MTLNOVEL Chapter 88: 88—Possibilities
Lucen tightened his grip on the spear. He had never quite been this angry before. It was a new feeling, like a cloud of heat rolling across his head and limiting his ability to think.
He wanted to run Heimar through on his spear.
Heimar's force was undeniable. A Top-tier Knight was far superior to Mid-tier. His mana felt more potent and deadly, it even flowed with his anger, forming a monstrou, blue beast above his head.
If he was less mad with anger, Lucen would wonder why Heimar's mana took on such strange shapes.
A cursed saber formed in Heimar's hand. It was silver metal with a wicked curve and serrated edges on the short edge. The sword radiated a black greenish energy that disgusted Lucen.
[Serpent Call's]. He poured everything he had into it. He couldn't win a prolonged duel with Heimar, so he needed to surprise and kill him in one move. He casted [Stalker's Edge] to hide the mana buildup.
They both sensed the intent to kill. Lucen's fingers tightened on his spear. Heimar lowered himself.
The light of the sky flickered and Heimar disappeared with it. Lucen waited, protecting his heart. Once Heimar's sword impaled him, Lucen would kill him.
Something moved behind him, and he whipped around, spear aiming for Heimar's head. The cursed saber was about to disembowel him, but Lucen's counter would blast Heimar's head off his body.
Lucen braced himself for the sword to rip open his belly, braced himself to watch blood splatter across the grass, braced himself for the consequences of killing Heimar.
It was a stupid way to end their conflict, but they were both angry at each other. There was no love between them, no kinship. Nothing that resembled a father and son's connection.
Heimar's sword tore through his shirt. Lucen drove his spear forward.
Hands grabbed both their weapons. The momentum and speed between them moved with evaporated.
He was frozen in place, unable to even look up at who stopped them. It was like being stuck in a moment of time. Lucen was left staring Heimar in the face.
The hands let go of their weapons and walked around them. They were still frozen in place, however.
Kedral's exasperated voice said, "Father and son killing themselves? I believe this is enough evidence for a strict punishment. If not from Alger, I'm sure my king will dislike this."
The force holding their bodies elapsed and they fell to the ground. Not only had Kedral frozen them in a moment, he had also stolen their strength.
Lucen felt sickly. He glared at Heimar, doing his best to hold back.
Kedral watched both of them. "I believe there's a compromise we can all work towards."
Lucen liked that idea even less. They had just played into Kedral's hands. Was he always secretly watching?
"I don't believe any deals can be made here in good faith," Heimar spat, standing to walk away.
"Knights are often gifted for their service," Kedral said, stopping Heimar dead in his tracks. "I believe we can all come to a compromise here."
Heimar didn't turn back to them, but he stayed where he was.
Lucen pursed his lips. "What do you suggest?"
"Simple. If Lucen completes the quest, he and his mother may leave the Keep. But they will stay in your service if called on. And I will speak to the king about recruitment to the Silcarnum Castle."
Recruitment to work for the empire? Lucen wanted that even less. But Kedral wasn't looking at him when he said this.
Heimar clicked his tongue and walked away.
Did he accept the terms or not?
Kedral walked over and helped him stand, then, noticing Lucen gazing at Heimar's retreating form, said, "Don't worry yourself, Lucen. Not all agreements must be spoken aloud."
Lucen nodded. "Thank you for your help."
"Like I said, the crown is willing to assist you. But you must complete this quest now. I hope that doesn't annoy you."
Lucen shook his head. "No, I was always planning to finish this."
"Good. The marriage of Aya Medaza is also negotiable, if it will incentivize you."
Lucen cringed. "I would like her to choose who she is binded to for life. But I wanted to ask, if a Knight not really allied to us can follow on the journey."
"Why not? As long as Miss Kibara has not completed her first quest, she is free to follow. But i will say, Aya's marriage must happen to allow her rule over the Red Keep."
Lucen didn't mention Kibara, but he wasn't surprised by Kedral's abilities anymore. "What about a non-Knight—"
"Yes, Liam can go with you. You will actually take servants with you anyway. But do be warned, I want this quest to start tomorrow."
Lucen frowned. "Isn't that a bit too rushed? We are already going the day after tomorrow."
Kedral grinned. "It is the will of those above us."
Lucen gave up on asking. "I apologise if I sound rude, but isn't this quest a bit impossible? Even merchant caravans hire Knights when crossing the Horalix region. If we run into a Fiend, the casualties will be immense. If we run into a Tyrant…"
The implications of that were obvious.
"You don't believe in yourself," Kedral said, making an exaggerated gesture with his hands.
"I just wonder… if we are being sent to die."
Kedral was silent for a moment, the smile on his lips fading.
"When we choose quests, we don't choose based on how strong you are. We choose betting on how much you can grow."
Lucen frowned. "Not to sound too arrogant, but I doubt my peers have much chance to grow from this. Most will grow very dead."
"You haven't lived long enough to understand how the people above see things. We see across the lands, past time, beyond fate. We know now that actions don't matter much. The simple belief of one man can overturn destiny."
Lucen stared into Kedral's dark eyes, madness swirled within. But it might not be madness. It could be something he just didn't understand yet.