Chapter 42 - Oppressor and The Oppressed

"Not for me to decide..." Tristan murmured absent-mindedly.

"I said, answer me!"

At last, Armin had run out of patience and reached with one of his hands towards Tristan, trying to grab him by the collar.

"I guess it's a matter best left for another time," Tristan muttered again and easily evaded his grasp by taking a single step back, before turning to meet Armin who was surprised to grab at thin air.

"As for your concerns, there is nothing you need to worry about. Naturally, I care for my people. If you want to be this brazen, then fine, I can get ahead of my schedule. Your Order better takes care of the rest."

Under Armin's incessant glare, and the other's curiosity, Tristan walked to the center of the glade. He took a few dozen vials out of the inside of his robe and spread them around evenly in three directions. Each container was filled with a translucent liquid that could barely be discerned from the glass surrounding it. The star-shaped, spiked vials were spread, from east to west, covering the ground except for the direction of the south.

"Of course, I wasn't just sitting by idly," Tristan explained while continuing his preparations. "Unfortunately, I needed time for my preparations, for which I also needed Esten and Lynnden to help me understand the proper topography of the human territory. Since picking off the assault one by one wouldn't solve the problem, I chose this is the best method, even if we were unable to provide immediate help while doing so."

Finishing up his justifications at which Armin merely sneered at, Tristan gave a glance towards Esten and Lynnden, who had stuck by his side.

"The two of you, watch carefully."

Tristan said, and the thirty vials surrounding him lit up in response. Although Armin was adamant about grilling Tristan for more details, he chose to wait and see what he'd so carefully prepared.

As Tristan concentrated solely on the task at hand, the vials rose from the ground to hover around him. The liquid inside them began emitting a faint blue light, quickly covering the entire glade, and even eclipsing the light of the eledyn nearby. The glowing light intensified as time passed, turning the surrounding forest into a sea of blue, except for the quadrant to the south that strangely enough remained the same.

When he decided the time was right, Tristan raised his right hand upwards, causing the vials to shatter into tiny fragments that glittered like dazzling stars inside the blue sea of light he'd created. With stupefied expressions and also confusion, Armin, Lea, and the rykul took several steps backward to gain some distance. The group of minor races immediately followed suit. Even though they couldn't discern anything about what Tristan was doing, the unusual reaction from the higher races was more than enough reason for them to gather more than thrice the same distance.

Aside from Tristan, only Esten and Lynnden remained at the same spot, carefully watching the spectacle that was surrounding them. They witnessed how the blue sea covered the grounds of the forest as far their eyes could see. But far more astonishing than that was the illusive figure appearing in the sky above them.

From beneath, the largest parts of their vision were filled with the soles of that figure. Nonetheless, they could recognize that unmistakable, tattered robe that stuck out from the blanket of clouds. The two were certain that glimpses of the figure above them could be seen from most places within their territory, if not beyond.

"My people, do not fret any longer! I, your Emperor, will not forsake you in your need! Those that dare cause my people harm, know that your reckoning has come!"

The booming shouts traveled throughout the three countries. Following that, with a single swing of his arm that covered more than half of the northern hemisphere, Tristan sent forth the wave that would cleanse the plague and the tragedies it had caused.

Waves of water that rose from the sea of blue light towered far above the threes as they made their way forward. From the glade to the border of each human country, they swallowed everything in their way, not letting anything escape their grasps. Occasionally they would pass through beacons of light that had also risen forth into the skies, amplifying the weakened waves throughout their paths. At first, the humans had run away, terrified for their lives as they witnessed the few structures and people crushed by the might of the water. But they soon realized that aside from those few exceptions, everything else was left untouched.

The forest around the glade remained the same, and so did most of the population. Only those that Tristan Stelfort had deemed harmful were swept away, carried to places unknown. Thus, within mere moments, the entirety of the Forgotten Children had been made short work off by a single use of magic.

While the cheers of humanity filled the entire continent, as they'd witnessed the helpless cultists crushed beneath the waves, the glade was left in utter silence. Dumbfounded, Lynnden's and Esten's gaze switched between Tristan's back and the distant waves that crossed over the horizon. Using the most basic forms of Divination Constructs at their person, they confirmed their suspicions and their jaws dropped in utter disbelief.

On the one hand, Esten was left in awe, feverishly gazing at Tristan. On the other hand, Lynnden had an ugly scowl on her face that betrayed her natural, calm beauty. She'd realized her severe lack of judgment. Because to say, she'd underestimated what Tristan was capable of, was a ridiculous understatement.

