The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Alavin settled his companions before venturing back to Botanic Haven.

"Have you decided?" The Botanic Haven Elder sat atop a misty mountain peak, caressed by a gentle breeze. He seemed as ancient as the weathered stone, enduring through days and years without end. Alavin bowed respectfully. "Thank you for the opportunity you've given me, and for your recognition. I am deeply moved. Yet, perhaps I am being ungrateful, but I... I have another question."

"Speak," said the Botanic Haven Elder, his back to Alavin.

"How will you deal with the Grand Elder?"

"The Grand Elder may have acted too rashly, but he hasn't truly harmed Cobalt Strike and there is no concrete evidence linking him to the slaughter of the Mallister family at Azure Mountain. We'll have a talk with him first, perhaps confine him to a cell for a time."

Alavin waited, but the Botanic Haven Elder said nothing more. "Is that it? Then why call back Hamund?"

"To be prepared for anything." The Botanic Haven Elder had received troubling news from the Commander. After secretly investigating the Grand Elder, they uncovered some serious issues. The majority of the Elders in the Organization had grown close to the Grand Elder, and their meetings had become worryingly frequent.

They wanted to confront the Grand Elder directly and ask him what he was planning, but they couldn't do so without a sound reason. Detaining the Grand Elder without one could incite severe turmoil within the Organization. Their plan was to hold a candid discussion first and determine the specific course of action later.

Alavin was silent, clearly dissatisfied. Confine the Grand Elder and be done with it? The Grand Elder was malevolent, secretly gathering loyalists, and no good could come from him. As long as he lived, Alavin and the Mallister family would never have peace, never knowing when the Grand Elder might strike.

Moreover, as Alavin's own power grew, so did his threat to the Grand Elder. Just as Alavin could not allow the Grand Elder to live, the Grand Elder would not allow him to live either.

"We understand your feelings, but the Grand Elder's power and position are undeniable. Without a justifiable cause, we cannot simply kill or harm him."

Alavin's tone turned cold. "Will you have a reason when he finally kills me? I earnestly remind you that the Grand Elder is capable of anything."

"The Grand Elder is ambitious and indeed a threat to you, but there are more ways to resolve issues than just killing."

"Give me a solution," Alavin said bluntly.

"We will speak to the Grand Elder and try to secure an apology for you."

"If all matters in this world are settled with apologies, what use is there for sword and sorcery!" Alavin turned sharply and left.

"Wait! I haven't finished speaking."

Alavin, his back still turned, was resolute. "If you don't kill the Grand Elder, I fail my parents, lost to the void, and I fail the Mallister family and all the suffering of the city."

"If you act solely on passion, what will make a Commander worthy of the title? A Commander must not only have courage but also justice, or how can he command respect? The Grand Elder is a leading Elder of the Organization, the enforcer of its rules, second only to the Commander. Unless there's a grievous fault, it's impossible to act against him."

After a stern couple of sentences, the Botanic Haven Elder's tone softened slightly. "I watched the Grand Elder grow. He is patient and full of ambition. If you are designated as Commander, he will not stand idly by."

"Will you act against him or not?"

"We won't, but you can."

"What do you mean?"

"Challenge him! We will support you from behind." The Botanic Haven Elder sensed something odd about the Grand Elder and anticipated danger. But from his lofty position, he could not act on whims or guesswork; he had to consider the bigger picture, to act progressively.

Directly suppressing the Grand Elder could provoke resistance from the other Elders, leading to internal strife within Cobalt Strike. Thus, after consulting with the Commander, they reached a consensus. Alavin would take action against the Grand Elder, allowing them to remain impartial to prevent turmoil, to test Alavin, and to use their confrontation to stimulate the stagnant atmosphere of Cobalt Strike while also seeing who was truly loyal to the Grand Elder.