Chapter 189 - Translation

Chapter 189: Power of the Gods The first thing Aquillius did upon returning to Rakos’ hall was to point at a chair and say to Leon, “Sit.” Leon complied, with an apprehensive Anzu hiding behind his legs. Aquillius then turned around and left the guest room to meet with Rakos, with Juliana, Antonius, and half a dozen soldiers in tow. The others gave Leon a wide berth, giving him nothing but the occasional curious or slightly hostile look. Even Alix and the other diplomats avoided him, with Alix choosing to quietly read—or at least, quietly stare at an open book—and the two diplomats whispering to each other in a private alcove. Leon didn’t mind this treatment, as it allowed him the time to take stock of the changes in his body. Perhaps the most obvious was that he could now change his magic power into lightning, meaning he was a fifth-tier mage. This was the only distinction between the fourth and fifth-tier, so after a few breathing exercises and some silent meditation, he realized that his mana reserves weren’t that much greater than they were before he ascended tiers. One thing that he wanted to check, but was more than a little hesitant to, was Xaphan’s fire. The demon had told him months ago that he would be able to use his fire with impunity once he was fifth-tier, but to test it around so many other people was something he wasn’t willing to do. There were quite a few people who knew he could use some kind of fire, of course, but he still only wanted to rely on demonfire when there was no other choice. Plus, he figured it would be a little rude to suddenly call forth fire or lightning right in the middle of Rakos’ guest rooms with about a hundred other people around. While he was getting a rough idea of his new capabilities, Leon asked Xaphan, [How are you doing, demon?] [Hmm? What do you mean?] Xaphan asked in confusion. [How are you on getting to the sixth-tier, or whatever you demons call it?] Xaphan’s face twisted in anger and embarrassment, and he said, [I’m doing just fine, boy.] [I’m sure you are, but is ‘just fine’ all you want to be?] Leon replied, forcing a joking tone. [I’m still fifth-tier equivalent, and I will be for a while unless you have some kind of idea for speeding things up…?] [No, I guess I was just curious as to whether you were worried at all that I’m about to pass you up in power.] The demon quietly sighed and said with a heavily controlled tone, [The only thing I’m worried about right now is what is going to happen to you . Even if the giants let you leave this crater alive, I can guarantee that your fellows are none too happy with you right now.] [Ahh, you used your stellar powers of observation to notice that, did you?] Leon asked sarcastically—even a blind person would be able to see the rejection in the eyes of everyone around Leon. There were, however, a few curious looks given to Anzu, who was still huddled behind Leon’s legs and glaring back at anyone who looked at him, and no one was willing to approach Leon and ask about the griffin. Before Xaphan could respond to Leon’s comment, the doors to the guest rooms burst open, revealing a serious and unsmiling Aquillius, who looked directly at Leon and said, “Come with me.” He then turned around and left, not even waiting for Leon to comply. Leon almost leaped to his feet, startling Anzu a little, and followed Aquillius out of the room. Anzu scurried after the two as fast as his little legs could carry him. The walk to the throne room almost went by without any conversation, with Aquillius setting a quick pace and not looking at Leon even once. However, he knew that simply dragging Leon into the room without giving him some kind of heads-up about what was going on would be a bad idea, so he stopped just outside the throne room and finally faced the young man following him. “The giants demanded your presence, and they wouldn’t hear anything I had to say without you,” Aquillius explained in a carefully controlled tone. Despite this, Xaphan still picked up on some concealed bitterness, saying, [I think this guy finds this entire event to be insulting…] [I can understand,] Leon replied. [He’s put so much time into this, and now he has a new guy putting it at risk and the giants he’s built a rapport with won’t even speak with him without said new guy. I’d be furious as well.] “Sir,” Leon said with as much respect as he could to acknowledge