As everyone finished eating and got ready for bed, Klaus gave the girls the basic tent to share while Oliver, Alexandros, and he would share the other.
"I will be back in a moment, you guys can turn in for the night," Kluas said as he walked out of the tent.
Walking a reasonable distance from the group, he took out his phoenix egg. Using his sword, he cut his palm and began pouring his blood atop the egg.
"You better be worth all of the blood," Klaus joked as he watched his blood drip onto the egg.
Once his blood made contact with the egg, it began giving off a faint golden light as the blood was absorbed. But after a few seconds, his wound had healed, but the egg was not satisfied yet. Cutting his palm again, Klaus continued the process of feeding the egg and cutting his palm.
After fifteen minutes of bleeding on the egg, Kluas finished the first part and began pouring his mana into the egg. This process has gone much faster than the blood until he had to recharge his mana, which took five minutes to reach his full amount.
"Alright, that's all you're getting," Klaus sighed as he finished the requirements and placed the egg back in his inventory.
Standing up, Klaus tried to walk back to the tent, but then felt a sudden wave of lightheadedness as he fell to his knees. But before he hit the ground, he felt the support of someone catching him.
"You should be more careful, giving up that much blood is dangerous," Alexandros said with a wink, as he held up Klaus.
"Ha...Thanks, why are you still up?" Klaus asked as he stood up straight
"I was curious what kind of person you are, so I wanted to talk without the others around," Alexandros said as he sat against a tree and patted the ground next to him.
"...Oka,y what do you want to know?" Klaus replied, taking the seat next to him.
"This so-called war, why are you fighting in it. Why not just stay away?" Alexandros asked
"...I...I don't know...I think it's a feeling something is telling me I have no choice," Klaus replied, taking a moment to think.
"So are you willing to sacrifice people's lives over a feeling?" Alexandros spoke with his face and tone becoming serious
Surprised at the sudden change and question, Klaus took a moment to collect him self.
"No, I don't plan to sacrifice anyone. If one does not feel like fighting in my army, who am I to force them?" Klaus replied
"But what about the ones who choose to fight, will you be able to handle the lives that are now in your hands?"
"...I won't throw people into a fight I know they will lose, nor do I plan to just throw waves of soldiers at the enemy in battle of attrition. I will keep my soldiers alive," Klaus replied with a determined tone.
"But that won't last forever, people will die in that war. I'm asking what you will do when that happens. When a new soldier you have is killed because of your leadership," Alexandros spoke, his voice holding back and internal sadness.
"..."
Stuck in thought about what Alexandros said, Klaus didn't know what to say. He could only stay quiet.
"In truth, I believe you are a good person. A good man with big dreams, but you are naive. You are raising an army for war against the gods. The sooner you realize you have people's lives in your hands, the sooner you can become a true leader," Alexandros spoke as he stood up and began walking away.
"And the request I wanted was simple...Don't be a tyrant. Those who command people like paws are doomed to fail. And I see you becoming that tyrant that does not care about people's lives. I will kill you myself," Alexandros spoke as he went back to camp.
Shocked, Alexandros' words Klaus couldn't help but take them in and process them.
"....Ha, he is right...I don't think it was hit me yet that I am summoning people, not skeletons, not immortal soldiers, people with hopes, dreams, memories. People who love, hate, and laugh. Focus, Klaus Focus." Klaus sighed as he looked up into the night sky.
....
Gremory Estate
"Brother, you called for me?" Rias Gremory, a girl with long, deep crimson red hair and emerald green eyes, spoke as she walked into the office of your brother
"I'm glad you're here, Rias. It takes me summoning you for you to come see your big brother," Sirzechs joked.
"Sorry, brother, I have had my hands full with a new peerage member," Rias replied, and she took a seat across from Sirzechs.
"I see well, I'm glad your peerage is growing, is this new member promising?" Sirzechs asked
"In truth, he is the wielder of the boosted sacred gear," Rias said with a hint of pride in her voice.
"The Welsh dragon... my my Rias, that is quite the new member," Sirzechs said in surprise.
"Yes, but that was it you called me for?" Rias asked, getting back on the subject at hand
"Simple, I wish for you and your peerage to investigate a pillar of red fire and strong waves of mana and heat from the Tempest mountain," Sirzechs explained.
"The tempest mountain. Is that not filled with farel demons, monsters, and spirits? It's not surprising for mana burst," Rias replied
"Yes, that is true, but the heat from the flame pillar was felt through the whole devil kingdom. And the mana burst was enough to cause damage to some buildings. It seems to have calmed from the two a few hours ago, but I would rather deal with this before the old faction attempts to capture the cause of it," Sirzechs explained.
"I see...that is concerning," Rias said, taking a moment to think of the situation.
"This could be a good training trip for your peerage, but don't worry, Greyfia will be coming along to assist you if you need," Sirzechs said
"Very well, brother, I have a feeling this trip will be a very profitable one way or another," Rias said as she stood up and began leaving the office.