The voice went on arguing. Ruger could not hear any other sounds, yet he alone could hear that booming voice. It was as though it were a one-man show. The solo performer had immense confidence and sufficient strength. The experiment had been filed with the Supreme Council, and that was an exceptionally high-level special god. Using it solely to devour divine power was an extravagance so wasteful it made one's heart ache.
"How could the actions of a few little brats possibly escape your eyes...? You wanted to see whether he could succeed. Pity that although he became a malformed God of Wizards, he still fell just short... If he succeeded, the Council would gain another seat and welcome a newly ascended Ninth-Ring Wizard. If he failed, then you used my things to feed that immature Nightmare Lord... You were using his hands to do those wrong things, so although you didn't violate the regulations, I still have to come after you..."
Ruger leaned against the Dream Tree and listened quietly.
After a burst of laughter, the man's tone abruptly shifted.
"The Council must have signed some sort of contract with that Nightmare Lord, right? You're doing what you should be doing. I know you're in the right, so I won't make things too difficult for you... Now, name your price and quell my anger. Otherwise, I'll go tear down that bastard's fireplace... The one who stepped forward to make the contract must have been that pretentious bastard. I suppose... he was the one who thought of using my things to feed that Nightmare Lord still in gestation..."
A brief silence followed.
"Too little! You must have discussed your bottom line long ago. Don't waste my time."
Another long silence.
"My little Blood God nearly lost half its life, and