At this moment, though, Kin wasn't all that worried about that. He couldn't hope to take on Jai by himself. Even with the forces he had gathered, taking on Jai was going to be a challenge, and he had a feeling he only had one chance. In fact, it was more than a feeling—he was sure. If he failed, there would be no surviving. Jai would kill him and everyone who allied with him. So he couldn't afford to refuse help. Even if it meant selling his soul, he would get the assistance he needed and take back what was rightfully his.
As he was thinking, Mystos turned to Thia and asked, "You met Bale's son during your visit to Omi. Do you think the boy would help?"
Thia spoke, her tone firm. "I don't know if he would, although I have a feeling he'd want to. We need someone with his power after all. He is indeed someone Jai would least expect. Someone unpredictable."
"But, I can't say for sure what his answer would be," she continued, "There's a chance he'd want to help though."
Kin had never met Gor, nor had most of them. Only Mystos and Thia had encountered him, and even then, only Thia had interacted with the boy—while Mystos had, in their first meeting, attempted to kill him. Mystos didn't quite understand where Thia's confidence was coming from, but he was willing to test it out. If it worked, all the better for them.
"So, what do you plan on doing now?" Mystos asked. "Are you going to gather more allies in Wize? I'm sure you could find some more. I'm going to carry out the task you gave me and meet up with Bale."
"Well, I need something. Two things, in fact," Kin said.
"What is it?" Mystos asked. "I'm sure we can come to some kind of arrangement."
"First, I need a black crystal. I'm planning on crafting armor, and I need a black crystal as part of the materials I'm gathering."
"A black crystal? That can be arranged. Although they're quite expensive, I can work something out."
"Don't worry, Lord Mystos, I know it won't be for free. I already spoke with Lady Thia, and she requested that I craft a weapon for her friend Thena. I'll make something for her as well—that will be my payment," Kin said.
"Oh, is that so?" Mystos said, turning his gaze toward Thia, who looked away innocently.
"I guess doing something for the princess is more than enough payment," Mystos said. "What is the other thing you need?"
"I need more materials for what I want to craft. One of them is a beast with strong scales—something powerful. A ferocious beast would do the trick. I don't suppose you have information on where I might find such a creature?"
"Well, of course I do," Mystos replied with a smirk. "Gathering information is my vocation. I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't know such things. But before I answer, may I ask who has promised to craft these weapons for you? Have you allied yourself with a craft master capable of making casted weapons?"
Kin was about to reply when Commander Lei spoke.
"Sulten Lee is an ally of His Highness. He was responsible for various crafting arts in Wize in the past. We recruited him a few days before Hadia fell, and he has pledged his allegiance to His Highness. He is the one crafting the weapons."
Thia and Kin knew he was lying. Thia had already sensed the essence of Ashell in all the weapons Kin possessed, and she knew he was the one crafting them. But there must have been a reason Lei chose to lie. Since no one reacted, she decided to let it go—for now, at least.
"Is that so?" Mystos asked. "I guess you've done a good job recruiting such an ally, Your Majesty."
"Well, if it's a beast with a strong carapace you seek, I have plenty of creatures deep in the Jut Forest, depending on what you're looking for. There are wyverns, crag backs, a white-scaled leviathan… But if I were to suggest something with both quality and power, I'd recommend a beast that resides in a temple deep in the Jut Forest."
"It's called Khelsaroth," Mystos said.
Commander Lei frowned immediately upon hearing the name. He was obviously familiar with the beast. Mystos noticed his reaction but continued speaking.
"The Khelsaroth," Mystos began, his gaze distant as he recalled ancient tales, "is no ordinary beast. It is not just a creature of muscle and fang like the many other predators that roam the wilds of this land. No, the Khelsaroth is something far more dangerous—far more ancient."
Kin, unfamiliar with the creature, furrowed his brow. "What makes it so different? We've fought beasts before. What makes this one worth the risk?"
"What sets the Khelsaroth apart, Prince Kin, is its body. It's covered in a dense, metallic carapace—an alloy-like armor that makes it nearly impervious to most weapons. Blades will break, arrows will bend, and even the strongest attacks will merely deflect off its armor. It is a beast of living steel—a monstrous fusion of power and defense."
Kin's eyes sharpened as the idea of crafting armor from such a creature's body began to take shape in his mind. "So you're saying its carapace is indestructible?"
Mystos nodded solemnly. "Indestructible, yes. That is, until you find the cracks. The Khelsaroth's only known weakness is a series of small, nearly imperceptible cracks in its armor. These cracks open only briefly and at unpredictable intervals, exposing its raw flesh for just a moment. But in that moment, it is vulnerable. You need to make sure you strike at the appropriate time if you hope to win."
"It is indeed a ferocious beast—even among ferocious beasts," Mystos said.
"That thing is no beast," Commander Lei finally spoke.