Breaking in a Dog

Tell me something I don't know.

The Grand Speaker's voice was indifferent and cold, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

Phaethon, on the other hand, was just screaming wildly.

In recent days, he had used every language he knew to hurl insults at this treacherous, audacious, and filthy lower being, but the other party showed neither smugness nor shame.

No fear.

It's always like this.

These are lower-level species.

Like ants, no matter how you burn them or scald them, no matter how many times you destroy them, they will always reappear after a while, just as numb, sad, and foolish as before, repeating the same pathetic mistakes, forever hopeless and oblivious to death.

Phaethon roared, "We will destroy your country, exterminate your bloodline, torture and destroy your body bit by bit, and cast your soul into eternal purgatory..."

"A terrible threat."

The Grand Speaker said calmly, "But eleven days have passed since I captured you. In these past ten days, you have been imprisoned, threatened, studied, humiliated, and used by me. I even found... Ha, the humiliation you have suffered is something even an ordinary beggar could not endure..."

Upon hearing this, Phaethon roared in anguish, "I'm going to kill you! Aaaaaaah!"

"So you're not a particularly important figure in your group, and even though I've treated you this way, they don't seem to have any immediate intention of sending a stronger force to avenge you or rescue you."

"Are you not important enough, Phaethon?"

"Or do your companions know your current situation but are helpless in the face of it?"

The Grand Speaker said calmly and indifferently, "Whichever it is, it makes me sad for you."

"--Shut up! Shut up!" Phaethon's eyes were bloodshot with rage. More than being insulted and harmed by the lower beings, he could not accept their pity—how dare a mere ant pity me!

"Therefore, you are indeed powerless to change what is happening in the world, at least unable to ward off more powerful forces of intervention. Your threats against me are utterly ineffective and only make you look like a pathetic joke."

The Grand Speaker tapped his eagle staff on the ground with his right hand.

His appearance is that of a typical "mage," a stereotypical image of a spellcaster, stereotyped by established impressions, mysterious legends, and dramatic stories.

His thick white hair was meticulously combed, his robes were magnificent, and his posture was proud. His face, which was slightly pale from being indoors for a long time, had distinct features. His emotions fluctuated little, and his expression was usually extremely restrained. His powerful spiritual energy made his eyes bright and clear, containing a surging power that was both restrained and unrestrained, subtle yet strong.

This highly purposeful gaze, accustomed to observing and watching, perfectly complements the magnificent robes and serene expressions of the spellcasters. This makes them typically display an arrogance, willfulness, indifference, and even cruelty that is distinct from ordinary people. They possess knowledge that is difficult for ordinary people to attain and walk on the path of exploring the ultimate truth of the world. Their life experiences are naturally quite different from those of ordinary people who live a muddled and aimless life.

Therefore, spellcasters are proud, intelligent, extraordinary, and audacious. They respect knowledge but rarely submit to authority. Once they set a goal, they execute it steadfastly. They are obsessive, domineering, highly proactive, extremely gambling, and have a very weak sense of morality in their souls.

Griffin Williams, the Grand Speaker of the Starry Sky Council and the highest arbitrator and executor of the Arcane Council, is such a standard mage.

As the years have passed and wrinkles have appeared, knowledge and strength have become as mellow as fine wine, and the daring, gambling, and ruthless parts of his personality have become increasingly obsessive and intense.

As a politician, he concealed these qualities beneath a gentle, wise, and magnanimous exterior. His image was widely circulated in numerous portraits, coin portraits, and sculptures, and he was known throughout the continent as the spiritual leader of spellcasters and the international figure of the Arcane Council.

As the spellcaster, when the Council faced a crisis and a bizarre opportunity arose, his decisiveness, gambling nature, and audacity led to the current situation.

Realizing the extreme threat that Kang De's activities and actions posed to the Arcane Council, he steadfastly pursued his plans of containment and war.

When the God of the Star Palace arrived, he feigned compliance with the other party for two months, extracting and luring out everything he could from the other party. Then, without hesitation, he mobilized troops and even personally led the attack to surround and capture this mysterious visitor with overwhelming strength.

