After the first light in the morning, Acma arrived in front of the temple entrance. He got a call from Shi Ming that the Boulder Town have been surrounded by an elves army. Since he was resting at the temporary shelter of Orca Village after the battle yesterday, he brought together Chief Pai and several elders to Boulder Town.
“Good Morning, gentlemen. Thank you for coming”, Shi Ming greeted. He was waiting for Acma’s arrival with several leaders in front of the temple’s entrance.
“Good Morning Mr Shi. Let me introduce these gentlemen. This is Chief Pai Chow, this is Elder Ma and this is Elder Daquan. They lead the hunters of Orca Village to victory against the centaurs in a battle four days ago”, said Acma happily.
Both the elders of Orca Village and the leaders of Boulder Town shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
“Gentlemen, let me show you the enemies”, said Shi Ming as he extended his left to invite everyone to go with him.
Acma followed a few steps behind as he ordered Alice to gather all the guardians he left behind yesterday except the Guardians who were guarding the hostages and the unicorn.
“Master, the unicorn ran away last night after it was able to stand up”, Alice reported as she flew out of his chest and hovering next to his head.
“I see”, replied Acma dejectedly. He was looking forward to interact with that beautiful unicorn, but didn’t expect it would run away. “It just been released from slavery. Most probably it won’t trust anybody right now”, he thought.
After he collected all the guardians, he hastened his steps to follow the elders closer.
A while after, they arrived at the eastern corner of the Boulder Town after they walked pass the graveyard. There is a steep cliff at the eastern corner and in front of it was a sea of tree. Over the horizon, the sun was shyly presenting itself to the world. The scenery on this side was beautiful.
“They are intimidating us”, Elder Ma broke the silence.
Acma turned his head toward the direction where Elder Ma was looking at. There were three groups of elven army at the north, east and south, 10 kilometres from Boulder Town. They moved slowly, led by a few treeheard. Something captured Acma’s intention was that the trees in the forest moved away to let the elven army moving unhindered. Like Elder Ma said, they tried to intimidate. If they wanted to attack, the won’t move slowly and they won’t put the treeheard as a vanguard.
“Kid, are you expecting this?” asked Elder Ma.
“Yes. For them to send this many soldier, proven that our hostages are really important to them”, replied Acma.
“Yesterday, they were so pleased with refusing our request to negotiate, now they had to do this. I’m really satisfied looking at this sight”, Shi Ming added. The other leaders of Boulder Town nodded their head.
“...”
“...”
“How are we going to welcome them?” Chief Pai asked.
“Let set up a table in front of the temple. Our side is within the barrier while their side is outside. Even if they try anything, we will be safe”, Shi Ming opined.
“In front of the temple?” Chief Pai asked. “Hmmmmmm... I think that was a good choice. Since they want to intimidate us with their numbers, that place will make them realize the price of underestimating us”, he continued.
“Won’t they enraged?” someone asked.
“Let them be. We were in a hopeless situation to be begin with. If not for the help from our young friend, we’re long dead if not been enslaved”, replied Shi Ming.
“...”
“Good. Since we already decided the place, next will be nominating the representative of the negotiation. I nominate Mr Shi. What do you think, Mr Shi?” Chief Pai suggested after a few moments of silence.
Elder Ma and Elder Daquan also agree with Chief Pai’s suggestion. They nominated Shi Ming because the negotiation happened at this Boulder Town and Shi Ming was the current leader. Furthermore, there is no time to find the best negotiator among them.
“Since Mr Pai said so, I’ll do my best”, replied Shi Ming. He looked troubled.
“Don’t worry, we all will help you. Let’s prepare for their arrival”, said Chief Pai as he patted Shi Ming’s shoulder to encourage him.
After arriving in front of the temple’s entrance, Shi Ming gave orders to the monks to take out a 12 seater dinner table from the kitchen and put it on the border of the barrier between the temple and the outside. The table was made from plywood and painted with dark brown colour. It was plain and simple. Then, five chairs were line up on each side to complete the preparation of the negotiation table.
“Uncle Pai, I will go and greet them”, said Acma after all preparation was done.
“Okay. Be careful and don’t make trouble”
“I won’t”, replied Acma and then he laughed.
Acma summoned Silver and mounted it before dashing toward the south.
After waiting for about an hour, the elven army finally arrived. Their numbers were about 5000 personnel, led by a middle age elf, wearing a golden armour and a green cape. Behind him was a battalion of Knight of Forest, followed by several platoon of magician. Then they were followed by a few infantry battalion who were wearing a dark green leather armour. The weapon of these infantry was a spear as their main weapon and a sword as their secondary.
After they arrived at the edge of the forest, the began to fan out to form several rows and column. After a while, their formation was completed.
The middle age elf stepped forward and move toward the town slowly.
