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Chapter 117: Negotiation

“Soul assassination?” Merlin swallowed. “That sounds rather…permanent.”

Hosuyo nodded. “It can be. But the technique was only used recently. If Vedic was so inclined, he could release it. The problem is it would be very difficult to convince him to.”

Charlie frowned. “What exactly does the technique do?” he asked.

The hooded figure turned to look at Charlie sitting on the bed. “It removes the target’s sense of self. They can only perceive the techniques user. It’s an ancient technique, and there are rules against its use on members of the Rawlins. When you interfered during the duel, Vedic was supposed to kill her. But he did this instead. It will definitely lead to some controversy and disagreement among the members of his advisors. You can take advantage of this,” Hosuyo said.

Merlin stroked his chin. “Okay. So, she’s lost her sense of self, but Vedic can turn her back. You’re sure about that? If so, we just have to find a way to make him do that. Easy. I hope.” Merlin quirked a brow and looked toward Hosuyo. “Why exactly are you helping us, anyway? Surely there’s some kind of reason, right?” he asked.

Hosuyo shrugged. “Vetica surprised me recently with a decision she made. That decision cost me a lot. My face in particular.” He removed his hood and revealed the horrid, skinless face Vedic had left behind in the aftermath of his torture. His face was a bright, fleshy red. It was hard to look at.

Sister covered her mouth. Merlin gasped. Charlie thought he looked kind of cool in a weird way.

Hosuyo continued talking without giving them a moment to process the gruesome face. “I’m curious to see what path she has decided to walk. I want to know why she refused my offer. If you’re successful, I may have the chance. Besides, I want to repay Vedic for harming me. I’ve lost something I hold dear. So by helping you, I’ll repay that favor. As for whether or not I’m sure…I’ve seen him do it. I’ve seen him turn someone back to normal.”

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief. Sister exchanged a look with Merlin. “Are you suggesting Vetica is something her father holds dear?” she asked Hosuyo.

That made Hosuyo chuckle. “Certainly not. But he does value the power. With Lilica under his thumb and Vetica under the effect of his technique, he’s all but guaranteed control over the power once it manifests in one of them. If you find a way to make him release her, it will be a sweet revenge indeed.”

“So you’re helping us because Vedic hurt you?” Charlie asked.

Hosuyo sighed. “I was rather attached to my face. However, it’s my sweet Alona that Vedic has stolen from me. I’m alive. She probably suspects it herself. But if either of us acknowledges the fact that I’m alive, Vedic will kill me for real. He announced my death. Put a body on public display. If anyone became aware he had lied, they would question his leadership. So while I mourn for my face, I weep harder at the fact I’ve lost my love. So, I’d like you to take away the thing Vedic wants most in this world. I want you to find a way to take away his control.”

“I see,” Merlin said. “By the way, this person Vedic turned back before. Were there any side-effects or anything? She’ll be completely normal, right?”

Hosuyo grew quiet. “I’d say the sooner you get her back, the better. She’ll certainly be fine for tonight, but I wouldn’t wait longer than that. The other person…well, after regaining consciousness, they started showing signs of multiple personalities. Certainly trauma, as well. The effects will only get worse the longer someone remains in that state.”

Charlie was surprised to see Hosuyo show some genuine emotion. Had the person Hosuyo was talking about been close to him? He didn’t seem like the kind of person to get close to others. It still surprised Charlie the man was even married.

“The information is helpful, but can’t you do anything else to help? I’m sure we’d have a better chance at success if you were more involved somehow,” Merlin said.

Hosuyo laughed. “My child, information is the greatest help anyone will ever offer you. Do not scoff at it. Use it to shape the world. Use it to whisper in the ears of great men and you will conquer everything you wish to.” With that, Hosuyo left them to their thoughts.

Merlin frowned. “Well, that was interesting. We know fighting is out of the question now. So, how do we move forward? What’s our plan?”

Charlie let out a breath and let himself fall back on the bed. He repeated the same question over and over in his mind. “How can I save Vetica?”

***

None of them could sleep much that night. When morning came, they dragged themselves out of bed, got prepared, and then asked Sister to take them to speak with Vedic. She’d stayed up brainstorming with them most of the night and finally had fallen asleep sitting on the couch in their room.

They realized they’d slept in when Sister pulled back the curtains and they could see how high the sun was. What they had thought was morning was actually the afternoon. They moved quickly through the halls, hoping no one would spot them before they reached Vedic. Sister believed he was most likely to be in the throne room since it was after lunch. He’d likely be in the middle of debriefing with his advisors before they returned to the main Rawlin base. She was correct about Vedic’s location, but when they opened the doors to the throne room, many more eyes than they expected turned to stare at them.

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Vedic raised a brow. “I believe I gave you until noon to leave this place. So, why has my servant brought you here in the middle of my meeting?” he asked.

Sister’s eyes went wide. Merlin jumped in. “She brought us here at our own insistence. We wish to discuss something with you,” he said.

