The Pact Proposal.
It had been more than a week since Arther came back from that life-and-death crisis.
He was currently travelling with Ghislaine and a few knights from the Fittoa region to the Royal Capital of Ars in order to meet the Prince of Asura, who just turned 5 and was celebrating his first birthday today.
The knights pursued the carriage from outside, while Arther and Ghislaine sat inside.
Arther was touching Ghislaine's forehead with his own as he imparted his knowledge in the field of basic subjects and Mana to her.
This continued for about an hour before he finally let go of her, and they both opened their eyes as he spoke while looking at her thoughtful eyes.
"I have transferred all the knowledge I have attained in Mana and other subjects as a noble to you. It should solve your illiterate problem, dear."
"Yes. It feels as if I have suddenly become much more intelligent, too fast. I feel like I can even cast magic now."
"Yes, you can. Earlier, even though you had a big Mana Pool, you didn't have knowledge about the spells, but now you can easily become an Advanced-ranked mage in all of the common elements."
"Hmm! I do think I need to practice them to get a proper hold of them, but you are right. I can now cast chantless magic. Also, I didn't know that you learned all the languages in this world."
To her statement, Arther smiled bitterly and replied, "I didn't know where I might end up one day, so for backup."
Ghislaine caught the hidden meaning of those words and said while gently placing her hands on his shoulder, "Don't worry. You have me now."
"Yeah. Thanks for being there."
Suddenly, the knights accompanying them announced, "We have arrived, Young Lord."
Arther emerged from the carriage and saw the magnificent Silver Palace for the first time as the door opened.
'It's really majestic.' He thought as he helped his dear spirit, maintaining the etiquette.
The Royal Guards received them politely and said, "Young Noble Arther, we apologise that Lord Prince isn't able to see you right now due to the excessive number of guests that have arrived."
"It is fine. I can understand."
"Please follow us. We will lead you to the grand hall."
Arther and his company trailed after them into the grand hall, where festivities were still in progress.
'You must have learned the truth by now, Garbell, that I am also a prince, and if I claim my right, then you will have another formidable competitor. I am looking forward to our chat, my friend.'
"The firstborn of the House Boreas has arrived!"
The announcement brought Arther out of his reverie as he focused back on the people who were scrutinising him with various gazes.
He had turned down his household's Heir title, after all!
The nobles were all attempting to determine why that was the case.
They were attempting to determine whether or not the Boreas household was experiencing an internal crisis or something else that might provide them with leverage.
Meanwhile, Arther shifted his gaze towards the blonde prince, who was looking back at him with wary eyes.
'It seems I was correct. Now, let's see if you have intelligence or are you an idiot.'
Arther was currently attempting to see how much he could influence the wary prince.
In this particular circumstance, the king himself was actually gauging Garbell's response too.
Should the prince prove to be an utter moron and confront Arther in front of all the people present here, thereby slandering the royal family, the king would forbid him from ascending to the throne.
Or maybe he was cunning enough to understand the deep waters here?
Arther wanted to see, and so did the king.
'Either way, it's good for me. I will have a way to influence the nobles anyway.'
Contrary to the stiff prince, Arther smiled and nodded towards him leaving him flustered as Garbell moved his head away from him and gazed at the sensual Ghislaine, who was strolling by Arther's side.
In fact, not only him but almost everyone was looking at her; after all, her revealing clothing style did little to hide her trained features, and she had very huge breasts, like really HUGE!
However, the tattoo of ARTHER above her pussy on her abdomen caught more attention than her breasts. Even though it was only half visible, people could easily read it.
It was both provocative and declarative. As if she and her pussy were reserved for Arther and no one else!
Garbell couldn't help but feel jealous looking at the tattoo in Ghislaine intimate region.
'Fuck! I can't believe I am losing to you. How the hell did you manage to get inside her pants? Dammit!'
Ignoring everyone's gazes, Ghislaine released her terrifying [Battle Aura], reminding everyone that apart from being Arther's spirit, she was also a Sword King.
Of course, she swiftly withdrew her [Battle Aura] and didn't draw her katana [Hiramune] as she didn't want to antagonise the king or the royal family of Asura.
After all, they had the backing of the [Water God].
"Oh, it seems the [Black Wolf Sword King] has become a spirit of young Arther." It was the king who broke the silence, pulling people out of their minds.
"Arther Grayrat greets his Majesty." Arther greeted the king.
"As for Ghislaine, I apologise for her actions, everyone. She is a beast-folk and doesn't know human etiquette."
"No worries, young Ather. We do not mind her actions. After all, it is not every day that we see a King-ranked practitioner.
