Chapter 257.5-1: The Circumstances of the Helmsley Clan
Brawlmanica, within the Helmsley Duchy.
A meeting was currently taking place involving all of the of-age children of Duke Jabok Helmsley, along with other family members and elders who held high-ranking positions within the Helmsley Ducal House. Jabok sat at the head of the massive hall with a calm expression, yet a closer look would reveal subtle anxiousness in his rigid movements. Most present would not notice this, as many of the individuals in the hall struggled far more to hide their own emotions and reactions.
Jerome Helmsley was among the few who noticed that even his father was experiencing a rare bout of anxiety. Considering the circumstances, it could hardly be avoided. Ever since the establishment of the White Star Radiance Sect, the constant stream of news reaching the duchy had been deeply unsettling.
Sect Master Solman had boldly declared the creation of his sect while officially drawing in the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan, the Grand Fae Spirit Alliance, the Soloman Clan, and several other powers as its backing. The Brawlmanica Royal Family was also heavily invested due to the Dragon Spear Hero of the León Clan being engaged to Princess Helga, as well as Prince Hunter's own ties to these forces.
This situation was particularly problematic for the Helmsley Duchy. They were distantly related to the royal family, with several descendants currently residing within the duchy and aligned with the ruling regime.
The creation of the White Star Radiance Sect, together with the emergence of the White Star Radiance Alliance, had shaken the power structures of multiple nations across the southeastern region and even parts of the southern Central Region. However, beyond all of that, there was one issue that troubled the Helmsley Clan more than any other.
The dimensional void leading into the Pocket Dimension was expected to suffer massive breaches at four locations within the Southern Central Region. Demons would inevitably pour through, and reports had already begun circulating of a massive blue mist-covered mountain appearing near the White Star Radiance Sect. It felt as though some unseen force was drawing numerous powers together to support the sect's rapid rise.
Naturally, not all factions were pleased with this development. Beyond the strongest faction within the Helmsley Duchy itself, numerous countries, sects, and clans across the region were plotting in their own ways to prevent the situation from continuing unchecked.
One such outcome was the rise of the Star Dimming Alliance.
Unfortunately, despite presenting itself as a unified force opposing the White Star Radiance Alliance, the factions within the Star Dimming Alliance were far from cohesive. Internal conflicts and competing agendas had caused them to hinder one another repeatedly, leading to several tragic outcomes over the more than eight months since both alliances had been formed.
What truly unsettled the Helmsley Clan, however, was the first major incident involving Jumanga Helmsley.
Jumanga had led many of his subordinates onto a battlefield alongside several other forces. While their material losses were not overwhelming, that was not the real issue. Mentally, many of those who returned were deeply shaken, as though they had witnessed something forbidden.
The Four-Armed Black Devil.
That was the name used by those who lacked proper knowledge. Those who truly understood knew his identity well: Dual Black Devil Blades, Zoro Tatsumaki. Whether it was experts from the Demonic Alliance, members of the Night's Light Devouring Church, or others who sought his death, none had been able to stop that monster. Even when two Middle Stage Mortal Lord experts intervened, the outcome remained uncertain.
Then there was the goddess with the divine eyes.
The trauma ran deep. A sea of corpses, countless unforeseen variables, and a massive explosion that swallowed many to their deaths had left lasting scars. This brutal reality had profoundly shaken the Helmsley Clan, especially their primary faction that sought the destruction of Zoro and the Black Reaper Corps.
Jabok Helmsley let out a slow sigh before speaking with a grim expression.
"It seems the time has come to decide whether we will fully commit to a certain course of action. The Night's Light Devouring Church has temporarily fallen silent, but they will likely strike at the White Star Radiance once more. Especially if Prince Hunter truly moves to call upon the sect for aid when the Michaels Clan finally initiates their revolt to contest the throne."
A middle-aged man with ruddy eyes and a weary expression shook his head before responding.
"Your Excellency Jabok, with all due respect, I believe we should adopt a far more neutral stance. We have already provoked that devilish bastard enough, and frankly, he may no longer be the one we should be most concerned about."
Once everyone heard the man's reply, the room seemed to freeze as if a silent crushing pressure had descended upon it. The incident involving the four-armed Black Devil had only been the first blow. The second blow was far more insidious and had taken root within the Helmsley Dukedom itself.
