The dissipation of the Vichy tribesman left the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
In the end, Kakatu was the one who dismissed the onlookers, sending them back to their respective ice caves, each to their own business.
As for himself, he beckoned Pasfield and Delina's groups and led them into the ice cellar, now a complete wreck.
"Mr. Kakatu, we require an explanation for this." The moment they stepped inside, Pasfield was the first to press the issue.
"We were attacked on our very first night here, and by one of your tribesmen, no less. Don't you think that's a little too much of a coincidence?" Pasfield narrowed his eyes as he spoke slowly.
Kakatu's expression was grave, nothing like the genial smile he'd worn during the day. "You have my apologies. This was indeed our oversight. However, the one who attacked you was not truly one of our people, or rather, he can no longer be considered one."
"Oh? So he was a member of the Vichy tribe after all?" Pasfield pressed.
"If you have demands, state them plainly. I have no mood to argue over trivialities right now," Kakatu replied curtly.
"Straight to the point—I like that." A foxlike smile spread across Pasfield's face. "I don't ask for much. Just a bit of compensation for emotional distress. For instance, we could revoke a portion of the profit concession from earlier."
Kakatu's eyes flared wide. "Impossible! Absolutely not!"
After a brief pause to steady himself, he added, "Your appetite is too large. At most, I can cancel that three-percent share."
"No room for negotiation?"
"None." Kakatu's voice was firm as iron.
Pasfield fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "Very well. In that case, I'll change my request. I'll forgo the three percent, but I want a larger exchange of Azure Water. How about that?"
Kakatu pondered briefly, then nodded. "Agreed."
The entire negotiation took less than three minutes. Within those short three minutes, Ur once again witnessed a thoroughly shameless under-the-table deal, and were once again stunned by the sheer thickness of their skins.
Someone had just died here, and they were already standing on his ashes, bargaining over profits. Was that really appropriate?
Ur found their merchant faces rather speechless-inducing.
Delina, on the other hand, watched with keen interest, her eyes occasionally flashing with light. From the moment Pasfield began negotiating, she hadn't uttered a single word. Even when he secured additional Azure Water, not a trace of tension or surprise crossed her smiling face.
"However, there is one issue, Mr. Pasfield." Just as Pasfield was feeling satisfied with the outcome, Kakatu suddenly added, "Our transaction may need to be postponed for some time. I trust you won't object?"
Pasfield froze slightly, his expression darkened. "What do you mean by that?"
His tone turned sharp. After all, having a settled deal abruptly delayed for a week would sour anyone's mood.
"You misunderstand." Kakatu gave a bitter smile. "Under normal circumstances, there would be no problem. But the sudden appearance of that thing was entirely unexpected."
"That thing? You mean the 'monster' just now?"
"More or less. The reason my tribesman became like that is inseparable from 'that thing.'" Kakatu's face grew solemn. Every time he mentioned it, a shadow crept over his expression.
"What exactly is 'that thing'?" Hearing that Kakatu seemed knowledgeable about the dark aura from earlier, Ur couldn't help but interject.
"That is…" Kakatu opened his mouth instinctively, only to falter. After a moment, he sighed. "To be honest, I don't know exactly what it is. But if you're interested, I can take you to see it tomorrow."
"Alright." Ur nodded without hesitation.
From Kakatu's words, it was clear that "that thing" was closely tied to obtaining the Azure Water. If he wanted to complete his task quickly, he would inevitably have to come into contact with it. Besides, he was genuinely curious about that dark aura.
After saying this, Kakatu left.
It was still the dead of night. Whatever needed doing could wait until morning. Nothing more was said that night.
Early the next day, the group was awakened by commotion outside the ice cellar.
When Ur and the others stepped out, they found the entire settlement bustling with activity. Every Vichy tribesman looked tense, as though preparing for war.
"Honored guests, Elder has sent me to escort you to the temple." A young man bearing some resemblance to Kakatu approached them, speaking in somewhat clumsy Common Tongue.
Ur and the others exchanged glances, then nodded and followed him up the mountain. Along the way, they passed several more settlements. Each one was in the same state: busy, alert, and bracing for battle.
Pasfield tried to question the youth about what was happening, but no matter how he asked, the boy remained silent.
Before long, they reached the summit of the Gulya Glacier.
The peak was vast and empty. Aside from a towering palace of ice and snow, there were no other structures. The palace was crafted exquisitely. Even through the discerning eyes of nobles like Pasfield and Delina, it was an impeccable work of art, and that was precisely what made it so strange.
Based on everything they had seen since arriving, the Vichy tribe hardly seemed capable of constructing something like this.
After leading them up, the youth performed an unusual salute toward the palace, then departed without a word. Several white-haired Vichy elders, both men and women, were already standing before it. Kakatu was among them.
The moment he saw Ur and the others, he called out. "You're here. Come over."
❖≔﴾═══════ﺤ
Next Chapter: Demon God
Next Next Chapter: Entering
Next Next Next Chapter: Experiment