Chapter 398 - 16: Reincarnation Hall

Chapter 398: Chapter 16: Reincarnation Hall

’I never expected this! It’s complete chaos!’

’If I just leave them be, I wonder if this whole mess will eventually birth a new hegemon?’

’First, I’ll have Dong Lin and the others seize the Titan Race territories near our borders. We’ll decide what to do after that.’

The chaos among the Titan Clan People was a delightful surprise for Lin Yu.

Currently, his was the only territory with access to the lands of the Titan Clan People. And now, they were gleefully tearing each other apart. It was as if a choice ingredient had cooked itself and served itself up on a platter for him.

To spurn a gift from the heavens is to invite disaster!

Lin Yu decided that in the next phase, while maintaining defenses to the west and east, his main offensive would target the Titan Clan People to the north.

He might not conquer the entire domain of the Titan Clan People, but he would at least use them to max out his Lord and Territory levels, and complete the Goddess’s quest in the process.

...

Watching the verbose Al, Lin Yu’s mind raced.

Al was even more gullible than he’d imagined. Using information gleaned from peeking at the regional channel, Lin Yu had barely started his bluff before Al practically convinced himself, spilling everything he knew.

Of course, Al had his own little agenda: he wanted Lin Yu to accept his allegiance and allow him to return to his own territory to manage his small plot of land.

Lin Yu considered it. Taking advantage of the Titan Clan People’s infighting to fish in troubled waters, attack the lords near the border, occupy their lands, and create a buffer zone was indeed an excellent idea.

However, if he openly attacked and seized their lands, he would likely provoke a backlash from the Titan Clan People.

United by a common enemy, they would most likely join forces to drive him out first, before closing the doors to settle on a victor among themselves.

But if he operated under the guise of a Titan Clan People lord, he wouldn’t provoke such a major backlash. In fact, some lords might even see his strength and come to pledge their allegiance.

The prerequisite, however, was that this Al could actually deliver on his promises.

As Al recounted the history of the Titan Clan People, their current situation, and other intel, Lin Yu sat in his chair, mulling over how to handle him.

When Al finished speaking, Lin Yu looked him in the eye and said, "Al. Very good. You’ve been very detailed. There were a few minor issues here and there, but nothing important."

"I’m sorry, My Lord, I didn’t mean to, I..."

Lin Yu’s probing words startled Al, who scrambled to correct the few deliberate errors and omissions he’d made in a petty attempt to be clever.

"It’s fine. They were minor issues. No need to be afraid. On the whole, your intel is sound."

"From the sound of it, you still want to be a lord?"

Lin Yu’s easygoing attitude put Al’s tense heart at ease.

"My Lord, I don’t have many special skills. Before being chosen for this competition between lords, my entire education was centered around territory management."

"I wish to contribute my greatest strength to you, My Lord, and I can only serve you best from the position of a lord."

"So, I hope you, My Lord, will allow me to return and continue managing my territory."

Al replied hastily.

"Hmm, that makes some sense. However, I can only accept you pledging your allegiance to me. As for whether or not you can continue to manage your former territory after doing so, I have no idea."

"What I do know is that after you pledge allegiance, even if you can remain a lord, you won’t have your previous freedom. You will be under my jurisdiction."

"If you don’t want to pledge allegiance, then in exchange for all the information you’ve provided, I can give you a quick, clean exit and let you return to your home planet."

"You’ll lose your status as a lord, but I imagine that with your noble standing, you should still be able to live quite well."

After hearing Lin Yu’s words, Al hesitated. Based on the announcement for the third phase, he had no idea if he could still manage his original territory as a lord after pledging allegiance to another.

Especially since the lord he was about to pledge allegiance to was of a different race.

’If I go back to my home planet just like this, having lost my status as a lord...’

He shuddered, thinking of his tyrannical father.

A few years ago, his father’s chosen heir had been his older brother.

Then one day, his brother had seized a commoner girl to be his concubine. When their father found out, he not only punished his brother severely and stripped him of his title as heir, but he also took the concubine for himself. Only after that was Al groomed to be the successor.

But ever since he was chosen for this competition between lords, his status in the family had skyrocketed. Even his father, who had always treated him with indifference, would now occasionally praise him in front of others.

If he lost his title as a lord and was teleported back, he was certain nothing good would be waiting for him.

At this thought, Al decided to take a gamble. He would pledge his allegiance to this powerful, non-Titan lord. Even if he couldn’t go back to managing his own territory, at least he wouldn’t have to face his father’s punishment.

"My Lord, I am willing to serve you. Please accept my oath of fealty!"

Al knelt on the ground, kowtowing respectfully to Lin Yu.

[Titan Race Lord ’Al’ wishes to pledge his allegiance to you. Do you accept?]

"Accept!" Lin Yu agreed immediately upon hearing the system prompt.

[You have pledged allegiance to Lord ’Lin Yu’. Your current status is: Subordinate Hero to ’Lin Yu’.]

[At the end of this phase, with your lord’s permission, you may choose to return to your home planet or to the home planet of your lord, ’Lin Yu’.]