One and a half months later.
Theo was standing in front of a mountain. He once visited this mountain and received so many things. This time, there was one more business that would change his fate.
He took a deep breath before shouting on top of his lungs. "Mountain King. Theodore Griffith has come to visit. I don't have a way to find the Lightning Authority, so I'd like to seek your guidance."
After that shout, Theo fell silent and stopped doing anything, waiting for the dwarf that once helped him.
Surprisingly, there was no response coming from the inside in the next thirty minutes.
By this time, many people would have given up or shouted once more. However, Theo believed his shout was already heard by the Mountain King or at least by other dwarves that protected the mountain.
Another hour passed, and a voice finally came to his ears. "What are you doing, Brat? I have told you that I don't want to have any business with you again."
The sound came from the left as Theo's body instinctively turned around, following this voice. He found the Mountain King, Dourner.
"I know." Theo nodded with a serious expression. "But you should remember about the promise with the Lightning Authority, right? I have no way to contact him, so I don't know how to meet him."
"Are you here to seek guidance about the Order? Looking at your strength, it's true that you have become far stronger…" Dourner frowned.
"That's one of the reasons," Theo admitted without hesitation.
"One of the reasons? What are you trying to do?" Dourner narrowed his eyes, glaring at him.
"Actually, I'm at my wits' end." Theo let out a long sigh. "I don't even have the power to protect myself."
"If you're seeking my protection, dream on. I'll tell you again and again that I'm not going to interfere with business with humans."
"Of course. I won't." Theo assured him with a smile. "I truly would like to ask him about Order and a few other things. Just to come here, I have to sneak out or I would have died."
Theo indeed used his Metamorphosis to come to this place or he would have been discovered by people from the Barbe Group or the Griffith Family. And this was probably the only time he could come here.
Dourner knew Theo's situation seemed to be bad. But he still maintained his principle in not interfering with the world, especially humans.
"So, you only want to meet him?"
"Yes. I know that it's impossible to ask for your help, and I personally don't want to rely on you after all the things you've given to me." Theo nodded, acknowledging his intention.
"That's why you sent your clone here?"
"Yeah."
Dourner fell silent for a moment and thought for a moment. He took another look at Theo's hands and asked, "Who is that other one? Darkness? Shadow? Or…"
"It's Dark Order."
"Hmm…" Dourner pondered over his matter and pointed at the east. "I think you don't have much time. He always comes here every two years on the same date, but you don't have time… I will only give you the direction.
"From this place, approximately 400 miles in this direction… You will find a mountain with its peak far above the clouds. If you want to find him, climb that mountain and say, 'I have come to seek guidance.'
"He will appear before you. However, I need to warn you that this is a very dangerous journey. Climbing that mountain isn't easy because there's a severe thunderstorm there. It's from his power, and if you reach that peak, he should be aware of your presence.
"If you truly want to find him, this is the only way. Other than that, you will need to wait in this place for a long time."
Theo's expression became grim. "I understand. Thank you for telling me this information. I'm going to find him."
"Well…" He paused for a moment before raising his hand. "Give me your hand."
Theo extended his hand.
Dourner grabbed it and created a triangle on the back of his palm. "If you encounter another king like me, tell them that I'm the one sending you there to meet him."
"I understand. Thank you so much for helping me."
"I'm not helping you. I'm merely fulfilling my end of the agreement. Since you received that promise in my place, it's my job to give you this information. Also, even though this symbol can stop them from interfering with your business, I believe you still need to fight your way out to that place. After all, they won't tell the monsters to do anything."
"I'll do my best."
"In that case, I wish you luck." Dourner sighed. "I truly don't wish to see you again, kid."
"Ahaha, I apologize if I disturb you. I promise that it won't happen again…"
"Next time you come here, you are going to break your own rule and start drinking with me."
"Ehm, is that an invitation?"
"No. Once you pass out, you're dead. My wine is far more powerful than your imagination after all." Dourner snorted. "By the way, how is the wine I gave you previously?"
"I haven't drunk it yet nor given it to someone else. Since I'm planning to move to another country, I would like to present it to someone as thanks for helping me." Theo answered truthfully.
"Well, it's up to you." Dourner shrugged. "Anyway, I have fulfilled my agreement. It's all yours now. Whether you can do it or not, it's not my problem… Though, I don't believe you can finish this journey, especially with only your clone.
"After all, the ones you will meet in this journey are far stronger." Dourner sighed and patted Theo's shoulder. "Goodbye, kid."
"Thank you very much, Mountain King." Theo lowered his head, politely thanking him.
Dourner then disappeared, returning to his secret city. Meanwhile, Clone Theo looked in the direction that seemed to be beyond what Italy had explored and gulped down.
"I should go…" Clone Theo used his Telekinesis, following the direction.