Edge of Negotiating!

Lying?

No that wasn't right! He certainly had a way to repair the Seventh Heaven! It was done before! The method of repairing was released as well! He studied the whole process just in case some methods could be used elsewhere! So why was he deemed a liar?

Raising a hand he yelled, "Wait!"

"You have wasted out time enough! You dared to come here claiming to repair the Seventh Heaven?! Now be erased!"

Travis had no time to act! The effects from the Holy Codex had essentially paralyzed him. Time was running out at a much faster pace than he could tolerate. He had to think fast! Why was he deemed a liar?

During the creation of Lumen the moment the sword was completed a powerful shockwave was created. It ruptured the Seventh Heaven and caused it to collapse into fragments. Back then the fragments were scattered across the Mortal's Domain and lost for quite some time. After the Angels worked tirelessly to reclaim them they found the fragments couldn't be put back together.

There was something missing, a form of glue that cause it to remain connected. No information was given by the Angels about this, and it took the Players forever to find out what it was. It turned out the thing missing was a Priest weapon named The Seventh Heaven. During the collapse of the Seventh Heaven this staff absorbed a key piece of the realm, this piece is what kept the realm strong. Once the staff was found the Seventh Heaven was repaired and the Players responsible for it gained bountiful rewards.

This had worked before! He was fully aware of it! There was documented proof and even a recorded video of the whole process. So why was it deemed a lie? He had a method! He was certain of it!

Wait!

That wasn't right! He actually didn't have the method! He knew of it! Due to the specific question this small flaw deemed his whole answer as a flaw! A simple oversight in the whole process!

He could salvage this situation after all! Now he just needed to solve the immediate problem of his existence being wiped! However due to the vast disappointment in the Angels they most likely won't hear him out. He needed just a moment to correct himself, once he did he could work the situation back in his favor.

He just needed everyone to pause for just a second! But how?!

The Almighty One raised a hand, a golden light forming within her palm. Time was out! Travis couldn't think fast enough!

"I said wait!"

The shadowy figure of a king rose from Travis. It's very presence caused all the lower ranked Angels to freeze in place. Seeing her fellow Angels suffer from the War Sight The Almighty One grew furious, "You dare attack us?!"

"I know of a method to repair the Seventh Heaven!"

"Enough with your lies-!"

The Almighty One paused. Turning her focus she watched the Holy Codex with interest. It didn't react to Travis' words this time. Lowering her hand she returned her gaze towards Travis, "Release your hold on my people, I will hear you out."

The shadowy figure of a king vanished and Travis stood up shakily. Gripping the bars of the testimony stand he continued, "I realized a mistake in my wording. I do not have a method to repair the Seventh Heaven, but I know one that will work."

Again, not a lie.

The Almighty One frowned, but interest flickered within her eyes, "You have quite a bit of confidence in your words."

"The fragments you collected, they aren't staying in place are they? Like a puzzle that keeps falling apart."

"How do you know if this?"

"That's not important. You haven't realized there is one huge piece you are missing."

"What piece?"

Travis laughed, his confidence regaining every second that passed, "You almost killed me, you can't expect me to just release this information without any form of payment. So let's turn this trial of mine into a negotiation. I will provide you with the information you lack as long as you meet my demands."

"I could erase you here."

"You could! But you won't. There's finally a clue lingering just out of your grasp, would you erase it?"

". . . I had sworn to give you a reward that you couldn't imagine if you were capable of repairing the Seventh Heaven. However you claim to have the knowledge and not the capabilities. Due to those not being the same I cannot fulfill my promise."

"Which is why this turns into a negotiation. With enough Angels to bear witness. What price are you willing to pay for this knowledge?"

The Almighty One smirked, "I had almost forgotten how confident those who reside in the Abyss become. Like some sort of disease. Very well! State your demands!"

It was back in his hands! Now he just needed to play his cards right! Raising his hand he lifted three fingers, "Three things! I desire three things!"

"Smaller than I had originally thought, but I assume with such small quantity it would have far greater quality."

"First! The sword Lucidus Lumen! While her creation had collapsed the same Seventh Heaven, she is not the one responsible! I ask for the power of the Holy Codex to repair the damage she had undergone."

"That much is easy, state your other demands."

"Secondly! I want access to wield Holy Energy!"

"To think a Baron of the Abyss wants access to Holy Energy! However perhaps you can survive its influence, I will grant this request as well! I'll even throw in an Angel to teach you how to use it properly!"

Travis smirked as he stated his last demand, "Finally, I want the soul of an Archangel!"

