Master Of None

Chapter 2952. Playing His Part

The response was immediate.

The change in the wall of dark mana has caused ripples that Walker could sense to move about the dark mana well ahead of them. It appeared that the territory might have been larger than they realized. Then again, if there was a race developed enough to trick dragons in to a series of trapping contracts, then they had to have a lot of space for them to roam.

The way he thought about it, the hollow eyed race might have more territory because of their dealings with contracts leading them to push for more and more. It was a greed aspect and also an arrogance aspect that led them to literally use the dragons here.

”They are in the way. I’m feeling their movement through the changes in mana. They are pretty good at hiding. Only two of them are showing themselves.” Walker sensed at least eight larger figures moving using the shadows to hide.

He could tell better because his mana senses were sharper but also because he was the one holding the dark mana back. He was not enjoying the fact that the dark mana was pushed in to the bridge to the elemental planes so that it could block others from traveling.

This wasn’t simply because it was pushing in to the bridge. The bridges to the elemental planes were tough, the space mana solid and able to handle pressure added to it like that. Walker had a hand in orienting them properly and knew that better than anyone else in the world and most likely outside of it.

It was the fact that the smaller and weaker elemental spirits couldn’t easily travel between the world and the dark elemental plane because of this.

This could cause issues if kept up every time the dark elemental plane moved to connect there. Let alone if there were more reasons to travel here and one side was stopped from traveling here.

”You have-”

”I have come for an audience with the hollow eyed race leader on behalf of Genesis. I question why travel is blocked. Do you have answers? Or will I need to use force to call out to the true dark sage and dark king for answers? I could walk in myself but I am being polite.”

There was a wave of dark mana that Walker forced back. He spoke of the true sage and king because his relationship to them would easily be grasped with his strength. Plus these dragons had asked for assistance so they knew he would come. It was the hollow eyed race he said this for.

This had to be done in specific ways.

Mordant, Ventus, Terron, and Walker needed to ensure that they followed some sort of process. Enough that it was following what the hollow eyed race may understand if negotiations and trades. They were a mainly mercantile race after all who dealt in contracts overall.

With him speaking of his connections to the highest of powers, it meant he was not to be treated like another customer or merchant. It meant that they owed him respect.

Yes, it was politics, but Walker would use them even if he could just use force and fix all of this that way. He’d rather make allies than anything else. But if this race proved to be undeserving of that...

”We understand your reasoning for your actions. We hope to gain your respect for coming all this way with your high position within your territory.”

The voices boomed together. It didn’t show a unity in the pitch scale dragons but instead a forced method of control. Like a trained group of guards but they were made to speak in ways that sounded sweeter because of the position of their captain or noble lord.

”I bring with me the royal dragons of wind, darkness, and earth. You may speak with them as you guide the way.” Playing his act well, Walker took the lead while a few of the dragons changed form to easily move alongside them. It also gave them the chance to listen as Ventus, Terron, and Mordant began speaking to them as well.

Mordant appeared to be mentioning Walker and his standing within Genesis. But also the promises to bring them and negotiate on their behalf. Ventus and Terron seemed to be making introductions.

From what he heard, they were speaking about their villages and how the dragons of the world balanced themselves and their people. It was interesting since the pitch scale dragons appeared to struggle with how they used to live. Simply proving that they had been trapped in contracts for more years than what could be called acceptable to anyone from Genesis.

Losing history and culture was not new for many of the races of Genesis though. Those within the alliance all had their circumstances.

”If this goes well, Genesis would welcome those in need and assist in the return of their cultural beliefs.” His soft comment was barely heard by everyone. Yet just enough to make a point.

The territory seemed almost barren though. Not filled with farms, herbs, or even dark affinity trees. It felt like it had been cut down entirely to just make space. It felt like this territory wasn’t truly used to the best of what it could be, instead, it had been cut and harvested of everything possible then just left it unkempt.

It felt like the hollow eyed race hadn’t cared for their home or people. They just consumed and that was that.

It was a lesson about why the merchant guild within Genesis was so important. It saved and protected everyone from the worst of consumption and hyper focus on trade over proper development and morals.

When they stopped, they all took in the dark Stoney approaching walls. The movement of dark coveted carriages moved by monsters and what appeared to be various larger races.

The pale robes appearance of almost human like beings caught Walker on a few questions. That was until he saw that the eyes were more like black holes than eyes. Hence the name hollow eyed race.

He’d heard about monsters that focused dark mana in their eyes to be able to see in the shadows or prey hiding in the dark. It was just like night vision but specifically for dark mana itself instead of just the night.

But the number of hollow eyed race and the larger area making what seemed to be a city was what he couldn’t get over.

Having so many races working under or for the hollow eyed race showed their strength gained from their innate contract making skills. It meant that the skill wasn’t on paper only but specifically focused on mana and bonds promised. Therefore meaning deeper consequences if someone were to break a contract.

As they stopped, the dragons formed a line as a better dressed group arrived. They appeared to be unarmed for the most part, but several more pitch scaled dragons moved along with them as guards. Those dragons seemed emotionless though, not even a single flicker moving through their eyes as they saw other dragons of other affinities.

”I see you were escorted well. Hearing that someone of your esteem arrived from the bridge to the world truly shocked us.” The voice was airy and higher in tone. It showed the belief of being better, but Walker didn’t so much as look at the one speaking.

He was still putting on an act.

”We’ve come to speak of contracts and alliances. This hero is representative of our entire alliance. We will speak to those who can deal with us rather than those who escort.” Mordant for the act too, his speech sharp and quick making the pitch scale dragons focus on him.

Since the dragons here were basically servants, hearing one of the same affinity speak like this was an eye opener. Glares even came from the hollow eyed race since they did not truly understand the real differences here between Mordant and the average dark affinity dragon of any kind.

”Mordant, no need to push them. These people may have opportunities.” Walker spoke slowly and turned his eyes toward the hollowed eyes race members before them. ”You see, I do have my own interests that brought me here.” Walker intentionally looked at the pitch scale race.

He was not just making the hollow eyed merchants believe he wished to find more dragons, he was letting them build up assumptions. Letting them believe he was like them and might deal in contracts like they did.

Letting them believe he had interest in purchasing the contracts for guards or even as people too.

Slavery is banned in the world now. That was a fact. But if the hollow eyed race used a similar method of contracts for servitude, what was the real difference? Walker could change that too.

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Repent now and go here,

Drop those golden tickets!