Taking the Mafia to the Magic World

Chapter 1160: Intimidation

Vicente arrived at the heart of Red Enclave, the domain of the vampires and demons that Theloria had managed to bring to her side. Along his path, creatures of various shapes and powers clustered together, watching him with mixed feelings in their hearts.

Some looked at him with reverence. Others seemed to harbor anger or antipathy toward a stranger who had barely been on the island for a few days. But there were also those averting their eyes, with low expectations.

Rumors about the human who would lead forces from the strongest local tribes against Argardus had spread throughout the high ranks of the Red Enclave’s forces. Grand Magus and Sorcerers of these entities were aware of Theloria’s plans and were now there to meet the young man she had spoken so highly of to these local tribes.

Theloria was respected and well-known across the island. Therefore, even without knowing Vicente, these forces—and, by extension, even their most skeptical members—were willing to give him a chance to prove himself at the meeting hastily arranged for today.

Larissa and Rex surveyed their surroundings, feeling some of the pressure, while Kong and the Devil felt more at ease with the atmosphere of this part of the island. The two were more accustomed to the stares and thoughts of those surrounding them as they made their way into the heart of the great stone city they had just entered.

Theloria stayed at the front of the group, guiding them toward the meeting place. “This is Shadow Hollow, the capital of Red Enclave. This city isn’t dominated by any single group but by a congregation of local forces. It’s here that important matters involving more than one tribe are normally mediated.”

She gestured with her hands to indicate the place as she walked ahead of the group, skillfully ignoring those standing on the sidewalks and in the alleys along their path. “The city isn’t large. Generally speaking, fewer than a thousand beings live here. Only when there are gatherings do the local numbers swell. So don’t think this bustle is normal.”

“I was finding it strange to see so many different beings gathered in one place…” Vicente remarked, observing the surroundings with a peculiar look. “In my homeland, even some of the friendliest tribes of the Polaris Realm don’t like to live alongside one another. Each prefers to stay in its own territory and avoid unnecessary contact with beings of other races.”

Theloria had lived in the Polaris Realm, so she understood well what he had just said.

“But since they don’t stay here permanently, this situation isn’t strange. I imagine there’s some kind of truce treaty that requires those in the city to coexist peacefully and in an orderly manner, right?”

Theloria nodded emphatically. “Certainly. A city with no established leadership, no guard, and so many distinct cultures would be chaos without something like that. But I’d advise caution when wandering these areas alone… Of course, you don’t have to worry. But anything below the 9th stage could have serious trouble if careless in Shadow Hollow.”

“I think we’re going to have problems either way…” Larissa said with a bitter smile. The gazes of everyone along their path were hard to ignore.

Vicente laughed. “They want to test me?”

Theloria saw Vicente’s look directed at her and didn’t answer, despite her revealing expression.

Vicente then changed his question as his aura subtly grew colder. “Who are the strongest ones here?”

“They would be the vampire leader and the leader of the Fallen Tribe. Fallen and Mornes are mid-level Transcendents, even stronger than me,” Theloria said sincerely.

“And you managed to secure their support?” Kong was surprised. “Impressive.”

“They’re also interested in a path back to the ancient era.” She glanced at her old dragon friend, thoughtful. “Even powerful demons like them are slowly approaching their end. But advancing may not be possible for them while reality remains as it is now…”

Cultivation was complicated.

The mere fact that there were 9-Star Transcendents didn’t mean others could reach that level. In fact, the most accepted school of thought in Anicane was precisely that there were a limited number of beings at that level that the heavens could sustain or nurture. And, much to the misfortune of those below that level, the maximum number of entities at that level seemed to have been filled a long time ago!

Reaching 5-Star of the 10th tier didn’t guarantee someone would make it to 6-Star or beyond. For some, the final bottleneck was 8-Star, but the vast majority faced the apparent end of cultivation well before that.

Vicente understood the predicament of these two beings. ’Even Transcendents have to worry about their “mortalities,” after all…’

Transcendents were practically pseudo-immortals, capable of living forever, though they could still be killed.

But living continuously was not so simple, even when one’s cultivation made it possible. There were numerous limitations, requirements, and, in the end, things weren’t as perfect as countless beings seeking immortality imagined.

Procreation was the first of the problems. It wasn’t possible to procreate beyond a certain level of cultivation. Memory was another. After living 300,000 or 500,000 years, even with a good memory, one would gradually lose certain information over their journey. Another issue was the need for long periods of cultivation. That is, one might be able to live forever, but if they wanted to remain sound mentally and spiritually, with possibilities for progress, they would have to cultivate for 80% to 90% of their lifespan.

For every thousand years of life, these so-called immortals would need to cultivate for between 800 and 900 years, or they would face serious problems!

In the end, they could be immortal, but they wouldn’t truly live like the immortals everyone dreamed of.

That, at least, was true for those from 4-Star to 9-Star of the Transcendent stage. Below that, one couldn’t even count on the possibility of living forever, and only above that would one have a chance to break free of all their shackles, surpassing the heavens.

“Even so…” Larissa murmured.

Theloria smiled, shifting her gaze between Larissa and Vicente. “Yes, even so, they won’t blindly follow a weak leader. They will want to test you, Vicente. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But before any of this becomes truly serious and irreversible, they will do it. That is, unless you do it first…”

Vicente said nothing more until they reached the core of Shadow Hollow, one minute after Theloria once again suggested what he should do.

In front of the assembly of local leaders, Vicente had no difficulty distinguishing the strongest among them, easily identifying the vampire named Mornes and the demon called Fallen. Both were tall, pale-skinned, and had black hair, yet quite different in physique, one appearing human and the other resembling a cross between an angel and a mummy.

Fallen’s black wings and aura of death caught the newcomers’ attention, momentarily distracting them from the powerful Transcendents awaiting them.

“Welcome to Shadow Hollow, dear visitors.” Mornes said, spreading his arms as he looked at Vicente and smiled.

Vicente smiled back and stepped in front of Theloria, taking the lead of the group.

But his greeting was somewhat different from what everyone around was expecting!

“It’s good to be among fellow Dark Path companions. I can sense that with this group assembled here, we’ll have a solid chance fighting our way to Crystopolis. Even the most useless among you can prove useful under my command.”

As Vicente’s words still resonated in the air, his throne slowly materialized, along with a black crown on his head. Simultaneously, almost everyone—including the Devil sent by Lothur and Theloria, except for Larissa, Rex, and Kong—felt their strengths, magical foundations, and affinity elements shift, losing control over them.

“The darkness has forged your majestic identities and powers. Now it is time for you to serve your new sovereign!”