Born in Blood

Liam raised a brow as he heard that name.

Adjudicator meant someone who judged between people.

That somewhat explained why Liam felt so guilty under her sunken eyes.

It was as though he was being judged for all the crimes he'd committed. 

'That's a long list,' Liam thought. 'I wonder what her Path allows her to do.'

"Do you know her personally?" Liam asked Spirit of Nature. 

"No," she responded, then glared a little at Liam. "You're asking too many questions, little boy. Don't think I don't notice your intentions."

Liam gave her a sunny, innocent smile.

Spirit of Nature shook her head, leaning backwards. 

"She's just a mythical figure that appears now and again."

"I heard that despite her looks, she's a just, albeit strict person that judges between major world disputes if it gets to that point."

"A lookout for the weak, sort of thing."

Liam furrowed his brows. "That doesn't make sense."

A little confused, Naomi gestured for Liam to continue.

"If that was the case, what about the hundreds of thousands of innocents that die everyday?" 

Not that he cared.

He just knew that it didn't make sense.

Spirit of Nature paused for a second, then burst into loud laughter, momentarily gathering the attention of all those present.

She was wheezing like it was the funniest joke in the world, uncaring of the glares sent her way.

Liam sighed tiredly.

After a few seconds of wheezing and gasping for air, the laughter piped down.

"You misunderstand," Naomi said to Liam, still chuckling between words.

"She isn't some vigilante that fights petty crime. I didn't think you were that naive."

Liam realized that his question was a little dumb, but he wasn't offended. 

Naomi paused for dramatic effect, then smiled smugly.

"She's there to make sure humanity itself isn't wiped out by some raging maniac with the power to pull it off."

"Other than that, she's antisocial and doesn't like to show herself." 

...So Liam couldn't casually wipe out generations of innocent people on his whims? 

Damn you, Adjudicator! 

Looking around, Liam realized that nobody else was coming.

This was the full lineup of people.

In total, there were 12 individuals present.

The Sage.

The Dragonmancer.

The General.

Shadow Weaver.

Hand of Light, or Kuan.

Queen Thyress.

Alucard.

Eyes of Knowledge.

Spirit of Nature.

The Adjudicator.

Rin.

And finally, Liam.

A room filled with the most powerful, influential people in the room.

At least, those who were known. Perhaps someone out there was much stronger that simply chose not to come.

The question remained… 

…now what?

Everyone had their own little groups within this floor.

But as the minutes ticked by, there was no indication that they were going to visit each other. 

Tense animosity lingered in the air. Each of these people had a rich history with one another that Liam had little knowledge of. 

But due to his lone standing, he couldn't benefit from this as much as… Rin, for example.

She had the Queen by her side, and could benefit from whatever questions Thyress asked the other powerhouses.

In fact, Rin's relationship with the Queen had to be a student-master kinda thing.

If only Usan was alive…

Liam sighed tiredly. 

'Where's that fat dobber?' Liam thought, remembering the Mayor. 'I bet he's watching like the creep he is.'

Just then, Alucard's eyes met Liam's. 

He gave him a wave, and gestured to a free seat at the table they sat upon.

'How kind of him.'

In response, Liam subtly gestured to Spirit of Nature hanging to his side. 

Naomi noticed the exchange and quietly glanced at Liam and Alucard, who sat beside Eyes of Knowledge.

Alucard nodded firmly with a slight smile, giving Liam the 'OK' to bring her along. 

Liam glanced at Spirit of Nature as he rose from his feet. "Do you want to join their table?" he asked.

Spirit of Nature gave Liam a smirk.

If Liam had said something snarky like, "Let's go" or "Come", she would have relinquished their relationship straight away.

One had to remember that this was still a powerhouse!

They had to be given the utmost respect!

Despite their banter and back and forths, it was impossible for the two to be equal to each other.

Liam knew this.

And Spirit of Nature knew this.

Since Liam kept that in mind, Spirit of Nature gave him a smirk of approval.

"Why not," Naomi said with a smug look, slowly rising to her feet, revealing her towering form. "Since you're so well-behaved."

Liam's eyeline was right… ahem.

Right.

Averting his gaze and making a beeline for Alucard's table, Spirit of Nature followed closely behind.

The two sat side by side, opposite to Alucard and Eyes of Knowledge.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Naomi," Alucard said with a smile. "My apologies for not inviting you sooner. Me and Reiner were discussing something."

Something…

Liam wondered what.

Spirit of Nature gave Alucard a similar smile. "Likewise, and no worries. I was having a lovely chat with a little Reaper here." 

Reiner giggled quietly like the man-child he was.

Liam smiled faintly, but his eyes didn't.

"I never knew you two had connections with one another," Naomi bluntly told Alucard and Eyes of Knowledge. "Are Neren and Korsa allied?"

Silence.

The two were taken aback by her bluntness and sudden question.

Inwardly, Liam laughed. 

'It was a good idea to bring her along.' 

Good manners dictated that Naomi didn't question Alucard and Reiner's relationship.

Who was she to come and question them like that?

Except… this was a party to socialize.

And she was blunt by nature.

Plus, she could get away with it.

Alucard chuckled and didn't seem offended. 

"Reiner here helped me and my progeny invent our own inscription method. We're not particularly allied, but we are on good terms."

"Wow," Naomi exclaimed genuinely, raising her brows at Eyes of Knowledge. 

"I wouldn't suppose you could help us make our own inscription method, could you? Xoltrah is… embarrassingly, still in the stone age." 

Eyes of Knowledge gave her a cryptic smile, his hypnotizing eyes swirling. 

"Depends. I would no doubt love to visit a foreign country like yours." 

Reiner paused for dramatic effect.

"In exchange, you have to give me the most valuable thing you possess, and allow me to study it in private."