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Chapter 358: The Purpose of it All
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Bollard went silent.
In his heart he already accepted Siva’s words to be truth.
Psychological analysis of that event five decades ago regarding the Magus indicated that he had an unusual level of ‘worship’ towards The Teacher.
When they received the task of keeping that item in their care and developing said Panel Options Technology to attach to it, The Magus had been a really irritating individual who was so meticulous to the smallest of the tiniest details regarding the task.
Only when the mission was done that the Human Ambassadors at the time managed to get The Magus off their backs.
Higginson smiled and chuckled.
This did not escape the notice of the other people in the room. Their gazes spoke of that obvious question: what’s so funny?
“I’m sorry, I just… to be honest, I don’t think you are lying to us.”
“President!”
“Do not be easily fooled, President.”
There were many objections like this and so he can only calm them down by an explanation.
“Everyone, please calm down.” He waved his hand and then looked at Siva straight in the eyes, “I only have a small request; can you describe to us how the Magus looked like?”
“Heh. Alright. Silvery blonde hair, imperious presence, a very short temper, and can appear and disappear instantaneously with a snap of his fingers.”
The ambassadors all became quiet. Higginson bid him a smile and chuckled, “So you did meet him.”
“Yes. And both times, he did not miss the chance to express his hate on me.”
Higginson stared at him with seriousness, “Can you tell us why?”
Siva sharply met his gaze, albeit, under the cover of a mask. Still, Higginson narrowed his eyes as he felt the pressure from that gaze suppressing his being like an invisible weight.
Eventually, Siva heaved a sigh and closed his eyes so the pressure vanished.
“I’m sorry, it’s just too personal to for me to tell it to anyone I do not fully trust yet.”
Again, Higginson chuckled, “I won’t force you.”
“I appreciate the gesture.”
Higginson clapped his hands once and then he straightened his back. “To business.”
“To business.” Siva seconded and the rest of the Ambassadors in the assembly were all left with no choice since the President had already agreed to proceed with the reason for this meeting.
“Going back to the things you requested, we do can’t give you our Battle-AI technology. It is one of our race’s lifelines and since you also have an advanced-AI in you, I could only wonder why you are still seeking our technology.”
“It’s a really simple matter, really,” Siva sported a very leisurely disposition and waved a dismissive hand to the matter, “I only want to see what the differences my own AI has from your own.”
—in truth, Siva wanted to ‘copy’ the structure of this [world]’s AI to be used for his mass-produced version of ‘Helpers’.
Right now, in his inventory, there was a prototype that Cortana had already finished, ready for her to write an AI-algorithm based on her own sets of programming as the finishing touch.
But Siva didn’t want to put that dot to the last stage of that plan yet because he still wanted to have a ‘different opinion’ in that AI. Also, he was afraid… that if the ‘Helper’ that had the same AI algorithm as that of Cortana were to be stolen and hacked into, there was a very big chance that it might get used against him or anyone of his allies in the future.
After all, Cortana’s design was that powerful.
Thus, he wanted to at least see how this world had managed to program their AIs that it had their own real temperaments and was also capable of creating original thoughts… like Willard Newgate who he actually thought was a real person.
‘If it wasn’t for Cortana, I would never know that that guy is an AI. But then again, what’s up with that body? When we shook hands back then, he clearly had a presence just like a person.’
—an AI using Cortana as blueprint carries too much of a risk so it is but a last resort.
—in fact, I can always just ‘copy’ an Up-to-Ground AI with Cortana’s security program. The only thing is that its responses would be extremely limited and it wouldn’t be capable of accurate responses.
—no, in fact… it would be too accurate and very limited, in fact, that its limited algorithms can be predicted by these Humans’ smart AI’s.
When Siva heard of the plan that Cortana proposed earlier in the warehouse, he had also thought of using this chance to get as much from the Humans of this world as possible.
Right now, his plate was full of the things he had to accomplish before lifting the curse plaguing his body.
In order to save Baron, he must first search for him and when he finds him, he also had to have the strength to protect him until he wakes up or at least until he can find a way to assure his safety… or everything will just be in vain.
‘Because the enemies are powerful and because I have to protect the Genesis Chamber as well so I have to become more powerful using anything and all available resources as much as possible.’
