"What do you mean by that? I don't have any reason to be afraid of them because they wouldn't hurt me since they're not going to play as the blind. right?" Arex responded, still puzzled by Leomold's unexpected comment. Before Leomold could say anything, Arex interjected, "Besides, isn't this game supposed to be a team up so that we could win against the blind?"
"That's the entire idea, Arex. This was meant to be a collaborative gaming experience. But if you're not aware, the group you're working with has no plans to team up with you." Leomold responded as he approached Arex closer.
This caused Arex to be taken aback. Even though he believed to have an advantage over the other seven lords, Arex couldn't believe that Leomold still discovered a flaw in his plan.
"So, are you saying that you're not interested in teaming up together with me? Of course, I know that having Roxina involved, for sure it is the reason to make you reconsider." Arex abruptly spoke, causing Leomold to stop for a moment.
"It would have been like that, yes, but that is if I were someone who likes taking sides. Lady Roxina is an ally, but that doesn't mean that I consider you as a foe." Leomold finally responded.
"What exactly are you pointing at?"
"Simply put, I can't allow you to be defeated by the other lords and completely be destroyed. Some might see this as a self-centered motive, but I refuse to allow my specimen to vanish due to a hunting game."
"Will you be able to help me win then?" Arex finally inquired when he felt that Leomold might be hinting at wanting him to win the hunting competition the next day.
"First off, I'm the only one who's willing to team up with you. You still need to have others agree with you. We could approach Lord Braganza and Lord Valkas and see if they are open to considering your intentions, assuming they are interested, of course." Leomold responded.
"You mean I have to beg them to join forces with me?"
"Convincing them would be better to hear than begging them, right? You wouldn't have been willing to ask them for help even if I had told you to, right?"
"Never!" Arex quickly responded, firmly declaring that he would never ask others for help.
"I know. I figured you'd disagree, so I suggested that it might be more effective if you persuade them instead."
"Doesn't persuading them also make it seem like I was pleading for their assistance?"
"You can communicate with them without coming across as desperate, you know?"
"How can I even accomplish that? The moment I even appeared before them, they would instantly think I was aiming for a fight. Nothing will be resolved if that's how they think my purpose is."
"I get it. That's why I'm joining you to try and have a conversation with Lord Valkas and Lord Braganza. There are no guarantees that we will win their favor, but we can certainly make an effort. Although, I do have a small request to make..."
Arex, who was feeling a little curious, what Leomold meant about it, abruptly asked, "What favour?"
"Well, I hope you can possibly behave in your most benign way."
"You're making it sound like I'm a creature that would harm others as soon as I escaped my cage."
Yet, Leomold merely gazed at Arex, conveying agreement with a simple glance. As Leomold saw Arex getting ready to voice another complaint, he simply walked past Arex, his flowing purple hair moving with each step.
As they left, Leomold quickly silenced Arex by holding up his finger in front of his face. "First, we had to meet with Lord Braganza, and later tonight, we're going to see Lord Valkas. Don't worry. Once you've gained the favor of these two, the rest will likely come along."
"Why? Do they act as the second in command?" Arex inquired with curiosity.
"All seven lords are known as the deputy when the high lord is not around. All seven of us act as second in command. Although, if I must say, it's rare for the high lord to be absent unless absolutely necessary. However, if you're asking, why Lord Valkas and Lord Braganza? Well, let's just say it like this, those two were highly respected by the other lords."
Leomold started walking and talking, with Arex following closely behind.
Lord Braganza is the first member of the Black Parade and is like the senior among the seven of us. It's widely understood that seniority typically takes precedence. Meanwhile, Lord Valkas consistently outperforms in missions, even back when we were all being trained by the grand necromancer, he has always been the one who excels the most.
After hearing Leomold's words, Arex couldn't stop thinking about how he would approach Braganza and Valkas for a conversation. He hardly interacted with those two lords, except for the time when Valkas attempted to harm him.
Arex couldn't shake the feeling that Valkas was staring at him with a peculiar intensity, as if there was something more to his gaze. Arex couldn't grasp the situation until Leomold abruptly snapped his finger in front of Arex's face.
"Hey, Arex, are you paying attention to what I'm saying?" Leomold uttered just after attempting to snap Arex out of it.
It took some time before Arex was able to respond. "Uh, sure." He replied, but he was still uncertain about what Leomold was talking about. "What was that once again?"
Leomold couldn't resist letting out a sigh. "Really?" he inquired. A disconcerting look slightly altered Leomold's hopeful demeanour. He understood Arex well enough to expect his current behaviour to occur occasionally.
With that, Leomold began to walk once more, initiating for Alex to move along as well.
"Well, I actually was thinking about something?" Arex eventually replied.
Arex's response made Leomold pause in his tracks once again. After that, Leomold turned to Arex, looking at him with a curious expression. "What are you thinking about?" He inquired of Arex.
Arex, on the other hand, was a bit reluctant to ask about the way Valkas looked at him at the chamber at that time. As Arex thought about it, Leomold might just end up saying it was all in Arex's mind, especially when most people thought of Valkas as a reputable man just like Grecko.
Ultimately, Arex came up with a new explanation to share with Leomold. "Well, it's just that. I actually don't know what to tell the two lords at all. Will you just talk to them for me?"