Lord Adrien Valcrest stepped forward, his noble bearing unwavering amidst the chaos. His gray eyes, sharp as flint, surveyed the scene, taking in the fallen and the weary but resolute figures of Pag, Darleyn, and Eryk.
"Hold, I say!" Lord Adrien repeated, his voice brooking no argument. To Pag's surprise, the soldiers hesitated, their advance faltering as they turned towards their would-be employer.
"These… individuals," Lord Adrien gestured towards Pag, Darleyn, and Eryk, "have proven their mettle. They have demonstrated skill and courage beyond what I initially expected. I will not see them cut down.".
A murmur rippled through the ranks, a mix of confusion and discontent. Their leader stepped forward, his voice a guttural growl.
"But milord," the leader protested.
Lord Adrien's gaze turned icy. "I did not authorize any attacks on those I might hire," he stated, his voice leaving no room for debate. "However, these three are under my protection now. Stand down, or face the consequences.".
The leader hesitated, weighing his options. Defying a noble of Lord Adrien's standing was a dangerous proposition. With a frustrated snarl, he signaled to his men, and the soldiers reluctantly lowered their weapons, the bloodlust in their eyes slowly fading.
Silence descended upon the battlefield, broken only by the ragged breathing of the combatants. Pag, Darleyn, and Eryk exchanged wary glances, unsure of what to expect.
Lord Adrien turned towards them, a hint of something that might have been respect flickering in his gray eyes. "You have impressed me," he said, his voice softening slightly. "And as such, I extend to you an… invitation.".
He paused, letting his words hang in the air. "The Eternal Commonwealth is renowned for its tournaments, contests of skill and strength that draw warriors from across the land. House Valcrest seeks representation in these games, champions who will bring honor and glory to our name. I believe," he said, his gaze sweeping over each of them, "that you three have the potential to be those champions".
"Therefore," Lord Adrien concluded, "I offer you a place in my retinue, the chance to represent House Valcrest in the upcoming tournament. What say you?".
"The Eternal Commonwealth is renowned for its tournaments, contests of skill and strength that draw warriors from across the land. House Valcrest seeks representation in these games, champions who will bring honor and glory to our name. I believe," he said, his gaze sweeping over each of them, "that you three have the potential to be those champions".
"Therefore," Lord Adrien concluded, "I offer you a place in my retinue, the chance to represent House Valcrest in the upcoming tournament. What say you?"
Pag exchanged a glance with Darleyn and Eryk, a silent conversation passing between them. The offer was unexpected, yet something about the way Lord Adrien presented it felt… staged. The soldiers' attack, Lord Adrien's timely arrival, his almost rehearsed speech—it all felt too convenient, too perfectly orchestrated. A chilling thought occurred to Pag: had Lord Adrien planned this encounter? Had he known they were capable fighters and deliberately engineered this situation to recruit them?.
Before Pag could respond, Darleyn stepped forward, her expression cautious but intrigued. “What would this entail, milord?” she asked, her voice steady, her gaze unwavering. “What would be expected of us, as representatives of House Valcrest?”
Lord Adrien nodded, a hint of approval flickering in his gray eyes. “A fair question,” he said, his gaze sweeping over each of them. “As champions of House Valcrest, you would be expected to compete in the upcoming tournament, striving for victory in each contest. You would also be expected to uphold the honor and reputation of the house, conducting yourselves with dignity and respect, both on and off the battlefield.”
He paused, his gaze hardening slightly. “In return, House Valcrest would provide you with lodgings, sustenance, and training facilities. You would also receive a share of any winnings earned in the tournament, as well as the potential for further advancement within the house’s ranks.”
Eryk, who had remained silent thus far, spoke up, his voice low but firm. “And what of our… autonomy, milord?” he asked, his brow furrowing in concern. “Would we be free to pursue our own goals, or would we be bound to your every command?”
Lord Adrien inclined his head, acknowledging Eryk’s concerns. “While you would be expected to act in the best interests of House Valcrest, I am not a tyrant,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. “I recognize the value of independent thought and initiative. As long as your actions do not directly conflict with the interests of the house, you would be free to pursue your own goals and endeavors.”
He paused, his gaze shifting back to Pag. “So, what is your decision?” he asked, his voice brooking no further delay. “Will you accept my offer, and pledge your loyalty to House Valcrest? Or will you decline, and forge your own path, alone?”
