Realm of Myths and Legends

'Oh? He's not as headstrong as I thought.'

Although he spoke in a rough tone, Hakros expressed his thanks in a straightforward manner.

There were no eloquent words or half-hearted praise spoken.

Since Izroth did him a favor, Hakros would do the same--that's all.

Izroth did not dislike this kind of forthright person as he found that they were often the easiest to deal with. After all, they usually wore their emotions on their sleeves.

Of course, Izroth set Hakros' favor to the back of his mind.

At the moment, what captured his attention was the name Hakros just mentioned.

"Heaven's Strength? When and where did you meet them?" Izroth inquired.

The title Heaven's Strength belonged to the Pillar of the West, Ourami--the individual they were currently on their way to confront!

From the sound of things, it seemed that Hakros got caught up in some trouble and ended up being restrained by Ourami with those chains. However, how did Hakros even manage to find them? And, more importantly, why did Ourami allow Hakros to live? Did it have something to do with the black lake and white orbs of light he saw earlier? Izroth had several questions. But, the main priority right now was having Hakros confirm where he last met the Pillar of the West.

"Like I know. I just ran into a few annoying flies who attacked me for no reason while I was mindin' my own business. No matter how many of them I wiped the floor with more just kept comin'. That's when that guy showed up--that so-called Heaven's Strength bastard, along with pointy ears, neck scribble, and sparky. I don't know what those morons were planning, but they looked all chummy and irritating. So, I punched them. A while after that, I got blindsided and sealed by those chains and lost consciousness." Hakros stated.

'I see. If they were with the Pillar of the West, then it probably wasn't just some random coincidence that he ran into the group that ambushed him. Still, to emerge from such a battle completely unscathed--it looks like Sychia was not exaggerating his physical abilities. As for those names, they're a bit... Suitable, I guess?'

Izroth could not help but inwardly shake his head at Hakros' naming sense.

Pointy ears referred to Luxia, who was a member of the trephasia race that possessed slightly longer and pointed ears.

Neck scribble was, without a doubt, Zouren, who had a bizarre azure-colored tattoo with unknown markings around his neck area.

And, of course, sparky was Agromin, someone who utilized the lightning element.

'I suppose I should tell him my name before he takes it into his own hands.'

But, Izroth was curious as to what Luxia, Zouren, and Agromin were doing with Ourami. As well as the reason why they targeted Hakros and brought him to this black lake.

However, given the personality that Hakros displayed thus far, Izroth doubted that he knew if anything deeper was going on.

"By the way, stone face, did you come here with that flower girl?" Hakros asked as one of his brows rose inquisitively.

'...'

"It's Izroth. And, yes--I came to the Celestial Battlegrounds with Sychia. I'm also with the others that are fighting against the group who works for the Heaven's Strength you mentioned." Izroth said calmly.

The moment Izroth brought up that Heaven's Strength had a connection with some of those present, the fierce aura around Hakros rose sharply.

"I figured it was something like that. Hey, do you know where that Heaven's Strength bastard is? I still owe him a few punches to the face." Hakros stated with highly concentrated killing intent.

Izroth shook his head and replied, "No, I was hoping you'd have the answer to that question. But, we are on our way to where they typically reside. As long as they are not wandering about, we should run into them there. However, that favor--I'll be using it now. From now until we leave the Secret Realm, I want you to follow my orders."

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Hakros narrowed his eyes as his gaze locked onto Izroth.

"What? Don't tell me that you're a man who goes back on their word? Was it not you who said anytime and anywhere?" Izroth spoke in a carefree manner.

In Izroth's eyes, Hakros was too much of a wild card to let roam around freely while they were attempting to take down the Pillar of the West. If he charged ahead and caused trouble that ended up drawing out Ourami, then it could potentially ruin their initial plans to catch the pillar by surprise.

If Izroth did not have quests to worry about completing, he would not have minded Hakros roaming around and acting wild on his own. But, with such great rewards and harsh penalties on the line, Izroth needed to reign him in a bit.

Not to mention, with someone like Hakros around, Izroth would have another safety net for Sychia during the inevitable chaos. After all, he did not forget that one of his quests included her protection.

Hakros released a deep sigh as he turned away from Izroth and said, "I don't hand out favors easily and yet you're wasting it now? I can't understand it. But, whatever. As much as I want to wring that Heaven's Strength bastard's neck with my own hands, I'm a man of my word. Until we leave this Secret Realm, I'll follow along. However, if things get too boring, I ain't forgivin' you."

He then continued, "Besides, we're going to where that guy is anyway, right? Who knows? Maybe I'll get a chance to show that ignorant guy what real Heaven's Strength looks like."

Swoosh!

Out of nowhere, the wind picked up in the surroundings as the dome of cherry blossoms scattered as Sychia emerged standing near its center.

'She finished faster than I expected.'

Naturally, Izroth had been keeping a close eye on Sychia with his Energy Vision Sense. The second it seemed that she was in danger, he would have used his Space Defying Tread to force his way into the cherry blossom dome.

However, Izroth decided that he would not do so unless it was absolutely necessary.

While Sychia did not say anything, whenever Luxia was brought up, he noticed the subtle change in the way she spoke. At times, it was almost as if she were speaking about a close friend. While other moments it came off that she held a strong grudge against Luxia. Therefore, Izroth figured there was some sort of history between the two long before they were at the Moonlit Dove Garden.

Izroth was unaware of what that history may be, but he knew that it was something Sychia had to resolve herself.

'Oh? That's a good look she has.'

Izroth saw a new look of clarity in Sychia's eyes that was not previously present. The aura around her had also become somewhat sharper. This was the presence of someone who finally managed to find their resolve.

'There's still some room for improvement, but... Not bad. At the very least, she has earned the right to no longer be called naive.'

"I'm going to go join in on the fun. You don't mind, right?" Hakros said as he slammed his fist into his hand and cracked his knuckles.

"Go ahead. Just don't injure anyone on our side." Izroth replied.

"Tch, if they're weak enough to be injured when I'm not even attacking them, shouldn't they just stay off the battlefield? Whatever, I'll do as you say." Hakros commented before charging ahead to join the ongoing battle.

A few seconds later, Sychia arrived in front of Izroth with her sword sheathed. There was a look of curiosity on her face when she witnessed the way Hakros had just interacted with Izroth.

That headstrong guy was actually following someone else's orders? Just what transpired while she was inside the Thousand Blossom Blanket?

"Did I miss something?" Sychia inquired.

"Not much," Izroth answered with a carefree smile.

He then mentioned, "It looks like you found the answers you were searching for."

Sychia nodded and responded, "There is still much I have to learn, but... I have decided to see things through until the end. I may end up causing my master more trouble as a result, but as her disciple, if I continue to remain silent, will not others think less of the one who raised me? I will not allow shame to fall upon my master--even if the source of that shame is me."

'Good. It seems I haven't wasted my time.'

"Always remember the words you've spoken today. Should you ever find yourself in a state of doubt, repeat those words. That way, you will never forget the resolve you've discovered today." Izroth stated.

"These words--I will take them to heart," Sychia replied calmly.

Izroth gave a small nod as he looked towards the ongoing battle and said, "Now, shall we finish things up here?"