Free Web NovelChapter 174: Night Call [ 3 ]
The pair were escorted into a sparse room, nothing within it but a tea table set for two at the centre, steam rising from the tea and dissipating through the soft grey fog suspended in the room.
Seated cross-legged on one of the chairs was a nobleman, sipping his tea with quiet, deliberate elegance. Caelus Sentinel, with golden hair and sharp blue eyes.
For a moment, it appeared as though he hadn’t acknowledged Leomaris’s presence, but then he set the cup down on its tray and rose to his feet, a sharp smile materialising in the same motion.
"It’s an honour to have you, Jester of the End," Caelus said with a sincere, welcoming smile.
Leomaris didn’t say anything for a moment, his eyes fixed on the set table. There were only two seats, one already occupied, which was enough to signal that Caelus had no intention of involving anyone but Leomaris in their conversation.
"Stand by the door, would you?"
He gave the order, and Erloice obliged without protest.
With his hands carefully ensconced in his pockets, he approached Caelus, and only when he stood directly before him did he withdraw one hand and extend it toward Caelus for a handshake.
He was armoured, albeit in a traditional sense, and carried no weapons on his person, but the dimensional storage bracelet Charlotte had gifted him allowed him to summon them at any given moment. Even so, he couldn’t afford to be any less cautious.
"I had my doubts about your arrival. I was, honestly, hesitant."
Caelus sounded like a capable man. In truth, he was a capable man, and since he was Leomaris’s uncle, that was something Leomaris had already established before setting foot in this room. Which was precisely what made everything so dubious.
Once Leomaris had taken his seat, Caelus assumed his own. No sooner had he settled than his expression transformed, taking on something decidedly grave.
Tipping more tea from the kettle into his cup, he said.
"I do not believe you came all this way for idle conversation, and neither did I. It was unprofessional of me to use my nephew to get to you, but given that he is your leader, I believe I was not entirely off the mark."
Precious little about the Jester of the End could lead Caelus to conclude he was one and the same as his nephew, save for the matching golden hair. He’d eliminated all the conspicuous indicators, his voice among them. That was the least of his concerns now.
"I have no issue with it. It would have been disrespectful if you had contacted me through a servant instead."
Caelus motioned positively.
"That sounds about right. So... how did my nephew find you, exactly? A mere teenager with a Philosopher under his wing?"
The mask notwithstanding, Caelus felt the intense gaze upon him.
"Did you call me here just for that?"
Leomaris’s words had been harsh and peculiar, and yet the nobleman let out a laugh as though something about them had struck him as particularly amusing.
"Don’t get me wrong, I was just curious."
His expression darkened once again.
"Anyway, I called you here to discuss a deal. You claim to fight against corruption, don’t you?"
Leomaris shrugged.
"That’s the idea..."
"Interesting... in less than two years from now, I believe you know what will happen. If not, then it is the plague. The plague is only two years away... after five more years."
Leomaris’s eyes widened in sudden realisation. Moments ago, when the theme for the Night Call had been declared, he’d been completely oblivious, the words sounding entirely idiomatic, but now, everything made sense.
The plague was the Fifth Wonder of the World, and unlike its counterparts, it manifested every seven years. Within the seventh year, it could emerge at any given point, but whenever it did, it endured for no less than two months.
"That plague is bound to teleport people, and that isn’t something we can stop. But as in every seven-year cycle, there are those who exploit it. However, the next one will likely be on a massive scale and could result in the deaths of millions."
Leomaris relaxed in his seat. He was well-versed in what the plague was capable of. From the moment it manifested, whether day or night, it would remain as such until it had fully run its course. Furthermore, anyone exposed to the sun or moon at the time of its manifestation would be instantaneously transported to the most inhospitable regions across the world.
This was inescapable, since the precise moment the plague would commence within the seventh year remained wholly unpredictable. Certain things, however, became ubiquitous during these periods: umbrellas and the superfluous usage of carriages.
Only direct contact with the sun or moon would result in teleportation, so provided people remained adequately shielded, they would be unharmed. But astronomical demand always came with astronomical costs, leaving the poor in the dust.
But that wasn’t Leomaris’s burden to bear. What precisely could he do about a natural phenomenon? Obstruct the sun and moon’s rays?
"Where exactly are you going with this, Mr. Caelus?"
Caelus sipped on his tea.
"There is a group of individuals who intend to exploit this opportunity for trafficking, and their actions have already started. They are preparing everything so that when the plague strikes, there will be enough victims to take."
That still didn’t answer Leomaris’s question, but he elected to wait patiently. Caelus had mentioned it being a deal, so should it demand anything beyond his capabilities, he would simply refuse.
"I take it all the victims would be sent to the Braek Kingdom?"
Caelus nodded.
"Exactly. As we are in a state of ongoing war with the Braek Kingdom, we cannot engage in direct contact with them, nor can our ally, the Naver Kingdom. The only kingdom maintaining direct diplomatic relations with Braek is the West Dean Kingdom, and it is evident they have no intention of assisting any other kingdom in any capacity."
That was an astute approach. Once sold to the Braek Kingdom, the Prism Kingdom was rendered utterly powerless. Not only were the Braeks ruled through dictatorship, but they had remained entrenched in perpetual conflict with both Prism and Naver for over fifteen hundred years.
"So what exactly are you asking of me?"
Caelus drew himself upright and, his expression utterly emotionless, spoke.
"I want you to prevent that from happening. You have to ensure none of those affected by the plague become slaves. However and whenever you do it is entirely up to you."
His eyes narrowed slightly, becoming dangerously cold.
"To be specific, you will stop Dunvol, the War God. This is final, and you cannot refuse."
Leomaris’s chest constricted, his palms growing slick in the same breath.
