Eren's recent actions had taken an intriguing turn, as he deliberately eliminated well-known Layos Rankers despite having more convenient options, effectively stoking the fires of the ongoing conflict.
His demeanor had undergone a profound transformation in these recent months. Once enigmatic and reserved, he now openly displayed his strengths, stepping out from the shadows he had long cloaked himself in. It seemed that Eren had a newfound desire to step into the light, discarding the mystique he had so meticulously upheld.
This change, as Naya saw it, was a risky maneuver, especially considering Eren's deep involvement in the arms trade. His bold moves could catch the attention of the vigilant Anfang Alliance, a development that was sure to spell trouble sooner or later.
Over the past nine years, Eren had reaped substantial profits from his arms deals. However, the lion's share of this wealth had been reinvested into the production and distribution of weaponry. From Naya's perspective, he had silently become one of the most influential power brokers operating behind the scenes. So why was he coming out of the shadows at this point when he already had a stable setup working for him?
Naya, harboring genuine concern, hoped to prevent Eren's exposure to the watchful gaze of the Anfang Alliance. If his sole aim was to procure the necessary sacrifices for the Lazarus Project, there were more discreet avenues available to him.
While Naya wasn't inclined to cause harm to innocent lives, she was willing to accept this possibility if it led to Eren achieving his ultimate objective – the retrieval of Reen through the completion of the Lazarus Project.
"You still fail to grasp the full picture," a mysterious voice resonated within the flying vehicle's passenger compartment. Naya turned to find an attractive and mysterious young woman suddenly beside her, seemingly materializing out of thin air.
Draped in a gothic black dress, she calmly regarded Naya while engrossed in a book.
"Placing complete trust in Eliza is unwise. The completion of the Lazarus Project requires a certain level of exposure. The looming presence of the Anfang Alliance serves as a necessary deterrent against any potential betrayal on Eliza's part.
I don't want to glorify our enemy. But the fact of the matter is Eliza is not a normal Sage by any means.
That Sage Ranker from House Samael could be considered as a monstrous genius even outside Anfang. I'm afraid she would be too much to handle even for me in my current status," the woman named Alephee explained, her tone composed and insightful, speaking on Eren's behalf.
Naya had indeed encountered Alephee several weeks back. During their meeting, Naya had sensed a subtle but undeniable aura of influence emanating from Alephee. It was almost as though the homunculus herself existed beyond the boundaries of what Naya had considered normal.
Even though Alephee held the same Master Rank status as Eren, her presence seemed to rival that of a Grandmaster poised on the verge of attaining the exalted Sage Rank.
Alephee gracefully turned a page in her grimoire and continued her discourse, her attention never wavering from the ancient runes she was deciphering.
"Furthermore, the Lazarus Project should not solely cater to Eliza's interests. We possess our own motives to exploit from its fruition. Lets just say that no amount of sacrifices, obtained through conventional means, would suffice for our impending venture.
A large-scale conflict between Edinburgh and Layos within the next three months is a must-have for our goal. Number of sacrifices isn't the only criterion. We also need to look at the quality of the sacrifice, you see.
Only sacrifices of a certain number of powerful Rankers could allow us to rip the most benefits out of this ordeal. And such powerful sacrifices could only be obtained by a grand-scale war.
Of course, starting such a grand-scale war between two kingdoms is not easy. Especially when the Anfang Alliance is acting as the intermediary. This is why Eren had to approach those two Sages," Alephee further expounded.
In recent weeks, Eren and Alephee had been feeding Naya an influx of information. The more she absorbed, the more a sense of trepidation surged within her. Unbeknownst to her, Eren had been meticulously orchestrating events over the past nine years, actions she found utterly audacious and dangerous.
Naya had acknowledged Eren's distinct bloodline, a lineage that granted him extraordinary dominion over demons. However, given his relatively recent ascent to the Master Rank, she was convinced that he couldn't emerge from the Lazarus Project unscathed, regardless of her thoughts on the matter.
"I see. With the unfolding events, it seems we might be on the right course," Naya remarked, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "Even Master Rankers are falling on the battlefields now. It's becoming increasingly likely that a large-scale war could erupt within the next couple of months," she added with a sigh.
Eren shook his head in disagreement, his voice measured as he continued to elaborate.
"While it's true that Master Rank individuals are meeting their end, we're still a long way from pushing things into the realm of a full-blown grand scale war.
The death of Master Rankers isn't sufficient to stir the general populace or the central authorities of both the sides. Without a more significant catalyst, the two kingdoms will likely continue their current conflict, dragging on for years without resolution. In the worst-case scenario, this could devolve into intermittent periods of tense cold warfare."
Eren paused, addressing Naya's potential lack of awareness.
"You see, a state of cold war would serve the interests of the powers-in-charge on both sides. It would offer them the means to control their citizens, manipulate Rankers to align with their agendas, and fortify their positions as rulers – all while ostensibly safeguarding their realms from supposed adversaries.
The elder statesmen at the upper echelons of power in both nations wouldn't necessarily object to a controlled conflict, one that doesn't spiral into a full-scale war. This is why the conflict has persisted for nearly a decade without a clear resolution in sight.
The state of a cold war or managed warfare is something the influential figures at the upper echelons are comfortable with, Naya. They don't care how long it lasts or how many bugs it kills.
I, however, can't allow this carefully balanced tension to continue. I need to do something to tip the scales."
Eren's voice grew deep as he concluded, his gaze once again drifting thoughtfully out of the window.
