William froze completely.
A trace of unease crept into his previously impeccable aristocratic poise. "You... where exactly did you hear these damned rumors?"
"You made such a racket that only the deaf could have missed it." Paddle Lizard sneered. "The Domain Master of the Third Domain, together with your First Domain's elite, marched over in force. With so many eyes fixed on the Eighth Domain, it would have been hard for me not to know."
William took a deep breath, steadying his emotions. He knew he could no longer conceal their failed attempt to enter the Eighth Domain.
Some of the respect in his eyes faded, replaced once more by coldness and severity. "That was merely an insignificant accident. Believe me, every unforeseen development remains within the First Domain's calculations and control."
William spoke with such confidence that one could not help feeling inclined to believe him.
However, as a Large God, Paddle Lizard possessed not only strength beyond human comprehension, but also a sufficiently mature mind.
"All under control? Stop trying to make yourselves look good."
Paddle Lizard gave a hoarse laugh. "That Domain Master of the Eighth Domain hasn't even reached the threshold of the domain sequence yet. He hasn't figured out the laws of their [evolutionary sequence domain], and he still managed to make you suffer a major loss. Once he actually breaks through to the domain sequence... heh, I don't think your First Domain's elites will still be so certain of victory."
William straightened his back and looked directly at the enormous god. "So you gods chose to stay here just to keep sitting on the fence? Are you planning to bet on both sides in this gamble?!"
"Oh, Sir William, why make it sound so ugly by calling it betting on both sides?" Paddle Lizard