The meaning of throwing a captured high noble onto the table while talking terms did not escape these men. After all, they are all stationed at the top, and are the most keenly aware of power.

The goal of these younglings is clear, they would like to return home. But doing so means that Axis Mundi will be exposed to a world stronger than their own and no one can be certain that they are not inviting invaders if they allow such a thing.

Yet, Thunderstalk is a fine example of how concerned Kairos, and his group are about being attacked.

That’s right. The lad had shown his fangs, and none can bear the cost of belittling him.

The Gnome King is paying for that mistake now.

Knowing that no one here can accept the possibility of being subjugated by a higher power, Kairos’ terms must be made on the fine balance of strength and peace.

The lad did not intend to disappoint. Besides, Lulatia, Boink, and Clef are here to witness if they had picked the right person to follow.

“I’m certain you will like my proposal. Saint Empire is one of the superpowers of Gaia, but she is not without her enemies. I would like to borrow a place to hone soldiers on the Axis Mundi. What do you say?”

The Gnome King sneered, “What do I say? Of course, no! You think I’ll let you borrow my people to fight your wars? What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking you’ll not only say yes, but you’ll be also eager to jump onboard.”

This time, he did not scoff at Kairos. The lad had truly piqued his interest.

“Explain properly.”

Kairos stood up from his seat, walked over, and with permission from the Gnome King sent a strand of Ki through his finger into the latter’s arm. Immediately, he felt stronger as a jolt of energy flow through.

However, just as he was about to enjoy the comfort, the fleeting euphoria already left.

“T… that… what is that?”

“Ki,” Kairos explained, “It is refined Heavenly Energies and the main force harnessed by our warriors. This energy is what makes Gaia much more dangerous than Axis Mundi. Not only the humans, any creature or plant that can harness this energy will become terrifying existences.”

The gnomes immediately became filled with curiosity when they heard about unknown creatures, “How do they compare to the beasts of Axis Mundi that became tainted by mana?

Dwarf King also looked over intently, waiting for an answer.

Kairos thought on it then said, “Strong. Very strong.”

He paused a little looking at the gnomes and on seeing their intense gazes locked onto him he explained the four types of creatures found on Gaia.

The Magic Beasts or Magical Beasts are the same as the creatures on Axis Mundi and can control the forces of nature. The Spirit Beasts harness the Heavenly Energies and develop powerful bodies and unique abilities. The offspring of the devil-possessed, the Demon Beasts, have powerful fighting and regenerative abilities. And the rarely seen Divine Beasts that are considered a higher form of existence can control transcendent elements and create miracles that are otherwise impossible.

Suddenly the three gnomes’ focus turned to the Magic Beasts of Gaia. If those from Gaia are strong because of Heavenly Energies and Ki then how are the mana tainted creatures, the Magic Beasts?

Kairos smiled. This is the same question he had researched the first few weeks of arriving in Axis Mundi. The creatures here maybe Magic Beasts like the ones on Gaia but they lacked a certain something.

He purchased a flying carriage and travelled around gathering plant and animal materials to find out the differences of this strange new land compared to his home and the results were astounding.

Heavenly Energies seep into the very air and water and all the creatures living in Gaia. Even for Magic Beasts that cannot directly harness the energy, they are significantly stronger physically. The nature of Heavenly Energies is to hone the body whereas mana is more of an external force.

However, Magic Beasts can still match the Spirit Beasts and Demon Beasts without any problem. The reason is still because of Heavenly Energies. Most academies on Gaia teaches their students that mana is the by-product of expended life energy, this is a fact tested countless times, but only when Kairos came to Axis Mundi that he realised that the mana from stronger lifeforms is also stronger.

When the gnomes and dwarf in this room heard that on Gaia, not only is there a mysterious energy that can be refined to make them physically stronger but there is also a higher quality and quantity of mana around, their eyes burned with desire.

Not only them, Lulatia, Clef, Boink, but any warrior of the Axis will be the same.

It is like telling someone the same air you breathe and the water you drink will make you run faster, last longer, and hit harder, and when you see a living example of a ridiculously powerful person, it is hard not to be tempted.

That is not all. When told that Cultivators can live longer and even freely fly across the skies… that picture in their head is just spectacular.

Of course, the latter part is not something they can see here, but at the least, the Gnome King can swear by the invigorating effects of Ki running through his body.

Kairos and Relestia could see stars shinning in everyone’s eyes.

