"This makes no sense. Why would you want to subordinate me? Am I not an enemy? Was that not clear when I snuck in with the intention to kill your daughter? How do you know I'm not a spy from another territory?" Even though it was an unrealistically good result, he couldn't help but refute, as it overturned every modicum of common sense in his head. Was she crazy? Or was he old?
"Are you trying to convince me to kill you?" The Silver Moondance Wolf Matriarch was also confused. As their prisoner whose life they were sparing seemed to be convinced he deserved death. The truth was, in any sort of community, human, Wolf, or not, he would indeed deserve a death sentence for his actions.
"Nonsense. I appreciate being able to retain my life, but it simply makes no sense." He sounded like he was courting death, but he had no wish to die. He only voiced his doubts because this Wolf Matriarch seemed to be eccentric enough to let it go.
"Then let me clarify. I appreciate talents. To make use of an asset is the job of a leader, and you seemed to be worth more alive than dead. I said it before, 'better make friends rather than enemies.' Do you not want to be friends?" She tilted her head with a sad look and her ears flopped over.
What happened to the dignity and royal majesty of a one who was at least a golden core realm cultivator and a leader of thousands of wolves? Making friends? Wasn't it enough just to be her subordinate? He was fine with that, he was willing to compromise, as long as it wasn't forced slavery, or his boss was weaker than him. All ambitions start with keeping one's life after all, pride was nothing to that. But friend? The thought made him restless.
Though they could not hear their conversation, as the thought transmission only worked on a single individual at a time, the other wolves saw the odd expression their queen made, but made no big reactions. They merely sighed and grumbled, while the wolf princess was covering its face in apparent shame of her mother's behavior.
Was this normal? Did all leaders act like this? Were they just used to it? Hades' thoughts were in chaos. It was like a delinquent was shown kindness for the first time in his life and didn't know what to do.
"I... I understand. I am willing to be allies, but how could you possibly trust me?" There were zero reasons he could think of that might warrant her faith in his trustworthiness.
"Ah, you asked this before, right? I am rather certain you are not from the other territories, as you have the smell of a human on you. I also don't believe you're under any orders or follow any human organization, as you have no characteristics of a slave contract. You were also here on a private grudge with my daughter, so you have a lot of free reign in whatever connection you have with the humans." Her explanation made sense, and the wolves nodded, while the wolf princess grumbled.
Hades had no choice but to admit that the wolf matriarch was extraordinarily clever and flexible, far more so than him. She had earned his respect.
"Very well. You have convinced me. I will put down my grudges and follow your orders. I only hope that you'll allow some personal freedom." With the attitude of the wolf matriarch, he figured it would be fine to request something shameless.
"Excellent! Thank you for agreeing to my selfish request! Don't worry, I can grant your request, on one condition." Not that he had a choice in the first place.
"What is your condition? I would like to disagree with any slave seals and/or contracts." He was prepared to accept. How bad could it be? As long as it wasn't something that forced absolute servitude, he would be fine. Whether it's revealing his cultivation techniques, his address, a tracking mark, or one of his limbs, he could accept it. This wolf matriarch had thoroughly earned his respect and trust through her amiability and with.
"It's alright, I only require that you bring an escort with you, wherever you go. So you don't run away on us." He could accept that, though it would be worrying bringing a wolf into one's home, he figured he could assassinate them if need be. He didn't think they would be able to know his location if he fled.
"Xe'er here will follow you then." He was confused. Was he supposed to know who that was? Then he saw the wolf matriarch bark at the silver wolf princess, and the young wolf immediately crying out in indignation. So it was the little princess she was referring to.
Wait a moment. The princess he had a grudge with? That was the heir to this 100,000 strong wolf pack? The daughter of the powerful wolf matriarch? Was this okay???
"It has been decided then. Come back in a few days. I'll give you time to prepare yourself. When you come back, I'll assign your task." The matriarch seemed to be pleased for some reason he couldn't fathom, mostly because he couldn't fathom most of his current situation at the moment.
The silver wolf that was a bit bigger than him then trotted up to him. She glared at him in disdain and gestured to the woods. He would be unable to understand her, as she did not know the thought transmission skill, as she wasn't quite strong enough yet. He understood that she wanted to leave now.
He still had some doubts to be raised, but he accepted his fate and slinked off into the dark woods with a silver wolf at his heels