Pag’s mind raced, weighing the options, the risks, the potential rewards. To accept would be to surrender a measure of their freedom, to become beholden to a noble whose motives remained shrouded in mystery. But to decline would be to reject an opportunity that could change their lives forever, to remain adrift in a world where survival was a constant struggle. A question lingered in Pag's mind, fueled by paranoia and the memory of PillowHorror's manipulations: Could this be a similar situation?
He glanced at Darleyn and Eryk, seeking their counsel, their support. Darleyn’s expression was unreadable, her gaze fixed on Lord Adrien, as if searching for some hidden truth. Eryk’s brow remained furrowed, his eyes clouded with doubt.
Taking a deep breath, Pag stepped forward, his gaze meeting Lord Adrien’s, his voice firm, resolute. “House Valcrest has offered us opportunity and support, but we’ll need to know more about the tournament and our place in it, and more about these soldiers that you command. Were we truly in danger, milord, or was this simply a show for our benefit?”
Lord Adrien’s expression remained impassive, his gray eyes betraying nothing. For a moment, the silence stretched, thick with tension, as if the very air held its breath, waiting for his response. Then, a slow smile spread across his face, a subtle curve of his lips that hinted at amusement. “You are astute, Pag,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of admiration. “I confess, the encounter was… arranged.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Darleyn and Eryk, gauging their reactions. “House Valcrest has been seeking promising candidates to represent us in the upcoming tournament,” he continued, his voice regaining its formal tone. “We had heard whispers of your… talents, and I wished to assess your capabilities firsthand. The soldiers,” he gestured dismissively towards the group that stood silently behind him, “were instructed to test your skills, to push you to your limits. I assure you, the danger was real. Had you faltered, had you proven yourselves unworthy, I would have allowed them to defeat you.”
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Lord Adrien stepped closer, his gaze locking with Pag’s. “But you did not falter,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “You exceeded my expectations. You demonstrated courage, skill, and a remarkable capacity for teamwork. Qualities that I value above all else. And that is why I am willing to reveal my… methods to you. Because I believe that you are worthy of my trust.”
He paused, his smile fading, his expression turning serious. “The Eternal Commonwealth is a land of opportunity, but also a land of intrigue,” he said, his voice low, his gaze intense. “House Valcrest is a powerful player in this game, but we face many rivals, many enemies. To succeed, we must be cunning, resourceful, and willing to… bend the rules when necessary. If you choose to join my retinue, you must understand that you will be entering a world where appearances can be deceiving, where alliances can shift on a whim, and where the line between right and wrong can become… blurred.”
He stepped back, giving Pag, Darleyn, and Eryk space to consider his words. “I offer you a chance to rise above the rabble, to achieve greatness, to leave your mark on the Eternal Commonwealth,” he said, his voice regaining its persuasive tone. “But I also offer you a challenge, a test of your character, your loyalty, and your willingness to do what is necessary to secure victory.”
“Think carefully before you answer,” Lord Adrien concluded, his gaze sweeping over each of them. “For once you have pledged your loyalty to House Valcrest, there will be no turning back.”
Pag glanced at Darleyn and Eryk, his mind racing, trying to process everything Lord Adrien had revealed. The staged attack, the deception, the glimpse into the ruthless world of noble politics—it was all overwhelming, unsettling.
Taking a deep breath, Pag stepped forward, his gaze meeting Lord Adrien’s, his voice firm, resolute. “Before we give you our answer, there are still conditions that remain to be discussed to ensure that we are in alignment."
Lord Adrien inclined his head, a flicker of interest in his gray eyes. “Very well,” he said, his voice regaining its formal tone. “State your terms, and I shall consider them. But be warned,” he added, his gaze hardening slightly, “I am not accustomed to being dictated to.”
Pag met his gaze unflinchingly. “Firstly, we require full transparency regarding the tournament itself,” he said, his voice clear and steady. “The rules, the opponents, the potential rewards—we wish to know everything upfront, with no hidden clauses or last-minute surprises”
“Secondly, while we are willing to represent House Valcrest, we will not be used as mere pawns in your political games,” Pag continued, his voice firm. “Our skills and abilities are our own, and we will not be forced to act against our conscience or to engage in any dishonorable behavior.”
“Thirdly, we require assurances that our safety and well-being will be a priority,” Pag said, his gaze sweeping over the silent soldiers that stood behind Lord Adrien. “We are willing to face danger, but we will not be sent on suicide missions or sacrificed for the sake of political expediency.”