Aquillius’ explanation. “I’m going to try and smooth over any ruffled feathers in there, so you just stay quiet and don’t make a sound unless directly spoken to, got it?” “Got it, Sir,” Leon tersely responded. “Good.” Aquillius then pushed open the massive giant-sized door and led the two into the throne room. Rakos, Lapis, and the dozen other lesser chiefs were waiting for them, as was Juliana, Antonius, and the other guards Aquillius had taken. Everyone was standing—even Rakos, who was standing in front of its throne. Rakos rumbled, and Aquillius responded with an odd look and asked, “What exactly do you want with my knight? I understand he encroached on your sacred gr-“ But, before Aquillius could continue, the rest of the giants in the room seemed to kick up a fuss, rumbling and grinding and preventing the diplomat from getting a word in edgewise. Rakos quickly reasserted control but waited a few seconds for Aquillius to understand that the giants wanted him to be quiet and not continue speaking out of turn. Rakos spoke again, and this time Aquillius turned to Leon and said, “They want you to step forward and stand in front of them.” Leon nodded and slowly took a few steps forward, preparing himself for the battle that he felt was inevitable. He felt like he was on trial, with all the giants in the room seemingly staring at him, and the group behind him boring holes in his back with their eyes. Needless to say, this social pressure had put Leon on edge, and it was all he could do not to rest a hand on his sword for comfort. He came to a halt about halfway between Aquillius and Rakos. The latter spoke to him, but there was no way he could understand. Leon realized that Rakos asked after that very thing, as Aquillius quickly replied with, “He does not, but I can interpret.” However, instead of continuing, Rakos turned and spoke to one of the other chiefs. This stone giant, thinner and shorter than most of the others, replied with a few only a few words, then stepped forward. Again, Leon had to repress his instinct to reach for his sword, as he wasn’t too keen on the giant getting closer, but it also hadn’t made any overtly threatening movements. After another few rumblings from Rakos, Aquillius said, “That giant wants to give you something… I have no idea what, I couldn’t understand what Rakos meant when he described it…” Leon frowned, but he stood still as the giant lumbered closer. He heard the clinking of chainmail as the soldiers behind him shifted into more defensive stances, ready to act if the giant harmed Leon in any way; he may have gotten them into a mess, but Leon was still a knight of the Bull Kingdom and a member of a diplomatic mission, and he’d be defended even if they had to make permanent enemies out of the Crater Tribe in doing so. The giant approached Leon, but stopped a few feet away, far enough that it didn’t seem hostile–not that that did anything to help Leon or the soldiers relax. Slowly, as if it understood everyone’s apprehension, the giant extended one of its hands. Like all giants, it had six thick fingers, each equidistant from the others and opposing one of the others. In the center of its palm, however, it had something none of the other giants did: a pale-blue crystal, about the size of one of Leon’s eyes that looked tiny in its massive hand. The giant rumbled something, but its tone and cadence were slow, quiet, and somber compared to Rakos’ more forceful and authoritative voice. “It says, ‘touch the crystal’,” Aquillius interpreted. Leon glanced back at the senior diplomat apprehensively. Aquillius seemed just as nervous and on edge about what was happening as he was, but the diplomat nodded to Leon to go ahead. So, Leon took a deep breath to steel himself for whatever was to come, and he reached out and touched the crystal. Immediately, he felt a sharp pain right between his eyes, as if he was being stabbed in the forehead, and he fell to the ground just barely holding in his screams of pain. The soldiers behind him drew their swords, while Aquillius, Juliana, and Antonius waved their hands and pulled their own weapons out of their soul realm—a spear, a thin saber, and a war hammer, respectively. However, the giants did nothing to respond to their actions; they simply stood there, frozen, quietly watching Leon. The giant with the pale-blue crystal even retreated to fall back in with its comrades. After a few