"Really!" Athas exclaimed before choking on the food in his mouth.

I handed him my waterskin, noticing he was out. "No, I just made that entire part up."

"Really?"

"No."

Athas shook his head.

"Anyway, my entire point is, since I know the Oxcross's garrison vice captain, I can recommend you to him."

"I mean, I still don't even know if I want to join the army."

"Stop being so wishy-washy about it. Just commit."

"But... "

"We're not having this discussion again."

"If I do apply, will you join with me?"

I raised my leg and pressed my foot up again against the wooden wall. "What do you think?"

"Surely there's something you could help with, even if you hate physical activities."

"Fine, I'll ask Vice Captain Cyrne about it, but you should be prepared for me to not be able to accompany you."

"Just the thought of being there and not knowing anyone..."

"Ignoring the fact that you don't talk to anyone else in the village besides me, that is what will always happen when you travel to a new place. You won't know anyone there at first, but as time marches on, you start talking and meeting all sorts of new people. A perfect chance at making more friends than just me."

"Maybe."

"Then, let's move on to the guards all being at the east gate for some reason?" I said, changing the topic.

"I told you all I know about that. Shouldn't you know more about your meeting?"

"Well, there is a diplomat from Vallonia staying at our village for like a day, so it's probably some sort of security clearance measure."

"A diplomat from Vallonia?"

"Both sides have issued a ceasefire."

"Wow. What faction do you think won?"

"At the end of the day, no side won. They both lost."

"That wasn't my question."

"My answer won't change. The damage done was more harmful than anything either side could hope to gain."

"Wouldn't you say that the control of the entire empire is pretty good, though?"

"Depends on the leaders, but generally I would say no."

"You mean you wouldn't want to have an entire empire at your whim and beckoning?"

"No."

Athas tilted his head. "That's actually a bit surprising to me."

"Eh, it would be too much responsibility placed on me. I'd prefer a secretarial position or something."

"Couldn't you, as an emperor, just diffuse all of your responsibilities to others?"

"Even still, you have many responsibilities to fulfill, as well as being the face of the entire empire. If you neglect all of your duties, well, then that's just a terrible leader and what causes internal strife."

"Looks like you've given it some thought."

"Only the minute I've been talking to you about it."

"Then want to place a bet on which side won? Or do you actually already know? Because if you do and you place this bet, that would be cheating."

"My answer hasn't changed in the last twenty seconds. I still think both sides lost." I shrugged. "Citizen's lives were uprooted and destroyed, villages razed and burned. The entire empire split into two opposing sides. Seven years of dissent is not something which can be fixed with just a few words. And on top of that, the problem here is, just because the leaders agreed to a ceasefire, doesn't mean the participants have agreed. It won't stop people from still trying to take matters into their own hands. Alongside that, you have different groups of beliefs in each side already, causing even further divide."

"This was supposed to be a just for fun question." Athas slumped his face.

"Ok, fine, I'll give you an actual just for fun answer to who the winner was."

"This is going to be something dumb, isn't it?"

"I would never."

"Never you say?"

I coughed and cleared my throat. "The real winners, that's right, plural, there are two. Us, the Lillium Empire, and the Kingdom of Kedellgrimm. Them a little less so."

"This isn't the kind of fun I expected, but, continue."

"A weakened Vallonian Empire is prime for exploiting."

"Do you really think that we're going to launch a war right now?"

"No, that would be one of the most idiotic and brain rotting moves."

"I'm an idiot. Got it."

"No. You aren't an idiot for immediately going to the idea of attacking them. In fact, it seems to make a lot of sense on the surface of what I've just said. After all, attacking a split empire seems like it would be great. There have been battles fought in the past where nobles and generals were created because they thought so as well. But those people who have been entrenched in war and politics for their entire lives that think it's a good idea are the real idiots!" In a less excited and quieter voice, I added, "Well, it actually can be a good idea, but just like most things in life, it depends. It also makes my point less dramatic."

