Despite Kim Jin-Woo’s sharp interrogation, Mimir didn’t provide him with any answers at first.

“Good choice. If you had lied to me in your haste, I would have ripped that mouth of yours off, treasurer or not,” he said as he stood up and looked down at Mimir. He meant what he had said, and if he was upset in the slightest, he was ready to tear the little imp, limb by limb.

However, Mimir was surprisingly calm. He looked as if he had expected such a reaction out of his master. Kim Jin-Woo also naturally accepted his calm behavior. He said, “It’s exactly as my Lord said. I provided the bomb to Alitos.”

Such an act might have been seen as treason, but Mimir must have decided that there was a justifiable reason behind his action. He continued, “But I swear this wasn’t the outcome I expected when I supplied that bomb. It just happened that Milord was caught up in the plan I had prepared in case the Usurper started making his move.”

There was some logic to his explanation. However, Kim Jin-Woo continued, “But it now seems like there are plenty of other plans that you haven’t told me about in advance.”

“Well, Milord isn’t someone who would fall victim to such a meager bomb in the first place anyway,” Mimir replied. Had he just made up his mind to be so brazen? He sounded incredibly arrogant for some reason.

“Well, fine. I’ll overlook it. Because that’s not what’s important.” Despite his fierce initial momentum, Kim Jin-Woo forgave the matter rather easily. That was because there was something else that he really wanted to know. He suddenly asked, “Do you have connections to the surface?”

This time, Mimir broke out into a cold sweat and avoided answering his question. However, Kim Jin-Woo persistently asked about the relationship between the Black Merchants and the surface.

“What is it you’re planning? And don’t even think about lying to me. Just because the Eyes of Truth don’t work on you doesn’t mean I’m so dense that I can’t see through you,” Kim Jin-Woo warned Mimir.

Mimir, who had fallen silent for a long time after his question, finally confessed. “The Wish Stone. I’m trying to find the Wish Stone the Terrans stole.”

Kim Jin-Woo found himself lost for words upon hearing the unexpected answer, but Mimir continued, “Only with the Wish Stone can the Underworld be complete.”

***

“The First Restoration has already happened. The remaining Second and Third Restorations will happen soon. But the last Restoration won’t happen on its own. That’s why we need the Wish Stone,” Mimir explained.

“You’re saying the Wish Stone is the key to the complete Restoration?” Kim Jin_Woo asked.

“That’s correct. Only when the final Restoration takes place can we say that everything is back to normal. Until then, the Underworld won’t be complete,” Mimir said.

“Why are you trying to restore the Underworld back to its original state? Isn't the current Underworld perfectly satisfactory?” Kim Jin-Woo asked. Why were all these beings that are related to the Ancient Lords so anxious about not being able to restore the Underworld to its past state? He simply couldn’t understand it.

“Because if this continues, the Underworld will perish,” Mimir said.

The greedy Terrans would continue to exploit the Underworld for its resources and sap away its life force, and all the Veins that supported the Underworld would eventually dry up. Mimir seemed to be foretelling those events with that one sentence.

***

“I want to hear your answer.”

Kim Jin-Woo, who had been immersed in deep thought, raised his head upon hearing a chirping voice. In front of him, the golden gleam of a Drakan's lower jaw appeared. He replied, “Ah, I’m sorry. Looks like I’ve lost my focus for a while due to a series of fierce battles I had to partake in. Can you repeat yourself again?”

The Dragon Emperor spoke without any sign of displeasure, despite the fact that he’d had to engage in a bloody battle with as many as three Dukes. “In retrospect, it doesn’t make sense for me to offer this kind of a deal to you when this item is something you need, but there’s nothing in it for me. However, I’m going to offer one anyway. But in return for receiving this item, I hope that you do away with all of our past debts.”

In the Dragon Emperor’s hand was the Taurus’ heart. The Dragon Emperor must have known that their honor wouldn’t be restored instantly with such a deal that had been made as if they were negotiating in the local market, but he seemed to want nothing more than to erase the mistake of his clan.

“Fine. Truth is, Ortehaga’s honor isn’t that important to me,” Kim Jin-Woo said.

It wasn’t a bad deal for him. He had already agreed to erase all of Ortehaga’s mistakes in return for involving the Dragon Emperor in this war, and thus he willingly accepted the Dragon Emperor’s offer. If he could obtain the core of a Duke-level labyrinth by forgiving the mistakes of an immature Drakan, it was something he would do over and over again.

“With this, all the debts of you and your clan are gone,” Kim Jin-Woo said. Seeing the proud Drakan’s affronted look, he felt something strange. Watching the descendants of the Dragon clan, who feigned an air of solitary aloofness, collapse in the chaos and turmoil of the recent developments of the Underworld was in itself a spectacle to witness.

“If you say so.” With a sarcastic remark, the Dragon Emperor turned his head and looked away. However, seeing as he had refused to retort until the very end, it seemed there was a definite reason for why he had to protect their honor, apart from the bondage of their words.

“Alright, is that everything? You should head back; I have some things I have to do here. Of course, take your lovely son back with you as well. I’ll even give you a chance to revoke your Oath of Allegiance if you wish,” Kim Jin-Woo said. He was more than willing to hand over the hostage, now that his usefulness was gone.

“No, Ortehaga will remain here,” the Dragon Emperor said unexpectedly. 

Kim Jin-Woo frowned heavily and retorted, “As long as Ortehaga is in my hands, you’ll be made use of over and over again, just like today.”

Even though the Dragon Emperor was tied to his Oath, the Duke was no fool, and there was no point trying to beat around the bush. Thus, Kim Jin-Woo blatantly reminded him of Ortehaga’s position once more.