seconds, the pain in Leon’s head went away, and he knelt on the floor gasping for air. He didn’t panic, however, as he’d actually recognized that pain from several experiences he’d had before: whenever Xaphan had given him information, it had always come with a similar, but much more subdued pain. And what the giants had given him became clear once Leon struggled back to his feet. Before any of the knights behind him could inquire after Leon’s status, Rakos boomed and thundered, speaking to Leon. “CAN YOU UNDERSTAND ME, YOUNG HUMAN?” Doing his best not to show any of his surprise, Leon responded, “I can.” Aquillius’ eyes instantly swiveled away from the giants to stare in shock at Leon, but the giants ignored him and continued. “WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR HALLS, AND APOLOGIZE IF OUR HOSPITALITY HAS BEEN LACKING.” Leon hesitated a bit before responding, as he didn’t quite know what to make of this situation. “… Thank you,” he said with a great deal of uncertainty. “IT IS AN HONOR TO HAVE ONE THAT WIELDS THE POWER OF THE GODS AMONG US,” Rakos continued. “IF IT IS AGREEABLE TO YOU, WE’D LIKE TO SPEAK FURTHER WITHOUT THE REST OF YOUR COMPANIONS.” Aquillius, already thoroughly confused as to what had just happened and what was being said, suddenly said, “I am not comfortable leaving one of my people alone here, we still haven’t agreed on that non-aggression pact yet…” “THEN YOU MAY CONSIDER US AT PEACE. THERE WILL BE NO MORE RAIDS UPON THE LANDS OF THE GREAT BULL.” The diplomat stared at Rakos, stunned. He’d spent three years of his life trying to get Rakos to say those words, and here they’d been said just to get him to leave the room! “… I-I’m grateful for your agreement, Chief Rakos, but certainly, this would be better if we got it down in writing first, no?” Aquillius said, tripping over the first few words in his surprise but quickly finding his usual bearing. “MY WORD IS ENOUGH, NO OTHER CHIEF WILL CROSS ME,” Rakos said. “NOW, PLEASE EXCUSE US, WE WON’T KEEP THE YOUNG HUMAN FOR LONG.” The other giant chiefs made noises of agreement, confirming that they would not continue their raids, and Aquillius was too flustered to think of any other excuse to stay that wouldn’t insult the chiefs and put that agreement in jeopardy. After a few seconds of frantic thought, Aquillius was forced to lead the others out of the throne room. Just before a pair of giants closed the door behind them, the senior diplomat shot one last conflicted look back at Leon, his eyes conveying a mix of anger, elation, and a hint of jealousy. Leon was left with Rakos, Lapis, and the other giant chiefs with no one there but Anzu, who was shivering in fear behind his feet. The tiny albino griffin was barely able to lift his head from the terror, but fortunately, the giants didn’t seem to pay him any mind. “Sooo,” Leon awkwardly began, “what did you mean by ‘power of the gods’?” “YOU POSSESS THE POWER AND STRENGTH OF OUR CREATORS, OUR GODS. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING CENTURIES FOR ONE WITH THAT POWER TO VISIT US HERE, AND NOW, HERE YOU ARE.” [I see,] Xaphan whispered from Leon’s soul realm, [they worship the Thunderbird Clan, and they recognized the lightning you used on that giant. This could actually be extremely beneficial, I’m sure they’d do whatever you ask!] [… Let’s not jump to extremes just yet,] Leon cautioned, [I’m still doubtful as to what their intentions are, and I don’t think they’ll come right out and say it to my face… Besides, their assistance would hardly be practical anywhere that isn’t the Border Mountains…] “Why did you want to speak with me alone?” Leon asked. “THAT OTHER ONE HAS BEEN PRESSURING US TO STOP OUR RAIDS. WE HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO ABANDON A SOURCE OF WEALTH, BUT NOW THAT WE KNOW YOU ARE ALLIED WITH THE BULL, THEN WE WILL DO SO AS WELL. TRIBUTE SHALL BE GATHERED FROM OTHER SOURCES.” Again, the other chiefs rumbled to acknowledge Rakos’ order, affirming their intention to no longer raid the Bull Kingdom. “Ah…” Leon whispered. Rakos didn’t explicitly answer his question, but the implication Leon got was that the giants were well-entrenched in their love for raids, even if the giants in the south weren’t as frequent about it, and they didn’t appreciate Aquillius’ efforts to get them to stop. “Well,” Leon continued, “I’m hoping that we can all be friends. That