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*Back in the 2nd Heaven, after duel*

45 minutes later, the Yuki and Alex finally stopped fighting. They had gotten a good grasp of each others abilities during this time and each had certain advantages on the other, though it became clear that Alex would win if they were fighting to kill. Despite this, Yuki still put up a very good fight and allowed for Alex a glimpse into the intriguing race that was a yukionna.

This spar also helped Alex immensely in terms of cultivating. Alex was one of those people who grew at mock speed when he fought a worthy opponent. Yuki seemed to be a bit similar as she got ever closer to breaking through to 9th level GM.

*clapping*

Alex looked to his side, catching his breath as the duel ended. He smiled at the king, who had raised his hands in applause, and bowed.

"Thank you for your applause, Your Majesty."

Alex waved away his thanks.

"No, no, If anything I should be grateful. It's not everyday you see someone as talented as you appear in our 2nd Heaven. I'm sure that, given time, you will rise to the top. Now... I know I promised to tell you the situation, but, honestly, I might have to take a slight raincheck. Kingly business awaits and the information I'm giving you is not to be said casually. Take your time... rest and prepare. Tomorrow, meet me again in the throne room and all will be revealed... all that we know, that is."

Alex got a sense of foreboding from his tone, making him even more eager to know the situation, but he agreed. He needed to wash off and he had been traveling for a week before this. It was time to take a break before he got back into the thick of things.

'Besides... they'll be coming soon.'

He expected at least 3 of them to arrive soon. They had the motivation and the resources to do so.

So Alex smiled in response.

"Tomorrow then."

Alex turned to Pearl, who was waiting.

"Lead the way."

Walking away, Alex didn't know a certain snow girl staring with slightly widened eyes at his back.

*The next day*

"Alright, Your Majesty, please begin."

Alex was currently in the throne room, standing before the king as he once did. The queen, along with the princes, were currently elsewhere, but apparently Yuki decided to stop by as she watched from the corner.

The king smiled at Alex's ever-pleasant tone, but soon his face grew serious.

"I'll remind you not to spread rumors, though I'm sure you already know that."

Alex nodded.

"Alright. You should know that the 2nd heaven has been in a state of relative harmony for a long time. While there are some rivalries, we are smart enough to leave that aside when it comes to the big picture and don't let it escalate... however, recently this has not been the case. The four involved kingdoms of Blanc, Kuro, Aldoren and Hydra are currently in a tense position. Falak and Amon have kept to themselves, as usual, but even they might feel inclined to step in if things escalate."

Rain leaned forward. The king saying that even those two famous kingdoms that even he of the 1st Heaven knew about, might get involved means that tensions really are high.

The king continued.

"Aldoren and Kuro are on the verge of war. A controversy surrounding the death of a prodigy from Kuro has supposedly tracked back to somewhere in Aldoren. Kuro is demanding an investigation and recompense, but Aldoren is denying them. This has been happening for a little while, but the worst thing is that Kuro is demanding our support as humans and Aldoren has requested support from Hydra as non-humans."

"Can you confirm anything?"

"We can't send anybody to investigate. If we do and they get caught, it will only escalate things and put us on Kuro's side. At least in Aldoren's eyes it would seem that way. Whether or not the prodigy's death was an elf's fault remains to be seen and we are currently in the dark. Things are only getting worse as small skirmishes are breaking out between races, even in our borders."

"So nobody knows anything and nobody is willing to let anybody know anything even if they did?"

"In essence, it seems that way. It's unreasonable to demand Aldoren open its borders, but Kuro did lose a prodigy. There is no wrong side. However, the two asking for help from other counrties has escalated it to another level."

"Hmmm....."

"Which is why... I have a request."

'Oh?'