Chapter 499 What comes next? (1/2)

I suppose I shouldn't be disappointed that they turned me down, but I can't help a little pang of emotion run through my mind. Maybe just once, just ONCE, someone would accept the antenna I offered in trust and then walk away. But no. It had to be this c.r.a.p again. The last time a sapient surface dweller threw my generosity in my face was the Queen of Liria. I responded to that affront in a sensible fas.h.i.+on. I robbed her and her kingdom blind and took every core in their treasury. I wonder what sort of goodies I'll be able to find in the Cult's coffers?

[I'm a bit surprised they shot your deal down, to be honest,] Granin admits, [you display of gravity magic has put every Shaper in the facility in a tizzy. New magic. New powerful magic. It's a potent lure.]

[Not potent enough, apparently,] I mutter a little bitterly, [what possible reason could they have to turn it down? Honestly. I want to know what would motivate them to deny my request. It's an obvious win-win.]

A complicated expression comes over Granin's face as he considers his answer. The big and apparently very old Shaper slowly paces back and forth as the little Demon watches him with its piercing green eye.

[I'm not sure.] He eventually admits. [Something strange is happening, and I don't have any idea what is it, which bothers me.]

[Bothers you?] I scoff. [How do you think I feel?]

[Not great, I imagine,] he chuckles, [I am sorry that I dragged you into this, you know. I had no idea it would turn out this way.]

I shrug my antennae.

[Just following orders eh, Granin? Not much, you or I could do about it. I don't hold a grudge.]

Not against Granin anyway. The Shapers, in general, were subject to my unending wrath! Or at least, the leaders.h.i.+p in this outpost. They've surely earned a place on the naughty list. Torrina and Corun had also helped out as best they could. It wasn't their fault that their Cult had gone down this crazy path. If I got the chance, I would make the Cult pay but just getting my thorax out of their grip would be enough for me.

[I appreciate it. I mean that. You've been treated badly, it's almost comical. The question is, why?]

[Any thoughts.]

[I've been puzzling over it for the last little while,] he said while stroking his granite chin, [it doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you look at it. They want you in the tournament badly enough that they would pa.s.s up knowledge of new magic to get it. So they want to you in their little compet.i.tion, but they sure as h.e.l.l don't want you to win it, as evidenced by their repeated efforts to get you killed.]

[So they want me to fight, but they want me to lose…]

[That seems to have been the plan from the beginning. Even now it feels like they're still banking on this strategy to extract Gravity Magic from you. If they can get your core, then they can raise you as a pet and try to learn it that way.]

That's horrifying!

[Would that even work?!] I shriek.