"Hah, me?" Cero seemed slightly surprised. He hadn't even realized he was smiling. His mind churned, trying to grasp what exactly had sparked the reaction.
But it wasn't satisfaction or triumph. It felt more like anticipation. This world—with its complexities, from Essentia to Abyssal, from kingdoms to mystical beings like Isvel—felt like an immense puzzle, challenging him to unravel it.
"I don't know," Cero finally answered with a casual tone, though the glint in his eyes betrayed otherwise. "Maybe I just realized… this world won't be boring. At least not for me."
Isvel studied him sharply, then shrugged nonchalantly. Despite her aloof demeanor, there was a flicker of intrigue in her gaze she couldn't fully hide. "You're not so different from the rulers of this world. Greedy, as they say. But there's something intriguing about you—the technology you carry, something even I don't recognize."
She exhaled deeply, as though burdened by her observations. "How ironic. You talk about ambition, power, and influence. You may come in a different form, but at your core, you're just like them."
Cero chuckled softly, though it lacked humor. "Why would you say that? Isn't that what humanity is supposed to be?" His gaze bore into Isvel, sharp and probing, as if ensuring every word he uttered pierced through her logic.
He took a step closer, crossing his arms over his chest, and spoke in a deeper tone. "You may not be human, Isvel, so let me tell you something. Greed, as you call it, is the gateway to civilization."
Isvel raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "The gateway to civilization? Ha! That's just an excuse humans use to justify destroying this world for their own benefit."
Cero's thin smile grew sharper, his eyes alight with a different intensity. "No. Hear me out. Greed isn't just about wanting more. It's the drive to move forward. The desire to possess more than you have, to break past the limits you know, to explore the unknown—that's what pushes humans to create something new."
He stepped closer to the cell, his focus unwavering. "Picture this: humans who are content stay in one place, waiting for time to consume them. But greedy humans? They build cities from wilderness, tame fire to fight the night, and craft tools to conquer the world. Without greed, humanity would never have found a way to fight the Abyssal. They'd submit, lose, and disappear."
Isvel remained silent, though her curiosity was beginning to surface. Her narrowed eyes studied the man before her, trying to decipher him. "So, you think the destruction caused by greed is worth it for the sake of civilization?"
"Yes," Cero answered without hesitation. "Because from destruction comes renewal. From the ruins of cities rise innovation. Every step forward, every piece of technology you see, comes from humans unsatisfied with what they have. That dissatisfaction is the essence of progress."
Isvel let out a small laugh, this time sounding more genuine. "That's an interesting explanation, Cero. But don't forget one thing: greed also creates wars, suffering, and irreversible destruction."
Cero nodded, acknowledging her point with a brief tilt of his head. "True. But war? Suffering? They're just the price to pay. This world doesn't move without conflict. And those who win are the ones brave enough to pay that price."
For the first time, Isvel looked at Cero with more seriousness. Here was someone who didn't just talk about power but seemed to hold a deeper philosophy about how the world worked. She sighed, glancing at the magical chains that bound her.
"Your greed might be unlike anything I've ever seen," she said softly. "You speak as though you understand this world better than the rulers who've lived here for centuries. But you've only just arrived, haven't you? What makes you so confident your philosophy is correct?"
Cero smirked, this time exuding an unshakable confidence. "I don't need to live for centuries to understand something so simple. This world, like any other, runs on the same principle. Those who remain still are forgotten. Those who act, even through conflict and chaos, are remembered."
Isvel leaned back against the wall of her cell, observing the man before her with a mix of curiosity and a flicker of admiration. "So you think this world only needs one thing: someone bold enough to act. Someone like you."
Cero gave a slow nod, his gaze brimming with conviction. "Exactly. And you'll see it for yourself."
Suddenly, Isvel burst into laughter, the sound shattering the silence of the dungeon. It wasn't a light laugh but something wild, filled with emotions hard to read. The strange language of her laughter echoed, startling the marines stationed outside her cell. They quickly moved in, weapons raised, ready to secure Cero.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Isvel's laughter reverberated, her eyes gleaming with a newfound intensity. "Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating!" she exclaimed in her native tongue. She looked at Cero, her gaze now tinged with what could only be described as madness, yet admiration as well. "For all my time as a ruler, I never truly understood the greed you describe. Of course, that's because I… might still be a novice at it."
She sighed, though the smile on her lips remained. "But you…" she continued, her eyes narrowing as if trying to unravel the mystery that was Cero. "You've said something interesting. Very interesting. And I want to see it."
Without warning, her expression turned serious. She began chanting in an otherworldly tongue, her voice low yet vibrating with magical power. Glowing symbols materialized in the air around her, spinning like a vortex of energy. The marines outside rushed in, weapons aimed, ready to fire.
"She's casting something!" one of the marines shouted, his voice panicked. "Should we stop her, sir?"
Cero raised a hand, halting them. His eyes stayed fixed on Isvel, his expression showing no fear. "Don't shoot. I want to see what she's doing."
The glowing symbols intensified, enveloping Isvel's body in radiant magical light. In an instant, she vanished, leaving the marines bewildered.
Before anyone could react, a soft voice whispered near Cero's ear, accompanied by a warm breath on his neck. "That's why…" Isvel's voice murmured, carrying an odd warmth, "I'm interested in you."
In a split second, Cero felt slender arms wrap around him from behind. He didn't panic, but his eyes narrowed with caution. Isvel, who had just been inside her cell, now stood behind him, embracing him casually as if nothing was amiss. Her long black hair brushed against Cero's shoulders as she whispered again.
"I'm intrigued by you, Cero," she said, her tone soft yet laced with danger. "Intrigued to see you conquer this world."
The marines immediately reacted, aiming their weapons at Isvel. But before they could act, Cero raised his hand again, stopping them. "Lower your weapons," he commanded calmly. "She's not a threat… for now."
Isvel chuckled softly, then stepped back with a relaxed demeanor, releasing her hold. Her crimson eyes glimmered with a sense of satisfaction as they locked onto Cero. "You're quite confident, aren't you, Cero? But you're right. I won't kill you. At least, not yet."
"Yet?" Cero turned, his gaze icy. "What do you mean by 'not yet'?"
Isvel's lips curved into a faint smile. "That depends on what you do next. But I'll tell you something—I can help you achieve your ambition… if you can impress me."
Cero smirked, his expression radiating self-assurance. "I don't need your help, Isvel. But I'll give you the chance to see whether I meet your expectations."
Leaning casually against the wall, Isvel's posture seemed utterly unconcerned, the magical chains that had bound her now appearing more like decorative accessories. "In that case, I'll wait," she said softly. "And don't bore me, Cero."