RISE OF EROS

Kael and the other demigods were surprised by Draneg's attitude when he left. Make no mistake, his performance was not bad, in fact, they all believed him to be upset, but they did not expect that, instead of ranting at them, he would simply leave.

Certainly, in recent years they have not been in contact much, but they have known each other for more than a millennium, so they are very clear about the type of people they are and how they react to certain situations.

This attitude that Draneg took was not the usual one, but it was not so strange that they suspected and followed them to see what he was up to. In addition, Draneg had left in the direction of their territory. Therefore, they thought that Draneg was just too angry to even speak badly of Crhono and the others, so he simply left quickly.

Draneg snuck at high speed towards his territory and after advancing a good distance, he turned around and returned. He first left the range of the others' surveillance and although he returned, he did not do so by the same route.

He circled around as if to divert attention in case someone followed him and then, he returned to the country of Rivers, more specifically to the council of elders of the liquid spirits, where Andrew and the others were meeting. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire

Even though Draneg was almost certain that Andrew and the others did not intend to set a trap for him, he was not so confident as to return head-on as if he were just another guest. He first hid and investigated what was happening, to make sure it was not a trap. The possibility was minimal, but it was still there, so he did not rush, but it was useless.

Draneg can hide from Andrew, Zaros, Elidyr, and many of those present, but hiding from Crhono, Sohei, and Biacko is a dream. The three were more powerful than him and also with many tricks.

The moment Draneg approached to investigate the three dragons noticed him and it was Crhono who spoke, "There is no need to hide. If you have already come, say hello." Although his voice was not loud, everyone present heard it.

Those who had not noticed Draneg were surprised, as they did not understand what Crhono meant, but Sohei and Biacko did understand. In fact, Andrew also understood and quickly said; "I invited him."

Andrew was not sure it was Draneg, but before they left he had invited him to return and Crhono, although cautious, did not seem hostile, it was obvious that he was an acquaintance and due to the time, he sensed that it was Draneg.

The others also did not know that Andrew had invited him since it was a message between them. It is true that beings as powerful as Crhono could eavesdrop on telepathic conversations, he was not watching Andrew, so he did not know of their arrangement.

In fact, hearing that Andrew had invited Draneg surprised him, but he didn't say anything. It wasn't that Andrew wanted to hide this from them, it was that he didn't know if Draneg would accept his invitation and that was why he hadn't said anything.

Since he had already been discovered, there was no reason to hide. That would only lead to more trouble, so Draneg appeared in the hall, but not in the center. He was still cautious and it was better not to be surrounded by demigods.

Although this was useless, because if they really wanted to do something to him, it wouldn't be difficult to do it from that position, but Draneg felt safer this way and no one called him out on it.

Everyone looked at Draneg in surprise and then looked at Andrew in confusion. Draneg had been the most annoying of the demigods just now, especially towards Andrew, so they didn't understand the reason for inviting him.

Andrew paid no attention to everyone's gazes and simply looked at Draneg and said, "You know, I don't like you." No one was surprised by that comment, as it was obvious, but they didn't expect Andrew to say it out loud.

Despite the claim, Draneg didn't say anything and continued looking at Andrew, who continued saying, "However, I like your character. You may be selfish, but you are not a hypocrite and I value sincerity much more."

At those words, everyone adopted a serious expression, even Draneg became serious at Andrew's words. Smiling, Andrew continued, "You have many complaints and I understand your position, but did you know that Zaros, Elidyr and many of those present also don't know what you asked?"

This question did surprise Draneg. He was almost sure that Andrew wasn't lying to him and that was what surprised him, because that meant that even being in the same situation, Zaros and the others stood firm for the cause, unlike him.

This made him bitter because now he couldn't deny his selfish motives in this association. Well, in fact, with the words he had said before he left earlier, he had already said everything, but now it was final.

"As I said, I don't like your attitude and your selfishness, but I don't ignore that we need you as an ally. Now, your selfishness can lead you astray and that's what bothers me the most about you and the others, but unlike them, you are honest," Andrew continued.

