Chapter 115: Terms Of Negotiation
The content of the coming of age ceremony had changed, but the role of demons guarding a family remained unchanged.
Weeding out the useless
And selecting only the most excellent material.
In the Demon Realm stood an old tombstone.
Glen pulled an old dagger from his pocket.
Is this really the right thing to do?
He approached the tombstone.
There, the names of the Prients who had failed their purpose were densely inscribed, and at the very bottom, the names of Shiron, Lucia, and Siriel were engraved in relief.
And then,
Clang-
Glen struck Shirons name with the dagger. The guardians of Dawn Castle, having observed the coming of age ceremony, unanimously declared Shiron unfit. Despite Shirons valiant struggle, their response was so cold that Glen shivered.
I dont understand whats happening
Glen swallowed his regret and walked away from the Prients gravesite.
The [Source of God], which appeared upon the subjugation of an apostle, resembled a useless black bead at first glance.
Merely being close to it, one could sense a tingling magical power, a foreboding object. Even a demon clan member infused with magic power would steer clear of it, and anyone who received it might discard it without a second thought.
Who would envision this ominous object as a bargaining chip? It would be fortunate if it were even considered junk.
However,
To some, the [Source of God] could hold incalculable value.
Yuma, and the other collaborators.
En route to the Giants Forge.
Shiron traversed the arid desert, mentally outlining the events that lay ahead.
Atmos, a giant capable of striking the stars and one of the Prients collaborators. Like Yuma, he was an ex-demon from the demon lords faction who had switched allegiances.
But unlike Yuma, whose betrayal by the demon lord provided clear motivation, Shiron had no idea why Atmos was aiding the Prients.
Strange.
He noticed Yuma trailing slightly behind.
Atmos was neither discarded like Yuma and other demons nor was he forced into battle while his family was held hostage.
Moreover, he could not speak properly because Kyrie, a hero from the previous generation, had crushed and ground his jaw. Wasnt that strange? The Prients were descendants of Kyries lineage. So, there was no reason for Atmos to aid the descendants of an enemy.
Besides.
Shiron turned around with a puzzled expression.
Hey, why is everyone following?
Is it not permitted?
Its not that its not permitted, but why is everyone following?
Shiron glanced at Yuma, who was tilting her head in confusion. Dozens of people were trailing behind her.
Siriel and Glen did not join them. It was a journey to submit evidence of killing an apostle and to retrieve a weapon for her use from Atmos. Perhaps due to fatigue from the intense battle, she had returned to the castle with Glen.
Instead, all the demons, including Yuma, began to follow Shiron.
Were not trying to cause chaos, and its not enough to make a good impression on the first person we meet No matter how you look at it, this doesnt look good.
Please consider this as a continuation of the coming of age ceremony.
Dorothy, leading the group, stepped forward. In her non-maid outfit and with an expressionless face, she exuded an oppressive aura.
Lucia, looking confused, asked.
Wasnt it finished?
I apologize. Even if the young master does not covet the title of family head, there are a few who wish to continue watching over the young master. One reason is the difficulty in deciding who to appoint as the next junior head of the family.
Dorothy bowed, seemingly on behalf of the group. Confronted by her courteous demeanor, Shiron found it impossible to ask them to leave.
Do as you wish.
Wont it work just once?
With a flick of his tongue, Shiron shifted his gaze away from them and looked at Yuma.
Yuma.
Yes, Young Master.
Come here for a moment.
Since returning from the Giants Forge, the unfamiliar pouch in Yumas hand had continuously drawn Shirons attention.
A coming of age ceremony could cost a life if one was not careful. He had not talked much until the battle ended, fearing cheating, but now he thought it was time to start talking. Shiron nodded his head, pointing at the pouch in Yumas hand.
What is that? Dont tell me its what I think it is?
Shiron narrowed his eyes as he spoke. It wasnt hard to guess what was in the pouch Yuma had been holding since they returned from the forge. Chronologically, it was too coincidental that they had visited right after discussing Dolby and Atmos. His suspicion had turned into certainty.
Its nothing important. Just an old acquaintance of mine.
Yuma slipped her hand into the pouch. Then, a trembling fairy appeared, clinging to her hand.
Ill introduce you now. Dolby, say hello.
At Yumas threat-like whisper, the one-eyed fairy nodded silently.
However, Shiron did not greet him back. He only sent a pitiful gaze to the fairy held like a toy doll in one hand
Why why are you staring like that?
Feeling rudely stared at, Dolby shivered but still said what he wanted to Shiron.
But Shiron did not answer Dolbys question.
Yuma.
Yes.
Why is he here?
Is there a problem?
Yuma tilted her head, surprised by Shirons unexpected reaction.
A week ago, didnt you say you were going to negotiate with the blacksmith? So I thought Id make the negotiation a bit smoother.
Shiron found it hard to understand what Yuma was saying.
To summarize I personally think whats needed in negotiations is the upper hand.
Yumas attitude, while not showing it, seemed a bit smug, as if expecting praise.
Coincidentally, that foolish man was making some difficult responses. He bluntly refused when I asked for a sword. I was a bit angry and didnt want to return empty-handed to the young master, so I chose a somewhat extreme method.
A bit extreme?
As Dolby spoke with incredulity, Yumas eyes grew cold.
Dolby. I havent caused you any harm yet. Are you dissatisfied with not being treated harshly enough? If you wish, I can indeed treat you quite harshly.
No, no! Theres no need!
Then, as a negotiation tool, please stay quiet. Its almost time for me to resort to force.
Watching the two bicker, Shiron wiped his face with a dry expression. Having been treated specially for so long, he had forgotten, but fundamentally, Yumas kindness was a biased one.
Is this right?
Shiron felt the ideal negotiation he had envisioned was slipping away from the reality unfolding before him.
The original plan was to present the [Source of God], proof of killing an apostle, to Atmos and Dolby to secure the desired item.
The weapon one could obtain from Atmos varied depending on the players growth.
However, Reincarnation of the Sword Saint was an unusual game that lacked a level system. Instead, players demonstrated their strength to the blacksmith by collecting special tokens from gods or handing over certain demon by-products.
In special locations like mazes or auction houses, this was typically how players acquired weapons.
Even in Reincarnation of the Sword Saint, Atmos created holy swords like Sirius after witnessing the [Source of God]. So, if everything proceeded smoothly, the ominous black bead should also serve its purpose
The negotiation is off.
Shiron decisively scrapped the plan he had meticulously devised.
In the volcanic region of the Demon Realm, known as the Giants Forge.
Bang! Bang! Crash!
A week had passed since his lover was taken, and it was then that Atmos heard someone knocking on the iron door of the forge.
Could it be Yuma?
Struggling to his feet and bracing himself on his knees, Atmos harbored a faint hope. He had known the woman named Yuma for hundreds of years and clung to the belief that she wouldnt truly harm Dolby, despite her menacing words.
Although she had made threats, the way she treated Dolby didnt seem infused with the venom of her past actions. There had been a time when Atmos, before he wielded the hammer, was a warrior. The decayed instincts of a long-disarmed warrior caused him to misinterpret Yumas intentions as insincere.
After taking a moment to cool his head, he understood that Yuma had not exuded a piercing murderous intent; in fact, her face seemed to hold a playful smile.
Caught in this misunderstanding, the giant pushed the iron door forcefully, hoping his lover was safe.
Rumble!
See! I told you I cut it!
Who said otherwise?
I felt wronged because you kept sending doubtful glances my way!
It wasnt that the door had simply opened. Pieces of what had once been a steel door now littered the floor. Atmos looked down, his confusion apparent and unhidden.
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