She remained silent for a while, then sighed.
"I do not know. Her mercy and benevolence are just an act, though — of that, I am sure. There is hardly a less merciful and benevolent person in both worlds than Nephis of the Immortal Flame clan."
Seishan hesitated for a moment.
"Not that I hold it against her, of course. In fact, she's quite admirable. Nephis... is scheming something, but what? I can't figure it out."
Her exquisitely beautiful face seemed troubled.
Lonesome Howl sneered.
"Aren't you giving her too much credit, sister? She is already as high as any of us can be, and there is nothing left for her to earn. What can she ever scheme for? Before, I could have imagined a twisted scenario where she wanted to prove herself and become… I don't know, daddy's favorite. But with Morgan falling out of favor, even that is already beside the point."
She leaned back and crossed her arms.
"Your judgment is always clouded when it comes to those years, Shan. Sure,that girl achieved something outstanding on the Forgotten Shore — assembling an army of loyal followers, killing an invincible tyrant, and taking his throne… then getting most of her army obliterated to win an unwinnable battle. But that was in the past."
As she was speaking, Seishan's expression changed subtly.
Lonesome Howl did not notice, but Beastmaster did.
She smiled.
"Wait… you don't think?"
Seishan lingered for a few moments, then slowly shook her head.
"No… of course not. Yes, Nephis and the Lord of Shadows are immensely powerful, but even they stand no chance against a Supreme. They would know it better than us, too. Unless she conquers the Fourth Nightmare, it would be pointless to even think about disloyalty — and Anvil won't allow her to challenge a Seed."
So, thinking in that direction was a fool's errand.
And yet…
Seishan remembered Gunlaug's golden armor.
And how impenetrable it had seemed.
Her brow furrowed a little, and she gave Beastmaster a complicated look.
The beautiful enchantress smiled.
"What? Are you regretting dissuading me from killing her in Antarctica now?"
Seishan did not answer immediately.
Eventually, she said:
"I'd probably be a Skinwalker vessel now if you did."
Beastmaster sighed.
"True. Then I'll express my gratitude to her the next time we meet..."