In a tent dimly lit by a magical lamp bleeding a soft blue light...

This was the largest tent in the {Willow Direwolf} settlement, and it belonged to Roc. It was located right at the very center of the camp. Despite that, there was a wide ring of emptiness created by the encirclement of the other nearby tents.

With sweat beading on his temples, Cain nervously glanced between Roc and Ambrosia who were too busy giving one another death glares.

They had been here for a few minutes already, but not even a word had yet to be exchanged.

Since it was a private meeting, they were the only ones in the tent. Shadow and a few Direwolf Guards stood outside, but that was about it.

Cain cleared his throat, keen on ending the uncomfortable silence.

"Now that you are here, Ambrosia, we can discuss further on what to do?"

Ambrosia turned away from Roc to face him, a pleasant smile on her face,

"Indeed, let’s have a little talk. Since I can’t understand barks and howls, I’m afraid you will have to be my interpreter, dear Cain."

Roc snorted, "Enough with the crap."

His expression turned serious,

"Cain has created what he calls a spatial anchor at the shrine of the great Sentry. It is a magical device that will allow us to travel to the main continent."

Ambrosia raised a brow then turned to Cain.

Cain nodded, "Creating the anchor isn’t that much of an issue. The energy required per activation on the other hand..."

Ambrosia leaned back,

"Mana shards?"

Cain nodded, "Not just that, but I’m afraid I will not be able to create another anchor for the time being."

Ambrosia chuckled, "It’s fine. So that means I will have to make use of the one here for the time being."

"That is right. Spatial magic is rather complicated, so there are a few restrictions I just can’t get to explaining quite yet."

Ambrosia shrugged, "I’m fine with it so long as the dog doesn’t have any problems as well."

Cain turned to Roc.

The Direwolf Lord shrugged,

"I have no issues whatsoever. However..."

His eyes narrowed with a faint golden glow,

"Your bloodsuckers will have to adhere to our rules and principles in our lands. And if a single hair of any of my kin is harmed by one of yours, the results will be judgement by bloodshed."

Seeing the serious demeanor about Roc, Cain knew they were at a point where he could not casually interfere.

He turned to glance at Ambrosia.

The Night Empress had a displeased expression on her face.

Just when he thought she would explode, she sighed,

"That’s a fair deal. But it also extends on our end as well. If any of mine is harmed, someone will have to answer."

"Naturally." Roc said with a nod.

Then they both turned to Cain.

Cain cleared his throat,

"Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we can move on to the minute details, specifically, the part with the mana shards."

Cain’s expression turned serious,

"You will be granted passage to the main continent to hunt and feed as you please. Within designated areas, you will be granted free reign and can even expand your camps and colonies should you wish. In return however, I want your loyalty and a tribute of a million grade 5 mana shards a month. However, the Mana shards can be supplemented with local resources like the Blood Crystals."

Once he was done talking, he sucked in a deep breath before exhaling.

Then he waited with bated breath.

’I think my demands are reasonable.’

Ambrosia’s eyes narrowed,

’A million mana shards is quite the hefty sum. But it is not impossible. However, loyalty, huh...’

She paused for a moment,

’Perhaps this is my chance to get on his good side.’

She glanced over at Roc. The Direwolf Lord had an uncharacteristically cunning light in his eyes.

Ambrosia clicked her tongue,

’I get this dog also has the same idea...’

In that case, she was keen on not letting him get the advantage.

"In that case, I have no issues with your proposal." Ambrosia said with a small smile.

Roc spoke up immediately after,

"I as well. I think it is fair."

Cain sighed in relief,

"Is that so? Then that’s good."

He saw so relieved, he failed to notice the sparks flying in the air between the two Night Emperors.

Cain continued after a brief pause,

"As I was saying, I will be creating a spatial link from the Blood Caves all the way here. That way, you can access the {Spatial Gate} without needing to make the journey, Ambrosia. Each activation of the spatial gate requires from as much as a single grade 5 mana shard to as many as five of them depending on the size and energy signature emitted by a single creature."

Ambrosia frowned, "So you are we will need a ton of mana shards to be able to make proper use of the {Spatial Gate}?"

Cain shook his head, "Not just a ton. A whole lot of them. Per use. It would be best to preserve a whole stash of them."

Roc grimaced, "I have a decent pile of mana shards available, but I don’t it will be enough for prolonged usage of the {Spatial Gate}."

Cain chuckled,b"You forget the reason why you are using the {Spatial Gate} in the first place.

Roc was silent for a moment. Then his eyes widened,

"I see... It will definitely work out in that case!"

Ambrosia rolled her eyes, "Dumb dog."

Roc’s expression fell, "What was that?!"

"Now, now..." Cain quickly tried to diffuse the situation."

Ambrosia chuckled then turned to him,

"I believe that should cover everything we need to discuss, right?"

Cain paused for a moment, then nodded.

Soft light swam between her fingers as she pulled something of think air.

It was a crystal jar filled with a blood-red liquid.

She chuckled and snapped her fingers, causing three crystal goblets to appear on the ground before each of them as well.

Opening the jar, a decadent and invigorating, almost addictive smell enveloped the entire tent.

Cain raised a brow,

"What’s this?"

Ambrosia carefully filled all three cups then dismissed the jar.

"This is called Crimson Nectar."

Roc glanced down at the goblet filled with the viscous red liquid and frowned,

"I am not a fan of drinking blood."

Ambrosia rolled her eyes, "It is not blood. Use your nose, idiot dog."

Then her expression turned serious as she picked the crystal cup up and raised it into the air,

"A toast. To our alliance."

Cain slowly picked his up and raised it as well.

Seeing that, Roc let out a sigh and picked his up as well.

The crisp sound of glasses clinking together was carried upon the howling night wind...