CHAPTER 24

YOU’VE GROWN

Hans took Arat to meet everyone he knew, and after the long introductions, he finally became free, managing to sneak out from Arat’s grasp. He was avoiding any familiar faces and was sitting in some secluded corner. “Want one?” Delimira offered him the custard he liked as she bit a big piece of tart. And when Hans took her up on the offer, she complained as she swallowed, “How can you eat this thing? It’s too damn sweet.”

“Leave it, Winters. I’m exhausted.” Hans sighed, sipping the sugary liquid and finally felt something hitting up in his head, “I needed this—”

“Senior, senior.”

“Ha, this dumb minion of mine— What now Vanir?”

“Here.” Vanir gestured towards his parents, causing Hans to be so surprised that he accidentally spat out the custard he was eating.

“Vanir, my dear junior, I don't recall us being on those terms where we introduce ourselves to each other’s parents,” Hans remarked with a grin, hastily wiping his mouth with a handkerchief. He hoped his words, meant in jest, wouldn't be taken seriously, especially considering the stunned expressions on Vanir's parents' faces.

“Pft..” Delimira chuckled at the awkward scene and raised her fruit glass at Vanir, “That was worth it.”

“Shoo…shoo… do your other thing, Winters.” Hans hushed her away and offered his greetings again, “The name is Hans Parv. It’s nice to meet you two.”

Vanir’s mother grew up in a rural area and wasn’t exactly the most etiquette-savvy person, so she was totally taken aback by Hans’s charm. Sure, she wasn’t the most educated, but she had a knack for sensing when someone was worth their weight in gold. And every single thing about Hans exuded royalty. She felt like he had the whole package.

Startling by his gaze, Vanir’s father finally spoke, “Its an honour to meet you prince Parv—”

“Just Hans is fine, I’m almost out of my mind after hearing ‘that’ from Arat nonstop. I’m just your son’s mentor right now.”

“No, no,” He gestured his hands, “I can’t do that…. Thank..thank you for healing my..legs. and thank you—”

“Oye Vanir,” Hans scowled at his mentee, “Just what did you tell for them to behave like this—”

“Its not my fault that you are famous for quick fuse and beating people up.” Vanir pouted and Hans clenched his forehead.

“Haa… See this,” Hans pointed out to make them relax, “I’m sorta punching bag here. Even my dear junior takes jabs at me, so relax and enjoy. Grandpa rarely throws parties; heck, it’s even my first time being in one.”

Vanir’s parents, initially taken aback by Hans's imperial status, were now astonished by his down-to-earth and goofy demeanor. Despite being the prince of a powerful nation and former enemy, he spoke with the humility of the commoners they were familiar with.

Before they could utter a word, Hans gently inquired, "Have you eaten?" They both shook their heads in response.

With a scowl directed at Vanir, Hans remarked, "You dumb minion, why haven't you fed them yet? It's getting late." Then, he turned to Dorfeil couple and wearing a gentle smile, he urged, “Please eat your fill.” And bid them farewell, leaving the couple dumbfounded.

"He's quite different," Vanir's mother, who had remained silent until then, finally remarked.

"Yes," her husband agreed. "Even the backwater nobles from our region tend to be arrogant, but he's remarkably friendly. Why do people spread false rumours about such a kind-hearted young man?”

"You've both misunderstood. Remember, he killed twenty-six people in a single night during the Glory Wars," Vanir interjected.

“They must’ve done him wrong,” his mother reasoned, “he wouldn’t go on a rampage just because someone disturbed his sleep.”

“He won you over instantly, but he might go on a rampage for reasons like that. I thought I’d have to convince my parents he’s not bad.” Hans’s respect for his parents and not so haughty attitude deeply touched him.

On the other hand, the worries which Vanir’s father carried in private for his young child were alleviated by a significant margin. Hans’s behaviour towards them conveyed a clear message: Vanir wasn't wasting his life serving him but was in the right place. They were completely won over.

Though Hans seldom used it to its full potential, his sincere expressions and warm demeanour, combined with his genuine face, easily won people over, even though he usually reserved them for moments of fury or eccentricity.

He was moving away from the crowd, but his guest caught him sneaking out. “It’s rude to leave your guests alone, my prince.”

“You must start wearing glasses mr Arat. I’m not leaving you alone. Can’t you see a sea of people here?” Hans taunted.

“Enough with the small talk then. So tell me why I’m summoned by my prince,” Arat asked, his voice carrying the significant weight.

“Follow me then.” Hans led him into a personal chamber and Arat as cautious as he was took out the artefact to seal the room from eavesdropping. And began first, pointing out about the incidence of County, “I heard you were away when the Grimgar king was doing his goose chase. Smart move”

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“I need to wise up, as I’ve just said to someone, I’m becoming a punching bag. I knew even if I don’t get involved they’d still find some crappy way to drag me with them.”

“You’ve done well staying away from that mess. I still can’t believe a powerful family like Sylvetor lost all of his heirs in a single night.”

Hans agreed, “Yeah the weight of entire nation is quite heavy to bear Mr Prime minister. I can’t be as reckless as before. Whatever excuse I give. It was me who handed my own father to Xandor.”

Arat only showed the apologetic face, as if he wanted Hans to avoid the rabbit hole of guilt again. “Oh! Don’t give me that face. Its not that I feel guilty or anything.”

Arat sighed and let his wise words out. “When people are given a choice they take one they believe they can profit more. You made a choice and now its upto you to make that choice is the correct choice.

“Even if it was a mistake?” Hans questioned.

“Yes, you must accept your mistake, learn from it, and never, ever repeat it again. That’s how one could profit from it.”

