Free Web NovelChapter 64: Cruel Truth
After a moment of reflection, Priam stepped forward and silently placed the black crystal on the table before backing away. The strange symbol remained in the center of the crystal without wavering.
"As you can see, I didn’t steal this invitation to the auction," Priam said lightly, recalling Flaris’s brief explanation.
If the crystal were stolen, its original owner could activate a mechanism to make it explode. However, the cultivator who took it could still use methods to force the crystal to remain stable. But now that Priam had placed it separately on the table, the old demon could be certain that wasn’t the case.
The old demon didn’t say a single word as he picked up the black crystal and used his energy to brush across its surface. After a few seconds, he calmly asked, "Do you have proof?"
Priam snorted. This demon was truly cautious. Priam had already provided proof, but he still asked the question as bait, without giving any hint of what he actually wanted to know.
Priam replied expressionlessly, "The owner of that crystal is an old demon from the Fem-Ignis race. His name is Kyaneos. If you’d like, you can send him a message. I’ll wait."
As soon as he heard all that, the old demon’s expression softened into a smile.
"So it’s a recommendation from Elder Kyaneos. I apologize for my earlier behavior. The Fem-Ignis race is one of my clan’s most important clients, so anyone he recommends is naturally among the most esteemed of honored guests. Please, have a seat."
"No need," Priam said bluntly. "I’ve already told you what I came to buy."
The old man looked into his eyes and asked, "May I know the name of this esteemed guest?"
"Bruno," Priam said calmly. Obviously, he wasn’t going to use his real name. The demon could already see his face; that was the only concession he was willing to make to show a little goodwill.
"Hohoho," the old demon laughed. "This old man has worked in the market his entire life. I’ve seen too many people and developed an eye that can see through them. Whether someone is lying or telling the truth, whether they’re here to sincerely do business or have another plan in mind, all of it can be seen with a single glance."
"For example, your desire to buy a Pristine Core is genuine, but the name Bruno is false."
Priam remained silent, expressionless.
"Alright, that doesn’t matter. A name isn’t important; it’s merely a form of address and nothing more. In a transaction with an esteemed guest, maintaining confidentiality and trust on both sides is the most important principle. Take Elder Kyaneos as an example. Aside from this old man, nobody knows he has ever been here. Therefore, please make yourself comfortable, Mr. ’Bruno,’ and cooperate with us," the old demon said with a smile.
Priam gave a slight nod.
"Don’t worry. I don’t even have the courage to talk about something like this. I don’t want trouble. I just want to buy what I’m looking for."
The old demon chuckled as he cast a few more glances at Priam, analyzing him deeply. When he finally looked away, he nodded and said:
"Very well. Your wish may be fulfilled tomorrow... if you have enough to buy it, of course. I’ll tell you something important, but don’t think it’s a merchant’s bluff: this Pristine Core we’re auctioning is very, very special. In fact, it’s the most special one my clan has ever obtained throughout all its years of existence. As such, it’s extremely expensive! So expensive that you couldn’t buy it even if you sold the wealth of an entire family."
Priam frowned slightly.
"Special in what way? Is this core nearly perfect and intact?"
"This old man doesn’t have the authority to tell you that. However, every client who came for the auction was informed of this same fact," the old demon said with a smile before adding, "If you trust the depth of your pockets, take this messaging crystal. I’ll inform you of the location tomorrow night."
"Alright."
Priam nodded and accepted the red crystal from his hand.
***
Night fell quietly over the Ylisse clan.
Orlaith was immersed in reading a report when an urgent piece of news made her freeze. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"H-how? She was fine until now..."
She jumped from her chair and rushed out, crossing the corridors with a haste she rarely displayed.
Within seconds, she reached the annex of the main residence. Her footsteps echoed through the hallway until they stopped in front of a particular room.
The door was open.
As soon as she entered, Orlaith saw Shione, Lumiere, Flaris, and Flora. All of them looked pale, as if the blood had drained from their faces.
On the bed, the clan’s elderly Holy Mage was working under palpable tension, examining the figure lying there with her eyes tightly closed.
Orlaith took a deep breath, trying to steady her heart, and slowly approached.
Sensing the Clan Leader’s presence, Seien opened her eyes with visible effort. She slowly turned her head and focused her gaze on Orlaith.
"Please... if you can... tell my husband that I won’t last much longer."
The moment they heard those trembling words, Flaris and Flora felt as if the ground had vanished beneath their feet.
The shock was devastating. Over the past few years, Priam had been meticulous. He spent part of every day personally examining her, and Flora stayed by his mother’s side day and night. For all appearances, Seien had seemed perfectly healthy on the surface.
"Not even... not even the natural energy from our medicinal forest worked?" Orlaith asked, her voice heavy with grim seriousness.
Seien formed a fragile smile, one that barely held any strength.
"...it worked... my son couldn’t notice anything... so I didn’t interfere with his training... and didn’t make him worry for so long... thank you very much."
Flora’s eyes widened as an unbearable tightness gripped her chest.
She remembered the first time Priam panicked after seeing his mother fall ill. Back then, Seien had said she would feel better if she could breathe the pure air of the forest. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Without hesitation, the Clan Leader had granted her access to the best place possible.
Now the cruel truth was finally coming to light.
Seien hadn’t been healing.
She had been using that energy only to mask her physical deterioration.
She had deceived everyone’s senses, including Priam’s, so that he wouldn’t realize she was dying a little more with each passing day.
Orlaith let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of that woman’s sacrifice.
"I’ll send him a message immediately."
Flaris broke down, her words coming out between uncontrollable sobs.
"Auntie! You can’t leave before Priam gets here!"
Seien smiled faintly.
Her lips moved, but no sound came out. She no longer had the strength to speak.
Slowly, her eyes closed.
Then she fell into a deep sleep.
