Before Midas could even utter a word, Dorian cut him off.
"Now ask me your third! After that, I will ask you mine and get this over with." He shouted before leaning back in his chair again and crossing his legs.
Midas was awestruck for a second. He wanted to ask where this power exactly was, why those who wanted to protect it burned themselves alive, what he must go through to get the technique, how exactly it worked, what the consequences were, and much more.
However, he had no other choice but to move on to his final question.
As silence fell over the area, Midas’s gulp sounded even louder than normal.
"For my final question, I will ask you..." He looked Dorian in the eyes, "What is the answer... to the question that you will ask me in this deal we have made?
Silence suffocated the air.
Gool was shocked, his expression mirroring that of someone who had just seen a ghost.
Midas’s gaze was unwavering, his heart nearly pounding out of his chest.
Dorian didn’t move a single muscle, nor did his face twitch even once.
After twenty excruciating seconds, Dorian suddenly burst out into a laugh.
He slapped his knee, tears nearly forming in his eyes, "You are a smart little moron, a smart one indeed!"
’Okay... not sure if that’s an insult or a compliment...’
"Y-you..." Midas began to speak, "I can ask you any question. That was your word. That is my final question."
Dorian exhaled, "For the entertainment you have given me, I don’t mind telling you. I don’t think I want to kill you anymore." Dorian stood up.
"You have outsmarted me. Usually, I would slaughter anyone who would even utter such words in my vicinity. However, since you have done so in such a remarkably hilarious way, you will be spared."
Midas gulped, "T-thanks..."
"I will tell you both my question and answer. After that, you will explain in detail the definition of... this ’player’ you two speak of."
Midas nodded, agreeing to Dorian’s proposition.
"My question was going to be... What is the fastest path to supremacy in this world?" Dorian said with a smirk.
"W-what?" Midas was taken aback, ’How could such a question even have a right answer? What exact type of supremacy is he talking about? Power, or actual dominion over the world? Also, who’s to say what is the fastest path to such a title? Has anyone ever achieved it? The title of the most supreme in the world?’
"There is only one answer. It is, of course, raw, overwhelming power that imperially decides who is supreme." Dorian raised his finger into the air with a smile. "Of all beings that live and breathe, the one who stands above all is alone the absolute supreme deity."
He paused.
"And the answer to this question is also simple. The fastest path to supremacy is... unwavering action." Dorian said.
’Action?’ Midas thought in his head.
"Unwavering action through distress and despair. Through doom and death, length and width. Through all other spectrums of the brain--which only exist to bind us to what does not exist. The only thing that exists is the one who observes your thoughts--the immortal soul, or in other words, you. No matter what illusion attempts to disturb one’s ambition, as long as he does not waver even an inch in his absolute consciousness, he shall never fail nor fall. The one who endures through weakness becomes strength itself!"
Dorian put his finger down, turning to Gool, "Now, tell me, what were you saying about what a player is?" He politely asked.
Gool scrunched his face, looking to the side with an attitude.
Just then, a wave of terrifying air flew out of Dorian’s body and blasted Gool.
Gool’s entire body shook with a shiver, every hair on his body erect as a straight line.
"O-oh! Yeah! A player, that’s what I was talking about... yeah. What is it? Sure, I’ll tell ya! No problem!" Gool scratched the back of his head as he let out a nervous chuckle: "Heheh... you see, a player is one granted entry into this world from another. One that comes with a special knowledge or power, in fact. Their goal is to claim dominion over our planet, either through conquest or bloodshed. If they win, they are given the coveted and powerful Throne of Dominion..."
Gool paused for a split second before continuing.
"As inhabitants of this planet, our goal is also not complicated. We must defeat or conquer every last surviving player that exists. If we do, we can save our world from complete annihilation."
Again, a silence fell over the three for a few seconds.
Midas glanced at Dorian with fear and anticipation in his eyes.
Since Dorian was a part of this world, this new knowledge might tempt him to play as well.
That would make Midas his direct enemy, which was the last thing Midas wanted.
"I see... I have never heard of such a concept." Dorian paused, not much emotion on his face, "But it sure does sound interesting. Throne of Dominion is the prize, huh? What exactly is that... the throne of dominion?"
Gool gulped, "I-it’s something that... only those of Fell-Terra are meant to know."
Dorian narrowed his eyelids.
"I-I know you are also a part of this world..." Gool turned to Midas, "But he is not."
Dorian raised an eyebrow with confusion, "So what? What kind of punishment do you fear that I can not give you right here and now? Hurry and spout it out already!"
"I-I can’t!"
"Huh!?" Dorian raised his voice, "Don’t make me change my mind about sparing your life, goblin." He said in a low tone.
Gool froze like a deer in headlights for a second, ’F-fuck!’ He said inwardly, his lip quivering.
"Why? Why can’t you say it? Is it just because I am a player and that would give me an advantage?" Midas said at that moment.
"No..." Gool sighed, "I guess I really have no other choice than..."
Dorian and Midas let Gool speak.
"The reason I don’t want to say what the Throne of Dominion is is that we, as inhabitants of this world, have been ordered not to. If we do, we are submitting ourselves to the player that we tell it to. It’s the surrender that the game has explained. Kill, or make your enemies surrender. The method of surrendering is submission, along with the explanation of the Throne of Dominion. This finalizes one’s full loyalty to the player." Gool reluctantly said.
"Does that mean you can never betray me if you tell me what the Throne of Dominion is?" Midas immediately asked, curious.
"No... I can still betray you. My free will is not affected whatsoever. However, there are consequences. A failed betrayal after revealing the Throne will automatically erase me from the mortal world. That is the price you pay for revealing the meaning of the Throne." Gool said.
"Okay... tell me what it is then," Midas replied in a confident tone.
Gool paused, staring into Midas’s eyes.
"Surrender unto me... I won’t be a bad master, I promise." Midas said, musing inwardly: ’Any help is better than none. These goblins are pretty sneaky and surprisingly smart as well. As long as I am cautious, I can use him to my advantage.’
Gool exhaled, his shoulders drooping, "Fine..."