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‘Either way, allow me to say a couple of things before I leave you to your feast,’ continued the man. ‘First, congratulations. Not only have you safely acquired the region, but you’ve also made sure to keep the territory from facing any dangers. Though the territory and clan have now garnered the attention of the quadrant, that’s fine. So long as we’re untouched before the Mortal Championship, all is according to plan.

‘Second, I need all of those essence ores that Netra and Vant have won. They’re not allowed to use them, nor are any of you allowed to have them.’

‘What? Why’s that?’ Treeda questioned.

Shaking his head, the hooded man replied, ‘I won’t explain my reasons. But you’re not allowed to have them or come in contact with them. Even I am unsure of what they are, though I’ll verify a few things via some tests.’

‘YOU have no idea?!’

While the man calmly shook his head again, Ania was startled by Treeda’s tone and expression. Treeda acted as if she knew the man. Or, at least, Treeda seemed to know of the man with quite a degree of certainty. Before, Ania had thought Treeda could only guess at the man’s identity. But that sudden cry proved to Ania that Treeda did, in fact, know at least one of the man’s supposed identities.

.....

Either way, the man went on to say, ‘I need them. Right now. Please, Treeda, go collect them. Ania, you can wait here.’

‘Y-yes!’

Treeda sped off and quickly found her two finalist candidates.

At the same time, Ania couldn’t hold back another question of hers now that she had a moment to process things and breath.

‘... No. I’m not explaining that.’

‘But, why not?’ Ania questioned, getting beaten to the punch.

‘Because I’m not.’

Shrugging and scoffing, Ania stated, ‘Then I guess you’re not as capable as I’d imagined.’

‘Maybe I am, maybe I’m not,’ replied the man, not shaken whatsoever. ‘But I’m not explaining anything regarding that topic.’

‘Why not? I’m one of those gorillas they want so badly, and so is my son!’ Ania argued. ‘At least tell me why they’ve got their eyes on my clan...’

Inhaling slowly and keeping his cool, the man remarked, ‘Ania. This world works according to power. Those with the most power are those that control it in its entirety. Yes or no?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good. Now, think back to the history lesson you once taught Oli. Who were the two most powerful beings in all the world?’

‘Dominus the Creator and the Great Demon Ape,’ answered Ania, unfazed. ‘But we’re not related to the Demon Ape. He disappeared tens of thousands of years ago, like Dominus before him, chasing after his eternal rival.’

‘Regardless of how accurate the mythos is, those two names still rock this world today. Dominus, King of Dragonkind. And the Great Demon Ape, the indomitable, unbreakable force that even Dominus couldn’t kill,’ the man explained. ‘Now, I have a question for you. And it’s up to you to answer it on your own and infer what you can. Ready?

‘... Dominus was the king of all dragons, the most respected being in the history of the world. With a single word, he could command all draconic clans to do anything he wished. An ultimate power that he justly earned and gained from conquering the world.

‘That being the case, it would be impossible for any single being to rival Dominus in power and influence. Yet the Great Demon Ape still did so. Then, if we think logically, wouldn’t that mean the Demon Ape also commanded a force that could rival or at least hold back dragonkind? Now, who do you think it was that the Great Demon Ape, the most feared being in this world’s history, led to rival dragonkind?’

‘...’

‘...’

Ania wasn’t sure how long she was standing there, silent. Just the thought of what such a question implied... It both horrified her and filled her with unmeasurable pride.

Only a minute or so later, it was Treeda that pulled Ania out of her stupor upon returning. ‘Ania? Are you ok?’

‘Yeah... I’m okay... Just thinking.’

‘What did I miss?’ Treeda immediately understood that she had missed out on a special conversation.

But the man only smiled and shook his head. ‘Nothing that you aren’t able to figure out yourself, Treeda. Now, hand me those essence ores.’

Treeda took them out but paused just before the first one was passed to the man. ‘Tell me what you told her first. Please.’

‘Ahh... It wasn’t anything too special. Just a hint of why her gorilla clan is under the watch of Kartzal. Now, hurry and pass me the ores.’

‘Can I not hear the hint?’ Blinking, Treeda handed one over but held back the others. ‘Please, sir?’

The man sighed, ‘Just have Ania repeat my words later. I must hurry and tie up some things. So, please, pass them over before I just take them.’

Accepting that she wouldn’t be left out, Treeda passed the ores over. And the moment the final one touched the man’s hand, both the ore and the man vanished.

‘Best of luck on your bet...’

As the man’s voice faded away, it was surprisingly Ania that got up first and began walking down. “I’ve got food to make. Otherwise, my dad and Lord Warak might snack on half of it before dinner is served...”

Treeda opened her mouth but stopped herself from speaking. She decided to nod in response and wait there just a little bit longer.

“... Sir, is Bradok actually going to-”

‘Yes.’

“And you’re certain-”

‘Nope. I’m not.’

A sudden sense of terror was cast over Treeda. “Then why-”

‘He chose this. I won’t get in his way. Just like Oli had before he entered my formation, Bradok fully understands the risks of this endeavor. And, by understanding those risks, Bradok has chosen to defy nature as best as he can.’