Chapter 591: The Cost of Conquest

"But apparently, the results weren’t exactly what you expected."

Rhaenar nodded.

"The Elves were prepared."

He paused.

"In some areas, they had even changed their defensive positions before our forces arrived. Several attacks succeeded in destroying their target facilities, but some operations turned into long and costly battles."

"So they already knew where we would attack?" Lian narrowed his eyes slightly.

It wasn’t strange that the Elves knew they would be attacked. The Silver Elves had carried out a sabotage operation in their world, and it was obvious that they would face a response.

The interesting part was that they even knew where the targets would be.

But after thinking about it for a moment, perhaps predicting this wasn’t difficult for a race that had almost caused a world war in their world.

"It’s likely, but that doesn’t mean they knew every detail of our plans."

Rhaenar placed his hand on the desk.

"When a sabotage operation on Earth fails and evidence of those responsible is left behind, expecting a retaliatory attack isn’t difficult. Especially for a race that is highly skilled at analyzing information and mana structures."

This answer made sense.

Lian had also learned during his battle with the Silver Elf just how patient that creature was when it came to planning.

If they had really spent fifteen years preparing for the operation in Verendal, it was unlikely that they hadn’t considered the possibility of failure and a human response.

The Patriarch continued,

"The problem isn’t just a few military defeats. Some native governments near the Elves’ territory are also watching the situation now. If we expand our attacks without thinking carefully, we might turn several separate enemies into one large alliance."

The young Vorhelm thought about this. The Silver Elves were only one of the native races in the Heavenly Realm.

And humans were not the only military power in that world.

"So you don’t want to start an all-out war."

"Not until we’re sure who we’re dealing with."

Rhaenar glanced briefly at the window.

"Not all Silver Elves were necessarily involved in that operation. If we attack all their territories without identifying those truly responsible, we might create enemies for ourselves who had no interest in fighting Earth before."

Lian nodded. This part of the Patriarch’s decision was understandable. Punishing the group responsible was very different from starting a war against an entire race.

But in the Heavenly Realm, this difference could determine whether a military operation remained limited or turned into a war that lasted for years.

Rhaenar continued slowly,

"The Heavenly Realm isn’t what many young Awakened think it is."

"What do you mean?" The young Vorhelm asked quietly.

"Some people think it’s a world full of resources and monsters, where all you have to do is defeat stronger enemies and collect more resources as you go further."

He shook his head.

"But that world has governments and borders, and there are races with thousands of years of history. Some of them were already fighting each other long before humans entered that world."

He explained that, despite its name, the Heavenly Realm was not one unified land under a single government.

Different regions were controlled by races, native families, independent governments, and alliances whose relationships were always changing.

Some traded with humans, while others had agreements to share routes or resources.

But there were also groups that saw the human presence as nothing more than an occupation of their lands.

"Even the natives don’t all agree with each other. One government might allow us to pass through its territory, while its neighbor might consider the same action a betrayal of the native races."

Lian listened in silence. Rhaenar also mentioned the conflicts of interest among human forces.

The Twelve Ancient Guilds controlled a large part of the trade routes and access to important resources in the Heavenly Realm.

The Six Great Families also had their own bases, territories of influence, and independent forces.

The Federation tried to coordinate the security of certain routes and shared interests, but no power was willing to hand over all its authority to another.

"Taking over a region might take a few days, but holding it could require years of troops and resources."

"Because of attacks from the natives?"

"That’s not the only reason. You need supply routes. You need to collect resources, transport them, and protect them. If you build a base in the middle of enemy territory, all its supply routes can become targets."

He then gave a slight smile.

"And even if you solve all those problems, another guild might claim that a trade route in the region passes through territory under its control and demand a share of the profits."

Lian also gave a faint smile.

"So even after defeating your enemies, you still have to deal with other humans."

Rhaenar laughed.

"Usually, the second part causes more trouble."

