CHAPTER 79

THE CHAIRMAN OF CONCORDIA

  Overwhelmed with excitement, Hans disregarded whatever the person, Dietrich or not, was saying. He was undoubtedly strong, as his actions spoke for themselves. It was only after recalling Rudolf's words that Hans realised Eclipse had to retreat with their tails between their legs upon this man's arrival. Although Hans had many questions, the man was more interested in why he had lost the duel, prompting him to explain his defeat before asking any questions.

But, Hans's third favourite activity was to ask questions, and he wasted no time in firing his first one:

"Since when are you observing me?"

"Since the moment you stepped into Floatlands." The man replied.

Hans asked, confused,

"Why?"

"Is it wrong for an elder to watch their family's children as they grow?" the man retorted.

Hans persisted,

"Are you really Dietrich?"

The man sighed "Since you're having a hard time believing me," he replied, "you can call me Chairman like everyone else."

Hans inquired, nodding

"That sits well with me, so Chairman, Sir, how old are you?"

"Why do you ask?"

Hans pressed on,

"You referred Xandor as an insolent child."

After pondering for a moment, "Which year is it?" the Chairman asked.

"It's 1065."

"Add a few years into it," asked Chairman.

Hans asked, surprised

"For real?"

"I told you, that's why people refer to us as ancient. We have outlived many generations," replied the Chairman.

Hans then asked,

"How many of you are there?"

The Chairman hesitated "Hmm...but why am I telling you this?" he said, " I came to question you, not give you answers."

Hans persisted,

"You said you're my elder, that makes me your last living descendant, my father is dead. Can't you be a nice guy and help me out here?"

"You have a slick tongue, descendant. Fine, it has been a long time since I talked to one of my own." Chairman sighed and continued, "You asked, how many of us are there, Hmm...Frankly, I do not know. The last time I checked, there were four or five of us."

Hans was determined to continue his line of questioning and asked with even more vigour,

"How do you become immortal?"

"We are not immortal, silly descendant," the Chairman replied. "We bleed when we get hurt, and pain is unavoidable. It's just that we do not age."

Hans asked, still curious.

"Why?"

"It's a perk of growth. For me, it was crossing the 100th grade, but for mages, it's the tenth circle, I guess,"

Hans exclaimed.

"But that's impossible!"

"That's why there are very few of us, and here comes my concern for you. Do you know what an Ancient gets after breaking the impossible wall of growth?" Chairman asked, making Hans more curious and added, "An ability to influence surrounding mana, like you are feeling right now." t

Hans clenched his fist, trying to grasp the mana around but it was dead silent, he still wasn't feeling any mana in nature; it was like it had been dispelled from the area. He looked at the Chairman and said, "It is a fatal flaw, no doubt." he paused "But won't I be safe until I plan to fight an Ancient, sir?"

The Chairman shook his head at his foolish descendant, "Getting rid of mana is something anyone can do with artefacts," he said "but the difference between now and then will be that the user of the artefact couldn't use mana or aura either. That's how we killed mages back in the day since they were all weak physically."

Hans rebuked,

"That's playing dirty, isn't it?"

"Will you not play like this if you get the chance?" the Chairman questioned.

Hans didn't answer but smiled, which spoke volumes about his alignment. He was told to use everything at his disposal; that's how a mage fights. The Chairman, knowing his inner thoughts well, added, "Since you are the first mage in our family, I thought I should pay you special attention. But then I remembered the day thousands of years ago when you peeked into my past -"

Hans interrupted, inquiring,

"You mean the time when I was in your body? Now that I think of it, I wasn't able to see your face, but I feel like it should be you. But why were you killing elves?"

"We had a dispute," the Chairman responded.

Hans countered,

"But Elves and humans didn't fight a war like that. At least not until Sams...my father went nuts over a girl."

"Yes, for a man so smart and wise, he died a pitiful death." The chairman said, asking "Do you not share his resentment?"

"Why should I? Actions have consequences."

"You speak like my old student." The Chairman spoke, reminiscing his past,

Curiously, Hans asked,

"Who?"

"The second one, born after me as the wielder of INHERITANCE, but it was half-baked, just like yours."

