CHAPTER 457: CHAPTER 34: DIVERGENCE (2)

"This is the only way," Jones continued, "from the start we knew that the war against the Black Dragons would not go smoothly, Heaven and Hell will not want to see the entire Keltos Continent fall under the control of the White Bone Holy Light Court. We seek justice, they pursue domination. If they go all out, we will find it difficult to resist. The fact that we’ve gotten this far is due to exploiting their mutual hostility. If we leave a possibility of negotiation with the Black Dragons, we might still have a chance to win in the end. But if we don’t, the Black Dragons will certainly fight us to the bitter end. This will give Heaven and Hell an opportunity; they can easily control the Black Dragon Clan and make them a formidable weapon against us."

Richie stared blankly at Jones.

After a moment, Jones added, "I think it’s time we reflected. I know that ever since the issue with our father, you have been consumed by rage. It’s not just you, everyone feels the same anger. Including me. But we can’t go on like this forever. Black Dragon City is completely destroyed, and countless people on both sides have perished. This isn’t what we’ve been striving for, is it? The best course of action for us now is to negotiate with the Black Dragons alone. Yes, alone, without Heaven. If we accept Heaven’s suggestion and negotiate with the Black Dragons through them, the Black Dragons will come under Heaven’s protection and become their puppets. In fact, we can possibly negotiate with the Black Dragons independently, and they would agree, as long as our terms aren’t too harsh. In this way, we can fulfill our father’s dream of uniting all beings on the Keltos Continent."

"I disagree," Richie responded softly.

Jones slowly widened his eyes and looked at Richie, slightly stunned.

"I disagree with this approach," Richie reiterated, shaking his head slowly and stepping back, "I won’t use our father as a bargaining chip."

"I’m not using our father as a bargaining chip..."

"You are!" Richie roared suddenly, "How can you use our father’s hatred as a bargaining chip?"

Jones became somewhat anxious and quickly said, "Our father’s situation is irreparable! Revenge won’t solve anything!"

"No! Revenge can solve a lot of things!" Richie hissed viciously through gritted teeth, "If we don’t avenge him, how will you comfort our mother’s heart? I haven’t even told her about father’s death, I have been forging letters in father’s handwriting to communicate with her. Do you know what the outcome will be when she finds out about father’s death?"

Jones was momentarily stunned.

"Or is it that you only care about our father and not our mother?" Richie continued his questioning, "Of course I know that father’s death is irretrievable, but what about mother? Father was everything to her... Do you understand what that means? Human life is very fragile."

Jones stared blankly at the furious Richie.

In the confined space, it was silent except for the crackling of the campfire on the ground.

Through the thick layers of soil, they could still hear the taunting of the Black Dragons.

"You don’t understand mother, but I do. Mother will never forgive the murderer who killed her husband. There is no room for compromise in this matter. As her only son, I can’t accept any conditions of compromise. Father’s dream is important, I agree, but nothing is more important than our mother. Father is gone, and now I am the only one who can protect mother."

"But..."

Before Jones could finish, Richie turned his face away and shouted, "Sarina!"

"I’m here." The seductive demon Sarina appeared silently behind Richie.

"Can you help me contact the Demon Lord? I need to speak with him."

"It would be my pleasure." Bowing slightly, Sarina slowly disappeared.

The confined space was again left with just Richie and Jones, Richie watching Jones quietly, with a hint of hostility.

...

Air bubbles popped from the lava, exploding, and steamy heat rose up, painting everything in a dull red color.

Sarina walked down a suspended walkway step by step, kneeling on one knee, and said respectfully, "My lord, my contract-bound demon envoy, the Second Generation Lich King Richie Gruggle, wishes to speak with you."

Immediately, the gathered demons burst into peals of laughter.

"Hahahaha! What a surprise."

"Is he asking for our help?"

"What a magnificent piece of news. It seems our new Lich King is far less steadfast in his beliefs than his father."

"We should definitely have a good talk with him."

Sarina looked up.

The Demon Lord, like a mass of black mist, remained silent.

"My lord, what is your response..."

"Agreed," the Demon Lord answered softly.

...

Jones walked alone in the long tunnel, with Dora quietly appearing behind him, following with small steps.

"Richie is wrong," Jones suddenly said, "I really hadn’t considered how much the news of father’s accident would hurt mother, but that shouldn’t be a reason to continue the conflict with the Black Dragons. It certainly shouldn’t be a reason to ally with the demons. I believe the demons are just waiting for us to plead for their help, and wouldn’t that be a form of surrender? If we persist, we will face tremendous disaster. Not just us, the entire Keltos Continent will be plunged into chaos. Do you think I’m right?"