There was even a section guaranteeing the effects of the Enshrinement of Kanba , and Lova personally guaranteed the effects to the System . If something went wrong , she’d be severely punished . Still , getting a second pair of eyes on the contracts wouldn’t hurt .
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 .
Should have known , - Catheya snorted , but she didn’t dissent . - I also think it’s for the best . We undeniably lack experience , and the terms are quite good . I don’t think the Undead Empire would have any objections . -
I guess that’s it , then , - Zac said , looking at the toad . - Welcome aboard . -
Esmeralda huffed like it was about time he came to his senses . Both signed the agreement , and Esmeralda handed over the Information Crystal . Zac briefly scanned its contents before throwing the crystal over to Ogras .
Zac was about to infuse his energy into the Enshrinement of Kanba , but Esmeralda stopped him .
What’s wrong? -
Esmeralda made a series of signs , and Zac soon snorted in exasperation .
There’s no point in creating the shrine right now? You’ll come find me in Zecia before the event starts? - Zac said . - Were you just trying to trick me before? -
Esmeralda looked back at him innocently , and he decided not to push the matter . - Whatever , suit yourself . -
He also preferred not to use the method right away , even if Lova said it wouldn’t affect him . It would give him more time to make sure it was safe . The best thing would be getting Iz to take a look at it , though he didn’t want to always come running to her with problems . Besides , he didn’t want another subspace inside his body , further complicating things when forming his Cosmic Core .
Wait! - Zac said just as Esmeralda was about to leave , making the toad look over curiously .
Can you help me with this? - Zac asked as he took out Valsa’s ring .
Esmeralda’s eyes sharpened as she looked at the ring , and the odd vats on her back started churning . A hint of antiquity spread through the room , but the feeling disappeared after a few seconds . The toad slowly nodded , making a few signs .
Three years? - Zac asked , hesitating a bit before agreeing .
Esmeralda’s tongue flashed , and the ring disappeared from his hand . Zac looked on with confusion as Esmeralda literally swallowed it . He was about to ask what the hell she was doing when he spotted a glimmer on her back . The Spatial Ring had been moved to one of her vats , and complex runes appeared on the translucent membrane . Was it a natural array breaker?
Zac glanced at Catheya and Ogras , who just shook their heads , indicating they also had no idea what was happening .
Remember , I got that thing on my own , - Zac added . - The items inside are mine . You can consider it a test for our upcoming partnership . -
Esmeralda made a sign that said she had no interest in some treasures of an E-grade brat . The toad was gone the next second , her movement technique not even leaving a ripple in her wake .