We are quite jealous that you managed to make a spirit contract with such a powerful entity."
"It was just luck, your Majesty." Arther replied courtly.
The king's eyebrows twitched in irritation at seeing his illegitimate son playing word games with him.
He was really jealous of Arther's luck. Even the royal family only had three King-ranked practitioners!
Now his plans to assassinate Arther must stop too; after all, he knew firsthand how difficult it was to fight a King. Even with him being the richest man in the world, nobody wanted to make an enemy out of a King.
"You have incredible luck, young Arther." The king stated it sarcastically.
'Of course I do. Cz I steal people's luck.' Arther mused.
"Nevertheless, let's talk some other time. We shouldn't make others wait."
With that said the king retreated again, giving everyone the space to continue.
Garbell was growing more and more irritated and agitated during the king and Arther exchange.
He was not naive; he believed that many members of the noble faction would back Arther if he was truly vying for the throne, thus intensifying his challenges.
Still, he didn't do anything and controlled himself. This was not a place where he should bring up the issue of his illegitimate brother. The reputation of the royal family was on the line here.
He avoided Arther for now and interacted with other guests, trying to bring them to his faction, while Arther and Ghislaine took a corner and enjoyed the champagne.
Like that, the birthday celebration continued without a hitch.
-----
The next day.
Arther could be seen sitting on a couch, while Ghislaine seemed to be standing like a perfect protector.
Prince Garbell was sitting on the couch in front of them, attempting to determine what was going through his brother's mind while he cautiously observed them.
Occasionally, his eyes would shift to Ghislaine, who was merely returning his glances with blank stares. His heart began to churn at the sight of her.
He just turned five years old and had yet to fuck. He felt it was such a pity that Arther managed to get her before him.
'Fuck! I want to fuck a sexy woman like her for my first time too. Dammit!' He cursed in his heart.
Both Arther and Ghislaine could easily sense his thoughts, but they chose to ignore him.
"So, shall we talk…"
Finally, Arther spoke,
"Brother!"
"S-So you knew." Garbell responded with a nasty face.
"Of course I did. It was a real shock to know that the king had such relations." Arther commented ambiguously.
"That whore of a woman seduced my father." Garbell erupted reflexively.
"Ooye! If you try to badmouth my mother again, then..." Arther released his killing intent and focused all of it on Garbell, making his face pale.
Garbell understood the implications of those words, and he believed that Arther might really end up killing him since the guy didn't have much to lose except his mother, whom they couldn't touch easily.
"What do you want?" Garbell asked directly.
"What do I want? Great question?"
Arther pondered for a moment and then answered, "Live a good life."
'And fuck beauties!' He declared in his mind.
"What?"
"Don't be shocked! I don't have any interest in the throne. I just want to live in peace in the countryside with my mother.
But I know the politics here won't let me do that. In fact, even if I promise you that I don't want the throne, you will still be wary of me and try to get me out of the equation, isn't it?"
Arther said with a knowing smile as he considered, 'Of course I don't mind taking this entire kingdom for myself either.'
"You are right." Garbell responded to his claim with a helpless face.
"So let's make a [Mana Pact] to ensure that I do not harm you and you do not get in my way." Arther proposed his plan.
"Are you sure you want that? I mean, do you really don't want the throne?"Garbell asked, unsure of Arther's intentions.
"No. Nil. Nada. No interest there. In fact, become the king if you can; I don't care." Arther promptly expressed.
"Fine, then let's make a pact. But do you have a God-level pact because anything less and I won't settle for it?"
"Sure!"
'All-Seer!'
[Purchasing Alchemical Product—Mana Pact for 300 points.]
[Mana Pact: Type- Alchemical Inscription- A native inscription made with processed beast blood using alchemy. It acts as a form of contract between two parties. Becomes void if a party dies. Exclusive- Six-Faced World.]
Arther pulled out the [Mana Pact] out of nowhere, shocking both Garbell and Ghislaine. They thought he was using Dimensional Magic.
"Let's set up the conditions, shall we?" He suggested.
"Yes."
Garbell replied as they began to sort out the conditions for the pact.
…..
Author's Note:
>> Do you like the development in the story till now? Comment your opinions about it.
I am trying to be a bit original here, not simply write the canon again, as it will be boring. Of course, I will cover the canon, but I will add an original taste and plot to it. Rather than following the canon story, I want to use it as a path for the story that I will create.
>> Check out my other work. I am sure you will definitely like it very much.
Title- LONE: The Journey Beyond
Link- https://www.webnovel.com/book/lone-the-journey-beyond_23576460306682905
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