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"Polost, is it?" Sermung scratched his chin. "Not the most welcoming city. Especially to me."

"True," said Jonah. "But with Tenebrach at your side, that shouldn't pose a problem, should it?"

"Depends on if my old friend is there."

"Dozer? Why should his presence make a difference? And why do you always call him that, by the way? A joke?"

"Of a kind." Sermung turned and paced across the room, rubbing his neck. "My old friend is more perceptive than even he himself realizes, I think. Which is saying something, considering the ego on that man."

Jonah wasn't quite sure he understood, but that was no new thing when it came to his conversations with this person. He sometimes wondered if anyone in the world understood Sermung.

Hmm. An absurd thought entered into his head, and he probably should not have voiced it, and yet some manner of ridiculous curiosity pushed him onward.

"...Have you considered telling your 'old friend' about your current project?"

Sermung looked at him but didn't say anything.

And to Jonah's eyes, the expression on the man's face spoke not of humor or absurdity like Jonah had been thinking. Instead, it suggested a serious contemplation.

Which left Jonah blinking with surprise. Impulsively, he wanted to try to read the man's mind, despite knowing how utterly futile such an attempt would be.

"Do you think you've grown closer to him since last we met?" said Sermung.

Jonah tilted his head and raised his brow as he thought about that. "I... would like to say yes, but..."

"Heh. I'd be suspicious if you did so with no trepidation at all."

"...Are you really thinking about telling him of your quest? I thought you would've rejected the idea immediately."

"He and I have a complex relationship."

"The understatement of the century," said Jonah.

"Obviously, I can't trust him. But he and I have also known each other for so long and butted heads so many times that... we do have an odd kind of understanding with one another. A part of me thinks that he might actually be receptive to cooperating."

Jonah snorted. "And what is Tenebrach's opinion?"

"Let's not talk about that."

Jonah breathed a laugh. "Well, in any case, if this grand stalemate continues for much longer, then you won't have to tell Dozer anything. I'm sure he'll find out all on his own, eventually."