The wise old man paused, looking at Hans contemplating, and added, breathing deeply, “ The road you are going down is like a rope tightening around your neck. The sooner you rectify it, the sooner you can breathe free. So you must think of a way of doing it, and I’ll do my job helping you.”

“So how far have you zeroed on Xandor?”

“As I told everyone. He is hiding somewhere in the the sleeping giant mountains. But that cursed man is very good at covering his tracks.”

“He uses Osiris’ commands too. Can’t you track him with that?” Hans asked.

“No.” Arat shook his head, adding, “Parv runs on meritocracy. He is the top dog in merits. Even you can’t track him unless Osiris deems you worthy.”

“Thats a bummer.”

“So was the deal with Xandor worth the mess it followed? I hope you have gained something out of it—”

“I can’t say disturbing my father from his rest was worth anything, but I do gain something significant.” Hans smiled gently.

“So how far you are from fulfilling Homar’s task of beating a top-ranked knight?”

“I accept I’m a freak, but not that big of a freak. You are talking about beating people stronger than Dijkstra and Grandpa.”

“You are not a freak but singular, my prince, and who says being high-ranked means they are stronger than Rudolf and Dijkstra? These two blockheads are just not trying.” Before Arat could go with the flow, he stopped himself and asked, “So, what was the thing that you said you couldn’t talk over communication…don’t get me wrong, I like that you invited me for a personal meeting—”

“You’ve said it was smart of me to not get involved in Grimgar’s goose chase, but I kinda did, it's for your eyes only. Take care of it.”

“Hmm..” Arat skimmed the document quickly and his experienced eyes soon made him realise what this document suggested. Annoyed he almost shouted, “These fuckers are still doing it.”

“You know what it is?” Hans asked, curious.

“Yes, I’ve the general idea of these types of things. Back in the days of your father’s reign, there was a human warlock who was around 250 years old. He had a breeding farm of elves and used the infants in alchemy to concoct the longevity potions.”

“But the elves are buying humans, not the other way arou—”

“No, the Hearthwine is buying humans. Don’t generalise the crime with a race. We all have bad eggs too. But this is too big, I understand that CLandor is a matriarchy, but the king’s family is doing deeds that are banned all over the Genas.”

“But why are they buying humans. We don’t become any longitivtiy potions do we?” Hans asked confused.

“The only place where slavery still persist is Clandor. The mark of an elven slave is their cute off pointed ears. So what is the difference if the humans are mixed with them with their ears grazed as the slaved elves.” Arat paused, and added, “Slavery is quite lucrative business.”

“But why Slaves?” Hans couldn’t understand the concept, if people wanted to, they could just hire servants like back in Edenberg County.

Arat knew what was puzzling Hans, but before he could answer, Hans let out his inner thoughts. “Can’t they just hire servants like us?” He asked, curious.

“And respect them for a service that they feel entitled to by default. No, you haven’t met the pricks of Clandor's yet My prince. They are as shit as I made them sound as.”

The way Vanir detested the high nobles of Clandor for their treatment of even the prodigy due to his lower class birth. Hans considered it was just a rare case but Arat’s words were hinting more.

“So what are you going to do with this?” Hans asked, hinting he wanted to know details of his plans and when Arat still remained silent, Hans added, “this will flip the entire Grimgar and Clandor if you reveal it—”

“Since you are handing over this to me, you used your brain, didn’t you?” Arat finally spoke and it was an old school taunt. “As I’ve said, you’ve grown, but A Hearthwine getting into human trafficking just for slavery doesn’t sound convincing.”

“So what are you going to do with this.” Hans urged again.

“Nothing. Its neither my monkeys nor my circus. Needlessly helping others is a job of a sucker spelled H.E.R.O. I thought you followed this principle so why are you getting involved in it.”

“I had to get something out of it.” Hans revealed his inner thoughts

“Your honesty is always appreciated and since you desired it. I must own these monkeys now, then the circus would have to come to the negotiation table, right?”

“So what are you planning to get from it—”

“Betrayal. One of them must betray their nation to survive the wrath of entire continent, there will be no place for them to hide. Its not just a matter of reputation, now.”

Hans didn’t quite get what Arat was foreboding so Arat explained, “You see, you are giving this document to the wrong person. When that 250 years old mage was exterminated, it became the ironclad rule that buying and selling of cross race is forbidden. And you know who made this rule?”

“No. But these people are nobles from both races. Won’t they usually get scot free for doing this kinda a thing.”

“As I’ve said, its not a matter of reputation but survival. All because they fear the kill order of Red monks. The one who slaughtered the 250 yrs old warlock was the the captain of Red monks, the Concordia union’s strongest platoon. Currently she is the node master of Concordia.”

“So Shaerra Clandor is it? The Concordia’s strongest crushed the mage who was slaving elves —”

“And elves who were slaving humans.” Arat completed his words as he thought Hans was getting in the wrong direction and his puzzled face proved him right. He continued, “She is quite an oddball in Clandor royalty. Being first in line to the Clandor throne, she forfeited it, left Clandor and made her home in Concordia. She was strong enough to even make your father think twice before messing with her.”

So, if I’ve showed this document to her, then—

“Then she’d have crushed whoever responsible no matter the consequences. She is the only known disciple of chairman of this place,” Arat pointed down, “and the next in line to be the boss of Concordia.”

“I’m starting to not like her.”

“Guess what, your father said the same thing. You two can’t stand when someone outshines you. Can’t you?”

“It runs in the blood, I guess.”

“But since our prince desired to get something out of it,” Arat turned serious, “I’ll see through it.”

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