Hans thinned his eyes, focussing he said

"Half-baked?"

  The Chairman tussled Hans's hair, "Our blood carries two hereditary powers, royal bloodline and ability of inheritance." he explained, "Royal bloodline is rare, but side branches could be born with it, but only the pure blood will possess the power of 'Inheritance'. So when I found him, I was startled he was born with Inheritance only, just like you. So I had to teach him differently, but a mage in the family is a challenge, even for me"

Hans kept looking at his supposed ancestor but the man asked him once again, why he lost. So, with a deep breath Hans explained, he had lost fairly, and if he had to blame something, it would be his headache. Dietrich nodded as he scanned Hans once again, mumbling "There is something wrong with your head." He grumbled and then asked, "What will you do if you find yourself with no mana around?" Suddenly, he summoned a sword and attacked Hans, cleaving it vertically.

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Hans was quick to dodge, and rolled sideways, his eyes fixed on the Chairman.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked in a serious tone. "

"I want to see how good you are with the sword," Dietrich replied taking another stance to attack Hans again.

Hans raised his hand,

"Then give me one too", he said, asking for a sword.

  But Dietrich responded with another slash, faster than before, and this time it appeared from the back. Fortunately, Hans's instincts warned him, and he dodged once again. "Good, good, now I will get serious, young one," Dietrich said as his single slashes from before turned into volleys and then barrages, but Hans skillfully avoided them all. Of course, it was only possible because Dietrich had adjusted himself at Hans's level, but not getting hit even once was making him both proud and hurting his pride at the same time. He smiled, finally taking the fight to another level, including aura in the fight.

Hans shouted at him,

"That's cheating!"

"Yes, it is," Dietrich admitted with pride,

Barely evading his attack, Hans accused him.

"You are from the noble knights family."

Dietrich laughed, drunk in adrenaline "No, we are not," he responded, continuing his attack while saying, "Our origins were of a craftsman family, born into slavery. We were cutthroats and wicked, killing our families and enemies alike. That's how I rose, and so does our family." He added, "There is no honour if you are dead."

Hans was taken aback and his disappointment was evident in his speech,

"I can't believe I'm hearing this from the first knight in history, known for his altruistic nature."

Another attack came, thrusting at Hans as the Chairman retorted, "I still am, foolish descendant. Giving back to others is in my nature, whether it's a grudge or grace." Surprised, he added, "But you are exceeding my expectations. Should we increase the difficulty a bit more?"

  Dietrich expanded his hand and conjured water that took on a solid shape stronger than iron and formed a sword suitable for Hans. He threw it at him, and Hans understood his intentions. As he caught the sword, the air around him changed as if he had caught a wooden plank while sinking.

  Hope was a weapon that bring far greater despair to a man and Hans was going to learn this the hard way. He took up a new sword and assumed an unfamiliar stance, holding the sword horizontally with a bent elbow above his shoulder, ready to defend against any overhead attack with enough space to absorb the incoming blows. It was a perfect defending stance with no flaws.

  The Chairman smiled and switched to a different sword style. In response, Hans shifted the sword to his left hand and tightened his grip with his ring and pinky fingers. Dietrich laughed at the sight and exclaimed, "Now that's how an Inheritor fights, already knowing the counter to every sword style."

  Although Hans didn't quite understand what he meant, he had an unusual confidence that the man in front of him wouldn't be able to touch him at this level. However, that confidence shattered as Dietrich transitioned to a style similar to the Imperial Sword Arts he had been taught. Hans quickly prepared himself, knowing how to counter all of the moves.

  As they clashed swords, Hans quickly realized how wrong he was. Despite the simplicity of Dietrich's sword moves, he couldn't block them. Even when a move required four steps, Dietrich executed it in three or even two steps. Skipping momentum-generating steps(ready moves) but somehow it gave his attacks even more force.

  Unable to compete, Hans fell on his rear, his body and clothes battered. He was thoroughly beaten and disappointed, while Dietrich seemed to be enjoying his time with Hans. Giving him a moment to rest, Dietrich asked him to get up. But Hans responded with puppy eyes.

