Grant's voice was decisive and irrefutable.
He declined access for anyone involved with the Aurelius Noble House, no matter who they are.
It was quite a brave thing to do, considering they could be wiped out because of this.
But even then, the people of the ruin cheered for him, seemingly agreeing to his decision to decline entry for the convoy. Crimoria, undeterred, took a step closer to stand right in front of Grant's face, "We are already generous enough to foresee what you savages did to our ssengers. So I must warn you, think about your decision—carefully. We ca here with nothing but good intentions, don't twist it and force us to do the opposite."
Crimoria's words were laced with obvious threat, she has no problem barging in right now.
She preferred not to, but she would if Grant insisted on standing in their way.
"All three previous raids were done by a more impressive team—than yours," Grant finally opened his mouth again, unafraid of the threat. "If you're here for the Forsaken Tower, forget about it. Go back to where you belong and forget about the tower and us, we don't need you anymore."
Despite trying to be patient, Grant's answer made Crimoria frown.
On top of needing a place to camp and plan, this wasn't a good look for the house.
She was escorting Rex, an esteed guest, and being denied entry in their own territory is humiliating.
It was a direct slap to the Marquess and Great Elder Rosa.
Not to ntion, Grant's disabilities alone showed a clear indication of otherwise.
Clearly, the Mahkam Ruin needed help, but it seed they were too hurt to even cling to hope.
As the argunt raged on, the tension in the air began to reach its boiling point. Grant and Crimoria were a word away from fighting, while Rex watched this unfold from behind with a calm look, waiting for Viora to make her move and handle this situation.
But then, he noticed sothing odd.
Grant's stat window—it showed a weird emotion compared to the words that ca out of his mouth.
He was hopeful, a stark contrast to his pessimistic deanor right now.
Just then, half a minute later, there was an additional feeling stated in his status section—concern.
Is he concerned about a fight breaking out?
Rex observed Grant closely, trying to find out cues as to what he was so concerned about, whether it was Crimoria that was arguing with him. Shockingly, instead of that, he noticed Grant consistently stole a glance at his people throughout the argunt.
It was as if he was asuring sothing within the crowd, and then it clicked in Rex's mind.
Almost instantly, Rex stepped forward and got in between them.
"Let us cool down a bit," Rex placed his hand on Crimoria's armor—and signaled for her to take a step back and let him handle this. Despite her silent protest, she took a step back before Rex smiled at Grant, who was confused as to who he was, "Grant, is that your na?"
"Yes. Who are you?" Grant shot back, but one could evidently see that he was more relaxed.
Maybe since Rex wasn't wearing a helt, he beca more trusting.
It was hard to trust anyone when they were wearing a helt, and that was Crimoria's first mistake.
"My na is Rex," Rex introduced with a polite but strong smile. "I knew how much the Mahkam Ruin and its people have suffered for several decades, and I understand why you were reluctant to allow us to take on the Forsaken Tower. However, I think we should at least talk about this privately, so that we can perhaps reach an understanding."
"Of course, if you still insist after hearing us out, we will leave." Rex added assuringly.
Upon hearing this, Grant stayed silent.
He was clearly deliberating about this offer, whether it was the right thing to do.
"Four of the main heirs ca here, and there's even a Priestess of Purity with us," Rex continued, giving more pressure to Grant—so that he would agree. "I don't think asking for a private talk was sothing excessive."
After a minute of deliberation and also seeking approval from the people, Grant finally nodded.
"Fine, but only you and the priestess could co." Grant answered.
Rex nodded readily, "No problem."
"Lord Rex…" Crimoria stepped forward in protest. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Relax," Rex waved his hand dismissively. "Wait here until we're finished."
Then, he turned to look at Viora and nodded.
Both of them walked side by side under the onlookers' gazes, following Grant closely behind.
Soon, they stepped into a cubical structure that was bigger than the rest, which turned out to be Grant's ho in the ruin. Everyone used this cube structure to sleep in due to the strong chanical door—and also has decorated the inside as such.
Inside was a two-floor place, the first floor hosted the necessary open rooms—such as the guest room, kitchen, living space, and such, while the second was the sleeping space. Grant gestured for them to sit on the wooden chairs as he sat across from them.
Before sitting, Grant took a knee for Viora, "I greet the Priestess of Purity, the light of balance."
"Rise," Viora answered before Grant took a seat.
Once they were all seated, Grant started, "Make this quick. Nothing you say will change my mind."
Upon hearing this, Rex smirked inside as that was an obvious lie.
"In that case, let be blunt," He said, leaning forward. "What is the reason for your—and your people's hostility? Was it the failed attempts at taking care of the Forsaken Tower? Or was it the stressful living conditions? What is it exactly?"
"We suffered too much. All three raids resulted in thousands of our people dying, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, a lot of us died." Grant answered grimly—his face ashen at the mory of bloodshed. "We had enough deaths. Attacking the Forsaken Tower would only push the monsters in there to attack us, and we can't afford to lose more."
Rex could only sigh heavily inside.
It was a legitimate concern.
Grant and his people were in a troubling situation.