This answer didn’t surprise Lian much. During the short time he had spent in Verendal, he had nearly witnessed a war between Earth’s greatest powers.

And all because of a few attacks with forged signatures.

If such conflicts already existed on Earth, it was natural that they would become even more complicated in the Heavenly Realm, where resources and territories were far more valuable.

But something still remained in his mind, something Rhaenar’s explanation had not fully clarified.

"One more question."

Rhaenar looked at him.

"Go ahead."

The young Vorhelm leaned forward slightly.

"Why are humans so determined to conquer the Heavenly Realm?"

Silence fell for a moment, but the Patriarch’s expression did not change.

"What do you mean?"

"I understand that there are many resources there, vast lands, ancient treasures, training materials, and anything else that can help humans become stronger."

"But even with all that, maintaining occupied regions costs a lot. If we were only after resources, trading or controlling a few important trade routes might be more profitable than fighting a war that could last for decades."

Rhaenar remained silent.

Lian continued,

"Even so, Earth’s major powers are willing to suffer heavy losses, spend resources for years, and even risk conflicts with native governments."

His gaze remained fixed on the Patriarch.

"So there must be something there that is far more valuable than ordinary resources."

For a few seconds, the only sound was the faint movement of the papers on the desk.

Then Rhaenar gave a very faint smile.

"Your reasoning isn’t bad."

Lian waited, but the Patriarch did not continue immediately. Instead, he stood up and walked a few steps toward the window.

"The Heavenly Realm is a vast world, Lian. There are things there that remain poorly understood even after decades of human presence."

"That’s not the answer to my question." He narrowed his eyes.

Rhaenar glanced at him.

"I know. Some things will make more sense once you enter that world yourself. For now, just understand that the reasons humans are in the Heavenly Realm aren’t limited to what they write in public reports."

Then he returned to his desk without offering any further explanation.

Lian watched him in silence. So there really was something there. Perhaps a resource related to the theory of going beyond the fifth evolution, at least that was his guess.

Public knowledge said that the fifth evolution was the final one, and an Awakened who reached level 100 could no longer level up.

But what if that wasn’t true? There was a theory that levels above 100 existed, and that Gods stood at that level.

But no one knew how to break through the level 100 barrier and go beyond it.

He suspected that the Celestials might have found a way, and whatever it was, it was hidden in the Heavenly Realm.

Rhaenar clearly had no intention of giving him the full answer either.

Lian decided not to continue the discussion for now.

However, he was now certain that the Heavenly Realm was hiding much greater secrets than he had imagined.

This time, Seris joined the conversation.

"Father."

Rhaenar looked at her.

"Yes?"

"Why don’t the Celestials attack together? In one large, coordinated attack."

The young Vorhelm also looked at her. It was a good question.

If all human Celestials took part in a joint operation, Earth’s military power in the target area would increase greatly.

Such a force could probably conquer even large parts of the territories controlled by the natives.

But Rhaenar began his answer in a serious tone.

"Because the Heavenly Realm isn’t weak."

He placed his hands behind his back.

"We aren’t the only powerful beings in these worlds. The natives of the Heavenly Realm also have forces capable of fighting the most powerful human Awakened."

Seris listened quietly.

"If we gather all Earth’s Celestials for one large attack, we might be able to take over many regions in a short time, but doing so could unite governments that are currently at odds with each other against us."

"And if all of us are there, who will protect Earth?"

Lian thought about the Ruined Realm.

The Rifts.

And even the dangers that might not have been discovered yet.

Leaving Earth without its most powerful defenders just to fight a war in another world could be an extremely dangerous decision.

But Rhaenar had not finished speaking.

"Of course, there’s another problem as well."

"What is it?" The young Pendragon asked.

"If all human Celestials were willing to take part in a joint operation, the chances of success would be much higher."

The Patriarch fell silent for a moment.

"But there’s one person who isn’t willing to take part in such a plan." He looked directly at Lian as he said this.