n

n

nFor a moment, the eyes of the wolf-like monster flashed, only to return to their normal state a moment later. And once again, Layn was left to ponder whether the lack of any reaction from the monsters was a good or bad sign.

n

"This item by itself doesn't hold much value,

" Layn said openly, something that he considered to be the truth. After all, all it took to create the energy-coins holder was several metal plates, a bit of wood, and two magic stones worth of powder.

"But in order to make it work, you need to use those,

" Layn said, slowly reaching to one of his pockets and pulling out one of the coins he created earlier on.

n

"...

" Once again, the wolf left Layn without any reaction. Not a word, not a howl, not even a nod of its head.

n'Well, let's keep going,' Layn thought, slowly pushing the coin into one of the empty slots.

nWhen using one's eyes, it would be impossible to spot any difference. Any difference outside how the coin was now stuck in the item. In order to notice what actually just happened, one had to use their magical vision instead.

nOn its own, the pyramid had no effect whatsoever. While there was quite a bit of stone powder fitted inside, the way in which it was placed around the plates made it impossible for the powder to actually transform the magic from the air. While some could consider it a waste, Layn believed that creating a simple magical circuit would work better in the long run.

nThat's why the item truly showed what it was capable of only when Layn inserted a coin in it. With a magic-producing entity now present, the magic circuit finally closed. And in a single instant, a small stream of refined magic started to flow out of the spiky top of the pyramid.

n'Still no reaction?' Layn thought, looking up at the monster's head. More specifically, Layn directed his gaze right at the wolf's eyes, hoping to figure out what the entity behind it was thinking.

n

"I'm willing to give out this many coins for the first part of the forest,

" Layn said, pulling out a small pouch from another pocket of his. In it, there were thirteen coins, capable of filling every last spot on the pyramid.

nNot sure whether the monster noticed the connection between adding coins and the changes to the item, Layn pulled out another metallic disk before putting it into the slot.

nIf the magic produced by the pyramid was akin to a small breeze earlier, not it turned into a small but noticeable stream.

n

"It's nostalgic to see it work,

" Irea muttered from behind Layn's back.

n

"Isn't it?

" Layn replied, turning his head around to look at the girl with a charming smile. But as much as he wanted to just keep flirting with her, this wasn't the right time for it.

"Right, make sure that no one will follow me now. It will be quite troublesome if our boys will overreact and cause the end to the negotiations,

" Layn ordered as he slowly stood up.

nEver since the meeting between his force and the monsters started, Layn was on edge. Every single of his moves was painfully slow, all for the sake of keeping the other party calm and composed. After all, this was likely the first time in this world for anyone to try to communicate with monsters.

n'I just hope they won't ** it up,' Layn thought, casting a quick glance to his people remaining in the back. But as he could no longer influence their actions in any way or form, he was left with the hope that they won't go against his plan on their own.

nNow that Layn stood up, the wolf-like monster finally showed some reaction. While it only stood up as well, this was the very first thing that the monster did. And as little as it was, it at least proved that it wasn't just some corpse that Layn was talking to.

n

"I want to show what my people are interested in taking in exchange for this item and coins to fuel it,

" Layn said in a calm voice to the monster before slowly starting to make his way towards the forest.

nGiven how the monsters intercepted them roughly between the edge of the forest and the edge of the Overlord's sphere of influence, Layn's journey to the forest actually took a while. And all the time that he spent walking slowly, the single wolf-like monster accompanied him.

n'I know I might be walking right into a trap...' Layn thought before clenching his fingers into fists, 'but this is necessary. Those who don't risk cannot become the winners,' Layn thought, trying to calm himself down.

nAs far as the road was, the archmage managed to reach the edge of the forest without any troubles. 'I can feel more monsters hiding inside,' he thought, raising his eyes towards the line of the trees for a moment before lowering his eyes. 'I don't want to alert them, though,' he thought as he placed the pyramid on the ground and looked at the wolf.

n

"Now, I will show the measurements of the area we would like to purchase and make use of,

" Layn said, still unsure whether the monster could understand him at all. 'Even if they don't understand the language, I should make it simple enough for them to understand the concept of what I want,' he thought, standing right beside the place where he left the item at.

