423 Inverse Influence

If one were to look at this matter from both side of views, the fact that the half-dragons who have superior strength didn't make use of it to absorb other clans and tribes under them forcefully and instead used it to pacify the domain was already one of the best possible outcomes one could hope for.

Of course, some would argue that their no-major conflict policy is another form of tyranny, but considering the war-like nature of beastmen, the methods of the Dragon Clan most likely did help in sustaining life in the Fire Domain.

However…

'This simply created the perfect incubator for the demons' corruption plans.'

As a much more strength-oriented community in comparison to human ones, the beastmen community that had beast blood as half of their own, they not only valued constant strength, but they also greatly cared about their freedom. As such, the temptation of the demons' mysterious source of new strength would be simply too great for them considering the status quo of the domain.

Obviously, while some of the clans and tribes hated the intrusion of the dragon clan on their fights, not all were like that, but the mindset of the beastmen would make them wish for enough strength that would make them unbounded by these rules even if they had no intention of defying them, thus it wasn't a surprise that a great amount of them joined the Shadow Alliance regardless of their hate towards the Dragon Clan…

'I'm really glad I spent all that time in the Imperial Library…'

The current understanding that I reached of the domain's situation even though I merely heard half of the 'story' was all thanks to the various books that researched the nature of beastmen which I read back then in the Light Domain, though they were dated to the times when the domains were still 'connected', they were still easily applicable to the current situation, making sense out of this complicated situation.

'That's why I should immediately get to the next point while I still have the initiative.'

So far, it seemed like the Dragon Clan still failed to identify the actual mastermind behind the Shadow Alliance that provided them with that resource while I already grasped the situation of the domain, the greater part of the information that I lacked, meaning that I was one step ahead in comparison to my 'blind' venture in the last two domains, I was also one major stride ahead of the Dragon Clan.

Thanks to that, I believed that I no longer needed to beat around the bush to ask about the other part of the information that I lacked in exchange for the vital part of the information that they lacked!

"Pardon?"

"There is no need to continue this awkward way of communication since no one else is there, right?"

"..."

Since both ends agreed on one point and there was no additional audience, there was obviously no need to continue this 'play', otherwise the discussion would only continue going around in circles.

"...Indeed, as expected of a true dragon descendant… we actually hoped that this 'status' would be true, but while you do indeed possess true dragon blood, we didn't receive any bloodline guidance, so…"

Looking at the Clan Leader awkwardly scratching his horn, I simply nodded, since he also didn't continue beating around the bush, it seemed that their wariness earlier was also caused by their uncertainty of the situation. They also shouldn't be the ones that were trying to manipulate me to take this 'position' as a savior who fell at them from the sky. The source was obviously someone else.

Naturally, the only one who could come to mind was none other than the 'Scammer' mentioned by the two 'guides', but his actual identity was still unknown to me.

'Which is exactly what I need to find out…'

After all, someone who could predict the location of my arrival and create such a tailor-made position for me that I could 99% fit into as well as somehow influence the system to initiate a quest couldn't simply be identified as a 'Scammer'.

"There is no need to overly think about it, I also played along at first since we both do have aligned interests and I don't mind continuing that in front of the rest of your clan and also provide the critical information that you lack regarding your situation-"

"In that case!"

'Not bad…'

Though the situation wasn't enough for the Clan Leader himself to be so desperate, his hunger for the answer was most likely out of fear of the damage that would pass upon the domain by the second, though I would have done things differently if I was in his position, his ideals and resolve still makes him quite an honorable leader.

'It makes sense why he is in his position.'

Still, it wasn't the time to completely sympathize with him, at least not yet.

"There is also no need to be in such a hurry, like I said just earlier, you owe me an explanation, not one about your intentions, but the one who guided you to me and scripted the whole situation to what most of the Dragon Clan believe in now…"

"Ah… I see, you really aren't from the domain? So his words aren't completely wrong, to think that… indeed, you would have already known if that was the case…"

Looking at the Clan Leader as he mumbled these broken sentences as if my question wasn't really a question, I couldn't help but interrupt him again.

"Who exactly are you talking about…?"

"Of course I'm talking about the Fortune Teller."