Everics eyes narrowed once hed heard my request.
Even if I could, it would require a significantly larger contribution, on your part.
This ti, it was my turn to grow suspicious. He had appeared at exactly the right ti to take advantage of our situation, which he was most likely sohow responsible for. I was willing to let an offense like that slide, especially if I could get sothing out of it in return, but if he intended to play hardball he had another thing coming.
I close my eyes, before suddenly slamming my hands on the table and making Everic jump, while his guard went for his sword. Undeterred, I continued.
Listen, pig. I know youre the reason we lost our rooms. Either give what I want, or Ill make your current situation a whole lot worse.
Everic gulped, before recollecting himself and attempting to retake control of the conversation.
I see. So, a map and accommodations in exchange for a duel and an understanding, if you will. Does this trade seem acceptable to you? he asked, barely able to keep the fear out of his voice.
To his credit, he caught on to his situation rather quickly once Id laid it out for him. I had expected him to maintain his arrogant attitude, but turns out he knew when to cut his losses.
I nodded in response to his summary, knowing that a map of an official unexplored area would be more than worth the trouble Everic had put us both through.
We accept, though I want to see a contract to validate the worth of the map. I added, to which I received a subtle nod in response. Everic fetched a piece of paper from a storage ring, wrote down his terms and conditions while I wrote down mine and then signed it.
No further words were exchanged between us as the contract took effect, though Everic spared us one final smug smile as he left the room.
Keep the room, I dont need it. I hope you maintain that confidence of yours in tomorrows match. Considering my brothers proxy is at the edge of tier 3, you will need it. He warned, before squeezing through the door.
Once he had left, Eri turned to with a shocked expression on her face.
Was he really the one responsible for us not getting a room?
Clearly. I responded monotonously.
How did you know for certain, though?
I didnt. His reaction confird it, though. He shouldve called my bluff.
Wouldnt you just have gotten even more angry, then? she hypothesized.
I smiled deviously. Youre getting to know quite quickly, arent you?
-Scene transition-
The next morning, Eri and I woke up well-rested in our separate rooms. I had squeezed Revan into the tight living room of the inn, where he had kept guard in case anything suspicious happened, but it seed like Everic hadnt found any loopholes in our contract, which also involved a temporary non-aggression clause. After a diverse yet filling breakfast, Eri and I made our way out of the inn, where we ca across a pair of guards under Erics employ. Apparently, the pair had been waiting for us out here for a few hours now.
They escorted us to a reasonably large mansion, that proved the apparent affluence of its occupants. Everics family, like so many other aristocrats, treated their residence more like a status symbol than a ho, which I felt made the place seem a little dead. What was the point of a house that wasnt a ho?
That being said, the property was well-maintained and the neatly trimd hedges made for an impressive sight. Our arrival on foot felt a little out of place for an estate of this size, but I couldnt bring myself to care.
Soon enough, we were led inside, though we werent welcod by the houses owner. Any aristocrat that ruled over a city as large as Ruita would have the rank of viscount, at least. I suppose little old was beneath their notice
I chuckled. Either we were purposefully being disregarded, or Everic intended for our arrival to be a surprise.
The two guards led us down a few interconnecting hallways, until we eventually made our way to a sandy pit, that was covered by a large glass do. About a hundred people could have fit inside if they squeezed together a little.
Instantly, I recognized this area as a training ground of so sort, though why soone would put a glass roof over a training ground was beyond . That was just a waste of money, since that glass was bound to shatter at the slightest touch of a rogue skill or spell.
There were no spectators around the small arena, though a few figures were visible within the sandy pit itself. A warrior clad in shining armor, accompanied by not one, not two, but three rather large n.
As we approached, I was able to start making out their finer features. To start with, I noticed Everic was present. His stocky build was the sa as the other two, but his smug smile and creased brow was visible even from this distance.
The two others looked like his family mbers. One had a beard whereas Everic didnt, while another had white hair and wrinkled skin, whereas Everic still looked young. Supposedly, these were his older brother and his father, respectively. As we got closer, I started to hear them talking. No, it actually sounded like the two brothers were bickering, while the father raised his hands in appeasent and tried to de-escalate the argunt with a timid voice.
Eventually, they noticed our arrival as well.
Who are these people? Everic supposed brother asked to no one in particular.
Everic jumped at the chance to introduce us and get one over his sibling.
These, my dear uninford brother, are the victor and runner-up of the most recent royal tournant! You, in your ever base understanding of the world, might recall their local nicknas, the Holy maiden and the Death Knight? he bragged.
After a montary shock, his brother burst out laughing.
Brother mine, while its certainly impressive that you managed to recruit these two prodigies, did you forget how to count? We challenged each other to use tier 3 champions! These two are what, two months into the tier? Against Agard here, they might as well be throwing stones at a steel plate! he laughed.
Now, now. The father intervened with an awkward, yet welcoming smile. These two are the future of our kingdom, Im sure theyll be able to challenge Agard. Regardless, why do you two even feel the need to fight? You know your mother he began, before Everics face turned sour and his brother interrupted.
Mothers dead. Who knows what she would have thought? Lets just get this farce over with once and for all. He finished, before marching off to a viewing platform.
While this situation evolved, Eri and I were just stuck there, in the middle of it. The mont family drama beca involved, neither of us wanted to intervene, for obvious reasons.
After this argunt, Everic, too, didnt feel like talking anymore and left in a similar huff to his brother, while their father was left to pick up the pieces.
I shouldnt have gone that far the older man sadly muttered to himself. He turned around to face us, putting on a brave front.
Excuse us. You shouldnt have had to watch our family fights. After their mothers death, my two boys just forgot how to get along. I try to give them all I can, but sotis that isnt enough.
Unsure of how to respond, I just shrugged and left it at that.
Now then, he continued. Who amongst you two will be facing Agard in battle? I warn you, hes experienced and powerful.
I humd in contemplation, while Eri looked at , wondering what I wanted to do. From the look in her eyes, she seed eager to test her skill, so I just nodded toward her. A happy smile lit up on her face, so I felt I had made the right decision. Not to ntion that I had been wondering how her battling style had evolved after her tier evolution. Mine, for example, had undergone drastic changes.
Having made our decision, we were directed to Everics side of the arena, where I joined the larger man on the raised dais, while Eri stayed on the grounds.
On the other side of the pit, Agard stood to et her charge.
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