There was no answer from Arkengrad.

Not wanting to miss any information, Tier quickly climbed the tree and tied himself near the top. He was glad that he took rakhs race which is an excellent climber due to their longer fingers and limbs. In the real world, he was a lousy climber. But not in this world.

Using [Eagle Eye], Tier tried to peek at the meeting. Luckily his ear was sharp enough to listen to them.

As he had guessed, Arkengrad still gave no heed to the undead. She walked past the corpse of the two players who were just killed by Lyra’s gang. She stopped, looked at the two corpses, shook her head, and asked Lyra, “How long are we going to keep doing this? This pointless behaviour?”

Lyra was motionless when she answered with a question, “What do you mean?”

“Look at them, Lyra. Are they the one who hurt us? Let's just stop this!”

“Playing saint, huh?” Slicer sneered.

Arkengrad shook her head. “Come on already. There is no point in attacking these lower level players whether they wanted to be in Clashing Realms or not. That is their problem, not us. If we really want PvP, let’s make an arena team.”

“For what?” Lyra grumbled. “Those people in the arena, do you think they would play fair? Even if we beat them, they would mass report us as cheaters. Or they would just bring their grudge wherever they go, even Clashing Realms.”

Lyra spat at the ground, slamming her axe. “Have you forgotten what those more socially acceptable and fawned players did? What had the sheeps flocking to them had done? Whatever we do, or the GMs proved was meaningless. If the crowd thinks we are the evil one, we are the evil one, no matter the facts. And others will eat it as if it was the truth, even Rosdan… Screw it! If they want me as the bad guy, then I will be the worst villain they’ll ever face.”

“But they have left the Clashing Realms, Lyra, I knew it, I checked on it!” Arkengrad countered. It was hard to see her expression from afar, but her voice was clearly shaking. “Those kinds of people won’t stay long in a place, they are just glory hounds. They left as soon as our position in Clashing Realm worsened. If we really want to take revenge, we hit those guys, not these newbies who took no fault in it.”

“They are not at fault, yet!” Slicer rebuked angrily, his ever belittling tone disappeared. “You think these newer players would be a good one? These noobs… you help them now, then they will trash on you in the future. As soon as they think they have enough skill, they will try to get the spotlight like selfish little bastards they are. If you try to back down… tch, they will do the worst thing to you. They… he… could snap away your glory with all the drama they brought. What is wrong if I just cull them from the start?”

Tier was well aware who those words were aimed for. Though he clearly didn’t completely agree with Slicer’s version, it didn’t mean he was not guilty. He was the one who snatched away his previous team’s victory. And all the drama caused because he didn’t try to back down was the reason the team disbanded.

Taz’D was the selfish brat mentioned by Slicer. The same brat who hardly ever grew up from that moment in the past is now hearing about his mistakes from the opposing side.

It was natural for him to draw some resemblances to Lyra’s gang. They, just like him, lashed out their pain. The difference was that Tier exacted his revenge at the perpetrator while Lyra and Slicer were lashing out at anyone.

Also… Tier deeply wished he could have changed or not done anything about it in the past.

Arkengrad, with an annoyed tone, snapped at Slicer, “So you were acting like a little brat by lashing out at them?”

Seemingly consumed by anger, Slicer thundered, “So what if we take our rage on them?! You always tried to play saint. Why? Are you trying to kiss anyone’s feet for them to accept you?”

Lyra snorted, “Tell me, Arkengrad, what did the little girl tell you?”

Sternly, Arkengrad replied, “It is not too late for us.”

“And you believe her? The nice little girl being treated special just because of her cute face and sweet words?”

“But that same girl was one of the first few who opposed the negative views about you that time. And I just knew that she was also the one who tried to keep my position when everyone tried to kick me.”

“Don’t be silly, Arkengrad, she’s an attention seeker,” said a dark haired elf named Mark who just appeared from the shades of the trees. He wore dark brigandine armour, armed with a rifle, and had an owl perched on his shoulder. Tier was not able to detect him in the map, probably due to the usage of [Mimic: Crocodile].

It was rather clear to Tier that Mark was the usual mysterious sniper present during their confrontations with Lyra’s gang.

“What?” Arkengrad sighed. “You saw all those first hand, didn’t you?”

“I did.” Mark shrugged. “But it was clear to me that she was just seeking attention. She knew she had her place in people’s heart, no one would think bad of her even if she stood up for you. And no one did. But.. pfft, those who backed her up are mostly gone now. Even now she forced herself to play with mediocre newbies. All she had was her pretty face and sweet lies. Served her right.”

Mark’s words made Tier remember again the image of Mana walking alone in both the real world and Zurefgar before she met Tier and the gang in Zurefgar. A girl who strode steadfastly, keeping her gaze forward even if she had to walk alone. A lonely queen.

“How about you?” Arkengrad sneered. “You yourself kept silent because you’re afraid that your reputation would be affected, or were you afraid that your officer position would be snatched away because of helping the likes of us?”

“You…”

“What, Mark?” Arkengrad pushed her challenge. “Even now you have never show your face during these slaughters. Are you afraid that someone would tell Rosdan about this and get you kicked out?”

“I did it for them! I’m tired of losing, of being in the same team with idiots, can’t you understand? Or are you just like Rosdan who would just accept reinforcement no matter how stupid they are?” Mark raged at Arkengrad, he pointed his rifle at her. Which made Tier wonder if those people really want to kill each other because of this kind of argument.

Arkengrad shook her head. “In the end, all of these are just reasons you guys use to lash out your dissatisfaction. And I’m quitting this.”

Lyra picked up her axe. While weighing it, she commented, “You were always half-hearted in doing anything. That’s why you never found a place for yourself, even when there are those who are ready to accept you.”

“Advice noted, that is why my departure won’t be halfhearted,” said Arkengrad firmly.

“Suit yourself.”

“So you want to leave just like that, traitor?”

Slicer roared and lunged at Arkengrad. Helped by Mark, he kept assaulting the lone tempest paladin.

Lyra ignored the whole commotion. Xildur, who kept quiet the whole time just glanced at Lyra. Finally, Lyra told him, “This is none of our business, Xildur. Not anymore.”

The two took their ride and left the remaining three to fight. Meanwhile, Tier took his time to study the situation. There was a weird evil glee in his heart seeing Lyra’s group having an internal fight. However, he himself felt that he might need to help Arkengrad. Just a little bit, to honour her decision and also honour the positive impression most of his friends had of her.

Mostly, because Rushvatte was still holding some grudge against Arkengrad. Even Macepaw was rather forgiving of her.

After using [Eagle Aim] to… well… aim, Tier released seven poisonous arrows to stop Mark’s movement. Then he quickly shot an [Ankle Break] at Slicer, giving Arkengrad a chance to slam a heavy stunning ability at the undead rogue.

Arkengrad seemed to be aware of someone helping her to escape, and thus she did so hastily. Tier himself quickly untied himself and slid down the tree while using [Disengage] to break from the in combat status. Then he quickly rode towards Arikad, leaving behind the frustrated screams of Slicer.