Chapter 328: 328. Temporary Alliance

It took minutes for the armies of cracklings to deal with the remaining echoes. Quantity proved to be more vital than quality. Looking from above, it was like a scorpion taken down by a swarm of ants. As Lux carried Dallion towards the area under the temple’s influence, more horns sounded. The pitch was noticeably higher, potentially indicating the victorious resolution of the situation. However, the victory was relative. For two echoes to have managed to create so much damage, the guardian probably had the power to destroy entire crackling cities.

Upon passing over the border between the two domains, Dallion asked the firebird to put him on the ground. After a week of travelling through crackling infested waters, he wanted to enjoy some nature. Also, walking gave him time to consider what to do.

Just because the guardian wants to have a chat doesn’t mean you’re allies, Nil reminded. There’s a high possibility that he’s just as eager as you to see something other than cracklings.

Always looking on the bright side of things, aren’t you? Dallion added as much sarcasm as possible in his thoughts.

Just trying to keep you from getting yourself into even more trouble, dear boy. A task that is monumental and often ends in failure.

After walking a while, Dallion noticed that no new echoes had appeared. That was somewhat alarming. He would have thought that, if nothing else, the guardian would have a force ready to greet the crackling army should it decide to attack.

Soon enough, the temple became visible. For the most part, it was similar to the previous ones, although the roof seemed noticeably wider.

I’ll return to my room, Gleam said. You can handle this on your own.

This was unexpected. If anything, the shardfly was more eager to be in open spaces than Lux.

Everything alright? Dallion asked.

I feel uneasy close to dryads, the familiar replied.

Dallion wanted to remind her that the armadil shield was a dryad, when he remembered that Gleam had kept her distance from him as well. She had no problem with the echoes of Dallion’s realm, she enjoyed being with the other familiars, as well as the nymph. The dryad, though, was a different matter entirely.

Okay. I’ll call you if I need any help.

“The shardfly doesn’t like me for some reason,” a young voice said. Once again, a dryad had appeared a few steps away from Dallion, but this time he could tell it wasn’t an echo.

WORLD GUARDIAN - DUZHD

Species: RAIN DRYAD

Class: SHADOW

Stats: 100% HP

Skills:

- Attack

- Guard

- Acrobatics

- Entangle

- Rain Daggers

- Rain Whip

Weak Spots: joints

The skills were more advanced than the third guardian, and also linked to rain. So far, it would seem that each guardian had a specific theme. This one was associated with rain, suggesting that it had ranged and area-based attacks.

“She tends to be like that at times,” Dallion said diplomatically. “Thanks for meeting me in person.”

“That’s the least I can do after all this time stuck here. That’s the price of longevity. There was a time when I used to complain that there were too many people bothering me all the time. Now, I’m pretty much left alone.”

“Aren’t there any locals?”

“There are a few scattered about, but not in my domain. And the few there are can’t understand me, unlike you.” A genuine smile appeared on the guardian’s face. “When Luna told me about you, I thought he was kidding. Glad that wasn’t the case. Quite sneaky of you to fly over him. I guess he didn’t see that one coming.”

Technically, it didn’t matter much. In order for the sword’s destiny to be fulfilled, the guardians of all temples had to be defeated. Changing the order by which that was done could be interesting, but it wouldn’t help in the least.

“Where do you prefer we talk? Here or inside?” Duzhd asked.

“Won’t they hear us here?” Dallion looked back at the crackling territories.

“Not unless I want them to. I still control this domain. That includes what sounds come and go.”

He can do that? Dallion asked.

Depends on the strength of the guardian, Nil replied. Members of the imperial household have the ability to control light within the Imperial capital.

“I prefer here, then.” Dallion decided.

“I want you to help me destroy a city,” the guardian went straight to the point.

The request was shocking as it was sudden. Destroying a whole city was a difficult task in the best of circumstances. March herself had needed years to de-crack a third of the realm. For Dallion to do the same here, he’d probably need decades, not to mention significant help.

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“Can’t you use an army of echoes to do that? They seemed to be pretty strong.”

“They have their limitations, as do I. If I could, I’d have gotten rid of that disgusting muck. Sadly, this patch of green is all I can manage. Do you see the border between black and green? That’s the end of my domain. Every decade the cracklings mount an all-out charge. They lose, of course, but each attack my domain gets smaller. One day they’ll reach the temple itself. If you help me destroy a city, that day will be delayed by quite a while.”

Clearly, the guardian was overestimating his combat abilities. For the time being, that was a good thing—it had allowed Dallion to have this conversation. However, the moment it was revealed that Dallion wasn’t as strong as Duzhd expected, things could drastically change.

“I know you’re not strong enough to fight your way in. However, you have a shardfly familiar which could let you sneak into the city. There, all you need to do is find the source and destroy it. I can take care of the rest.”