"Sir, I am just a kid and you are a thousand-year-old monster, how can I compete?"

"Oh, so you do these kinds of things too. Aren't you too shameless?" Dietrich chuckled.

Hans was not late in delivering a witty response.

"Didn't you say our family was cutthroat and wicked? I am just using whatever works for me."

  Dietrich lowered his sword and the one in Hans's hand transformed into water, slipping through his grasp. Though he wished to keep the sword, it didn't seem like an option at the moment. He gazed at Dietrich with hopeful eyes, waiting for his response.

"Fine, I'll spare you for today, my foolish descendant," said Dietrich, causing Hans to breathe a sigh of relief. But Dietrich wasn't done speaking yet. "If your father had an ounce of your sword talent, perhaps he would have survived," he said, shaking his head in disappointment.

  Hans was suddenly struck with confusion, unable to reconcile the image of Samson that he built as the greatest knight ever known with the idea that he was not actually skilled with a sword. Dietrich could sense his confusion and sought to clarify. "Samson was not a skilled swordsman." he said "He was undoubtedly strong, but when it comes to sword fighting, he falls short compared to you or any other talented sword wielder."

"But, he was the strongest knight, none could withstand his sword". Refuted Hans defending Samson.

Dietrich smiled hearing his words "That's what he wanted the world to believe and it is true that none could withstand his sword," he explained "But there was trickery involved and it came from his unique talent, a talent that none of us had, our true origins as craftsmen. Your father was a genius in problem-solving. If he lacked strength, he would devise a way to decrease his opponent's. If his opponent was faster, then he could make them slower. He didn't win his battles because he was stronger than others, but because he made others weaker than him. He could outthink anyone."

Hans stared at Dietrich in disbelief as the man made a shocking confession.

"He bested me too."

Hans was taken aback. "For real?" he asked.

Dietrich nodded.

"Yeah, that brat had forged a ring as I did in the past, but his was way more powerful than mine. I still can't believe I lost so miserably without even raising my sword."

Hans was curious. "Why did you fight him?" he asked.

"That brat held a grudge," Dietrich said. "I was teaching him the real Imperial sword arts, but he was not talented enough to perform it, so I dismissed him. He did not like it, and you know the result, I tasted defeated after some time."

Hans chuckled at Dietrich's annoyance but defended himself,

"I am not laughing, but can't you feel proud? He was also your descendant."

"Yes, I was proud. He was a true craftsman." Dietrich admitted, "I almost broke my vow to not interfere with the family. Almost saving..."

  Hans felt a powerful connection with this man like he could rely on him no matter what happened, just like when Dietrich saved him from Xandor. But then a sudden realisation from the past made him feel sad, and his happiness vanished.

Dietrich was quick to notice the sudden change in Hans's mood and asked, prying for the boy's reason,

"What got you sullen all of a sudden?"

"You see," Hans lowered his head and said, "I was told that I was not human, but that Samson made me from alchemy or something."

  Dietrich confronted him with confidence, "Yes, you do not feel entirely human, but that doesn't mean Samson isn't your father or that our family's blood doesn't flow through your veins. Do you not remember me telling you that only the purest blood of our family has the power of Inheritance? And that is the proof of your last name 'Parv'. So clear those doubts, Hans. You are my descendant and possibly the masterpiece of your father.

He added, humouring him,

"Ask me whenever you want to sit on that throne, and I'll make sure every head is bowed before you."

Hans's ears perked up at the thought, and he asked, "Really?"

Dietrich chuckled,

"No, kid, how gullible you are. I stopped meddling in affairs irrelevant to Concordia"

"Then what's the point of having a strong person like you" Hans pouted, "when I can't even do whatever I want?"

Dietrich sighed at his pout and playfully poked his cheek, saying,

"Depending on someone else's strength will cripple your future. But do you know why I brought you here in the middle of the night?"

"Because you're into stuff that people do at night," said Hans with an innocent face.

Dietrich sighed, "Now I understand why Rudolf beat you so much", he said tussling his hair and added, "Because I will teach you how you can get rid of that fatal weakness of yours. I don't want the only mage in our family to die miserably".

***