He could feel it, the deathly glares he received from several high ranking Angels. After all he essentially asked for one of their Souls! Still he kept his confidence! He must not falter here!

"An Archangel's Soul? Are you asking me to give you the life of one of my precious Archangels?"

Travis faintly laughed, "You misunderstand. During the terrible collapsing of the Seventh Heaven the losses were something I am sure you have yet to recover from. Such a dangerous event would have undoubtedly claimed the life of an Archangel. Upon the repair of the Seventh Heaven I wish to have this soul that most likely still lingers within that realm!"

"You cannot let this Abyssal Being take her soul!", one of the Angels shouted.

The Almighty One raised a hand to silence any Angel who was about to speak. A serious expression formed across her face, "That Archangel you speak of had sacrificed her life to let many of us escape with our lives. She is a hero, someone who many of use owe more than we can afford to. Simply handing over her soul is not something I am willing to pay, even if it means never repairing the Seventh Heaven."

"Then it doesn't have to be her particular soul."

She shook her head, "An Archangel's Soul is not something we have simply locked away. Every death of an Archangel is put within the Gear of Reform. The only soul you can access is the one I will not give up for any price."

This was unexpected. Travis had full confidence that with his current position an Archangel's Soul would be a worthwhile exchange. He did not consider an emotional contact to the soul. This complicated things much further! Although he necessarily didn't need the soul, it was one of the main reasons why he entered the Holy Realm in the first place!

He couldn't back down now though, "That is my third demand, it is up to you accept it."

"I can offer something of equal value, there are many Artifacts that I am sure you will find satisfactory."

"We hold different values."

The Almighty One grit her teeth, "Two Artifacts of your choosing. I will give you one before and one after the repair of the Seventh Heaven."

Although Travis had no slot open to equip an Artifact, it was worth mentioning that NPCs don't refer to Artifacts specifically. Rather it would be more accurate to call them treasures. Rare items and equipment that would make any Player drool. If he was able to choose 2 of these items, it would be a worthwhile trade.

"Deal. Shall we swear an oath under the Holy Codex?"

"Do you not trust my words?"

"I am from the Abyss, we don't have a power like the Holy Codex to keep us in check. You'll have to forgive me for being suspicious."

"Very well, I solemnly swear—under the power granted by the Holy Codex—that I shall fulfill my end of the agreement stated between us."

Unlike normal contracts the Holy Codex did not require specification of the two agreements. Much like how it was able to tell if someone was lying, it was able to tell if someone failed to uphold their end of the agreement.

Travis was satisfied, "I solemnly swear—under the power granted by the Holy Codex—that I too shall fulfill my end of the agreement."

The Holy Codex flashed and the sound of gears ticking was heard among the Angels. A much louder tick was heard and Travis felt a strange energy bind him. With a grin he asked, "Shall I state the condition in front of everyone, or will you prefer it be between the two of us?"

"They deserve to hear it as much as I."

"The key your missing is a Staff. Upon the destruction of the Seventh Heaven the very fabric of the realm was absorbed into a Staff."

"Where is this Staff?"

"I do not know the specific location. However I do know of the one who holds it. You must search for the Priest of Six Lights. The one who goes by the name of Yielya!"

Travis saw it, during the Professional Competition. He knew the staff the Priest wielded was familiar. Now it all made sense. That Staff was the missing piece, and he was most likely the only one who could contact the Angels.

Normally the Priest could've reaped quite a bit of rewards once they found out about the Seventh Heaven. But Travis decided to take it for himself! After his loss against the Sword Saint he realized he was still lacking! No matter the price he will grow stronger!

The Almighty One exchanged a few looks with the high ranking Angels. They nodded and quickly departed, most likely preparing the resources to find the Seventh Heaven Staff. The Almighty One then looked at Travis, "Your words hold no lies. If this truly repairs the Seventh Heaven you would have done quite the favor for the Holy Realm. Yet you are a Royal of the Abyss. So I have to ask, what is your goal?"

"Simple: I wish to get stronger. I have a circumstance that not many can relate with. I plan to use this to the fullest to gain whatever edge I can."

"Is strength that important?"

"I could ask the same to you. Upon reaching Fifth Stage, did you find strength to be meaningless?"

"Hmph, you're an amusing one. The last Abyssal Royal who talked to me without respect would have been. . ."

The Almighty One's tone shifted, "Enough, I will begin to fulfill my end of the agreement. You will follow me to the White Vault. After that I shall introduce someone to you for your control over Holy Energy."

"Lead the way."