Adam looked across the expansive white of ice and snow before him. It was almost entirely featureless. With no landmarks, it would be difficult to find the village of the southern flock.

Adam thought to himself: 'Evelyn said at various points, there are way markers erected to show the direction to the village. There is also a distinct possibility that there is a dragon patrolling along the route. The northern flock has its own defenses in place, so surely the southern flock has something similar. The trick is fooling them into letting me get to their village and then somehow at least talk to them about stopping the war without them trying to kill me!'

Adam slowly flew forward as he thought about the problems ahead. After a few hours of flying, Adam finally saw the first way marker in the distance. He corrected his flight and flew to the marker. On one side of the marker, there was a black symbol in the shape of a dragon. Adam continued flying in the direction the symbol pointed.

Adam continued to follow the way markers for an entire day. Partway through the second day, Adam saw a dragon by a way marker! Instead of shying away from it, this was his chance to probe a dragon from the southern flock and see if he could fool them into thinking he was really part of the southern flock.

When Adam got close, the southern dragon sent out: “Do you bring news to the village?”

Adam nodded his head: “An interesting bit of news that may or may not be important.”

“Oh? May I ask what it is?”

Adam relaxed at little as he thought: 'It seems that he is not doubting me. My appearance that is similar to a death dragon seems to be working.'

Adam sent out: “Let me first ask you this: is this the first time our war with the northern flock and the spirits of life have gotten this intense?”

The southern dragon was suddenly confused: “It is, isn't it? Are you saying...”

“That's exactly what I'm saying, this isn't the first time this has happened! It might not even be the second time! The last war that reached a scale similar to this was just before the first era! The result of the war obliterated history so that records only stretched far back as the first era! No one remembers the previous wars of this scale because they all died!”

The southern dragon was stunned for a moment before asking: “Do you have any proof?”

Adam shook his head: “No hard evidence. Only a singular passage written in decaying text that I came across. Unfortunately, the text disintegrated the very next moment! I was only able to read a little of the passage. Regardless of its veracity, should it not be contemplated? That is why I am unsure as to its importance.”

The southern dragon thought there was something off with Adam's words, but still said: “To win this war, we do need to prepare for every eventuality. It would certainly be good to bring this possibility up. Perhaps we might glean something unknown from the past that will help us to win!”

Adam could only nod his agreement to pass himself off to the southern dragon. Adam then bade it farewell as he continued forward to the village of the southern flock. Along the way, Adam couldn't help being a bit disappointed. 'The lies I came up with are barely passable. Unfortunately, it seems that the southern flock might only look towards it for inspiration in seizing victory, rather than stopping the war...”

For another five days, Adam continued following the way markers. Finally, Adam could see a mountain in the distance! As Adam approached, he quickly felt a different feeling than what the northern village had. The northern village was more at peace and in balance with the forest surrounding their mountain. The southern village was spread out across the entire area around the mountain. Adam began to shudder when he realized how densely the village was still packed!

Adam thought: 'How could the southern flock have this many dragons by their side!?'

Cautiously, Adam approached the village. When he finally got close, he loosed a relieved sigh. Most the people present were actually normal humans! The northern village was home only to dragons and their families. The southern village seemed to take a different approach, but Adam wasn't sure what.

Flying above, Adam was able to tell that the village was built around several arenas that were currently in operation! Man fighting man, man fighting beast, there was even one arena playing host to a fight between dragons! Crowds were emphatically cheering on the competitors and many servants ran around, working hard at serving both the competitors and the crowds. Adam was unsure what to think about all of this.

Suddenly, a voice was sent to Adam: “You flew in from outside the village, do you bring news from the north?”

Adam located a dragon flying towards him as the source of the voice. Adam answered back: “Yes.”

“Then why are you lollygagging around here? These fights are low rank and hardly worth watching!”

Adam chuckled with embarrassment: “I've been away for a while so I just got caught up in the mood. It is also yet unknown whether the news I bring is important or not.”

“I see. What's your rank?”

Adam became secretly alarmed. He thought: 'Rank? What rank? Is my cover going to be blown already!?'

The only thing he could do to make it through was to once again chuckle in embarrassment. The dragon also laughed as it sent: “You're still not that strong, it seems. In case you've forgotten, the reports post is next to the chieftain's palace. The long line there is for lower ranks like you. You might as well have a little more fun before you head over, as you are going to have a long wait!”

Adam looked over where the dragon pointed and easily saw a large and luxurious palace that was located close to the mountain. It was obviously the chieftain's residence. Adam thanked the dragon for the reminder and slowly flew his way over while giving a mental sigh. He thought: 'This infiltration business is way to stressful! I hope I never have to do something like this again!'

Connected to the place, Adam saw an official looking building with a line of people assembled. There were also many others going into and out of the building as well. It looked to Adam that this was the reports post.

Adam flew down and got in line with the others. There were two in the line who were also in their Dragon-form like Adam was. Most of the others, however, were in their Human-form. Adam decided to remain in his Dragon-form as his Human-form was too unique and eye catching. While his Dragon-form was also unique, it was not as apparent as his Human-form.

The line moved along in a steady manner, but it would still take a long time before Adam would be able to make his own 'report'. On occasion, there were also those of a higher rank that would bypass the line to directly give their report. Adam took this opportunity to use his elemental sight to peer into the building and eavesdrop on the reports being given. At the very least, it would be good to understand the southern villages stance on the war.

Most of the reports being given were status updates on various wars happening around. None of it was anything truly spectacular. It was the exact same as the reports that the northern village were receiving. The only difference here was that it was not the chieftain personally receiving the reports. Rather, they seemed to be trusted lieutenants. For Adam, this was actually a problem

'If the chieftain doesn't hear me out personally, there is no way I can even attempt to persuade him! What do I do?”