"What... How did you do this?"

Lynnden asked baffled. What Tristan had performed was a scale of magic that was unheard of for the minor races as far as she was aware of. That a human like herself was capable of this was incomprehensible for her. Together with Esten, she had accompanied him as he spread around those vials, but she'd never understood what the purpose was or how they functioned.

"It's simple."

Tristan said nonchalantly. Traces of sweat flowed down his head, but other than that, he appeared to be in a decent condition. As he began enlightening his companions, whilst not caring who wanted to listen in, the sea of light dimmed and slowly disappeared like the receding waves of the ocean.

"Each of these vials contains an amount of mana equal to my maximum capacity."

"So you filled them over the recent weeks, or months even..." Lynnden concluded, but it didn't help her clear up her confusion. Likewise, the rykul and the eledyn paid rapt attention, hoping to make more sense of what had happened.

"But... I don't believe it's possible to create a construct capable of holding such a ridiculous amount of mana. Moreover, what... just what was that projection?"

'And where is your construct?'

She didn't dare utter that question that plagued her mind the most. She was just beginning to register the event after she'd recovered from her excitement. But instead of coming to sensable conclusions, she was left with even more questions.

Uncertainty and doubt were beginning to root themselves in Esten's and Lynnden's minds. They had once questioned Tristan's identity and had simply taken him by his word. After all, they couldn't understand what ulterior motives a being could have by pretending to be human. Yet, after what they'd seen, they couldn't fool themselves any longer or simply ignore their doubts. Yet, they still remained silent, swallowing their worries, as did the other representatives of the minor races.

"Well, that's your problem, isn't it? Just make one, how hard can it be? But enough of that, we've wasted enough time. I believe you are satisfied?"

The last words were directed at Armin, who was similarly unable to come to a conclusion about Tristan's performance. Meanwhile, Tristan took his silence as a 'yes' and left the stage he'd set for himself.

In the end, Armin had to concede on this matter. There were a lot of questions and doubts left about Tristan's conduct during the incident, but it wasn't the right time to confront him. They had more severe problems to concern themselves with, to the point, he'd even forego questioning Tristan about his unique display of magic.

Alas, he didn't know that Tristan didn't share that sentiment.

"Good." Tristan nodded. "Guardian Phi, if you may."

"I hereby announce the opening of the 264th meeting between the Seven Races of the Third World. You may begin."

Guardian Phi, who was watching everything from the sidelines without any signs of reaction or intervening, finished the formalities. The representatives of each race had gathered back together, forming a small circle to open up the discussions.

"Lea and you rykul." Tristan began first, his voice no longer that slight playfulness. "Let's put the demon aside for now. I have something to talk to the two of you about. I know you rykul aren't fond of names, but it'd be bothersome otherwise, so I'll call you... Draco from now on."

"You-!"

"I demand that you free all of our brethren. Whether they be human, jin, dwarven or foren, it doesn't matter - you will release them all."

Before Draco could complain about the disrespect Tristan was showing, he found his own words stuck in his throat. Lea looked over in confusion, while Armin and Draco stared at Tristan with disbelief that far exceeded what they had shown during his previous performance.

"What are you talking about?" Draco answered, his voice slightly unsteady and completely forgetting the matter of his new name.

"Don't play dumb; I won't repeat myself. Don't think I don't know how this world works. I know all about your abusive acts against the minor races. You thought we had forgotten or chosen to ignore it, but that's no longer the case. Jiyj. Zzayt. I believe you have good news for me?"

Tristan directed that question towards the jin and the foren. The two looked at each other with dissatisfaction, which eventually turned into resignment. They buried whatever grievances they had and answered Tristan with utmost certainty.

"Yes."

"Perfect. Then, at this moment, I officially announce the alliance between the minor races. Together we will take back our place in this world and rid it of its injustice."

"Tristan. What are you talking about?"

Lea spoke up, seemingly the only one left out of the picture. Due to her confusion, she was no longer showing her distant respect while Draco and Armin had become awfully quiet.

'How does he know about this?'

The same question was left on both of their minds.

"Lea, why do you wonder the minor races are this weak?" Tristan began explaining what was on his mind. "Take a look at Esten and Lynnden over here. Two rulers, at the top of two-third of humanity. Throw in that idiot Kaemir or Lynnden's company, yet even a hundred of them couldn't match you."

