He stared at me intently, then crossed his arms and let out a thin chuckle.

“You’re joking, aren’t you, insolent child of humans.”

“Who would risk their life joking around?”

I lifted my chin sharply and looked at the Crimson Ghoul.

“You’re afraid of Jörmungandr, right? You sent ghouls all the way to the °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° entrance to scout, didn’t you?”

It just so happened that we were caught during the oath ceremony.

‘It was strange from the start.’

Why would ghouls, who hate light, stubbornly come all the way out there?

“You...”

“You could have wiped out the entire Wonhwa Army right away. Yet you brought the Wonhwas here and gave them a chance to negotiate. Strange, isn’t it?”

“...”

“Were you unable to afford using ghouls because you were fighting humans?”

“...”

“You intended to demand quartz crystals from us in this deal, right? You needed them so badly you collected them in the transmission magic tools.”

“...”

“But after seeing the Central Wonhwa’s attitude, you changed your mind. The way she looked down on monsters.”

“...”

“You thought humans might break the deal, refuse to give quartz, or pretend to negotiate while sending reinforcements to attack, right?”

“...”

“So you figured it’d be better to just eliminate us now?”

Magical energy flickered along the Crimson Ghoul’s body outline.

‘Its emotions are shaking.’

I was right.

That’s why the ghouls under the Crimson Ghoul’s influence went berserk.

A snarling ghoul charged at me.

[Stop—.]

Though the Crimson Ghoul did not open its mouth, its voice echoed in the air.

The ghoul attacking me flinched and stopped.

Glancing at the ghouls to calm them, the Crimson Ghoul spoke.

“Very well, child. Let’s say you’re right.”

It bent its waist and met my gaze.

“How can I trust your words?”

“That is...”

“How can you be sure you will give me the sacred quartz and support us? You have already betrayed me once.”

“That’s because you attacked the Central Wonhwa.”

“But it’s also true you attacked me and fled.”

Straightening its posture, it raised an eyebrow.

“Child, no matter my purpose, I have given you a chance to talk.”

That... was true.

“But your companions looked down on me and my children, so I only sought to make them pay the price. Isn’t that right?”

“...Right.”

“You say you can help me, but I cannot trust you anymore.”

It was an expression asking what I would do next.

I smiled.

“I’m not here to give quartz. It’s a precious resource to us as well.”

Each piece costs an eye-popping amount.

Plus, it must be charged with sacred power.

‘If I gave something worth that much as the price for the Wonhwa Army’s lives, the emperor would go berserk.’

If the emperor turns against the Wonhwa Army, becoming a Wonhwa was all for nothing.

Why would I do such a thing?

The Crimson Ghoul narrowed its brows.

“And if so?”

“I told you. I’ll make it so you don’t have to fight Jörmungandr.”

“Explain in a way I can understand.”

“I know why Jörmungandr suddenly interfered in this land.”

“Why—!”

The Crimson Ghoul’s expression stiffened.

‘Of course you’d be curious too.’

It said this was the Crimson Ghoul’s territory for over three hundred years.

That meant Jörmungandr hadn’t interfered until recently.

‘That sudden interference is actually my fault.’

“Jörmungandr is uneasy... because a new dragon has appeared on his land.”

My dragon, Lagon.

This world’s east, west, south, and north each have a dragon territory.

East is Surtr.

West is Jörmungandr.

South is Nertus.

North is Skadi.

‘The empire lies in the west — Jörmungandr’s domain.’

But now, a new dragon, Lagon, has appeared.

‘And he’s flown over the skies here multiple times under my command...’

The Crimson Ghoul narrowed its eyes.

“You humans keep hunting monsters recklessly. Even if we gave you safe land, you’d attack again at any time.”

“I’ll stop that.”

“...”

“If it’s human affairs, I’m human and can stop it. Besides—”

I grinned as I looked at him.

“You’re smart, so this place must be boring for you?”

“...”

“You know what a good deal is, and understand humans well. You’re curious about the outside world, aren’t you?”

I coaxed him softly.

“If you come with me, I’ll show you interesting things.”

“And give your children a land where they can feel safe.”

“Hmm.”

The Crimson Ghoul studied me thoughtfully.

‘It will shake hands.’

It must be desperate enough to negotiate with a human it can barely trust.

Nyx got in here.

We might have to fight Jörmungandr soon.

But you really can’t beat him.

‘There’s no other way.’

Humans behind me.

Jörmungandr ahead.

The only path left is to shake hands with me.

The Crimson Ghoul smiled faintly.

“My true name is Awen.”

“Huh?”

“Awen is my true name, little master.”

“Then...!”

The Crimson Ghoul — no, Awen — looked around the ghouls.

“This is a brief outing until the little master enters eternal rest.”

That was the first day I gained an invincible army.

Thus, I acquired the Crimson Ghoul, Awen.

“Oh, but there’s something I have to do first.”

“Something to do? What is it?”

“Your children. Can they pretend to be dead well?”

“...What?”

Awen gave me a dumbfounded look.