After a pause, Andrew continued speaking, "Kael and the others think like you, but they hide under a facade of honor, letting you jump into the pit of fire. They are hypocrites, I don't trust them, but I can trust you."

Draneg raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Andrew's words. He even doubted the veracity of them, but true to his character he asked, "That doesn't change the fact that I'm selfish. Why do you think you can trust me?"

"Because if you get benefits, you won't betray us," Andrew replied, but Draneg retorted, "What if someone gives me better benefits?" Andrew smiled at the question and shook his head.

After denying it, Andrew replied, "Aside from me, only Purgatory can offer you something of value, but do you really want the benefits they can offer you?"

Then, a strange silence filled the room and it was Andrew who broke it after a few minutes, "They can give you divinity, but mixed with madness and subordination. In short, you will only be the dog of the fallen god."

"And allying with you is different?" Draneg replied with irony. It was not that he was not aware that Andrew's words were true, it was just that at this moment he was negotiating and had to win the best offer.

"I cannot give you the secret or the way to ascend to divinity. I did not lie to you then and I do not do so now, but I have ways to offer you something that will already be your destiny if you turn it into an opportunity," Andrew said sincerely.

Draneg narrowed his eyes as he listened to Andrew. He knew he was being honest, although he could not understand the reason why he thought that. Hearing that he had no way to give him what he wanted depressed him a bit, but hearing that there could be opportunities changed things.

Andrew didn't tell him that these opportunities he was trying to give him were opportunities, but he did tell him that it was up to him to turn them into that, so that was enough. "Fine, I can live with that. What do you want from me?" Draneg asked, accepting Andrew's offer.

"Nothing extravagant. I want you to continue being an ally like you have been until now and if possible continue acting as the disruptor when we are all together. Act like you did today, be suspicious, and ask questions, just don't overstep your boundaries," Andrew replied.

"In short, you want me to act as the scapegoat of the group, making Kael and the others believe that they can use me to gain information and bear the burden of discontent, while they play heroes, huh?" Draneg said sarcastically.

"Well, that sounds bad, but yes," Andrew replied, smiling. "You are not a good person either," Draneg said with a dark expression as he noticed that Andrew was not as saint as he seemed.

Andrew could not resist and burst out laughing and once he calmed down he looked at Draneg and with a wide smile replied, "Well, I am a future god." All the demigods present were surprised, even Crhono was surprised by his arrogant comment.

Only his wives, concubines, and apostles laughed at his words. He was not lying, it is just that to date Andrew had never acted with such a high profile and much less before entities more powerful than him.

Andrew noticing the situation, smiled and said, "Don't look at me like that. I am not the same now as before. Don't look down on me for being weaker than you, believe it or not, I am more useful than you think.

It is not that they doubted Andrew's words, but they did not feel that he was useful. It's true that he's gotten stronger, but he's still too weak to fight the enemies they face, and he also has little battle experience.

Sometimes a weaker demigod can defeat a more powerful demigod, thanks to the latter's carelessness or because they have more battle experience, but Andrew was the opposite, weak and inexperienced.

Although Andrew could sense his doubts, he didn't say anything. Andrew hadn't told them all of his secrets, as it would be stupid to do so. Andrew trusts Crhono and the others, but not to the point of telling him everything.

In fact, even Crhono wouldn't do that to him. Before, if it wasn't for Fluffy finding out that he was a divine beast, he wouldn't have told Andrew, after all, they didn't have that much trust back then.

Now the trust may have increased, but Andrew wasn't negligent. Sometimes to fool the enemy, you need to fool your allies, and that was what Andrew was doing right now.

Still, Andrew did not pursue the topic, and waving his hand a strange object that looked like an egg appeared in his hand. It was the size of a fist and runes never before seen in this world covered it.

Sereda was the first to notice the object, as an Arcanist, runes were her passion. Crhono was also surprised and so, everyone ended up focusing on the strange egg in Andrew's hand.