"That is a bold statement to make before people who you want to be loyal to you. Moreover, all you asked for is secrecy. What if we take our newfound strength and go somewhere else? To build our own power or join your enemy?" The woman now looked at Xasha sideways. She was thinking he was an arrogant idiot.

"Anyone who is not self-aware is not someone I want to serve me. If you don't understand yourself, you will forever be weak, and will never be respected. You are all free to do as you please. Start your powers, join other powers, I don't mind. But, you see, strength is addictive. Once you taste it, you will keep wanting more, much more. In me, you will find the path to real strength, therefore your addiction will keep you by my side if not anything else." Xasha did not mince words.

But this time, the crowd was not upset. Instead, they nodded in agreement. If they had Xasha helping them get stronger for basically free, why would they ever leave his side?

The lady smiled. "Alright, I will join you."

Xasha shook his head. "You have not yet heard my offer. Once you sign the secrecy contract, only then will you learn what you are truly signing up for. I mean, I'm sure you have a few questions."

The woman smiled, then addressed Xasha. "I have already decided. To become stronger, there is very little I would not do."

Xasha smiled at the lady, then shook his head. She was truly unexpected. He nodded at the crowd, then walked off the platform while saying, "Those who wish to know more can go to my assistant and sign the contract. Those two don't, simply do as you please, stay here for a few more days, or go straight home. No harm will come to you." he made his way down the catwalk and through the archway he entered from.

The crowd began buzzing with discussion. Nobody was expecting the day to turn out like this. The young man came out, disrespected them, made his demands, made an ultimatum, then left.

Tulip stepped onto the platform, then announced. "My team and I will be in that private room over there." She pointed at a door to the side. "Come and find us anytime before the day ends. Signing this does not mean you have joined us, it simply means you want to know more. As for the rest of you, none will be left in the cold. We will give you some basic tools to improve your overall strength, but you will not be given any information about who we are or what our plans are." She turned and walked to her private room.

The crowd looked at each other, then got up almost at the same time. Most went towards Tulip, while a few got up and left the arena.

Xasha smiled as he saw this. He had learned this trick from Fitzroy. Leave a powerful statement and walk out. Leaving the people alone to decide without any pressure. Like this, those who join him would think they had done so of their own accord and not playing directly into your hands.

Some of those heading out of the arena turned around and went with the crowd. They remembered they had enemies, like Xasha said, and if their enemies became stronger, they would be done for.

By the end, every single vassal signed the soul contract. The next day, the assembly hall was full. There Xasha told them the truth of who he was and his plans for Estia, the west coast, and the entire western region. He introduced them to his artifacts and potions, spells and etchings, to fantasia and energy cores. He also introduced them to auras, souls, and how they worked. How to strengthen them, and a host of other things.

At the end of the third day, every person had vowed their loyalty to Xasha. Vowing to help him achieve his dreams. This was the catalyst. From that day onwards, Ethos was never the same. It became unbelievably quiet. There was no news coming out, and nobody was allowed in. This was not too strange as the war was still raging, and all the territories were on lockdown.

As the months passed, people began paying attention to Ethos. The war was still ongoing, and the stronger powers were too busy to pay them any mind. But as the conclusion came closer, they knew Ethos was living on borrowed time.

When the rumor began floating around that there was a barrier surrounding the Entirety of Ethos, people began nodding their heads. Their prediction was right. Ethos was scared, but what could a barrier do at a time like this? Especially one spread so thinly. Covering the entire border? What was that but wishful thinking?

The war heated back up again as the losing parties joined hands and came back strong. The attention had fallen from Ethos again, and they remained in silence cooped up behind their barrier, refusing to step foot outside. They had become a laughingstock for everyone. They were the butt of everyone's jokes.

Another major change happened in Estia, then it spread to all the western Region. There was a new and mysterious organization that popped up. No one knew who they were, where they were from, or where their organization was located. They described themselves as a merchant guild, buying and selling. They only accepted two things as currency Imperium crystals and knowledge.

Other than the war, this became the new topic of discussion, the new currency: and mysterious merchants that called themselves, "The Falling Stardust."