As Daneel heard this tirade, he didn't know how to respond.
First of all, this wasn't some well-wisher of his who was saying this for his own good. The Head gave him all kind of negative vibes which meant that there was no way that Daneel would trust the man, and, besides, this was only the second time they were talking.
Secondly, the way he spoke about how all those below them might die was troubling, to say the least. Was the Big 4 sure that there would be massive casualties in the war that was to come? Were they prepared to let that happen with some endgame in mind?
A lot of questions appeared in Daneel's mind, but, sadly, he couldn't ask any of them.
So, he just stoically stood there among the clouds while the Head glowered at him for a few moments in silence.
After that, he let out a sigh, before conjuring a chair and saying, "Sit, first. No matter how many years pass, I guess that a young one wasting their potential is the one thing that I will always be affected by. My apologies."
Huh? He was even apologizing, now?
Again, Daneel had no idea what to make of this. So, he just decided to be a passive participant in this conversation with the aim of finding out as much as possible about this enigmatic man who was supposed to be in control of the whole continent.
As for his other statements about how he was wasting time, how could he know that Daneel's main objective was to break the third seal?
Behind the third seal were the most precious Champion Paths of the Empire, among which there might be something which enticed him, as, right now, he neither had clarity regarding which direction he wanted to go in, nor did he have interest in any of the Paths he had seen so far.
All he did have was a vague feeling, and a wish.
That wish was that whatever he chose would be something that personified him, to as much an extent as possible. As such, that wish was also that it would be the most powerful and dominating of all Paths that existed, which was something that ought to be the case anyway, considering the name of the system he was in possession of.
As for that vague feeling, it told him that he had to be patient, and that this was an important choice which had to be handled very, very carefully.
All in all, Daneel wasn't that concerned with rushing this decision, even though he knew that it would give him a significant power boost.
So, he had decided to concentrate on the schemes such as the train, which would increase the development rate, and, thus, the increase in satisfaction level.
Along with this, he also had many other 'antics', as the Head put them, planned, for the same purpose.
Hence, he had to admit that he was pretty disgruntled at being shouted at by this old man who didn't know the truth behind the matter.
Still, he just stayed silent and sat down.
A glass of wine floated to him, which Daneel accepted, but did not drink.
Seeing this, the Head sighed again and continued.
"I guess we got off on the wrong foot. But it needed to be said, King Daneel. You might not know of this, but the Peak Warrior stage is a very crucial time. Each moment you spend there without stepping forward is one wasted, which could be put to much better use progressing on your Champion Path and making it stronger. Some foolish people end up delaying too long while searching for the 'perfect' Champion Path. With my experience, let me tell you something. There is no 'perfect'
Champion Path. The one you choose, is the one that is 'perfect' for you. If you choose it for the right reasons, then it is the best choice."
Huh? Why did this remind Daneel about the cliched dialogue about love from Earth?
Discarding that thought, Daneel focused on the man's words.
Well, he was right, but how was Daneel supposed to tell him that reason behind him not forging ahead was that there was a treasure box in front of him which would definitely equip him with much better choices if opened first?
He couldn't say anything about the Empire Spirit, and it looked like this old man wasn't going to leave this topic alone.
So, Daneel decided that it was time to lie.
Taking a deep breath, Daneel was just about to start a long, drawn-out speech about how he couldn't even train properly if he didn't take care of all these people who trusted him, and that he was the sort of man whose mind would be disturbed endlessly if he didn't act as the thoughtful ruler he was, complete with hard-hitting dialogues and even tears which would make it seem like he was an emotional fool.
Yet, at the last moment, an idea struck him.
Could this opportunity, and this man's passion in the matter be somehow put to use to manipulate him?
Anyone in this situation might choose to get rid of this Head, whom they knew nothing about, by telling some lie or the other. After all, the best option might be to get back to what he was doing without having to worry about a Hero overlooking everything and glowering at him silently.
He could choose to let him down, or just act bratty, even, while keeping the end result in mind.
Yet, Daneel discarded all these options and chose to go with his idea, simply because he felt that it had the most benefits.
For one thing, it would help him to get a better gauge of this man's intentions. That was simply the most pressing question, right now.
This was a slight gamble, and he tried to ask Drakos about it to make it less so, but, alas, that didn't work out.
Still, Daneel decided to roll the dice, once again.
Taking another deep breath, the King of Lanthanor put on an expression of deep thought as he leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees while looking down, through the clouds, at all the people moving in throngs toward the enormous train station that he had built for the Angarian Express.
The Head was initially about to continue and try to convince the King more, as, to him, he was just a kid who should be advised. Yet, he paused as he saw that his words had already had some kind of effect.
Silence punctured by the occasional sound of wind and the calls of various birds cast its spell over their vicinity, while the Head waited patiently.
