After hearing everything Rumunaga had to say, Jason understood Rumunaga’s ideology perfectly, and Jason suddenly gained a newfound respect for the dragon god. It was a sign of his wisdom that he was capable of deciphering the actions of his own people and deciding to put aside his own beliefs and religion in order to ensure that his world thrives! Jason knew that even Riyala didn’t know about this land, so it was obvious that Rumunaga had been keeping it to himself for many generations! Jason gave Rumunaga a small nod of respect, and Rumunaga smiled in response before his expression finally turned serious again.
[Now, I know you aren’t here just to find out the lore behind my imprisonment, so what is it that you are really here for?]
Rumunaga’s sudden seriousness made Jason get back to the topic at hand, and Jason nodded as he immediately gave Rumunaga a basic rundown of everything that had happened. Jason told Rumunaga about the Eternal Wanderer’s offer to bring Rumunaga’s body in exchange for information, and he also told Rumunaga that Rubik was trying to use the Battle for Radagan as a way to get his hands on these mountains. Rumunaga had stayed relatively calm all through Jason’s explanations, but Jason watched as Rumunaga’s face slowly furrowed in slight anger when he heard that Rubik was trying to get these mountains, and Jason had to ask.
"Do you have any idea how Rubik found out that you’re here? It’s impossible that he would be doing all this just for the Dragonstones, so he must’ve found out about you somehow."
Rumunaga huffed out a breath before he spoke.
[I apologise for making you retell these stories. I already received memories of Riyala’s meetings with Rubik through our link, so I know most of these. I just wanted to know your unbiased thoughts regarding this matter. But as for the Overlord, I am sure you already figured out what I am about to tell you. That man is not normal. You’ve felt it too, haven’t you? Riyala is young, so she wasn’t able to feel such an indiscernible difference in Magic Essence, but I am certain that someone with your level of power and sensitivity would have also noticed that there is something off about the Overlord. Especially when we compare him to the other Machina.]
Jason felt a sudden sense of relief wash over him when he heard those words from Rumunaga. All this time, Jason had known that there was something wrong with Rubik’s magical presence, but Jason hadn’t been able to place his finger on exactly what that thing was! Jason had just been going off assumptions, and whenever he brought up the topic to anyone in his group, he could tell that none of them were feeling what he could feel! At least now Jason was certain that he wasn’t just being paranoid! There was really something very wrong with Rubik!
"Were you able to figure out what that feeling is?"
Jason asked this question, and Rumunaga shrugged.
[No, I haven’t. Honestly, the only reason I could feel it was because this is the first time I am sensing his magic, and my expectations for what his magic should feel like weren’t met. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the other council members also felt the same strangeness, but they were quicker to accept it since they couldn’t find anything wrong. Even now, I’m still not certain that my hunch is right. Maybe we only feel this way because we want to feel this way. But it is not a bad place to start from.]
Jason nodded to Rumunaga’s words. This was the most reasonable thing right now. Jason knew that the only reason he felt the strangeness in Rubik’s Magic was because of his Qi. Most mages would never even know that there was something wrong, and mages who are stronger sensors would likely overlook the strangeness since it was almost undetectable. Jason decided that he would revisit that topic some other time as he spoke up:
"I’m going to do what I can to make sure Rubik doesn’t get his hands on this land, so you don’t need to worry. But in the meantime, I think you should tell Riyala about your core being here, so she won’t think about giving it to Rubik. I know you don’t want your people to lose their way of life, but Riyala is a smart woman, and if I speak to her about your reasoning, then she will keep the secret."
Rumunaga let out a small sigh, and he shook his head at Jason.
[Yes, I know of your closeness with my priestess. You are the mate that she has chosen in order to continue her lineage. And honestly, if Riyala were the only Priestess I would ever have, then I would not have minded giving her all my knowledge. But you have not seen what I have seen. There are many fanatic priestesses who have drowned in their reverence for me over the years, and they have committed many acts in my name. After Riyala, there will be another Priestess, and then another, and they will all gain her knowledge as a former priestess. I cannot trust every priestess after Riyala to keep to whatever doctrine she believes in. So it is best to simply allow things to remain as they are now. I believe a simple word of caution from us both will make Riyala far more hesitant to hand over this land to anyone.]
Jason just had to agree when he heard this from Rumunaga. Jason hadn’t seen all the things that Rumunaga had seen, so Jason really had no idea what would be coming in the future for Radagan. It was better to be safe than sorry in a situation like this. Jason told Rumunaga that he would give Riyala the warning, and Rumunaga smiled before he finally said.
[I suppose it is about time you returned to reality. This has been a very enlightening conversation, and I am truly grateful that you spent so much time speaking to me. I enjoy Riyala’s conversations, but there are times when you simply need to seek other company. Oh, and I suppose congratulations are in order.]
Jason blinked, and Rumunaga’s eyes widened when he saw the look of confusion on Jason’s face! Rumunaga smiled, and he shook his head.
[Well, it is no matter. I will grant you my blessings when the time is right. In the meantime, may my great fire grant you safety in your endeavours.]
An intense fire suddenly surged out from Rumunaga and washed over Jason like a tsunami, and Jason felt his consciousness being pushed out from the cave and back into reality! Jason’s eyes shot open in shock, and he looked around to see that he was back in the shadows! Jason put his hand to his head as he felt a headache slam into him in retaliation for the sudden movement, and Jason cursed!
’My King! Are you okay!? You’ve been silent for a few seconds now!’
Azrael spoke up in worry from Jason’s Alternate Dimension, and Jason nodded and told him that he was fine. Jason realised that even though he had been in that space for almost ten minutes, no time at all had passed in the real world. No wonder Jason couldn’t reach his subordinates. He was literally hallucinating, so there was no physical connection he could form with anything outside.
’My King, did you see something behind the barrier? Should we continue looking?’
Jason shook his head and told the Sovereign not to continue looking, and Jason replayed the conversation that he had with Rumunaga through his head so he could sort his thoughts properly.