The two insulted sighed heavily in resignation. They couldn't say anything to refute him, especially after having born the brunt of Draco, who was merely letting himself go a little. Their weakness compared to the rykul was a truth they had to accept reluctantly.

But Lea couldn't understand what Tristan wanted to say.

"So? Isn't that normal? Why do you think you humans should stand any chance against us?" She asked, convinced of her own words that carried a trace of rightful arrogance.

"Normal... And yet humanity once stood at the top with the other races. So did the dwarves and the rest of them." Tristan answered.

"Your own greed and shortcomings let to your downfall, which led to the Second End. Our current reality is what you deserve after the gods have laid upon you their judgment and punishment."

"That's right." Tristan didn't refute her. "The gods intervened, rightfully so. But this would be too much. Not only humanity but all of the minor races are so far apart from the rykul and the eledyn that any form of defiance or resistance is laughable. Any form of communication bears no meaning without equal standing, turning any debate into a farce. In short, you are at an unreachable top, taking the bountiful resources to yourselves without the need to care or worry about us."

Tristan stopped there for a moment, his gaze filled with his restrained emotions that were focused on the two higher races.

"However, this wasn't meant to be. Not like this."

"Stop it, Tristan!"

From the side, Armin decided to intervene. He could no longer stand by and listen while this meeting could spiral into another whirl of unforeseen events.

"This is not the time for this, Tristan! The demon is still at large, growing with every passing moment, and the devils have acted far too suspicious, not even bothering to cover their tracks! We can't create a rift when we have to work together! I understand your sentiment, but leave it be for now!"

"The right time or not doesn't matter anymore!!" Tristan vehemently refuted by raising his voice that contained his unrestrained anger. Compared to his usual calm demeanor, it took Armin by surprise, who was left at a loss as to how to defuse this situation.

"This is no longer something we can ignore. The minor races are all in agreement with this!"

"Tristan!" Lea chimed in again with impatience, her composure rattled. "You haven't finished..."

"The world has its rules as you are surely aware of," Tristan continued, much to Armin's dissatisfaction. "The distribution of mana is a part of that. Imagine it like a pool of abundant mana that we mortals are allowed to tap into and borrow from. It's present all around us, connected to each of us from the moment we were born. The amount, each individual of each race is bestowed upon, is what we call latent talent.

Naturally, the higher races obtain a more substantial part than the minor races. To keep it simple, half of all of that mana is split between the entire population of the eledyn and the rykul. The other half is split between the five minor races, putting aside the privileges of the Guardians. Now tell me, how can it be that we are that much weaker than you?"

Astonished, Lea looked around, waiting for someone to refute him. Yet Draco and Armin remained silent, their frowns deepening with each passing word.

"The answer is simple." Tristan continued. "The humans, the jins, the dwarves, and the foren you see in this world... are only a small part of their entire population. The rest is being held captive by the higher races. About eighty percent of each race is being held prisoner, and not just at random. Those that are talented, those that are barely average or even beneath. All of them are carefully locked away to skew the average. Only the worst, the bottom of the barrel remains on the surface, so the contract isn't broken. Since it's impossible for them to exterminate us completely, the higher races came up with this method so no opposition ever arises from us."

This revelation was too much for Lea to handle all at once. It sounded like a fairy tale or the ramblings of weaklings that refused to accept the reality of their situation. Yet the uneasy silence coming from the rykul and Armin was more than enough proof that there had to be some truth in his words.

"Tristan. Please listen to me."

Armin broke the tense atmosphere, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

"We can address this at another time. By the name of Armin, the Hero's Chosen, I swear that I'll help you mediate this matter properly until all are satisfied. For now, we have to first figure out what the demon and the devils are doing, that takes absolute priority. Also, don't forget that your people have yet to recover from the recent tragedies."

"What is there to figure out?" Tristan sneered with mockery. "What, tell me the Third Order still doesn't know? Then let me enlighten you and provide some actual help. The devil that was killed by the demon was named Yslazeth. A Yslazeth, you understand? Do you still don't get what's happening? Everything she left behind is up for grabs, and everyone wants a piece of it. While I will certainly make them pay for the tragedy they've caused, we can leave them alone. They will sort themselves out eventually, maybe even taking care of the demon while they're at it. You can go look for Zeristin if you need help with the latter that badly, but stop bothering us with it. Don't forget, it's your job, Mr. Hero."

Once more, Armin was left with no words. While ignoring the provocation in Tristan's words, his eyes lit up in understanding as he was taken aback by this new information.

"Tristan Stelfort."

