Negotiations and "Reassurance"

Although Sellviya did not know how John intended to handle the Evil God, his resolve was clear, so she asked no further questions. She said she would keep watch on the Hero Squad's movements, then left the City Lord's Manor.

Once Sellviya was gone, John returned to Faoken's administrative work as usual.

But the potential Evil God on Morno Continent weighed on his mind, making it hard to concentrate. The paperwork moved slowly.

He was considering taking a rare day off to check on Sis and Laiya's recent training progress when someone knocked on the door.

Wendy soon brought him unexpected news. "Captain, Miliel, the young chief of the Phantom Eagle Clan, is here to see you. Shall I let her in?"

Someone from the Phantom Eagle Clan?

And their only surviving young chief?

Well...

John immediately abandoned his plan to visit the training base.

He did not answer at once. After a moment's thought, he asked Wendy, "How many people did she bring?"

"Just herself. I didn't see any guards."

Wendy gave him the facts, then hurriedly added, "Also, it looks like Young Chief Miliel traveled here overnight from the Phantom Eagle Clan. Her feathers are still damp. I don't think she's discovered the truth about the Battle of Blood Oath Rock."

If she had not come to demand answers, there seemed to be only one possibility.

She had clearly realized that moving the Phantom Eagle Clan west would only end with the great clans swallowing them whole. After thinking it over, she had come to see whether they could ally with Faoken.

It seemed this young chief was a little smarter than Gana, who had died in battle.

Interesting.

Having worked out Miliel's purpose, John smiled faintly and nodded to Wendy. "Let her in. And Wendy, tell Lunebo