Flor had a plan.

He exhausted all his efforts to achieve this plan, and now, he was just one step away from realizing this grand scheme.

He no longer remembered how long he had been sinking in the deep sea. His heartbeat had long stopped due to suffocation. He lost his sight and hearing, left with only a vague sense of the world, as black shadows dragged him to the deepest part of the ocean, where the rift sealing the Old Gods lay, guarded by a fierce sea beast.

Flor heard the sound of his body twisting, his bones cracking.

This was a forbidden zone unreachable by humans. He vaguely sensed the sea beasts watching intently. Their sizes were far greater than the warships of the Imperial royal family. They had stood guard here for numerous epochs, deterring any outsiders who attempted to approach the deep ravine.

Anapolis, that was the name of the Old God sealed in the deep ravine, also the entity his master Sincaro wished to see.

Flor had brought sufficient sincerity. It was a method that could help this Old God leave the ravine. Although it could not be achieved immediately, it brought hope—for a Divine Spirit sealed for thousands of years, filled with rage and hatred, nothing was more alluring than hope.

Moreover, he was fortunate enough.

Ethan had ripped open a path leading deeper into the ravine for him.

This was the open plot Flor left for Ethan and the Imperial Envoy. Aelium was the key to suppressing the ravine. Once it was severely injured or killed, the rift's seal would waver, giving him the chance to enter the ravine to meet Anapolis.

Flor believed that for a frenzied sea beast corrupted by negative emotions, even the Master of Tides could only offer it relief.

His consciousness penetrated the seal almost simultaneously, hearing the majestic question.

"Who are you?"

The voice was boundless, as if it occupied the whole world.

Flor immediately recalled the shock of his first audience with Sincaro, which easily shattered all his pride, making him realize that in the presence of true Divine Spirits, they were as insignificant as dust.

Yet, he seemed to hear some strange noises.

It seemed that Anapolis lowered her voice, muttering, "Release first, a visitor has arrived."

This Little Octopus was extremely insecure, somewhat clingy indeed.

"I am Flor, coming at the behest of my master Sincaro to pay my respects to you."

Flor respectfully stated his purpose.

For some reason, the atmosphere in the ravine suddenly turned stern, Anapolis's attention focused on him, and just a single sidelong glance was enough to crush him.

This Old God... seemed angry.

Was there some past grievance between Her and Sincaro?

Flor knew he had to act, otherwise he might be crushed by the Old God's wrath before stating his purpose, "My master has brought a plan for you. He believes you will surely like it."

This was a sacrificial ritual.

The sole cost was the sacrifice of Aelium, the betrayer.

"I will find a way to open a link to the ravine, by then the Consortium—"

Flor's voice came to an abrupt halt.

He was dead.

Thoroughly dead, only saw a tentacle swung at him, and his consciousness dissipated along with it, the broken shadows rolled by the limbs towards the beast in the ravine, devoured whole.

Huh?

What happened?

Wasn't he just negotiating with Anapolis?

Could it be his opening statement was flawed?

It shouldn't be. As the leader of the Consortium, he was a recognized master of negotiations.

Everything happened too suddenly, so much that when Flor's consciousness awakened on the other side, he remained filled with doubt.

This was an authority granted to them by the master, unless his true body was found, it was impossible to truly kill him.

But...

Where did the plan go wrong?

Flor sat atop the altar, looking down at his own hands.

For the Old Gods, nothing should be more desirable than freedom. Kane was the best evidence; he would rather become a prisoner of the Consortium than give up the body that roams the world. Yet, Anapolis seemed indifferent to it, and Flor could faintly feel that his master misjudged the relationship between Aelium and Anapolis.

Their interactions didn't seem as tense as imagined.

But now, he had more troublesome matters to handle.

"Lord Flor, is there an issue with your plan?"

A familiar voice sounded not far away, those snake eyes were staring at him.

Rattlesnake smiled, seemingly unbothered by the recent death, "It seems the strategy on the Western Continent has all failed, and worse, Kane has escaped, which makes this a significant loss for the Consortium."

Her tone had a hint of schadenfreude, "The Elder Council hopes you can explain this failure to them."

Flor's mood sank into the depths of despair.

When failure came, there was no longer anyone he could trust by his side, not even Rattlesnake was an exception.

This was the second test given by Sincaro to his followers. He didn't like a stable personnel structure.

Flor knew that although he was the ruler of the Lofic Consortium, once he showed a flaw, Sincaro's other followers would never let go of the chance to replace him.

Rattlesnake approached him silently like a viper, "Please come with me."

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