Grand Knight Baranduin LVL 779
“State your name and purposes”, Acma shouted.
Baranduin didn’t answer but he spread his hands. Soon after, two knights came from behind and each of them carried a bow and an arrow. They put them into Baranduin’s hands.
Acma’s face was stern.
“Another idiot elf”, he thought.
Baranduin drew the bow and aimed the arrow at Acma’s forehead. After a while, the arrow began to glow with a golden colour. The intensity of the glow increased, then the arrow was released.
‘SWOOOSH’
The arrow was rumbling towards its target, Acma.
Acma didn’t want to underestimate the power of the arrow but he also didn’t want to overrate it. He pointed with his index finger and chanted softly.
“Twelve sub-tier” “Black Hole”
Twelve football size black spheres appeared in the middle of the arrow’s path. The arrow immediately shattered the first nine spheres. Acma readied himself to chant another series of sub-tier Black Hole, but stopped himself after he saw the arrow was struggling to break the tenth and the eleventh sphere. It manage to shatter the spheres after a while but it already lost the power and it was swallowed by the twelfth sphere.
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Baranduin squinted his eyes when he saw that. He didn’t expect his probing attack was destroyed so easily.
“Looks like the power of a Grand Knight is only so so”, Acma spoke.
“IMPUDENCE!”, a knight shouted. He urged his mount to charge forward but was stopped by Baranduin.
“You’re stronger than the rumours”, said Baranduin as he moved forward slowly. After a few metres, the army behind him followed.
“I am Great General Baranduin of Isebial Kingdom and I’m here to negotiate for the release of our prince and princess”, he continued without revealing any emotion on his face.
“Welcome to Boulder Town, Great General Baranduin. I am Acma and I’m here as a guide. But, only ten of you are allowed to enter the town. You have to left your army behind”, said Acma.
“Oh, really? They are my entourage, so you must let them in”, replied Baranduin without stopping his mount.
A cold glint flashed within Acma’s eyes.
“Heed my word or I will reduce their numbers to nothing”
Baranduin chuckled.
“I’m really interested to see what are you going to do”, he said. He and his army still moving forward and their distance to the town had shrinking to a few hundred metres.
“Very well”, replied Acma as he extended his hand toward the sky, 200 metres above the elves army.
“STOP!!!”
Before Acma could unleashed the spell, Baranduin shouted.
Baranduin’s face darken. He only wanted to test the temper of the human in front him, but he never thought that the latter would immediately trying to strike his army. Although the latter only extended his hand, his eyes showed that he was determined to strike.
“Alright, alright. I will comply”, said Baranduin exasperatedly. Then he turned around and looked at his army. “Nine of you, come with me”, he ordered. Then he marched forward.
Acma smirked and lowered his hand. Then he turned around to lead Baranduin and ten of his knights toward the temple.
After a while, they arrived in front of the temple. Acma dismounted and walked toward Shi Ming and the others who were waiting inside the barrier.
“Greetings brave knights of Isebial. Welcome to Boulder Town. Please, have a sit”, Shi Ming greeted Baranduin and his entourage.
Baranduin dismounted and looked upon the chair and the table with contempt, then he sneered.
“We will talk standing. It’s not like this matter will take long to settle”, said Baranduin arrogantly. “You know what I’m here for, so I will go straight to the point. I want you to release the prince and the princess of my kingdom”.
Shi Ming just smiling and his saffron robe was fluttering a little when the morning breeze blew.
“Well then, we will talk standing. My name is Shi Ming and I am the representatives of my community. May I have your name, sir?” Shi Ming spoke politely.
“I am Great General Baranduin and I’m here under the order from His Majesty Feverial, King of Isebial Kingdom to negotiate the release of His and Her Highness, Prince Iandithas and Princess Nidhwen. I strongly request that you release His and Her Highness as soon as possible”, said Baranduin with a pressed voice.
“We also doesn’t want to keep our hostages for too long, ...”
“Great”, Baranduin cut in. “Let’s release His and Her Highness right now”
“...”
“We love to, but we would like to exchange them with a few promises from Isebial Kingdom”, said Shi Ming calmly.
“Our promises? Alright, I’m all ears”
Shi Ming startled a little when Baranduin easily agreed to listen. He swivelled his head to the right and left, looking at Chief Pai, Elder Ma, Li Susheng and the others. He got their nods.
“We have several requests, firstly, safety assurance for the residents of Boulder Town and Orca Village. Secondly, several plot of lands for farming. Thirdly, rights to trade and lastly, a hunting ground. I sincerely hope that you can agree with this requests”
Baranduin knitted his brows and clenched his fists when he heard Shi Ming’s requests.
