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In fact, that was part of the reason he’d been so reluctant to commit his forces to any major offenses early on. He’d wanted to keep plenty of resources stocked up so that he could quickly pivot if and when Sermung showed up. He had some extra special tricks up his sleeve, reserved especially for the Crystal Titan, but if the jackass never showed himself, then what good were they? He was just saving up for a rainy day that never came.

Perhaps the jerk somehow knew. Perhaps his continued absence was intentional for exactly that reason.

With Sermung, it was impossible to know. That much, at least, was certainly intentional. Each of the emperors went to great lengths in order to prevent their actions from becoming predictable, save perhaps Morgunov, who just seemed to do it naturally.

“Who could possibly be giving Morgunov that much trouble if not Sermung?” said Jercash.

The Monster scoffed. “Truthfully? I think he may have brought it all upon himself. Though again, I am not sure.”

Well, that was... quite believable. “When you put it like that, it makes me not want to go help him.”

“You shouldn’t. You’d never reach him in time, anyway. At this point, either he survives or he doesn’t.”

“I could still do with a bit more detail, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“He’s been toying with ancient forces.”

“That’s nothing new.”

“Yes, but I think they may have found a way to toy with him back.”

“Oh?” Jercash connected the dots. “The Vanguard? You think one of these ancient forces has manipulated them against him?”

“Indeed. And by extension, against the rest of us, as well.”

“Ah... and what are these ‘forces,’ exactly?”

“Alas, I cannot tell. They are wary of my sight. Even from afar, they make great efforts to conceals themselves from me.”

His ‘sight,’ eh? Jercash had only rarely heard him mention that. No doubt, if he inquired further about it, Gohvis would refuse to elaborate, but over the long years, Jercash had been able to piece together a few clues about it.

It wasn’t aura sight--or at least, not just that. No, Jercash suspected that it was something more highly developed and powerful. Something that could see across great distances--and probably time, too.

And perhaps, even, into souls.

What that really meant, however, Jercash was not yet sure. Nor did he have any idea what the limitations of said ability might be. Clearly, the Monster was not all-knowing or all-seeing, but...

Perhaps that was the eventual goal.