„Why should I trust you?” Alexander crossed his arms before his body, looking at Elena.

She bit her lip, a slight anger rising within her.

‘The fact I haven’t just killed you and your father…’ she grumbled mentally before sighing.

“I have cooperated with you so far and hate the Venerable. He killed my sister and I want to avenge her. As to if you want to trust me… I will leave that up to you.” She stood there with her arms crossed.

Alexander frowned, deep in thought, when he heard a chuckle from behind him. His father put a hand on his shoulder and Alexander looked back at the Duke who had a sneer on his face as he addressed Elena.

“Girl, you said you are a Cultivator. Am I right in the assumption that you could kill us and successfully escape, but chose not to?” he appeared amused, but Alexander frowned.

“She is a messenger from the Venerable, why would he not just send assassins for all the Dukes if she were that strong?” his expression remained cool.

Elena, who nodded at Lucius Argorus, smiled at Alexander.

“I could kill everyone in this room, that is how big my power is after just a few months of Cultivating. I am a trained assassin, but still, you have elite warriors as your guards.”

She pointed at 5 Companions, that acted as guards. She then brought up another point.

“I was sent here to make you an offer. My master wants to provide you with a way to make you cultivators in return for monetary and political help against Tiberius…” She paused and watched the faces of the Duke and his son light up.

“Well, the offer is flawed. He made the same offer to Tiberius and wants to plot you against one another. Tiberius accepted. And the way to form your Mana Cores, how you become a Cultivator, is flawed and will hurt anyone who does it, making sure they will be unable to achieve much.”

Their faces showed a grim smile and Lucius, who wasn’t exactly known to be as calm-minded as his son slammed his fist down on the table with a grunt.

“That old bastard!” Lucius clenched his teeth. Alexander just showed a frown as he closed his eyes briefly.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“And how will you help us?” he tilted his head, implying he trusted her now to some level.

‘And only now does he trust me?’ she was seething inside, but she needed his help.

“Faust,” when she mentioned his name Alexander’s eyes glinted and he raised an eyebrow.

“He has formed a Mana Core, it’s what I explained earlier. It makes him a cultivator. I think he has high talent. I guided him before I left. He is a cultivator now, and with proper guidance, which I can provide, he could become a major backbone of your power.”

He smiled. On Lucius’ face confusion spread.

“Faust who?” he looked at his son.

“A commoner who encountered a strange phenomenon a few weeks ago. I made him a knight and as it happens he is now the heir to Vostrim. He is betrothed to Leona Schenk. I made sure to tie him to us in a large gamble… which has paid off. I didn’t tell you, because I knew you wouldn’t like that I broke customs by raising a commoner to a knight.” He grinned at his father, who stood there with an open mouth for a moment before closing it and gulping.

“I can’t argue against it. Your gamble has paid off.” He regained his composure and nodded.

Elene cheered inwardly.

‘He’s warming up!’

Alexander turned back to her.

“If you act as our spy, cooperate and guide our group in Antioch, and allow us to grow our strength, we will assist you in getting rid of this venerable. From what you have told me he is a power-hungry despot who has too much power. It's in our common interest to find a way to deal with him while raising our strength for the upcoming war.”

Elena’s smile widened at the prospect. This would be the perfect deal for her. Then Alexander added a last demand.

“If you want our full support against your master you will swear loyalty to my family.”

Elena’s grin grew even bigger.

“I swear to follow through on our agreement.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alexander ordered Elena and Bronn to return to Antioch and reunite with her master and Titus respectively. After they left he fell into his chair.

He chuckled. Then he laughed loudly, covering his eyes with his right hand. Lucius stood next to him with a dry expression.

“Cultivation… it is real…” Lucius looked at his big right hand and formed a fist.

Alexander finally stopped laughing and breathed heavily.

“How fucking ridiculous is all of this father? I mean what are the odds? That boy… Faust. He will be the key in our war! That woman… the deal we made with her is only beneficial for us, there is nothing we lose!” he was wiping his forehead.

Lucius nodded and leaned onto the chair opposite of Alexander.

“We would have had to get rid of the Venerable regardless… having a spy near him and learning about this new power… will allow us to prevent him from gaining control over Antioch and as he is an ally to Tiberius more or less… that makes him an enemy, not just a parasite.” He grinned widely.

“To top it all off, we gain a loyal cultivator at the end of it to add to our ranks, while she trains a soldier who is absolutely loyal to us. He is the heir of Schenk, married to his daughter, my knight, and Baron to be… this is just perfect!” Lucius ran a hand through his hair.

“Sometimes, son, you make me wonder where you got your wits from. Couldn’t be me.” He chuckled.

Alexander smirked.

“I definitely got my brain from mother.” He pointed his index finger at his head.