One-Eyed Monster

Every word Joseph spoke emphasized his distrust of Stan Sol. Yet, regardless of their trust, the situation remained unchanged: Igor still needed to establish a connection with Stan Sol.

Although this outcome was inevitable, Igor felt it necessary to explain things to Joseph and the others. This wasn’t a question of capability, but one of respect. Therefore, Igor wanted to persuade them first before taking any action.

However, convincing someone was proving to be quite challenging. Judging by Joseph and Kuren’s cautious demeanor, this won’t be easy, Igor thought. Despite Kadi passionately recounting various stories about Stan Sol, his words had little effect on Kuren and Joseph.

The fact that an outsider from beyond Guru Mountain had learned their secret code and used it to pass messages was a grave concern. While it might seem trivial, their code possessed multiple layers of concealment. An outsider, no matter how resourceful, could not master it in a short time; learning it would require paying a significant price. So, no matter what Kadi said about Stan Sol, neither Joseph nor Kuren would shift their stance.

This was an incredibly challenging task; even a direct message from Stan Sol wouldn’t sway Kuren and Joseph. Igor, for his part, didn’t want to try anything secretly, as he was unwilling to offend Kuren and Joseph. However, he also knew that without their help, he couldn’t establish the connections he desired.

The deadlock was one of their own making, and to break it, they first needed to reach an internal consensus. Igor knew he wasn’t a skilled orator and lacked eloquence. He remained silent, lost in thought. There must be a way around this, he mused, but I need to explain things clearly first.

”We know of the Sol Family,” Kuren said. ”They are a mysterious clan, but most of them are usually active in the Vero Realm. An appearance in the Kayne Realm is indeed a bit unusual.” Although Kuren also distrusted Stan Sol, it wasn’t to the same extent as Joseph. For the most part, he leaned towards Igor’s perspective. Even though Igor hadn’t said anything at that moment, Kuren understood what he was thinking. Therefore, Kuren felt it necessary to explain the situation to Igor, to prevent him from being deceived again and kept in the dark.

”’Oh, I know!’ Kadi couldn’t help but interject, as Igor offered no explanation. ’Stan Sol said their family was once incredibly influential! Monarchs of every nation on this continent would show them utmost respect upon seeing their family crest!’”

He felt a connection to Stan Sol, as he believed they were both searching for their place in the world.

”’Indeed, the head of their family is someone many great lords rely on—a consequence of supply and demand,’ Kuren continued. ’However, their other family members don’t receive such treatment. Perhaps the Vero Queen might be receptive, but other monarchs are not so easily swayed.’ Kuren’s thoughts drifted to his good partner Dastan, a member of the Sol Family, whose current whereabouts were unknown.”

”’And not just that,’ Kadi chimed in again, tirelessly recounting the Sol Family’s story to Kuren and Joseph, ’their family isn’t as formidable as they used to be. That’s why Stan Sol’s brother took a group to other empires, seeking new sources of power.’”

They had heard this story from Stan Sol himself and remembered it vividly, so Kadi recounted it smoothly. But things weren’t progressing as they had imagined. Even though Kadi, as a Wandering Bard, could weave an enthralling tale, he still couldn’t dispel Kuren’s and Joseph’s suspicions. These suspicions stemmed from their assessment of the overall situation and their concern for the Great Mentor and their other companions.

Ever since their transformation into monsters, they found it impossible to trust anyone easily. Their circle of trust was limited to the dozen or so individuals on Guru Mountain.

Igor was at a loss. He felt completely adrift, hesitating and pondering, yet unable to find a suitable way forward.

”’Stan Sol even gave up his innate language abilities to find his brother!’ Kadi continued, his voice tinged with awe as he recounted the Sol Family’s tale. ’He traded that ability for something else, all to boost his own strength. He’s willing to give up anything! That kind of sacrifice... it’s something I just can’t wrap my head around.’”

”’His perseverance is commendable,’ Kuren analyzed, ’Sacrificing parts of oneself to pursue one’s path... while the story is a bit cliché, it’s not unusual for it to move one or two people.’ He still suspected that Igor and the others had been duped by a smooth talker.”

”’Regardless, I firmly believe Stan Sol isn’t a bad person,’ Kadi added. ’Think about it: he came up the mountain pursuing someone else, not like those Treasure Hunters. He shows no interest in the White Cloud Fruit or the monsters.’”

Igor felt that Kadi was voicing his own thoughts exactly. Whether Kuren and Joseph believed them or not, at least they could perceive his and Kadi’s earnestness.

”’This concealment method is indeed advanced,’ Joseph stated frankly, conveying their perspective to Igor and Kadi. ’You might think we’re being overly cautious, but we cannot afford to overlook any suspicious detail.’ For them, such vigilance was fundamental. After all, it’s highly unlikely a stranger could infiltrate their world unnoticed without raising some questions.”

They were now deadlocked over Stan Sol. Two of them harbored suspicions about this stranger, while the other two believed in him implicitly. Neither side could persuade the other, leaving them stuck, unsure of the next step.

”’Even if he is an enemy, we can’t just remain idle here,’ Igor sighed, the urgency of the situation weighing on him.”

Igor’s words carried a tone of helplessness but also hinted at a decision. Whether Kuren and Joseph would accept his proposal, however, was another question entirely.

”’Are you suggesting we give it a try?’ Kuren asked Igor tentatively.”

”’You seniors can use the secret code to test him again,’ Igor proposed. ’If Stan Sol is an enemy, he won’t reply. Why? Because after the code has been transmitted multiple times, an enemy would have definitely pinpointed our location by now!’”