Amidst the weight of their newfound alliance, Dante's unease lingered. The handshake between him and Admiral Ulmar solidified a pact that carried both hope and trepidation.

The gravity of Korval Ulmar's destructive power, the Autocratic Admiral, settled heavily upon Dante's conscience, a stark reminder of the consequences his decisions could unleash upon countless lives.

"I accept your sponsorship, Admiral Ulmar," Dante's voice held a mixture of determination and uncertainty. "I shall wield this power cautiously, and only call upon it when necessity and justice intertwine."

The Admiral's nod conveyed approval, while Dante's mind grappled with the implications of his choice. But if even his father, Conrad de Monfort, was once a sponsor of this insane man, then there upside must have been worth it.

Admiral Ulmar's voice pulled Dante from his introspection. "I am now your sponsor, Dante de Monfort. My support for your ascent to the Celestrian Imperial throne shall be unwavering."

Dante nodded, his disbelief mingled with a sense of duty. He understood the price of aligning with an Autocratic Admiral, yet the potential benefits weighed against the cost.

The Admiral's power was akin to a fleet of warships, a formidable asset in securing his rightful place as the future Emperor.

But as Dante's thoughts churned, he couldn't ignore the matter of the Freekshows, the rebels whose ruthless methods posed a dilemma. "Admiral, what of the Freekshows?" Dante's gaze met the Admiral's, his concern etched in his features. "Is there no room for mercy, no redemption?"

"Oh, them? Kill them before dawn. That's where we're headed now. And why I asked you to come down here with me," Admiral Ulmar casually retorted.

Dante's heart sank. He wrestled with the Admiral's uncompromising stance, his thoughts drifting to Thalya Kaelanida and her noble cause. The Admirals' vendetta, a tempest of destruction, seemed an antithesis to the values of mercy and liberation.

"The Faith of the Metaforge?" Dante's voice trembled with uncertainty. "Does it not preach compassion for those led astray?"

Admiral Ulmar's eyes bore into Dante's, revealing an unexpected insight. "Your actions in Raquille did not go unnoticed, young Dante. I am aware of how you helped your fellow Holy Systemist escape."

Dante's breath caught. He hadn't anticipated the Admiral's knowledge, a reminder of the intelligence network that coursed governed Rhiqualon and ensured their security.

"Don't you know that the streets of Raquille are surrounded by enchanted recorders? My... my... The Metaforge must really have huge plans for you." The Admiral kept fiddling with his armor to make sure everything was right.

He chose silence, realizing that the Admiral's motives might encompass more than vengeance.

"But make no mistake," the Admiral's voice held a tempered edge. "My sponsorship doesn't bind your beliefs. Your values remain yours, and my intentions do not dictate your path."

The revelation anchored Dante's thoughts, reshaping his perspective. The alliance forged was a complex interplay of interests, veiled in layers of purpose. He had exchanged one form of servitude for another, a calculated gamble on the future of his realm.

"As for your past actions," the Admiral's tone softened, "you ensured my family's survival. Your intervention saved those dear to me."

Dante's emotions wavered between relief and apprehension. The Admiral's revelation granted him a measure of security, reassuring him that his fate wasn't that of a pawn in a grander scheme.

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"You're not my enemy, Dante de Monfort," the Admiral's voice carried a hint of empathy. "You're my charge. For now."

The Admiral's purpose crystallized. Dante's relationship with him transcended mere sponsorship—it was a complex dance of power and trust.

"Ready yourselves," the Admiral's tone shifted, a call to action. "We depart to confront the Freekshows. Hold on tightly."

Dante and Lil Rig complied, gripping the armor as it morphed into secure handles.

As the Admiral charged the energies on his armor, the ceiling of the underground armory opened right above where they were, and the night sky was clear and it was as if the clouds had moved to welcome the Autocratic Admiral in his flight.

A burst of smoke puffed around them and Admiral Ulmar's armored form propelled into the sky. The sensation was exhilarating and terrifying, a flight that carried them towards the heart of a dangerous battle. With Dante and Lil Rig hanging on to his armor for their lives.

Korval Ulmar gave a mischivious smile while hearing the two young boys behind him suffer in the gust of the whiplash as if punishing them in this way for their involvement in the information leak recently.

The Admiral flew thousands of feet above the ground in the night. And he appeared like a shooting star from the people below. And his night vision through the darkness allowed him to see even in the pitch-black geography.

Korval finally stopped after some time of flying at incredibly high speeds, giving the two a rest from holding on to him. He hovered over a mountain that seemed uninhabited.