The rykul decided to speak up. No longer puzzled, it spoke with a seriousness that while it recognized an equal, was filled with an overbearing tone of threat.

"Do you understand what you are saying?"

"Of course, I do," Tristan responded calmly. "Either you will agree to our demand and release our brethren... Or it's war."

"Ridiculous!" The rykul flared up in response to what it could never consider a serious threat. "Have you gone mad, human? If what you say is the truth, you should know your chances. If you claim to know what's right, you should know fully understand your place in this world, and cherish it dearly!"

"He's right, Tristan." Lea hastily added. "Think it through more carefully. It's the first time I've heard about this, but I believe what you said is true. Even if that's the case, you shouldn't act rashly. I can understand how you all must feel about this, but-"

"You. Understand. Nothing!!"

The dwarven's leader's voice rumbled through the ground within the glade, seething with a rage that none present had expected. The unassuming half-statue glared at her with an intensity that forced her rethink what she'd said. He was right - she didn't know a single thing.

Meanwhile, Tristan pulled out a piece of paper out of his robe. Waving it in front of Lea to let her take a closer look, the jet-black scroll devoured the surrounding light as its words written in white put Lea in yet another state of stupor.

"You should know what this is... After all, your father left it behind. Do you still think I won't dare to act?"

Lea didn't have enough time to read every detail of what was written on it before Tristan put it away, but it didn't matter. The few glimpses she could take were already enough for her to understand.

"Zeristin... left this behind?" She asked in a murmur, unable to believe her own eyes. "For you? Knowing what you are trying to do?"

"Yes," Tristan answered. "Despite how insistent he was about keeping up the current peace, he's always kept a different possibility in mind. Whether he's kept it in case of a worst-case scenario or thought of something else, I don't know. Regardless, consider this my last warning. Don't think you can live in your own little worlds and pretend nothing is going to happen while you're continuing to lord over us. Even if our chances were non-existent, we would no longer succumb to your tyranny. You've oppressed us for long enough, and it will come to an end."

Tristan made his last statement, revealing no signs of being persuaded as the glade fell into a divided silence. On one side were the minor races, standing united against their oppressors. Lea and the rykul, together with Armin, were left on the other side, trying to process everything that had happened. None of them could have guessed that this chore of a meeting would escalate to such a degree. Armin had also given up on convincing Tristan or trying to cooperate with the races against the demon. Since this matter had come to light, there was hardly any chance of doing so after all.

"Tristan, give me some time," Lea spoke up eventually. "I will properly discuss this with the elders, can you wait until then? I'm certain we can reach a peaceful solution."

"Of course, I'll give you some time to make your decision. Five years, in fact. But before you depart, let me ask you this, Lya Alyu. Are you human? Or are you an eledyn?"

Confronted with this question, Lea didn't meet his gaze, giving her silence as the only answer for Tristan.

"What about you, Draco?"

"Bold. Very bold, little fledglings." The rykul merely snickered after it had recovered from the shock of Tristan's declaration. "You can be certain that I will relay what you've said word for word. Other than that, I'd advise you not to get your hopes up. Take my advice and reconsider what you've said."

"Fine," Tristan said while shrugging his shoulders, having expected as much. After telling everything he'd wanted to, the representatives were about to part ways to report this matter to their leaders when the Guardian stopped them.

"There is something I've yet to inform you all about."

The green ball of light took the center and spoke up, garnering the attention of everyone present.

"The human that was chased by the Order for weeks turned out not to be the demon."

"What do you mean by that?" Armin asked with a scowl.

"Mother has made contact with him. She has declared that he wasn't the demon, but one of his victims. That human, Aien, isn't the demon, but he was tainted by it. Thus, she'd sent the Order away as they've been duped. Unfortunately, Mother has no clues about the current whereabouts of the actual demon."

"Tainted...? What's that supposed to mean?" Armin asked, as concerned as he was perplexed. To the side, Tristan and the rest were also paying rapid attention to the news.

"I don't know the details. Mother was weakened by coming into contact with the contamination. Still, she has graciously shown benevolence towards the human and aided him in his need, effectively returning him to normal."

"Is that true?" Armin asked for confirmation. He felt it very hard to believe that was the case.

"Well, well, isn't that interesting..." Tristan muttered thoughtfully. "Incidentally, is Mother Nature aware of the contents of our meeting?"

"Naturally." The Guardian answered, despite her dissatisfaction with the question and its possible implications.

