Sitting in one of the chairs, Enrico was surrounded by the Nartheis. He had proposed an alliance between himself and them, with some benefits he initially thought he'd only use in Kaela — and now perhaps for himself, upon learning about the Nartheis power within him.
"So you can make us leave the dungeon as well?"
"Yes, I can."
"How can we believe you, human?"
"That's right, we should be natural enemies."
They were right — aside from a few Nartheis like Val'Drakar, who was quite serene, most Nartheis were natural enemies of humans.
"If you want proof, I can send one of you outside for ten seconds."
"Why only ten seconds?"
"Because that way, you can confirm it immediately with whoever is sent out. But of course, we must have a non-aggression agreement with humans if they don't attack you."
None of them trusted him. Even though it sounded beneficial, coexistence with an unknown enemy seemed impossible. Vergel, who had been silently thinking, took a step forward.
"What else can you offer us?"
"Help in fighting the invading Nartheis, information, and your evolution."
"Evolution?"
"Yes. It must be horrible staying at the same level for so long — so I'll open your wings to the world in terms of power."
As he said, he would have to teach them a few things about evolving their levels — things he planned to use in Kaela and for himself. Of course, he'd still keep the most important parts to himself and his quasi-disciple.
"And how would you do that?"
"Let's just say—"
"Is it because you're a Nartheis too?"
Vergel interrupted him with the question. Enrico decided to use it to his advantage since it was better than admitting he was only a friend of one.
"I never thought there was a Nartheis who could sense so well what I am, since it doesn't seem like much."
"Relax, you're still a newborn."
"Prince, what do you mean he's part Nartheis?"
Taking some time to explain what happened during their battle and what he felt when he focused on him, everyone around looked doubtful. The most suspicious was Firlanda, who stepped forward.
"Tell me then, Enrico — how do you have Nartheis power if you're human? Don't tell me you're the child of two different races."
"...No, let's say I was an experiment long ago."
"What kind of disgusting being combines our DNA with humans?"
No one in that room seemed to like it — except Vergel and Father Marcelo, who seemed interested in learning more. Enrico knew what they were thinking.
[Don't tell me they want to have children with humans now?]
'No, they know that's impossible. A Nartheis-human hybrid literally can't exist. What they want to know is how to perform such experiments on loyal Nartheis.'
[I see. So they might want to create a hybrid.]
Since Enrico didn't want to discuss it further, it wasn't important at the moment — nor would it be in the future — since he had a quick excuse ready.
"If anyone's curious, I was the only successful one from that experiment. Everyone after me died."
"That's a shame."
Vergel sighed, but Marcelo didn't seem willing to give up. He had a crazy idea, but it could work for what he wanted.
'I'll discuss it later with the Prince.'
"You've offered us a lot, so tell me — what do you want?"
Everyone around paid attention. Since all these advantages were incredible for them, Enrico must be gaining something equally great in return.
"First, I want to train here for two months, constantly fighting against you."
"That's easy to arrange, at least for me. What's next?"
"A strong alliance between us."
"Another easily fulfilled request."
So far, it was easy to accept the deal with him. Since they were still ahead in benefits, Vergel expected something bigger.
"The last thing is... let me fight alongside you to eliminate their leader. If he's not with them, then I want a few captured enemy Nartheis to gather information about him."
"That's all? Are you sure you don't want anything else?"
"Maybe in the future — when I'm sure this alliance serves my plans."
Just by looking at Enrico, it was clear he was doing this out of some grudge against that Nartheis leader. Well, that wasn't important — after all, thanks to that, Enrico was giving them more advantages.
"Very well. At least for me, that can be done. Do you all accept this deal?"
"As long as he proves he can actually do it, I can accept, Prince."
Marcelo was the first to agree, already having ideas to discuss later with Vergel and Enrico. Improving the castle's power would be great — and honestly, he felt no shame asking Enrico for that since the human truly seemed to want the deal.
"I agree as well. I hate having my power stagnate and being unable to evolve. Honestly, I'd do anything to make it happen."
"Good choice, Baltazar. And since you'd do anything, I want to talk to you about something later."
"...I don't know what you're thinking, Marcelo, but I hate the weird things you do in your experiments. If it's that, I'll refuse."
After them, the rest also agreed — though some were still hesitant to trust Enrico. With everyone accepting, Enrico nodded and pulled out a magic escape stone. It was a rare item used to forcibly remove someone from a dungeon if things went wrong — so rare that alchemists could only make about twenty of them per month.
[Enrico, as far as I know, that doesn't work on Nartheis or any other non-allied race. Besides, Nartheis inside dungeons are impossible to move — they're bound to them.]
'Don't worry, I'll change what this stone can do today. And in two months, they'll have something similar.'
Standing up, he gestured to Vergel, asking to begin training immediately, since this training would simply be them treating him like a real dungeon invader.
"The only thing you can't do is kill me. Other than that, treat me like a complete enemy."
"If you insist, I won't hold back."
In that dungeon, things happened that surprised him — but nothing changed his original plans. In fact, it seemed to have opened a new door for him — one that could give him powerful allies in the future. Two months after that deal…