“Ah… Yes, those flames—where did you acquire such a pure flame? And, why is it that I felt a strange connection with it?” Tal’Yah asked.
“That’s two questions.” Izroth pointed out.
“I-“
“Well, it’s fine. I’ll just ask more questions after I answer, so I don’t mind. The flames you saw earlier came from this necklace I’m holding. As for why you felt a connection, you shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, this necklace was something created by the ancestor of your Seventh Demon Clan.” Izroth responded.
“Wha-” Tal’Yah’s eyes widened in shock as a look of disbelief appeared on her face.
That necklace was made by an ancestor of their Seventh Demon Clan?!
“How is that possible?! Nearly all the relics of the Seventh Demon Clan were lost after the Fourth War of the Titans! Where did you find-!”
“I believe the agreement was that we’d take turns. Or is it that you have no intention of answering my questions?” Izroth said with a distant gaze.
Tal’Yah fell silent as she clenched her trembling fists. This action was not born out of anger but rather came from the excitement of such a monumental discovery for her Seventh Demon Clan!
After the Danger Lands were devastated following the Fourth War of the Titans, the Seventh Demon Clan lost its foundations. Naturally, this also included the treasures and relics had been built up since their founding.
Ultimately, the Seventh Demon Clan was forced to roam the Mortal Realm, and over time, the true art of the Seven Flames of Tal had been forgotten.
As a result, the Seventh Demon Clan was unable to gain a solid footing over the generations and had been on a constant decline.
As the current head of the Seventh Demon Clan, this was a burden Tal’Yah inherited from the clan heads that came before her. And, even though she did not want to admit it, they were close to reaching their breaking point.
If things continued down this path without change, there would be no hope remaining for the upcoming generation of the Seventh Demon Clan. This was a problem that weighed heavily on Tal’Yah’s heart.
That’s why if there was even the slightest possibility that she could recover a part of their clan’s heritage, Tal’Yah was willing to take whatever risks that came along with it.
“The Seventh Demon Clan’s hidden abode—I want to pay a visit there. Is it possible?” Izroth inquired.
Tal’Yah furrowed her brows as she entered a deep state of thought.
Then, a few moments later, she replied, “It is possible, but… Why-“
Tal’Yah suddenly stopped herself. She remembered that it was still not yet her turn to ask questions again. With what was potentially at stake, Tal’Yah understood that she had to proceed with a certain level of caution from this point on.
“I’m glad you remembered. As for the answer you gave me—it’s good enough. Then, for my next question, I would like to know who sent you to capture me?” Izroth asked the main question that had been lingering in the back of his mind this entire time.
“This…” Tal’Yah appeared troubled by Izroth’s question this time around.
There was a clear emergence of hesitation written all over her face and a conflicted look in her eyes.
However, Tal’Yah’s gaze landed on the necklace in Izroth’s hands. While it was faint, she could feel traces of the same connection she felt before back on the battlefield.
“If he decides to flee after learning the identity of the person who wants to capture him, I may lose the only chance to restore the Seventh Demon Clan to its former glory. That is not a regret I wish to carry with me for the rest of my life. But… If I ignore the possibility and it turns out to be genuine, I will have become the biggest sinner in the history of the Seventh Demon Clan.” Tal’Yah thought to herself.
The following moment, the hesitation on Tal’Yah’s face disappeared and the conflicted look in her eyes transformed into one of clarity.
Izroth waited patiently for Tal’Yah’s answer. Her hesitance did not go unnoticed by him. But, from the looks of it, Izroth believed that Tal’Yah had finally resolved herself.
“The person who orchestrated your capture by the hands of my Seventh Demon Clan is the little princess of the Fifth Great Clan, Luxia. However, I am not certain what she wants with you. To find that out, you will have to pay the little princess a visit yourself.” Tal’Yah stated.
‘Fifth Great Clan Luxia… So, it’s her. But why did she send people to capture me alive?’
The relationship between Izroth and Luxia could not be considered friendly; however, it was not exactly hostile. After all, the number of interactions they had was not many.
There was the fact that Izroth was on close terms with the Thousand Blossom Maiden Sychia. But was that enough to orchestrate his capture?
Besides, if Luxia truly had a grudge against him, why did she want him alive instead of just instructing Tal’Yah to aim for his life?
‘No, there’s also the incident that occurred on the Thousand Blossoms Peak. Then, does it have to do with me ruining her plans? Still, even if that is the case, I didn’t expect news to reach the Fifth Great Clan so fast. Can it be that there are still some spies hidden in the Order of a Thousand Blossoms?’
Back when he cured Sychia’s master, the Order of a Thousand Blossoms Holy Maiden, Seina, Izroth had already ruined whatever plans Luxia set in motion.
However, during that time, Izroth also revealed a huge secret of the Fifth Great Clans—the existence of the Spirit of Mana.
Izroth knew that it was inevitable that news of what happened would leave the Thousand Blossoms Peak eventually and find its way to the Fifth Great Clan. But, for it to be this fast had to mean that the Fifth Great Clan still had a few people similar to Yuveil in its ranks.
Though it was not too much of a concern. Now that Seina had recovered, she would undoubtedly act with a higher level of caution and vigilance than before. It would not be possible to poison her a second time; therefore, those spies from the Fifth Great Clan would be unable to act recklessly.
‘So that’s how it is. The reason she didn’t use the Seventh Demon Clan to kill me outright means she wants to know how I came to learn of the existence of the Spirit of Mana—one of the Fifth Great Clan’s most closely guarded secrets. She probably plans to kill me right after she gets what she wants. How amusing.’
“Then, I have one last question for you. Once you answer it, I’ll be sure to answer all the questions on your mind.” Izroth said nonchalantly.
Izroth already learned everything that he needed to know from Tal’Yah. Now, there was something he wanted to know.
“As long as you keep your word, I’m absolutely fine with that arrangement!” Tal’Yah responded with haste as if she were afraid that Izroth would suddenly change his mind.
Izroth inwardly shook his head at Tal’Yah’s reaction. That being said, he understood why she acted that way, given the opportunity before her.
Plus, Izroth felt a little bad for Tal’Yah. Regardless of whether or not she answered his questions, if he wanted to complete the quest given to him by Tal’Nis, he had no choice but to hand over the Seventh Origin Flames Necklace and assist the Seventh Demon Flame. Even though his actions could not technically be considered a form of deception, Izroth still figured he would at least somewhat make it up to Tal’Yah by satisfying her curiosity.
“The little princess you mentioned—where is she currently?” Izroth asked.
Since Luxia wanted to meet with him so badly, Izroth did not mind granting her wish if she was close by. However, it would be on his own terms. As for what would happen after that, it would depend on Luxia’s response and reason for sending people to capture him.
“I can’t answer with absolute certainty. Originally, we were supposed to send a message and meet up with a different group after capturing you. That group would then take you to meet with the little princess. But, if I had to guess, it’s likely that her real body is located somewhere inside the Fifth Great Clan’s main household.” Tal’Yah answered without hesitation.