“Finally,” Pag concluded, his gaze locking with Lord Adrien’s, his voice brooking no further argument, “we require a clear understanding of our obligations to House Valcrest, and of the consequences of failing to meet those obligations. We are willing to pledge our loyalty, but we will not do so blindly, without knowing the full extent of our commitment.”
He paused, giving Lord Adrien a chance to respond. Darleyn and Eryk watched intently, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. The fate of their alliance, their future in the Eternal Commonwealth, hung in the balance, dependent on Lord Adrien's answer.
Lord Adrien listened to Pag’s terms in silence, his expression unreadable. He steepled his fingers beneath his chin, his gray eyes narrowed in thought. The air crackled with tension, the weight of expectation pressing down on the small group. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lord Adrien spoke, his voice low, measured, and firm.
“Your terms are… demanding,” he said, his gaze sweeping over each of them. “But they are not unreasonable. I am willing to agree to them… with certain clarifications.”
Lord Adrien inclined his head, his gaze hardening slightly. “Regarding the tournament, I can assure you that the rules are clearly defined and will be made available to all participants. However,” he said, his voice dropping slightly, “the nature of your opponents… that is something that even I cannot fully predict. The Eternal Commonwealth attracts warriors from all corners of Ludere Online, each with their own unique skills and motivations.”
He paused, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “As for the rewards… let us just say that victory in the tournament can bring significant wealth, influence, and opportunities. But I assure you, the true reward lies in the glory of competition itself.”
Lord Adrien stepped closer, his gaze locking with Pag’s. “As for your second condition, I respect your desire to maintain your independence and to act according to your conscience. I assure you, I have no intention of turning you into mindless puppets. However,” he added, his voice hardening slightly, “loyalty is a two-way street. I expect you to represent House Valcrest with honor and integrity, and to act in our best interests, as long as those interests align with your own values.”
He gestured towards the soldiers that stood silently behind him. “As for your safety, I can assure you that I value your well-being. You will be provided with the best equipment, training, and support that House Valcrest can offer. However,” he added, his gaze sweeping over each of them, “the Eternal Commonwealth is a dangerous place. I cannot guarantee your safety, but I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to protect you.”
Lord Adrien paused, his expression turning serious. “Finally, regarding your obligations to House Valcrest,” he said, his voice low and measured, “I expect you to compete in the tournament to the best of your abilities, to uphold the honor of our house, and to obey my commands, as long as those commands do not violate your conscience.”
He stepped back, his gaze sweeping over each of them, his expression challenging. “If you fail to meet these obligations, there will be consequences. Depending on the severity of the infraction, those consequences could range from a loss of privileges to… more severe measures.”
Lord Adrien paused, his gaze locking with Pag’s. “I trust that I have made myself clear,” he said, his voice brooking no further argument. “Now, I ask you again: Do you accept my terms? Will you pledge your loyalty to House Valcrest, and represent us in the upcoming tournament?”.
Pag glanced at Darleyn and Eryk, his mind racing, trying to weigh the risks and the rewards of this alliance. The staged attack, the deception, the glimpse into the ruthless world of noble politics—it was all unsettling, overwhelming. But he also knew that House Valcrest offered them an opportunity to rise above the rabble, to achieve greatness, to leave their mark on the Eternal Commonwealth, and to earn the coin they needed
Pag took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering as he looked back at Lord Adrien. "There's just one last thing," he stated, his voice steady despite the undercurrent of apprehension he felt. "Will our winnings from the tournament be subject to the guild's taxation, or will House Valcrest lay claim to any portion of them?"
Lord Adrien inclined his head, a flicker of understanding in his gray eyes. "A fair question," he conceded, his gaze sweeping over them. "As for the guild, I cannot speak for their policies. That is a matter you must resolve with them directly, based on the contract you signed. However," he continued, his voice firm and resolute, "I can assure you that House Valcrest will not lay claim to any portion of your tournament winnings."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "My house values honor and reputation above all else," Lord Adrien explained, his gaze locking with Pag's. "We stand to gain far more from your success in the tournament than we ever could from seizing your hard-earned rewards. Your victory would reflect positively on House Valcrest, demonstrating our ability to recognize and support exceptional talent."
Lord Adrien stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Consider your winnings your own, a testament to your skill and a symbol of our shared ambition," he stated, his gaze intense. "Our house seeks glory and influence, and I believe that you, with your unique abilities and unwavering determination, can help us achieve those goals."
He stepped back, his expression softening slightly. "Now then," Lord Adrien said, his voice regaining its formal tone, "shall we finalize this agreement and prepare for our journey to the Eternal Commonwealth?".