"Hinoyagi Aurumn has already been in those cities for a month now…" A curt tenor voice spoke within a circle of 3 people dressed in long robes, not unlike Uranaishi Goureau; their robes garnished with ornate purple streaks that were rungs around the arms and waist.

The robed individuals sat around a worn down, oak table that spread them about arm's length away from one another. The room they sat in was modest, red stone carved ornately as pillars in between what seemed to be wood that was charred black.

Another voice spoke, a soprano that was hard and tactful, "We can use this to our advantage… With Zeki not having his mentor right now, we can nurture our pupil and gain the upper edge in the coming Esso Lum..."

The third voice was also tenor, but soft and casual, "Please, Kim, Oliver," he shook his head with apparent disapproval, "Aurumn will only be gone for a few more weeks at best. He's supposedly departed to attend to some 'business'."

The woman, Kim, sighed, "Even so, that's crucial time he's choosing to not spend with Zeki. Does he really think his son can win this Esso Lum by casually visiting those cities, neglecting him, business or otherwise? There's more important things to attend to here."

Oliver, the first man, frowned, "Hinoyagi has always wanted to take control of the Throne of the Realm. No matter how deluded he is to think that would get the Borderlands to kneel to him, you have to admit it's a respectable dedication he has. Although Jacob's casual manner, for once, is reasonable. The man is wasting his time."

The second man, Jacob, laughed and waved Oliver off, "Please. I understand you guys have always been out here, but I'm from 'those cities'. You can't wave off their strength, much less their pride as the bulwark. Aurumn does have reason to covet them."

Kim's piercing blue eyes scrunched at the attempted gilding of the Metropolis, "Their 'strength' is only substantiated by the Idaten's reign. If they weren't so damn quick-footed, even the Mudoku Family would make quick work of the cities, as frivolous as they are."

Oliver's blue eyes showed disdain as he sneered in agreement, "They call us savages, but they had to build walls because their faces got bloodied once. If Aurumn really could subsume the Sovereign Swift Clan, the rest of them would follow in order like the dogs they are."

This disdain that the duo projected towards the cities made Jacob apparently uncomfortable, his red eyes frowning, "Alright, alright, I get it. Either way, you both say we have the advantage, but which of us will continue the mentoring? I mean… Her colors are starting to become purple."

His voice trailed off, and the three became unusually quiet, deep in thoughts, that not even the 5 elders beneath them were privy to. While Kim and Jacob were thoughtful of their pupil being so prodigious, Oliver seemed distraught, worried.

After a few minutes of silence, Jacob perked up, "Well, Oliver and I can continue as best we can," He turned to Kim specifically, "You'll need to spend some time with yourself to get ready for the Esso Lum, right?"

Kim smiled faintly, her eyes finally softening, "Depending on how far Eliza comes along, I might not even need to worry about it."