Isaac’s gaze sharpened.
"The city’s lordship has already been claimed by me. Unless Lord Averon intends to wage war, returning it is impossible," he replied evenly.
"Hahaha, no," Averon said, waving his hand dismissively. "We have no intention of starting a war. What happened to the Eltari was the result of their own choices. We understand that. Still, we felt it necessary to inform you that they sought our aid. Information like this is better shared openly, wouldn’t you agree?"
Isaac watched him carefully. "Is this why you came here?"
"Yes." Averon nodded without hesitation. "That, and something more. We collected information about you. From what we learned in Fortified City 22, we believed it would be beneficial for us to enter a friendly relationship with you. That is why I’m here. I wish to trade with your city."
"Oh?" Isaac raised an eyebrow. "I’m listening."
Averon leaned back slightly in his seat, clearly pleased that the conversation was moving in the direction he wanted.
"The Solkara race has access to three Permanent Dungeons, and we maintain an outpost in the Mourning Frost Mountains. Additionally, I am a Transcendent-rank Talent Awakener. I believe working with us will be beneficial for you as well, Lord Isaac."
Isaac’s expression didn’t change, but his mind moved quickly.
’A Transcendent-rank Talent.’
He had that rank too.
But this was the first time he had heard of someone else possessing it.
According to Professor Catherine, the highest rank a Talent could normally awaken to was SSS.
Anything beyond that required one to upgrade their Talent through special conditions, quests, or trials.
Long ago, when Isaac had revealed his SSS+ rank Talent, it had completely shattered the assumptions of both Professor Catherine and the Sword Empress.
After the incident, they genuinely believed that SSS+ Talents could be awakened naturally.
Only recently had they realized the truth.
Isaac hadn’t awakened it.
He had upgraded it by sharing Emily’s Talent.
That’s why they found his ability absurd.
"So," Isaac said slowly, "you’re saying you’ll give us priority access to your dungeons and your outpost?"
"Yes. Additionally, we will provide security services that anyone can purchase within your city. We will also share our poultry and meat markets," Averon replied.
Isaac leaned back in his chair, folding his hands together.
It was a good offer.
Permanent Dungeons meant stable resources, experience, and income. An outpost in the Mourning Frost Mountains meant access to rare materials and trade routes most races couldn’t touch.
Security services, though, was something Isaac was going to refuse. He did not want another race’s military in his own City .
From a purely administrative standpoint, though the deal was attractive.
Isaac was considering how to respond when Averon spoke again.
"There is one more thing I need," Averon said.
"And that is?"
"Catherine Lorain. Give her to me."
"..."
Isaac felt his fists clench before he consciously realized it. His nails bit into his palms as a surge of emotion rushed through him, sharp and violent.
He activated his emotion-calming technique at full strength.
Even then, the anger didn’t fade completely.
He was surprised by his own anger. Was this how Alice felt when another girl approached him?
It was maddening.
Isaac exhaled, trying to stay calm, and asked for context.
"I believe I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, Lord Averon. Since you seem to know Professor Catherine and came to me to talk about her, you should already know she is my subject."
"Yes, I know. But..."
Averon smiled.
Was it a lecherous grin? A sincere smile? Or was it a bashful grin?
Honestly, Isaac didn’t care.
"I like Catherine," Averon continued, "and I wish to propose to—"
The rest of the sentence never came out.
Averon’s figure blurred.
A shockwave erupted through the hall as his body was sent flying, smashing through the wall and tearing through several buildings in a straight line outside. Stone, metal, and glass exploded outward as alarms began to ring in the distance.
Isaac lowered his leg slowly.
He turned his head toward the scholarly man, his gaze cold.
"I hope you realize," Isaac said, his voice eerily calm, "that asking a lord to give up his subject is no different from insulting the lord himself. That is why—"
The three guards moved at the same time.
Too slow.
Isaac’s figure vanished and reappeared in a blur of motion. His fist smashed into the first guard, sending him crashing through the opposite wall. The second barely had time to react before Isaac struck him as well, his body folding unnaturally as he was launched outside. The third attempted to counter, only to be struck mid-motion and hurled away with overwhelming force.
"—I’m going to kill all of you," Isaac finished.
The scholarly man stood frozen, eyes grim.
He opened his mouth, clearly trying to say something. Perhaps an explanation. Perhaps a plea.
Isaac didn’t care.
He crossed the distance in an instant and struck him with the same merciless force, sending his body flying to join the others.
Isaac turned and walked toward the hole in the wall where Averon had been kicked out.
As he moved, he realized something new about himself.
’I can think clearly.’
Normally, rage clouded judgment. It made people reckless and blind. But Isaac’s mind felt as if it had been submerged in icy water. His thoughts were sharp, and focused despite the maddening anger.
That was why he could analyze the situation properly.
’I used my full physical power for that kick.’
Even without activating skills, his body alone was enough to kill a Champion-rank awakener from a high-rank species.
Yet Averon was still alive.
Isaac stepped outside, his gaze locking onto the figure buried among broken debris in the distance.
’He’s not an Overlord. Overlords have a distinct presence.’
Averon lacked the distinct presnce.
Yet he survived, something no Champion should be able to do. Which meant there was only one explanation.
’Apex rank species.’
If Averon was Apex rank, then he had must be of Elite rank, one level above Isaac’s current rank.
And if that was the case...
’He must have maximized his stats using his Transcendent-rank Talent.’