In particular situations, there were those who would not think much about their surroundings, either because they felt safe or because they believed nothing could truly threaten them. Natty, however, was clearly not one of those people. From the moment she had entered the tea house, her eyes had been scanning everything around her, not in an obvious way, but with quiet precision.

Her gaze lingered on the table, where several cups of tea were laid out. Some had been fully drained, the liquid gone entirely. Others were only partially touched, steam still faintly rising from their surfaces. One cup, in particular, had barely been sipped at all. From experience alone, Natty could tell they were recent. Too recent to belong to a meeting that had taken place hours ago.

That was what led her to her conclusion, and why she had asked her question directly.

When people were caught out like this, they often became nervous. Their eyes shifted. Their breathing changed. Their voices wavered. But Natty was not dealing with just anyone. Song was a Guild Leader, and not only that, he was the leader of a guild that had already prepared itself for the possibility of standing against the Noble Guild.

"We often use these tea houses ourselves when discussing important matters," Song replied calmly. His voice showed no hint of hesitation. "Before you arrived, we were having a meeting about what to do ourselves."

He lifted one of the cups slightly, then set it back down.

"Which was why we thought it was a good time to bring you in as well."

It was a clear answer, and on the surface, one that was perfectly reasonable. He could have left it there. Many would have. But something about Natty's words, or rather the way she had spoken them, lingered in his mind and rubbed him the wrong way.

"And the tone of your voice," Song continued, his eyes narrowing just slightly, "it almost sounded like a threat."

Natty did not interrupt him.

"If we had met with the people I assume you are talking about," Song went on, "what would have been the consequence?"

He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands together.

"As of right now, we are not part of the Noble Guild, nor do we have any agreement with you. Shouldn't that mean we are free to speak to whoever we wish?"

There was a brief pause before he continued, his voice growing firmer.

"It's this type of attitude that leaves me afraid to do business with the Noble Guild. If we were to join and not follow your ways exactly, would that mean punishment for all of us?"

He glanced around the room, as if picturing the people under his protection.

"And once someone is in, it becomes much harder to leave certain situations. That makes me wonder, "

His eyes returned to Natty.

"You were talented. You joined the Noble Guild when it was still run under the name of the Grand Magus. But we have learned that the Grand Magus were not exactly what they seemed."

Song's voice softened, but the question itself carried weight.

"Have you been asked to do things you did not wish to do?"

There was no immediate response.

That silence alone spoke volumes.

Even those at the top of the Noble Guild, even those who stood closest to Idore, did not fully believe in what was happening. Natty's expression barely changed, but the hesitation was enough.

Which led Song to push further.

"So I must ask you another question," he said. "Are you following Idore out of fear right now, rather than working together toward the same goal?"

He did not stop there.

"Or perhaps it is not fear. Perhaps it is your own selfish desire to hold a high position in this new world he is creating."

Song's hands tightened slightly.

"If I joined, maybe you could promise me a high position. But not everyone. Not every member of this guild. Not every person I am protecting."

His gaze hardened.

"I believe you can already tell what my answer is."

Natty remained silent. She had come prepared with speeches and proposals, carefully crafted arguments meant to sway leaders like Song. She could offer power. She could offer safety. She could even promise protection for his people.

But all of it came with a cost.

A lower position than the freedom they currently held.

The only true incentive left was fear.

And Song saw that clearly.

Since Natty did not respond, Song rose slowly from his seat.

"You are free to remain here until you wish to leave," he said, his tone final. "But if there is nothing else to discuss, there is other business I must attend to."

Several members of the River Moon Guild remained behind as Song turned away, positioning themselves carefully. They were ready, just in case the Noble Guild representatives tried anything.

Song took only a few steps before Natty finally spoke.

"We are the new order."

Her voice was quiet, but it carried.

She stood up, pushing her chair back with a sharp scrape against the floor.

"We are the ones who make the rules of this world now. We separated our land from yours because we are not the same."

Her eyes were cold.

"When you eat meat, do you consider the lives of the animals? No. Because you are a different class from them."

She took a step forward.

"And that is what you are to us."

Her voice hardened.

"We offered you a chance. An invitation out of pity. And you refused."

Natty's hands clenched at her sides.

"The orders given to us were simple. I was uncertain before, but now my resolve is clear."

She looked directly at Song.

"If you are not part of the Noble Guild, then you are against us."

Her mana flared slightly.

"And we will eliminate you all with our own hands."

**

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