A Personal View of the Thousand-Person Ruler

"What can you give me?"

"After our trip to Penacony, I guarantee the Arbitrators will never target you or the civilization behind you again."

"Are they already waiting for me on Penacony?"

"So what is your answer?"

Their eyes met, Amon smiling while Ninti remained silent.

Yet at the mention of the civilization behind her, even Welt looked somewhat confused at that moment, unsure how to chime in.

Ninti asked:

"What do you want?"

"A lens, forged in the image of the divine body of the Vessel of Knowledge."

"Your payment is far from enough. The Arbitrators cannot threaten me, much less shake my civilization."

"It doesn't matter, as long as we can negotiate. The matter with the Arbitrators is merely a deposit; I will provide sufficient returns one after another. Then, I will take that lens from your hands... that most perfect lens."

Amon leaned forward, striking like a venomous snake baring its fangs, greedy and dangerous. Her smile was clearly so bright and lovely, yet that bizarre, inexplicable inhuman aura sent chills down everyone's spine.

Swish--

A dark shadow flashed, and Ninti's tail flicked as she pulled it back, while Amon slowly faded away from the others' view.

"Then, I shall take it that you have agreed to this transaction."

"That depends on your performance in Penacony."

"Just wait and see."

Amon vanished, and the cold, eerie atmosphere from earlier dissipated with her.

Only a brand-new, flawless single gold-rimmed monocle dropped onto the table, rolling to Ninti's side like some kind of token left behind by Amon.

"It's fine now, let me think this through. Everyone take a rest, and I'll send you out in a while... Mr. Pom-Pom, Mr. Silver Branch, full ship-washing services are provided free of charge here, what do you think?"

"Really?" ×2.

The