515 Halmuts Cautiousness (1/2)

”Then… there's only one thing to assume… Naparn has been killed.”

Halmut's cold tone pierced the hearts of those around him. He continued, ”Curse you, Naparn! How dare you be so weak as to die to that assassin while in your hybrid form!”

”Your excellency… Might I say something?”

Nodding slowly, Halmut replied, ”Of course… you may speak, Lyrun.”

”Thank you.” Lyrun stood up from his seat and gathered everyone's attention. ”I don't think Naparn's death is so much about Naparn's failure to defend himself. I think this is at least partially due to Sterfen's mysteriousness. We know too little about him. Without any proper knowledge of his level, abilities, or origin it's incredibly difficult to plan against him or his possible attacks.”

”Then what do you suggest we do?” asked Halmut.

”Should we get the chance, we need to learn about Sterfen, that's should be one of our top priorities. Now that Oosam has joined us, we should be able to learn something if we can capture one of them.”

Putting his hand up, Oosam stated, ”I may have some abilities with mind magic but that doesn't mean I'm as talented as Eedaj. Extracting thoughts from an unwilling god would be tiresome and time-consuming for me.”

Turning to face Oosam, Halmut questioned, ”But it would be possible under those two conditions, correct?”

Before Oosam replied he held his breath and chose his words carefully. ”It wouldn't be impossible. But I can't guarantee any results, especially not immediately.”

”So we need to capture one of them again, that's doable,” added Halmut, nodding.

Lyrun continued, ”Aside from that, what comes next is a land grab. Churstin will be meeting with the Leisure Guild in four days to discuss their possible submission to Trodar. But after their intel learned our reappearance, they reached out to their connections here in Federal City. We should accept their invitation and join the conference.”

”I'll go alone.”

”Your excellency, I think--”

”I don't like the thought of anyone else being subject to Moranti's or Sterfen's madness. Not yet at least,” Halmut stated. ”You'll all remain here for the time being. The only exception will be Kylon, who will return to the depths.”

”Your excellency, can I know the reason for my leave of Olympic Chateau?” asked Kylon. ”Wouldn't this be the safest place?”

”As for the others, I need you all to select the finest warriors we have. Torian, Grixor, you two have my permission to aid in ascension. However, should you attempt to raise your levels beyond lv. 98, then I'll be forced to activate your contracts.”

”Your excellency, isn't that quite a radical tactic to use?” Lyrun asked, surprised like the rest of the gods.