He ignored the Sage's comment and asked his question. "What does the realm lord's project have to do with the era of conquest?"
The question made the sage pause. He asked, "You know about the realm lord's project?"
Soverick replied. "I know he has a project but I don't know what it is or what it is about. Hence my question."
He and Legion know that the realm lord is preparing something very important that may or may not be related to the era of conquest. Legion-1 has been doing some work for the realm lord. That's how Soverick was able to recognize that the pillar that transported him to the competition arena had something to do with the realm lord.
Legion-1 has seen a lot of tools like that. The realm lord has been busy but the things he is working on don't seem related to the era of conquest as far as Legion knows. So Legion wants to know how they are related so that they can fully utilize the knowledge that Legion-1 has acquired. Hence his question to the first sage. After all, if anyone is to know, it is highly probable that the first sage does.
"I see. The fact that you already know he has a project is impressive enough. Most world gods only know that he has a project and what it is about but we don't know what it is." The sage eyed him strangely and asked, "How is your question common knowledge?"
Soverick defended shamelessly, "Every world god knows about his project so it is common knowledge."
The sage refused. "Only world gods know it. You're not a world God and you don't know it. Everyone else doesn't know it. It is not common knowledge because world gods know about it. It is not common knowledge by any definition at all."
"Are you going to answer the question or not? I didn't die again to prove myself for you to withhold common knowledge from me."
He ignored the topic of whether his question is priceless or not, common knowledge or not because the sage is technically right. So he won't engage in the argument because he will lose it.
The Sage sighed. "Fine. I'll answer it. But how can I be sure that you will not cause any trouble for the plane."
That's what they are negotiating about. Soverick asked for compensation for his death. What will happen if he doesn't get his compensation? He can't target the sage so he must target something important to the sage. He has proven that trying to eliminate him won't work. He is as difficult to kill as an origin god and even worse is that he is within the plane where the sage can't reach him.
Soverick has proven himself to be a worthy threat to the sage's plans. He has also proven himself not to be ignorant about the world. He knows what a world spark is and he also knows about the realm lord's project. The sage was hoping to wow him with the useless fragment of a world heart but Soverick wasn't fooled.
Soverick also knows that the knowledge of his question is common knowledge among world gods. If he knows that, then it is likely that he also knows that the performance of the plane during the era of conquest is important to the sage. In a way, Soverick has shown that knows where to hit the sage.
Power without wisdom will be wasted. But Power with Wisdom makes for a troublesome enemy. Soverick has shown his power and wisdom to the sage. The sage has taken him seriously because of it. That is why the sage is even bothering to negotiate with him. That also means that the sage must have the assurance that he won't try and get revenge on the plane after they are done.
"I can swear an oath but do you really want me to? We both know how easy to twist words to one's advantage. Besides, we know each other well. We are not strangers at this point. You should just trust me." Soverick said.
The sage was not deterred. He insisted, "Just do it."
"But I still have another request after you answer my question."
The tone of the sage became cold. "You still want more. What else do you want? I am warning you now not to take me lightly."
"Don't worry, it is just a small thing. I want to be able to fight and maybe kill Salvini to wash away the stain on my name. It shouldn't matter if you made the right choice and she is better than me at being the child of the plane. I won't take away her connection and she can even fight me with it."
The sage considered his request and didn't find any problem with it. He too wants to prove himself right to Soverick. It is a matter of pride. He thinks that as a descendant of his bloodline, Salvini should be better than Soverick. If she isn't, then he might not be Soverick's equal either at their level. That means Soverick has more potential than he had.
If Salvini actually loses to Soverick even as the child of the plane then he made a very stupid decision to make her the child of the plane. He is willing to allow the challenge because her death wouldn't matter much to the survival of the plane. It is as he said earlier, the plane will be able to survive without their child of the plane. He was being honest about that.
So he agreed with Soverick. "Okay. You may fight her."
What he didn't say is that he is looking forward to how Soverick can possibly defeat a talented battle sage monkey empowered with the will of the plane. That will provide more insight for him into the nature of whatever Soverick is.
"Do you care to bet on the outcome?" Soverick asked.
The sage didn't need to think too much about that question before he replied. He replied immediately.
He said, "No. I am not going to fall for that."
He just swindled someone with bets. There's no way he will open himself to that kind of damage.