"If there's nothing left to say, I will consider this meeting concluded." She continued. "Unless unforeseen circumstances call for it, the next one will be held after the usual ten years. You'll be notified when the time comes. Farewell. May the gods and Mother watch over your endeavors."

As such, the suspenseful meeting was over and each faction went their own way.

On their way back, Lea and the rykul remained in a private conversation.

"Five years. Not a long time for use, but for humans, it's not exactly short. After everything he's said, he doesn't seem to want to rush anything. Makes you wonder how much of his confidence was a bluff..." The rykul continued to ramble on, more to itself than to Lea. "If they have yet to make proper preparations, it might be wise to nip the bud in its early stages, and once more instill the fear they seem to have forgotten. Young fledglings are always hard to deal with if you don't show them their place."

Lea continued to remain to herself until the rykul directly addressed her with curiosity.

"So, are you still human? Do you have anything left, lingering? Those irredeemable emotions that give rise to such absurd thoughts?"

"No." Lya Alyu answered without hesitation. "I'm an eledyn. Which is exactly why we can't act rashly, and I suggest you do the same. That scroll... I can't believe Zeristin was able to find and keep something like that without anyone noticing."

"On a different note," The rykul changed the topic without reacting to her previous words. There was something much more important to it, pestering it at the back of its mind. In its opinion, this unknown variable was the greatest concern for either of them.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, young eledyn, but that projection was made by light, am I right? Distortion, amplification, and channeling it through condensed water... or something to that degree. Anyways, it was awfully similar..."

"There is no connection between the eledyn and Tristan Stelfort." Lya Alyu gave a firm response. She knew what it was getting at. After all, it was possibly the biggest reason that should make them take this matter quite seriously.

"It's impossible for a human of this world to wield light magic. While there is a slight connection to the fire element, it's minuscule. Humans lack severe control, and moreover the rights, of that aspect. So, a human shouldn't be able to reproduce what he did. That's without considering those constructs he spread around that I also can't make sense of. However, I can assure you, the eledyn have nothing to do with this, and after everything that has happened, I don't think I need to tell you more about this. With that being the case, if Tristan Stelfort stays true to his word, what will the rykul do?"

"Show them the workings of the world, of course. If their aggression is directed at us, that is."

"As expected, you won't just cooperate and get it over with."

"No. We'd stand to the side, that is all I can promise. I expect you'd do the same?"

"Yes. You're absolutely right."

"Still..." The rykul crossed its heavy arms in thought, frowning deeply. "If he can't be human, or an eledyn... Then there is only one option left."

"...A demon."

"If that's the case... And he was left unchecked for who knows how long... Then this could turn into an actual problem."

"Let go of me!!"

No matter how much the man shouted himself hoarse or thrashed, his capturers would neither understand nor release him. The human being carried away should have known that, yet he didn't relent in his struggles. The eyes, of the jin taking him away, were twitching in irritation, as they further strengthened their grips while growling menacingly. But the man had already lost his fear of those fangs that could tear him to shreds and continued despite their hands threatening to crush his bones.

"I'm not an intruder!! Damn it! You better won't regret treating an important envoy with such disrespect!!"

All the while, the group headed further into the shady forest that was sparsely populated with trees. The large tree trunks rose into the sky, devoid of most branches. Only at the top did the carpet of needles block out the sunlight, turning everything beneath gloomy.

Eventually, they reached a long, wooden bridge that was barely wide enough for them to walk side by side. Finally, the man ceased his thrashing as he noticed that the lake beneath it was no mere water. In place of it, there was a dark swamp with a retching smell that threatened to swallow anything falling into it. Fearing that his captures would get annoyed beyond their patience, the man restrained himself as he crossed the thin bridge that separated him from a fall with no return.

At the end of their path, there was a small building of stone, placed on top of a wooden support of several pillars. In a rough manner, the man was handed over to the group of jin waiting there, who forcibly shoved him inside the building. With only one window that barely shed any light, it was difficult for him to take a look at his surroundings before he was hurled into what seemed to be a wooden cage. Barely wide enough to take more than a single step, and merely slightly higher than himself, he was left inside this human birdcage with no further explanation. The man lamented his tragic fate as he was put away to rot in some faraway place from home.

Inside this desolate wasteland of a prison; the only thing greeting him was a burst of frenzied laughter from nearby, he couldn't bother worrying about.

"Great!" The man said to himself, ignoring the maniac he only saw the silhouette of. The two of them were the only ones here, each within their small, separate cage that was devoid of any proper living appliances.