“Even though his honor has been forcibly tainted and defiled, I won’t tolerate the Oath being given the same treatment,” the Dragon Emperor said.

“So what you’re telling me is that all this wasn’t because of the Oath of Allegiance? In other words, you could do all this even without it?” Kim Jin-Woo asked. However, the Dragon Emperor merely shook his head repeatedly in response, and in the end, left behind the baggage that was Ortehaga.

“Do you know the reason why your father left you here?” After the Drakans left, Kim Jin-Woo summoned Ortehaga and asked why he was left behind.

Ortehaga gave him a rather unexpected answer. “The Dragon Emperor told me that he felt the presence of a dragon here.”

The Dragon Emperor must have recognized the presence of the Evil Dragon when he was called upon.

“Thus, he told me to watch over you,” Ortehaga continued.

“And? Will the diluted dragon’s blood that flows within you become purified if you simply watch over me?” Kim Jin-Woo asked.

Ortehega didn’t respond. But Kim Jin-Woo was certain that there was a hidden objective behind the Dragon Emperor’s ploy. Otherwise, there was no way that this immature Drakan, who had been crawling through the ranks of his own clanmates thus far like a lost puppy reunited with its master, would have been left behind.

“Well, if there’s something for you to gain out of this, I’m sure it won’t do you any harm. I’ll support you,” Kim Jin-Woo said.

Unlike when he’d had to borrow the Dragon King’s strength or when he had barely been able to gain the appearance of a dragon, the birth of a real dragon in the Underworld had to have some significance behind it.

The appearance of a mighty foe was the same as a delectable meal being served up to him, however.

***

It was only after the Dragon Emperor headed back that Kim Jin-Woo was finally able to begin sorting out the spoils of war.

In response to the warning message that the Grand Labyrinth he had worked so hard to obtain could be destroyed, Kim Jin-Woo realized he couldn’t immediately synchronize his newly acquired Labyrinth Core with the Grand Labyrinth. However, there was a lot of other loot that could be used to strengthen it.

Since he had already consolidated his control over the 9th Floor by defeating the three Dukes, there were no more threats to the Nagas and the Grand Labyrinth. Finally, he could relax for an extended period of time.

However, due to the doubts Mimir had given him, it was impossible to rest comfortably. Mimir’s warning with regard to the Wish Stone, whose purpose was still unknown to him, and the warning that the Underworld was headed toward destruction without it, continued to linger in his mind.

“I don’t understand why Master is keeping that rude imp alive,” Angela suddenly appeared from the shadows and asked him.

“Mimir is the only key that connects the ancient times to the present. I can’t get rid of him so soon,” Kim Jin-Woo said.

Intentionally or not, he had been able to come into contact with the legacies of the Ancient Underworld several times through Mimir.

Considering that he wasn't able to face the Usurper at the moment, the small imp was the only clue that connects the past and the present. He was worth keeping around as long as he still served a purpose.

“Actually, now that I think about it, it’s because of that bomb the imp brought over that I was able to obtain the Source of Blood and the Red Castle,” Angela said, trying to look convincing.

“I have no intention of leaving him alone forever.” Looking at Angela, Kim Jin-Woo muttered softly to himself. “This has made me certain. Mimir is moving with a bigger purpose behind his actions. It’s possible that the Eternal Treasury, his loyalty to the Ancient Lord, and everything else are all incidental.”

On the surface, the purpose Mimir was serving was to restore the Underworld and prevent its destruction, but no one knew if there was a grander purpose behind that plan.

“For such complex matters, there’s a better conversational partner than me,” Angela said, expressing her disdain for such complex issues and melting away into the shadows. She might have ascended as a Highlord, but her frivolous character remained. However, she reappeared shortly after, holding Dominique by the hand.

“For such serious matters, Unni is more suited for it.” Angela smiled mischievously and disappeared again.

“Oh, Dominique. What do you think?” Thinking it was for the better, Kim Jin-Woo confessed his concerns to Dominique, feeling relaxed. However, she said nothing, and Kim Jin-Woo asked, “Mm? Dominique?”

“Huh? S… Sorry.” Dominique, who would normally proactively take part in his troubles more seriously than anyone else, seemed unable to concentrate on their conversation today.

Seeing that her face was bright red while she took in unusually deep breaths, Kim Jin-Woo spoke out of concern. “Are you still suffering from side effects from your recent awakening? After all, unlike the other Nagas, you came to me immediately after your awakening with no time to rest.” He spoke convincingly as the concern in his eyes deepened.

“No, that’s not it.” Belatedly realizing how she was behaving, Dominique quickly tried to give him some advice, but unlike usual, there was no weight to her words.

“You seem to have something you want to say.” Finally realizing that Dominique was struggling to say something, Kim Jin-Woo met her gaze directly.

“Why can’t you speak, you fool!?” At that moment, Angela, whom Kim Jin-Woo thought had completely disappeared, suddenly showed up again. She exclaimed, “Ask for a hug!”

Kim Jin-Woo finally understood what was happening, and he let out a groan. There was no doubt that Angela had been encouraging Dominique by enchanting her with useless stories.

“I’ve earned the unique ability, ‘Qualification of the Companion’. I’m now qualified to conceive the seed of the noblest Naga,” Dominique finally said.

Kim Jin-Woo suddenly recalled the memory of that moment, and his face turned bright red. Damn it. He frowned, belatedly remembering that Dominique now had the ability to share thoughts with him.

Unsurprisingly, Dominique’s face was now bright red as she looked around panicking, unsure where to look.