Chapter 465 465-Mutual Concerns, Mutual Concessions
The standoff between John and the Naga Queen had everyone in the palace extremely tense.
The back-and-forth debate that had escalated between them seemed to have reached a fever pitch.
As the Legend Magus of the Naga Faction, Shatras was fully prepared for battle.
Although she knew she was no match for John, Shatras felt she could still aid the Naga Queen in a fight against him.
Other nobles of the Naga Faction within the palace were also ready for combat.
Despite their limited strength, they felt compelled to support their queen.
Meanwhile, John's companions, Adam and Blue Sea, were equally prepared for battle.
Their aim was not to assist John, but to defeat the weaker Naga nobles surrounding them.
They believed that John alone could handle the strongest of the Naga Faction.
Despite everyone in the palace anticipating an imminent battle, John and the Naga Queen, despite their heated arguments, did not immediately resort to physical combat.
Both their faces showed a mix of slight anger and frustration.
The Naga Queen, after observing John and his companions Adam and Blue Sea for a moment, finally spoke, "What evidence do you have to prove the truth of your claims? Without any proof, I must protect our Naga Faction by cooperating with Mystery Saint.
After all, Mystery Saint has not posed any threat to our faction yet. The greatest threat to the Naga Faction has always been the Dark Realm.
Mystery Saint, as a powerful deity, is certainly capable of contending with the Dark Realm. At least, he wouldn't make grave mistakes like those of the Northern Myst Empire."
It was clear that the Naga Queen was referring to Storm City, which had been attacked twice by the Dark Faction.
She now believed that the Northern Myst Empire was incapable of offering any assistance to her and her tribe.
If the Northern Myst Empire couldn't aid the Naga Faction, it was natural to assume that other members of the Order Faction would also be unable to provide any assistance.
Confronted with the Naga Queen's inquiry, John momentarily struggled to come up with a satisfactory explanation.
After all, he too believed that the successive attacks on Storm City by the Dark Faction indeed indicated the Order Faction's lack of preparedness.
Unable to provide an explanation, John deftly changed the subject.
He was convinced that the power of Mystery would inevitably plunge the Naga Faction into crisis.
Moreover, he suspected that some members of the Naga Faction had already been corrupted by Mystery's influence.
The Queen's formidable strength, he believed, was the only reason she remained unaffected by this corruption.
John theorized that other, less powerful members of the Naga Faction might not maintain their sanity like the Queen.
He speculated that some had already been driven to madness by Mystery's corruption.
"I cannot refute what you've said about the attacks on Storm City by the Dark Realm, nor our failure to defend effectively. However, allying with the Mystery faction will only lead the Naga Faction into grave peril. I suspect that some of your people have already descended into madness. The power of Mystery will surely corrupt the members of your Faction. Your decision to seal off your tribe's entrance is not solely due to the threat of the Dark Faction," John argued.
His words left the Naga Queen momentarily silent.
The other Naga nobles also seemed hesitant, as they knew there was truth in John's statements.
Some members of the Naga Faction had indeed fallen into madness.
These afflicted Nagas were not particularly powerful, so initially, the Faction's leaders did not pay much attention to this issue.
However, as time progressed, the number of insane members within the Naga Faction increased.
Even the Naga Queen began to feel her emotions becoming more somber and paranoid.
John, noticing that the Queen did not directly contradict his previous statements, realized his assessment was accurate.
Seizing the opportunity, he continued his questioning.
"Your Majesty, I know you earnestly wish to ensure the safety of the Naga Faction. But Mystery Saint cannot achieve this – only I can truly protect your Faction.
You must have seen my strength. I have previously defeated Mystery Saint's Mystery Vanguard and the Mystery Prophet.
I also successfully repelled the Dark Faction's attack on Sunset Mountain, defending the Order Faction's stronghold. My power has not even reached its peak yet.
Once I attain my full strength, I am confident I can defeat the most formidable devils of the Dark Realm as well as Mystery Saint. Defeating them will ensure that the Naga Faction no longer faces any threats."
John made these promises, knowing that he needed more allies to successfully confront the attacks from the Dark Faction and Mystery camps.
The Naga Queen, being immensely powerful herself, would be a significant ally for John.
Her support could greatly ensure the success of his plans.
However, the Naga Queen did not immediately agree to John's proposal.
After some contemplation, she decided to test John's capabilities through a certain challenge.
"Your strength is indeed formidable, but I doubt it's sufficient to defeat the Devils of the Dark Realm, let alone Mystery Saint. You claim you can help our Naga Faction escape the grave threats we face. So, I will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your power."
With these words, the Naga Queen turned her gaze towards the nobles of the Naga Faction below in the palace.
The Naga nobles promptly brought forward a chest, which contained a multitude of books.
"In these books, the details of our Naga Faction members who have fallen into madness are meticulously recorded.
If you can restore sanity to these afflicted individuals, I will believe your claims.
Following this, our Naga Faction will cooperate with you and provide substantial assistance.
During your mission, Shatras will assist you. Should you encounter any troubles, you can turn to her."
After speaking, the Naga Queen appeared somewhat weary.
She waved her hand, signaling everyone to commence their actions immediately.
Shatras was slightly surprised, unsure why the Naga Queen had chosen her to collaborate with John on his forthcoming endeavors.
Nevertheless, she knew she had to follow the Queen's orders.
Upon leaving the Naga Queen's palace, Shatras calmly said to John and his companions, "You have about a week to resolve the issue assigned by Her Majesty. If you fail within this timeframe, the Queen will completely lose trust in you. While Her Majesty has ordered me to assist you, don't expect much help from me. I have my own matters to attend to as the Legend Magus of the Naga Faction, and I must address threats to our Faction. The task you've been given is, in truth, a relatively unimportant matter."
After saying this, Shatras called over a guard of the Naga Faction and instructed him to lead John and his team to a local inn within the Naga Faction's territory.
During the following week, John and his two companions, Adam and Blue Sea, needed to urgently find a way to restore sanity to the members of the Naga Faction who had fallen into madness.
After Shatras left, Adam and Blue Sea appeared somewhat worried. Adam directly expressed his concerns to John.
"Do you really think you can resolve the crisis that the Naga Faction is facing? The madness caused by the corruption of Mystery's power seems impossible to cure. Unless you find a way to completely eliminate the Mystery power from the Nagas, I don't see how those who have fallen into madness can be brought back to their senses."
John was aware that Adam's concerns were valid.
However, he remained confident in his abilities and believed he could find a solution.
"You don't need to worry. Just cooperate with me in the coming days! I have a far greater understanding of Mystery's power than you do!" he assured them.
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