Lord Protector novel (Zeke Williams) novel Chapter 2584

Apollyon stood aside.

However, Phoenix was in no rush to leave this time. Instead, she turned around.

“I need to speak with you regarding the spoils of war, Zeke. My people investigated the Platinumion headquarters and discovered many Spirit Stones valued at the cost of their entire base. Would you prefer the Spirit Stones or the Platinumion headquarters? As for their members, they're free to decide who they want to go with. We should stay out of that.”

“I'll have the Spirit Stones,” Zeke said.

“Fine. I will arrange for the Spirit Stones to be delivered to you,” Phoenix promised. “One more thing. Are you prepared to join the Southern Faction or the Northern Faction?”

Zeke was mystified. “What are the Southern and Northern Factions?”

“The forces of Theos Island, no matter Contubernium, Centuria, or Legion, are divided into two factions: the Southern Faction and the Northern Faction.

“The Southern Faction, per their namesake, serves Camp South, while the Northern Faction serves Camp North.

“Platinum and I, in addition to Calix, serve the Southern Faction. Though it was within the rules for you to wipe out Calix and Platinum, Southern Faction will not forgive you for that. I suggest taking the initiative to join us and stem the damage, and the Southern Faction will show you mercy in exchange.”

“What benefits would I derive from declaring my allegiance to the Southern Faction?”

“The Southern Faction can protect you by preventing other forces from killing you.”

“The Southern Faction sent Calix and Platinum, yet they died by my hand. Why didn't the Southern Faction show themselves to protect them?”

“It's complicated,” Phoenix answered. “Firstly, your killing of Calix and Platinum was within the rules, and the Southern Faction cannot fault you for that. Secondly, Calix and Platinum were confident of wiping you out, so they did not ask the Southern Faction for help. Without knowing they were about to perish, the Southern Faction had no way to protect them.”

“The Southern Faction would not protect us out of kindness. They must want something in return,” Zeke reasoned.

Obviously.

“Serve the Southern Faction, of course,” Phoenix said. “We are to search for Spirit Stones in the Centuria's district or to obtain them from spiritual water to offer to the Legatus. Aside from exchanging it for food, the Legatus will craft the Spirit Stone into weapons and offer it to Theos through the Camp Masters. The higher the craftsmanship of one's weapons, the more likely they will be granted entry into the center of Theos Island during the Worship Ceremony to worship Theos in close proximity. Otherwise, one would have to worship from the outermost perimeter.”

Zeke was deep in thought. “So, the Contuberniums would gather spiritual water from the district's outskirts to present to the Centurions, who will then obtain Spirit Stones from it. These Spirit Stones would then be turned into weapons by the Legatus?”

Phoenix nodded. “That's right. How does that sound? Would you like to join the Southern Faction? If you do, I can refer you to Draco.”

“Who is he?” Zeke asked.

“Draco is the leader of Centuria's district's Southern Faction and the most powerful Centurion in the district,” Phoenix explained. “Whether or not you're worthy of joining the Southern Faction depends on Draco's say-so.”

“What if I won't join you? I can craft the weapons on my own and offer them to Theos. Won't I be able to meet him directly then?”

Phoenix chuckled. “What a wild imagination you have! The Southern Faction and the Northern Faction will not stand for your neutrality. They will send people to get rid of you. Besides, do you think just anybody can make these weapons? Even the Legatus can only craft a rough shape. The Camp Masters will be the ones who create the finished product.”

Zeke chuckled. “I'd like to see them get rid of me.”