Now, he wants to get more from this guy.

The wise old man, impeccably dressed and with an arrogant expression, once again unleashed a provocative barrage of words, then spoke, "In the end, your power is incapable of interfering in the Mortal World, isn't it? Or are you just putting on an act... In the end, you brought this upon yourself. If you want me to help you deal with the traitor, you should beg in a more humble manner, instead of ordering me around..."

Phaethon roared in fury, "Nonsense! If it weren't for the stars..."

He suddenly realized what he was saying, immediately shut his mouth, and glared fiercely at the Grand Speaker.

Griffin wasn't bothered by the failed attempt to elicit information. Since it was already certain that the wrath of the opposing group wouldn't manifest immediately, the reason or cause wasn't the point.

He sneered, "Tell me, what excuses have you come up with for your pathetic failure?"

"Laugh all you want now!" Phaethon said viciously, "A mighty legion will descend upon the Mortal World sooner or later and crush you and your pathetic nation!"

The Grand Speaker smiled coldly, "But before you can eliminate us, you'll have to get past Kang De first."

Phaethon was struck dumb, then struggled and roared, "Kang De!? Why bring up that name! You piece of shit, what are you trying to do! Answer me!"

Indeed, Kang De was very important to them.

The Grand Speaker changed the subject. He looked up; this was the interior of the Star-Bearing Titan, where lightning crackled and light flickered— the Titan's energy core. "Answer me, you visitor of unknown origin, why is the core of the Star-Bearing Titan's Arcane Dome Core able to suppress and bind you?"

Phaethon simply roared in fury, "I will destroy this blasphemous evil with my own hands!"

"Who exactly are you? Or..." Griffin abruptly changed the subject, pressing the question intensely, "Why are you so obsessed with Kang De? Who exactly is Kang De, and what does it have to do with you?"

Phaethon's eyes widened in fury as he roared, "Kang De is a traitor to our people! A traitor! He stole our most precious treasure and fled to the lower realm! We must catch him! We must punish him!"

--That's always been the prevailing view.

--Whether it's humiliation or torture, beatings or interrogation, the answer is always the same... But it's precisely because of this that I suspect the answer is too standard, the anger too formulaic. It might be a lie, but more likely, it's a mixture of truth and falsehood.

Regardless, a glimpse into Kang De's true nature has been revealed.

Just as I concluded long ago, he could not possibly be Cathayan. The technology, martial prowess, and alchemical weaponry he possessed were the fruits and power of a new Civilization completely different from any other race in the Mortal World. If this is the explanation, then it makes sense.

Kang De, you really are not of this world.

The Grand Speaker stared at Phaethon, whose face was contorted with rage.

--Look what you brought here.

He suddenly revealed a cruel, mocking smile, like a cat looking at a mouse.

"So..." Griffin tapped his cane, "Kang De was very important to you."

Phaethon glared at him, but remained silent.

"What are you prepared to pay for this?" The elderly mage asked calmly, his posture upright, like a seasoned gentleman who had seen it all, steady and powerful. "You think you can incite us to fight Kang De to the death with just some untested technical knowledge? That price isn't worth it."

The God of the Star Palace was first taken aback, then burst into maniacal laughter, roaring as he laughed, "How amusing! You lowly mortal! After doing that to me, you still dare to bargain with us—you truly have no regard for your own life! This is an eye-opener for me, you wretched creature!"

The Grand Speaker wasn't angry. He nodded and said, "Alright, that's what you said. Since I've offended you, I might as well make peace with Kang De. The technology you offered, and you, as a 'fellow', should serve as a token of our sincerity... By the way, ask him if what you said is true."

Phaethon's expression changed drastically.

He immediately retorted angrily, "It's no use, Kang De will definitely deny it!"

--Ugh, how stupid.

Possessing such immense power, pure and exquisite skills, and a body and soul like that of a god, and mastering technology and wisdom far surpassing those of the Mortal World.

