Facing Iver's questioning, Adil showed no fear or guilt whatsoever.
"Ah, now that you mention it, Dawn City was built on Rock Cellar City. You must know what I did there, right? Perhaps Rock Cellar City escaped petrification because you rescued it."
As he spoke, Adil patted the container holding the Amber Egg. "The ritual that instantly solidified an entire city borrowed its power. Or rather, it was a sacrifice intended to feed it."
"The power of Amber."
Iver said softly, "You want to sell weapons? Give outsiders the power of Amber?"
At the time, he had indeed sensed the power of Pillar God Amber within it... So that was where it had come from.
They had not stolen power from the sleeping Amber, but instead "drawn blood" from Amber's stillborn child?
"Not exactly—or rather, not entirely. Because it isn't a weapon, but an instrument of torture. I do intend to sell this power to outsiders, but in truth, it is to release the power it has accumulated and make it solidify enough life to nourish itself.
"As for selling it to others... that is merely incidental. If you give someone a great benefit for no reason, they will grow suspicious and become jealous and greedy. But if you make them pay a sufficient price, they will find it reasonable and accept it—for humans are such base creatures."
Adil nodded and spoke with complete candor, just as expected. There was not the slightest trace of cryptic evasion.
This highly efficient communication made Iver feel quite comfortable.
The white-robed benevolent 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 every resident of his city, he would pay