The three part frame-work.

the boy examined the letter, before ripping up the paper and destroying it.

slowly slinging a backpack around his shoulder, the boy quickly walked out of the house.

Parona was out shopping , while Juugo was being Juugo.

slowly walking out of the house and locking the door, the boy looked around.

why did the patriarch of the island request to see him?

setting out from his house, the boy garnished his newly renovated crossbow and stepped out of the house.

after walking to the centre of the island, the boy saw a house that could be described as a mansion.

it had 4 stories, with each floor large and spacious.

the bigger house was passed down to the next generation of the patriarch of the island, and it was their responsibility to handle and care for this house with utmost care as respect for their predecessors

Patriarch of the island wasn't passed on to father to son nor mother to child, it was based upon whoever was the strongest at the time.

Korag was old, despite his young appearance. his fire magic could be described as one such as a phoenix, powerful at healing but strong when provoked.

his daughter, however, was said to hold more potential than him. she holds Flare magic, which was a manifestation of her mothers light magic.

some clans disagreed with Korag's rule, thinking that one of the eight clans would be more suitable for ruling the island based upon the countless centuries worth of experience they hold with the people.

the boy wasn't stupid.

Something was going on.

something was nagging at him to make a move, although he didn't know what.

was it the voice?

was he manipulating him?

a faint chuckle could be heard in the boy's mind, causing him to frown.

Korag's mansion held several sets of guards, although Korag the destroyer certainly didn't need them. their main purpose was to make sure no outsider commits arson on their precious mansion that had to be an important part of the islands rich ancient culture.

after an extensive search that took more than an hour, the boy finally got to walk into the room of the patriarch of the island.

a throne sat on the highest peak of the room, while the area where the boy was standing was at the lowest. the boy had to turn his head fully up to see Korag , who was looking at him with a giant smile

Elias chose not to bow, causing murmurs to fill the room, mostly from the guards who had furrowed his eyebrows to his response.

people were meant to bow, but the boy didn't find the meaning for it.

instead, the boy directly looked into Korag's eyes and had a staring match with him

Korag laughed at the boy, before saying "You must be curious of why I called you on this fine evening, correct?"

the boy nodded his head, causing Korag to nod in approval

"Mhm.." Korag clapped his hands, causing all of the guards to line up neatly and exit

his eyes scanned the boy's body, before saying

"Do you know much about Politics, boy?"

Elias sharpened his eyes into a glint, causing Korag to say

"What is the age I turn this year....... ah, yes, that's right. I turn 89 this year." Korag said, putting his fist into his palm and nodding at his power to call up his own age.

"Well, I'm not stupid." Korag muttered, his eyes not showing any playfulness "I will die in 2, no three years if I'm lucky."

Elias eyes showed some impatience, causing Korag to laugh.

"If I was in my peak, this old fogey would have cut you down where you stand, but in my tender old age, I've become soft." Korag muttered, "I digress, let's get to the point."

"A mutual contract between us, that's all I ask." Korag muttered, "You and I shall hold a contract that would hold rewards for both of us."

Elias eyes sharpened, his eyes telling Korag all he needed to know

"A Three-step framework is what I ask." Korag said, " A plan that holds three steps."

The boy let Korag continue.

"One, you are to go to the heart kingdom with Eirene." Korag said "Second, you are to sign a "fake" Martial Contract with Eirene" , and third " You and Eirene shall protect eachover, covering each overs blind spots." Korag finished.

The boy looked at Korag with confusion, causing the man to cough

"The spade kingdom and diamond kingdom has been making more and more preparation to send troops and ships to our location to conquer this land, of which we need to the heart kingdom assistance, much like we did many years ago. Second, you are to sign a fake marital contract with Eirene due to 2 reasons, the fact that the clans have been putting more pressure onto me to make them marry Eirene to one of their Young masters, and due to the fact that you technically won in the Forest god festival." Korag explained "This made the public have a high opinion of you, of which the clans cant exploit. I could use the excuse that you had the most talent, and the public will be swayed." Korag said, "Third, by covering each overs blindspots, I mean that you kill the opponents that Eirene can morally kill, in return she gives you the strength."

Korag looked at the boy, before carrying on "The spade kingdom had made a rather crude strategy. when they combine countless alchemical ingredients, they can create bombs." Korag's eyes became cold "They use innocent children......slaves...."

Elias got stunned, but quickly gained composure

"They are sent out like animals, they can't resist due to slave magic...." Korag said, "My intelligence had picked up that they bombed some of the diamond's kingdom borders but to no avail." Korag muttered "As such, I need you to do the dirty work. in return, I guarantee the safety of your family and the fame and power that comes with marrying Eirene." Korag gave the temptation in.

the boy knew what the dirty work was. it involved killing the people that Eirene didn't want to kill..... Children and slaves. but the boy didn't want to kill them. after all , it was against there will, nothing more, nothing less.

Korag's eyes became sharp when he saw the boy's hesitation

"Your brother, Juugo, will be killed by the Sofi clan leader, we both know that. you best provide them with safety now, or they will die in 2 years." Korag coldly stared at the boy, which sent shivers down the spine of the latter.

Indeed. once there was a civil war, many casualties will be made, and it wouldn't be a surprise for one of them to kill Juugo, who was a threat with his sword skills.

The boy nodded his head, agreeing to the contract.

will this end in failure?

or was this the best decision of his life?

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Next Arc:

Heart kingdom arc.

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