"I'm here. Ask away."
"What's the situation with this guy? Isn't it N'Zoth's pet? How could Leticia trick it into coming here so easily?"
Xal'atath let out a disdainful, cold laugh. "Calling it a 'pet' is generous. It's just a brainless beast; N'Zoth likely modified it on a whim."
"The plan to occupy Blackfathom Deeps failed, and N'Zoth has probably forgotten about this guy long ago. Without the master's constraints, this hydra will simply live according to its own habits."
"Your little apprentice majors in Void energy. When the low-intelligence hydra suddenly felt that familiar aura, it's not surprising it would instinctively feel a sense of kinship."
Andreas pondered for a moment. "In other words, Aku'mai has basically lost its connection with N'Zoth? Can I trust it?"
Xal'atath gave a wicked laugh and advised, "It's best not to place much faith in such a brainless creature. If N'Zoth ever remembers it again, he might use remote mental control to drive Aku'mai into a frenzy."
"If you want to keep this beast around, you'd better use your own Void energy to 'cleanse' it with my assistance, thoroughly purging any trace of N'Zoth's residual willpower."
In truth, Andreas didn't really want to keep this "ugly-cute" thing, but seeing the pleading look on Leticia's face, he ultimately softened.
"Sigh..."
Stroking Leticia's head, Andreas said with a wry smile, "You really know how to find trouble for me... Leave Aku'mai with me for now. I will inspect it to ensure it is truly safe and harmless before handing it over to you."
Other people's daughters liked to raise cats or dogs as pets; at most, they might raise a Nightsaber from birth, which could serve as a playmate during childhood and a mount once grown. His own adoptive daughter had skipped all those stages and jumped straight to keeping a giant hydra. This massive contrast filled Andreas with a strong urge to complain.
Having received Andreas's promise, Leticia squinted her eyes contentedly like a cat, rubbing her head against Andreas's large hand.
"Hehe~ Thank you, Andreas!"
As Andreas watched Leticia lead Aku'mai—whose every step came with built-in vibration effects—out the door for a... stroll, he helplessly beckoned Dath'Remar to follow him.
"Alright, speak up."
Once back in his private office, Andreas resumed a serious demeanor.
"You wouldn't have stayed in Moonnight Town for over a month if there wasn't something important to discuss. What happened in An'nashe?"
Dath'Remar remained silent for a moment, then let out a deep sigh.
"I knew I couldn't hide it from you."
Leaning heavily against the back of the sofa, Dath'Remar tiredly rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"As you know, under High Priestess Whisperwind's management, we Highborne have been facing constant unequal treatment."
Dath'Remar's expression grew shadowed. "Entering and leaving An'nashe requires registration and strict inspections. We aren't allowed near the new Well of Eternity, and even the absorption of Moonwell energy is strictly controlled by the priestesses."
"Because of the High Priestess's prejudice, we don't even dare to have conflicts with commoners. We are forced to spend all day within fixed boundaries assigned to the Highborne. Many people are already dissatisfied with this life of disguised imprisonment."
Dath'Remar's gaze grew somewhat lost. "Andreas, tell me... should we continue living this kind of life?"
Andreas took a bottle from the wine cabinet and poured a glass for Dath'Remar. Depressed, Dath'Remar momentarily abandoned noble etiquette, tilting his head back to pour the wine down his throat.
Andreas said with a pained expression, "...You could at least savor it a bit. That's a premium craft fruit wine."
"Heh~" Dath'Remar exhaled a breath of wine and gave a self-mocking smile. "Sorry, I'm just in a bad mood."
Andreas took a sip of the fragrant wine, closing his eyes to savor the distinct layers of fruity flavors.
"Dath'Remar, I have a question."
Setting down his glass, Andreas crossed his legs and said with a deep gaze, "You must have noticed by now, haven't you? Due to the long-term absorption of the pure energy from the Well of Eternity, the Highborne have all been afflicted with a peculiar condition."
"Once the energy intake stops, you quickly feel physical discomfort. Over time, this situation worsens, affecting both body and mind."
Dath'Remar's expression shifted. "Correct. I call it 'Magic Addiction.' Without a supply of energy of a certain purity, the Highborne will gradually wither... and eventually, even undergo mutations."
Andreas's eyebrows twitched slightly. He hadn't expected Dath'Remar to have such a profound understanding of magic addiction at this stage. Withered and Wretched—those were the mutated species that appeared because they couldn't endure the torment of magic addiction.
"So the question is, where would you go if you left?" Andreas asked seriously. "Even the Moonnight Well I developed cannot function without a supply of water from the new Well of Eternity. Once the Highborne completely break with Tyrande, it will be very difficult for you to obtain such high-purity magical supplies again."
"At that time, how will the Highborne survive the difficult periods of magic withdrawal? Don't tell me you plan to just 'tough it out.'"
"How could that be possible..." Dath'Remar smiled bitterly. "I have personally seen what a Highborne looks like once magic addiction fully takes hold. I don't want my compatriots to suffer that kind of agonizing torment."
After the War of the Ancients, Vota Moonscar and a large group of former Black Rook Hold Highborne military officers had wisely retired one after another to avoid conflict with Tyrande, who sought to control the military power. Because of Dath'Remar's outstanding performance during the Battle of the Well of Eternity, he was recommended by several retired Highborne elders to become their leader.
Dath'Remar was undoubtedly a man with a sense of responsibility. In recent years, to avoid provoking further resentment from Tyrande, he had acted with humility. But this wasn't because he feared her; it was for the sake of the bigger picture.
The Night Elf society, currently rebuilding its order after the war, could not afford a new round of internal division and turmoil. Dath'Remar and several other Highborne leaders understood this logic and temporarily chose to endure humiliation for the sake of the common goal.
But human patience has its limits. Constant concessions did not earn Tyrande's understanding; instead, they sent a wrong signal to some commoners who harbored hatred and dissatisfaction toward the Highborne.
"The once-arrogant noble lords are on their last legs; even we commoners can bully them at will."
Andreas looked at Dath'Remar with a meaningful gaze and smiled knowingly. "I see. You want me to use my relationship with the Archdruid to convey the Highborne's goodwill to Tyrande—and warn her to stop while she's ahead?"
A smile of mutual understanding appeared on Dath'Remar's face. "Talking to a smart person is so convenient."
"After surviving the catastrophe of a cruel war, the Highborne have lost too much. We don't want to engage in disputes with anyone now, but..."
A cold light flashed in Dath'Remar's eyes. "If High Priestess Whisperwind truly intends to drive us to a dead end, we won't just sit and wait for death."
"Although we are a minority compared to the total population of Night Elf commoners, if we are truly pushed to the brink... we will make certain people remember why Arcanists were able to rule the Night Empire for thousands of years."