"With the way you started that, I feel like you're still going to call me in an idiot."

"I would never do such a thing."

"Uh-huh."

"I am a changed man."

"Just finish whatever point you were trying to make. I was actually interested in where you were taking it."

"Yes, like I was saying, exploitation. Instead of attacking the empire, and giving all sides and parties a common enemy to fight against, you instead help them rebuild their empire while negotiating deals about trade and other stuff."

"And other stuff?"

"Hold on, let me just quickly change my mindset to one of an adjacent empire and think up a solution on how to properly exploit an almost decade long conflict instigated by an even longer differences in opinions by the ruling classes."

"Not as funny of an answer as I expected."

"Well, I'm sorry, nothing else came to mind." I let out an exasperated yawn. "Oh yeah, you're still an idiot for wanting to stay a boring village guard. It's a perfectly fine and important job, but you're missing out on so much of the world! Just come back to it once you retire and no longer wish for excitement and want to start a family or something."

"Maybe you should follow your own advice," Athas said as he stood up.

"You would be surprised to know I have been." I took a step out of the wood and glass enclosure. "Some intriguing events have happened in the past few days, especially. Who knows, I might not even be here by the end of next week."

"Seriously?"

"Maybe two weeks."

"Wow. What in the Nine Hells have you been planning?."

"Nothing."

"Fine, don't tell me. Want to at least take these dishes back for me?"

"Good one."

"Of course not. See you in a few days then."

I waved behind me, and I began the walk back home. "Do you have anything to add?"

"Ask me that again, except telepathically," Syn said.

"I don't even think I'm going to remember what this question refers to in months' time."

"It shouldn't take you that long."

"Key word—shouldn't."

"If it takes you a month, I will force your hand into severing the pact."

"Hey, that's my line."

"I'm not joking."

I couldn't actually tell if Syn was serious or not. Based solely on the way she spoke, it sounded as if she meant it. But at the same time, it didn't seem like something she would do, but it's not like I knew much about her. In any case, I wanted to communicate telepathically with her no matter what because not being able to was too inconvenient when other people were nearby. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived back at the still empty house, no such advancement occurred.

After heating up my tin case of food with [Legerdemain], I asked, "I am destroying anima right?"

"Yes, you are. Although it is almost not noticeable with these level zero spells."

"Even when I cast [Spectral Snap] earlier?"

"Even though you're the one casting it, you aren't. This means there is some sort of of distinction that must do with the fact you're using my anima."

"Alright. I was just asking because I was wondering if I should only use these spells when needed, but since it's barely noticeable, it seems like I'm fine."

"Even as miniscule as it is, you are still destroying anima at the end of the day."

"Isn't anima constantly being created, though? Or is it finite and every single living creature is just recycling old, previously existent anima?"

"If it was infinite, I don't think destroying anima wouldn't be an important side effect of the forbidden technique, nor would it cause ire amongst the gods."

"Fair enough," I said, stuffing my face with the braised beef. "This is pretty good."

"Let me try some."

"Ah yes, let me just transfer this physical food into the ethereal realm for you real quick. No problem. I'm sure it's super easy and barely an inconvenience."

"I was merely making a joke."

"Obviously."

"The next words I respond to of yours will be telepathic."

My brain muscles tensed as I clenched my jaw. I even placed two fingers against each of my temples, staring at Syn with squinted eyes. This inadvertently caused me to hold in my breath. A consequence which put an end to my exaggerated actions a minute later.

"Actually, it's not just a heart problem you have, but your general pattern of breathing is just—tragic."

"This sounds like you're going to teach me how to breathe better," I said, after catching my breath.

"I am," she said, with one hand placed on her chest.

"How to I even respond to this?"

"Telepathically."

"I'm trying."

"And yet your mouth is moving."

I let out a sigh before closing my mouth. This time, taking it a bit more seriously.