Chapter Text
"So it's you." The tall, cold-looking man said to him.
Baam has felt such strength only a few times in his life. Before he could realize how truly terrifying that was, the green-haired man continued.
"You're the new guy in the tower. The one from the outside. I've been wanting to meet you."
Many people wanted to meet him. Either because of who he was to FUG, or the tower at large, he knew that there would always be people that wanted to use his power for something. This man- he was still coming to terms with being next to one of them again- he looked like he wanted something from him too.
"We finally meet in person. So you're the one who opened the door. I've heard lots about you. You survived the battle I see. I can't believe a regular managed to survive a war among high rankers. All right, I admit it. You're worthy of meeting me."
Baam could feel a sliver of surprise that Baam survived. But-
"And who are you?"
I already know the answer to this question. The same arrogance, the same power. This is a family head. I never thought that one of them would come here. What will happen to everyone here now? Baam questioned in his mind. He tried to appear calm, but he was trying to come up with any way to come out of this situation.
"I am the head of the Lo Bo Pia family. Traumerei."
Traumerei! The crazy bastard who trapped me in the suspendium and fed me those disgusting memories!
Memories? Baam put that line of questions for later. He needed to know what Traumerei wanted from him and somehow figure out a way to get out unscathed.
I want to kill him! I want to rip him into pieces! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him for me- right now!
I can't.
?!
I can feel it. If I show any hostility now... I'll be dead in a matter of seconds. This has to end without a fight, or I and everyone here will not make it out of here.
"It's a bit late, but welcome to the tower. Outsider. I had something I wanted to tell you if you were able to survive this battle."
What are Hansung and Doom doing? If I can feel them, he can do so too.
Instantly, Doom got caught in ropes by a person Baam didn't recognize.
No one saw Hansung? What are they up to?
Not a second later, Baam felt an immense amount of power building up.
"Alright everyone, that's enough."
That, that must be his shinwonryu!
A golden ball, filled with animals appeared close to Traumerei. Green skeletal remains of some type of animal surrounded the area. Baam observed the huge spiky skeleton and the golden ball. Everyone around Baam stiffened.
"If anyone interrupts our conversation as of this moment... I'll make everything in this nest ...disappear. So, irregular. Baam, is it? Ever since it became known that you were in the tower, some of the other family heads and I have been discussing what to do with you."
What? Family heads had a meeting about me? What was the result?
"Some said we should kill you, while others said you should be protected and some said we shouldn't bother someone climbing the tower according to the rules like you."
A chill went through Baam.
Some wanted me killed? Who? Did the ones that wanted me protected do something to dissuade them?
Baam thanked whoever they were in his mind.
"I guess your presence here in the tower has caused a bit of a rift among us. Zahard didn't want to see us divided any longer, so he didn't take any action outside of commanding his army. Being the king, Zahard no doubt wants to find the best possible solution for everyone."
So even Zahard is bound by some rules.
"But some of the ten great family heads made it clear they want conflict. And so the question of what to do with you became an entirely different issue. The situation became such that even the family heads got involved directly."
Just like now. It just looks like you beat the others to the punch.
"In order to stop the conflict, the king gave three orders to get rid of you, unfortunately, you are still alive."
Baam felt a phantom ache on his neck for a moment.
"If the king had a clear opinion on the matter, I would go along with it. But since that's not the case, I'm taking all the family heads' opinions into consideration. That is why I have agreed to the proposal to summon you here. Like some family heads said, I didn't think it would matter if you died here. And like others said, I also thought it wouldn't hurt to spare you if you managed to survive here."
So what do you want exactly?
Baam decided to not voice that question and interrupt him.
"Because if you survive this battle, it means you're worthy of serving me."
"Serve... you?"
"That's right. That's right. If I decide you're useful, you can serve me. And if not, I'll kill you. That's how I work."
A feeling of dread came over Baam. Flashbacks of what happened when he was controlled by FUG came to him.
