"For the record, this is your fault," Igneal chastised. "You probably led them here."

"I-I didn't hear or smell them at all," Tyrus said. "I know what they smell like, and I'm pretty sure I would've known if I was being followed. That is so weird..."

"That is because you do not know us, pochatl," the one with the bone helmet rumbled. Igneal assumed he must be the leader by how the others are staying quiet. "We learned how to hunt through shadows and mist. Our scales are not a trivial matter, they have blessed us with the best camouflage in the swamps. If we do not want to be spotted, then we will not be spotted. If you will, Shaman."

The Shaman nodded and tapped its spear on the ground. The jewel on the tip of its staff emitted a pale light, and soon it disappeared after a few seconds. The beast locked its gaze on the pair, its pupils dilating.

"I have released the blessing cast upon us," said the Shaman. "Through our goddess, I conjured a concealment blessing that changes our scent and visual perception to that of our environment. As long as we are not seen and I maintain the spell, we can observe our enemy until the very end."

"No wonder I couldn't sense them," Tyrus said. "It was all because of magic. "

"No!" the Shaman roared, shaking its bone cane. "Do not belittle the goddess, scum! These miracles are blessings, not some poultry magic you worms termed!"

What was that lizard babbling about? That was no blessing it used, but merely magic that stemmed from mana. Mana acted as the fuel, and the strength of the individual determined how efficiently it was used. Igneal definitely felt mana coming from the green blast it emanated. Whatever the overgrown lizard was spouting was nothing more than the ravings of an uncivilized barbarian. As if a deity would personally offer them assistance.

"You used a blessing? Is that some kind of new power?!" Tyrus asked incredulously. "I thought there were only three types of sorcerers."

"Hold your tongue, mongrel!" the leader snarled. "Our Shaman is no sorcerer, but a devout follower that protects the great wisdoms and principles of our goddess. Do not compare the Shaman with the unhinged mages you humans have running around."

Igneal didn't miss how the Shaman glared at Tyrus while its leader spoke. In fact, every single lizardmen were radiating hatred, glowering at Tyrus as if he were the scum of the earth. Not even for a second did they stop looking at him. For all the attention they were giving him, Igneal would've assumed Tyrus did something terrible to warrant their hostility.

"Don't listen to these beasts," Igneal remarked. "They are an uneducated lot, unable to tell the difference between what's magic and what's not. It's like throwing a rock and saying a god blessed them with that power. It's completely stupid."

At those words, the Shaman visibly flinched, clutching its bones staff with trepidation. Beads of sweat were leaking out from the feathered hat, wetting it as they rolled. The eyes of the lizardmen darted towards their Shaman and leader, concern written across their face.

"You humans and Beastfolk are one of the same: dull-witted," said the leader. "What we say is truth, yet you deny it without question. You take what doesn't belong to you, destroy and desecrate those that are sacred, and kill with no remorse. You are reprehensible beings. It is no wonder you lot are at odds with each other. How could the offspring of nature live together when hate runs deep within their veins?"

"I don't hate you guys," Tyrus said. "We have done nothing wrong, so there's no reason to be hostile. That anger you have should be directed to the dark sorcerer responsible, who is right across from this bridge here. One of our leaders is fighting him as we speak. It's only a matter of time until he wins, and when he does so, the corrupted mana will vanish! After that, we'll be out of here so long as you don't attack us."

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The leader's eyes turned to slits. "And why should we believe you, pochatl? From experience, I've found that many humans and Beastfolk constantly lie and attack us, regardless. Why are you any different?"

"I-I mean... aren't you the one who attacked us first? From what I recall, you tried to kill me many times without even hearing me out. But now I'm trying to explain everything to you and even offering to help, yet you still refuse to cooperate. Even you guys should know I'm not lying. You can feel the corrupted mana from behind me at its peak and see it for yourself."

"...It speaks the truth," the Shaman grudgingly admitted. "I can feel two presences clashing at the origin of corruption."

The leader turned to the Shaman. "The Beastfolk and humans have slaughtered many of our brethren! Though it may be partially correct, they still deserve our wrath for daring to ruin us!"

"The Beastfolk were mind controlled by the dark sorcerer," Tyrus cut in. "He used his magic to bend their wills and go on a rampage, killing your people. I know this because the bird you attacked snapped out of its trance and told me before it died. Surely you've seen the shadows in their eyes? That meant they were under the influence of the dark element."

After hearing his words, the leader stared silently at Tyrus. There was doubt inside, and the uncertainty of his next move made Igneal shift in his stance. But besides that, mind control? Was such a thing possible? He had never read or heard about something like that before, and coming from Tyrus, of all people, was hard to believe. Then again, not much was known about the dark element; Emperor Johan restricted information about things like that. Igneal knew this because his father said so when learning about magic.

When reading a book written by renowned sorcerer Aric Thorn about the history of magic, one piece of information stood out to him regarding the dark element. It was an element wrought with atrocities and cruelty, and each practitioner was met with punishments unimaginable. All of that stemmed from the actions of the Mad Sorcerer and those after him. The dark element was taboo, and future sorcerers who possessed an affinity for the cursed element were forced under surveillance so that another Mad Sorcerer wasn't born.

With how much of a poor reputation the dark element held, mind control didn't seem as impossible now. Now that he thought about it, In the Building Blocks of Incantations for Elementals, the dark element could control shadows or the actions of others, raise the undead, or even deplete life energy. Controlling the actions of others plainly meant mind control, which the commoner had mentioned before, so what he said was no lie.

If the dark sorcerer had been controlling the Beastfolk, then he really was a formidable foe. What's to stop him from going after bigger targets like those high in power, like a family head or even the emperor? No wonder Emperor Johan made great strides in restricting the progression of those unlucky to be born with the element. Igneal could already think of a few ways just how dangerous they truly can be.

Igneal glanced at Tyrus, gauging his actions. He still had his sword out, and his muscles tensed as if expecting an attack at any moment. Though his body was ready for battle, his eyes told a different story. They were doubtful, looking from side to side with dread. It seemed like they were confused about how to proceed. Or at least, that's what Igneal assumed he was seeing.

As for the lizardmen, the rabble were looking to their leader, waiting for a swift order. They probably knew nothing else other than killing and brute strength. If no one else was going to make a move, then Igneal would gladly be the first. He'd rather make better use of his time than to wait in silence.

Just as Igneal was about to pivot toward the bridge, a shiver ran down his spine. Igneal felt an oppressive presence from behind, weighing on his shoulders like a giant slab of stone. Following the direction of what he recognized as killing intent, his body whipped toward the bridge.

Seconds later, a figure as large as a wolf bounding toward them in the distance. Black, wispy tendrils enshrouded it, making it hard to identify, but Igneal recognized amber-colored eyes that pierced the gloom. Whiskers bobbed up and down, and canines protruded from the opening snout. It wasn't a wolf, but a tiger instead with fur that blended with the shadows.

Tyrus noticed it too and let out a 'huh' before the beast soared through the air and landed between them and the lizardmen. A cloud of soil puffed in its wake, which provided the perfect smoke screen to allow Igneal to scramble backward. The tiger paced around, eyes scanning the audience before him. It stopped right when its eyes landed on Tyrus.