Free Web NovelChapter 4: Ch 4: Negotiations
Seraphina was cowering before the priest’s presence and her body was curled up to protect her face from getting hit. She was just one year younger than Kael, but her malnourished body made her look much younger.
Not that it stopped the priest from getting frustrated with her.
"Hey, stop it. Do I look like I’m going to hit you? Stop making me look bad in front of our guest."
The priest reached out to grab Seraphina’s arm, but Kael reacted faster and grabbed the priest instead.
It immediately made the priest halt and his anger bled out of his expression. Instead, he looked confused that someone had tried to stop him.
"I was under the impression that patience and kindness were virtues that the temple excelled in. But I can tell that those virtues might not be extended equally to everyone."
Kael knew that making a comment like this could land him in hot water with the temple.
His guide’s face was already turning red because of his comment and the priest quickly tried to justify his actions.
"It’s nothing like that, Grand Master. Our goddess not only commands us to be virtuous, but also decisive when the time comes. But it is not a matter that an outsider like you needs to worry about."
The priest’s tone grew cold, indicating that he had taken offense to Kael’s interruption. But he was willing to look past this rudeness this time since Kael was an honored guest.
Seraphina decided to open her eyes as well once she noticed that her usual punishment was not coming and Kael gave her a reassuring smile to put Seraphina at ease.
Her guard did not drop, but she looked slightly more relaxed than before.
Kael motioned for her to leave and Seraphina hesitated before quickly hurrying away.
[Seraphina Vale: +1 Affection]
The message drew Kael’s attention away from the frustrated look on the priest’s face.
Finally, the priest got his emotions under control and guided Kael deeper into the temple. They stopped in front of the room where the Hero was staying.
Kael reached out to grab the handle and pushed the door open. He expected to see Leon sitting on the sofa but the only person present in the room was an old priest.
No, a priest was the wrong term for the person Kael met.
It was the Cardinal.
’What is he doing here? Didn’t he leave the temple before I came last time? Ugh, I don’t want to get involved with this crafty old man.’
Kael kept a calm face but he was not pleased to meet the scheming elder.
"Cardinal, I have brought the Hero’s teacher."
The priest who guided Kael inside announced his presence, but it was more of a formality.
The Cardinal had likely sensed Kael’s presence before he even opened the door. But he was currently pretending to drink his tea leisurely.
He decided to put the teacup down at the priest’s announcement and his piercing eyes finally landed on Kael.
He felt the Cardinal’s mana trying to probe him, but he blocked it. He knew how crafty the Cardinal was so the best way to protect himself was to avoid making contact with him.
The Cardinal smiled at Kael and finally retracted his mana before he greeted Kael.
"Ah, it is an honor to finally meet the youngest Grand Master. Please come inside and have a seat. There are many things we must discuss regarding the Hero and your role."
Kael took a step inside and sat down in front of the Cardinal.
It was finally time for negotiations. And Kael had only one goal for this meeting - to make sure he was able to free both Leon and Seraphina from the temple’s clutches. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
That way, he could prevent the tragedy that Seraphina was going to go through.
"Grand Master Kael, as your senior, may I start this negotiation by making my request first?"
The Cardinal kept his voice smooth, almost as if he was asking for a favor. But the authority in his voice left the other person no choice but to agree with him.
Kael could see through the Cardinal’s trick because he had faced this tactic before.
The elder would put down an unreasonable request first, and then ask his opponent for his opinion. When the opponent pointed out that the request was unreasonable, the Cardinal would slowly steer them toward his real goal.
It was a nasty trick but Kael had no choice except to hear the Cardinal out.
"I would like you to stay under the temple with the Hero and teach him here. I would also like to request all rights to the Hero’s education and any decisions regarding his training. After all, it is the temple’s job to guide him." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
This request was an insult to Kael.
Not only did it leave him with no authority, but it also asked him to submit to the temple’s authority.
The situation turned awkward in an instant and this was the point where most people would try to compromise.
"I cannot agree to it."
The Cardinal immediately smiled, knowing that he had Kael where he wanted him.
"Since you cannot agree to my request, may I ask what you are hoping to suggest instead?"
"I want full authority over Leon and I want the temple to not interfere until I am done with him. As such, I would like to train him outside the temple and in neutral territory."
Kael put his condition forward, and the Cardinal’s smile stiffened.
"Now that is not reasonable. How about a compromise instead? You take the Hero out, but the temple will send an observer to ensure his safety?"
It was not a bad suggestion. In fact, this was exactly what Kael wanted the Cardinal to say.
"Hmm, it’s not a bad idea. In that case, I would like to select the person who will accompany the Hero. Will that be alright?"
Kael asked and the Cardinal nodded.
"Of course! I will give you whoever you wish."
The Cardinal agreed and Kael did his best not to let his smile slip. He had laid out the trap and the Cardinal had fallen into it.
Now the only thing left was to convince Seraphina to follow his plan as well. And that was the hard part.
Seraphina was at her lowest point right now, so he doubted she would listen to him.
’But I have to try anyway. I cannot let her become a calamity like before. And to do that, I need to make sure she comes with me and Leon.’