would be great, wouldn’t it? Peace for everyone? We can then open up trade, and defend each other from our enemies…” “IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO FIGHT ALONGSIDE A DESCENDANT OF THE GODS!” Rakos roared, and the other giants roared in approval. “FROM NOW ON, YOU MAY CONSIDER US YOUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES, YOUR ENEMIES ARE OUR ENEMIES!” Leon smiled at the thought of hundreds of fifth and sixth-tier giants besieging Tiberias and his father in Aurelianorum, but he knew that most of his enemies would require a subtler, more personal touch. He didn’t want the Bull King to think he was invading with an army of stone giants, after all. “I appreciate the gesture, Chief Rakos. In that case, you may consider your enemies my enemies as well,” Leon declared. [Whoa, whoa, whoa!] Xaphan cried out. [Let’s not get dragged into some petty squabbles between giants, now! Especially since you’ve dragged us into the local Kingdom’s army as well!] Leon immediately regretted his choice of words, but Rakos seemed to laugh and said, “WE APPRECIATE THE SENTIMENT! IN RETURN, ALLOW US TO SEND SOME OF OUR WARRIORS BACK WITH YOU AS A SIGN OF OUR PACT!” With an awkward smile, Leon said, “… Thanks, but that might attract a lot of attention…” “WE MUST PROTECT AND SERVE THE DESCENDANT OF THE GODS!” Rakos thundered. “SHOULD YOU EVER REQUIRE IT, OUR TRIBES WILL FIGHT ALONGSIDE YOU!” The other giants again roared in agreement, and Leon was left feeling far too awkward to try to refuse. He resigned himself to the thought of a stone giant following him around wherever he went and hoped that his assumption of how this would play out was wrong. However, there were a few things that he could think of that would be much easier with stone giants backing him up, but he figured that bringing more than a handful into the Bull Kingdom wouldn’t be a wise idea until he was more politically powerful. Leon stood there and endured more flattering words from Rakos for about fifteen more minutes before he insisted, for Aquillius’ sake, that the non-aggression pact be made official with some kind of document. The giants reaffirmed their commitment to peace, and Leon and Anzu finally managed to leave the throne room after Aquillius was called back in. The other diplomats were staring at Leon with complex expressions as he left the throne room, but by this point, he was far too mentally exhausted to care. He only shuffled back to the guest room and collapsed into his bedroll. !

**Chapitre 189 : Le Pouvoir des Dieux** La première action d’Aquillius en revenant dans la salle de Rakos fut de désigner une chaise d’un geste sec avant d’ordonner à Léon : « Assieds-toi. » Ce dernier obéit sans discuter, tandis qu’Anzu, tremblant de peur, se blottissait derrière ses jambes comme un refuge. Sans un mot supplémentaire, Aquillius pivota sur ses talons et quitta la pièce d’un pas décidé, rejoignant Rakos en compagnie de Juliana, Antonius et d’une escorte de six soldats. Les autres occupants de la salle maintinrent une distance prudente avec Léon, leurs regards oscillant entre une curiosité mal dissimulée et une hostilité à peine voilée. Même Alix et ses collègues diplomates l’évitèrent ostensiblement : l’érudit préférait feindre de lire — ou du moins fixer un livre ouvert avec intensité — tandis que les deux autres chuchotaient dans un coin reculé. Léon s’en accommoda parfaitement, y voyant l’opportunité idéale pour évaluer les transformations internes opérées par sa récente ascension. La modification la plus flagrante résidait dans sa capacité à convertir son mana en éclairs pulsants, signature indubitable d’un mage de cinquième tier. Cette maîtrise constituait d’ailleurs la seule distinction tangible avec le niveau précédent. Après une série d’exercices respiratoires et une méditation approfondie, il constata que ses réserves magiques n’avaient connu qu’une expansion marginale depuis son élévation. Une question le taraudait particulièrement, mais son investigation exigeait une discrétion impossible dans ce contexte : le feu de Xaphan. Le démon lui avait assuré, plusieurs lunes auparavant, que le cinquième tier lui permettrait d’utiliser ces flammes sans péril. Cependant, tester cette assertion devant une centaine de témoins relevait de l’inconscience. Certes, quelques initiés connaissaient ses affinités pyriques, mais le recours au feu démoniaque devait