Affinity:Chaos
chapter-122

After seeing the outcome of this attack, Grey was able to estimate the overall strength of the protectors.

'If I go all out, I shouldn't have a problem with breaking the defense of these protectors. But escaping with the Great Earth Essence Liquid is easier said than done', with a calm expression he observed everything happening.

Just like everyone here, he also wanted to obtain all the drops here. Only, unlike everyone, he was one of the few people, if not the only person who could confidently say he can obtain them single-handedly.

……..

The Darkness Elementalist's eyes swept back and forth the nine protectors. After studying their strength, he spoke to the crowd.

"Everyone, the nine protectors are too powerful. Even my power won't be able to destroy them. Now that the Great Earth Essence Liquid is just ahead of us, we can't just let go of this chance. I invite all Third stage Origin Plane Elementalist here to fight with me. My companions will take on two of the protectors. I have already discerned that these protectors can combine into a single unit. As long as we attack from different directions, we will be able to break their formation, and their defense will then break, automatically."

The Darkness Elementalist's words immediately caused a commotion. Those few Third stage Origin Plane Elementalist exchanged glances, feeling what the Darkness Elementalist said was right. For the sake of the Great Earth Essence Liquid, this was the best and only way.

Initially before passing through the door, including the Darkness Elementalist, there was a total of seven Third Plane Origin Plane Elementalist. But the Darkness Elementalist killed one of them before they passed through the door, and Grey had also killed one when he acquired the Great Void technique previously. This meant that only five surviving Third Plane Origin Plane Elementalist were present in the ancient paths.

Currently, there were only four Third stage Origin Plane Elementalists present here, including the Darkness Elementalist. One of the five surviving Third stage Origin Plane Elementalist wasn't present here.

"Then, how should we divide the Great Earth Essence Liquid. You are the strongest amongst us, none of us will be able to fight you. If you and your group take all the Great Earth Essence Liquid away at the last minute, all our efforts will only be in vain." Someone asked.

This was the most crucial issue and was also the matter that all the Third stage Origin Plane Elementalists was concerned about the most. After all, the Darkness Elementalist was too powerful, and he had four powerful companions beside him. So even if three of them joined forces, they wouldn't be able to defeat the Darkness Elementalist, talk less of defeating him and his group.

Once they helped the Darkness Elementalist break the defense of the protectors, then he turned his back on them at the last moment, they wouldn't be able to do anything.

There was also the difficulty of fighting against the protectors. They weren't even confident in holding one of them alone, and the others around wouldn't help since they wouldn't get anything if they joined in the battle. Who would want to fight a fruitless battle? So, if the Darkness Elementalist were to betray them after the difficult battle, they would be dismayed.

"You all can be rest assured about this. As long as we break the defense together, each of you will get one drop of the Great Earth Essence Liquid. My group and I will take whatever that is left. I am an upright person, so, as long as everyone takes one drop each and don't try to scheme to acquire another one, I wouldn't be bothered with you." The Darkness Elementalist declared uprightly.

'Hmph! I'll kill you all after defeating the protectors.' He thought internally.

Hearing what he said, the others heaved a sigh. Everyone had seen his conduct outside. He only killed the Third stage Origin Plane Elementalist and didn't attack anyone else. So they felt as long as they didn't try to take another one, they should be okay. But that didn't mean they trusted him fully though, they still raised their guard against him.

"Alright. I agree to do this."

"I agree, too."

Soon, all three of them agreed to the suggestion of the Darkness Elementalist. Their objective in coming here was to get the Great Earth Essence Liquid. Furthermore, they weren't too greedy. They knew that given their strength alone, it was impossible to obtain all the Great Earth Essence Liquids here. So, their objective could already be considered achieved even if all they obtained was a single drop of the Great Earth Essence Liquid.

"Okay. But even if we decide to fight alongside you, we still wouldn't be able to keep all nine protectors at bay. Including you and your companions, we can only keep six occupied. Then, what about the other three?" The youth from the Blue Wind empire recalled something and voiced his thoughts.

With a quick glance, he calculated that there were only a total of four Third stage Origin Plane Elementalist, if the Darkness Elementalist's companion were added, they were still short on fighters.

