Born in Blood

The talk with Spirit of Nature was going… surprisingly well. 

She seemed to have taken a liking to Liam despite his morbid reputation and blatant sarcasm.

Liam imagined that the Amazonians were the superstitious, secluded type that never bothered except with their own.

Part of that was true. Why else would Spirit of Nature push him to gulp down a glass of poison before choosing to speak with him? 

Her demeanor reminded Liam of the Spartans. 

Serious folk built and raised for war, but laughed at the grimmest of times.

But he had passed whatever test she was putting him through. And she wasn't hard to speak with.

"So?" Spirit of Nature said, reclining backwards and running a hand through her wild hair. 

"What brings you to me? Besides my feminine charm, of course."

She winked.

"I don't think you possess any," Liam said bluntly, and the woman laughed. Spartan. "I can't call you Spirit of Nature. Give me a name?" 

"Naomi."

Liam raised his brows. "You sure it's not… Jack or something?" 

"You are pushing it, Reaper," Spirit of Nature laughed slowly, daring Liam to continue with her fearsome eyes. 

He did not.

"I wanted to know more about Xoltrah," Liam said, changing the topic. "What kind of place is it?"

"Big forest," Naomi answered tersely. "Lots of rain, bugs and animals."

How descriptive.

"You said something about the Outer Lands," Liam repeated. "What is that, exactly?"

"All lands besides our own are the Outer Lands," Spirit of Nature explained, cracking her scarred knuckles. 

"We excluded ourselves from your societies ages ago… but our tribes unanimously agreed on entering the political field." 

Tribes.

So they were a tribal country. The way Spirit of Nature spoke also indicated that she wasn't the only one who made the decisions.

"You've come here to build relations with other countries?" Liam asked with a raised brow. 

"Somewhat," Naomi answered. "Not in terms of an alliance, but neutrality. We still want nothing to do with you people."

Spirit of Nature smiled lightly. "No offense, of course." 

"None taken," Liam answered. 

If the tables were turned, Liam wouldn't want to do anything with him either. Or the Queen, General or Alucard, for that matter.

But neutrality did not always mean safety. 

Having no backup or connections left countries bare, making them easy targets for the big dogs. 

Due to the chaotic event that occurred with the Dual Empire, Rurunia and Xoltrah were quick to adapt.

"Well, the Temple of Shadow wouldn't mind having a relationship with your country," Liam said with a shrug, giving her a sunny smile. 

"I mean, we've hit it off, haven't we?" 

Silence.

Naomi had a smug look on her stony face, leaning forward.

"But you would benefit more from it, wouldn't you?" she whispered, sneaking a glance at Alucard's direction further away. 

"The way I see it… you do not wish to keep ties with him, correct?" 

Silence.

Liam scoffed a bit in disdain. 

"What gives you the right to assume that?" he asked with dead eyes and a flat tone. "This is beyond banter." 

It didn't mean she was wrong, but Liam's expression gave no indication she struck the hot spot.

In fact, he looked quite offended.

Another short silence ensued.

Spirit of Nature leaned a little too close for comfort, her face deathly serious.

"Because I know the kind of monster he is. You are wary of his betrayal."

Liam's face didn't confirm nor deny Spirit of Nature's statement, devoid of emotion.

Not receiving any answer, Naomi laughed lightly and reclined back.

"Except… I don't think you realize how docile and peaceful Alucard really is. At least, to my knowledge."

…Hmm?

What now? 

Liam remained silent, yet Naomi continued her explanation.

"The Korsan Lands aren't too far from Xoltrah. There are no lands or physical barriers that prevent them from invading us except the sea."

"And yet, we've had no problems with that continent at all." 

"Throughout history, he's just been… a spectator."

Spirit of Nature habitually ran a hand through her wild hair once again.

"Well, some countries were brave enough to try invading Korsa, but… well, not even a memory remains of them." 

'...That kinda makes sense,' Liam thought. 

Alucard did mention his 'indifference' with Echoria, which prevented it from becoming a so-called 'mass graveyard'. 

"If it was his intention to kill away up and coming powerhouses to further his own strength, he would have already done so."

And that was just a little more terrifying. 

Liam glanced at Alucard, whose figure was obscured with a blurry barrier. 

Liam imagined him calmly watching the world behind a dark pane of glass, biding his time. 

Like a spider in its web.

"Cheer up," Spirit of Nature interrupted with a smug smile. "It wouldn't hurt Xoltrah to have you as a contact."

Naomi laughed under her breath. "The lesser of the two evils, I suppose." 

She had no clue.

"Thanks," Liam said.

A few minutes passed after that, and there was no talk between them. 

Eyes of Knowledge continued conversing with Alucard, and Queen Thyress, Rin and the Dragonmancer likewise.

However, after a while, Kuan arrived at the scene. 

When his eyes met Liam and Naomi's, he raised his brows, but didn't approach.

Instead, he chose a private corner to sit at.

"What's his deal?" Naomi asked with a disdained frown. "And why am I being avoided? You were the second person to approach me the whole time I have been here."

Liam raised her brow. "Did you give the first person poison?" 

"Yeah?" she said. "I didn't force him to swallow it. He did it himself. So?" 

Silence.

"Nothing," Liam said with a shrug. "No reason at all." 

'Maybe if you didn't look like you ate bricks for dinner, you'd be approachable.' 

But in reality, Spirit of Nature was perhaps the weakest of all the powerhouses present.

It was between the Dragonmancner and her, since both were new to being Rank 6's.

Nevertheless, the talk was a success!

Liam now had a crutch to lean on in case the alliance went up in smoke.

A moment later, several figures entered through the tunnel one after the other.

They were all here.