rester une ultime contingence. Par ailleurs, il jugeait profondément inconvenant de convoquer soudainement éclairs ou flammes au milieu des salles d’accueil de Rakos, entouré d’une foule compacte. Alors qu’il passait en revue ses nouvelles capacités, Léon lança mentalement à Xaphan : [Comment te sens-tu, démon ?] [Hmm ? Où veux-tu en venir ?] rétorqua Xaphan, perplexe. [Où en es-tu dans ta progression vers le sixième tier — ou comme vous nommez ça dans votre jargon infernal ?] Une grimace de frustration et d’embarras déforma les traits du démon. [Je gère parfaitement la situation, gamin.] [J’en suis convaincu, mais est-ce que « gérer » suffira à maintenir ton avantage ?] persifla Léon, forçant un ton enjoué. [Je stagne à l’équivalent du cinquième tier, et cela perdurera encore longtemps… à moins que tu n’aies découvert une méthode pour accélérer le processus ?] [Non, je m’interrogeais simplement si… tu redoutais que je ne sois sur le point de surpasser ta puissance.] Le démon émit un soupir mental avant de répondre avec une retenue calculée : [Ma seule préoccupation concerne ton devenir. Même si les géants te laissent quitter ce cratère vivant, sois assuré que tes compagnons ne te portent pas dans leur cœur présentement.] [Ah, tes prodigieuses facultés d’observation t’ont permis de le déduire, n’est-ce pas ?] rétorqua Léon, sarcastique — un aveugle aurait perçu l’atmosphère de réprobation ambiante. Quelques regards intrigués se posaient néanmoins sur Anzu, toujours agrippé à ses jambes et lançant des œillades assassines à quiconque osait le fixer. Personne ne s’aventurait cependant à interroger Léon sur le griffon. Alors que Xaphan s’apprêtait à répliquer, les lourdes portes de la salle d’accueil s’ouvrirent brusquement, révélant Aquillius dont le visage impassible se rivait sur Léon pour déclarer : « Suis-moi. » Sur ce, il tourna les talons et s’éloigna sans attendre de réponse. Léon se leva d’un bond, faisant sursauter Anzu, et emboîta le pas au diplomate. Le petit griffon s’élança derrière eux, ses pattes courtes peinant à suivre leur rythme. Le trajet vers la salle du trône s’effectua dans un silence quasi absolu, Aquillius avançant d’une démarche rapide sans accorder un regard à son suivant. Pourtant, il avait suffisamment de jugement pour ne pas introduire Léon dans l’antre des géants sans avertissement. Il s’immobilisa devant les portes monumentales et fit enfin face au jeune homme. « Les géants exigent ta présence. Ils ont refusé tout dialogue en ton absence », expliqua-t-il d’une voix contrôlée mais où perçait une amertume que Xaphan ne manqua pas de relever : [Ce cher diplomate semble trouver la situation profondément humiliante…] [Je le conçois aisément,] admit Léon. [Après des années d’efforts, voilà qu’un novice compromet sa mission, et ceux qu’il a patiemment apprivoisés refusent désormais de lui parler sans ma présence. J’éprouverais la même fureur.] « Monsieur », répondit Léon avec le respect protocolaire requis. « Je vais tenter de désamorcer les tensions à l’intérieur. Toi, tu gardes le silence et ne t’exprimes qu’en réponse à une interrogation directe. Clairement compris ? » « Clairement compris, Monsieur », acquiesça Léon d’un ton neutre. « Bien. » Aquillius poussa alors les imposantes portes adaptées à la stature des géants et les guida à l’intérieur. Rakos, Lapis et une douzaine de chefs secondaires les y attendaient, flanqués de Juliana, Antonius et de l’escorte militaire. Tous étaient debout — y compris Rakos, qui avait quitté son trône pour l’occasion. Dès leur entrée, Rakos émit un grondement sourd, provoquant une réaction étrange chez Aquillius : « Que désirez-vous exactement de mon chevalier ? Je conçois qu’il ait violé votre terre sacr— » Sa tentative d’explication fut immédiatement couverte par un chœur de grognements et de protestations des autres géants, réduisant le diplomate au silence. Rakos rétablit promptement l’ordre, mais laissa délibérément s’écouler quelques secondes pour bien faire comprendre à Aquillius qu’il devait s’abstenir de toute parole intempestive. Quand Rakos reprit la parole, Aquillius se tourna vers Léon : « Ils exigent que tu t’approches et te présentes devant eux. » Léon opina et avança posément, chaque fibre de son être se préparant au conflit qu’il pressentait inéluctable. Sous le regard scrutateur des géants et les yeux braqués de ses compagnons dans son dos, il se sentait comme un condamné