Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 670: Meeting the BattleBane Guild Master II

CH670 Meeting the BattleBane Guild Master II

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"Your domain wasn't the issue," Alex stated plainly. "You aren't the first Saint I've encountered who imposes his domain upon the surrounding area. In truth, I myself was trained within such a domain for quite some time."

His gaze shifted to Dalton and Lady Rosa.

"I would have preferred it if you had informed me of the circumstances before ushering us into the room."

The BattleBane Guild Master, along with Lady Rosa and Dalton, were visibly taken aback by Alex’s nonchalant admission. From Eleanore’s unconcerned and unsurprised expression, the BattleBane Guild Master could already discern that the youth was not fabricating his tale.

‘From his speech, the Combat Saint he trained under was not his true master... perhaps merely a temporary instructor,’ the BattleBane Guild Master mused internally.

He scrutinized Alex more closely—his bearing, his aura, the understated confidence in his every gesture.

‘Someone of his caliber could not have been molded without the tutelage of an exceptionally powerful master. If that Combat Saint wasn't his teacher, then the one influencing him must be someone even more formidable...

‘Who exactly are you...?’

Nevertheless, the BattleBane Guild Master recognized that this was not a question to be answered immediately; it was a truth destined to unfold over time. For the present, fostering a cordial relationship seemed the most prudent course.

"They held no ill intentions. I'm confident they merely believed it was a matter best kept confidential," the BattleBane Guild Master declared.

"I can understand that, I suppose," Alex responded.

"You don't need to maintain your domain's compression. By now, I imagine sustaining it has become second nature for you. Furthermore, it's clearly aiding in suppressing your affliction."

He crossed his arms casually.

"I don't mind. Between your condition and my personal comfort, it's evident which should take precedence."

Another hint of surprise crossed the BattleBane Guild Master’s mind.

He couldn't ascertain if this stemmed from confidence or mere bravado. Regardless, he inclined his head.

"Perhaps you might tolerate my domain and experience only minimal discomfort. However, even that minor discomfort would render a proper conversation between us unnecessarily strained.

"More importantly, the others would not be able to endure it for long," he stated.

"That presents no real issue. This discussion is strictly between the two of us anyway. The others would simply be observers," Alex countered.

"Witnesses are crucial. Misunderstandings can easily arise when there's no one to observe an agreement between two parties.

"Besides, learning to manage this unfortunate habit of mine will be advantageous when my curse is eventually lifted," the BattleBane Guild Master remarked with a slight chuckle.

Having heard this much, Alex saw no reason to push the subject further. Doing so would likely yield the opposite result.

The BattleBane Guild Master intensified the compression of his domain before rising from behind his desk and moving towards a cluster of sofas arranged in a corner of the room—a small lounge area situated within the study itself.

Alex grasped his intention instantly and offered Eleanore a small nod. Together, they approached the seating area and settled onto the sofa opposite the BattleBane Guild Master. Kavakan and Mogal silently positioned themselves behind them. Dalton and Lady Rosa similarly remained standing behind their master, like unvoiced sentinels.

"Once more, I extend my apologies for my previous actions," the BattleBane Guild Master expressed. "I also wish to convey my gratitude for honoring my invitation, despite your group's present predicament."

"It was merely a simple misunderstanding—one I believe will be rectified quite soon," Alex responded with composure.

"I sincerely hope so," the BattleBane Guild Master affirmed.

While the majority of his features remained concealed by the worn armor, his eyes—and the intensity of his gaze upon Alex—communicated his skepticism quite clearly.

Alex gave a subtle nod, as if acknowledging the man's concern for his welfare.

Observing this, the BattleBane Guild Master judiciously let the matter rest.

Steering the conversation back to the primary objective of their meeting, he stated, "I appreciate the gift you bestowed upon my people. Witnessing them freed from our affliction, even for a single day... you have my deepest thanks."

"I can't claim I acted without my own motives, but you're welcome," Alex replied with a faint smile.

"Very few individuals act with true selflessness. Even fewer are so forthright in admitting their self-interest," the BattleBane Guild Master commented, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Then I suppose I too can confess that, just as you anticipated, that gift significantly swayed my decision to seek a cure from you for them."

He shifted back slightly before continuing his speech.

"I understand you did not name a price for this recovery. Instead, you desired an individual meeting with me to deliberate on the situation. Since we are now together, permit me to inquire directly—what is it you desire in return for healing my people from their affliction?"

"To be truthful, a portion of the reason I requested this conference was to grasp the precise nature of the curse your people endure. The other segment was to ascertain what kind of peril I might be attracting by assisting you in its eradication," Alex stated without pretense.

"Do you harbor fear of retaliation from the Deities?" the BattleBane Guild Master inquired.

"Fear? No, not excessively." Alex gave a shrug, displaying complete indifference, which greatly astonished the BattleBane contingent.

He proceeded, "Let us simply say I do not hold the deities in particularly high regard, and confrontation with them is more or less unavoidable. I would simply prefer that such confrontation does not arise quite so prematurely."

It was Eleanore's turn to feel taken aback by Alex's declarations.

Nevertheless, she opted to place her faith in him and kept her own notions to herself for the time being.

"Are you not concerned that uttering such statements to me could lead to repercussions?" the BattleBane Guild Master probed.

"Not particularly. Firstly, I am the one possessing the remedy for your group's ailment. Secondly, even if you intended to report me, could you genuinely do so? For you to bear a divine curse, the deities must already harbor a far greater animosity towards you than they ever would towards me," Alex remarked with an easy gesture.

"Furthermore, I am hardly the sole individual who harbors disdain for the deities. For what offense would you even report me?" he added.

"I have witnessed the Temples take action for considerably less," the BattleBane Guild Master responded, a hint of amusement concealed within his tone.

"I do not doubt that. However, such actions are only taken when it serves their convenience and aids in maintaining the docility of their sheep. This region is the Wildlands—they are unlikely to exert themselves to pursue me all the way out here," Alex countered.

He imparted a slight shake of his head.

"Let us refrain from deviating too far from the central issue. Before we can assert with absolute certainty whether we can offer a complete cure—and determine the cost of such a cure—I must first comprehend precisely what occurred and what type of curse afflicted you initially.

"For one thing, I can already ascertain that you do not bear the identical curse as him," Alex declared, gesturing towards Dalton positioned behind the man. "Or rather, I should articulate that in addition to the curse Captain Dalton endures, you are suffering from an even more severe underlying affliction—one that the curse is exacerbating."

He directed a glance toward Eleanore, seeking confirmation. She offered a soft nod, validating his assessment.

Their focus collectively returned to the BattleBane Guild Master, who observed Alex in quiet contemplation for a significant duration.

Concurrently, the expressions adorning Dalton and Lady Rosa's faces conveyed unmistakable astonishment, serving as near-absolute confirmation that Alex's observation held true.

"If you can perceive that much, then there is minimal justification for withholding information any longer," the BattleBane Guild Master proclaimed. "But are you truly convinced you wish—or require—to know? This pertains to a somber Chapter of history that the deities themselves expunged from existence.

"Once you possess this knowledge, and should they discover your awareness, they will deploy every ounce of their power to pursue you relentlessly," he cautioned.

Alex presented a smile.

"Have confidence in me. Whatever you are poised to disclose pales in significance compared to what I already comprehend," he stated with serene assurance.

'Indeed... if he genuinely hails from 'that' place, then this must indeed be the case,' the BattleBane Guild Master reflected internally.

"In that instance, let us commence with their curse," he proposed. "As I previously conveyed, its origins trace back to a dark period of history deliberately erased by the deities themselves... the history of the Twilight Adjudicators."

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