There was not much Adam could do. He stayed in line while trying to think of a way to plead his case in a manner that would bring it to the chieftain's attention. Finally, after waiting for three hours, it was Adam's turn! The inside of the reports post was spacious enough for dragons to walk through.

Adam stopped before a man and a woman seated behind a desk. The man looked up and asked: “What do you have to report?”

“I found something interesting off a member of the church of spirits! They crossed my path while escorting an old tome. There were only a few discernible words left within the tome. It spoke of a war long ago that was fought between life and death spirits on our very world! One passage seemed to suggest its scale was as large or even larger than our present circumstances! The last few lines read: 'this lead to the destruction of humanity.'”

Both the man and the woman looked up with interest. After giving a brief glance to one another, the man spoke: “We will be giving your report a priority level three. Someone will escort you to the chieftain's receiving chambers and alert you when it is a proper time for you to personally explain your report to the chieftain!”

Adam looked at the two stunned. He thought to himself: 'Is it truly this easy!?'

Noticing his stunned look, the woman laughed: “The chieftain has long suspected the spirits have been hiding things from us. Your report is something he will take a keen interest to. Such a war as we are presently fighting was never recorded in known history. If your findings are true, it shows that the spirits are indeed hiding much from us.”

While the woman was speaking, the man summoned an attendant. A middle aged man stepped forward and spoke to Adam: “Please, sir, let me show you the way.”

The man before Adam was just a normal human. He was not a spiritualist nor a spirit martial artist. The man guided Adam through the report post and into the palace. From there, Adam was led to a waiting room that contained a few others waiting to give their own reports to the chieftain.

Next to the door of the waiting room, another attendant stood. He asked: “What is the priority level of the report?”

The attendant leading Adam handed over a paper while saying: “It's a level three.”

Nodding the other man accepted the paper and turned to Adam: “The chieftain is currently receiving a level one report. In the absence of any report level higher than yours, you will give your report next.”

Adam merely nodded his head, consenting that he understood. Adam walked into the waiting room where there were a handful of others waiting. A few looked at Adam, but said nothing. Adam chose a spot to sit down while he waited. As he did so, he sent his elemental sight out. From the attendant's words, a level one report was certainly the highest. Adam was extremely curious as to its content.

Adam sent out his elemental sight to probe receiving chamber, but to Adam's surprise his elemental sight could not penetrate its walls!

He thought to himself: 'I guess the chieftain likes to keep his secrets.'

The receiving chamber was likely lined with formations that prevented anyone from outside observing or hearing the contents within. Adam decided to just wait and did not try to pry any further. A few minutes later, the attendant at the door entered and told Adam: “They are finishing up the report in the receiving chamber. Come with me and enter once the others have left.”

Adam got up and followed the attendant to the door of the receiving chamber where he continued to wait. A minute later, the door silently opened and a black death dragon came out! The dragon briefly glanced at Adam before continuing on.

After the death dragon had passed him, Adam strode forward into the receiving chamber. On either side of the entrance in the chamber, two death dragons stood as guard! A large and ancient looking death dragon sat reclined in the center of the camber on luxurious cushions. Adam thought: 'That should be the chieftain.'

While gazing at all of this, Adam didn't notice the death dragon that had just left look back at Adam with sudden realization. The death dragon sent out: “Seize that dragon!”

One word passed through Adam's mind: 'Shit!'

The two dragons standing guard instantly moved to block Adam's route forward while the death dragon that had shouted blocked him from behind. Adam prepared for a tussle, unsure of what his next move should be.

The chieftain perked up with some interest. “Baras, why do you wish for this dragon to be detained?”

The dragon behind Adam answered: “Do you remember a few years back how an odd death dragon appeared to fight on the northern flock's behalf and destroyed a portal stone? This dragon looks just like him!”

Adam's heart sunk. There was definitely no talking his way out now. Getting ready for anything, Adam charged some lightning as arcs flew of his body. Baras exclaimed: “Look, lightning. He has to be the same dragon!”

“Enough Baras! Rather than making him fight to the death, shouldn't we ask why he has come?”

Adam was surprised by the chieftain's words. Adam sent out: “I have come for the exact same reason as was reported when I was brought here; to tell you about a secret that the spirits are hiding from you!”

The chieftain's interest instantly peaked. “Caleb, Re-Anne, give the whelp some room. I wish to hear this report of his.”

The two death dragons before Adam backed off a few paces, but remained in Adam's way. Adam looked at the chieftain and sent: “This recent outbreak of war between the north and the south is not the first time it has happened! This is just the tip of the war that the spirits wish to fight on our world. Before the first era, the world was just as advanced and flourishing as our world now. After that war which saw dragons and hordes of ghouls fighting across the land ended, most of humanity was dead! All records of the past were lost and everyone has forgotten about that great war that nearly ended humanity! This war is the exact same, and if not stopped, it may truly end all human kind!”

Adam tried to continue: “Please, you must work with the north-”

The chieftain interrupted: “Stop right there! You have made your report, but now you wish to petition me? You do not yet have that right! I only asked for the report!”

Adam was instantly at a loss. The chieftain thought for a moment on Adam's words before continuing: “You have granted me a boon by bringing this information to me. So I shall grant you a boon in turn. Here in the south, strength is everything! I will give you a chance to fight Baras. If you can defeat him, you may plead your case to me! If you loose, provided you still live, you will tell me how you managed to live after Baras and the others had clearly killed you! And if you decide you don't want to fight... I can just have you killed!”