face à ses juges. La pression sociale le transperçait au point qu’il dut résister à l’impulsion de chercher réconfort en posant la main sur la garde de son épée. Il s’arrêta à égale distance entre Aquillius et Rakos. Ce dernier lui adressa la parole dans un langage incompréhensible. Léon réalisa que le géant venait précisément de poser une question lorsqu’Aquillius s’empressa d’intervenir : « Il ne comprend pas, mais je peux servir d’interprète. » Plutôt que de poursuivre, Rakos se tourna vers un autre chef. Ce géant de pierre, plus svelte que ses congénères, échangea quelques paroles avant de s’avancer. Léon réprima une nouvelle fois son réflexe défensif, bien que le géant n’esquissât aucun geste menaçant. Après d’autres grondements de Rakos, Aquillius traduisit : « Ce géant souhaite te remettre un objet… La nature exacte m’échappe, la description de Rakos était trop vague… » Léon fronça les sourcils mais resta immobile tandis que le géant approchait. Derrière lui, le cliquetis des cottes de mailles trahissait les soldats prenant des positions défensives, prêts à intervenir au moindre signe d’agression. Si Léon leur avait mis dans une position délicate, il n’en demeurait pas moins un chevalier du Royaume du Taureau — ils le protégeraient même au prix d’une rupture avec les géants du Cratère. Le géant s’arrêta à une distance respectueuse, conscient de leur méfiance. Avec une lenteur calculée, il tendit une main massive. Comme tous les siens, sa paume comportait six doigts épais et symétriquement disposés. Mais en son centre reposait un objet singulier : un cristal d’un bleu pâle, de la taille d’un œil humain, minuscule dans cette main monstrueuse. Le géant murmura une phrase dont le rythme lent et le ton solennel contrastaient avec l’autorité habituelle de Rakos. « Il dit : “Touche le cristal” », traduisit Aquillius. Léon jeta un regard anxieux vers le diplomate. Ce dernier, bien que tout aussi tendu, lui fit un signe d’encouragement. Après une inspiration profonde, Léon tendit une main hésitante et effleura la surface lisse du cristal. Une douleur fulgurante lui transperça instantanément le front, comme si une dague s’enfonçait entre ses yeux. Il s’effondra à genoux, étouffant un cri. Derrière lui, les soldats dégainèrent dans un concert de métal, tandis qu’Aquillius, Juliana et Antonius matérialisaient leurs armes — respectivement une lance, un sabre courbe et un marteau de guerre. Pourtant, les géants demeuraient immobiles, observant la scène avec calme. Celui qui tenait le cristal recula même pour rejoindre les siens. Quelques secondes plus tard, la douleur s’évanouit aussi brusquement qu’elle était apparue, laissant Léon à genoux, haletant. Il ne paniqua pas, reconnaissant cette sensation : chaque transfert de connaissances par Xaphan s’était accompagné d’une douleur similaire, bien que moins intense. La nature du don des géants lui apparut clairement dès qu’il se releva péniblement. Avant que les chevaliers ne puissent s’enquérir de son état, Rakos tonna, s’adressant directement à Léon : « PEUX-TU ME COMPRENDRE MAINTENANT, JEUNE HUMAIN ? » S’efforçant de masquer sa stupéfaction, Léon répondit : « Je le peux. » Le regard d’Aquillius quitta les géants pour se fixer, médusé, sur Léon, mais les colosses ignorèrent sa réaction pour poursuivre. « NOUS TE SOUHAITONS LA BIENVENUE DANS NOS HALLS, ET NOUS NOUS EXCUSONS POUR NOTRE HOSPITALITÉ PRÉCIPITÉE. » Léon marqua une pause perplexe avant de répondre : « … Merci », dit-il, incertain. « C’EST UN HONNEUR SANS PRÉCÉDENT D’ACCUEILLIR CELUI QUI PORTE LE POUVOIR DES DIEUX », enchaîna Rakos. « NOUS SOUMETTONS UNE REQUÊTE : PARLONS SANS LA PRÉSENCE DE TES COMPAGNONS. » Aquillius, déjà désorienté par les événements, protesta : « Je ne puis en conscience abandonner un des miens ici. Notre pacte de non-agression n’est pas encore— » « CONSIDÈRE DÈS À PRÉSENT QUE LA PAIX RÈGNE. NOS RAID SUR LES TERRES DU GRAND TAUREAU PRENNENT FIN. » Le diplomate dévisagea Rakos, abasourdi. Trois années de négociations infructueuses, et voilà que ces mots tant attendus étaient prononcés… simplement pour l’évincer ! « J-Je vous en suis reconnaissant, chef Rakos, mais ne conviendrait-il pas de formaliser cet accord par écrit ? » balbutia-t-il avant de retrouver son assurance. « MA PAROLE EST INFRANGIBLE. AUCUN CHEF N’OSERAIT LA CONTESTER », déclara Rakos avec une autorité incontestable. « À PRÉSENT, RETIRE-TOI. NOTRE ENTRE