"I have some people in mind for the last three." The Darkness Elementalist gazed into the crowd.

Other than the freakish four, who else would he have in mind! He even felt each member of Grey's group was relatively stronger than these three in the Third stage. Although, inviting the freakish four was a huge risk for him since he was already planning on acquiring all the Great Earth Essence Liquid. He had no other choice, and felt with his group around, they should be able to deal with them.

………

"They seem to be planning on how to obtain the Great Earth Essence Liquid." Said Reynolds.

"Yeah. But they still aren't enough to overpower the protectors." Grey still wore his calm expression.

"Why is that bastard coming in our direction?" Asked Klaus.

"I think he wants us to join them." Alice said.

They didn't go close when the Darkness Elementalist was speaking with the other three Third stage Origin Plane Elementalist, so they didn't know what they decided upon. But, they could guess they were trying to form an alliance of some sort to team up against the protectors.

The Darkness Elementalist wore his usual emotionless look and stopped in front of the group.

"I have a proposal for you four…" He told them the reason for he walked up to them the moment he arrived without beating around the bush.

Just as Klaus was about to start raining curses on the Darkness Elementalist, he heard Grey speak up.

"If that's all we have to do, then we agree. How do you plan on sharing the spoils?" Grey asked calmly.

The Darkness Elementalist said all they had to do was keep three of the protectors at bay. For them, that was too easy. Although he knew the Darkness Elementalist was not to be trusted, he already had a plan on obtaining the liquids.

"For the three protectors you hold back, you'll get one drop for each of them." Said the Darkness Elementalist.

"Hmm, okay." Grey nodded.

According to the words of the Darkness Elementalist, it meant he and his group would obtain three, each of the youths in the Third stage will get one, and the last three would go to Grey and his friends.

'If my guess is not wrong, he only wants to use us to defeat the protectors. After that, he will most likely betray us and collect all nine drops. According to what Alice said, he seems to be a greedy person since he wanted to kill those youths from the Lunar Academy for something they acquired' thought Grey.

But, he still followed along with the Darkness Elementalist even though he was aware of his true motives.

……….

"They are the ones. We should prepare ourselves for the upcoming battle." the Darkness Elementalist pointed at Grey's group before walking to where his companions were and sat down in a lotus position closing his eyes.

The other three wanted to question him upon seeing the stages of Grey and his group, but when they saw him preparing himself, they kept quiet and also did the same.

Each of them would receive a drop of the Great Earth Essence Liquid, which was a lot better than getting nothing at all. It was already considered not bad that they could get one drop of the Great Earth Essence Liquid. Once they attacked, the Darkness Elementalist would surely be the one to exert the most effort, so they had no problems with whom he decided to add to the party.

After all, this was a world where strength ruled. As the Darkness Elementalist was a lot stronger than them, whatever he said goes. And, he was also the unofficial leader of the party.

As for the others, they could only watch as Grey and the other experts divide all the drops of the liquid. Even if they felt that it's very unfair, they wouldn't dare to say it out, because they knew it would be useless. The Great Earth Essence Liquid wasn't related to them anymore. They could only wait for some good items to emerge in the ancient temple. If they couldn't eat the meat, it was still better to drink the soup.

…….

Ten minutes later.

"Is everyone ready?" Asked the Darkness Elementalist after opening his eyes.

"Yes!"

The others answered simultaneously. They hadn't attack previously, so they were still energetic.

"Okay. Let's attack together. I hope everyone will give this their all. Please don't allow the protectors to merge their strength or even though we've teamed up, it will still be extremely difficult. We will attack one protector each." The Darkness Elementalist said to everyone.

"Enough talking. Let's attack now." The genius from the Blue Wind empire said, clearly, he was eager to get his hands on the drop of liquid.

"Good." The Darkness Elementalist nodded.

Giving Grey and his group a meaningful glance, he walked forward.

Before Grey and his group started following behind, he whispered to them.

"Make sure to reserve your strength as much as possible."

They all nodded. They knew they weren't the only ones who would reserve their strengths, every single person here had a plan.

With each member of the party getting in position, they all prepared themselves for the battle against the protectors.