Siva was going to exploit the tiniest of holes in the game’s system according to his wishes.
He had the advantage of an advanced AI and the rare chance of acquiring an illegal Portable Nano-Furnace. Why would he limit himself in the name f moral obligations?
This so called ‘morality’ won’t save his brother.
—and if I have to, I will even resort to tricking the gods and devils to gamble with their own lives just to protect his!
Siva was doing both tasks at the same time.
His basic outline for the Asgard that would serve as Baron’s sanctuary was slowly being drawn, yet, there are still so many things that he needed to acquire and even improve upon.
He decided to do it one step at a time while still planning on how to do it and acquire all things he needed as fast as possible.
Why not exploit these humans as well?
‘Should I reveal myself here?’
Siva knew… in this business transaction, his main weapon is the fact that he had Dragon Materials that everyone covets.
‘But that would also reveal my identity.’
Although he wasn’t afraid now, unlike before he had tempered his body and became strong, it was still a drag to make The Alliance his enemy.
……though it’s only an early notion.
At least, before that happened, he must make use of his usable aces before drawing his trump card.
“What about just a glance?” Siva proposed.
“I’m sorry, we also can’t.”
“Can you tell me why?”
Higginson stared at him seriously. “Because there is a possibility that you will use our own technology against us… wouldn’t that be too ironic”
Siva chuckled, ‘We have the same worries.’
“Then let me change my terms. Tell me how this world works, from your perspective… or at least, tell me the truth behind the fact regarding the items that you have introduced in Terroa.”
Higginson became silent for a while before he closed his eyes and said with concern, “I can’t help but be astounded at your curiosity Sir Knight, as it was unlike the other people… of your kind… who only cares about how many items they can get or how they will become strong.”
After a brief pause, he looked straight at Siva.
“But I still have to apologize, although it wouldn’t cost us much for you to know it despite the fact that you should know it by now since you’re from The Circle of Magi… but the information that you seek is part of the packages we have promised to protect from when the time we have signed that pact with the Magus of The Archive.”
Siva hurled a sigh, controlling his disappointment.
Then he proposed, “What about swearing an oath to the Heavenly Laws?”
Everyone’s expressions lit up in curiosity.
Higginson also wore a curious expression, “I am also wondering about this. This is actually the first time I have heard of such a thing. Promising while making this so called [Heavenly Laws] as witness has only been seen and heard in fictional creations by bright imaginative minds… and even if we consider it true, all this time, not even The Magus or the Circle of Magi had spoken anything about it. When we had signed the agreement during the establishment of The Alliance back then, there was a magic that we have used that did not require any heavenly oaths or anything of that kind and yet it still did the same trick.”
Siva’s interest was piqued, “Oh? What is that?”
“The unbreakable vow.”
“….!!”
When Siva heard these words, his vision went black as [memories] began to appear in his head in the form of constantly flashing images.
It finished not even a moment’s time later in front of these people but for Siva, the entire vision and its message(s) went so far as an entire 2 minutes.
[I can’t see the visions themselves, boss, but I can at least read the impressions of them on your thoughts when you try to remember them.]
There was a snap of pain on his head and he grabbed it to support himself from blacking out in the conference room.
‘Gah! This entire [memory] thing is really painful.’
The images on the [Memories] stuck itself on his mind and with each and every new [memory] that’s being revealed; the visions were becoming longer and longer as the pain also becomes greater in the end.
“Are you okay?” Gaspar beside him asked and he only then remembered where he was and what had just happened.
‘It felt like I was trapped in the visions for a very long time.’
[Around two minutes’ worth of thoughts, sir.]
Cortana’s promptly reply to his thoughts made Siva sigh inwardly.
There are certain triggers for his [memories] and he had just activated one. Synchronizing on these [memories] weren’t simple since it imparted to him lumps of information that he had no choice but to accept as his and as is.
“I’m alright.” Siva told Gaspar and then faced the confused Higginson, “Pardon me. What were you saying again?”
“About the [Unbreakable Vow].”
Information flooded Siva’s mind and he suddenly understood the intricacies of that term.
