Immortal Kingdoms

"This is the same room we've held our meetings in for the past two years. However, I can't help but feel like today's room is very… Different."

"That man is attending the meeting today, of course, it will be different. I heard that he stirred up things in the Forbidden Domain, then the Human Domain, then the Elven Domain. Actually, the only place free from his troubles is the Beastkin Domain, but that place has always stayed out of trouble."

"Doesn't matter what trouble he stirred up, this is the world of business and not a world of martial power. Although Tesla's are formidable, their influence is very shallow the further you are from the Forbidden Domain. As for House Sylvia? Tsk! The ruling powers can't directly invest in this competition lest they forfeit their rights to the Sovereign Ascension, putting them in the same prickle spot as us from the vassal kingdoms."

"Exactly! Moreover, if my house obtains the winning lot of this land, I will directly migrate my people and shed away my status as a vassal, becoming the lord of my own fiefdom, my own feudal territory, my own realm; I will also be king."

"You mean the lord of your house will be king, you're just a financial advisor."

"I mean a king of my own financial empire! Stop acting dull and slow on purpose!"

"Hahaha!"

As more people young and old filed into the room, they gradually grew lively to the point where it almost seemed that they were no longer concerned about whether or not Leonardo would attend the meeting on this day.

Little did they know that Leonardo was already here, sitting in a rather inconspicuous corner of the room, Jeffery seated across from him on a square table, and Juvia standing respectfully behind Leonardo while watching the scene unfold with interest.

"People love talking behind someone's back, but what I love most is standing right behind their backs instead, albeit silently…" As Leonardo spoke, he moved a chess piece on the table.

However, there was no chess board, but a world map of the Human Domain and a sheet of paper with line after line of coordinates and diagrams of an hourglass, each depicting a different time of the day.

Jeffery was sweating profusely while seated, looking at the map that depicted numerous trade routes throughout the Human Domain, and Leonardo's left hand that was holding a pin, intermittently recording down specific coordinates the moment his communication bracelet flashed, then proceeding with this ghost game of chess against a seemingly invisible opponent.

However, Jeffery wasn't an idiot and he could tell that all of these trade routes were connected to the Arcadian Church in one way or another, he simply didn't understand why Leonardo would make plans involving a transcendental power dealing with faith and religious doctrine.

Even more frightening was that their party of three entered through the main gate but it seemed that no one was the wiser as to their presence in this room. Many questions bombarded this fat middle-aged man's head, but he found no answer to them.

Crash!

At this moment, a wine glass dropped to the ground, shattering to bits as one particularly lively, animated man in a business suit turned pale with fright, his finger pointing rigidly at Leonardo who was seated in the corner of the room.

"Y-you… When did you arrive?!" The man seemed to yell out, his shrill scream attracting everyone's attention.

Woosh!

The sound of everyone immediately turning their heads, especially with the fluttering of their robes was quite dramatic. Leonardo's eyes widened in absurd shock from the effect before chuckling lightly.

"You all seemed quite entranced in talking behind my back, so I thought I might as well not disturb the celebratory atmosphere. Haha."

Although Leonardo was laughing and smiling, his eyes were miles away from joy or happiness. At this moment, Juvia opened her eyes, her absolute domain of death enveloping everyone in this small room for but a split second, but that split second brought everyone to the face of death and back to the gates of life, drenching them in sweat.

"Sir Leonard must be joking, haha…" An amiable old man stepped forward, a smile that was not a smile on his face as he tried to smooth things over.

"Oh? Weren't you guys discussing how this isn't a battle of martial might? Should we put that theory to the test?" Leonardo looked at this old man who was definitely on the list of Lexus' people, his expression suddenly brightening with a very sincere smile.

The old man laughed dryly, feeling awkward.

They planned to kick both House Sylvia and Leonardo from this contest, but they never expected for Tesla's to be dragged into the fray, and behind this madman nonetheless.

"This old bag of bones can't do that, Sir Leonardo… Maybe back in my day when I was very energetic. Haha." The old man waved it off with a bitter smile.

Sigh…

"What a pity. Hmm, how about a game of chess instead? Anyone who can beat me in this game of chess, I'll act as though I heard and saw nothing, how about that?" Leon looked at the crowd with a faint smile.

Juvia's eyes flashed with comprehension, no wonder! He wants to fish out Lexus' secret agents with this method!

Juvia's eyes had a touch of worship in them as she stared at Leonardo's back, feeling shocked inside.

"Come, come! Those who finished playing with me will stand on that side of the room, while those who didn't can line up and wait for their turn. Please, I invite everyone to play, but I can't allow you guys to communicate with one another to cheat me in the game so some preventative measures are inevitable…" Leonardo chuckled, asking Juvia to erect three separate isolation barriers for the game, the players yet to play, and those who finished the game.

Of course, everyone understood a different message from the barriers; their lives were now in Leonardo's hands, and they had no choice but to play.

Juvia understood Leonardo's method now. Those who were completely oblivious to the money laundering will show a reaction not that far off from Jeffery's astonishment and bewilderment. However, since Jeffery was aware of the friction between Lexus and Leonardo, he wouldn't give the matter too much thought.

The other guests were different, though.

Those aware of the deep waters will have some drastically different expressions, and their soul fluctuations will grow rather chaotic out of fear, anxiety, and confusion. That will provide Leonardo with their identities, and he would be able to distinguish between puppets and masterminds.

Moreover, this will also plant a seed of doubt in their collective hearts, straining their relationships and secret dealings.

Thus, Juvia watched with fervent anticipation as the games unfolded…

…

Most of the guests called in sick or unwell after the game of chess that lasted an entire day, requesting to reschedule the meeting to another day of the week. Although some people were bewildered, some of the sharper businessmen could smell the gunpowder of a fishy conspiracy.

They thought that Leonardo used the context of a chess game to strike private deals with those people. Although this was quite the wrong assumption, it didn't necessarily mean that this was something Leonardo didn't have in mind while organizing this game.

Still, even Juvia was so focused on the 'substantial truth' and overlooked the 'virtual truth'.

Sometimes, when too many people are caught in a web of illusions, these illusions translate to undeniable truth over time.

"That was beautifully done, master! Are you going to have them assassinated?" Juvia asked while walking with Leonardo back to the inn.

Leonardo shook his head, "They don't know that we know what they know, they'll simply think that the person who played before them dared sell out the coordinates of a specific trade route since I deliberately manipulated the information. That way, if we actually act and kill people, it'll only ruin the beautiful illusion."

"I see!" Juvia understood, but she also didn't fully understand. However, she would silently review the contents of the meeting later in her room to understand on her own rather than having Leonardo spoon-feed her the answers.

They quickly arrived at the inn. Suddenly, Leonardo's heart began to beat inexplicably, confusing him as he looked in the direction of a specific room.

"You can go ahead first," Leonardo spoke to the confused Juvia before making his way upstairs, finding Aria standing next to a closed door with a knowing smile in her eyes.

"What if I told you that I'm also from House Hestia, and that young woman you've met is my daughter…" Aria's voice was soft, her words seemingly simple and to the point. However, these words left Leonardo's heart beating wildly.

Aria continued, "There is too much to say, but I guess what you need to understand most right now is that my daughter already considers you her only man in this life, and the answer as to why lies behind this door."

After she finished talking, the little silver fox faded, a soft voice resounding from behind the door a moment later…

"Will you come in and take a look?"