"Cape, why did you help me back then?"
"Haha, Mandragora, you really do know how to flatter yourself. Have you forgotten who was on the brink of death at that time?"
"...I wasn't that pathetic!"
"Ah, sure, sure."
Heh, she's bristling again. Amusing as always.
"...Answer my question."
"Alright, alright, Miss Mandragora. Simply put—it's because I wanted to. Satisfied?"
"..."
"Mandragora, your understanding of money is far too shallow."
"Click your tongue all you want, but don't you dare act so high and mighty."
"You're too sensitive… Do you really think the measure of wealth lies in how much paper currency someone owns?"
As expected. Because of her childhood, Mandragora clings desperately to the concept of status.
"..."
"Money is merely a universal equivalent—a token backed by the authority of a powerful collective."
"...And what exactly are you getting at?"
"Heh… I'm simply saying that everything has a price, Miss Mandragora. Everyone values things differently, so the same object carries a different worth in each person's eyes. Likewise, to me—my own happiness outweighs everything."
"..."
"My will is the only universal equivalent I trust—the one that measures the true value of all things in this world, Miss Mandragora."
"..."
"You may think that when I saved you and the others, I gained nothing. But I can tell you this—I received a fleeting moment of joy. The cost of saving you all was insignificant to me… So tell me, why wouldn't I take a deal that brings such profit?"
"Tch… You went on and on with all that cryptic nonsense, and that's your point?"
"..."
"You could've just said you wanted to help people—help those oppressed by those damned nobles. Why wrap it all up in fancy words?"
"Mandragora, I think you still misunderstand me…"
"Heh."
"..."
Hmph! There's no reasoning with fools like you—just another wage slave with delusions of Grandeur.
…
Meanwhile, as Cape lost interest in continuing his chat with Mandragora, Duke Kashchey encountered an old acquaintance out in the barren desert.
"What a coincidence, Patriot."
Kashchey greeted him calmly, eyes sweeping over the shieldguards surrounding the towering figure.
'Ig… I'm hungry…'
Ishar'mla stirred faintly within Kashchey's body.
She had just healed his injuries—and even gave his vessel a little maintenance free of charge.
Now she wanted to replenish her energy.
'Ishar'mla, you can't eat terrans on land.' Kashchey quickly soothed her.
He couldn't allow her to feed on people.
The Seaborn species evolved far too rapidly—especially higher beings like Ishar'mla. Once she tasted it, the effects would inevitably spread among others of her kind.
Trust me. There are plenty of things on land far more nourishing than terrans… Besides, that one still serves a purpose.
But he looks… very nutritious.
Ishar'mla didn't easily heed Kashchey's warning.
In fact, ever since Ig had fallen into slumber, her independent consciousness had grown much stronger.
"…Something's off about Duke Kashchey."
Patriot's gaze lingered on the man standing alone amidst the desert sands.
Though Kashchey's face still wore that gentle, affable smile—
His hand was twitching uncontrollably.
A suffocating, predatory aura radiated from Kashchey—
the unmistakable scent of a hunter.
Patriot's words faltered before he could even begin.
He could feel it clearly—Kashchey was suppressing something deep within himself.
…The Duke's state is unstable.
Patriot recalled the words once spoken to him by the former Emperor of Ursus…
---
"Buldrokkas'tee, I'm well aware that Ursus's current strength owes much to Kashchey's contributions."
"But tell me—do you truly understand him?"
"You merely fought alongside him on the battlefield for a time, and you think that means you know him?"
"Black Snake never manipulated your consciousness, Buldrokkas'tee… He doesn't need to."
"He is a monster that mimics terranity… and a powder keg that could ignite at any moment."
"Unfortunately, he's been rooted in Ursus for far too long. I cannot remove him for the sake of my descendants."
"I welcome Infected who fight for Ursus. I shelter those whom the world demonizes—including you."
"But even so, I still fear him—that tireless one who has served since the founding of Ursus… Do you know why?"
"It's because I have no idea what this 'god' of Ursus truly desires."
"Ursus will give its people warmth, and Grant the ambitious their wealth and titles…"
"But what does he want?"
"Does he even care about Ursus at all?"
"Heh… perhaps I overthink it."
"Maybe he does care for Ursus—its rise and fall alike."
"But as Emperor, I cannot allow even the slightest risk to the nation's survival."
"That's why I sent Kashchey back to his domain—just as my predecessors did."
"He must be contained."
"But he must also remain stable."
---
Has he lost control?
"…Do you require assistance, Your Grace, Duke Kashchey?"
Patriot's voice was cautious, measured.
The shieldguards beside him quietly shifted into defensive positions.
Though Kashchey was the pride of Ursus, their loyalty now belonged to Patriot.
They knew the line they could not cross.
"Of course I require your help, Buldrokkas'tee."
Kashchey's voice turned cold, his smile growing rigid.
The Black Snake was barely holding Ishar'mla back.
"Leave. Immediately."
"…As you command."
Sensing the dangerous presence writhing beneath the Duke's surface, Patriot led his troops into formation.
They faced Kashchey as they slowly retreated.
Kashchey needed to vent—Patriot understood that much.
But he dared not turn his back on him.
He could see Kashchey struggling desperately for control.
What could drive him to such a state?
The first thing that came to Patriot's mind was the news Mephisto, Skullshatterer, and Faust had reluctantly shared under Alina's insistence.
"Talulah fought her foster father."
---
'…Stop, Ishar'mla! You'll disrupt my stability on land. Do you want the Great Collective's efforts to go to waste?'
'…Fine.'
Sensing the Black Snake's fierce resistance, Ishar'mla withdrew.
She didn't want Ig to despise her—even if she had begun to doubt his so-called dream of "reviving the Collective."
Still… he smells so… tempting.
'Ishar'mla, we must learn to control our instincts. Only then can we pursue even greater nourishment. Be patient.'
Damn it… Ishar'mla's consciousness is getting stronger. I need to find a solution.
As Kashchey continued his internal struggle (quite literally fighting himself),
Patriot had already withdrawn quietly with his men.
…It seems Duke Kashchey is heartbroken, Patriot mused to himself, recalling the sight he had just witnessed.
He had never seen Kashchey so unrestrained, so vulnerable.
Talulah must hold a very special place in his heart.