“I see. Actually, the Unbreakable Vow is just a tiny fraction of the more useful Heavenly Oath. The former’s usage is limited only from one person to another and if the vow were to be broken, the only ones to suffer will be the person who had taken the vow. The consequence of decisions ends there and then. If the offender had nothing to lose, he can jeopardize an entire organization’s well-being by just being a sinner who doesn’t keep his word.”
—actually, there are different advantages among the two and that’s the reason why there are two of them and not just one.
—an Unbreakable Vow will only [bind] the person with a fixed punishment of ‘death’…
Siva explained, “But the Heavenly Oath is rather simplified yet all-encompassing, emphasizing the weight of the promise made. A pledge sealed with the Heavenly Laws as witness is more stringent but also flexible with its punishment and the consequences of breaking the promise affects all members of the breaker’s party involved in the scope of promise.”
—shit! How am I able to say these things?!!
The lengthy explanation made the people inside the room gasp. It was their first time hearing it.
Basically, this so called “Heavenly Oath” was a lot severe than the Unbreakable Vow, yet can also be modified between the parties involved —is what he was trying to tell them.
“But why didn’t the Circle of Magi suggest it back then?” This was a question that even Siva himself was only capable of answering today because of the [memories] he recovered.
Siva replied, “It’s because only when someone with an enough amount of affinity with Mana is present that the Heavenly Oath can be initiated to witness the pledge.”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t The Magus have been able to make us promise using that Heavenly Oath back then?”
—good question.
Truthfully, Siva wanted to dodge this question as honestly he really had no idea. Firstly the matter had long been in the past; secondly, he wasn’t in the parties involved in that event so how should he know anything about it?!
Still, if he snaps here, then the ‘image’ he wanted to create on them will crumble into dust.
Having read his dilemma, Cortana provided the light on Siva’s darkness.
[You can use this script boss.]
DING!
Siva laughed inwardly.
—ah! Nice!
“E-Ehem. It’s probably because they wanted you to have more freedom in your oaths. It is a sort of margin that can allow you to learn of your own limits and also to practice restraint while upholding honor when preserving the promise made.”
—nonsensical!
Siva regretted not reading the words earlier on.
[At least it’s confusing enough to block any other question regarding the matter.]
‘…..’
These words made true to the feeling they have within the scope of the ‘promise’. Every time Chiefs of The Alliance are changed, the entire assembly had to retake the vow to each member of the Alliance like a courtesy call.
It was in this reason why there was a [Term] that a Chief Ambassador must have and whether one is still capable or not is irrelevant: every member of a seat in The Alliance must take the vow when a new Term begins.
It was a tedious task that takes months to even be completed and they had to do it every time one of the ambassadors’ [Term] ended.
What’s tiresome is that a term ends almost as frequent as every two years.
“Does this Heavenly Oath… a continuous thing?”
This was one of the main concerns of Higginson as he felt this question itself reflected on the eyes of those seated in the room.
“Yes.” Siva nodded at him, “In addition, the Heavenly Oath works word for word. So if you are not careful, you might swear an oath that will make you and your future generations slave to a particular condition for all eternity. Of course, the Heavenly Oath can only be sealed and called ‘effective’ when the parties involved wholeheartedly agrees to the spoken conditions of the oath. An important factor to also consider is that unlike the [Unbreakable Vow] that works as a personal promise, a Heavenly Oath can only be treated as a genuine Heavenly Oath if there are two or more parties involved who had agreed on a certain set of conditions —no matter how shallow one party’s conditions are. ”
While he answered the question, Siva has also informed them of the loophole in the “Heavenly Oath” magic… albeit, he worded them to be hid in his seemingly eloquent speech.
When swearing a Heavenly Oath, if not careful, an unfair condition could be implied and this can be exploited to a few very unfair kinds of ways towards an unknowing victim.
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Of course, he was someone exploiting this oath as well —but only we already know that.
The Humans, however, do not. But because they are also “fellow Humans” like him that Siva sighed inwardly so he gave them a clue as a service.
“Basically,” Siva finished, “What those two magic spells have in common is that the heart does not matter when making the promise… it is the words used. And while they can be both activated with the use of Mana, the Heavenly Oath can only be initiated when one of the parties involved in the oath has Mana Affinity high enough for the Heavenly Laws to recognize as worthy.”
