the southern rebels and secured our borders. This is truly a blessing for Blood River!"
"I dare not accept such praise." Xavier took the teacup and nodded respectfully. "This is all due to Alpha's wise leadership. I merely did my duty."
Standard pleasantries, flawlessly delivered.
I sneered inwardly, though my smile grew even warmer.
"Warlord, you're far too humble! Over these years, you've expanded Blood River's territory by half—such achievements are unmatched among all wolf packs!"
I leaned closer, lowering my voice as if sharing confidences.
"Honestly, Warlord, without you guarding our borders, how could Blood River have achieved today's strength? You are everyone's hero, the guardian deity of the Blood River Pack!"
Xavier fell silent for a moment.
He looked down at the teacup in his hands, complex emotions flickering in those eyes.
Then, slowly, he began to speak:
"Alpha gives me too much credit. Over these years, I have indeed conquered considerable territory for Blood River. From the southern swamps to the western wastelands, from the northern snowfields to the eastern canyons... every inch of land is soaked in blood."
He paused, his hand tightening slightly.
"But I have also witnessed far too much... far too much that should never have happened."
His voice grew deeper, as if dragged up from some profound depth.
"I've seen villages reduced to ash in flames, refugees frozen to death in the snow, hatred in children's eyes. Some of those children were only five or six years old, yet they had already learned to look at me with that kind of gaze—as if I were the demon who murdered their parents."
I listened quietly, my face showing concern while my mind calculated how to make him seize the lightning element for me.
"I wield elemental power, possessing the strength to destroy everything." Xavier continued, his voice carrying suppressed anguish. "But because of this, I also understand what disasters such power can unleash when it spirals out of control."
He raised his head to look at me, his eyes filled with a certain earnestness.
"Alpha, I'm not questioning your decisions. I only wish to say... perhaps we already possess sufficient territory. Perhaps it's time to let the pack rest and recover."
His words were cautious, but I heard clearly—he was advising me to cease expansion.
This foolish warrior dared presume to teach me how to govern the pack!
Yet I showed no displeasure.
Instead, I sighed, my face displaying deep understanding and agreement.
"Warlord, you're absolutely right." My voice filled with emotion. "You've campaigned for years, witnessed too much death and separation—naturally you feel weary. Honestly, don't I also wish to let the pack settle down, to give everyone peaceful lives?"
I stood and walked to the window, turning my back to him, my voice tinged with helplessness.
"But Warlord, you know this world is far from peaceful. Too many enemies watch us hungrily, too many ambitious wolves covet our territory. If we halt our steps, what awaits us is only the fate of being devoured."
I turned back to face him, my eyes brimming with sincerity.
"However, you're right. We do need to rest and recover. That's why all these years, I've worked hard to maintain peace and avoid unnecessary wars."
Xavier nodded, the wariness in his eyes seeming to ease slightly.
I sneered inwardly. The fish had taken the bait.
"Warlord, I'll be frank. I summoned you today because I do have a favor to ask. But this matter is precisely about preventing war, about protecting the hard-won peace we've achieved."
I sat back down, my tone growing grave.
Xavier's expression turned serious. "Please, Alpha, speak plainly."
"You've controlled the fire element for years—you must understand best how terrifying elemental power can be." I spoke slowly. "When such power rests in righteous hands, it can protect and bring peace. But if it falls into the hands of those with ill intent, the consequences are unthinkable."
Xavier nodded, gesturing for me to continue.
"Recently, I received intelligence." I lowered my voice. "In the Lightning Wolf Pack's territory, a lightning elemental spirit has appeared. That small tribe has no ability to control such power. If someone with ulterior motives seizes it and uses it against the Blood River Pack..."
Xavier's brow furrowed. "Alpha means..."
"I hope you can travel to the Lightning Wolf Pack and bring that elemental spirit under your command." My tone was earnest. "Warlord, you just said you understand what disasters uncontrolled elemental power can bring. Then you should understand even better—how dangerous it would be if such power fell into the hands of the incompetent or the wicked."
I stood and walked before him.
"Warlord, you are a master who controls the fire element—you are the one most qualified to guard elemental power. Only you can ensure the lightning element won't be abused, won't spark new wars."