Admiral Ulmar asked Dante, "If there is one thing you have learned today, young Lord, what was it?"

Dante hanging thousands of feet above the sky thought about what the Admiral was asking him. What was his great mistake that led to all his troubles? He remembered that everything began when he stumbled upon Thalya Kaelanida, stealing information from the Navy.

Young Dante responded, "My mistake was that I acted on what limited information. If I had known the troubles that came with helping the Holy Liberator, I wouldn't have risked my family's life just like that."

The Admiral smiled. "Close, young Lord. But not close enough."

From below them, a small laser of light could be seen flashing at them from beneath the forest below.

The Admiral descended into the dark forest. And Dante did not know what was happening. "Your mistake, lad, is that..."

They landed slowly into the ground, and the night was too dark, and there was no light in the area, except the small source of the laser of light.

"Your biggest mistake is that you won the battle with your wits, evading the whole navy searching for you and your Holy Liberator but..."

Dante landed on his feet on the ground but his eyes were dead set on the source of the lase. From the darkness appeared - Thalya Kaelanida, the Holy Liberator.

Admiral laughed and finished his words, "But you lost the war of information."

Dante and Lil Rig looked at each other and unsheathed their swords, confused by the situation at hand.

"What is the meaning of this!" Dante shouted, raising his sword toward the Admiral and Thalya. Thalya walked closer to them, and she handed a scroll of information to the Autocratic Admiral.

"Good work, Liberator Thalya," Admiral Ulmar smiled. "Splendid performance."

Thalya replied, "The base of the Freekshows is in a hidden stronghold inside the mountain. There are passages that I have marked on a map with the scroll, Admiral. And all the information about the other Autocratic Admirals and the Autocratic Houses are all there."

Dante couldn't believe it. "I will ask you again! What is the meaning of this!"

"Relax, Lord Monfort. Think! I need you to think!" Admiral Ulmar urged him. Dante's eyes were covered in shadows as he looked down at the ground buried in his thoughts.

"It wasn't an accident, wasn't it? Thalya... And you faked your injury so we would help you. Part of your mission was to lure us into helping you escape. Giving the Admiral leverage so I would accept his sponsorship." Dante spoke with disappointment and a sense of condemnation.

"I really did need your help at the time, Dante," Thalya said. "I would've gotten caught and tortured without your help. That was the truth. I warned you. Didn't I?"

"Tsk..." Dante turned away from her in anger. "Whatever... So you've been working with Admiral Ulmar all this time. You gave him up to the Freekshows so you could gain their trust. And now you can hand over their base of operations to the Autocratic Admiral on a silver platter."

Admiral Ulmar grinned mischievously, feeling impressed with his own master plan.

Lil Rig gripped his steel sword ready to retaliate for being betrayed. But Dante stopped him.

"Lil Rig... It's okay. Leave it," Dante said. "Always with the lies... Lies and lies and lies..."

Thalya stepped closer to Dante to explain. "You don't understand, Dante. The Freekshows aren't the freedom fighters you think they are. They kill women and children. They pillage villages. They terrorize whole towns. All in the name of freedom. But at what cost..."

Dante gave a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. "Admiral Ulmar. Thank you for the lesson. I have no one to blame but myself. This is what I get for leaving myself vulnerable by trusting others again and again."

The Admiral smiled and congratulated Dante. "Good! That's good, Lord Monfort." He rubbed the young boy's hair. "I hope you learn this valuable lesson. And maybe avoid the worst-case scenario. Trust no one. Not even me."

Dante wiped his face and sheathed his sword. He looked at Thalya and declared. "Admiral. Your little game is over. But I can't help but feel offended by you not informing me of the big picture here. I have a demand that I wish you to honor, to end this issue."

Korval Ulmar was surprised at Dante's fast recovery. "Oh? I do admit this surprise was uncalled for. Thus, I apologize, Lord Monfort. What do you demand of me?"

Dante extended his arm and pointed at Thalya Kaelanida.

"I want her to exclusively work for me from now on. Not for you. Thalya Kaelanda's service under my command shall stand as a testament to our bond as Sponsor and sponsored. Do you accept my demand? Admiral!"

The Admiral's armored suit shivered after hearing Dante's powerful words. Then he burst into a loud laughter that shook even the sleeping birds awake.

"Your ability to consistently amaze me is truly remarkable, Lord Monfort." The Admiral then slowly ended his streak of laughter and looked at young Dante with a smile. "Your demand is- Denied, lad. You misunderstood something here. She isn't working for me."

Dante surprised, asked again, "Then wha-"

"Ours is just a temporary deal. If you want her to work for you, you'll have to convince her."