Chapter 285: Hook, Line, Sinker...

Benjamin Mark, the remarkable wonder who had been god-touched, stood as the undeniable key to everything that mattered in the balance of power.

The plan itself was elegantly simple in its core structure, and Benjamin had already unknowingly done more than half of the hard preparatory work all by himself through his recent actions and presence alone.

Then, one would make that same item scarce — ideally ensuring there existed only one of its kind in the entire world.

This will be letting them taste its unique allure, of course.

This sequence would normally stir up a deep and lingering sense of longing and intense craving for that very item deep within their hearts (little did he know they would fall so deeply in love with said item).

And then, by sharing access to that item in a very specific and controlled manner, he would ensure that everyone involved had no real choice but to cooperate fully with one another, if they ever hoped to have another turn with it.

Probably because no single inanimate object could ever truly achieve the desired effect on its own.

He had been quietly watching Benjamin Mark with keen interest ever since the young man had left the previous summit some weeks earlier.

Renard had seen it all with his own eyes.

And now, after everything that had just transpired in the grand hall of Verdant Spire, it was crystal clear that everyone present now wanted Benjamin Mark for themselves in one way or another.

"Hehehe. Alright now, let’s not allow this important summit to turn into some kind of casual girl’s night out filled with idle chatter," Renard laughed warmly, his shoulders shaking lightly with genuine amusement.

He leaned forward slightly in his seat at the curved end of the massive oval table, his posture relaxed yet commanding. "Also, if you call me Lazarus one more time, Titania, I swear I will reach across this table and pull one of your delicate wings right off."

"Sorry about that, Lazarus. I won’t do it again, I swear on my life, Lazarus!"

His tone shifted into something more serious and purposeful, though it still carried that underlying warmth.

Everyone seated around the large ornate table looked up toward him at once, their bodies leaning forward slightly in their chairs with clear eagerness written across their expressions.

And Renard began speaking with measured confidence, his hands gesturing lightly in the air as he laid out his vision.

"There are incredible wonders waiting for him in Gihon as well, wonders that few outsiders ever get to witness. There are profound wonders to be found in the lands of Goliathens, wonders that could broaden his perspective in ways we can scarcely imagine. There are also remarkable wonders in Steelwood — that is, if one manages to look past their rather disgusting king for a moment — and there are certainly breathtaking wonders to discover in Amaranthyst, the green and graceful Elven Empire."

He continued with the same steady rhythm, his bright blue eyes meeting theirs one by one.

"Indeed, he has become the most desirable and most sought-after person to exist in our current generation."

"It could easily spark a dreadful era of conflict and chaos if this situation is not managed with the utmost care and wisdom. Allow Benjamin to see other parts of the world with his own eyes. Let him truly come to know the vast and diverse place that he now calls his world.