Chapter 1068: 1067: Have You Heard Of?

"Are you a member of the Abyss?"

Simon went still.

Of all the questions Zarven could have asked, he hadn’t expected that one.

He studied the First Merchant’s face, searching for anything that might tell him how to answer.

Should he admit it? Lie? Pretend he had never heard the name?

How had Zarven even connected him to the Abyss?

Simon knew nothing about the relationship between the two sides. They could be allies. They could just as easily be enemies.

He quietly drew on the Seed of Wrath to sense any sign of anger or hatred within Zavren or any other family member present.

But he sensed nothing.

No anger stirred within Zarven at the mention of the Abyss. Neither did Simon sense any hatred from the others.

But that didn’t necessarily mean they were friendly.

’Damn that Sovereign. Would a few more lines have killed him?’

Eventually, he decided against lying.

Zarven was dangerous, but Simon wasn’t helpless. If things went badly, he would find a way to survive.

He had that much confidence in himself now.

He nodded.

"Yes. I’m from the Abyss."

He retrieved his identity token and showed it to them.

Zarven and the others examined the token for a few seconds before their eyes flickered with the light of recognition.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Zarven’s chair moved.

Simon watched the First Merchant rise and bow.

"Welcome to Vhal-Sar, Blackmoon. We are honored to receive a member of the Abyss."

Maelis stood beside her husband. Seraya, Tavian, and Neris followed, each offering a respectful greeting.

Simon blinked in confusion for a moment.

"Huhhh… Thanks?"

This was… not what he had prepared for.

Zarven straightened, studying his confused expression.

"Have we done something wrong?"

"No. I just wasn’t expecting this welcome."

The First Merchant looked baffled.

"Why wouldn’t you?"

Simon glanced between them.

"What exactly is the relationship between the Daegrins and the Abyss?"

"You don’t know?"

"I only joined recently."

Zarven slowly returned to his chair.

"Then why have you come at a time like this? And through the arrival coordinates reserved for visitors coming from the Abyss?"

Simon released a frustrated sigh.

"The Sovereign gave me a mission. But he didn’t give me much information."

Zarven looked at Simon for a few seconds, then he rubbed the space between his brows.

"I see. No wonder."

He adjusted the position of his plate slightly.

"That man has always been sparing with his words. He does whatever he pleases and leaves everyone else to make sense of it."

Simon raised a brow.

That man?

Most members of the Abyss spoke of the Sovereign with far more care.

Although he was curious, he didn’t ask.

Zarven raised a hand. A faint formation enclosed the table, keeping their voices from carrying beyond it.

"So, your relationship?"

Zarven sighed.

"We’re allies."

Simon was a little bit surprised, but after what Lilith had told him, perhaps he shouldn’t have been surprised.

"We supply the Abyss with artifacts, rare materials, and other treasures," Zarven continued. "In return, they protect us against threats involving Daemons, or dangers that could destroy our people."

"How did you guess that I was a member of The Abyss?"

Zarven gestured toward Seraya.

"My daughter carries an artifact that distinguishes Daemons from demons. She knew what you were when she met you."

Simon turned toward her.

Seraya met his gaze.

"It doesn’t tell me your allegiance," she said. "You wore no insignia and called yourself a wanderer."

His expression became strange.

So she had known that he was a Daemon even when he tried to hide it.

"The disturbance came from the area of the Abyss’s arrival point," Zarven explained. "We investigate unusual activity there. Finding you beside a dead Mauler only made matters more complicated."

"Especially when you seemed unaware of anything happening here," Seraya added.

"You thought I was a spy?"

"It was one possibility," Zarven said. "An unknown Daemon using those coordinates would concern us. You might also have possessed a spatial affinity and stumbled upon the route."

He rested his hands together.

"Or you could have been an Abyss member acting under instructions she knew nothing about."

Simon remembered Seraya questioning him over the sea.

Her caution made considerably more sense now.

"She reported her suspicions to me before dinner," Zarven continued. "Rather than leave you wandering outside The Wall, she brought you here. Perhaps you were expected, and only I knew the arrangement. If not, I was better placed to speak with you."

"I see."

Simon glanced at Seraya again.

"And the offer to buy the Mauler?"

"Was genuine," she replied. "You can be suspicious and still own something worth buying."

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

He had spent all this time wondering how to find his way to the four Daemons, while Seraya had been wondering why he wouldn’t identify himself.

Still, he hadn’t wasted much time.

He had met the ruling family and learned more than he would have by heading straight to his mission.

His gaze moved toward The Wall beyond the windows.

"Then the trouble you’re facing involves Daemons? Or something capable of destroying Vhal-Sar?"

"Yes."

Zarven’s expression lost its earlier ease.

Simon leaned forward slightly.

"I was sent to assist four Daemons. Do you know about them?"

"I do. They’re the protectors the Abyss stationed here."

Zarven paused.

"Though I’m surprised the Sovereign has sent assistance already."

"Why?"

"I haven’t requested any."

Simon looked at him more closely.

"The situation remains under control," Zarven said. "We’ve been watching it carefully. There has been no reason to ask for reinforcements."

"Perhaps the four protectors contacted him."

"I’ll ask them. But if none of them did…"

Zarven looked toward the windows.

Simon followed his gaze to the golden barrier.

"What is it?"

"The Sovereign is difficult to understand. But his instincts are rarely wrong. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, when he believes something is necessary, it is."

His fingers tightened briefly against one another.

"If he thinks we need assistance, I would be foolish to dismiss that simply because things appear to be manageable."

Simon said nothing.

Then Zarven looked back at him.

There was something awkward about his expression now.

"Is there another problem?" Simon asked.

"Don’t take this the wrong way, Blackmoon. I’m grateful you came. But I truly cannot understand that man’s thinking."

Simon raised a brow.

"In what way?"

"He sent only you."

Simon understood immediately.

The Sovereign sending assistance suggested the danger could grow beyond what Vhal-Sar could handle.

Yet his answer to that possibility was one young Daemon.

Killing the Mauler was impressive, but it didn’t mean Simon could resolve a threat troubling an entire city and its four protectors.

He rubbed the back of his head.

"There’s a reason for that. This mission is also a test."

"A test?"

"Yes."

"What is he testing you for?"

"To become his sixth disciple."

Zarven froze.

Maelis looked sharply at her husband. Tavian stared at Simon, his mismatched eyes widening.

Beside him, Seraya drew a slow breath.

"His sixth…?"

Neris didn’t finish.

Simon looked between them.

"I haven’t passed yet."

"That isn’t the point," Zarven said quietly.

He sat back, studying Simon with an attention that made the earlier scrutiny seem mild.

"The Sovereign does not consider taking a disciple lightly."

His gaze passed over Simon’s plain robe before returning to his face and four horns.

"Sending a talented newcomer to gain experience is one thing. Sending someone he might personally teach is another."

Simon could almost see the man reconsidering their conversation.

The question was no longer simply whether one young Daemon could help.

It was what the Sovereign had seen in Simon that made him choose him.

"Perhaps we don’t need an army," Zarven murmured.

There was hope in the words, though it hadn’t quite overcome his concern.

He exhaled.

"I don’t know whether to feel reassured or angry. That man has apparently decided to use my city as a testing ground for his next disciple."

"I’d prefer to know what I’m being tested against," Simon replied. "So far, you’ve told me more than he did."

Zarven gave a short, humorless laugh.

"I believe that."

"Then tell me the rest. What exactly are we dealing with?"

The dining room grew quiet.

Zarven looked at Maelis. She gave a small nod.

He turned back to Simon.

"Have you heard of The Dominion?"