As soon as Edefana finished speaking, the Flame Giant beneath the grayish-white dragon's foot awoke from the tremor in its mind.
It raised its head to look at Edefana in his dragon form and spoke in a hoarse, low voice:
"No. Save me."
"You're an Ancient Dragon. You—you can."
"I... I'm willing. I accept your conditions."
Edefana didn't answer. Instead, he turned his head toward Cyril and spoke in an unhurried voice:
"You can talk to him now, but be quick. Once the corruption within him takes effect, he won't stay lucid for long."
Cyril nodded slightly, unable to keep from marveling inwardly:
As expected of a powerful and ancient Spectator. He's already taken care of everything before I've even said a word.
Beyonders of this Pathway were every leader's ideal subordinates. They could read their minds, and they could even...
He paused for a moment, gathered his thoughts, and turned to the Flame Giant beneath the grayish-white dragon, crouched on the ground. He spoke thoughtfully:
"Your true body has been too severely tainted by the City of Calamity. There's no saving it."
"If you're willing to give up your identity as the God of Weather, along with your angelic status and power, we might still be able to salvage something."
The Flame Giant crouching on the ground hesitated briefly, then nodded. "I... I'm willing."
"As long as I can be rid of that damn corruption, I'm willing to give up my Characteristics."
After a short pause, he asked, "What do I have to give up?"
Cyril curled his lips into a smile and stated the terms he'd already thought up:
"Your freedom for a while. About fourteen or fifteen years."
"For you, that's only a short time. Afterward, you'll be free again and can do whatever you want."
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