“If I agree with your requests just now, it’s the same as we let you grow exponentially, and in less than a hundred years, you will become a threat to my kingdom. Let me tell you, A few hundred years ago, the human in this continent also asked the same thing as you’re and we agreed. Look at what we’ve got, they bite the hands who feed them and we had to run for our lives. So, what make you think that you’re different from them? How can you convinces us that you won’t become a threat to us in the future?” asked Baranduin loudly.
“...”
“Great General Baranduin, we definitely didn’t have any intention to be hostile against Isebial Kingdom and what happened between us in these few days were just a misunderstanding. As you know, we were forcefully transferred to this world and we’re really devastated and confused by this situation. And suddenly we got attacked out of nowhere. We tried to talk to your prince, but things happened, and now you’re here. I’m glad that we finally have a chance to talk. I assure you, we aren’t your enemy and we will never be”, explain Shi Ming.
“Misunderstandings? Are you saying that killing our knights, holding our His and Her Highness hostage are just a misunderstanding to you?”
“We really have no choice. We’re just trying to survive on this unknown land”, replied Shi Ming.
“...”
Baranduin stayed silent for a while, looks like he was searching for the right sentences.
“If not for order from His Majesty to accept all your condition, I definitely won’t entertain any of your request”, said Baranduin.
“You mean?” Shi Ming interjected.
“I mean, we accept all of your request. I give you my word that you will be save as long as you didn’t raise your weapon toward us. We will send an officer to go through the details later. Now, release His and Her Highness”.
A smile blossomed through the face of Shi Ming and the others. They didn’t have to worry about their safety anymore.
“How do we seal this agreement? Do we need a blood oath, signature or thumb print anywhere?” asked Shi Ming.
“My word are enough. We, the elves aren’t traitorous unlike the human”, said Baranduin with a sneer on his face.
“...”
Shi Ming turned his head toward Acma.
“Young friend, please release our hostages”
“Okay”, replied Acma short. “Alice, bring the hostages”
“Yes, Master”
“Thank you very much, Great General Baranduin. We will definitely remember the kindness of Isebial Kingdom”, Shi Ming said. He lowered his head slightly.
“...”
After a long while, Prince Iandithas was emerging from the entrance, dragging his feet with great difficulties, followed by Princess Nidhwen. Two Supreme Guardians and several monks walking behind her. During detention last night, Prince Iandithas was given a minor healing only to prevent him from restoring his strength. He was stronger than anyone inside the temple and although Acma had stationed two Supreme Guardians, there still a risk if the prince decided to rampaging around.
“Great General Baranduin”, said Iandithas with a low voice after he arrived in front of the great general and the others.
Baranduin and the knights immediately knelt on one knee and right hand on the left chest while lowering their head.
“What is the order from Father?” asked Iandithas.
“His Majesty’s order was to accept all these human’s condition for the release of Your and Her Highness”, answered Baranduin.
“What did they asked?”
“Safety assurance, trade rights, several land plots for farming and a hunting ground”
“You accepted all those conditions? Did Father want to let them go, just like that?”
“...”
“I didn’t dare to answer that question, Your Highness”
“Tsk..”
Iandithas, with an angry face, turned around and looked at Shi Ming and the others. Then he rested his gaze on Acma.
“This is not over”, he said grimly.
Acma smiled faintly. He took out a sword from his inventory.
“Do you want your sword back?” Acma asked while holding a sword horizontally.
Iandithas’ face darken.
“I will come back for you later”
“Anytime”, replied Acma short.
Iandithas turned back and walked away.
“Bring the horses”, Baranduin shouted. A knight immediately stood up and run toward their horses.
“No need, I will walk”, Iandithas refused. He looked around the traces of yesterday’s battle and couldn’t help but clenching his fists as hard as he could.
“Yes, Your Highness”, Baranduin complied. “Escort His and Her Highness back to the army”
“Yes, Sir”
Six knights immediately followed behind Iandithas and Nidhwen.
“There is one more thing”, said Baranduin after he turned around. Then he pointed his finger at Acma.
“My kingdom would like to appoint him as one of our Guardian, an esteemed position that even greater than a Knight of Forest. This is our well-intention and he will become the bridge between our kingdom and the people of this place”, said Baranduin expressionless.
“But, he is ...”, Shi Mung tried to object.
“A man of his strength should not be confined in a place like this. Our kingdom are really interested in him and want to use his strength for a greater goal. Believe me, him accepting the appointment will bring a lot of benefit to your people”, Baranduin explained.
“...”
“Kid, what do you think?” Chief Pai asked. His face was full of worries.
“I will accept the appointment”, Acma replied.
“Hey!” “Young friend!”
Both Chief Pai and Shi Ming shouted in shocked.
“It’s okay, Uncle Pai, Mr Shi. I’ll explain the reason later”, said Acma. Then he looked at Baranduin. “Give me some time to prepare”.
“Very well, There will be someone to pick you up tomorrow morning”, replied Baranduin.
Then he left with the rest of the knights.