Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

'It seems he had seen through my ambitions' Simon mused, an intense flame to accept the challenge rose within his heart.

Bringing them all under his rule within the stipulated five years would be an incredibly difficult task even for Simon. However, even without the conditions that Aldebaran made, he already had plans to rule over the entire Ghastly Winding Forest and make it his territory.

Now though he just has to push his plans a couple of years forward. Anticipation was apparent in his crimson eyes as he made a wide demonic smile and met the gaze of Aldebaran.

On the contrary, when Cecilia heard the last condition that Aldebaran made, she couldn't help but widen her eyes like saucers. It was clearly an impossible task no matter how she saw it.

From what her mother told her back in her village, these Seven Kings were incredibly towering existences that have survived the Second Apex War if not lived for thousands of years. And were beings that were on the same level as the ruler of the Ancient Treants. Aldebaran being one of them.

It was precisely because of their presence, that no empires dared to invade the forest. Just their title was enough to instil fear inside those leaders. To have her big brother subdue them within the time limit of just five years was insane.

No matter how she thought about it, Aldebaran was trying to give him an impossible task that could very possibly kill him. Of course, she was not going to stay quiet and let her brother be bullied.

But since she was told by Simon to remain quiet, she could no longer throw her tantrum. Tugging at his clothes, she looked at him with worry-filled eyes "Big brother… it is too dangerous…".

Simon lightly patted her head and said comfortingly while looking ahead "I had already decided to make the entire Ghastly Winding Forest my territory. Even if I accept his conditions, it's just a matter of putting my plans forward by a few years. Believe in me Cecilia, I'll become strong enough to protect you all. And to realise that, I can't back out now".

Cecilia became silent, she could feel his intense emotions to get stronger and no matter what she said, it wouldn't change his mind. She convinced herself to get stronger along with her big brother so that she could help him one day.

Seeing that his words had successfully persuaded her, Simon looked towards Aldebaran and nodded his head.

"Lord Alder, I accept the conditions of yours. I shall within the stipulated time limit of Seven years, rise to the rank of a Demon Duke and achieve strength strong enough to subdue the Seven Kings of the Ghastly Winding Forest". His voice was clear and unfettered.

Aldebaran hearing Simon's words, simply laughed in appreciation as he said "Young man, you can just call me Alder, you don't need to add lord. But are you sure that you can achieve it? Subduing the Seven Kings means you also have to contest against me, the ruler of the Ancient Treants".

The moment he said that the branches of the titanic treant swayed a little and a storm of wind like a gale, which had enough strength to clear the looming clouds above, was generated.

"Of course, I am looking forward to our next bout. At that time, our strength wouldn't be this far apart" Simon said with a resolute voice.

"Hahahaha, marvellous… young man tell me your name. I hope that the next time we meet, you won't disappoint me".

Aldebaran said more and more impressed by the person chosen by the fragment of pride.

"I am Simon…" he said answering Aldebaran's question.

"Hmm… very well, Simon from this moment on you are the friend of all the treants living inside the Ghastly Winding Forest and none of them will be hostile to you. You may come and go within the Ancient Treants territory freely. As for your request to move the Forest Spirits inside your dungeon, I approve of that too. However, it will depend on you to convince them to move into your dungeon. That is all, you both can return back" .

Aldebaran's ancient voice boomed across the entire Ancient Treant territory and all the treants inhabiting the area bowed their heads in response. The orders from their ruler were absolute and nobody dared to go against them.

Aldebaran's words solidified his position as a friend within the Ancient Treant territory and not only that, he may come and go inside it as he wished. What did it mean to freely pass through the Ancient Treant territory?

It meant that in future when he encounters any danger within the western region of the forest, he could quickly delve inside the Ancient Treant Territory.

"Thank you very much Alder" Simon bowed his head in thanks while Cecilia albeit a little unwilling, still chose to bow her head mimicking his action. They turned around and returned to the Forest Spring Village.

-----

It was only after a while when Simon and Cecilia left the scene, thick thunder clouds blotted the sky. One could see red coloured lighting streaking across them with a might that could instantly obliterate everything.

A humanoid person with sharp amethyst eyes like that of an eagle holding a majestic violet coloured spire descended from the clouds. He had unkempt wild hair and a beak for a mouth. He had talons at the end of his legs so sharp that they had a glint that indicated they were no less sharp than an [A] tier weapon.

Splendid purple coloured falcon wings arced in lightning. The moment he descended, the mana in the surrounding went into a turmoil and a booming noise of thunder reverberated everywhere.

With a resounding RUMBLE… the being looked towards the towering presence of the Ancient Titan Treant and laughed merrily.

"We haven't met for a while Aldebaran. Won't you come to greet this old friend?" the man said laughing haughtily.

To act so in front of the Ancient Titan Treant; obviously, the man had a standing not inferior to the other.

At this moment, the roots and twigs coiled around and the humanoid form of Aldebaran appeared in front of the man.

"King of the Wind-Lightning Draconic Falcon, Vesgard. Indeed it's been a while. I assume you have been well" Aldebaran spoke as he measured the man in front of him.

The man was none other than one of the Seven kings of the Ghastly Winding Forest just like him.

The territory of Vesgard was far away from his own but to a being of his species, travelling thousands of miles in an hour, wasn't any big deal.

"Hahaha, It just so happens that I had some free time so I decided to visit an old friend. The forest is too silent and there had been no action going on for a while. Just staying holed up in my territory is too boring".

Vesgard said cosily as he brought out two bottles of wine from his ring and passed one to Aldebaran.

Aldebaran nonchalantly caught the bottle and sipped on it without standing on ceremony.

"Gulp… Gulp… Haa, an excellent wine. Where did you get your hands on these?" Aldebaran said delighted with its taste.

"Haha, I knew you would like it. A bunch of humans blinded by greed from the ancient rumours decided to sneak into my territory. Of course, they were all killed by my underlings. I found this wine in one of their inter-spatial rings. They had such a huge quantity, those people must have been quite the drunkard hahaha. If you like I can give you a few bottles more".

Vesgard said he drank a few mouthfuls from his bottle.

"Yeah, I appreciate it. But I guess you are not here to talk about such silly things over a bottle of wine are you?" Aldebaran asked as he quietly thought about the purpose behind Vesgard coming here.

"Of course, I am here to talk about that thing. Isn't it about time for you to open it. If we two can pair up, we would have a higher possibility of obtaining it compared to the other Seven Kings. What do you say?" .

Vesgard asked, excited by the possibility of obtaining that thing.

Aldebaran simply shook his head denied those words saying "No matter how many times you ask me, the answer would still remain the same. It is not time yet. If we open that thing now, its aura would leak out and even with the slight aura, those pinnacle existences would be able to sense it and break the space to jump here. At that time, even if we wanted to get a share of that, we wouldn't even be entitled to a tiny portion of it".

Vesgard looked unconvinced with this explanation. However, he did know the consequences of forcibly opening that thin was and since he couldn't force the issue, he could only give up on and wait for when the time is ripe.

Sighing out loud, he looked towards Aldebaran and suddenly realised that he looked very happy.

Vesgard couldn't help but ask "You seemed to be in good mood did something happened?". Aldebaran simply laughed nor agreeing with his words neither denying it.

Vesgard scoffed, there was no way he would believe that nothing had happened. Aldebaran acting in that abstruse manner, only fueled his suspicions even more. Suddenly from the corner of his eyes, he spotted a small village not very far from here.

Beings of his race had superior eyesight and can even zoom on a tiny grain miles away.. There was no way a village that near to the titanic body of the Ancient Titan Treant would be missed by him.