Galthor looked at her wearily. "Go on."

"The barbarians own the Thirteenth Region. It's their race inheritance, and when the Supreme Deity died here, it deepened that connection. That's why they are used for sacrifice. But if indeed there was a god of barbarians, then their hold on the Thirteenth Region would be strong.

"They would be able to access those places that one would lightly touch. The Abyssal Land would be easier for them to navigate."

Galthor watched her steadily. "I see. Then, you want to use me and my subordinates to help you access some of these places in return for your support."

"Yes," Lady Pelica said promptly.

Galthor watched her carefully, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He didn't expect what was happening, not exactly at least, because he had no knowledge of this 'connection' she spoke of. "I see. And you want me to join the Howling for this."

"Joining the Howling is an advice I would give you if you really want to fly above all the other barbarians. I tell you this, but you can't fight for the barbarians' freedom without the Howling."

Galthor's eyes sharpened. "And why is that?"

"The Thirteenth Region is ruled by the different major races and the Howling. Although it might seem that the Howling is not as united as a single entity, their powers and influence should never be underestimated.

"In fact, they have more power than any other in the Thirteenth Region."

"Why is that? All the Overseers have gods."

"Because they can only send their low-ranking gods here. The Thirteenth Region repels anything above that. It was one of the effects caused by the war here between the Supreme Deity and the demons.

"No single race has been able to extend the full might of their race in this region ever since."

Galthor blinked, and he smiled. His future works just got better. "I did not know all of this."

"Of course. The Howling had been able to make use of this fact to spread their influence here. If you join them, you'll be in a position to appeal to other barbarians and investors to make your wish come true."

"And all you want, for this help, is that I will help you in accessing places that are locked to all but barbarians."

"In a way. But I must warn you, your rise and fall in the Howling will be entirely up to you. I will help you with advice, I will be your exclusive enchanter, and I will share everything we uncover with you on a fifty-fifty rate. I will show you how things are done."

Galthor remained expressionless. Everything she said was logical and reasonable. And one thing he was critically lacking was a tunnel to the wider world of international politics.

If he was done here at the Revolutionary Base, then what? The other banners would join their main force. Would he return to his territory and start fighting the ChainLord? With what? The forces he held right now were nothing compared with what the others would bring against him.

And right now, he was not powerful enough. A god. But he still needed a shadow to grow from. But the question was, would the Howling be the shadow?

Did he want them to be the shadow? And if not them, then who?

He took a deep breath. "I see. Just out of curiosity, how does one join the Howling, and what are the benefits?"

She smiled. "The Howling is like a tree with hundreds of branches. We have the main branches and the lesser branches. To join the main branch, you must have the power that's equivalent to a minor god."

Galthor's eyes widened. "What?"

She laughed. "Yes. But right now, who knows just how strong the main branches are? That was then, when it was founded, thousands of years ago.

"We also have the lesser branches. You can join those through the different requirements of the said lesser branches. The lesser branches are also broken down into different organizations and such."

"Which one are you?" Galthor asked.

"I am from Luminous Critic, and we belong to the lesser branch of Unfounded Elementum."

"And your main branch?"

"I don't know. Such information isn't available to me. The main branches do not reveal themselves to one such as us," she replied simply.

Galthor could feel a headache coming. Everything seemed so complicated, and he hadn't even joined yet. He sighed and shook his head. "From all our conversations, you've been using 'I' instead of 'us'. I believe you did not want me to join your lesser branch."

She flashed a smile. "Oh? You get that. Indeed. Although branches are impressive, they are not all that make up a tree. We also have the roots. They are parts of the Howling but belong to no main branch or lesser branch.

"Take the Xyrrh, for example. They are parts of the Howling as a root. They form their own alliance and manage themselves without oversight from a powerful backing.

"But it comes with its own disadvantages. There would be no backing and no support apart from the ones made entirely by yourself. Within the Howling itself, they can be targeted and crushed if they are not strong enough."

"What does the Howling provide for the roots? Connections, access, market, and resources," Lady Pelica answered, then added a warning. "But not all roots are grunts. Take the Xyrrh; they are powerful and as strong as any lesser branch. Same as the Kobolds."

Galthor finally understood what the Howling was all about. They were like refugees who came together to share warmth, buy and sell to each other, and fend off bigger threats. But at the same time, they would kill each other if the need arose.

What a brutal world.

But it was such a shadow that he needed.

"Very well, I will join the Howling as a root."

Lady Pelica smiled. "Then let's make our own alliance. Let's help each other exclusively, and we'll share things on a fifty-fifty basis!"

With that, she stretched out her hand for him to shake. "I swear it. Do you, Galthor Stronghide?"

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