Higginson and the rest of the group of envoys of the Human Race wore a look of understanding as they also inhaled a cold breath.
‘So the rumours about these existences…’
‘These so called Immortals can control things we of this planet can’t!’
After a few moments of silent contemplation, Siva decided to break the ice; “Well, now that we have that cleared, let me show you my trading item.”
[Space] fluctuated in the space behind them and that 15m large space was filled with a lot of items.
“What are those?!”
Small and large boxes and jars, drums, and even a few bundles of odd-looking, weirdly shaped items were stacked together in a pile.
The eyes of the Ambassadors bulged.
“Dragon Scales and blood…” Siva teased with a smugly voice, “From the same dragon that appeared in Alexandria.”
“…!!”
They gasped and looked at him with suspicions.
Siva leisurely defended, “Don’t get the wrong idea here. There are tons of them back then when the dragon suddenly vanished and a few of my subordinates managed to hoard a few tons of them dragon resource so this here is just a small amount of the stuffs I have.”
The blonde lady on his right asked with a sharp look, “What else do you have?”
“How much Dragon Blood do you have?” asked the man on the left side of the long table. Dragon Blood was a valuable resource when it’s fresh but when it’s in its ‘cooled state’, its other purposes were either to be equipment and talisman material or for final coating of armor sets and arrows.
Siva nodded, “I have two 70m large spikes, a lot of Dragon Blood… and these scales.”
“Dragon Spikes?” asked the man.
“Yes. Dragon Spikes. Very hard Dragon Bones used as projectile weapons. Just one of them is already 50m in size and I have two of them.”
“…!!”
The Ambassadors all inhaled cold air. This is a very tempting business transaction.
In the next moment, space fluctuated and the items behind Siva disappeared and went back to his inventory.
“So?” he asked, “Since I’ve already showed you my cards, let me amend my earlier requirements in this deal. And as I’ve already told you earlier, I am only curious about a few things and only requests to see your AI blueprint. Fromm the ones I’ve already spoken of earlier, most of my requests remain the same. I just want to know who the members of The Alliance are, how you design our Battle-AIs, how the Panel Options works, how the T-Devices work; and to stress on a certain matter I’ve been finding to be curiously bewildering… how can your [Item Analyzers] tell an item’s name and manufacturer or maker when even history books does not have a record of the said items?”
Siva was talking about the secret as to how that device called [Item Analyzer] sold in stores were able to perfectly analyze and identify 90% of the items information.
Yes… this is supposed to be a game…
But because of his [memories] he knew that this world is not just a game world. It was real. The people in it are real.
So why…
How…
The [Trinity Gods] doesn’t have that ability to know all items and resources in this universe and categorize and catalog them on a certain database.
And even if they, the Trinity Gods, can do that and connects it to that [secret] that the Humans of The Alliance were tasked to protect…… just what is this [secret] exactly? Or… better yet…
Where is this [database] coming from?
Siva’s inquisitive curiosity was triggered.
No matter what, he at least needed to know it for he could use that [secret] itself and exploit it to be able to establish his country much greater and even stronger to at least be able to stand a chance to defend itself against Mefisto and his lot.
‘If I can know how they’re doing it, I can at least understand how to kill them… the Devils.’
“I am merely curious. My purpose for coming and meeting you guys here has an important purpose and since we are already in the topic, I can even swear a Heavenly Oath, or an Unbreakable Vow, and tell you that I do not aim to use said information to harm you Humans, or anyone in this planet intentionally.”
Higginson may not be able to see his face but he was reading his stance in this matter through his voice and body language.
From what he can see, Siva looked like he was really sincere with them.
But… as the President and an Ambassador, he can’t just trust plain and empty words such as these.
“In addition,” Siva finished, “I honestly just want to know how you guys managed to combine Terran Magic and Human Technology.”
So basically, Siva just wanted to know:
1) How the [Item Database] works
2) How the [Options Panel] works
3) How the [T-Devices] works
4) How they designed their AI
5) lastly, how the humans’ AI Technology and the Terrans’ Magic integration works
*****
Higginson remained silent. He then leaned closer, elbows to the table, mouth behind his intertwined fingers; he stared at Siva’s eyes behind his mask.
Then, his eyes squinted and it seemed that he was smiling. This made Siva frown and check the panel window on his vision.