The Gnome King did not hesitate and said, “If what you said are all true, it is possible for our gnomish kingdom to accept your proposal, but what is in it for us? No, what can you give us now? What guarantee can you offer?”

The three hastily made questions shows just how disturbed the Gnome King’s current mental state has become. Of course, it also tells just how much the gnome is looking forward to taking a part of this cake that Kairos had drawn.

On the side, Hogard can no longer maintain his composure either and he immediately chimed in, “Friend! My brother! You cannot forget about us dwarves either. We are your loyal friends!”

Friend of the Dwarves, not anyone can receive such a title. It is a wholehearted gift from Hogard, but how the receiver reciprocates their friendship is another thing.

Looking at the Dwarf King’s anxiousness, Kairos did not make any promised but gave him a smile and a small nod. He has some reservations after finding out that the dwarves funded Thunderstalk. Of course, Hogard did not notice, and the man immediately beamed and let out a long breath.

At this time, a different energy swirled around Kairos’ finger. This time, he sent a strand into both kings.

Immediately, they felt a warm and gentle feeling course through their bodies. The place that Kairos touched turned hot as though it caught fire and the wrinkles on their skin smoothened out.

The two kings stared at the back of their hands with dropped jaws. That is where the energy started. Compared to Ki, this energy is less aggressive. It felt dense and thick, accompanied by a deepfelt comfort that seeped into the bones. They let out a gasp of relief followed by a flash of longing in their eyes as the feeling fades away.

Kairos did not wait for them to ask and explained, “This is the Origin Energy. It is a form of life force that can be controlled. It can be harnessed just like Ki. The drawback is that this energy is limited to your own vitality. It also regenerates as quickly as your own healing factor, which is to say tremendously slow.

In return, the advantages of the Origin Energy are plenty. You can use it to mend wounds, strengthen your body even more than Ki, and even cultivate it in a place without Heavenly Energies.”

“Y… you mean, we can become cultivators on Axis Mundi?”

Kairos paused a little, then said, “In a sense, yes.”

This declaration shocked not only his intended audiences, but also Relestia.

She did not expect that Kairos would offer them the cultivation method unique to the Snowdrifts guild.

However, Kairos looked over and winked at her. M… mind reader?!

This predictive ability… Relestia secretly bemoaned those who thought they can exchange blows with Kairos, not knowing that they already walked into his snares.

Kairos turned towards the Gnome King and said, “Those that are willing to learn can join my army. We will accept any applicants, be it dwarf, gnome, elf, or human. Those that are willing to stay will be welcomed as part of my guild, the Snowdrifts, but those that wish to leave we will not detain.”

In other words, Kairos wants to poach talents from them, and he will do it openly. Of course, this brings up a whole other series of questions.

The Gnome King immediately asked, “How will you ensure that the people we send to you won’t be brainwashed? Or that we won’t steal your secrets and isolate you?”

These are brutally honest questions, but it also means that the gnomes intend to have a proper agreement. If they do not make certain of things now, when everything starts running, all will spiral into chaos.

Kairos made a genuine attempt to answer the questions, “Since we will not deny anyone from joining, you can freely look at our training to see if we propagate any strange ideas. We will earnestly welcome any suggestions. Oh, but we will not accept reapplicants. While the people choose if they wish to stay with the Snowdrifts, the guild will also select her members.

As for those who might take away the cultivation method, well, becoming a cultivator is only the beginning.

If they are fine with just learning the entry method and do without the combat arts, I don’t see any problems with that. Both Ki and Origin Energy are pretty good for those who wants living healthy to an old age.”

Hearing this, everything is clarified. Kairos intends to hire mercenaries and pay them with knowledge. This makes the guild he mentioned not just an organisation and more like a school. In fact, both the Empire’s Saint Cadets Academy and the neutral faction’s Solitary Blades Clan adopts a similar system.

Not only do they offer secret manuals, but they also provide resources and facilities needed to nurture the next generation. And as one progresses in the guild, they can access to more things.

On Gaia, the disciples can leave at any time, taking with them whatever they have learned, but not many can bear to quit halfway and start from the beginning again elsewhere. Moreover, they will carry a stigma with them if they quit on the organisation that once helped them.

Few would accept betrayers and deserters… and if you had circumstances?... well not many will bother to listen.

Right now, the people of Axis Mundi may not understand the charm of a guild and why Kairos is confident to build his army, but soon, as the people mingle within the depths of knowledge that Gaia has to offer, few will not sink willingly.