Chapter 1046 (2/2)

His main bodies expertise was still absent, but Randidly was still able to recognize certain patterns. From what he could tell, this strange looping star would do exactly as advertised; it would only give him a minor resistance against Nether. The full star would create a bubble of Nether-substitute that would reduce the effectiveness of Nether attacks.

Until, as Zagnal pointed out, the Nether reached the point of overwhelming him and turning those stars against him. But Randidly had faith in his own Willpower and the additional strength he had received from the Eidolon Crucible.

Which, once combined with his current Nether Resistance...

It was only after they had traveled for about four hours that Zagnal spoke again. By this time, they had reached the sixth camp to the East of the headquarters. They stood in front of a thin thoroughfare that led through a row lined with maroon tents. “This is the edge of Iellaya’s headquarters. She is the Easternmost commander on this battleline.”

Randidly glanced around. One thing he immediately noticed was that although most of the tents were maroon, there were no golden tents that he could see. In addition, there were a few dozen or so grey tents tucked away behind the sea of maroon. Randidly chewed his lip thoughtfully. If the tents meant what he believed they did, that would mean this camp also hosted disproportionately more isolated images than any camp they had passed did, other than the main one directly underneath Lord Miln.

It was difficult to know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing for Randidly.

But more than that… there was a scent in the air...

“It is a strange energy that lays over this camp,” Yggdrasil said lightly. Zagnal blinked and looked at Yggdrasil with a frown. Although Randidly had been thinking the very same thing, it wouldn’t do to have Zagnal’s attention focus on Yggdrasil and his impressively acute senses.

Before Zagnal could direct his attention wholly toward Yggdrasil’s ambiguous statement, Randidly took a step forward to grab the liaison’s attention. “So why are you so desperate to form a relationship with this Iellaya?”

That seemed enough to attract Zagnal’s attention back to Randidly. Zagnal sighed. “You would not understand. It is a thing… closely related to the status of my homeland. For someone… ah… for someone like you, without a place to return to… someone who is waiting for the old friend of Lord Miln… it might be difficult to understand.”

Despite the fact Randidly was trying to keep his knowledge secret, his emerald eyes flashed in annoyance. His emotions bubbled ominously. Barring his teeth at Zagnal, Randidly growled. “Try me.”

Almost immediately, Randidly inwardly cursed his hot-headed reaction. Where had that sudden aggression come from? It’s true that this fuckface needs to stop treating me like a broken doll, but-

Zagnal seemed similarly surprised by the sudden violent sneer that covered Randidly’s face. Luckily, before he could articulate any sort of reaction, there was a dull roar from deeper within the camp. All three of the figures twisted to look up toward the glittering fireball that filled the sky, while Yggdrasil clutched the weak form of Ignition Essence to his chest.

“What the hell is that?” Randidly asked in alarm. “Is the camp under attack?”

“Yes… but it's not what you think…” Zagnal said slowly. His eyes glittered from the reflected light as the huge fireball faded to a glittering bonfire that burned near the center of the camp. Almost instinctively, his hands tightened into fists. The sudden longing in his voice was abundantly clear. “Obviously, there would be much more drastic response if the camp itself was under attack. No… that light is a Beacon of Duty. Basically, a commander will light one if they are looking for volunteers for a special mission.”

Randidly considered the light solemnly. “Calling for volunteers, huh… I suppose volunteering in a situation like that means that whatever is going on, the mission is extremely dangerous… and that the commander would be extremely grateful toward any volunteers.”

Their previous argument hung between them like a bitter death in the family. Zagnal's eyes continued to glitter with unwillingness as he looked up toward that burning beacon. Huh, whatever he wants from Iellaya clear is something significant. If it has to do with his homeworld... something to do with the Nexus? A steady supply of Aether?

But after a few seconds, Zagnal sighed in dejection. “Yes, that is correct… but for you as you are now, going on such a volunteer mission is a deathwish. Still… you are also correct, this is exactly what I need for my people. Perhaps… no, I have my own duties. No matter what, I cannot afford to risk failure.”

Zagnal twisted around. Emotions warred on his face for several seconds as Randidly and Zagnal stared at each other. The rather sudden appearance of emotion on Zagnal's face filled Randidly with wonder. Even more so because the emotion Randidly saw was desperation.

And then, even more surprisingly, Zagnal bowed to Randidly at the waist. “Please. If you can do this for me… I’ll do everything in my power to help you reclaim your body. Because right now… I must come clean; you are currently naught but an image that was forcibly ripped from your body. You possess a fragment of your true power. And if this separated version of you is powerful enough, then your true form-”

“That’s enough,” Randidly said lightly as he tapped Zagnal on the shoulder. Although Randidly still wasn’t sure how much he could trust the man, the fact that he had come clean about Randidly’s status was enough to earn a measure of consideration now. “After all, if we don’t act quickly… won’t someone else volunteer first?”

Zagnal’s face split into a wry grin, but then his brow furrowed. “I was not exaggerating, however. If volunteers are required, it is not something that should be possible for an image-”

“I have never been a man,” Randidly called lightly over his shoulder, profoundly enjoying the experience of leaving Zagnal in the dust to walk away. “To be greatly concerned by what others say I can and can’t do.”

And more importantly than winning your trust, I have Nether Resistance back to give me an advantage. Hopefully, that will give me enough of an edge to seize this chance.