It was Cortana’s script and in there were possible events that might happen and what options he has as reaction to that.
With the help of Cortana, the list of reactions was scrolled and a new list appeared after he heard Higginson’s next set of words:
“Alright then, we will agree. We want at least 80% of the stocks you have and those two spikes that you got in exchange to your demands. But there is one additional thing we, no, I want.”
The list on Siva’s vision showed eight options and Siva’s eyes focused on one with the red label of “possible mission is compromised”.
Alas, such was the words Higginson said: “I want to see the face under your mask.”
Siva creased his brows in annoyance. His battle intent surged out, pressuring the man enough to make him frown painfully.
Siva’s bloodlust triggers the [Killing Zone] but his battle intent only sends his ‘intent’ to beat him up with his fists.…. violently. It’s like water and that Higginson is the rock. It can send ripples into the water and try to counter it, but water will ultimately just pass through the rock with the ‘intent’ freshly and strongly preserved.
This was amplified by the fact that his body is tempered with dragon blood that exuded the chill felt of being in front of a real dragon!
People sensitive to danger and psychological hints are all able to tell whether one is dangerous or not when face to face with him.
In this regard, Gaspar scowled as he became wary of Siva while Higginson Bollard also felt the pressure of the pair of eyes hidden behind Siva’s faceless mask.
“Gugh…” Higginson did his best to remain calm and not show the slightest of ripple in him. He even unconsciously held his breath.
It was a suffocating feeling. Siva thought it over; if only he knew this secret to Dragon’s Blood much earlier, he would’ve imprisoned that Black Dragon back then and made it bleed enough to increase his stats to at least half more of how it is now.
That way…… everything would have been much easier and perhaps, following the train of events that led to him getting Cortana and defeating True Dragon Labrador, his stats right now would have been optimistically measured around 900!
If he uses the Artemis MOD, then his stats except for SPI would be tripled.
Then, adding the BMA to his arsenal… he would have been the strongest person in this planet.
“If I show my face to you, then I would have to destroy this place or at least kill you.”
The Ambassadors, of course, wouldn’t let this act of belittlement slide off just like that.
“Impudent!”
“You motherf…”
“Impertinent fool! How dare you threaten us?!!”
Siva only gave them precursory glances but from under his mask, their threatening acts were futile since no one else will see it and that he also didn’t care about them —not a speck.
Besides, because they are only in their hologram form because of ReaL@D so since they can’t see him, no one else could feel the pressure and understand the predicament of the situation.
—all except for Higginson Bollard.
With his elbows on the table, his mouth hidden on his intertwined fingers, although his eyes were hidden by the reflection of the lightstones in the room on his square-rimmed glasses, the sweat that formed on his forehead were evident of the pressure he was feeling. Even his eyeglasses are starting to become moist from nervousness.
Gaspar, who had training on himself, weren’t out of the matter since he was the one closest to Siva all this time.
All he could do is crunch his fists and raise his alertness to the highest level in case they break their pretenses here and now.
Siva glanced at the options Cortana gave him on his vision; most of them were options that led to him fighting here; and there were a few that led to them compromising a few things to not break this business meeting.
—one such option was ‘masterfully’ leading him to use their demand to show his face in exchange for even a bigger deal.
It made Siva smile thinking how Cortana was able to predict this scenario.
—I can use this.
“The reason why I am hiding my face is not for the fact that I am ugly, but because if I do so, it’ll complicate our relationship in addition to the fact that it will also compromise the future missions of my Magic Knight Corps. As you know, secrecy is one of our weapons.”
Higginson, through his sweat-filled back, wanted to curse at him, I didn’t know that!
The rumours about the existence of the Magic Knights were all only in circulation in Jeremiah and the other Knight Orders in the planet.
Even these rumours themselves are only spoken to in passing by the higher-ups of those factions, not by the lower elements in their command.
“Is that so…” but Higginson was adamant to know his identity since on his vision, there was a panel that showed a request from the Human Council.
[Know his identity at all cost.]
Higginson sent a microscopic glance over the man on his right side.
“Yes. It is so.” Siva confirmed.
