"Look, Guild master, the [Chains of Kermythroathurts] are really nice and they fit me like a glove. Divide zero by anything and you are still a nothing. And their plan to make a person with a lower level cap even lower and duck under the limiter sucks big time. They would still be stuck to a single build and, worse yet, would still have a level to divide the raw Essence. That's not the point."

Amaryllis listened to Nero venting his thoughts until he stopped. Then she kindly asked.

"What is it then?"

"I assume you want to cause a Dungeon flood near the border where the armies would have to cross and fight and then let the monsters occupy that area, postponing or avoiding the war. It will still go horribly wrong because the monsters will go after people. They will plague the countryside. Worse yet, it will make us the bad guys."

The pixie had a retort ready. "The Dungeon flood will be contained by the guild. What we need is to gain time to negotiate a treaty and to give both kingdoms a safe excuse for not fighting after investing that many resources preparing for war. I intend to have both armies engage the monsters. With a common enemy, they won't attack each other. It will make either one of them look bad."

Nero wasn't convinced and talked back. "A protracted operation in the Dungeon will take some time. I believe you are not talking about a low-ranked one."

"That won't be a problem," She said. "The Dungeon we are going to overflow is a rank-IV one. With the boost from these special Skills, you will be able to survive and thrive inside the Dungeon. And with your Shelter, you won't be in danger of an attack. You just need to open your portal in the entrance chamber."

A rank-IV Dungeon flooding would spawn hundreds of monsters levels twenty to thirty-something on the real world on a good day. They would be a challenge for any army. Nero had his doubts if the guild would be able to contain the flood. A single monster level thirty could destroy a village that didn't have a high-leveled Adventurer. Monsters had no limiters but spent lifeforce fast on the outside world. They needed to kill and eat to replenish and live longer. Only when the environment became corrupted with overflowing Essence did the monsters settle into an ecosystem like in the wildlands.

"And we'll be right in the middle of the flood when we leave," Nero added.

"Not with Serena's day-skipping device," Amaryllis pointed out. "After the flood starts, you can hunker down and stay inside. Stay one month inside and you can come out."

"My parents won't be happy with me doing that. They are adamant that Dungeon floods are bad things."

"I'll get their permission. If either Byron or Rin says no, the deal is off. You can keep the card in that case."

"Damn, guild master. You have everything thought out, don't you?"

The pixie giggled. Nero played the first half of his last card.

"I can't do that alone. Altia won't let me go in alone anyway. I won't spend a month alone in a Dungeon."

"She can go with you," Amaryllis stated.

"I will go with him!" Altia affirmed.

"And I will go too. There's no way I'll let him do that alone," Serena added.

"The more the merrier."

Nero slapped his knees and stood up. He clenched his fists and looked up.

"Okay. If my parents raise no objection and my wife and sister come with me, I'll do it."

The pixie blinked. She didn't expect him to agree 'so' easily. Then her years of experience and the previous negotiation left her with a budding suspicion.

"Why do I think there's a 'but' in there?" She asked.

Nero grinned. "But," He paused for dramatic effect with a raised index finger. He was still with the [Artist] Class equipped. "If they are doing the mission too, they need a proper reward. We only negotiated my personal compensation. It is not fair if I keep the card to myself."

Amaryllis grinned. "What do you want?"

"Orange-grade tier-II Class cards for both," Nero said. "It's only fair."

Amaryllis was expecting it. But it was going to sting. "I hate you, level zero!" She shouted, angry. "The only silver lining is that Zuni is footing half of the bill," She cackled. "Fine, what Classes you girls want?"

Before they decided, Nero interjected. "You are in cahoots with the Dean?"

She nodded. "And some other very wealthy third parties that stand to lose a lot of money if this war happens. We do think the monsters will be a good deterrent. Most of the recruits and conscripts enlisted to fight a war against another nation, not to kill a bunch of monsters. Morale will drop and the generals won't allow the troops to march. Serena, what do you think?"

The nereid dropped on the couch and sighed. "She is right, brother. I know most of Coriander's generals. They won't march over a monster flood. The monsters might kill some people but with the right preparation the war will be avoided and fewer deaths will happen this way. Delay it long enough and they will disband the armies because it cost too much to keep them fighting against monsters, without territory to conquer and pillage, or territory to lose. I don't know of any Dungeons in that region, but the border between Coriander and Bast has some stretches of land that are not claimed by either.

