V2C18 Hidden evolution; making the illogical logical (1)

Alain finished the quests proposed by the system and realized they were useless: continuing them would be a waste of time in his situation.

He thought for a while before falling asleep.

When Alain woke up, he was sure that he would not be able to survive alone. He needed allies. The most likely person to help him was Jean. He began to think about it.

He began to think about his needs: he wanted security. Then he questioned Jean's character. What could Alain give him, either in the present or the future, to make him accept?

Gratitude? He could already hear Jean's laugh: He came from a merchant family who understood that gratitude was akin to a damaged slave's leash: much more unpleasant to rub and fragile.

The man has the skin in the game and couldn't afford to trust.

Alain wondered if Jean used his pre-awakening (amplified thoughts) in negotiations.

Anyways... the best way would be to offer something that would serve the both of them in the future as a means to stay alive.

Only the system had that function: Jean was aware of it, as was the council of 11 knights who temporarily ruled the battlefield.

He spent some time analyzing the plans, looking for inconsistencies, searching his words.

Then he took action.

---

He went to Jean's tent. The tent was dimly lit by a mana stone half-reflecting Jean's face as he wrote patiently and diligently on papyrus.

Jean looked up, "What are you doing here, Alan? Aren't you supposed to be participating in the defense right now?"

"I can make you some money."

Jean put aside what he was doing, taking a serious look:

"I'm listening."

"I can see the abilities of others as long as they go through Nirl," Alain replied.

"Prove it to me?"

Alain analyzed him directly.

[Jean Daniel

Strength: Peak Master Knight (? - too many variables)

Abilities :

-Pre-awakening: Amplified thoughts.

-Highly trained: Whether it be in knowledge, logic, or behavior, his education was a success, although he doesn't always use it.

-Demonization: Can temporarily transform into a bloodthirsty demon, drastically increasing his strength.

-Seals: His talent and understanding are reduced by 90%.

-semi-energy: His dark energy has partially surpassed the limits of energies.

-High general resistance: Resistant to many poisons, energies, physical and mental attacks.

-High regeneration: allows even a limb or organ to grow again.

-Nirl's protector: Increases his strength by 30% if he defends Nirl's villagers. Each time he progresses, parts of his understanding will be shared with the villagers.]

"You have seals limiting your understanding of the world and your talent by 90%."

Jean pondered for a few seconds: "And what do you want?"

"Your protection."

"Hmmm... The traffic to Cleppe is not small enough for them to pass through Nirl. It's not just a small detour: there are simply no associated storing buildings and spots."

"I know this will only be possible with the biggest merchants, those who are worth the most and bring out the most cash. Such things will allow Cleppe's to remain with high-level personnal."

"And a dependence. Plus, we don't know how to trust you..."

"You have information."

"They are easily manipulated. Speaking of which... the disappearance of a wounded man on a battlefield would not be surprising."

"Not when that same wounded man has proposed to help with an artifact to the Council of 11, and his supervisor meets with him just before he disappears."

"Indeed, but the scales are tipped in your favor."

"For Cleppe's reputation, because an artifact is different from a simple magical gadget, because I have some importance, and because killing your own squire is punishable by death."

"Right now, you're trying to convince me, not please me. I don't particularly like being proven wrong."

'Refocus on what he wants,' Alain thought.

He fiddled around in his mind without finding anything to say. The silence lasted a few seconds.

"Well?"

A pressure emanated from Jean. Alain's body shook.

"You think these terms will satisfy me?"

'He's just pushing it,' thought Alan. 'The conditions are such that refusing will not be profitable.'

"I believe so."

"Oh, I see." The pressure disappeared. "For the next battle, stay behind me. Now, if you please." He stood up and indicated the exit.

Alain and Jean walked to the exit.

A quick sword hit.

Alain's head fell to the floor, his body collapsing.

"Till the end, you didn't know the only use of power is to have choices. If you seek strength to defend yourself when you're in trouble, you won't succeed. How could I ever trust someone who loses his arm and still continue to war? You lost your own real people for villagers. If you betray those of yours, how could I ever trust you? You won't make me believe you went from an orphan to Nirl's chief with just goodwill and efforts."

Jean knelt next to the corpse, his shadow transforming into a humanoid figure with black wild fangs and claws as fingers.

He concentrated, then shot demonic energy to Alain's body before eating the head in ecstasy.

--

In a house of a wealthy owner, a blue orb cracked.

---

At the same time, Alain reappeared in his village.

An announcement appeared.

--

Knowledge: "The punishment of the liar is to be unable to believe." Year 321, execution of Knight Charles, last words of the traitor.

Knowledge: No, I won't explain the title.