Higginson spoke again, “Then how about we also throw in something else for you. Add another item on your demands and if we can do it, then we will add it to the exchange. It might not be too much for you, but it is an important matter to us Humans regarding our security.”
—no! He’s going to exploit us!!!
Gaspar frowned and cried in his heart at this.
This was the same trap that the Council of Elders fell on to. Siva was on a trip here in the Capital to buy a few things to be used to strengthen the defenses of his home city, he said, and because Draco made a wrong move, everything fell apart and the Council of Elders had suffered exploitation and humiliation.
He wanted to give his warning but unconsciously chose to shut his mouth when Siva spoke.
“I’m happy to entertain your proposal.” There was a tinge of happiness on his voice. “But you will have to swear an oath to never speak of what you will see to anyone else.”
Gaspar knew where this was leading and so he interjected, “This is the heavenly oath’s purpose, President, and it will mysteriously bind us to the promise that can kill us as an organization.”
“Heavenly Oath…” Higginson whispered.
His way to summarize the Heavenly Oath made Siva praise Gaspar’s ability to grasp the situation.
The President of the Human Society made a hum as he thought over that matter but on his vision, a series of panels and files were pulled by his own Battle-AI from their earthen archives.
In it were a bunch of surprising references.
As he remained silent, he listened to the details his Battle-AI was giving to him. After a good while, Higginson looked at Siva, feeling the sense of a very heavy feeling of impending realization.
This was a flag, he could feel it. Siva was going to say something that might shake the foundations of their beliefs of the universe as Human Beings.
Higginson, just to be sure, looked at Gaspar, “By any chance have you tried this so called Heavenly Oath, Captain?”
“Y-Yes sir. Before coming here.” Gaspar’s voice was weak and submissive. This made Higginson frown as the gravity of the situation had turned on a more serious turn.
He asked, “Is it concerning the entire colony?”
“No sir.”
“Our assets?”
“No sir.”
“Is it personal?”
“In a way, yes sir, it is.”
Higginson paused for a second then asked, “Is it concerning your safety?”
Gaspar inhaled deeply and exhaled lightly, “Yes.”
He glanced over at Siva and even though his face was covered with his blank mask, everyone in this room could feel the apathy coming from him.
Higginson reorganized his impression of him; he is someone who doesn’t care about anything not related to him.
He also realized just now that Gaspar’s short time on the surface had led to him to incur a plague that might become a scourge that will eat away at them as a society.
Inhaling cold air, Higginson, despite being a normal Human, glared deeply at Siva then asked Gaspar in a serious manner, “Are you perhaps in a slave contract?”
Gaspar smiled and shook his head, “No sir.”
Higginson heaved a short sigh of relief. “At least he has his freedom. But if he had taken this Oath himself, then it could only be something used to bind him of something…”
Higginson Bollard became the President of the Human Society because of his ability and not in a corrupted manner.
At this point in time, internal disputes were a thing of the past.
The Humans of today are an endangered species and so that useless piece of shit called [Politics] was the last of their concern.
Unity will ensure their survival and that’s also the reason why those who were born and was raised in the colony for the past decades like him and Gaspar, all had that unbreakable sense of unity, unlike those fools who only woke up from their long sleep inside the tubes and still retained their old ways of thinking that centered to power, glory, and selfish pursuit of their personal desires.
That’s the reason why they were all living outside the colony and had very limited access to what’s actually happening inside the Colony.
(A/N: remember that Terran Players are all called Immortals while Human Players are all those who woke up from cryo-sleep, thus the context above)
Higginson felt a simple feeling of relief knowing that one of them, Gaspar, was not bound to one of those ‘slave contracts’ —if this reference from his Battle-AI is indeed the truth.
‘But if it is, then it only complicates things. To think that these movies and novels from the 21st century would actually apply in this world... it’s a really frightening thought. Just how are all these things happening?! Are these authors and writers all prophets or something? Even the existence of Mana is but an article of fiction to us Humans and yet in this world, it exists as the foundation of life!’
If Siva could only read his mind, he would be in a deep sense of fear and perhaps even his pursuit of the [Truth of this World] that’s connected to an island called “Chronos” would even get its first ray of light after a very long while.
But alas, as close as the information he needed is, Siva was a victim of fate.
The things he needed and wanted to know and have, were all in a hand’s reach but still miles and miles away from him.