"Long-term, if the flood is not contained, it will affect trade, but trade will be affected anyway because of the rivalry. I think Bast will just let the monsters stay there and focus on appearing strong against the other neighbors so they don't strike."

"Awesome, Serena. Many thanks!" Nero gave her a thumbs up. "Now, guild master, what about the classes? What do you have for our [Chemist] and [Enchantress] beauties here that will make them do the unforgivable?"

Amaryllis raised an eyebrow. She could tell there was little sarcasm in what Nero said right now. And that he was disgusted by the thought of causing a Dungeon flood. The boy had moral fiber, she admitted. She browsed her box and pulled two cards.

[Transmuter] - orange Class - Tier-II. Requires level 55. Dexterity +60. Reason +60. WIllpower +60.

+4 All Attributes

+10 Dexterity

+10 Willpower

+5 Perception

"You can't gain something, without giving something in return."

Special: This Class has 1 less Skill slot. All Skills bound to this Class are 34% stronger.

Special: You can substitute up to 2 ingredients in a recipe for a similar ingredient.

Special: You can substitute up to 2 ingredients in a recipe for pure Essence.

Special: When brewing an alchemical or chemical recipe, you make 50% more doses.

Special: Increase the potency of your combat consumables by 50%.

[Sorceress-Enticer] - orange Class. - Tier-II. Requires level 50. Charisma +120.

+3 All Attributes

+10 Reason

+20 Charisma

"The key to people's hearts is to make them come on their own will."

Special: Those enchanted by you do not become hostile once the spell ends if you or your party did not take hostile actions against them.

Special: When a creature takes hostile action against you, subtract a quarter of your Charisma from their Strength, Willpower, and Dexterity if you took no hostile action against them, including using mind-altering spells.

Special: When casting a single-target non-damaging spell to charm, control, or daze another creature, you can target one extra creature for every 40 points of Charisma

Special: Defensive and beneficial spells now add half of your Charisma to their effect.

Special: Reduce the mana cost of all non-damaging spells by 30%.

Nero noticed It took all the girls' willpower to not jump at the bait. Because a bait that was. These cards would make them soar in power. Even that orange card she dangled in front of him. All of them wanted them too much, which was a sign something was wrong.

"Now tell me, Amaryllis. Not the guild master, but the pixie that allegedly is my mother's friend. What is the catch with all this? Why would someone toss three orange cards at a bunch of novices for that? And more, were you going to call in a favor my parents owe you to make them agree to this stupid plan?"

She read him like an open book. Amaryllis knew that if she tried to make a joke or deceive Nero, it would backfire later. So she said nothing. She knew the silence would be filled soon, and it would give her more information to erase Nero's objections. A quick glance told the pixie that Serena and Altia would follow Nero's decision.

Truly enough, Nero spoke. "Where is the money coming from? How exactly is the guild profiting from all this? And don't give me that crap about saving lives. The guild is an organization that asks people to go and put their necks to die inside a Dungeon. Adventurers die like fish in a drought. So, metaphorical cards on the table or we walk. I'm not blowing a Dungeon just because someone told me to. Your offer is too good to be true but it is true. So there's a huge chunk of it we're missing or you're not telling."

She sighed. Amaryllis closed her eyes.

"It's the kingdom of Bast that is bankrolling this mission with us," She said. "We believe--"

"NO!" Serena shouted. "Nero, you got your reward, traded cards, but now we're done. I'm not working for Bast. I'd rather die!"

The nereid was on the verge of tears. Not that it was too hard to make her cry, Nero chuckled to himself. Altia was there, giving her support so Nero stood.

"The leonals can burn in a volcano for all I care, guild master. What they did to Serena is unforgivable. I think we're done here. Wife, sister, we are going home. Please, take Serena through the portal."

He opened the gate for the shelter, letting the girls inside and closed it right after.

"You are amazing, Nero," Amaryllis said with a soft voice. "I'm impressed."

Nero removed all Class cards from his Arbitrium, shoved the [Heart Bond] card in a slot, and triggered the Skill. He gained no Attributes as these only worked if he had an active bond. That would be solved as soon as he had a full day to spend alone with Altia.

