In the dark waters of the night sea, the Graceful Light cruised at full speed around the fleet's periphery, the sea monster trailing behind the warships like some vast shadow of doom.
The entire fleet watched with nervous eyes as lights shifted rapidly across their battle maps. The danger could only be glimpsed in those glowing displays—a dark, eerie mark representing the monster that stalked them through the depths.
The King had given no orders for them to break formation and flee. Men knew not whether to feel relief or deeper concern at his silence.
Joffrey and He continued their deadly conversation.
At last, the entity began to reveal the true meaning of his so-called "assistance." "That power you employ to create false 'Proofs of Heroes'—it too is another form of 'Proof of Heroes,' is it not?"
Joffrey offered no denial, his silence serving as acknowledgment.
"Therein lies the heart of the matter," He continued. "You believed, I presume, that this disguise and control would endure forever—until the very end of your 'followers' natural lives?"
Joffrey felt a chill of recognition, realizing immediately what was being suggested.
"That assumption is false."
He spared no suspense in delivering the blow. "The power of the 'Proof of Heroes' alone is far from sufficient to maintain such dominion."
With absolute certainty, He pressed on: "Not only I, but any soul possessed of talent can gradually absorb and harmonize with that power, seizing complete control of the gifts you bestow. The only variable is timing."
Joffrey's brow furrowed deeply. He wished to reject such claims, yet feared even more to dismiss them as mere lies.
"What constitutes 'talent' in your estimation?" he asked.
He chuckled with dark amusement. "I must say, humanity truly represents the Creator's beloved children. How many gifts has He lavished upon His favored creations?"
His words grew deliberately vague and mystical.
Joffrey pressed for clearer answers. "How many, precisely?"
As if spurred by the pressure of this demand, his control over the information magic suddenly intensified, compressing the sea monster's sphere of influence to within eight hundred meters!
Still, He answered: "Speaking roughly, one or two among every ten of your 'followers' will awaken within two or three years' time. After five years, at least half will have claimed their independence. Give it another decade, and I fear precious few 'followers' will remain under your dominion."
Silence stretched between them like a drawn blade.
Joffrey's mind raced through the implications. He truly had not anticipated such limitations. The control granted by mirror runes possessed such fundamental weaknesses? People could actually master the reflected power independently, breaking free from the primary rune's authority entirely?
Was he nothing more than a distributor of wealth? Some benevolent elder scattering gifts to the ungrateful?
If these claims held truth, then within five years at most, the situation would slip beyond his careful control. Restless power would gain the means to overturn all established order.
Five years. Was that time enough to accomplish his goals?
He drew a deep breath and smiled. How could it not suffice? Within five years, likely everything would be settled! By then, would he still need fear suppressing those beneath him?
Should he cease his advance for fear of such future troubles? Absolutely not!
In that moment, his spirits lifted like clouds parting before the sun.
The sea monster's domain compressed again, shrinking to a mere six hundred meters.
Had He somehow weakened in their exchange?
Joffrey moved to end this particular topic. "I am grateful for your guidance. Truly, I know not how to properly thank you."
He fell silent for a long moment.
"I confess I underestimated you," He said with genuine surprise. "You care nothing for this matter at all."
Joffrey offered no response.
"I have not finished speaking," He said, taking the initiative to return to his chosen subject. "To resolve this difficulty—it is not impossible."
"Indeed?" Joffrey replied with studied lightness, sensing perhaps a breakthrough in their negotiations.
Why did He show such concern for this particular issue? Surely not from mere kindness of heart.
He continued with growing enthusiasm, "As I explained before, the Proof of Heroes represents only the first step—the easiest to achieve, yet the most limited in scope. How can you speak of maintaining true 'followers' with such meager foundation?"
"Only by ascending to greater heights!"
"Transcending heroism, breaking through the bonds and fetters of mortal ability, advancing upon the very path toward godhood!"
His words dripped with seductive promise: "Should you reach that higher plane and upgrade your 'Proof of Heroes,' the power contained within will undergo sublime transformation! Your 'Divine Grace' will possess more tentacles and achieve far greater stability."
Tentacles... Joffrey caught that specific detail within His words.
Could it be that even the number of mirror images faced limitations?
The moment this thought arose, Joffrey found himself believing it completely. Indeed, if the primary rune's control was not permanent, how could the separated mirror images exist without bounds?
"The tentacles I already possess suffice for my purposes," he said carefully.
He seemed to grow anxious. "Who would disdain having more? Besides, for a king, a mere million souls is certainly not excessive."
Joffrey probed for more information, yet found himself increasingly puzzled. How did He possess such intimate knowledge of the mirror rune's limitations? According to His own words, He claimed no deep understanding of mirror runes at all.
He posed the question directly.
He replied with evident pride: "This represents the authority of higher existence. The secrets of heroes hold no mysteries from our sight. Of course, I did not intentionally pry into your affairs."
Without other sources of intelligence, Joffrey could only choose to accept this explanation.
Heroes. He pondered the term silently. Clearly, this was how They referred to rune wielders—a rather epic designation.
Authority as well. The word carried mythological weight.
Was this world truly so rich in hidden wonders? Had the extraordinary forces he'd believed declined and dead merely been concealed in darkness, lying dormant?
Joffrey began to perceive the framework of the world's deeper truths.
His identity grew clearer with each exchange.
The Red Comet had not yet appeared. Could He manifest at will even in this early time? In the original tales, the gods remained hidden behind the curtain of events throughout all periods.
Joffrey then deliberately intensified the pressure of his will.
As expected, the sea monster's domain shrank to within four or five hundred meters!
Now Joffrey felt certain. The weakening of the monster's sphere of influence was not due to some sudden, inexplicable increase in his own abilities, but because He was deliberately lessening his resistance.
But why?
Perhaps to demonstrate goodwill. More likely, from necessity.
Which meant that time favored his cause.
He need only wait, and He and his sea monster would gradually weaken until they could be captured entire. Naturally, the fleet could be preserved intact as well.
Joffrey's mood lifted considerably, and he chose to play along with His apparent agenda. "How does one advance beyond the level of heroes and achieve such breakthrough?"
"I can reveal this knowledge," He said, "provided you assist me with a small favor."
How refreshingly direct.
Joffrey smiled knowingly. "Of course—we are friends, after all."
"Friends," He agreed readily.
Joffrey applied only the slightest additional pressure, and the sea monster's domain contracted to within three hundred meters.
"Time grows short," He said with mounting urgency.
"I have inscribed all necessary methods within the soul of the 'Drowned Beast.' Sign the oath, and we shall exchange knowledge of equal worth." He transmitted some mystical construct across their bond.
An oath. Joffrey understood immediately—the highest form of binding, which could neither be counterfeited nor violated.
The oath's terms proved remarkably concise.
He would reveal His own Proof of Heroes. Joffrey would develop believers for Him and cultivate heroes. Each time the number of heroes reached a specified threshold, a portion of the method for transcending heroic rank would be unlocked.
Neither party could attempt to violate the oath in any manner.
The cost of violation was left unspecified.
This absence of detail made it all the more terrifying, suggesting consequences too dire to name—touching upon the supreme laws that governed existence itself.
"What still gives you pause?" He urged. "What a fair exchange this represents—we shall become close allies. Newcomer, you will require my guidance most certainly."
Joffrey smiled with quiet satisfaction. The sea monster's domain had shrunk to a mere two hundred meters.
"I have a proposal of my own."