After a moment of serious discussion, Shika decided what she would do with the Nora Clan.
Yuukimura stood with the guards standing behind him. He looked composed. His expression remained calm as he listened to everything Shika had suggested—and occasionally pointed out a few minor mistakes as if he were a consultant giving out alternatives that sounded reasonably fair.
On the contrary, he didn't seem resented any longer. He looked much happier—though seemingly—that I had defeated his warrior.
Could it be that he's plotting something behind that smirk again? I wondered as I stared at him suspiciously.
If he were indeed plotting something, he wouldn't consult with Shika about the welfare of both clans and how they would conduct it from now on.
Then there was another thought that surfaced in my mind.
… did he lose on purpose?
That couldn't possibly be it, but the probability wasn't undeniable.
There was no point in thinking how I defeated the Mutated Iceborn, yet I still considered the facts. Thinking back about the fight, it wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible at all. It felt like I was defending myself against a mindless monster who just used brute force.
I mean, yeah, the Iceborns guarding the Shrine looked way tougher and they seemed to have high intelligence as well. Not to mention the leader himself. The faint yellowish aura coated around his body looked weak—but not like he was one.
It's like he's suppressing it. Then was he deliberately trying to lose? But what for?
"We are fortunate that you've considered our future that far. From now on, the fate of the Nora Clan shall be at your hands and We shall do whatever you ask of us, Uzaro Mavi Yer Shika."
Uzaro Mavi Yer Shika?! I thought, looking surprisingly at them kneeling to Shika with their clenched fist near their chest and a solemn expression on their faces.
"What?" Shika muttered, looking befuddled herself.
I wonder why's that.
"What happened Shika? Did it not go as you've planned to?"
"No… that's not it." Shika replied to me, "I didn't expect them to follow the 'Unwritten Pledge' of the Iceborns. It caught me off guard."
"Unwritten Pledge? What's that?" I looked dumbfounded.
"Oh, that's right. You don't know about it." She continued, filling me with a detailed explanation. "For us Iceborns, it's an ancient way of giving oaths. We usually use our given name, but by calling the full name of an Iceborn we seal the unwritten agreement—the oath that cannot be broken under any circumstances. If it's death or breaking the oath situation, an Iceborn must choose death to protect the oath and honor his pride."
"Wait, if that kind of thing existed, why didn't you guys use it in the first place, when Mr Hiba was elected to be the leader of the five clans."
It was a reasonable thing to ask. If they had done that, the whole situation might've been avoided.
"It was Hiba who surpassed everyone in generosity," Yuukimura replied, gradually taking his Iceborn appearance. "Perhaps, he knew that in the future someone might protest. If we had sealed the pledge back then, none of us would have betrayed the Mavi Clan. We were ready for that. However, he had forbidden us to do so, allowing the Ungu Clan to plot against him."
The solemn look on his face gradually faded and soon he expressed remorse. He took a deep breath before continuing.
"We knew that the path we have taken was neither legit nor prosperous. Yet we still deliberately had forsaken our brethren, trying to prove that we were better than monsters made out of frost and snow and denying the fact that at the end of the day, we are one."
That explained why he took his Iceborn form earlier. They must've been suppressed their feelings for a long time only to get erupted by a single ignite.
"That's why you intend to lose on purpose from the very beginning? To hand over Shika the fate of your clan?"
"Yes. I knew someday the successor would come to me, and that would be the day when I submit myself…"
Seriously dude… I spoke inwardly. Are you that noble or did the developers get high while programming your character? On the contrary, this doesn't seem real either as if I was watching a fantasy movie or something. Then again, it's the NxGEN Engine we're talking about. They sure know how to make everything realistic—perhaps more than just realistic.
"Even though we are separated by the heavens, we would be able to revive the connections we had initially."
Shika heard all of it. She didn't say anything. A deep and serious impression was on her face. It wasn't like the circumstances were troubling her, she was surprised and forgot how to react.
Of course, she was taken aback. She was out to save her clan—the Mavi Clan. But the circumstances had changed unfavorably. Now she was tasked to save their entire race.
Now that I think about it, my Dynastic Singularity Quest was the 'Reclamation of Iceborn' not just the reclamation of the Mavi clan. The system might have prepared these events exclusively for me.
I thought.
Speaking of, I might have now a clue what exactly the quest meant—or at least I hoped my assumptions were correct.
In any case, that was a matter for later. The present was something I needed to prioritize at the moment. So, I consciously looked at Shika—and waited for her decision.
"I haven't forgiven you, not yet at least." She began speaking firmly and diligently, "I am on the conquest of the Reclamation of Iceborns with Zanthrix. I don't know why exactly you think I would be the one to revive, but I know Zanthrix will make it happen."
At Shika's words, Yuukimura looked at me curiously. He didn't say anything and listened to what Shika continued.
"Besides, we have three fragments yet to collect. Only then we'll be able to proceed to our final objective. I appreciate that you decided to give me the 'Unwritten Pledge' but I don't think other members of this clan will accept that. They seem to despise me."
"Don't worry about that." Yuukimura said promisingly, "You proceed with your conquest you Zanthrix. Convincing them is my job. They'll obey my words. There's nothing for you to worry about. However, I must say, you should worry about Ungu Clan. They won't be holding back like us."
"That's my job." I said firmly, "I'll handle them and of course, you too if you were to break the agreements."
"There's no need for worry, Zanthrix. They won't break. Meanwhile, we have to achieve the remaining fragments ."
I nodded.
******
For the first time since we were here, the sun appeared, showing the shimmering rays that glistened the shrines. I had forgotten that it was still around noon. The cloudy atmosphere veiled the sun's position making it hard to determine the time.
My rank-up system didn't have any standard measure for time. Yes, it might have a Cooldown countdown. However, the time determinant factor was absent.
In any case, now that the sun had arisen—though in the middle of noon, the gloomy sights drawn by the cloudy atmosphere finally came to an end.
One of the shimmering rays of the sun, fell on Shika, shining her in amiable brilliance. It captured my heart and eyes. I was speechless, looking at her. When our eyes met, she gave me a 'what happened' expression.
I was startled and couldn't think of an explanation. Though to change the topic, I mumbled,
"Crap! I've forgotten about Zariel!"