"Now that the girls are not here, what the hell? What were you saying before you broke Serena? We spent months working on her to get her confidence back. She shunned me like I was the devil when we first met her. Damn it, guild master."

She gave him a thimble with a cute wing as a holder. "Get me some wine to drink and get yourself something as well, Nero. We're going to talk."

He went to the refreshment table and filled a mug and the thimble with wine. Nero said nothing as he returned to the table. The cards and the box were gone.

"Bast is the lynchpin of the region's stability. The leonals know that and they make the most out of their strategic positioning. There are twelve other kingdoms that share a border with them. But these twelve are envious of this nation's prosperity. And most of them do not have the same racial tolerance as Bast. To these, Bast is a traitor that gives succor to their lifelong enemies. With Coriander attacking, all the other eleven nations will attempt to grab a piece of the cake. If Bast falls, and there's a good chance that may happen, the whole continent will be dragged in the mud.

"What happened to Serena is terrible but it was prince Tyre's acting alone. The King punished the prince hard for inviting doom. Holmes and Chrysopae are being considered agitators hired by Coriander. In a way, that's what they made of themselves. We met with Coriander's agent that was Holmes' liaison and handed over the documents Serena wrote along with a letter where she abdicates of her rights of succession. We also sent her full status to prove she used the cards. Coriander agreed to leave her alone, considering the leverage she left with us. She's free. Neither Tyre nor her family will come after her. I promise you that.

"Coriander also agreed to stop the war if a good enough pretext is given. A Dungeon flood is the best. They will make a token effort of breaking through then order a retreat."

Nero didn't say a word. He slowly sipped the wine. Using the same trick Amaryllis played on him, he let her fill the silence.

"I'll have several high-level experienced Adventurers that dealt with flood suppression several times in the past. We won't let the flood reach a single hamlet at the border. And I won't involve your parents more than give them a heads up so they can defend Hom. Nero, we are talking about sacrificing a thousand or two to save millions! It will not be just the wars. Famine, disease, more Dungeon floods as some of these go without management. It's too huge."

A pregnant pause and Nero said just two words, a question he already suspected the answer. "Why me?"

"Your absorption rates. Can you guess how a Dungeon flood can be triggered from the inside?"

Yes, he could guess. No, he had no desire to say it out loud. If it had to do with his level zero absorption rate, which was zero, he knew how to cause a Dungeon flood. He could do one anytime. And that was the real danger, he knew. That he could be a rogue element. If Nero did this once, he could do it anytime. He would be an eternal liability.

"Do you know how I defeated Holmes in a duel?" He asked. "It is irrelevant if you don't. I unleashed something that should've never become a reality. Professor Bezzias lectured me. He told me to watch out what I turned into a weapon. Because that weapon could one day be used against me or those I love.

"So never tell me how to cause a Dungeon flood. I want to be able to say before a truth-teller that I don't know. Because I don't. I have my theories. But I don't know, and it shall be so. You have the ear of both countries. You have means of instant communication across great distances with that box of yours. You have power, knowledge, I know fairies don't age like us mortals. I won't dare guess a lady's age. If the Dean and the King are on your side, do something that doesn't involve murdering us.

"Because if we did cause the Dungeon flood, we would be as good as dead. No. This is an adult's problem. You adults solve it without involving us kids."

Amaryllis' wings became blue. "You are right, Nero. You make me proud."

He snorted. "C'mon. Waving a hundred Attribute points in front of me would've worked a month ago. I would sink a continent under the ocean for that. Now? I can go back to Rafflesia and farm Accolades until I reach that level of power and return in time for dinner."

He extended a hand. "Friends?"

Amaryllis flew and hugged him. "When are you going back home? I need to talk to Rin."

"In a few days. Glom has to visit a nearby village to activate another batch of Arbitrii."

"I'm coming with you."

"That would be wonderful, guild master. I am sure mom will be delighted to know she no longer owes you a favor."

She laughed. "So be it, Nero Zero."

He sat again. "Now, before you go. I have a Skill card here, I wanted to trade it with you. You're a member of a sylvan race, I'm sure you will recognize the value of this card. Here. [Verdant Growth]. I bet it will be a hit with the wood elves."

He showed her the card. Amaryllis' eyes went wide. Nero quickly traded it for two cards of similar value he was interested in. Serena was right. It was a national treasure kind of Skill.