Is everything okay? - Catheya asked as she stepped inside , looking at Esmeralda with surprise . - This toa—ahem , Esmeralda , is still here? -
Esmeralda grinned and greeted Catheya with a wave . Catheya returned the greeting before turning to Zac , her face full of questions .
A lot of things have happened , - Zac exhaled . - The threat in the Stand of Saeward was related to that place . And the same goes for Esmeralda here . I could really use some advice . -
Let’s call over your shadow , then , - Catheya said . - He’s a bit annoying , but his scheming mind is quite useful . -
Zac agreed , and Ogras stepped through the teleportation portal a few minutes later .
Your mansion might be even worse than that frigid hellscape , - Ogras spat . - What’s going on? People are saying a treasure is about to be born in the Stand of Saeward , but you’re already back? And . . . what’s with the toad? -
Zac took a breath and brought them up to speed . Just like with Kruta , he skipped some details of his discussion with Sendor . He also didn’t mention the matter of the Primo and the Hollow Court , only stating their goals wouldn’t clash .
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his girlfriend . They’d reached a tacit agreement that Zac wouldn’t talk about any schemes or plans that might go against the interests of the Undead Empire . That way , Catheya wouldn’t be put in an awkward position where she was stuck between him and her obligations to her clan and the Empire . Zac was also afraid he might trigger some secret safeguards in the imperial commandments if he divulged the Primo’s secrets .
Ogras took the news of his battle with Valsa in stride , and Catheya only shook her head with helplessness . They had long since grown accustomed to his uncanny ability to attract trouble . They also read the agreement and investigated the parchment , but neither found any pitfalls within . Even K’Rav made an appearance , but he wasn’t very helpful .
He was far more interested in the technique for research purposes , bringing up the prospect of fusing the enshrinement with Ogras’s Body Tempering Method . You’d turn the shrines into cages and set up a whole prison in your body . Each cage would house a beast , where you extracted benefits from hundreds of prisoners . Though each captive beast would only provide a fraction of the benefit compared to the creatures Ogras sealed the normal way , the method would effectively be replacing quality with quantity .
Esmeralda couldn’t listen anymore and lashed out with her tongue at the goblin . Zac gave the demon a pointed look , and Ogras sprung to action .
Bastard , thinking of such nefarious things! Senior Esmeralda has brought us such a marvelous plan , and you want to tarnish it with your wicked and unorthodox ideas? - Ogras swore , his face a mask of righteousness . - Back with you , right now! Don’t let me see your face for the next week! -
Esmeralda was startled by the outburst , looking quite pleased . K’Rav only snickered as he flew back into the demon’s sleeve . Esmeralda might have bought the act , but Zac and K’Rav recognized the greedy gleam in Ogras’s eyes as he glanced at the old parchment .
So , what do you think? - Zac asked . - You’ve been busy , - Ogras said with a shake of his head . - I guess it was about time you created a mess . You’ve been too quiet for the past two years . At least it’s mostly good news this time . -
I can’t believe a Supremacy acted so desperately to tip the scales in their favor , - Catheya muttered . - Makes me wonder if the Undead Empire has more plans beyond what we’ve already seen . -
Esmeralda laughed , clearly indicating her thoughts on the matter . Zac had to agree after learning the true nature of the Primo’s goals . It wasn’t a matter of if but a matter of what . Zac wouldn’t even be surprised if his involvement and the mission given to Tavza and Kator were just backup plans . The Primo was getting that treasure one way or another , even if he had to turn the whole frontier upside down .
Let’s put the matters of those imperials aside for now , - Ogras said , and Zac groaned when he saw the gleam in the demon’s eyes .
Ogras was looking at Esmeralda like she was an unparalleled beauty , or perhaps a mountain of treasures . He could have been an official standing by their emperor’s side . Judging by his ingratiating smile , he was only one step away from taking out a fan and tray of fruits .
An expert explorer wants to join our camp , and we don’t even need to provide a seal? What’s the problem? Don’t keep Senior Esmeralda waiting . Hurry up and sign it . -
Esmeralda grinned widely at Ogras’ stamp of approval and even patted his shoulder while giving him a croak full of assurance .
Then I’ll be under your care , Senior Esmeralda , - Ogras said with a smile . - With you at the helm , we can rest easy . How can a trial for some juniors stump an erudite master such as yourself? -
Esmeralda was looking more and more pleased by the second .
