Faced with Iver's questioning, Adil showed not the slightest trace of fear or guilt.
"Ah, now that you mention it. Dawn City was built on Rock Cellar City, so you must know what I did there. Perhaps Rock Cellar City escaped petrification because you saved it."
As Adil spoke, he patted the container holding the Amber Egg. "The ritual that instantly solidified an entire city borrowed its power from this. Or rather, it was a sacrifice meant to feed it."
"The power of Amber?"
Iver said softly, "Are you trying to sell weapons? Give outsiders the power of Amber?"
He had indeed sensed the power of Pillar God Amber within it at the time... So that was where it had come from.
They had not stolen power from Amber while it slept. Instead, they had "drawn blood" from Amber's stillborn fetus?
"Not exactly—or rather, not entirely. Because it isn't a weapon, but an instrument of punishment. I do intend to sell this power to outsiders, but in truth, that is to release the power accumulated within it and make it solidify enough life to nourish itself.
"As for selling it to others... that is merely incidental. If you give someone an enormous benefit for no reason, they will instead become suspicious and provoke envy and greed. But if you make them pay a sufficient price, they will consider it reasonable and accept it—for humans are such base creatures."
Adil nodded and continued speaking with complete frankness, without the slightest trace of cryptic evasiveness.
Such efficient communication made Iver feel rather comfortable.
The white-robed Good Lord continued, "However, I first killed Afuxin for another reason. That man had no idea how dangerous what he was doing was. His crime could only be repaid with his life. Along with all the residents