Now things made more sense. The guardian was perfectly aware of Dallion’s capabilities. That and the fact that they could actually lead a conversation was the main reason the offer was made. Of course, it didn’t make things easier. Sneaking into a crackling city, even if Gleam managed to cast a good enough illusion, was no easy feat.

“In return I’ll offer you a perpetual surrender.”

Dallion’s eyes widened. Up to now, he didn’t think that was possible. Unless he was misunderstanding things, that meant that one guardian would be defeated no matter how many times he entered the realm. That could prove quite useful in the future, if nothing else, it was a way to make March be inclined to add him to future expeditions.

“You’re surprised?” Roots emerged from the ground creating a seat. As the dryad sat the seat continued growing, turning into a small throne. “Guardians can do whatever they want within their domain. Unless the guardian in whose domain they are says otherwise.”

Consider this carefully, dear boy. If you agree, you’ll be bound by that promise. Not only that, but you’ll have to make sure that the guild doesn’t give the sword to our backers. There are too many things out of your control.

“How much time do I have?” Dallion asked.

“In terms of true time, centuries at least, likely millennia. In terms of real time… a few weeks at most.”

“A few weeks?”

That wasn’t long at all.

“Decay never rests. I’m the one at risk the most. Close enough to the sea to increase the rate at which cracklings improve, and too far to be protected by it. I have no illusions that even this might be a lost cause, but If I fall, so does the realm.”

Desperation appeared beneath the dryad’s calm exterior. When Dallion had gone inland, he had done so in the hopes he could have a conversation with the dryad. Now it turned out that he was the one being asked a favor. An hour ago, he wouldn’t have dreamed of getting such an offer.

Dallion’s heart ached. The link to the Green Moon demanded that he accept it. The guardian must have known that in order to make the offer. However, that didn’t mean that Dallion couldn’t ask for more in return.

“If I succeed, I want to know more about this realm,” he said. “As much as you can share.”

“Are you sure?” A new emotion formed in the guardian. However, it wasn’t surprise. Rather, it was regret. “Words spoken can’t be unheard.”

“I’ll risk it.” Dallion was already sure that something involving the Moons had to have happened here. All he had to do was destroy a crackling city and he would learn what. Maybe he would even get a glimpse at the weapon that could destroy deities; and if it was that powerful, it had to work on chainlings as well.

“If that’s what you want.” The guardian shrugged. “Anything else?”

Dallion considered. He was somewhat tempted to ask for something more just for the sake of it. In the end he decided it was better not to.

“Nothing but advice,” he said. “Do I need to make a vow?”

“No need. You only get things once you help.” The guardian jumped off the throne. Instantly the roots disappeared back beneath the ground.

“I’ll need some help.”

“You’re going now?

SPLIT SECOND DECISION

(Mind +2)

Deciding on the moment could be beneficial, but be careful that your iron conviction doesn’t turn into a lack of emotion.

The achievement was unexpected, though highly appreciated. Despite what Hannah had said earlier in this real-world morning, more stats meant more stats. A higher mind allowed Dallion to split into more instances, create more echoes, as well as to see more awakened markers faster.

“You’re more reckless than you look.” The dryad sounded amused. “Let’s get to it.”

Normally, Dallion would rush with a quickly made plan composed at the last moment. This time, though, he spent a while discussing the plan with the dryad on one hand, and Nil on the other. The initial plan was surprisingly straightforward. The guardian was going to create a diversion with his echoes, while Dallion was going to take advantage of the situation and, illusioned into a crackling, enter the city just as the crackling troops left to face the intrusion. Regardless of how advanced the beings became, they remained creatures of instinct. Having a sudden threat would have them react, hopefully without paying attention to anything else.

Once in the city, Dallion was to find the source flame that held all the crackings there together. Since the city was massive, it was likely that the flame was in a large forge somewhere within the main castle. Reaching it, Dallion was to use every power at his disposal—mostly his harpsisword—to extinguish the flame, then use Lux to make his escape. As a precaution, the guardian was going to send another wave of echoes, just in case. Afterwards, there was nothing but watch and wait. Considering that all cracklings of the city originated from the flame, from then on, the guardian could slowly and methodically expand its domain, or at the very least cause the city to fall in ruin. That still left several more in the surrounding areas, but, as Duzhd had said, that was going to grant the temple more time. It was even possible that March led several more expeditions to clear the area of cracklings and other corrosives soon after the festival was over.

Once set up, Dallion took one final look at the city. It looked calm, despite the buildings being made of hardened tar. All that remained now was to wait for evening, when the Moon’s influence would increase.

Still upset, Nil? Dallion asked.

One cannot be upset with children, the echo replied. All I can do is hope you know what you’re doing, and that everything works out for the best.

That’s untypically philosophical of you.

At the end of the day, it’s all I could do. That and help you get through this. Just remember one thing. If things get hopeless, leave the realm as quickly as possible. There’s always a chance you have time for another go later as long as you don’t suffer any permanent status effects.

What’s the worst that could happen?

You can end up becoming a chainling…

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