Chapter 294: Chapter 294 - Hesitation is Death
Just as Atlas had said before, this was entirely within his own will. How he chose to respond to the two incoming challenges was his decision alone. It was his private domain, his responsibility, and so were the risks that came with it.
However, there was no denying that these two particular challenges were more than just personal battles. They were part of something larger, a deliberate move from another alliance. This wasn’t merely two lords seeking battle; it was an orchestrated attempt to crush Gacha Haven’s growing power.
And they had already succeeded twice. Two major victories, over Luna and Brigid.
Luna was the first to speak. "In my case, yes, I lost, Atlas. But we managed to deal significant damage to the enemy. The real issue wasn’t our strategy; it was that their forces were fully optimized, while mine weren’t. As in Division Four, I didn’t have the resources or troops at full capacity. That imbalance is what led to the final loss."
She exhaled softly before continuing. "Honestly, reinforcement of two or three hundred troops—each around level 150—from a rank-three to a rank-two lord might sound small. But it isn’t. Those three hundred could easily make up a third of their entire army. So I doubt they’d go as far as supporting four rank-two lords at once for something like this... but then again, I can’t be completely sure either."
Atlas nodded slowly, acknowledging her words.
"The situation was nearly the same for Brigid," Luna continued, then turned toward the red-haired warrior behind Atlas.
Brigid nodded quietly but didn’t add anything. Everyone already knew, her greatest weakness had always been large-scale warfare. Her floating island’s defenses were effective only to a point, and the enemy had studied her tactics well enough to exploit every flaw in her formation.
Another lord in the room spoke up. "But the strange part is, they still insist on challenging Atlas. Even after he’s claimed three major victories as a rank-two lord."
"It could just be a bluff," someone suggested.
"Or arrogance," another replied.
"Or worse," another one said. "Maybe they want Atlas to think it’s a bluff, so he’ll accept carelessly. And by the time he realizes it’s a trap, they’ll already have their secret weapon ready to deploy."
A heavy silence followed.
"Damn," someone finally muttered, "that puts a lot of pressure on us."
Atlas’s eyes swept across the room, calm but sharp.
"Well," Luna said, trying to ease the air just slightly, "it’s not the first time we’ve faced something like this."
No one disagreed. But the look on every face said it clearly. This time, the stakes were far higher.
Another lord then spoke up. "Alright, here’s what I believe. They’ve prepared two lords with reinforced forces to strike against two of ours. Their targets were clearly Luna and Brigid. But... if they’ve already deployed that much, what’s stopping them from sending another two to challenge the leader of our alliance directly? And worse, doing it right before the Lord Battle Season ends?"
"Yes," someone muttered. "I can smell something off about this."
Atlas gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable as the discussion carried on. No concrete decision was made that evening. After listening to everyone’s opinions, Atlas finally decided to postpone the matter until the following day.
In truth, he wouldn’t lose much by ignoring the challenges. At most, he’d forfeit the chance to earn Arcane Shards and Standard Tickets, along with the potential spoils of victory from defeating an enemy lord.
But that was only if he thought about it from a profit standpoint.
He needed more time. Time to think, to weigh his choices carefully.
There was one undeniable truth, though: sooner or later, they would have to confront Bolin’s alliance head-on. The conflict couldn’t continue endlessly. The enemy alliance had already shown they would never stop pressing, each attack heavier and more calculated than the last.
In the world of lords, war wasn’t a choice. It was a necessity. Victory was the only form of survival. There was no peace to negotiate, no truce that would last.
And in their eyes, Atlas as a newly ascended Rank-2 Lord leading what they considered a small alliance, was the perfect and easy target.
Atlas exhaled slowly and rose from his seat. "We’ll discuss our countermeasure against Bolin once the Lord Battle Season concludes," he said firmly, bringing the meeting to an end for the day.
The others nodded silently. The tension in the air lingered even as they began to leave the hall. Because everyone knew that once the season ended, peace would not be waiting for them.
**
Atlas walked with his usual calm expression, though this time the weight pressing on his mind was heavier than ever before. It wasn’t the first time he’d felt this way. He had carried the same pressure when he first ascended to Rank-2.
He stopped before the noble estate, Morganna’s residence, and knocked lightly before stepping in as two maids opened the door for him.
"Good evening, Lord Atlas," they greeted politely.
"Is Morganna inside?" he asked.
They nodded, confirming it, and Atlas made his way up the grand staircase to the top floor. He knew exactly where she would be.
He opened the door to a spacious room, one wall entirely open to the night sky. Soft curtains swayed gently in the breeze. A wide couch set occupied the center, surrounded by shelves. Near the open side stood a low table with a lantern casting warm light over the floor. Where wooden blocks were scattered around.
And there she was, Morganna, sitting gracefully with her legs crossed, her long hair draping over one shoulder. Before her sat a tiny figure playing quietly among the colorful blocks.
"Pa... pa..."
Vienne’s bright little voice filled the room. Her eyes sparkled as she reached out toward him, though she barely moved from her sitting position.
Atlas smiled softly, the weight in his chest easing just a little. He walked forward, stretching his arms toward her. Vienne responded with cheerful laughter, and he lifted her up easily into his arms.
He looked at her, the small child giggling with delight, and couldn’t help but smile wider.
"Papa... stal... stal..." she babbled.
"Stars? You want to see the stars?" Atlas asked gently.
Time had passed so quickly. Vienne was already starting to form words.
No! She wasn’t just growing. She was growing fast.
Atlas held the baby close, his arms wrapped protectively around her small frame. The warmth of her body seeped into him, calming the storm that had been brewing in his mind all day.
He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing slowly, cherishing this fleeting peace. This reminder of what he was truly fighting for.
With Vienne nestled safely in his arms, he began walking toward the balcony. From outside, the faint sound of laughter and cheers drifted through the night air. The people of Gacha Haven celebrated as they often did.
"Stal..." Vienne mumbled again softly, reaching a tiny hand toward the sky.
Atlas smiled faintly at her voice. But before he could answer, another voice cut through the air.
"You’ve become weak," Morganna said.
Atlas stopped mid-step, turning his head slightly.
"Weak?" he repeated quietly.
He turned around fully, still holding Vienne close against his chest. His gaze met Morganna’s, who sat unmoving on the couch, her crimson eyes beginning to glow faintly beneath the light.
"This is why I always say humans are weak," she continued.
Morganna stood, her movements smooth and commanding as she approached him. The soft sound of her footsteps echoed lightly against the marble floor.
"What’s stopping you from acting... like you used to?" she said sharply. "You hesitate. You think too long. You question yourself."
She stopped just a few steps away from him. "You won’t get anywhere with the mindset you have now."
"Morganna...?" Atlas murmured, his voice low.
"I’ve been holding back," Morganna said. "Giving you space."
Atlas shook his head slowly.
"Accept the challenge," she continued firmly. "And let me handle everything myself."
Her eyes glowed faintly. "You do realize, don’t you, that we’ve just been playing so far? Those so-called challengers... they’ve never truly threatened us."
Atlas stayed silent. He knew exactly what she was referring to. Her restrained strength, her suppressed instincts, the monster she had been before becoming his summon.
"How many times do I have to say it?" Morganna’s tone rose slightly. "Vienne isn’t some fragile human baby."
Atlas’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"If you’re hesitating to act because you’re worried about her, then you’re making a huge mistake!" she snapped.
She took another step closer.
"We’re up against an established alliance. With a Rank-3 Lord as its leader." Atlas said.
"Do you really think mercy or hesitation will save you?" Her voice dropped lower.
"Do I need to remind you," she added, "how I survived long enough to reach my Immortal Rank in the past?"