《In a Civilized Manner》27 | I Have My Worries
Advertisement
Ace had his eyes locked onto Edris the entire way back to Mosky Inn.
At first, the latter simply ignored it, but after enduring the relentless, scrutinising gaze for five minutes straight, he finally turned to the fluff of pink resting on his shoulder.
“If you were a human, I might think you’re trying to flirt with me.”
— Why did you agree to help Dolan Zacriya?
A group of children raced past Edris, who casually dodged his body to the side. People always packed Lennet Street in the afternoons, whether working, eating, or simply taking a walk.
Instead of responding to Ace’s question, Edris peered to the southern end of the street, only to blink twice.
“The bakery is already closed at this hour?”
This time of day was optimal for local businesses, especially restaurants, to make money.
Wendy’s Bakery Stand was one of his favourite bread shops in Nolmes. Not only were their desserts actually sweet, the store owner often packed him samples. On afternoons like this, the line to the bakery would often extend out the door, even down the side of the street.
Eyeing the CLOSED sign that dangled by the door front, he slowly retracted his gaze.
“What a shame…”
— …
“I know, I know. You think that there’s no reason for me to help Dolan Zacriya. But he offered me a deal, and I told him my wish, remember?”
Edris wanted to live a peaceful life.
— It didn’t end up being a part of the written contract, though.
“I suppose not.”
The finalised transaction between Edris and the Crown Prince involved the former investigating the Slums and the latter providing monetary reward in return. The extent of investigation was up to Edris, but the amount of money he received would be if equivalent value to the information he supplies.
And as for the wish about a peaceful life…
“It was just some food for thought for the Crown Prince, the future leader of the kingdom.”
— Liar.
Ace mercilessly exposed Edris’s excuse. While the wish wasn’t contract-bound, the fact that the man had mentioned it first made it the unspoken condition.
In past transactions, Edris always chose tangible items as his conditions. Yes, he always prioritised money, but Ace knew the starting amount in the contract alone was far from enticing for Edris to accept the deal. After all, with his capabilities, he could fully secure the same, if not more money, without involving himself in the risks posed by the transaction.
But he did, and this time, his true condition was nothing close to the usual tangible items.
Peace.
It was a concept. A subjective, timeless concept.
Knowing Edris, who would always aim for the greatest benefits in any situation, there was no way the man would put an abstract concept as his condition, especially when the other party’s request involved putting himself in potential danger.
Advertisement
Ace glanced up again, and this time, Edris held his gaze from the start. Instead of the usual plotting glint in his eyes, they rest in aloofness, unfocused as the dark-haired man strolled deep in thought.
Just as Ace withdrew his eyes and was about to retreat to his cozy pocket, the man spoke up.
“You’re right. I don’t do anything that is not of at least equivalent exchange.” Edris shrugged. “Partaking in an investigation that involves both physical labour and mental skills in exchange for a verbal promise of peace doesn’t sound very fair, does it?
“But Ace, do you remember what my goal was upon coming here?”
— …A house.
Edris wanted to buy a cottage in Nolmes, and then travel the world.
“You actually remembered? I’m moved to tears.”
— You could have asked Dolan Zacriya to have that as your reward instead.
“That defeats the fun of it, doesn’t it? After all, it’s the whole process of working, saving, then buying the house that truly makes it your own.” Ignoring Ace’s judging stare, Edris chuckled. “To get a free one just like that? I wouldn’t want the Crown Prince to use it against me one day.”
Often, Ace found Edris’s logic unfathomable.
— It’s highly improbable that he will.
“Highly improbable. But not impossible.” Edris cleared his throat. “Anyways, I’m sure you can tell, but whoever the Crown Prince’s going against, they’re quite skilled. They’re aware of his weaknesses, as well as the weaknesses of the kingdom.”
Considering the possibility that those forces were from neighbouring kingdoms, the idea of war was no longer out of the question.
Edris recalled Ace’s words on the first day they met.
If nothing was done about the budding conflicts, it’s plausible that more chaos would unfold in the near future. And if the situation escalated to a certain point—the kingdom’s eventual downfall.
It would be a gruesome process to go through for everyone, and Edris was focused on a particular aspect of the process.
Indeed, he had his worries. A specific, apprehensive thought had been lingering on his mind for a while now.
What’s the purpose of a house? To Edris, it was permanent dwelling. It’s supposed to be a place he could return to for a long, long time.
However, in the context of war…
“My cottage,” he muttered to himself in all seriousness. “You think it’ll be able to withstand mana bombs?”
***
THE ROYAL PALACE. NOLMES.
Two figures sat in the Crown Prince’s room.
“Your Highness, this may not be in my place to say this, but I believe you should reconsider.”
Dolan, sipping his limberry tea, set his gaze on the white-robed man across from him.
“Is that all you wanted to say, Priest Alder?”
Advertisement
Priest Alder had come to update the Crown Prince about the conditions of the Queen and the first prince. After hearing about his transaction with Edris, the priest had expressed his adamant opposition.