The other Ambassadors could only shut their lips as they waited for the decision of the President.
“Gaspar.” Higginson called.
“Sir.”
“No, sorry… White Knight, did you perhaps made my subordinate swear an Oath to hide a certain piece of information?”
Siva was surprised but in the next instant, he could not help laughing as he appreciated and also praised Higginson’s instincts.
“Brilliant!” he exclaimed, “Ahaha! Truly wonderful of you to land on that conclusion with just a few tiny sparks of clues and your instincts.”
Siva’s roar apprehended the hearts of the other Ambassadors. This unconcealed indifference and unbridled mockery for who they are, spoke so much of his confidence to himself —and more!
And although it was disrespectful to an honorable dignitary —an esteemed VIP, the President of the Human Society, they couldn’t find any word to speak of the matter since as a matter of fact, they were all here as nothing more but audience in this short meeting.
“So I take it that it’s a fact.”
Siva crossed his arms and laid his back on the soft backrest of his office chair, moving his feet to a 4-posture.
“I told you, didn’t I? My identity is my asset. It just so happen that Gaspar here had stumbled on a certain bulk on my assets so in order to not let the information travel outside the people that’re allowed know of it, I had no choice but to make him promise not to tell a soul of my secrets. After all, it was a fair deal and no party came out hurt.”
Gaspar almost choked at these words.
—what do you mean a fair deal?!
—I could not have been able to escape that place if you hadn’t made me swear that oath!
—you held everyone I know as hostage!
If it was only him going to get hurt, he could have been able to take it and sacrifice himself. But Siva made him promise that not only him but everyone under him would also suffer that heavenly wrath or something if he ever spoke of Siva’s secrets.
Gaspar wanted to curse but held it in. He could only cry in his heart as he realized just now how brazenly shrewd and sly this bastard was.
He was just cruel… he lamented. So cruel. T.T
Gaspar’s dignified presence from the time Siva and him had met was gone. The person seated beside Siva right now was someone whose wings had folded and whose momentum faded away.
In front of these Ambassadors and the President, he was nothing more than but a Captain-ranked Military Officer. Gaspar’s imposing presence from earlier was just like a fleeting page on a picture book; every page is different from the next.
Right now, Gaspar was on a page where he was just a mere ‘subordinate’ and that’s the reason he was ‘folded’ there like a piece of cloth.
In short, he has no presence.
Higginson could only sigh. As fearful as he was and as surprised as he was with these facts in front of him, he had no choice but to just accept the facts that was presented up front.
“Well then, if I swear this oath to not tell a soul of your secrets, would you be able to show me who you are underneath that mask?”
Siva smiled and Higginson could feel it.
“Of course. A deal is a deal. We both can swear an oath to keep these matters to ourselves. When it comes down to it, we can even sign a contract that will bind my assets to you guys if I ever break my oath. What do you say?”
“Deal.”
“Hmmm… I wonder though, is discovering my real identity really that important to you? Is it worth it?”
Doubts. Higginson had doubts. But he still gave a nod, “At least, after knowing who you are, we can recognize who we will condemn to hell if we ever gets the short edge of that cruel insidious stick.”
There was no need to hide the truth of the fact why he was insistent to discover his identity. This is not a matter of plain business anymore.
Gaspar’s attitude and words implied that the secrets he had discovered were enough to make him the enemy of the heavens —if what his Battle-AI said were true— and that means that his life was on jeopardy because of it.
And this White Knight… was the source of it all.
Whether he was insidious or not, using the old references his Battle-AI presented him, he can at least get a clue as to how this will turn out.
“President,” the blonde woman spoke up, “I don’t think this is a good idea. It’s not worth trusting his words over with your life, sir.”
“I concur.” Said the man from the other side, “The huge possibility exists; he can use this chance to make us dance at his own music.”
The other Ambassadors agreed and a flurry of comments flew towards Siva’s direction.
