The ones I saw back then, the [Demons] I encountered soon after I was summoned, at the time, I couldn't differentiate them, I couldn't have known. I remembered that they had hard skin so I had come to assume that they were Dragonbroods, but, looking at them here, having fought the Dragonbroods a few times and having seen them up close, I can say for certain that these are no Dragonbroods.

It felt so long ago, so much so that I hardly remember them. There was so much that had to be done, so much fighting. My mind was more occupied on surviving and winning that I never quite looked back. If I did, then I'd probably realize that something was wrong sooner.

Before I proposed my plan to the Bestial Champion, I asked her three questions. They were simple questions. If it's information she doesn't trust me with then she could just respond with a 'maybe' or 'perhaps' as she usually does.

My first question was, 'Will the Grand Keeper, Seven, come for the Purifier?'

The answer was, 'Yes, but only if the place is defenseless enough.'

For the second question, I asked, 'Will Nine show up if the Purifier is about to fall into Seven's hands?'

The answer was a simple 'most likely'.

Lastly, I asked, 'Will Nine be able to hold his own against Seven?'

The answer was, 'He could, with your help.'

Those were the foundations of this plan, the plan to lure them both here and force a truce between Nine and Seven. One Seven's side, she couldn't do anything about the Keepers without the Purifier. My plan was to exchange the promise of purifying the Keepers with the guarantee that the others will be sent back once it is done. However, that plan would only work if Nine is present to prevent Seven from obtaining the Purifier by force. It is a negotiation I can only make with the sole tool of purification, the aptly named Purifier, in my possession. On Nine's side, I plan to have him help with the purification of the Keepers and let the others go without fuss in exchange for my cooperation. However, that won't work if it's just me alone. I need to be in possession of the Purifier, one of the keys needed for obtaining full administration rights, to make this worthwhile for him. Once this is over and with the others sent back, Nine should have a great advantage over Seven for the time being.

Was I too naive for thinking that such a simple plan would work? Maybe, but I am afraid this isn't where I can play it safe. I need to, have to, get as best a deal I can get while I still have cards to play. No more vague promises. I need guarantees that the others can get home before doing anything else, I need to be able to make it happen by force if I have to. My objectives may have increased, but my priorities haven't changed.

Well, so far, things are according to plan. While it seemed like I might just have to give away the Purifier for a bit there, things worked out. I should feel good about it, right? Yet, I don't feel anything resembling good. I can't help but think back to it, to the beginning, when everything started. Was it all a trick? No... There's no point deluding myself by asking such a question. They were, it was all a big trick right from the start orchestrated by the princess herself.

Aras, the [Celestial Eagle] comes with the [Whirlwind] skill, an area-of-effect knockback skill that does a small amount of damage. Due to this skill and its excellent mobility as a flying creature, it is a perfect choice for Summoners looking for crowd control options. With its abilities, Aras was able to avoid Seven's attacks while keeping her at a distance.

Again and again, swords of light appear around Seven, flying towards Aras in an attempt to bring it down. Each time, Aras nimbly avoids them, weaving in between the barrages by skillfully manipulating the angles of its wings. It was the sort of fine manipulation one can only see in beasts.

Should Seven give up on Aras and go after the 'princess' and her supposed [Demons], the creatures she had called Diablos, Aras would sweep in, attacking with either its talons or unleashing [Whirlwind] to force Seven back. Yet, if she focuses on Aras, the Diablos would surround and close in on Seven, swiping at her with their deadly claws and massive limbs.

I watch them closely and try to judge my timing. I did not have them gathered here so that they could destroy one another. I need them both. When the distance between them seems about right, I call upon the fairies, and with around ten of them in complete sync with one another, unleashes the spell, [Aero Blast].

A great blade of wind cleaves between Seven and the 'princess', splitting the dirt before exploding into a great burst of air that pushes the two even further from one another and scattered the Diablos.

Even with the Diablos scattered, the 'princess' apparently saw her chance to deal with Seven while she has been unbalanced by the blast of wind and tries to call in Aras to deal a deathly blow.

The [Celestial Eagle] dives in, her talons aiming for Seven's head and neck, acting on its murderous instincts of a predator to rip off the Grand Keeper's head. Of course, I can't have that, and just as the eagle is about to reach Seven, it suddenly freezes in place. Around it, a magical circle had appeared. It's the [Bind Circle]. Being bound to the [Demonic Tree] has its disadvantages, a bit too many I might add, but one of the upsides is that the range of all my skills has been extended to encompass the entire forest. I have become part of it, and it a part of me.

Seeing that Aras is frozen, Seven wields her blade of light and tries to strike it down right there, but an arrow from above smashed into the ethereal blade with miraculous accuracy, shattering it like glass as the brilliant pieces scatter into the surroundings before fading away.

"Grand Keeper! And... 'princess'. If I may have a word!"

Quickly coming to the realization that I am the one who is interfering with their little duel, the two finally turn their eyes off one another and towards me. I now have their attention, for better or for worse.

"I see that you both are having a hard time getting along, but do hear me out on this proposal."

Cold sweat drenches my body. I'm not sure how long I can keep my wits about with these two glaring at me with such intensity. Just them stopping what they're doing to give me the time of the day is enough to upset my stomach. This is so stressful it makes me want to just toss everything aside and run away. Unfortunately, my legs don't work, so I am forced to tough this out.

