Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 174: The Law of Strength



The room was drowning in silence after Victoria's story, heavy with the weight of what she had revealed. Everyone exchanged hesitant glances, unsure of what to say.

Zara was the first to break the silence. She folded her arms, her voice soft and incredulous.

"I can't believe you had such a bond with two living legends. Tamara and Kallistra..." Her words trailed off as she shook her head. "It's... hard to imagine them like that. You really come from very far."

Victoria leaned back, a wistful expression softening her face.

"They weren't legends back then. We were just three friends chasing dreams. We were young and full of hope. But power... it really changes people."

Her eyes shifted to Eratz, studying him with intensity.

"You're a genius, Eratz," she said. "Exactly like Tamara. But younger. It's too early for you." Eratz frowned slightly, but Victoria continued.

"Kallistra... Kallistra was a schemer. She never did anything without careful consideration. When she fought Tamara, it wasn't because she believed she could win. It was because she had no other choice. She knew she needed Tamara to find unique beasts, and she fought a battle she was destined to lose, all because she couldn't afford to lose an Ishtarian like this. And now..." Her voice grew heavier. "You're exactly what convinced her to take that risk. Only this time, you're younger, more reachable. More accessible."

The tension in the room thickened as her words sank in.

"If Kallistra discovers you," Victoria continued, "she will hunt you down. She will do anything to force you to work for her. Absolutely anything. And Tamara..." She exhaled slowly. "Tamara would oppose you for targeting the unique beasts she adores."

Eratz lowered his gaze, thinking deeply. The others exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the situation bearing down on them.

Finally, Zara spoke up, hesitantly.

"Eratz... I think you should stop this project. It's too dangerous."

Ryder nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, bro. You heard her. This isn't just about strength anymore... it's sounds too dangerous."

Eratz remained silent for a moment before finally raising his head, his expression calmer. "Victoria," he began, "at the same age... who was stronger? Me or Kallistra?"

The question caught everyone off guard. The room tensed, eyes shifting to Victoria, who looked at Eratz with a mix of understanding and concern.

After a pause, she nodded slowly.

"At the same age, without unique beasts? You. You're definitely stronger."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The others stared at him, their worry deepening.

"But," Victoria added, her voice firm, "Kallistra isn't an honorable opponent. She won't wait until you're strong enough to fight her."

Eratz's gaze hardened.

"Then I won't wait either. I'll get strong faster."

Victoria's eyes widened slightly, and the others murmured in shock. Zara stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly.

"Eratz... you can't be serious. She's just thinking about your safety. Don't you see that?" Eratz nodded.

"I do. I understand your concern, Victoria. And I appreciate your fear. But hiding isn't a solution. There's no rule about what kind of beasts you can hunt, or which ones you can't. Tamara and Kallistra are both right. And in this case, you're wrong to oppose them, Victoria."

"Eratz..." Zara murmured softly, her voice almost pleading.

Eratz locked eyes with Victoria.

"There's only one law in the world of beast masters. Power prevails. Tamara and Kallistra force their truths through their strength. Complaining about it is pointless. If you want your truth to prevail, you have to make it happen with your own power."

The room fell silent again, everyone digesting his words.

Cassie murmured his name, her voice tinged with worry, but Eratz continued.

"When we joined force, we agreed to reach the top, and now you're telling me to stop? Well, sorry, but if they have already defeated you without a fight, they haven't lay a hand on me yet, so I'm not stopping. If I'm not allowed to hunt these beasts, then there's no point in competing at the highest level. I'm not here to fill the numbers. I'll keep climbing... with or without Golden Cosmos."

The tension in the room was palpable. Zara shook her head, her voice barely a whisper.

"Eratz..."

But before she could continue, Mercury placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Zara, stop." Mercury's voice was steady. "Eratz is right. If there are people at the top with these powers and we have to hide him, why even try to fight? Why even sign him or Colin in the first place?" Her voice softened. "Eratz saved this agency. It's hypocritical to ignore his wishes now."

She stepped to Eratz's side.

"I stand with him."

Kaida smirked, crossing her arms.

"I like this philosophy thing. Strong rules? Yeah, I can get behind that. Hiding won't change anything. If we're going to live under fear, what's the point? And let's not forget, we had an agreement when we joined Crescent Moon. If the agency isn't willing to improve the right way, I'd rather quit too, and I take the cat with me."

"M-Mew?!" Catarina flinched.

Raya nodded slowly, walking towards them.

"Fear isn't an option. It's a..." She suddenly stumbled, her foot catching on the edge of the table, and fell face-first on the floor.

Everyone froze, their eyes wide with shock. Raya raised her head, brushing her hair out of her

face.

"Well... anyway, you get the idea. We are all Eratz."

Catarina sighed dramatically, turning to Ryder.

"Looks like they convinced us, Ryder, nya. Let's go."

Ryder blinked in surprise.

"Wait... I haven't even made a speech yet!"

The tension began to ease as the group exchanged lighthearted glances. Victoria, observing

the scene, felt a pang of nostalgia.

For a moment, she saw herself, Tamara, and Kallistra in their interactions, young, driven, and full of dreams.

A small, bittersweet smile crossed her lips as she leaned forward.

"You're annoying, you know that?" Victoria said softly, her voice tinged with warmth. She fixed her sharp eyes on Eratz. "You remind me so much of Tamara. In the way you fight, in your fast progression... and even in the way you always manage to push me around."

Eratz arched a brow, arms folded.

"Second time for everything."

Victoria chuckled, shaking her head.

"Apparently. But I'll give you this, you're not her. You're you, and that makes you twice as irritating." Her tone softened, her gaze steady. "Which is why I owe you an apology."

The room grew quiet again as her words hung in the air.

"I let my fears take over," she admitted. "I made a promise to help you reach your potential, not to hold you back. I let my past cloud my judgment, and for that, I'm sorry."

Eratz tilted his head slightly, his smirk faint but unmistakable.

"Glad you realized it before I had to write you off as a liability."

Victoria's laugh was soft, her eyes narrowing playfully.

"Liability? Me? That's harsh. Even I can make mistakes, you know. I'm still human."

"Keep being human, and Zara might take your desk," Eratz replied with a faint smirk. "Sometimes people need a good wake-up slap to get back to work."

Victoria raised a brow, leaning back in her chair.

"Fair enough. But don't get too cocky, Eratz. You've still got a lot to learn. I'll make sure to

give you the wake-up slap you need."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said casually. "As long as you keep up your end of the deal."

Victoria's expression softened further.

"I understand, and you're right. I've always been on your side, Eratz. I might have wavered,

but that's over. I promise, I'll never let you down again."

Her gaze shifted to the rest of the group, her voice gaining a more strength.

"And that goes for all of you. We're in this together. No more hesitations. No more doubts."

Mercury stepped forward, placing a hand on Eratz's shoulder.

"You've got us, Eratz. We're with you."

"Till the end," Kaida added, her grin wide and sharp.

Catarina swished her tail lazily, breaking the moment with a sly remark.

"Till Kallistra separates you from us. Nya."

Ryder groaned.

"Seriously? Why do you have to ruin the vibe?"

Catarina smirked.

"Oh, Ryder Nya, let's be realistic. If she pop right here, and someone has to suffer... it won't be

us."

Eratz glanced at them all, his smirk softening. He gave a small nod. "Maybe now, but if we can process with the plan, then this might be different."