Finally, the King spoke after a minute.
"Uh…how should I call you?", he first asked, just to be polite.
Chuckling, the Head replied, "Just call me Head. That is my designation, and its what everyone calls me, too."
Nodding, the King resumed speaking.
"Head. I don't know I should explain it, but…I feel that my Champion Path has something to do with people, from all walks of life."
Hearing this made the Head raise his eyebrows, but he just folded his hands and said, "Oh? Interesting. Tell me as much as you can."
"It's like…each action and reaction I see makes me understand something. It varies for each kind of person I study. Rich, poor, old, young. It feels as if…if I study them enough, and do things which make them react in different ways, I can learn to…control those reactions. Change them to my will. Manipulate them…to my liking. Like…see that little girl, down there, who's crying because she can't find her mother. The action needed is to reunite with her mother, but when that happens, if I progress enough, I feel that I can make it so that she feels…happier. Maybe she had trauma from years ago where she got lost for a long time. I could make that disappear. Basically, what I mean to say that: my Champion Path is all about people. It is not clear to me, yet, but I feel that it will be very strong both offensively and defensively, if I succeed at it. You know much more about Champion Paths than I do. What do you think?"
The last part was just to pander to this man's passion for instruction, just because he had seen it in action when he had arrived.
Daneel had just spouted a hot, steaming pile of bullsh*t, but it hadn't been spun out of thin air. There were simple Champion Paths which related to people's emotions, and controlling them. Why couldn't the same apply to reactions?
It was a shot in the dark, so Daneel had tried asking Drakos, but the Dragon had just said that the information was sealed. That, though, did give him confidence, as it meant that it was at least remotely related to something which was hidden behind the third seal.
Still, now was the moment of truth. It would all depend on how the Head reacted.
If he saw it as the bullsh*t that it was, Daneel would have no option but to revert to the original option of lying.
However, if that didn't happen…he was ready to pounce.
By the time the Head spoke after a few moments, Daneel was almost about to burst due to the suspense.
Thankfully, his reply made the King of Lanthanor smile, inside.
"Intriguing. You might have embarked on a path that is hinted at in the records we have from the Empire's time as one that is fit for a schemer. You're an upright and just King, though, so maybe yours is a different variation. For now, all I can say is that you should make it clearer, but when the time comes to fix it, I can help, if you need me to. Young seeds like you are far more important than what anyone believes. Again, I apologize. I see you do have the Champion level in your mind."
The Head said this in a tone filled with both slight excitement and embarrassment, which made it clear that Daneel's gamble had paid off.
So…he implemented the next step.
"There is something in which I do need your help, Head. I don't know if I should ask, though."
"Speak up! Even though you aren't a part of the Big 4, there are certain things I can still help you with. But, there are many things I can only do if you leave the Central Continent and join the Big 4. First, state your need."
With hesitation, Daneel said, "I…also feel the need to study those who are from different backgrounds and hold different levels of power, and I am also interested in the personal accounts of powerful people who have graced our continent. I feel this will really propel me forward on this path of understanding, as the goal, after all, is for the Champion Path to aid me in a fight. Is there any way to obtain those?"
After a brief pause during which the Head looked like he was trying to decide about something, he finally replied with a smile.
"Well, you can find those in the various libraries of the Big 4, and it shouldn't be a problem for you to interact with sect members. Maybe you might even choose to join us, if you do so. What do you say, King Daneel? Would you like me to authorize your entry into all 4 sects of the Big 4, along with access to libraries which those of your power level can access?"
It was said that the best method to make someone do something was to make them think that it was their idea.
As Daneel nodded excitedly when he heard the Head's reply, this thought passed through his mind, along with joy due to the fact that he had just gained access to places which might hold answers to quite a few of the mysteries that plagued him.
Along with the possibility of the system finding more clues regarding Heroes, there was also a possibility that he might find information which would propel him forward in the Race.
And...it was finally time for him to find out just which were the sects that comprised of the rest of the Big 4.
…
Meanwhile, in that wooden room in the middle of nowhere, all the luxuriously dressed gentlemen and ladies were speechless as they recalled that enormous, village-sized bow which had fired a carriage forward without inconveniencing its passengers in the slightest.
It was the man in plain clothes who finally spoke up.
"Well, that third train is certainly out of the question. But the other two can be implemented by us. Assemble all of your Enchanters. The plan for Angarian Express is that we will implement it in the few towns we control in the other Kingdoms. As for the Network, I already know some people who have obtained the formation models for the trinket used to broadcast. We will be beginning the plan to enter that sphere, soon. And, finally, the Bank. We will offer even lower interest rates, and turn everyone toward us. In a week, the King should be pulling his hair out. That is the goal, everyone. Let's get started."