Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 275: Scratch my back, I scratch yours

Chapter 275: Scratch my back, I scratch yours

Silence loomed over the gathering as Alex and Alejandro exchanged eye contact with Victoria and Ana standing just behind the latter.

Albeit putting up a calm front, Alex was anything but calm as he found himself feeling quite tense.

Considering everything he’d gotten from Arthur, especially how BeastMen hated lies, Alex had pondered extensively on the right balance to take.

He couldn’t outrightly tell the truth nor could he tell lies.

There was a need to strike a balance, one that would not offend Alejandro greatly but would enable Alex to keep his secrets.

Of course, he couldn’t help but ponder if he had overdone it while attempting to walk the thin line.

Regardless, his worries were soon undone as Alejandro spoke up.

"That’s the second truth you’ve told since you came in here."

"..." Alex remained silent, neither affirming or rebuffing.

"Surprised that I caught you out?... You should be. My kind has something, a sixth sense, a third eye... Call it what you will but with it, no lie or deception can be kept hidden from us, which is why I can tell that you are hiding too much to be trusted. However, if Arturo truly sent you... I am obliged to listen to what you have to say." Alejandro remarked, his words clearly a warning to Alex to refrain from further lies.

"... Thank you. I am already aware of the unique trait of your people, Arthur... no, Arturo did well to warn us against lying."

"And yet you do so without regard for us. Do I take it as an insult?" Alejandro was clearly peeved as he sat upright in his chair.

Alex shook his head. "Not at all. But you must understand, Rey Alejandro. A man must have secrets and it is best I keep them from you, considering what I wish to gain by the end of this meeting."

"And what is it you wish to gain?"

"An alliance."

"Aragon with this deceptive group you call the Shadowless?"

"There is a group. THAT I did not lie about."

"And you are the leader?"

"Indeed I am."

"I refuse." Alejandro pointedly said however Alex was not to be denied his quarry.

"Even if it involves taking down the group that has forced your people to continuously take the lives of innocents?... I doubt the Earth Mother is happy with your acts. Perhaps, what is happening in the forest now is as a result of her anger."

Silence reigned momentarily, the two men locked in a battle of wills before Alejandro backed away, his lips parting as he broke into a guffaw.

His voice echoed about and outside the camp, leaving Alex with furrowed brows and Victoria quite pale which was saying something considering she was already pale.

Soon Alejandro stifled his laugh to regard Alex yet again, amusement written on his face. "Arturo must have given you the wrong idea."

"What do you mean?"

"The Earth Mother is only regarded as a patron saint amongst my people, one that very few like Arturo are willing to worship wholeheartedly."

"Then..."

"Viracocha is the one and only god my people acknowledge." Alejandro intoned while beating his chest in pride. "He is the one that made us who we are today and so, we would never betray his creed, one of which was to never work with those that are deceitful as they serve as the worst type of allies."

"... His words hold truth to them." Alex couldn’t help but admit.

Alejandro grinned. "Indeed. And in any case, even if the Earth Mother was more important to us, I doubt she would be upset about the deaths of what can hardly be called humans. I’ve seen the dust people, they have no right to be called living when they lack an Avatar and pneuma."

"Regardless, I am willing to make a trade. I scratch your back and you scratch mine. Even if you don’t care about the dust people, I doubt you enjoy being ordered by lowly humans."

This time, Alex struck home as Alejandro’s expression cooled.

"What do you wish to do once I hand over the proxy to you?"

"Take his place, infiltrate the group he belongs to and retrieve something important."

"Ashtyx?"

"...Yes." Alex nodded, unwilling to use further lies to burn the bridge slowly forming.

"And on the off chance you fail?"

"I won’t."

"You may be daring but the Supreme Order is not just any cult. They are a group backed by both the Empire and the Great Families!"

"The Supreme Order..." Alex muttered softly, realizing it was the first time he’d gotten a name for the elusive group.

"Your reaction to my words lessens the inexistent confidence I have in you being able to defeat them."

Taking a deep breath, Alejandro continued. "I will not risk putting my people in danger for the sake of a deceitful man that knows nothing of what he is throwing himself into."

"... Then let me prove myself. If I happen to live up to your expectations, you will help me with all I need to face the Supreme Order."

"And if you die?... Or rather, if you backstab me?"

"I swear on my Avatar, I shall not harm you or any of your kin." Alex remarked, causing the aether about him to ripple in response to his oath.

Alejandro pursed his lips, seemingly in deep thought as he realized that Alex was serious about the proposal.

"Aren’t you worried that I’d use you for my benefit?" Alejandro inquired.

Alex smirked as he replied. "I plan to use you for mine, anyway. Scratch my back, I scratch yours. Simple and easy."

Alejandro hesitated, knowing fully well that it was not honorable to use the man before him, but it was too tempting to refuse.

He’d been contemplating ways to take care of the corruption assaulting the Wandering Forest without casualties but now...

"Let me help you save us both our time; I’ll help you take care of the corruption destroying the Wandering Forest while you prepare everything I’d need to infiltrate the Supreme Order, agreed?"

"... Agreed." Alejandro muttered in a grim tone.

Nodding in satisfaction, Alex rose to his feet. "Then we start at first light."

With that, he left, leaving Alejandro to his thoughts.