As soon as Zara regained control over her body, her bloodline suppression vanished as if it never existed. Her body shrank and morphed back into her human form, wrapped in a beautiful black dress.
Ria undid her transformation as well, sighing in relief. Despite her ferocity in the moment, she didn't actually want to die. It was relieving that the whole ordeal was done with.
Her rationality had long since been returned to her. The unquenchable bloodlust she'd been emitting was gone entirely.
Her body flashed over to the elders to check on their conditions. Other than some light trauma from the prior illusions, they were completely intact.
The Great Elder on the other hand…
Her mind nearly shattered. It was unknown whether Zara did it consciously or subconsciously, but her aura had specifically targeted the Great Elder among the crowd, bringing her an utterly mind-breaking experience.
She would never be the same again, and even if her mind was healed, her combat prowess would take a steep dive.
Ría sighed. Such was the consequence of offending someone who shouldn't be offended. The Great Elder's antics, though silently allowed by her, were bound to bring her downfall sooner or later. It was just a shame that Ria didn't have the ability to save her when that time came.
Nevertheless, she didn't hold any grudges against Zara. In fact, her opinion was the exact opposite.
A domineering and mysterious bloodline, strength that far surpassed her level, strong law comprehension, and endless talent; facing someone who had all of these factors combined, how could she not be in awe?
It didn't take long for her to make a decision.
Her knees bent, hitting the ground with a dull thump. With her head lowered in Zara's direction, she spoke:
"We, the Oga Clan, have never submitted to anyone regardless of strength. We are prideful beings who dare to contend with any and everything. However, you have completely suppressed us. Even if our entire clan decided to battle you, your bloodline alone would be enough to defeat us. Thus, I have made my decision."
Her eyes raised, meeting Zara's. Within was a light of admiration that wasn't present before. "The Oga Clan will submit to you as our new leader. Former Clan Head Ria greets the Clan Head!"
The elders' eyes widened in shock at this declaration, but without fail, they all mirrored Ria's posture.
""The Oga Clan greets the Clan Head!""
Zara's eyes widened in just as much shock as theirs. Clan Head?! Since when did she ask for such a position?!
Inwardly panicking, she hurriedly waved her arms in denial. "What are you talking about? I don't have the experience or leadership ability to lead a clan! If you follow me, it'll only hurt you in the long run."
Ria immediately refuted her, saying, "you're wrong. Someone who can make the bold decision to fight the entire Tephit Clan, regardless of the means you use, is worthy of leading us. Please accept this position!"
Zara continued to hesitate even after hearing Ria's impassioned speech. Really, she wasn't even the one who came up with that plan! The basis of their trust was a scam!
But before she could deny again, a voice in the distance stopped her.
"Oho? Something interesting is happening here, I see."
Two men appeared on the horizon, one old and one young. Naturally, they were Damien and the Ruvia Clan Head.
"Damien!" Zara yelped upon seeing him. She didn't expect him to come perfectly when she was in such an embarrassing situation.
"What? Why are you embarrassed? If they want to take you as their leader, accept them. Even if you can only act as a spiritual pillar for now, it doesn't mean you'll never grow into your role. Just follow your heart without worrying about the consequences. After all, aren't I here to clean up after you if you make a mess?"
Damien smiled warmly as he watched Zara's bewildered reaction. He'd been forced to realize it over and over again, but it never seemed to fully set in.
That little wolf from back then, the one who was too shy and insecure to leave his shadow, had grown into a fine woman. Every time she took another step forward, it filled him with immense joy.
He didn't know what it was like to have siblings, but seeing Zara grow up made him understand what the closeness of family was truly like. Even if he had to eat a loss, if it meant Zara's happiness, he wouldn't mind doing so.
'Haa, I'll need to have a long talk with Tang Lingzi when I get back. If she doesn't let me see what Zara went through after separating from me…'
Damien shook off the thought. He didn't even know when the Grand Assembly would take place, so there was no point thinking about his people in the Human Domain.
Doing so would only depress and distract him.
Just as Damien was warmed by Zara's growth, Zara felt bliss from Damien's encouragement. If there was one thing she desired above all else, it was praise from the person she idolized.
He would always be there to support her. Just this fact alone gave her immeasurable confidence.
"Fine. I will accept the position of Clan Head. But! I will not stay here forever. When I leave, I will delegate my authority to Ria until my return. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes, Clan Head!" The Oga Clan elders and Ria shouted in unison.
"Good then," Zara said smilingly. "Now, onto the important matter…"
Her gaze traveled back to Damien and the Ruvia Clan Head. Finally freed from their kneeling position, the Oga Clan members finally looked over at the two as well.
"You…Maximus?!" Ria shouted in astonishment. Damien was the only one who talked previously, so she didn't even notice his presence. Now that she had, she felt a deep sense of shame bubbling up inside her.
"Haha, Ria, have you been well? It's been a very long time since I've seen you in such a position." The Ruvia Clan Head, Maximus, responded jovially.
Ria's face immediately went red. "What are you saying in front of everybody?! Hmph!"
"Haha, alright, I'm sorry, okay? While I do want to take some time to catch up with you, we have important business to discuss first. My little friend Damien here came to me with an interesting proposal, you see. I trust little Zara had done the same with you?"
"Mm," Ria responded. "We, the Oga Clan, have already decided to follow Clan Head Zara to death. And you?"
"Of course, my Ruvia Clan will also be joining. With what the Tephit Clan has done to our people, how could I reject? Besides, this boy seems to know much more than I expected. With the help of these two, our chances of success are surprisingly high."
Damien smiled off to the side as he listened to them converse. Ignoring the…deep relationship that Maximus and Ria seemingly shared, Maximus' last sentence was the main source of his smile.
Damien had almost forgotten after all this time, but Devour experienced a tremendous evolution during his Baptism.
Namely, it allowed him to consume memories.
After devouring those Tephit Clan members that Zara caught, he actually acquired a substantial amount of information on the clan's subdivisions and structure. After all, one of those who Zara caught was a Tephit Clan elder.
Unfortunately, he didn't have information on the Tephit Clan's main headquarters, but with Damien's new ability, it was only a matter of time.
To Maximus who was unaware of this fact, they only had a high chance of defeating the Tephit Clan.
But to Damien, this future was all but assured.
The three parties who would be participating in the raid were finally gathered, their cooperation secured. If Damien added his own forces on top of that…
The Tephit Clan's total annihilation was just around the corner.
