Spirit Pledge (1)

Edward rode out and announced "Edward Williams, retainer to prince Aureus Astrea of the Astrea Empire. May I know whom I am speaking to?"

The lady in green stepped forward and the guards surrounding Edward tensed.

As if not noticing the guards' reactions, she continued forward and stopped at a short distance from Edward and announced in a melodious voice, "Reine of the Spirit spider tribe as well as Ragnar and Lido of the Blazing lion tribe, here to seek an audience with the leader of the human party."

Caine gave a start as the lady identified herself but remained motionless otherwise.

Edward returned that he was the leader. Reine followed up by asking what was the purpose of humans entering the Rolger Forests.

Edward replied in a cool manner that he was unaware that Rolger Forests had become the domain of spirit beast tribes.

Reine smiled and summoned a wicked looking black spear. The guards raised their weapons in an instant. Edward motioned with his hands for the guards to lower their weapons and dismounted from his horse.

As Edward approached Reine, he entered into full combat mode. This time, the two figures in dark yellow armor summoned scimitars but otherwise made no other moves.

As Edward neared Reine, he raised his sword in a slow manner and inspected his blade as if there was some blemishes on it. Reine did not even blink.

Edward continued inspecting in a nonchalant manner while standing off against Reine. Appearing as if something passed between the two, Reine gave a half smile as she retracted her spear and stated that the spirit beasts were preparing for a massive offensive against the demon beasts. Three hundred human combatants were not a force the spirit beasts can ignore at this stage.

Edward sheathed his blade and replied that the human forces were hunting in the Rolger forests for demon spider tribes. The three spirit beasts twitched as Edward related.

Noting their reactions, Edward asked if there were any intelligence that they could share on the demon spiders and that he was willing to pay for it.

Reine nodded and asked for several moments to have a council with her associates.

As Reine returned to her group, they burst into an animated discussion with the two men gesticulating furiously while Reine listened and nodded.

One of the men glanced towards the humans and made a clenching motion with his fist and the other man nodded. The three appeared in agreement as Reine approached Edward.

Reine related the situation in detail and reported that the demon beasts are being led by the demon spider tribe and the spirit beasts are planning to attack the main base of the demon spider tribe in order to cripple the demon beasts ability to wage war.

"Strength of the main base location?" Edward asked as he started calculating in his mind.

"2 Monarch Class and 1 King Class." Reine replied.

Caine and Tiffany's manner eased imperceptibly as they heard the assessment.

Edward furrowed his brows even further as he asked the chances of the location being reinforced in the event of an attack.

Reine said that the spirit beast tribes have more than enough beasts to prevent reinforcements from arriving for a few hours. If they cannot incapacitate the demon beast leadership during that time, it would likely meant that the enemy leadership has fled.

"Why did five spirit beast tribes appear in the Rolger Forests all of a sudden? Such a force would be counted as a fighting power under any spirit beast forces." Edward asked as he looked over the three spirit beast figures.

Ragnar tightened his grip on his scimitar while Lido laid a hand on Ragnar's shoulder while shaking his head.

Reine's manner did not change but her eyes flashed as she replied in a cool manner that they were the most loyal vassals of the former overlord of the Logen Mountain range. The former overlord perished in an internal struggle and determining that their chances of survival were far better striking out than staying in the mountain range, Reine and other spirit beast tribes left.

"Rolger forest was selected due to its proximity to the Astrea Empire's holdings, we believe that we will not face pursuit from our former enemies here." Reine said as she looked off in a different direction.

The officers behind Edward carried skeptical looks as they heard Reine but none of them made a sound as Edward deliberated.

Sensing the atmosphere shifting, Reine began discussing about the spoils of attacking the base and made it clear the spirit beast tribes were willing to yield the majority of the spoils over to the humans as long as they aided in making the conquest as bloodless as possible.

"It is good we arrived with three hundred of his highness's crack troops, I doubt this Reine character would be this polite if we did not at least bring this many." Tiffany muttered in a low voice to Caine.

Caine's lips quirked as he replied "Can't help it. Spirit beast tribes are based on a relationship of strength. Their most common language is the fist. It makes them poor trade table negotiators but exceptional martial allies."

"Nevertheless though, I would never have expected a spirit spider to be leading a group of exiled spirit beasts. Exiles they may be but they are made up of five monarch class spirit beasts." Tiffany said as she looked over Reine. "The battle fluctuations we sensed earlier must have been their tribes combating the demon beasts. It appears that this group are not push-overs, in this forest at least."

"While spirit spiders physical capabilities may lose out to blazing lions for example, their combined spirit strength with their physicality is no mere joke." Caine replied. "I am not the least bit surprised that a spirit spider the leader of such a group."

"Oh yeah, you studied the spirit spiders prior to heading to the outer realm. Was there anything in particular that struck you?" Reine asked as she twirled her hair.

"Their spirit beast ability is a perfect fit for golem manipulation but gaining the loyalty of a spirit spider is a tricky matter. They are not famed for being trusting." Caine replied while sighing. "Speaking of contracting, interested in any of the lions?"

"They are fire attribute, true, but their spirit beast ability is not compatible with my skills," Tiffany replied without even thinking.

—

Reine waited without moving as Edward considered his words. The two men tapped their scimitars and folded their arms as they waited but Edward took no notice.

Finally, Edward asked if Reine and the rest of the tribes would pledge allegiance to Prince Aureus.

The two men behind Reine snorted and was about to speak before Reine looked over. The two nodded and stayed silent.

The officers behind Edward were frowning in puzzlement instead and started discussing in low voices amongst themselves.

Reine looked over Edward in detail before asking "What can you offer in return?"

Edward gave a smile that was not quite a smile. "There is a forest that is smaller in size than Rolger Forests but nearer to Everdawn that can be available for spirit beasts to live."

Reine's expression gave nothing away as she waited for Edward to continue.

"What if Prince Aureus could upgrade the spirit beast cores of his followers by one grade with a 90% certainty and that he is willing to do so for his first spirit beast tribes supporters?" Edward asked in a neutral manner.

"That is not possible, such a technology would have changed the power of the core realms already. Even the spirit beast tribes of the outer realm know such a simple fact." This time Ragnar could not resist bursting out.

Reine appeared to have no intention of silencing Ragnar as she waited for Edward to continue.

"I can offer a spirit pledge as guarantee of my words," Edward said.

Ragnar was silenced as he heard Edward's offer. Lido's manner appeared half believing and half doubtful.

Silence stretched in the clearing as it was Reine's turn to consider.

"Spirit pledge with me the authenticity of your words, I will pledge in return that the tribes and I are not to spread word of this matter and to open discussions to pledging allegiance to your prince." Reine said after several moments.

Edward held up his right arm as a white glow enveloped it.

Reine entwined her right arm with Edward's and grasped his hand.

Spirit beast core and Aether core resonated as a spirit pledge was formed between the two.

Stunned looks can be seen from everyone as the pledge was completed.