Chapter 84 - The Secret Alliance

"Spirit War? We know that it's about to arrive but it should still be a few years or at least one, right?"

Eron gave his doubt.

"The SSDA gives out the permission for it, right?" Teren looked at him.

"Y-yeah."

"And the SSDA is part of the government all around the world."

Eron just nodded, unable to comprehend where Teren is going with what's he's been saying.

"So... does this mean you don't know that the Solari and Lunari Houses are actually allies?"

Teren raised an eyebrow towards Eron which the latter paused for a moment to digest the bomb the former just dropped.

"Solari and Lunari are allies?"

Hearing his own words, Eron wryly laughed and denied.

"Hahaha... that's impossible. Those two houses are just like us and the Serpen Houses. They're mortal enemies. Just from the name alone, you know that they are each other's nemesis. The Solari House was giant back then, to oppose this, Lunari appeared, taking a name that collides with the powerhouse corporation. And furthermore, if that is true then we're doomed. Both of them should be keeping a check on each other. The Titanes House as being neutral while we, the Drago House, and the Serpen house are against each other. So the balance between the five forces will... collapse..."

Eron stopped as he noticed that Teren was looking at him as if he was a talking vegetable.

"The Solari House was too big back then. Almost as great as two other houses combined. However, they also feared a time where they would be seen as a true and unstoppable threat, the other houses will join hands to defeat them. They are just almost as great after all. Against two enemies or maybe even three, their chance of winning is slim. Therefore..."

Teren looked at Eron who finally realized what he was saying.

"N-no no no! That can't be! I mean, it is suspicious how the Lunary House grew even though they were trying to fight the immense Solari. How did the Solari kept this a secret and convinced the Lunari to be alli-"

"No, there's no need for Solari to be wary of the Lunari even from the start."

"Huh...?"

"Hays... don't you get it? Solari House is a giant force but when the Lunari House appeared, they became weaker. What really happened is that the Solari House split themselves in half. From the start, they are but one and the same. So calling them allies is a bit of an understatement. I guess it's my fault."

"That's... that actually makes sense... but... how can you explain their fights? Isn't it stupid to weaken and obstruct each other? Wouldn't that just lead the whole force to self-deterioration?"

"You just said that the main forces of the Solari House do not personally go out to fight themselves. How can you say that their skirmishes aren't just a play?"

"I...-" Eron has no idea what to say. The Drago House is too focused on their enemy, the Serpen House. Gaining information from the other three groups is a lesser priority so maybe that's why they didn't see the whole picture? They always thought that the Solari and Lunari Houses can keep fighting against each other, that's their problem, the Drago House have their own problem with the Serpen House.

But that was wrong.

"Wait, where did you get this information, Sir Teren?" Eron cautiously asked. If the source is unreliable, he may just ignore what he just heard today.

"Hm... how can I say this? I was an insider once."

Teren answered but internally, he thought.

'Well, I was the one who came up with it back when I was being sheltered by the Solari House.'

"An Insider? Well, you do have the Great Spirit of Mind-Altering so getting inside should be a piece of cake to you."

Eron's doubt didn't completely disappear, though it did significantly decreased. Not that he knew what Teren was thinking but that was when he remembered something from the past.

"Wait, Sir Teren. Didn't you steal the Great Spirit of Ming-Altering from the Solari House?"

'Oh, he's sharper than I expected.' Teren looked at Eron with anticipation, waiting for the latter to reveal the truth.

"Does that mean you were able to sneak in without the Great Spirit of Mind-Altering? And that was when the Solari House is in its prime, Sir Teren, you kept getting my admiration!"

Teren was immediately disappointed but he didn't say anything.

'I guess there are no consequences if I didn't tell the truth. I don't want to deal with that girl's anger again. If I think I'm a half psychopath then she's the real deal.'

"It's your choice if you will believe me. I don't exactly have any proof to show you. Since I'm basically tied to you, the Drago House with an agreement, I should give you some extra benefits."

Eron happily smiled while nodding in full agreement.

"Okay, okay, thank you, Sir Teren."

"Oh, and actually, I'm much younger than you. Can you drop the 'Sir'?"

"Ah, that would be hard to call you without honorifics though. Age doesn't matter in the Spirit World, after all, only strength."

"Then I won't force you. But if there's ever a time you will make contact under the public's eye, make sure you act what should be natural between a student and a..."

Teren looked at Eron one more time, thinking what's the best word that suits him. Calling Eron a gangster feels wrong for him anyway.

"Oh, in the public, I'm a freelance digital designer."

"A-ah..."

Teren wanted to say "I didn't ask" but he didn't particularly hate Eron's personality so he refrained from giving him a cold shoulder.

After all, Eron seemed so obedient that Teren feels wrong treating him harshly.

"Ehem, you should act natural since you're an adult and I'm just a student in front of the public."

"Yes, Sir!"

"Okay, that's all, let's go back."

Teren then walked away which Eron followed.

"Ah, but wait, Sir Teren. What about the Spirit War?"