Dolan didn’t refute his words as he only stared at him in silence.
There were few people in the palace that he could trust, and Priest Alder was one of them. Although he was an obsolete, stubborn man, he and Priest Edith had served the royal family for decades. They were the only ones Dolan could trust to treat his family.
“Priest Alder, I am not telling you this to consult your opinion but to notify you.”
“B-but Your Highness! To bet your cards on someone as unstable as Prophet Edris—it’s far too risky!”
“Unstable?” Dolan leaned into the couch. A radiant smile pasted across his face, as though he was at one of his garden parties. “You should have seen him.”
He recalled their encounter from earlier.
Aside the traveller’s pale complexion, which had at this point become a defining trait, he didn’t look sickly at all. His eyes, especially, were identical to when Dolan first saw him at the Wulin Tournament: calm and clear, without a hint of uncertainty.
Without knowing about the rumours beforehand, no one would think he was in an uncontrollable state.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Alder.” Dolan said, and Priest Alder’s exasperated look softened at his drop of formalities. “I know what I’m doing. So all you need to do is keep up what you’re doing. Mother and Treo depend on you.
“I could count on you, right?”
“...Of course.” Seeing that the Crown Prince was not planning to yield, Priest Alder knowingly backed off. His forehead creased in light of another thought. “But will Prophet Edris be okay on his own? It’s the Sect he’s trying to investigate, after all. Shouldn’t we send at least some people to help him out?”
“I offered, but he declined,” Dolan said, a tinge of regret in his tone.
While employing troops would draw attention from people in the palace, Dolan still kept other tactics up his sleeves. When he suggested to Edris on providing him with subtle reinforcements, the latter straight up refused.
“I will go alone,” Edris said.
“You may not know this since you’re not from around, but the Slums are a dangerous place,” Dolan explained. “It’s full of people that the Risk Faction has trouble dealing with. Even if both of you are quite powerful, it will be difficult to handle by yourselves.”
“Your Highness.” In response to his apprehension, Edris merely smiled. “You must have heard about the rumours about me. Do you know what they are calling me?”
Dolan fell quiet at his question, but they both knew the answer.
The Fallen Prophet.
“Do you think it’s wise to dispatch anyone from the palace to support someone with this reputation? Even more, are you sure that the support you gather wouldn’t backfire in this situation?
“Your Highness, I would appreciate it if you leave me with ample freedom in this transaction.”
And that had been the end of their conversation.
Dolan let out another sigh as he placed the empty teacup on the table. Priest Alder took it as a cue and leaned forward to pour more tea, but the former shook his head, his mind spiralling into another matter at hand.
Back at Alan’s store, he had asked Edris about his wish, to which the traveller replied with “peace.”
Peace.
It was an abstract word, even philosophical.
Did Edris have a specific definition for peace that he wanted him to work towards? Dolan wasn’t sure, nor did he ask.
He wasn’t sure what it would take to fulfil his wish, nor the specifics it entailed. However, he would never forget the sincerity on the traveller’s pale face as he spoken his wish.
It was an expression that gave him a sense of uneasiness.
There was a sense of certain conviction to Edris’s words, to the point where Dolan would expect the traveller to resort to anything to achieve this peace.
Even if it meant sacrifice.
But to achieve a peace that involved sacrifice–would the end result still be “peace”?
Since his arrival in the kingdom, Edris had already involved himself in several large-scale incidents and was injured multiple times. Even Dolan, who didn’t frequently interact with the dark-haired traveller, noticed his deterioration.
Edris had attributed his physical change to a “bad diet,” but naturally, Dolan saw right through the excuse.
He didn’t want the traveller to injure himself further for the sake of a kingdom he had only set foot on weeks ago.
It just wouldn’t make sense.
“If Prophet Edris says it’s fine, then I will respect his decision.” Strolling towards the balcony, Dolan peered down at the streets of Nolmes. As usual, it bloomed with the liveliness of citizens, bursting in a spectrum of vibrancy. “As the Crown Prince, I won’t interfere with his plans. It’s for the best for both of us.”
He leaned past the golden railings. A gust of wind blew past him, and into the room behind him as it left the doors swinging side to side.
“As the Crown Prince?” Priest Alder keenly caught the distinction in his words.
The tips of Dolan’s lips curled up.
