403 Heart-to-Heart With Gwendon (1/2)
Jack's answer left the elders baffled, but Jack added, ”The reason I say both yes and no is very complicated. If you want to discuss that further, then it will have to be between Gwendon, myself, and Eedaj. Is that okay with you, elders?”
The elders all looked to Gwendon, giving him a variety of looks.
Taking that in, Gwendon replied, ”I'll agree to a more private meeting, but I'll still have to gain the consent of the elders before agreeing to any sort of deal between us.”
”That's fine,” stated Jack. ”There are just some details that I don't believe should be shared with anyone but the elven chief. As for everyone else, there's another conference room beside this one or a lounge on the opposite side. Feel free to wait in either of those places.”
Taking their leave, those on Jack's side of the table were the first to exit. The elven elders followed. Now, only three men remained at the center of the long conference table.
”So… what did you wish to speak about?” asked Gwendon.
Jack sighed, interlocking his fingers and laying his arms on the table. ”Should you share any of the unmentionable details I'm about to speak of, I'll make sure Eedaj personally deals with you. Do you understand, Gwendon?”
”Right…”
With the elven chief beginning to sweat, Jack got straight to business. ”Like I hinted at before, at some point the war of old will resume between the gods. However, this time the Neutral Gods won't be sitting on the sidelines. As the chosen champion of Daruun, the god leading the Neutral Gods, it's my duty to act on their behalf. Would you like to know the aim of the Neutral Gods?”
As Gwendon nodded, Jack continued, ”Their aim is simple. To have peace. Unlike the other pantheons, the Neutral Gods aren't bound to follow the orders of their leader. Each Neutral God can act for themselves, allowing them to coexist peacefully and not be influenced by the power-hungry desires of other gods.”
Jack noticed Gwendon in deep thought, so Jack asked, ”Have you heard of any tales about Ancient Trodar? Have you ever heard about any of their wars or skirmishes?”
”No…” Gwendon tried but failed to recount a single war or major battle involving Trodar before the Godly War.
”My point exactly,” stated Jack. ”Trodar was the only neutral state, meaning it was the only nation to worship only the Neutral Gods. That's why I'm again gathering the Neutral Gods to Trodar, attempting to bring back that era of peace.
Gwendon swallowed some saliva and sighed. ”... Because of Lyrun?”
”Correct,” Eedaj answered in Jack's stead. ”And why would Estonya's allegiance to Lyrun bring trouble, since you understand why his presence might interfere with our alliance?”
”Because… if another godly war broke out, then Korten is a likely target,” reasoned Gwendon. Also, with the perspective of the Leisure Guild rising with the aid of the Neutral Gods, Gwendon realized something else that startled him even further. ”Are the syndicate and the association under gods as well?”
Jack smiled. ”So, you finally figured it out, huh? If that's the case, what would you have to do as the current elven chief? What decision would you need to make in the possible future?”
Swallowing more saliva, Gwendon replied, ”Eventually, should we ally with you, I would likely be forced to abandon the alliance to side with the association and the Holy Gods…”