Nergal-Ushezib asked, "But why is he docile now? He killed Malik, so you were in combat, no? And what happened in the event? Were you pitted against one another?"
Lao explained how the event transpired and why he believed Farron was silent. After he explained that he killed Elise as a way of punishing Farron, Lao commanded him, "Stop. You're saying that you killed the lover of a valuable asset because you were upset that you were going to be penalized for your ineptitude?"
"Great Serpent, it was only a way of reminding him of who we are and the consequences of turning against us."
"Don't you dare make excuses! You got your little feelings hurt because you thought I would punish you for allowing Malik to die, so you took it out on something of ours. He wasn't ours at the time, but he is now, and you've greatly diminished his value because you got angry."
He continued ranting, "I'm not afraid of taking him in—he's not completely unsalvageable—but how I use him is now limited in scope for the next several years! I can probably only use him for policing actions because of you until he stops resenting us. Your punishment for losing Malik was partially alleviated because you replaced him, but now, you've effectively lost two lords from a mythical ranked contest! I'll only get him back years from now!"
"I apologize, great Serpent, but I hadn't thought of using him like this until after the event, as I was overcome with rage at the offense towards Babylon."
Despite looking like a brute, Nergal-Ushezib was actually quick-witted and saw through Lao's defense.
"Do not deflect the blame and don't act innocent! Your thoughts were not about babylon. It was about how you would be perceived in our court. You were selfish, and even if you weren't lying to try to wriggle your way out of trouble, you should have thought of using him several hours before that point! You should have thought of that when you met him!"
Lao's eyes turned black. He knew he couldn't escape the blame any more. Further excuses would only dig himself a bigger grave. His heart sank, and he had to strain to prevent tears from falling from his eyes.
He came here to present Farron as a gift as opposed to any other province because he had great combat potential, which Nergal-Ushezib should have appreciated, and he was a member of the local court, which made a lighter sentence more likely. However, now that Farron was useless, he wouldn't be spared.
Nergal-Ushezib sighed, trying to calm himself down, before saying, "You will be punished as you should have been originally. I will not take your bloodline out of consideration for your combat prowess and your status as a lord, but you will no longer have a place on the provincial court."
He continued, "As of now, you may no longer consider yourself among the ranks of the Princeps Dominorum. I'll have someone arrange for another post for you later. For now, take Farron to the oracles. They'll know what to do with him. Afterwards, you will stay in the palace until I send for you."
Lao strained to keep the tremors out of his voice and gravely said, "Understood, great Serpent."
"As for you other two, I congratulate you on succeeding in the first event. It is unfortunate that Malik passed, but his death was the fault of the highest-level individual in the field, not yours. You are all dismissed."
The two beside Lao rose and went their own ways, but Lao paused for a moment before he slowly rose as well. However, after looking at the Serpent, he turned and obediently led Farron by the shoulder through a maze of decadent halls.
His grip was tight, and he was tempted to kill him to relieve his frustrations, but he decided not to. Though more consequences were unlikely, he'd passed a few servants, and if one of them were to witness Faron's immortality and spread a rumor about it, he would be responsible.
And if the Serpent wished to keep his abilities close to his chest and he was the one to llet it out, an even harsher punishment would be headed his way, and he couldn't stand any more.
Eventually, they arrived before a solid gray metal door, which Lao unlocked by using an odd device to the right of the door that looked like a series of game controllers' joysticks.
Each stick took a code consisting of a series of movements, and after they had all been inputted, the door opened after several parts of it folded into themselves and into the wall. It looked out of place because it seemed technologically advanced when compared with the rest of the palace.
Inside were several individuals covered entirely in synthetic metal suits. It covered them from head to toe and looked like battle armor of some form.
Several places on it glowed, including slits on the sides of their abdomens and circles on their hands, but nothing of the legions of individuals inside was exposed. By this time, Farron was coming out of his shock.
Lao saluted the oracles by putting his hand to his chest and bowing to them before addressing them, "Great oracles, the Serpent of the province has taken in this individual and wishes to make him one with Babylon."
One responded in a stiff, slightly metallic voice, "Very well. We will make him one. You are dismissed."
As Lao left, Farron swallowed and then cleared his throat, which he had to do several times before he could speak. After he did, he queried with a hoarse voice, "Who are you? Where are we?"
One responded with a heavy heart, recognizing him as another victim, "We are the oracles. You are within the Zarathun province. We are sorry for whatever you may have lost before arriving here."
The last sentence stung his heart.
"We apologize, but you will be made to be one with Babylon."