Advertisement
- In Serial399 Chapters
Shovels In Spades
We all have dreams of becoming powerful, becoming the cool mage that rules the world, living as the dashing rogue who can steal a kingdom's entire royal treasury undetected, or perhaps, the valiant knight whose prowess on the battlefield is unmatched by all. However, when the apocalypse strikes, you can only use what you have at your disposal, be that guns, baseball bats, your fists, or maybe, just maybe, a shovel. One young man who goes by the name of Darenzo has just had his world altered into one that is now the focal point of some sort of experiment. Just at the end of his shift at the skip site, a worldwide announcement was made, that not only changed Darenzo's life, but also the lives of all of the Earth's inhabitants. Can Darenzo survive and thrive in this changed world? Or will his growing madness best him? The answers to these questions can only be revealed with time. [Goal of 2 chapters per week, the only exceptions being announced breaks or emergencies] (The new cover art is a courtesy of the very kind and talented ssddx and was designed using the fanart cover of cthulupillar as the base.) This novel is a participant in The Writer's Pledge
8 180 - In Serial39 Chapters
Transcendental Misappropriation (Book One of the Pentacle Series)
Danny's life was going well. He had a steady job and plans to buy his own place. That was until some rogue junk mail decided he needed a change of scenery. Now Danny's got a new start in another world and he needs to make sure he doesn't squander this opportunity at making the most of this new life. Now available on Amazon If you like this work please support me by purchasing a copy. Otherwise I really hope you enjoy(ed) this free version.
8 167 - In Serial12 Chapters
Stacking The Deck!
Waking up in an unfamiliar body within the Slifer Red dorm, what's a teen to do? Especially when there was no deck in sight and no currency to spend on new cards. Thankfully, an avid fan such as himself knew all about the discarded cards in a well deep within the forest of Duel Academy Island. With those spirits by his side, he'd fight his way to victory and survive! Self-Insert!
8 115 - In Serial50 Chapters
Moonlight Demon (GL LITRPG)
Ash had spent the last six years on the streets of the Jewel Empire's capital, Jade. In that time, she learned that she could only trust herself and that relying on humans was something she simply could not afford to do. That changes though when she is chosen by the goddess Magia to become a Savior. Now, along with Keiko, a girl who has mastered everything except what her family wished she would, and Kaori, another Savior who is Ash's polar opposite, Ash has to figure out how to make this new life work. But, with escalating demon attacks, her own confusing nature, and an entire religion that cannot stand her existence, she may not be able to do so. --- This story is also on Webnovel and Scribblehub.
8 255 - In Serial25 Chapters
The Hand That Guides
The rust colored lands of Osnein are rich with artifacts and old-world technologies highly valued by the various empires and kingdoms inhabiting this distant world. Though many individuals make a living off what they can scavenge from ruins above ground, the true wealth lies beneath them in a iron labrynth known to all as 'The Network'. Whether it is in the pursuit of knowledge, artifacts of power or immeasurable wealth they all risk their lives in an effort to create a better future for themselves. However, entrances to The Network are far and few and rarely explored as metallic entities known as the Jötnar, guard its very depths. In order to defend themselves against such threats, humanity employs the use of Seidr, also known as sorcery. It is the foundation in which gives power to the incantations invoked from the realms beyond the veil... and through the blessing of 'Ljoss' bestowed upon humanity by the Goddess Oracle, the time may yet come for humanity to claim The Network for themselves... Yet wandering this vast region, with no place to call home, exists a curious individual by the name of Grit. Incapable of Seidr, he possesses a lineage mostly forgotten that he seeks to better understand. The fate that awaits him is likely one he never imagined for himself as he journeys to unravel the secrets of this world. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer: This story may contain gore and use of profanity. This world also uses a hard magic system. Covert art placeholder by StTheo. Additional Tags: Blood Manipulation, Mecha _____________________________________________________________________________________________ If you enjoy my work, please consider leaving a rating, its free. If you wish to support me further, please consider supporting me through patreon as well. Your support will help me dedicate more time to writing and encourage me to continue. Thank you for your consideration.
8 212 - In Serial44 Chapters
The Fight For Love | Original Version ✓
#1 in Teen Fiction, Action, & New Adult ❤︎❝Sometimes falling for the enemy is inevitable❞This is the original version of "The Fight For Love" with over 27 Million Reads.❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎When Anastasia Stone gets betrayed by her best guy friend, also known as her crush, she leaves town with a broken heart. Now two years later, she's back in the chaotic town that once destroyed her. Although, she is no longer the same as before.She's a fighter and it's time for her to return to the school that caused so many problems, but the worst part is... Nobody is going to know the real her because now, she's going to have to disguise herself as the girl she used to be.What happens when she crosses paths with the deadliest street fighter in town, Ryder Gonzalez. Who also happens to be her fathers worst enemy and leader of the second strongest gang while Anastasia's dad is the first.Anastasia's life isn't easy, especially since there's someone who wants her.The infamous Ryan Slade, ex-member of Anastasia's dad's gang and now, leader of the third strongest in the state. He's always wanted Anastasia all to himself and he's willing to do anything to have her, even if that means drugging her into believing she's his.Will her secret be revealed? Will there be love between enemies?Follow Anastasia on her journey to fight for love...❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎Sequel, "THE FIGHT FOR REDEMPTION" is COMPLETE and available to read now on INKITT for free!The Fiction Awards 2016 Winner6/25/16 ✓Rewritten Version of "The Fight For Love" is available to read now! It's currently ONGOING!!
8 171