"Grand Keeper, as I was trying to say before, I want my friends to be able to go back home."

For a bit there, I wanted to address her as Seven, but I wouldn't want the implications of what knowing that name may have. She'd probably find it more suspicious than anything else, for someone like me to know that name out of nowhere. She might think that I am somehow trying to trick her by acting as if I am familiar with her.

"I can certainly do that, yes, but you caused me quite a bit of trouble, with your actions before and the interference just now. I don't see why I should entertain your wishes."

Big words for someone who had planned to drag us into this world to solve its problems in the first place. But, I'm sure she doesn't care. For her, what is important is the maintaining of this world, anything else comes second, including caring about what's right and wrong I suppose.

"There are only two Keepers left in this world, and apparently they do not plan to get along with one another. From the recent development of events, I'd say you have no control over the Keeper of Mankind, isn't that right? No, I am guessing that the only one aligned with you was the Dragonbroods' Keeper, everyone else was just off doing their own things. I've always been curious. Even though you're the Grand Keeper, it makes little sense that only one is willing to follow you."

"Being the earliest of the races to show signs of being [Corrupted], the [Corruption] of Mankind and Faefolks are too deep for the Grand Keeper to maintain cooperation with them. As for the Holy Beast, I convinced her to help me a while back, thus leaving our Grand Keeper here with only one Keeper on her side."

As the 'princess' explains, Seven glares at her with utter contempt. Meanwhile, the 'princess' maintains her unnaturally calm demeanor and practically ignoring the Grand Keeper, an action which only seems to increase the intensity of the Seven's glare. I can only hope they don't start fighting in the middle of my proposal. I don't think I'll be able to stop them a second time, not with them aware that I too am an opponent.

"In exchange for hearing out my request, I will help you purify the remaining Keepers."

This time, it's the 'princess' that is glaring, and she's glaring at me. Never had she glared at me like that before and honestly, it doesn't feel very good.

"Both the 'princess' and I will, that is."

With that last part added, both the Grand Keeper and the 'princess' have their eyes widen, shocked at what ridiculous thing I've just said. On one hand, there's a sense of elation in seeing their disbelief, as if I had just pulled off a big prank. On the other hand, their shock reflects the ridiculousness of my proposal right back at me, making even me, the one who came up with this, feel like I'm just spouting nonsense. Heck, maybe I am.

Come on, no time to get cold feet. There's no way I'll be able to get these two in the same place like this ever again considering that they just tried to kill one another after so much as trading glances. Right now, they're here, in this forest, in my turf. With Seven coming here due to thinking at that I have no way of going against her and the 'princess' rushing over to prevent Seven from taking the Purifier, neither of them had done any preparations, allowing me this advantage over them, the advantage of turning the tides to the favor of whoever I choose in this very moment. I can't let this opportunity slip past me without doing anything.

"Aurelius, why do you think I'll just do as you say?"

The 'princess' speaks with a cold tone. It's not the first time I've heard it, but today it's especially cold.

"If you help me purify the remaining Keeper in this cycle, I'll stay behind and help you fight in the next cycle. That should give you a significant advantage over the Grand Keeper, no?"

"But you asked her to return your friends back home first right? Do you know what that entails?"

"Of course, you'll be handing over the method you used to hijack the Grand Keeper's summoning to make that possible."

"That's right, and if I do that, she'll be able to summon more Champions without fear for my interference, and this time, she'll be able to do them properly and summon them all on her side."

"I'm sure you'll find another way to disrupt the summoning."

Perhaps I said that too flippantly, because it seems like the 'princess' took great offense from that, giving me a look that implies that say something along the lines of, 'If you think it's that easy, then you do it.' However, suddenly, her expression shifts, as if suddenly realizing something. Now, she grins broadly and confidently.

"Well, I suppose I might come up with something. Very well then, I'll let the Grand Keeper know what I did when it is time to send your friends home."

The 'princess' wouldn't be able to see it due to being by Seven's side, but Seven was glancing at her and in her eyes, I witness what seems to be slight panic. Most likely, due to how easily the 'princess' is willing to give the information up, Seven came under the impression that the 'princess' will easily be able to find another way to disrupt the summoning.

"So, you'll help, 'princess'?"

"I'd say 'anything for my Champion', but I'm sure you know by now that would be a lie. That being said, in exchange for our future partnership, I will gladly lend my aid."

"So, there you have it, Grand Keeper, the 'princess' agrees to help purify the Keepers, what say you?"

At this point, she shouldn't be able to refuse. Her greatest obstacle so far, the 'princess' has agreed to help her, and with the remnants of Mankind invading the Dragonbroods with a full party of Champions in tow, she should be rather anxious about the survival of the sole race remaining within her control. If things are allowed to progress as they are, soon, the world will end. However, if she takes our aid, she'll be able to prevent that for a little longer, perhaps long enough for the tide to turn in her favor somehow. If she refuses, then there won't even a tide left to turn.

Seven glares with scrutiny at the 'princess' beside her before turning her glace towards me. Her brows furrow as she stares seemingly into my soul, and just as it feels like this is going to take forever, her lips move and she speaks with a harsh tone.

"Very well then, let us have this truce."

***

End of Chapter 77