A Pact For The Peak(2)

Sweat started to well up under Richards clothing. He had thought of a hundred things before coming here, but he hadnt expected this at all. The Scholars of Soremburg were truly far too dangerous, whether they had mana or not.

It was hard to tell what the current situation was; having lost his control of her, Richard had no idea what the broodmother would want to do. Was he just a meal in her eyes now?

His eyes shone as he silently surveyed the surroundings, trying to find a way out. Unfortunately, everything for kilometres was under the complete control of the broodmother and the amount of metal nearby was very low. The larval forests were the broodmothers home ground, and up in the sky were rifts in spacetime that had been guided over as a defensive measure.

However, he didnt feel particularly threatened as he matched her gaze, his own filled with curiosity. Despite her terrifying appearance, this was someone whom he had raised from her birth. The broodmother herself seemed to sense his thoughts, her enormous body trembling as she spoke, Every incomplete being hopes to become whole, but once they reach that state they only wish to go back to the days of being incomplete.

Richard froze, not expecting something so emotional to have come from her mouth. The broodmother he knew was purely a war machine that cared for nothing but power, viewing everything in terms of its base materials. It seemed like a lot of things had changed with her completion.

She continued to wave her tiny pincers, I didnt feel any satisfaction from mending my soul, only confusion. I suddenly found that I didnt know the point to my own existence, that I had no idea what I wanted to do next Its such a strange thing to me, wanting for myself and not to fulfil a purpose. My instincts scream for me to devour everything I can to become stronger, but I can see theres no end to that path. The entire plane will be mine, but then it will just be destroyed. What do I do then? Go to another and repeat the same thing?

I had my first dream a few days ago, it was a nightmare. I saw what I believe will be the end of this path, with the crystal sphere breaking apart. I only felt darkness, loneliness It wasnt fun. She suddenly stopped and lowered herself, Do you remember the first time you came over here and drank till you fainted? I tried so many times since then, but I just couldnt until my soul was complete. That was a few days ago too, and it was such a strange feeling. All sorts of strange thoughts came out of nowhere, but I got a chance to look at another perspective.

Which brings me to why Im meeting you today. Ive realised that a drunk person doesnt have their guard up, especially when it gets that far. At that point, you had absolute trust in me.

Richard suddenly felt the weirdness starting to subside. The broodmother was voicing how close they were in the past, and this wasnt untrue. They shared a soul, depending on each other to survive a million dangers. Intimate couldnt begin to describe their relationship.

He attempted to reach towards her head, but that only served to send his arm towards her giant mouth. However, she lowered down further and closed the pincers, allowing his palm to caress her. A feeling of comfort immediately spread out from his fingers, a familiar wave of heat.

This means of communication suits us best, Master, she said softly in his mind, their connection established once more.

Youre still calling me master? he mocked.

Im used to it, and its still suitable.

Huh, then what relationship will we even have in the future?

I couldnt decide before you came over, but just looking at you gave me the answer. I wish for things to remain the same as in the past; you can plan and direct my growth. I only hope for our relationship to go both ways this time; in human words, I want to be a partner. I hope youll remain focused on your path to the peak; if you become too slow to guide me anymore, then our partnership will end. You might even become my prey.

Thats not a pleasant image, he said with a chuckle.

There already exists a precedent for this type of relationship, and shes right by your side?

Right by my side? he was puzzled.

You and Lady Nasia.

Nasia? Richard frowned, But were only working together. Its not like shell destroy me.

Master, there are some things you might not understand yet. You possess the ability to see the truth of the world, a priceless ability amongst those with power. Even though the chance is less than one in ten thousand, devouring your soul could pass that ability on. With Lady Nasias ability, she would definitely be able to increase that chance as well.

Hmm How do you know this?

I just do; it came as a part of what I learned from unlocking my truename.

Richard smiled, Sounds like I dont have much of a choice.

This is the best choice, she said gently, her voice growing a little distant, I believe well definitely stand atop the myriad planes, you and I.

So what was the point of all this?

Sometimes, agency is all that matters. The point was freedom, for my fate to be my choice.

He softly knocked on her head, Alright then, Ill succeed.

You have to, or Ill eat you.

Heh. Anyway, one last question. You should have mended your soul by the time you awakened your truename; why did you still tell me? It felt real.

And it is. My truename Sillo, in my main language It literally means millions. If you were to try and restrict me with my truename, you would only affect a single clone or seed, not the main body.

Huh, I see. I assume this was part of the plan too? They really thought of everything.

Surprisingly, the broodmother shook her head, The original intention wasnt to set me free. The Scholars of Soremburg had a few traps in the plan that could bring me under their control in the future. Unfortunately for them, I managed to deal with it all accordingly. If any Scholar tries to control me, I can enslave their bodies and souls instead. They will suffer an endless nightmare for the rest of their lives.

In fact, the plan was meant to sneak a special rune into my soul that only the Scholars can sense. After that, they would realise I had finished the plan and some wouldnt be able to hold back their greed. I actually left a fake inside that reversed the process; Ill be able to track all of them, and it will be really difficult for them to hide. Raymond is just far too arrogant and conceited, he doesnt have the full spirit of learning that the other Scholars do. In their minds, family and friends are only limitations.

Richard couldnt hold back a deep sigh and a long laugh. In the short while since the broodmother had obtained an independent soul, she was already starting to scheme against others without much effort. He shook his head, Since this is settled, Ill be on my way. I dont want to be eaten, and theres still a long way to the peak.

Wait, I have some things to show you. The broodmother summoned a few flying chrysalides to the platform, displaying a few troop types that Richard had never seen. Intrigued by a three-metre-tall warrior in black armour, he activated Insight and couldnt help but freeze. The warrior was level 17!