Based on the chain sudden quest, the different conditions in which Rex could complete it, casualties from the Mahkam Ruin were almost guaranteed. Obviously, as Grant said, attacking the Forsaken Tower would drag the ruin into a battle which he didn't want.
Even though it was unclear how, it seed to be inevitable.
Not to ntion, there was also the next chain sudden quest—the Rain of Black.
Regardless, the Mahkam Ruin would be in trouble once the raid for the Forsaken Tower starts.
Normally, Rex wouldn't care, but he needs to care right now.
I should build a good reputation for my Human form and only do bad things in my Werewolf form. Not only would it help avoid suspicion, avoid people looking into —it would also help be accepted by the Duke more easily.
Due to those reasons, Rex would attempt to limit the casualties for the ruin.
Besides, doing so would also reward him more through the System.
"I suggest you think with a clearer head," Viora added sternly, noticing that Grant's decision was not a leader's decision but a hopeless one. "If you do not take care of the Forsaken Tower, get rid of it once and for all, your ruin would die gradually but certainly. Your people will live in fear until its demise."
Upon hearing this, Grant swallowed, he knew what his decision would lead to.
But it was still unnerving to hear it coming from soone else.
Refusing their help would only an the Mahkam Ruin was running away from the main problem.
It wouldn't be good for them in the long run, their people would eventually die out.
Rex nodded and ushered, "This ti, we can promise you that we'll take down the tower for good."
"Enough," Grant raised his hand as his face burned with frustrated anger. "That's what all they said, that this ti, the result would be different, but it always ended the sa way. Death. My people are simply tired—they have no hope of destroying the Forsaken Tower. Maybe this is what is ant to be."
Viora shook her head—this conversation was pointless.
It seed depression had taken over the Mahkam Ruin since even their leader was already hopeless.
However, her eyes flickered, noticing sothing.
'As the leader, he speaks for the people—but where is his personal bias? He's always answering based on his people's condition, never his own mind,' She thought inside before her eyes widened. 'That's it, this was not his true feelings!'
Viora turned to Rex, wanting to tell him what she realized.
Just like her, however, it seed Rex had also noticed the crevice in this, to persuade Grant.
"What about you?" Rex asked. "Not the leader you, but yourself, Grant. Have you lost hope…?"
Almost instantly, Grant pursed his lips.
He averted his gaze, not daring to et Rex's eyes for the first ti.
From this alone, Rex could tell that he was spot on.
Even though the people of Mahkam Ruin were already exhausted, too scarred because of the previous raids, and had already lost hope completely, Grant wasn't. He still aspires for the ruin to have a brighter future than gradual destruction.
Grant didn't show it outside and gradually lost hope because of his people.
Surrounded by hopelessness, his hold on hope was slipping.
He was clutching it tightly, desperate to cling to hope, and Rex's team was the last hope he had.
It was his last attempt to hope for the best.
"Accommodate us for the ti being, and we'll take care of the rest," Rex added finally.
Upon hearing this, Grant turned towards him in shock.
"Wait… Accommodate you?" He asked incredulously, tilting his head. "You're not asking us to fight?"
"No," Rex shook his head. "We will handle the Forsaken Tower and kill the Singing Lady. As for your people, station them at the border and protect your own ho. I think that's fair since I cannot really control whenever your bubble malfunctions."
As he said that, Rex gestured towards Viora and stood up.
"I'll be waiting for your decision outside," He added and headed for the chanical door.
Grant stared at Rex's back in shock.
For a second, a flash of his dear friend, Dhamar, crossed his mind.
It made him clutched the armrests of the chair tightly, the painful mory was still vivid in his mind.
"Wait!" Grant finally called.
He rushed to stand up and grabbed Rex's hand.
Rex glanced over to him and was surprised to see tears streaming down Grant's face.
Nowhere to be seen that cold and composed face—Now, Grant was crying profusely, the tears wouldn't stop pooling in his eyes and stread down his cheeks. Through sobs—he clutched Rex's hand tighter and said, "Please… Help us."
Grant uttered a few simple words, but the emotion behind them was intense.
All of his pain and suffering that he buried inside ca pouring out uncontrollably.
"Leave it to , I'll finish it." Rex nodded and finally stepped out of the cube.
Rex headed back to the entrance with good news.
Along the way, Viora glanced at him and asked, "Are you really sure about this?"
"About what?" Rex asked back.
"Not needing the people of the ruin to help you take down the tower?" She clarified—All three raids were helped by the people, and even then, all three failed. She wanted to say sothing about this earlier, but she refrained from doing so for Rex's sake. "It's going to be incredibly hard with their help. Alone, it's at least two tis harder."
Upon hearing this, Rex smirked.
It was weird of him to smirk in this situation.
"Why are you smirking?" Viora asked curiously.
Rex chuckled in amusent, finding the situation quite liberating.
"Viora, throughout my entire life in the Mortal Realm—before I was Emperor—or while I was Emperor, I've done many impossible things." He turned to look at her as his smirk stretched. "In comparison, two tis harder is a lot easier than impossible, don't you think?"
In that mont, Viora was stunned, but she soon shook her head.
'He's certainly a candidate. His craziness matched the Saintess' craziness.' She exhaled in hubris.
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