Opportunity (2)

"From what we've gathered, you are still powerless. You have not yet contracted your first beast, is that right?" Kuroz asked.

"I have not yet indeed. However, I can contract one now if given a chance to," Aez answered. If it were in the past, there is no shot for him to contract any beast. However, he has enough resources now. He even possesses tremendous mental fortitude, hence making contracting a piece of cake. "Of course, provided that I will have the chance to awaken first," Aez said.

Hena put on an innocent smile as Kuroz's eyebrows began to frown. His face turned ugly as he glared at Hena.

"That can easily be arranged, Aez. Let us go. We will lead you to the sacred grounds," Hena ignored the glare as she spoke.

"Young master, please," Albert spoke while heading the way. He was together with Aez as they walked down the hall. Behind them were Hena and Kuroz.

"How could you!?" Kuroz interrogated Hena.

"What did I do?" Hena innocently asked.

"You said that the child has awoken a powerful Avatar!" Kuroz raged.

"Oh, yeah," Hena walked and left Kuroz behind with a gentle and apologetic smile. Kuroz was left behind in rage. 'I see something special in you, Aez. Don't fail me,' Hena thought.

***

"How beautiful," Aez softly said. He was greeted by a vibrant scene. Luscious green trees circled upon a majestic fountain. The sun was not above it, but a seemingly unending light filled the entire sacred ground. Birds flew around it, singing praises to the fountain. The trees swayed with the wind, seemingly bowing to what was in the center.

"Welcome to the sacred ground. This is the place in the empire closest to the world. Take off your clothes and sit inside the fountain in a lotus position. Then, meditate and feel the world. If you have the talent, you will be able to awaken your Avatar," Hena gently said.

"Can I have a request?" Aez asked.

"What more do you need?" Kuroz said with a hint of displeasure.

"Can I have a World Calling Bell, a Phoenix Feather, a Griffin Feather, a Dragon Scale, and a Hydra Venom?" Aez asked.

Veins popped off the head of Kuroz, "Why don't you just ask for a Leviathan Fang while you're at it!?"

"Do you have some?" Aez asked in joy.

Kuroz almost bulldozed over Aez, but Hena stopped him.

"Those are all Imperial Treasures. I am not even sure if the empire has one in the trove, but even if they do, there is no way they will let you use it," Hena said.

"How about a trade?" Aez confidently asked.

"Tsk. What could you possibly have that will compare to any of those treasures?" Kuroz asked.

"Information. It will be my earnest request for a meeting between me and the emperor or the prime minister," Aez asked with a serious expression.

"You are kidding!" Kuroz exclaimed. He was tapped by Hena to calm him down. Even she was feeling doubt.

"It is difficult to arrange a meeting with either of them," She chose to say.

"This will make them say yes," Aez said while handing over a piece of paper to Hena.

Hena's eyes opened wide. She could not believe what was written on the paper, so much so that she looked at Aez as if the latter was crazy. When Kuroz saw it, he almost died on the spot.

"I hope you are not joking. Death is an easy punishment if this is a lie," Hena said.

"I am not. Please hand it to either of them," Aez said confidently.

***

"Come along. Both the prime minister and the emperor agreed to see you," Kuroz said while sweating hard. Hena was not with him. It was most likely that she was left in the emperor's manor.

Aez, together with Albert followed Kuroz. Aez had a confident smile as he road the Iron Steed of Kuroz. They traveled to a bountiful farm before they reached the heart of the capital, the Imperial Manor. Enormous is an understatement when describing just how large the manor is. It can almost occupy a mountain due to its size. The gates, along with the establishments inside were all red and gold. It exudes a majestic tone for the entire capital.

"You brought this to yourself," Kuroz said before entering the residence of the emperor. Albert was left behind since the emperor only allowed Aez, Kuroz, and Hena to be the guests.

What greeted Aez was Hena who was still wearing her gentle smile. Before her was a translucent wall made from high-class bamboo. A shadow of what seemed to be a gigantic man can be seen through the wall; meanwhile, a smaller shadow can be located on his right.

"It is my great honor to be in the presence of his highness," Aez said after kneeling on one knee.

"Impudent!" the sound came behind the wall. It carried physical waves that almost made Aez fly away. It was the smaller shadow who cast the scorn. "A mere plebian daring to merely kneel on a knee! How brazen!" the smaller shadow added.

Aez then stood and sat with his legs crossed. "The greeting was out of respect to the noble emperor. It was quite the gesture since I am here not as a plebian, but a trader," he spoke.

"Presumptuous!" the smaller shadow shouted even more. It even made Aez float a little.

"Cut the show. State your business," a solemn voice echoed beside the smaller shadow. It did not carry a force like the one from the smaller shadow, but it silenced the entire room, so much so that even the wind decided to stop blowing.

"Your highness, as what was conveyed to you, I have information regarding the location of a White Lotus," Aez said. The sound of loud breathing filled the room. Even though everyone inside knew it already, hearing it from Aez still caused a shock them.