But why be so foolish?

Don't they know how to lie?

The Speaker remained calm and changed the subject again.

"Your communication channel with your superiors or colleagues is probably that mysterious device, right?" he said casually. "How about I speak with your superior?"

Phaethon's expression darkened. "What are you planning to do now?"

"I just want to talk to someone more rational and capable of making decisions."

The Grand Speaker glanced at him. "What, are you scared? Afraid that your companions will find out you were ambushed and imprisoned by the Netherworld race, and that you did this and that to them?"

The God of the Star Palace roared furiously, "--Shut up!"

Griffin then changed the subject. "Actually, you could have been more honest with me... We didn't need to end up like this. I did those things to you only because you didn't respect me."

That's absolutely ridiculous.

Thinking of his own predicament and what he had suffered, the God of the Star Palace merely grinned maliciously.

"Do you know? You're going to die."

Upon hearing this, Phaethon's eyes were filled with boundless hatred and resentment.

Only I can save you.

Amidst the hatred and resentment, there was much mockery, but also a hint of curiosity.

"You've been missing for a while, and your companions must be feeling strange and uneasy. Since they were able to bring you down, they can surely bring down the rest of their tribesmen. Now that I've found you, I can catch him too. But I won't treat him the way I treated you. I'll just say that you disrespected me and we had a minor disagreement, but I have no hostility towards you. We have a common enemy, Kang De."

"I'll pin all the blame on you and tell your boss that you almost ruined this collaboration. Your new partner will definitely be using that equipment of yours, and I'll contact your boss sooner or later to request new assistance and make proposals."

"Since Kang De is so important, you certainly won't be stingy with your gifts as a return favor."

The Grand Speaker looked at Phaethon, whose face was full of sarcasm, and spoke slowly and deliberately.

I want to be one of you.

Phaethon's gaze shifted dramatically—even more dramatically than when he had heard news of Kang De.

What the God of the Star Palace didn't know was that the expressionless, despicable creature from the lower realms before him was also experiencing turmoil and roaring like a tidal wave in its heart.

--As expected, as expected.

"Your boss will agree, right? If I become one of you, all the previous grudges and unpleasantness will immediately disappear. But there's a small discordant note in this proposal: you—I have a grudge against you. If I join you, you'll surely retaliate. I'm not comfortable with that."

"So I will suggest to your boss..."

The Grand Speaker leaned forward, inching closer to the bound Star God.

"I'll abandon you, I'll kill you—" he said coldly, "And let me take your place."

Phaethon was jolted awake and shouted, "Don't even think about it! Dream on!"

"Once you're dead, all the problems will cease to exist."

"--nonsense!"

"We could even make use of you—use you as bait to lure Kang De. Even your boss would agree to that, wouldn't he? It's such a good deal."

"--Shut up! Shut up!"

Griffin remained calm, watching Phaethon roar and vent his anger, his heart unmoved.

It even gradually gave rise to contempt.

What's wrong with this guy?

There was absolutely no challenge.

He waited for two minutes and thirty seconds, not a second more, not a second less.

Then he said, "You see, we didn't need to come to this at all."

He stepped forward, his right hand passing through the lightning bolt cage, and pressed down on Phaethon's shoulder.

The Grand Speaker whispered, "Actually, you're also afraid of your companions finding out, aren't you?"

"I almost messed things up."

"It almost pushed us to Kang De's side."

"You can't interfere here in a short time, can you?"

"Are you sure you want me to Kang De? Are you sure you want to give Kang De more time?"

"You've already inquired about it, haven't you?"

"A few months ago, he was shockingly weak, having all his friends killed by some lowlife in a minor viscount's territory, and only managed to get revenge after going to great lengths... But what about now?"

"That small viscountdom he once held, he now doesn't need to lift a finger, or even send his subordinates; he only needs to say a word, and everyone there will be wiped out."

"How long has it been?"

What about later?

Do you want something worse to happen?

"Do you want to die? To be abandoned, discarded, used, and then thrown away, to die silently and without a trace?"