“Everyone,” Higginson raised his hands to calm his subjects as he fixed his glasses, “There is indeed the possibility… but the truth still remains that we are in need of the items he has. We, as a society, is lacking in everything. We depend on our mutual agreement with the Terrans in order to survive and along with that is the task that in the war against the LAGRAM Alliance, we are the vanguard of the legion. It’s also a fact that we are nothing more than refugees in their planet. When they agreed for us to stay here, we are bound to share to them our technology while having the privilege to use their planet and their resources. In the end of the day, it comes down to us being nothing more than beggars. We have no choice but to acquiesce, regardless of how much irrational the demands will be.”
CHUG~!
It was the sound of something piercing a heart.
Who’s heart?
Siva’s! He felt a pinch in his heart. Higginson had just used the compassion card.
DIRIRING!!
[Compassion Trump Card]
—Deals 100% compassion damage. Cannot be avoided nor blocked. If you can avoid damage from this card, then it means you’re the worst of the bunch of scums that are still alive and kicking.
—Damage from this card will never heal unless you give in to the demands of the user’s Bambi Eyes.
—Cooldown: in the blink of an eye
‘Cortana, please, take that fake notification panel away from my eyes.’
[Ehehe… sorry boss. Just trying.]
—Gah! This….. girl is growing up the wrong way!
True or not, Siva’s logic told him that everything he said were all logical facts about the Humans in this planet.
—this sly bastard!
As a Human Being himself (secretly), how could he not show compassion to these people?
—damn it… he stole my initiative!
[Boss, he’s not the President for nothing. His skill level in politics is over 10,000.]
‘I know!’
Every one of the Ambassadors looked at Siva with a ‘pleading’ expression. Even their earlier hostility vanished and there were only… Bambi Eyes!
Higginson fixed his glasses with his right index, and then put his elbows on the table and spoke: “I agree to your proposition. In exchange to all of the resources you presented, I ask that you will be magnanimous enough to also swear an oath to that whatever heavens and promise to never try to do anything that will harm my people. You can now state your demands; aside from the things I said to be impossible to comply with, this seat will do everything that is within its power to fulfill your wish.”
Siva was silent for a good while.
[It really seems that we cannot force ourselves to know those information, boss.]
‘Yes. It seems to be.’
Siva spoke to him, “Then tell me, before I speak my demand, what are the things you can offer to me in exchange to my resources?”
Higginson met the eyes hidden behind his mask and spoke with conviction: “If you swear an oath to never tell a soul about what you’re going to see then this seat will allow you an escorted tour.”
“President!”
Higginson raised a hand to stop the rise of further objection to his decision.
“The tour will include authorized limited sharing of information that all Terrans with legit qualifications are entitled to know. That is this seat’s sincerity in regards to your initial offer.”
[Boss, the way he’s implying it, he is speaking as the President and not as Higginson Bollard.]
‘Yes. He’s taking full responsibility with it and he’s also using that card to its fullest extent.’
[Based on my downloaded references, he’s at the same slyness-scale as Pistareen.]
‘…’
Siva could only sigh. If he doesn’t give in, they won’t get anywhere.
‘Besides, this result is still part of the script.’
[My projections are surprisingly 68% accurate.]
‘Well done.’
—it can’t be helped. It’s not that the resources we presented were all limited anyways. I still have two spikes left in me.
At that moment, Cortana on his vision stopped stroking the cat and bid him a charming smile.
‘What is it?’
[Boss, I just finished installing the prototype SS-Generator to the Mage.]
Siva was surprised by this sudden good news and he smiled widely.
‘Well now… isn’t that just wonderful?’
Now, this isn’t luck. This is part of his preparation.
Siva had long believed that the more PNF he had, the better its performance will be. Now, however, he had proven it.
With two PNFs its performance was (5x) better than it was originally. Of course, its speed of processing his designs was faster as well.
“So?” Higginson prompted to break his silence.
The silent Scion beside him squeezed his hand as to wake him as well. He had long told her what his original goal was. It will never change.
Siva looked at her and nodded, “Alright, I will be blunt then. I—” Siva paused, inhaling. “—I want you to search for a person… a kid… around 3-years old.”
Huh?
Not one soul, even Gaspar, was spared and weren’t surprised by this sudden request.
“He’s my brother and he’s missing.”
Scion squeezed his hand and he did so too. How could he not use this chance to use the network of the Humans?
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Everything was for this purpose…
The search for Baron takes in a new curve!!
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Next Chapter: Will Siva reveal himself or…
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