"So I'm to believe that you found traces of this spirit powder in the underground village?" Falas asked.
Shue nodded his head once. "I have. It's obvious they were trying to keep it hidden from me and Dawnheart. That would explain why they would dare start a sovereign town out of the protection of The Order,"
"Hmm…" Edict Barnes rubbed his chin and grumbled. "Tell us. What is the nature of this spirit powder that you speak of,"
"Is it a danger to the Sky Islands?" Falas asked.
"mmm… yes and no," Shue said. He was tapping his head wondering how he was going to explain that answer. "I'd say it isn't a danger to us directly,"
"Explain yourself. How isn't it a danger to us?" Falas demanded.
"It's like this… when two priest fight, the winner will be decided on a multitude of factors. The skill and technique of the priest. The spiritual force of the wielders. The abilities of the weapons. Now because our weapons are made by our spirit force, which is a major deciding factor to how hard our weapons can become,"
"We're aware of you priest and how your powers work," Barnes said.
"Naturally. Now surface dweller weapons are different. Though they pale in comparison to our own in many different ways, they do hold distinct advantages. Not only are they hard on its own, they can bypass the defenses we have against spirit weapons. Meaning even a Saint could get murdered by any of these things if he's not paying attention,"
"If that's the case, why do we dare to let common folk arm themselves?" One edict asked.
Falas lowered her head and closed her eyes. "Relax. There's a reason we do not care for the weaponry of the lower world. Though it holds that advantage, it cannot seize upon it. Spirit force affects more than just the weapon itself, but the body as well. Even if their smelted weapons are capable of harming us, most priest have ways of killing them without even letting them reach. No surface dweller would be crazy enough to take on a priest to even find that advantage out,"
"That would be correct. So in terms of a confrontation, let them have their precious metals if they want," Shue said.
"So we got the direct part. What of the indirect? How could their flimsy weapons possibly affect us?" Barnes asked.
"That is where the spirit powder come into play. Though it's useless on the body of a surface dweller, when it is applied to their metal weapons, it gives the weapon spirit force,"
"So what? Having spirit force by itself and applied to just the weapon isn't going to do anything," Another Edict said.
"On the contrary, it changes everything. You see, though their weapons have the potential to hurt us and other surface dwellers…" Shue said.
"It has absolutely zero effect on the demons whose bodies are made of pure spirit force," Falas finished.
"Correct. With spirit force applied to weapons, they now have the ability to take on demons up to level two at the most. Fitting, since level two is usually the most they'll ever see. It's extremely rare for a level three to come out on them,"
Sazo Barnes had his finger on his chin in thought. "With such methods, they could break our monopoly on dealing with the demons. The affect could cripple our very way of life in the Skylands,"
All the Grand Council members shuffled uncomfortably. "Agreed. Something must be done about the manufacturing and distribution of spirit powder. Where do you think it comes from?"
Sazo growled. "Where else would you think a thing like this would come from? That fucking Rebble region. Only they would think of a thing like this!"
"Indeed. We'll investigate the matter more with haste. Shue Yotsuka, we thank you for your detailed report on the underground village. You've done excellent work Cardinal," Grand Edict Falas said.
Shue smirked and rested his hand upon his chest. He gave a curt bow. "You honor me Grand Edict. I seek only the completion of the mission,"
"Your humbleness exceeds even the finest of gentlemen. However, there is something else we wish to discuss. Something, that was part of your mission," The Grand Edict said.
"Hmm? Oh, that…" Shue said.
"Your evaluation of the boy,"
At this, all the Edicts leaned forward in attention. They too were eager to hear of Toga Dawnhearts prowess and potential.
Shue sighed in disappointment. "You all saw it just now. I question how affective he'll be as a holder of the Red Dog,"
"A strange evaluation. I didn't get the impression that he was weak. Was his talent not to your liking?" Falas asked.
"It isn't his talent that's the problem. It's his wavering loyalty," Shue clenched his fist remembering how furious the kid was when he killed Harrow. "For a shining spirit, he's spent too much time with the dragons. I don't think he thinks in the same manner of those that came before him. One could even say, he rebelled against the wishes of the Skylands,"
The Edicts were unsettled. They began whispering amongst themselves. "I admit you bring up a worrisome point. An accurate one to be sure. We've sent people to look into his background and most in the Rebble region have already corroborated that the boy was in close relations with the holder of the White Dragon. It's unnerving to know that he could have held some sort of influence over our best shining spirit," Falas said.
"Is it enough to warrant a forced reincarnation?" Another edict asked.
"Kill the boy so the shining spirit goes into somebody more loyal to the cause. It's not as if it has never been done before. Even Shining Spirits can fumble who would be their next vessel. Even if they can point out potential, they can't seem to spot for intellect, nor can they sift for diseases that can hinder a priests ability to perform. However, this is a first that we've considered killing one for personality," Sazo said.
"That's absolutely out of the question. In all our history of the White Dragon, it was always the Red Dog who'd stop his rampage. Their fight is fated to happen. The timing would be horrendous. Should we kill him now, then in the time span it takes for the next one to even grow, Aeragis's vessel would have already grown to the extent he could just kill him again. When Aeragis is out, we're stuck with the Shining Spirits we have," Falas said.
"Then are we to pit childhood friend against each other? With our luck, they're more likely to talk it out and concede on our life," Another Edict complained.
Shue folded his arms. "I understand the worries of the Grand Council. Perhaps I might be able to add an opinion?"
"You've done excellent work so far Cardinal Yotsuka. You may speak your piece," Falas said.
"The two Shining Spirits are still mere teenagers. What else gets boys that age riled up enough to come to blows but a woman?"
The edicts gave each other unnerved looks. "I do not follow Cardinal Yotsuka. I think in this situation a woman's breast would hardly be enough to spark a death match,"
"Not in that context it won't but you've seen Toga's explosive anger firsthand. It was even enough to forget himself in front of Edicts like you,"
"You make a good point, but what does that have to do with a woman?" She asked.
"The Dark Queen shares a special bond with Toga. It's clear that she chose a Bond Guard right after his Shining Spirit status has been revealed," Shue said.
An enlightenment had sparked through Falas. "You're right. He immediately asked around for her once we relieved him. She already requested to watch over Rebble. Knowing that girl and her ambitions, she's going to want a spot on the council. She'll have to listen to our request," Falas said.
"We simply ask her to do things that will put her in enmity with that boy Ryuma. Toga will have to pick a side. Men side with a nice pair of tits after all," Sazo said
"It seemed, something good came out of the girl's decision. We now have the perfect chess piece to set the two up in conflict," Falas said smiling. "Shue, you shall be rewarded nicely for your contribution this mission. We'll be keeping Toga in Loil territory to grow and flourish. It'll also increase his longing to see Erika especially if he gets constant update between the enmity of his friend and his lover,"
"Manufactured fate is still fate after all," Shue said.
"Now all we have to deal with is Yami Bandai," Sazo said. There was a dark shadow cast from his eyes. "That man will for sure block us from the holder of the White Dragon at every turn,"
"There's no point in fretting over Yami," Falas smirked. "Though he may own Rebble, there are still Red Dogs who are loyal even in his own territory.
This time it was Shue that smirked. "If there's nothing more, I'll bid you farewell until my next mission," He bowed and turned to leave. Today, was a good day.