Chapter 107: Deal

Ash smirked as Fae’s head tilted and traced a slow arc in thought.

She turned to the other four, who’d been watching with bated breath, and began murmuring among them.

Watching them, Ash called out:

“Do you not trust your own judgment?”

Fae glanced back at him.

“My judgment is what I trust most in the world; I wouldn’t have shown you my back otherwise. But… I simply value the opinions of those whom it concerns.”

With that, she turned back to the group and resumed their hushed discussion.

‘I’m getting real tired of people thinking they have me all figured out after meeting me once.’

Understanding his modus operandi, as Nora did, was one thing. But claiming they could predict his actions was simply galling, especially when they were right. Nora, Cross, Claude, and now Fae… they had all discerned some underlying principle that guided him, one even Ash himself couldn’t fully comprehend.

They understood the one variable he could never fully account for when judging another: the human factor. More specifically, his human factor. And they understood it to an obscene degree.

Naturally, their understanding carried one flaw…

If Ash ever acted against the very foundation of who he was, as he had when desperation consumed him against Cross, their predictions would crumble. Then, they would share that pitiful man’s fate and have their wills shattered.

But that flaw had a flaw of its own: Ash was far too rigid to defy his own nature without the overwhelming pressure of an outside force.

Ash scoffed.

“That lukewarm approach to command won’t hold up once thousands are following you… So, do fix that as well.”

At last, Fae returned to him, apparently having reached an agreement with the other Harpies.

“Calling that something I need to ‘fix’ says a lot about you, Epitome.”

Ash frowned.

“Is there a reason you called me that?”

“Why, yes. That’s who you are, correct?”

Ash narrowed his eyes before fixing his glare on Jack, who returned it with an aloof smile.

“I am. But what of it?”

A sly smile spread across Fae’s face.

“Nothing… except that I accept your terms.”

Ash fell silent for a moment.

‘Tch…’

Such a calculated provocation… was brutal.

By accepting his terms immediately after calling him Epitome, Fae had turned his own identity into a challenge. Upholding his promise would partially confirm whatever conclusion they’d reached about him: that they truly had him figured out, that he was a stickler for keeping his word.

‘The kid knows oh-so much about me too, huh?’

And if he went back on his word and deceived them…

Well, Ash had made a promise. So, he wouldn’t.

Straightening, Ash said:

“Very well.”

Placing a hand over her chest, Fae smirked and began.

“Alright… Our Passive is called [Wind Born]. It grants us the ability to fly and increases our AGI and DEX while airborne. As for our Active, it is [Eagle Eye]. It allows us to enhance our vision… if I were to estimate, it would be 20:3.”

Ash’s expression remained impassive as he listened.

‘So, it was flight… although there was a bit more to it.’

As for their Active… Ash didn’t know its full limits, but it was an incredibly useful ability, especially since every Harpy could use it.

Assuming she hadn’t lied.

Nodding slightly, Ash said:

“I assume you’ve read what an Instance is… To reach Level 5, you have to complete one, after which you’ll get a tome allowing you to select your class and advance to Level 5.”

Fae’s feathers ruffled as she scratched her chin.

“So, it was that… Damn!”

Ash waited for her to calm down, then smiled, condescension coloring his voice:

“Sadly for you, it’s far too risky for all of you to leave your Totem wholly undefended. Especially now that I know where it is. Unless, of course, you truly trust your assessment of me. Here… I promise. Neither I nor any other Dragonkin will come any closer to your Totem than this for the next month. In fact, I’ll even defend it for you while you’re away if you decide to challenge an Instance.”

Fae bit her tongue, and her eyes drifted languidly toward her comrades. After a moment’s deliberation, she shook her head.

“As gracious as such an offer is, I’ll have to politely decline.”

“Not going to talk it over with them this time?”

“I don’t think there’s a need to… their eyes say enough.”

With a smug grin, Ash said:

“I understand.”

Ash crossed his legs, then added:

“However, there is something I want from you now… Consider this tidbit… a gift. Once you do complete the Instance, you’ll all get the chance to select two Trades. I want at least one of you five to select Cartography. Then, use your abilities to uncover as much of the map as possible and share it with us afterward without ever sharing that knowledge with any other race.”

“What would be in it for us…?”

“We share our map with you as well.”

Fae shook her head slightly.

“I don’t exactly know what the map is, but you said it yourself. In theory, a Harpy can explore much more. Shouldn’t the deal be a bit sweeter for us, considering we’d be providing more value? Plus, that knowledge could prove valuable in trades with others. Either remove that contingency or give us something worthy of such exclusivity. Furthermore, a deal like this requires a non-aggression pact as a prerequisite.”

Ash scoffed.

“A non-aggression pact only benefits you, the weaker party… but if that is your desire, I’ll tack it on to the deal. That, however, is the most leniency you’ll get from me.”

Fae repeated her habitual gesture, slowly angling her head.

“I see…”

Then, she turned toward the group. After a short discussion, she said:

“I have a condition to add to the agreement… You also may only share your map knowledge with us. Furthermore, we will both share the locations of other races’ Totems. Also… yours. You know where our Totem is, so we’d like to know where yours is.”

Ash rested his cheek against his knuckle, then answered without hesitation:

“It’s at the top of the mountain, straight up along the river. As for everything else… I accept. The other Dragonkin and I vow to uphold those terms for… a year or as long as you do.”

Unfortunately, nothing could be put in writing, so all they had was a verbal agreement.

Fae smiled lightly.

“Alright… we have a deal.”