Chapter 206: Honesty Is Best Policy
Rael shrugged. “I just so happened to have some contacts that know things. One of those things is the name of your daughter.”
The Duke’s frown deepened as he suddenly pressed the tip of his sword to Rael’s neck.
But to the Duke’s surprise, the sword didn’t even pierce his skin.
“Ta-da~” Rael raised his hands, unamused. “I’m a bit sturdy, so you can cut that out for the time being. Instead, I’d like it if you could hear me out.”
A moment of silence followed as the two of them stared at each other. But it didn’t last long.
“I suppose I don’t have much of a choice,” the Duke replied and sheathed his sword before pointing toward the gazebo in the distance. “Shall we?”
With that, the two walked inside the gazebo, which had incredibly comfy seats.
So comfy, in fact, he felt like falling asleep.
But first, he had to deal with this matter, then right after, the Sunken Temple. And of course, by the end of the week, he’d like to have a pretty firm grasp on Aztera.
“Okay, speak,” the Duke urged. “What is it you wish to offer?”
“I’ll get to that.” Rael nodded. “But first of all, when was the last time you saw your daughter?”
The Duke’s brows twitched. “Last time I saw her was on her 11th birthday. Exactly 9 years ago.”
“And then you completely lost contact?”
“Enough with these riddles…” the Duke muttered. “You’re asking questions you already have the answers to. Make up your mind, or get out… Your Majesty.”
“Alright, I’ll cut straight to the chase then.” Rael cleared his throat, narrowing his eyes at the Duke. “I know where your daughter is being kept.”
The moment his words fell, the Duke stood up, slamming the table in anger.
“And I’m supposed to believe you? The king from a foreign country that just so happens to be at war with ours? For all I know, you’re merely trying to make me vulnerable so you can use my title!”
“Well, that’s exactly what I’m planning on doing,” Rael said coldly. “I’m not lying when I tell you I know where your daughter is. And you’re right to assume I am using her to exploit your favor. I need your influence for when Aztera becomes Celestara’s. And I’m sure you know why.”
The Duke paused, staring at him in silence.
“And you don’t think that’s going to make me trust you less?” the Duke asked. “Why should I trust a man who wants to exploit the influence I have over the people?”
“It doesn’t harm you or the people. In fact, the only thing I need is a clean transition,” Rael replied, leaning back in his comfortable seat. “But I don’t think that’s what you’re truly worried about, is it?”
After all, who wouldn’t want to see their daughter after she had been missing for more than a decade?
“I’ve never been an actual father. But I know that you couldn’t give less of a shit about this city if it meant you could see your daughter again, alive and well,” Rael added. “And now I’m giving you that opportunity. So will you take it, or wait until she’s dead?”
The Duke remained silent for a few moments before letting out a sigh. He glanced at Rael, almost as if he was sizing him up.
And finally, he spoke.
“You said you wish for a smooth transition… what kind of laws will you impose?” the Duke asked. “What exactly are you going to change to make the lives of the people better? Because I’m sure you know what kind of problems exist, right?”
“Well… for starters,” Rael trailed off, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I will switch all energy from electricity to pure magic.”
The Duke tilted his head. “…Why?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Rael chuckled. “Aztera has an impressive understanding of magic, but their attachment to mundane electricity is stopping them from progressing further. It’s going to be a big change, but it’s not something that will affect your lives too much, I can promise you that.”
Rael took a deep breath and stood up, walking to the gazebo’s exit.
But not before taking one last glance at the Duke.
“There are many things that will change once Celestara wins the war, and each one of those things will benefit the people more than you know.”
Rael sighed. “So… do I have your cooperation?”
The Duke flinched, looking down at the floor with trembling hands.
“Is my daughter… really alive?”
“It might be hard to believe, but yes, she’s fine.” Rael nodded. “You’ve probably heard of her. The potions with the signature ‘A.V.’ are made by Anath Valentine.”
The Duke’s eyes widened. “My daughter…? She’s the renowned alchemist known across the continent?”
“Yes, but keep the waterworks for later. I really hate seeing old people cry,” Rael added, scratching his cheek. “I will bring her back, and once I do, I’d like us to have another talk. How does that sound?”
“Can I really trust you?” the Duke asked, his voice trembling. “Will you really bring her back?”
For fuck’s sake. I’ve been telling you I will bring her back for the last 5 minutes, Rael thought, but didn’t voice it aloud.
Instead, he nodded and waved at the Duke before running out of the inner courtyard.
He put on another face mask and leaped onto one of the walls, landing right in front of a pair of guards who recoiled in surprise.
They swiftly reacted, trying to pierce him with their spears. However, Rael didn’t even bother with them as he jumped again and finally began free-falling off the floating castle.
Yet just as he was about to crash into the ground, a certain slime emerged out of nowhere, catching him in midair.
Nice one, Burger, Rael praised. What do you eat? I can get you some catnip if you’d like.
[Urghh…] Burger’s body trembled, almost as if it was about to burst.
But as Burger was about to lash out, Rael simply let go of Burger and dropped to the ground, gently landing on his feet.
Now that he had briefly visited the Duke, it was actually time to hold up his end of the bargain.
Rael’s next destination?
A particular city in the river of Aztera and Drivania.