"Originally, while the way of most clans and tribes in the Fire Domain is more aligned to freedom and self-dependence, we, the Dragon Clan, as the descendants of one of the great dragon bloodlines, were considered the closest thing to a ruler over the land."

Just as I was expecting the Clan Leader to briefly explain the situation thanks to the introductory part of his speech, he took more than just a few steps back and reset the explanation to the very beginning.

"Of course, it wasn't that we desired supremacy over others, we simply acted as mediators and peacemakers whenever conflicts around the domain got out of hand, doing nothing more than what we thought of as our duty and thanks to the gift of strength granted to us, however, while most of the bloodlines within the domain found our way of handling to be for the better, not all were appreciative of our actions."

'Might as well do so…'

"Just like several clans hard volunteered themselves to be our subordinates to maintain a stronger grip on domain threatening conflicts, an alliance of various tribes who either refused to be restricted by others or those that actually desired bloodshed and wanted to enslave the rest of the domain's bloodlines had been created, which came to be known as the Shadow Alliance later on, their main goal was none other than the total annihilation of our Dragon Clan."

Naturally, I didn't mind him doing so at all since I hardly had any understanding of the power structure of the Fire Domain nor did I know anything about its hierarchy. In any case, the hint he threw at the beginning was more than enough for me to deduce the cause of the Domain's current plague.

"Nonetheless, while they were of considerable numbers, they still failed to achieve much and we still had the upper hand, suppressing them without spilling much blood, but unfortunately, the stalemate which we had purposefully maintained was completely broken by the Shadow Alliance just a little more than a month ago."

'Hmmm...'

"Suddenly and out of nowhere, the various skirmish fights that we had with them ended with almost a complete annihilation on our sides, the few who managed to survive spoke of the Shadow Alliance displaying strange powers as well as a much more ferocious nature than usual. Though both enraged and saddened by the small massacre that came out of nowhere, we immediately prepared to send our true forces to suppress the sudden upheaval and investigate the reason behind it, only for them to be recalled before even departing."

'It seems like this time, no one managed to see it coming…'

"The Shadow Alliance, which had its influence boosted by its recent small victory, had passed a message to all clans and tribes. 'We have discovered a resource that can nurture those whose powers can easily dominate the Dragon Palace's forces just like we did, all clans that join the alliance would be allowed to use it without restriction!', they announced, as almost half of the domain's clans raced to answer the call…"

At this point, it was already obvious that the social structure of the domain had allowed the demons' plans to easily come into fruition without even the need to behave as sneakily as they did in the Nature Domain…

"While some of these clans were those who actually despised our rules yet hid due to their inability to go against them, a great part of those who immediately joined the Shadow Alliance were simply those who had it in their instinct to search for ways to grow stronger so that they could purify their bloodlines even further, planning to join without actually fighting us, only that they quickly lost their ability to make their choices as days went on."

"And you didn't try to obtain this resource yourselves?"

I already knew the only 'resource' that could do that, but I didn't know how far they knew after only a month of it spreading into the domain, which was why I broke my silence with this question.

"Indeed, some of our subordinate clans did suggest that, even sending spies to procure the information regarding its source so that we could use and return the power balance to how it was, but after obtaining enough intel regarding this resource's effect and the extent of its abilities, we knew that it wasn't something that anyone should use."

"I see, at least you don't seem to be completely unaware of the nature of what you might be fighting against, which would make it easier for me to fill in the missing parts."

"As expected of a True Descendant, in that case, we would be extremely gratef-"

"However, before we proceed, I believe you owe me an explanation...

I didn't hesitate as I immediately interrupted the Clan Leader's words.

`~~`~~`~~`

Achoo-

Sitting on the ground that was soaked in a black-red liquid beside a small hill of lifeless corpses, the young man who seemed to be very bored couldn't help but let out a small sneeze!

"Huh, someone is talking behind my back once again… maybe I shouldn't have set the sign with 'that' for authenticity, I feel like I will get a real cold if this continues…"

Ignoring his regret for a certain past action of his, the young man stared into the empty air in front of him as a frown started to form on his face.

"That aside, isn't the consumption too much? Did I set the details wrongly or something?"

A black-robed man quietly approached him as he bent his head downward slightly, completely ignoring the weirdness of the young man's actions.

"Master! We have already searched through the surroundings, no more prey has been spotted!"

"Alright, let's head into the next spot immediately…"

'Sigh, that guy is really crazy, at this rate, it might get sucked dry before the Domain's ordeal is solved…'

Lamenting as if he had just made a great loss, the young man shook his head before he changed his expression into one of seriousness.

"Hurry up, let's get going, there's no time to lose!"