"That's what I get for trusting her words! Fuck, I should have known something was up after not hearing from her for months! Just wait and see, once I'm done with those kittens, one day, I'll take care of you as well!"

While the man was busy cursing and complaining to no one but himself, the harrowing laughter didn't stop. Directly opposite of him, his only cellmate, another human, was lying on the small floor that was made available to him, where he remained laughing for seemingly no reason. Even after some time had passed, and the man's eyes had gradually grown used to the dim light to take a closer look at the clown, the other prisoner had yet to cease his aggravating laughter.

"What's so funny, huh!?" The man erupted furiously after his patience had run out.

"It's- It's nothing... Keh-! Haha!!"

"What!? You enjoy how those pussies treated me like a piece of trash, is that it!? God, damn it, shut your trap already!!"

No matter what the man tried or how often he asked for an explanation, the other prisoner didn't stop. Unending, the other prisoner reveled in his own cackling, which joy only he knew the off. Eventually, the man gave up, once more relenting himself to his new fate. He wondered whether this was how he'd spent the rest of his life, or if he would be presented the chance to explain himself. Regardless, there was nothing he could do other than to wait for an opportunity.

After what had felt like an eternity to the man, he noticed that much-desired silence returning to his surroundings. The occasional snicker still escaped the other prisoner as his body jerked in tune, but it was no longer annoyingly echoing within their small prison.

With nothing else to relieve him of his boredom, the man looked over to his cellmate to find him staring outside the single window with a wide grin on his face.

"What's wrong with your eyes?"

He asked, not expecting a coherent answer after having given up about asking for the reasons that provided his cellmate with such joy. Although he wanted nothing to do with a person like that, his boredom and curiosity got the better of him. Past the side of the glasses of his cellmate, the man found an unexpected world of brilliant stars in place of pupils. Fascinated and left with an inexplicable sensation, he'd almost lost himself within them.

Noticing the man's stare, the other prisoner turned to face him. As a result, the man blinked his eyes frequently, leaving his trance while wondering if it just had been an illusion. Looking at the eyes behind the glasses once again, he couldn't find anything out of the ordinary this time - it was a regular pair of pupils like any other.

"I heard prison can turn you that way, but isn't it a bit quick for me..."

The man gulped and shook his head wildly, ridding his head from his own shiver-inducing thoughts. All the while, he was left under the curious observation from his counterpart.

"Don't look at me like that!! I'm not interested!"

As a response, he only heard some small laughter that had already strained his patience to its utmost limits. Fortunately for him, it didn't last nearly as long.

"You can see it from the side... That's rather careless of me. Sometimes you overlook the simplest of things." The other prisoner muttered to himself before turning towards the man that had asked the question.

"I had a little accident."

"What?" The man asked, bewildered. "Oh, you are answering my question. So I didn't just imagine things... What happened?"

"My Magecraft is a bit special," Surprisingly for the man, the other prisoner became more talkative than he'd expected. "I focus mainly on crafting my eyes. Let's just say I was careless, and things turned out this way during an experiment. It's less harmful than it looks. Also, it's quite charming with the ladies, so there's that."

"You are a magus?" The man was stunned. "That's unexpected. How did someone like you end up here?"

"It's a little embarrassing... But I'm ashamed to admit that my communication skills with the other races are still quite... subpar."

"You can speak cat...?" The man wondered but quickly realized what he'd overlooked. "The Divine Language?"

"Yes. I thought I'd become quite good at it, but I must have butchered my pronunciation. That or it might have been a difference in culture that language alone couldn't bridge. Either way, I did rub them the wrong way somehow, leading me to be in this mess. What about you, erm..."

"Reynold."

He didn't mind giving his name to the only human companion he might have to spend a lot of time with. Furthermore, after this prisoner had finally calmed down, he had to admit that he was rather pleasant to converse with.

"I was sent from Ethena to take care of something... Secret Diplomatic Mission and whatnot. But now I wonder whether I was the thing to be taken care of..."

"Sad to hear that..." The other prisoner gave his sincere condolences. "Still, it's a real pleasure to meet you, Reynold. Let's see..."

The other prisoner pondered for a moment before he carried on with a friendly smile on his face.

"Since we're being casual with one another, you can just call me Tormen. Excuse my earlier behavior, but I couldn't help myself. I've been getting lonely for quite some time, and it must have gotten to my head. So I was quite happy to see someone else, and another human nonetheless. I don't believe in them, but after today, I wonder whether the gods do listen to my prayers sometimes."