SHIKARI’S HUNTING GAME (2)

Leomold simply brushed off Arex's words because they made no sense to him. Furthermore, he had already made it clear to Arex that he would assist him in securing an audience with the two lords, but the persuading part would ultimately be Arex's responsibility.

After a short stroll, Arex and Leomold arrived at the floor, inside the floating pavilion, where Braganza's chamber was located. However, getting through wouldn't be easy, as they would both need a shikari that belonged to Braganza's legion to escort them.

At that instant, Leomold swiftly extended his right hand ahead, unveiling his palm within the chamber room. After that, a brilliant orb of light shimmered against the door emanating from Leomold's hand.

It quickly made Arex wonder what it was that Leomold did. It was confusing for Arex since this would be the first time that he had seen such a trick that Leomold did. At that moment, Arex couldn't help but wonder if such ability was also possible for the other lords.

And while Arex wondered the purpose of what Leomold did, the door of Braganza's chamber sprung open, revealing a regular shikari standing beyond the door as though it were waiting for them. 

That was when Arex finally pondered that what Leomold did might be a way to call for a regular shikari to heal us inside.

The regular shikari was wearing a regular white tunic and pants just like that time when he saw them at the grounds when they were having their daily military drills. 

Without saying a word, the shikari promptly gestured for Arex and Leomold to follow him. The two eventually obliged until they were able to reach Braganza's personal space.

"What brings you here, Lord Leomold?" Braganza immediately said this as soon as he opened the door to his chamber.

Both Arex and Leomold were escorted by a regular shikari under Braganza's legion. When they arrived at Braganza's quarters, the two were immediately accommodated inside Braganza's spacious quarters.

The room was spacious because it had letter furniture, unlike other Lords of the Black Parade. It would seem that Braganza preferred his quarters to have more space than design. 

He only has one window and some futon sopas for his guests. Other than that, it was just his chamber coloured in an onyx black tone. 

"Thank you, Lord Braganza, for accommodating our sudden visit." Leomold immediately replied the moment Braganza allowed them inside.

The moment that Braganza was seated on the adjacent sofa, he didn't waste time and immediately asked what concern Leomold and Arex had about suddenly visiting him in his chambers. "Tell me, what is it that you want from me, really? You even brought in the aberrant with you. Don't tell me this is all about the hunting games tomorrow?" he asked.

Leomold quickly glanced at Arex before he returned his gaze back at Braganza. "Well, actually, it is."

"Lord Leomold—" 

Braganza was about to say something, but Leomold interrupted him, saying, "Hold on, Lord Braganza. I believe I already know what's going on in your mind at the moment. However, I came here with him not to oppose any of you. But to let you hear his words at least." Leomold reasoned, followed by his abrupt gaze towards Arex, as though it meant it was already Arex's turn to speak.

Arex's eyes widened a bit while looking at Leomold. Although Leomold had already told Arex about it earlier, it still hasn't registered in his mind how he would actually approach the two lords.

But seeing Braganza lazily sit on the couch while waiting for Arex to speak, made Arex suddenly feel even more awkward. He didn't want to beg, but at the moment, it would seem that the only thing he could do was to talk as civilly as possible to him.

"Well," Arex was still reluctant about whether he would just begin to talk with Braganza. Part of him was saying it might be a bad idea, knowing that Braganza might not only reject his proposal right away, even before Arex could say it, but he would also mock Arex and belittle him.

Random thoughts about it filled Arex with the thought that he didn't realize that Braganza and Leomold were already looking at him while wearing a confused expression.

"Are you just going to stay mute, aberrant?" Braganza immediately asked.

Arex somewhat flinched a bit from Braganza's deep toned voice, which brought him back quickly to his senses. Out of surprise, it actually became the reason why Arex was suddenly able to speak his thoughts to Braganza.

"I came here to ask if you could team up with me. I understand I am just an aberrant in your eyes, but this aberrant was still a human seeking your cooperation."

Arex ended up saying quite a lot based on what he had in mind. Before coming here, Arex thought he would only say a few words, however, he was surprised to realize that what he told Braganza was quite a lot for a simple favour to ask of Braganza.

In the end, Arex could only hope that Braganza wouldn't find Arex's words to be quite exaggerated and unconvincing.

However, Braganza surprised the other two men when he abruptly replied. "Alright. I'll cooperate with you tomorrow, aberrant." 

Braganza's response left Arex's jaw nearly dropped. Even Leomold didn't expect it would rather quick for Braganza to agree with them. Although a part of Leomold had already sensed beforehand that they would eventually persuade him, Leomold just didn't expect it to be that quick.

"Do you really mean that?" Arex suddenly asked, trying to verify what he had just heard.

"Must I repeat myself again? I don't do that, unfortunately." Braganza replied.

There came a spark of hope in Arex's eyes as he was able to convince Braganza into cooperating with him tomorrow.

"Thank you, Lord Braganza." Leomold took the initiative to thank Braganza, believing that Arex might not do it.

"No need to thank me, you know I don't like it when I get defeated. The aberrant was just lucky, that the word defeat is never written in my vocabulary."

Leomold just gave out an awkward chuckle, "I guess you're right about that, Lord Braganza." He just retorted back.

"How about you, lord Leomold?" Braganza abruptly snapped back, which caused Leomold to suddenly stop himself from laughing.

"What do you mean about me?" Leomold queried.

"I mean, why are you cooperating with this aberrant? Isn't Lady Roxina your ally?" Braganza finally clarified.

Leomold made a quick doubled nod before he answered, "He's a specimen I can't afford to get destroyed by tomorrow's game. I needed him to stay alive for my studies. That's all."

After that, Braganza looked at Arex and said, "Are you aware of this aberrant? You becoming a specimen of lord Leomold?"

"Yes, I agreed to let him study everything about the effects of the Jinnx in me." Arex quickly replied.

It was followed by a short silence between them three while looking at one another that the surroundings became a little awkward. The odd silence that enveloped them was only disrupted when all of a sudden, Braganza stood up and replied, "Then it's settled, I'll be cooperating with you aberant. Just make sure you have the best strategy to assure our victory for tomorrow."