Theresa paced back and forth in her camp. She simply couldn’t understand why the Guild of Arcana was stopping by the Reborn company.

She bit her lips. "It’s a play," she realized. "They’re taking their sweet time in order to squeeze out more from me."

After all, what else did they go to the Rebornian camp for? By making it seem as if they weren’t in a hurry to exchange goods with Theresa and the Goldstone company, then the Guild of Arcana would have a lot more leeway when it came to their negotiations later.

"They’re probably talking with the leader of Reborn, asking them if they have something that they can offer to them in exchange for the Ice-petals of the Frozen Lotus. Which means, they’ll know what I’m after.

I’m willing to bet they’re going to do the same thing with the Vanderbilt camp.

The leader of Reborn probably won’t know the reason why I’m after those petals. But Levi... he’ll immediately know what I’m up to. And he’ll want to be the first one to do it," Theresa said to her advisors.

And just like she suspected, a day later, the Guild of Arcana’s caravan moved on from the Rebornian company and theyimmediately moved towards the Vanderbilts’ side of the Chasm.

"I didn’t think they would be this political," Theresa thought to herself. "They’re playing it well. Who could have planned this amongst them? Seberus is way too passive to do it. Lazarus is too disinterested in things like this... could it be those other Mystic Masters?

No matter. I have what they need. They can’t sell the petals to anyone else because they are desperate to learn the locations of the Ersatz Strongholds."

...

...

...

"The venerable Seberus Augindore!"

Levi welcomed Seberus with open arms. He had his camp prepare a red velvet walkway for the Mystic Master and his caravan of wizards. There were extravagant music, and everything else.

"I humbly thank you for accepting my invitation. Forgive me if I was only able to prepare such meager celebrations for your arrival. But worry not. Tomorrow night, our preparations for the feast will be complete!"

Seberus walked forward and shook hands with the Vanderbilt. He couldn’t help but put Michael’s face with Levi’s.

The two bore only the slightest similarity, with their golden hair and sharp features. However, Levi didn’t have that invisible characteristic that made Michael such an impressive character.

"It’s my pleasure," Seberus said respectfully.

"I must admit. I didn’t think you would accept," said Levi. "Were the Goldstones not favorable?"

Seberus simply smiled and didn’t deign to answer Levi’s pointed question.

In truth, he was supposed to go over towards the Goldstone camp to start their negotiations with Theresa as soon as possible. Lazarus had been getting impatient, after all. It won’t be long before he’ll want to dig up some graves.

That was what he planned to do. However, meeting Michael had completely changed his trajectory.

Michael wanted to meet with Lazarus. And unfortunately, Lazarus wouldn’t want to meet with anyone else, other than who he’s supposed to meet.

But if they immediately went over to Goldstone’s camp, then Theresa would immediately prevent anyone else from entering their camp. Meaning, Michael would not have the opportunity to speak with Lazarus.

So, he decided to meet with the Vanderbilts. Since it was a welcoming feast, it wouldn’t be weird for him to invite the Rebornians over with him.

Of course, he still asked for Levi’s permission, which he easily said yes to.

Levi would want to do anything to earn Seberus’ favor, so inviting a few other people wasn’t a problem.

"You seem to have a good relationship with this Reborn company," Levi said.

"Yes. My student is in their camp," Seberus said.

"I see." Levi didn’t seem suspicious of this. He wouldn’t have ever thought that their leader himself would be the so-called ’student’ of Seberus.

"Inviting them is of no consequence to me. I only worry that this would prompt Theresa to invite herself as well."

Seberus smiled. He wanted that to happen so that he could manufacture a meeting with Lazarus and Michael. "Is there a problem with that?"

"No, no. The more, the merrier, my father used to say."

"Good! I’ll be looking forward to the celebrations."

...

...

...

Michael walked through the Vanderbilt camp with Seberus and the Dragonborns (minus Zion), at his side.

Their appearance caused a lot of looks to go their way. Some curious, some surprised, and some were harboring a little bit of disdain. They didn’t think a Lower Echelon company should be allowed in their feast.

Michael ignored them. Instead, he focused on the celebrations instead.

A large table, spanning multiple meters long, contained all sorts of food that would satisfy even the hungriest Draconian. It contained exotic meats, mystical plants, and other such types that would be appropriate to any species that was invited.

But despite the delicious feast presented upon them, no one ate a single bite.

It was as if the food was frozen in stasis, which wasn’t that hard to imagine. The coldness between the two sides of the table was palpable even from afar.

On one side contained a group of people with distinct blonde hair, austere uniformed clothes, and a chin that seemed to be permanently raised up in a sneer.

These were the Vanderbilts. And at the very center of the table was their leader, Levi. He was the only one that presented a smile. If it wasn’t genuine, he gave no indication that it wasn’t.

Opposite him were a motley group of crew. Some looked like bandits, wearing a mish-mash of tattered clothes. Some looked like royals. And some looked like musicians. These were the Coalition of the Goldstone Conglomerate.

A woman with red, curly hair sat primly at their center, drinking a cup of tea with her pinky raised up.

The two sides were at a stalemate. It wasn’t until Michael arrived with Seberus did they finally tear their gazes away from each other.

They all looked at the man who dared to create a third faction in the Chasma and observed him.