Xavier remained silent for a long time.
I waited quietly, my face still wearing that sincere expression while my mind plotted the next line of persuasion.
Finally, Xavier spoke.
"Alpha, forgive my presumption." His voice was soft, carrying a certain restraint. "The Lightning Wolf Pack... that is their territory, after all. If the elemental spirit appeared there, by rights, they should be the ones to guard it."
"Warlord makes a valid point." I nodded as if carefully considering his words. "But the problem is, they lack the capability."
I walked back before him, my tone growing heavier.
"Warlord, think about it. If the Lightning Wolf Pack truly could guard that power, why would I trouble you? The fact is, they're merely a small tribe—they have neither powerful warriors nor experience controlling elements. Under these circumstances, the elemental spirit will eventually be seized by outsiders."
I paused, my voice taking on a note of compassion. "Rather than let it fall into truly evil hands, sparking warfare and slaughtering innocents, better that you personally intervene and bring it under control. When heaven bestows treasures upon the incapable, it only brings calamity upon them. Warlord, we would be benefiting all living beings, preventing the very tragedies you just described from repeating themselves."
Xavier raised his head, his eyes showing inner struggle.
I knew he was wavering.
"Warlord." My voice grew gentler, as if comforting a weary veteran. "You just said you've seen too much hatred in children's eyes. Then you should understand even better—if the lightning element falls into an ambitious wolf's hands, how many children will lose their parents, how many families will be torn apart?"
I took a deep breath and said solemnly: "This time, I promise you—you won't need to fight for territory, won't need to slaughter villages, won't need to harm any innocents. You need only subdue that elemental spirit and ensure it's guarded by someone truly capable. Nothing more."
The hall fell so quiet that only the crackling of logs in the brazier could be heard.
Finally, he stood and bowed deeply to me.
"Since Alpha places such trust in me, I will do my utmost." His voice was steady and respectful. "But I have one request—this expedition will be solely to subdue the elemental spirit, with absolutely no harm to innocents. If the Lightning Wolf Pack is willing to cooperate, I hope we can resolve this peacefully."
"Of course, of course!" I quickly helped him up, my face showing profound relief. "Warlord's compassion is Blood River's great fortune! I give you my word as Alpha—this time, we go only for the elemental spirit and will not implicate any innocents!"
Xavier nodded, the guardedness in his eyes diminishing somewhat.
"Then I shall go prepare immediately." He said respectfully.
"Good, good!" I personally escorted him to the door. "Warlord, the Blood River Pack is blessed to have you!"
Xavier bowed again, then turned to leave.
Just as he was about to step out of the hall, his footsteps paused slightly.
I followed his gaze, my heart tightening—on the floor lay a drop of bright red blood.
Left behind when Elvira had devoured that young warrior earlier.
I quickly stepped forward, grinding my toe over the blood, my face showing annoyance.
"These Omegas are becoming more and more careless. Can't even tend candles properly—dripping wax everywhere. We've been far too lenient with them. Clearly they need proper discipline."
Xavier glanced at me, something imperceptible and complex flickering in his eyes.
"Alpha is merciful." He said flatly, then walked out of the hall.
I watched him leave, my face still wearing that gentle smile.
Only after his figure had completely disappeared down the corridor did I drop the mask.
I returned to the high-backed chair and sat down, my eyes instantly turning cold.
Xavier Scott.
This man had just recounted his achievements before me, as if reminding me—half of Blood River's territory was won by his hand.
Beneath that respectful exterior, he harbored suspicion and wariness toward me, even daring to advise me to cease expansion!
"Does this Blood River Pack bear the name Anderson, or Scott!"
My low growl echoed through the empty hall.
I could tolerate it no longer.
All these years, I had endured, I had pretended, I had played the young Alpha who needed to rely on his distinguished generals.
But my ambition had never diminished in the slightest.
I stood and walked to the bronze mirror at the far end of the hall.
In the mirror, my eyes were cold and crazed.
"Fire, lightning, ice..." I murmured, my lips curling into a cruel smile. "In the end, they will all be mine."