nThen, Layn made a slow, long step forward along the edge of the forest. Once he moved to a new place, Layn took a glance behind, just to ensure that the wolf was still watching him. Then, without further ado, he continued his weirdly long steps while counting them in his head.

n'That should be enough,' Layn thought when he reached the two hundred steps. He then looked to the back, only to notice the wolf sitting exactly as far as it sat back when he started his march. 'Did it run after me and then quickly sat down? Or did it teleport?' Layn asked himself, puzzled by the sight. 'Well, whatever,' the archmage ultimately ignored this question as he turned his face towards the edge of the forest.

n

"Now, I'm going to go just as far into the forest,

" he said to the wolf before spreading his legs wide and making his first step towards the trees.

nThis time, Layn could clearly see the wolf standing up and following him. But rather than getting discouraged, Layn felt reassured.

n'Even if the Overlord can't understand my intentions yet, I think I should be able to convey...'

n

"That will be enough,

" a sudden voice reached Layn's ears. Startled by the sound, he rapidly turned around, getting ready to fight for his life.

nBut there was nothing that could warrant his aggression. The wolf that followed him so far just stood in place as before, staring calmly at Layn's face.

n

"Yes, you heard right. I now understand what you want, so there is no reason for you to go any deeper into my forest,

" the voice came again. While Layn could perfectly pinpoint its source to the wolf-like monster that almost became his companion by this point, it was strange to hear someone talking even if that wolf didn't move its jaws even the tiniest bit.

n

"I'm not speaking to you normally, but by invoking concepts in your head,

" the voice explained the situation.

"I learned it from the spell that you constantly use on yourself,

" the voice added, making Layn freeze on the spot.

n'It can copy my spells? What's more, it can understand their meaning?' Layn thought, alerted by the situation. For a moment, his blood pressure spiked, reflecting how stunned he was. 'Nah, I'm stupid,' the archmage suddenly insulted himself. 'Expecting any less from an Overlord would be simply arrogant,' he thought before gracing the wolf with a smile.

n

"To be honest, I hoped we could exchange our territory. You see, my people are in dire need of wood and other materials that I'm pretty sure there are plenty in this forest,

" Layn said, not going to play some mind games with the owner of the voice.

nThis was the moment when two powerhouses met. If they started their relationship with manipulation and lies, it would surely descend into chaos and war down the line.

nAnd the war was something that Layn was pretty sure he wanted to avoid.

n

"So it's not the land but its fruits that you wish for?

" the voice asked. For some reason, there were hints of amusement in it, proving that the negotiations were happening on a different plane to what Layn expected.

n'Well, I can't assume that the monsters will think the same way the humans do,' he thought to himself, recalling how big of a mess this patronizing way of thinking caused. 'I should not make the same mistakes that lead to that bloody war of faiths,' he thought, recalling the stuff that he was forced to learn back in the academy.

nBack then, Layn considered the lessons of this recent history to be a complete waste of time. After all, they wouldn't further his magical studies by any way or form. But now, as a grown-up archmage, he could see pretty well why the knowledge of the massacres, disasters, and partial genocide was forced into the heads of the young mages.

n

"For now, you should return. I will send this thought-clone of mine with you so that we can have a long and proper chat,

" the voice announced.

nLayn looked at the wolf, alerted by the sudden whirlpool of pure mana that descended on it. But instead of burning the monster alive, the energy somehow burned itself into its flesh.

nOn the physical plane, nothing big happened. For a moment, the monster's eyes flashed with bright light, only for said light to disappear a moment later.

n

"Now, you should return to your people,

" the voice appeared once again, hurrying Layn.

"It's only a matter of time before your underlings will get into action,

" it added before vanishing completely.

n

"Huh?

" Stunned and awed by the encounter he just experienced, Layn had some troubles figuring out what was the last advice that this voice gave.

nThen, when he looked in the direction where he came from, something clicked.

n

"Those idiots!

" Layn screamed through his tightened teeth before leaning downward. Then, by adding mana to his feet, he tensed his entire body only to relax both his muscles and his mana at the same time.

n'Please, let me make it there in time,' Layn wished, as he lunged back to where his people remained.

nSadly, before he could return, a massive ball of fire exploded over where Irea was.

n