Xasha concluded palaces were the aesthetic of Ethos. Or at least, of the Mu territory, every settlement he passed by had the same buildings. Palaces with lofty towers, along with lots of large open courtyards.

Xasha didn't mind the sight, but he sighed when he saw it was home to a single person or a single family. He felt it was just too much; it seemed like overkill to be doing all of that.

The airships slowed down as they passed through the mountain pass. When they came out on the other side, what lied before them was another series of black-colored palaces. Xasha sighed, then shook his head with a chuckle. He blamed himself for becoming slightly excited.

"This is Limbu, my home and the most powerful and well-protected place in my Mu territory." Mulindo pointed to the largest palace in the center of the city. "That is my home. I would love for you all to stay here with us."

Xasha nodded with a polite smile. He had developed a good relationship with Mulindo over the past few days. He reminded him of himself, a loyal person, but only to his family. To anyone else, he would be ruthless. True to his word and always a man of his word. His only concern was for those he cared about to protect them, he would lie, steal, or cheat anybody. Xasha found this quality of his refreshing. As far as he was concerned, the heart of a man lied in Mulindo's chest.

The airships landed on the lawns of a relatively small courtyard of Mulindo's palace. There was a large crowd surrounding them, but they all had smiles on their faces. This was because of the flag flying atop the airship. It was the Mu people's crest, and this particular crest was only flown by Shaman Ulock.

Mulindo and his team greeted everyone who came to meet them and introduced Xasha and the others to the crowd as friends met by fate. He ordered his attendants to find accommodations for all of Xasha's people, then invited Xasha to come with him.

Xasha had his perception spread out the entire time. He had been keeping count of the number of people in this city hidden and out in the open and their cultivation. He realized these Mu people, while several times more powerful than his Falling Stardust. Everyone seems to be stuck at the first or second flame. Xasha wondered what caused this. Another thing to mention was that all the people inside the city seemed young, none passed a thousand years old.

Mulindo pushed through a pair of large doors and led Xasha inside. This was a throne room of such a sort, it was completely dark. Only a single fire burned near the throne inside the room. Mulindo walked straight to the foot of the throne, then half knelt. Xasha wondered who he was kneeling to. Was he not the strongest amongst the Mu people?

"Elders and I have bad news. My father is dead, and the fate of our Mu people now rests in my hands. I fear I am too inexperienced, too weak, and ill-prepared. But, if I really have to, I swear I will not bring our people to ruin but above our current station with my own two hands..." Mulindo made several declarations and vows. There was, however, no movement in the darkness and no auras lingering either.

Xasha, who stood to the side now, had his brows scrunched. Was he praying to his ancestors?

"By fate, I met an ally who has agreed to help and protect our Mu people. In exchange, we will become his ally and help him stabilize the region after he consumes both Leighton and Rimton. His name is Xasha, and I brought him here to meet you. I believe his words can be trusted. He possesses the strength to stabilize the region by himself, but he helped us anyway. I believe he is a staunch ally to our Mu people." Mulindo looked back at Xasha, gesturing. Xasha approached and stood beside him. He did not forget a polite bow before stepping back.

"This child is weak and arrogant and looks down on our Mu people."

Xasha froze. The voice came from the darkness; it seemed to be coming from everywhere at once. What scared Xasha was, there was still no aura or movement in the room. As far as he could tell, he and Mulindo were alone. So, where did that voice come from?

"That is true, but he is young. Therefore, he is arrogant. He must have a reason to be so confident. So confident that even our Mu people are not in his eyes. This is a good thing. It is the source of that confidence that he will use to protect our Mu people. I sense no ill intent or hostility towards our Mu people. I believe he sincerely wants to help our Mu people. But I also sense that he will not be helping our Mu people for free. There must be benefits to helping us, you have considered. Tell me, what are they?" The voice of an old woman separate from the man before addressed Xasha.

Xasha stepped forward and said solemnly, "knowledge."