The many members of the Rawlins looked between Merlin and their leader. Charlie had the feeling the Rawlins didn’t expect this to go well for him and Merlin. Orb fidgeted nervously inside his onesie.

Vedic smirked. “Very well, step forward.” His advisors sat in a semi-circle all around him. Lilica was laying down in a hammock hanging from the ceiling. She was curled up comfortably, pretending to be asleep. Charlie could tell she was secretly peeking at them. She didn’t seem like she was really trying to hide it. It was more like this was all a game to her.

Merlin walked toward the front of the room with Charlie in his arms. Sister noticed her brother standing against a wall and went to join him. He whispered something to her. He seemed upset.

The chairs from Vetica’s trial had been removed, and now many members of the Rawlins sat along the benches of long tables. Each one seemed designed to hold upwards of ten people. The table directly in front of Vedic was empty for some reason. Merlin stood next to it, and at Charlie’s insistence, sat Charlie on the table.

Charlie didn’t want Vedic to see him as some kind of kid. He was here to negotiate, too. Appearances were important.

“So, tell me why you’ve come? I can’t promise I won’t kill you for it, but I’ll at least hear you out,” Vedic said.

Merlin swallowed. Neither he nor Charlie could tell if that was a joke or not. It probably wasn’t. “We’d like to discuss you setting Vetica free,” Merlin said.

Vedic burst into laughter. His laugh was deep and booming. “Why would I possibly do that? My doctors spent all night tending to her wounds. I’ve spent a lifetime training her. For the first time in her life, she’s not rebellious. So, why would I set her free?” he asked.

Merlin eyed the advisors on stage. “I understand that. But I’m the reason all of this started. So, I have a proposal.”

Charlie eyed him. Merlin had asked Charlie to trust him. But he had a bad feeling about where this was going. Why was Merlin putting the blame on himself?

Merlin continued. “If Vetica had just killed me, this would all be over. So, I propose that you set Vetica free. In exchange, I’ll offer my own life.”

Charlie shook his head. “Merlin! What are you doing?” he demanded.

Merlin didn’t look back at him. His eyes were fixed on Vedic.

For a moment, the leader of the Rawlins went quiet. He stared at Merlin. But in the end, he shook his head. “If I wanted your life, I would take it. Get out of my sight before I do so.”

Alona sat next to Vedic now. Charlie wondered if she’d been given Hosuyo’s spot as top advisor but figured it might be too soon for that. Prior to Merlin’s proposal, she’d been severely disinterested. But something had changed. Her eyes were fixated on him now. Charlie followed her gaze and noticed something odd that he hadn’t before. There was a singular black dot on the outside of Merlin’s collar. It was subtle. Like someone had smudged black paint on it.

He remembered Hosuyo’s painted fingers and wondered if this was his work. Alona was his wife. Perhaps he had left behind a marking for her to notice. Perhaps this was Hosuyo’s way of helping beyond just giving information. A secret message to his wife, who still held a great deal of influence amongst the other advisors.

Charlie realized then that they had an opportunity before them. If Merlin’s best solution was to offer his own life, and Alona thought Hosuyo had endorsed that plan, she might push to accept it. Charlie needed to offer an alternative, and quickly.

“No. We aren’t doing that,” he said.

Merlin turned to look at him. “Charlie…”

Charlie glared at him. “I’m mad at you for even suggesting it. You had your turn, now it’s mine,” he said.

Merlin looked like he wanted to protest. But he reluctantly offered a slight nod.

Charlie stared up at Vedic. “If I give all of you something that you want, will you turn Vetica back and let her come with us?”

Vedic started to reject the idea outright, but Alona seized the opportunity. “Surely it would depend on what you have to offer, little one.” She hadn’t missed a beat. She had already ascertained that Charlie wasn’t a normal child, but he was surprised at how quickly she’d responded. He’d just have to keep up the momentum.

“The fact that Vetica broke a contract was bad. I know that. But it was worse because she broke a contract with the cult, right? The Rawlins and the cult probably work together a lot. Since you’re both bad guys and all,” Charlie said.

Merlin flinched.

Charlie focused on the item he had in mind. “So, if I give you something that the cult would find valuable, that would be worth a lot to you, right?” he asked.

That seemed to pique even Vedic’s interest. He exchanged a look with Alona before turning back to Charlie. “What exactly are you referring to? What do you have that the cult would be interested in?” he asked.

Charlie smiled. Hosuyo was right. Information was useful. And to think, all he had to do was listen.

“Vault Transfer!”

A book popped up on the table in front of him.

“What are you doing, Charlie?” Orb asked.

Merlin’s eyes shot open.

Alona leaned forward in her chair. “A book? What is that?” she asked.

Charlie looked up and smirked. “The cultists have been looking for this for a while, so I’m sure you would really make them happy if you were able to give it to them. It’s a journal. It belonged to a witch named Lusafeen, who lived in Troa. I beat her up and took it. If you turn Vetica back, then you can have it. That’s the deal.”

“Charlie, I really hope you know what you’re doing,” Orb said in his mind.