Chapter 219: [219] Agreement
"Hmmm." Eliron took a second before answering, acting as though he was already bored with the conversation. "And the second reason."
"To once again ask for your help in the war." This time, it was Alexander that spoke, his voice sounding resolute.
"Alright, let us start with your first request."
He summoned the infinity pouch and pulled out what he suspected they were after.
"This is it right?" He lifted the golden ring to the light, observing its unique reflective nature.
Eliorn had always wondered what motivated the prince of Donia to take up armed robbery, but after his date with Artie, it had completely left his mind.
He had always known the ring was special, but not so much as to warrant the prince’s attention.
At that time, Eliron had not even known he was the prince...
He observed the ring closely and smirked.
The ring Eliron was holding was a Signet Ring, a proof of his authority as a royal and the ring bearing his royal seal.
Alexander’s eyes brightened when he saw it. "Yes! Please can I have it back?"
Eliorn stretched it towards him. "Of course you can..."
"Thank you!" Alex quickly tried to grab it but Eliron suddenly pulled his hand back.
"Then again, why should I give this to you? I won this in a fair gamble, did I not? Should I not at least be compensated?"
Alexander swallowed as he stared suspiciously at Eliron. Knowing his personality, he was sure Eliron would make him work for it.
He was almost even afraid of asking, but he did it anyway. "What do you want?"
A dark smile flashed on Eliron’s face, just before he cleared his throat. "Nothing serious." He rotated the ring with his fingers.
"All I need is your word. I will need your help in the future and when that time comes, I need you to accept, no questions asked."
Alex’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. He glanced at Ciera, but it seemed even she did not know what game Eliron was playing.
"Are you sure that is all?"
"Prince Alexander, are you accusing me of having ulterior motives?" Eliron had a fake look of offense on his face.
Alexander sighed. "Not at all."
Flick!
The ring was sent flying through the air and Alex caught it, sliding it into his fingers without wasting a second.
"I guess we have a deal." Eliron smirked. "Do know that if you break our agreement, I will be rather offended."
He said it casually, but Alex knew how much of a threat it was. Most of the more powerful royal knights were at the frontlines, if he was to use that spell he used at the tower...
He could potentially flatten the entire royal estate...
Alexander stared at his food, already beginning to lose his appetite. Then he raised his head once more to ask the most important question on his mind.
"And our second request?"
This was not something as simple as returning a ring he had no use for. This was asking him to join a war he had no part in...
Even Alex knew that his request was a difficult one to entertain.
"Oh about the war?" Eliron pointed his fork which had a piece of meat on it at him. "Umm, I have actually decided to assist you." He said in between mouthfuls.
"I knew it would be difficult to convince you, but you have to consider the number of lives at risk!"
"Do you know how many people will die—owowww!"
"He said yes you dunce!" Ciera tiredly said as she pulled his cheek.
It reminded Eliron of him and Yennefer, only that when it came to them, the reverse was the case.
"Wait, really??!" Alexander’s eyes widened. And then for the first time since they had met, Eliron saw a genuine smile appear on his face as he wrapped his arm around Ciera’s shoulders.
"Ahahahaha! We did it Cici!"
"I told you not to call me that..." Ciera’s voice came out without its usual edge. It seemed even she was taken back by the prince’s smile.
She averted her gaze away from his, her cheeks turning rosy.
Eliron allowed them to have their moment before he added. "But of course, I have my conditions."
"That will not be a problem!" Alex puffed his chest with pride. "Tell me your conditions and I will make sure you have everything you need!"
"Alright then. I will need..."
A few minutes later...
Alexander deflated like a balloon. "I apologize, those requests are beyond my jurisdiction to approve..."
He ran a hand through his hair. "But if you would come with me, lord Eliron, I would like you to present your proposal before my father and his council."
"I am sure he will not refuse!"
Eliron was not surprised that it was something above the prince. His requests were rather... bold, if you could call it that.
At the same time, meeting the king was a plus, considering Eliron was always working on building ties with other kingdoms.
"That sounds alright. When will we leave?"
Alex glanced at the restaurant’s clock from where he sat. "We can go now, the council should still be in a meeting. This would be the perfect time to meet them.
"Alright, let’s wait a bit to allow Ariel finish her mea—"
"I’m already done."
"Heh?" Eliron glanced at her plate in disbelief only to see a clean plate, and Ariel smiling up at him, a little sauce on her lip.
He handed her a paper towel and stood up. "T-then shall we?"
It was time to meet the revered King of Donia.
<•••>
King Darius ran his hand through his lofty brown beard, his steely, grey eyes were wrinkled at the edges but they were still sharp with wisdom, his wits sharpened by years on the battlefield.
He was sitting before his royal council, a stoic look on his face as he watched his nobles argue among themselves.
He could not blame them, the last few days had been hard, extremely so.
They had lost two major cities now, and from what their strategists were saying, Rothekther would fall next.
Rothekther was once the capital of Donia, if it were to fall, it would do irreversible damage to the morale of all their troops.
Watching their dead comrades take up arms against them was already stigmatising enough.
’I’m tired...’
There was no one else who felt the flames of war more than Darius. These days, he could barely sleep without having nightmares and his nobles were not helping matters.
Why were they so noisy? When did noise ever fight wars?
While better men died on the battlefield, his nobles were all bringing strategies that were aimed after preserving their own lands and vanities.
"SILENCE!"
Swish!
As though to answer his call, a large war hammer suddenly launched itself into the air, slamming into the table with an audible bang, runes lighting up all over its head!
Darius’ mana flared, creating a suffocating atmosphere.
The noble shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, avoiding his gaze, while the knights grew more tense.
’Damn it!’ Darius was a warrior, matters of the court were not his area of expertise, it never was. Battle was where he shined best.’
’Where is that crafty son of mine when you need him?’
Due to his uncanny talent, Alex was the chief strategist in this war, and yet he was absent at a time like this—
As if on cue, the door suddenly creaked open and Alex waltz right into the room, smiling from ear to ear. Behind him was a rather odd group.
"Elves?"
Murmurs began to spread among the nobles. Just who had his troublesome son brought this time?