"You're even pushing me to Kang De's side, letting Kang De know your plans and arrangements—what if he just runs away and disappears? Where will you go to look for him?"

Phaethon stared at the Grand Speaker, who was standing almost within arm's reach, speechless.

Does he want to die?

He didn't want to die. As the God of the Star Palace, he had almost become indifferent to life and death, because life had become extremely boring... but now it's different.

Because we've already received news from the owner.

This means they now have the opportunity to become more pure.

--Do you want Griffin to side with Kang De?

Of course not. That was an enemy personally designated by the master; even if it means death, we cannot let him escape!

If Apophis knew that he had made things like this...

So... then...

His thoughts were in turmoil, and he only felt a weight on his head as someone wrapped their arms around the back of his neck.

Inside and outside the Purple Lightning Cage, Griffin reached out and half-embraced Phaethon's head.

"There's no need to make it like this... as long as we respect each other." The white-haired mage said sincerely in a deep voice, "For the sake of both of us—what do you say?"

After an unknown amount of time, after gazing at each other for an unknown period of time, Phaethon indifferently turned his gaze away.

"What... what should I do?"

Griffin remained calm and composed, speaking in a gentle tone, "First, you need to contact your organization and tell them everything is fine—of course, you can also tell the truth, at the cost of your superiors realizing you've messed things up, and if I discover anything amiss, I will immediately side with Kang De."

Phaethon remained silent.

"Secondly, please put in a good word for me with your superior and request more support—when fighting against Kang De, no amount of help is too much."

Phaethon nodded slightly.

"Finally... let's help each other. I want you to be my strength; this is a promise between the two of us," the Grand Speaker said softly. "I need you to tell me more."

Phaethon slowly raised his head, his eyes shifting uncertainly, filled with resistance.

The Grand Speaker immediately said, "I won't delve into those secrets you absolutely don't want to talk about."

Phaethon's expression shifted slightly, a hint of gratitude even flashing in his eyes. "Ah... ah..."

Given his pride, he naturally couldn't express his gratitude.

"But for less important things, such as combat tactics and technical guidance, I'm sure you'll be willing to share them generously."

This time, Phaethon nodded much faster.

"Besides..."

The Grand Speaker casually remarked, "You are very powerful, and you have a lot of influence and friends in the Council... I would like to use your strength and prestige to make them more closely and enthusiastically support our cause, so that we can defeat Kang De more quickly and effectively—what do you think?"

He immediately got the answer he wanted.

"Then... we're friends."

After a while, the Grand Speaker returned to the Starry Sky Council.

The gentle, friendly, kind, and inclusive smile that once belonged to the spellcaster's spiritual leader and common mentor has vanished; the politician part of his soul has sunk into the deep sea.

The cold, harsh, indifferent, decisive, and audacious nature of the spellcaster dominated the soul.

--Ah, what an unexpected surprise!

Someone who has struggled in the Mortal World and is accustomed to lies would probably not be so easily swayed.

But after all, that's the goal.

Powerful yet weak, arrogant yet naive, surprisingly simple and easy to understand, yet also possessing its own fears and concerns, having endured considerable torment, setbacks, and bewilderment, it has finally fallen to this state.

--A cruel smile gradually crept onto the Grand Speaker's lips.

It's been a long time since I've played like this.

He slowly unbuttoned his cuffs.

--If this continues, will we be able to train a dog?

But that's no longer the point.

That's not the point.

Next, we'll reach the final step... Where will the future lead?

He walked to the domed balcony and gazed at the dark night in the distance, in the direction of the Distant Harbor.

The Grand Speaker sighed silently; with a powerful enemy at their side, now was not the time to be happy.

Even though he was already aware of the situation and had made thorough preparations, at this moment, the ruler of the Arcane Council still couldn't help but sigh.

If Kang De were this easy to deal with, that would be wonderful.

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PS1: I suddenly realized today that the chapter number was wrong... It's been wrong for almost a month, so I've corrected it.