So once again, someone wants to get me for my power. But now, I don't think I can do anything about it. I-I don't know what to do.
Baam felt the hopelessness and despair crawling out from the deep parts of his mind. He couldn't give in, but the giant reminder of Traumerei's power floating above him weakened his resolve. Still, he tried.
I need to listen to what he is saying. There must be some way for me to get out, or for everyone brought here by my selfish desire to leave, at least.
"Unfortunately, the conflict isn't showing any signs of stopping. And it's now gotten to the point that a clash among the families is unavoidable. It's only natural that you'd serve me if I decide you're useful to me."
Ownership.
A new reality washed over him. He gathered his strength and knew that once again, he would sacrifice himself to keep his friends safe. Still, he let him keep talking, stalling, waiting for Hansung to do something, for anyone to do something.
"But those from the outside like us shouldn't be treated like animals."
What?
"I know I'm holding someone dear to you hostage, but I've decided to consider you an equal, as a human being."
He doesn't know that my master wasn't sealed.
A glimmer of hope washed through Baam. There might be a way to have everyone leave the nest, safe.
"And extend my hand to you. Would you like to join our family?"
"What?"
"I want you to join our family and become one of us. There's no better way to solidify a political relationship than through marriage. Since you survived this battle, you would definitely prove helpful."
Marriage. He is offering marriage?
"Thankfully, we have a few girls who are of excellent quality in our family. We even have two regulars who were chosen to be princesses of Zahard. Being one of Zahard's princesses is a great honor, but I'm sure they would give it up to marry you."
Princesses, is he talking about Shillial and Lillial Zahard? Wait, this situation is getting even more out of control. I don't understand what treating me as a human has to do with me marrying someone in his family. He wants to use me, but why marriage?
"Now then- I would like to officially propose an offer to you here. I want you to marry one of our family's daughters and join the Lo Bo Pia family.."
Baam looked at Traumerei's Shinwonryu. The power radiating from it. Finally, he took a deep breath and looked at Traumerei again.
"Could you please clarify what would happen to me in the future because of this proposal? And what about the girls I could choose from? Did they already agree to this?"
The pressure around him lessened. It looked like Traumerei understood that he was entertaining this proposal.
"You will become my heir. A being with the position right below the heads of the ten great families. The low title of "slayer candidate" can't even compare to a position like this. As for my daughters, their opinions don't matter. The only things needed are my will, Zahard's permission, and your choice. That is the difference between us and the others."
His heart screamed at him to refuse. Being bound was bad enough, he didn't want to pull someone else into the situation. But he couldn't. His master, his friends, and everyone else in the nest that came when he called for them needed to be saved.
"I see... Then, as your heir, I would like to make a request."
His heart hammered in his chest, he needed to keep calm. If this didn't work, he would have to think of something else.
He didn't need to look at anyone else to understand how shocked they were.
Traumerei arched a brow.
"Oh? I am listening."
"Let us go, so please stop the fighting in the nest and let everyone that attacked this place go."
The seconds before Traumerei spoke passed like minutes for Baam.
"Very well. Perseus, inform everyone relevant that the objective is reached and order them to withdraw. If someone from Zahard's army refuses, tell them that it is my order. Now, I already recalled one candidate to my ship. Let us go meet her, son."
"What? Baam, what do you think you're doing!" Screamed Yama.
Yama began rushing at him. He was teleported back to his previous position by the anima that teleported him to Traumerei.
"You were given the order dog. Leave."
Baam refused to look at them as he flew to Traumerei.
This is my only choice. Please, let's leave now before he finds out that my master isn't sealed. We can't fight him right now. I can only do this to offer everyone here an escape.
"Activate the warp. Everyone else, come back with the warp ship." Said Traumerei, as Baam flew onto his personal transport and stood next to Traumerei. It started moving.
Right before they were about to reach it, it lit up, they flew into it and left everyone in the nest behind.