Whether intentional or not, dissension had begun to spread from within. A portion of Jumanga's subordinates were at the center of it, though not by choice. The trauma they had suffered was simply too great, causing them to act out in erratic and destructive ways. Yet it was not limited to them alone. No one knew exactly who or how many were involved. What was certain was that someone behind the scenes was actively fanning the flames, temporarily crippling the Helmsley Clan as they struggled to contain their internal turmoil.
They had heard reports that similar unrest was occurring within other clans and noble factions as well. Eventually, time pressed on, and under Jabok's orders the Helmsley Dukedom adopted far harsher methods. Mercenaries and sects were secretly paid off, while select members of their own forces were dispatched back into the Pocket Dimension to eliminate the Black Reaper Corps by any means necessary.
These actions naturally resulted in indirect and direct attacks against the White Star Radiance Alliance.
However, such operations were never simple. Their agents were targeted also by Natives, the Demonic Alliance, rogue cultivators, and opportunistic factions. It was an inevitable consequence of the chaos engulfing the place.
By the time the Demonic Alliance launched its massive assault against the White Star Radiance Alliance, uncertainty was widespread. Yet to the Helmsley Clan, it appeared to be a rare golden opportunity. It was hardly a coincidence that the Demonic Alliance struck when it did. Certain enemy forces had pushed the top demonic experts to act on their suspicions, while time itself was running short as many were soon required to depart for the larger intercontinental war across the ocean.
For the first time, it seemed that events were unfolding in the Helmsley Clan's favor. The White Star Radiance Alliance was under immense pressure, even with the presence of several terrifying experts.
Then everything changed.
It began with the appearance of a colossal mirage of white lightning and flames, with a massive winged serpent demonic beast coiled around its enormous arms like a harmless pet. Soon after, reinforcements arrived on all sides. Morale among the Demonic Alliance and the third-party Native forces began to falter under the shifting circumstances.
Then that man appeared...
Back in the grand hall, a tall middle-aged man bearing facial scars and emitting the aura of an Early Stage Mortal Shedding Realm expert spoke sharply. Despite his effort to conceal it, a faint shiver ran through his body.
"Clan Leader Jabok, I believe Sir Shalcoom has given a fair assessment of our current situation. None of you were present on that battlefield. What transpired there was beyond terrifying. Forget the devil Zoro Tatsumaki. Daoist Blue Heavens Sword is not someone who should be provoked lightly. It is not merely his personal strength, but his standing within the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect. At this point, he is treated no differently than a great elder-level figure. More frightening still, he has already reached the Middle Stage Mortal Shedding realm and likely possesses power capable of clashing with weaker Late Stage Mortal Lords. Our Helmsley Dukedom—"
"Enough!" Jabok's voice thundered as a heavy pressure swept through the hall. "Since when did the Helmsley Clan become a den of cowards? I refuse to believe those people are truly invincible."
Silence followed his outburst, though expressions throughout the hall varied greatly. Some nodded in approval, others frowned in concern, and a few stared in outright disbelief.
Jacob Helmsley was among those frozen in shock, eyes wide as he struggled to comprehend what he had just heard.
"I get it, but what the hell is Father doing?!" Jacob complained silently, pressing his palms against his face. "Is he trying to turn himself into the clan's greatest sinner, or is he plotting something so big that he actually believes it will succeed? Why does he want Black Devil Blades Zoro and the others dead so badly?"
Beside him, his younger sister wore a troubled expression. Over the past more than four and a half years, she had grown into a striking young woman with a noble yet humble air. During that time, she had drawn jealousy from several female relatives, particularly two of their other sisters. Beyond her beauty, she had proven herself a cultivation genius, elevating her status two years earlier. In many ways, her position and Jacob's had subtly reversed in the eyes of outsiders.
Behind Jabok sat his 3 concubines. Jacob's mother sat among them, holding a swaddled infant in her arms, smiling gently. The main wife sat beside Jabok himself, her posture elegant and her gaze carrying an unmistakable noble arrogance. The number of Jabok's descendants had grown from eleven to fourteen with the birth of three additional children.
Jacob and his full-blooded sister Jerika glanced toward their mother and their newborn brother with warm smiles. Even so, the oppressive atmosphere lingering in the hall weighed heavily on their hearts.