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Chapter 359: Sincerity
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“Brother?”
Higginson was naturally surprised. In fact, all of them are surprised.
“We can both swear these oaths. We can both be each other’s good clients and share a mutual point of benefit. I need your network. You need my resources… if we don’t agree to each other’s terms, then mayhap our transaction might end in this junction.”
The Humans mainly wanted to know who he was along with the bunch of Dragon Resources.
To add more butter to the bread he offered, Siva also added, “During the scurrying of the Dragon resources after the fight in the Alexandria, I had to kill a few small time black market merchants in order to get these resources. I assure you, if you let this chance go, the next time you see these resources will be in that place…. and their prices are sure to sky-rocket compared to my price.”
The Ambassadors were all clearing their throats.
It was indeed a tempting proposition.
Knowing the face behind the mask just for the sake of “knowing who he is” was shallow but for that matter, the demand of searching for a person was a worthy exchange. No. In fact, this is really a great bargain for them.
Given the Humans’ extensive network on cities, a simple [search] should be quite easy for them. So is there a reason for them to reject this offer?
The answer should be clear.
Still, Higginson, knowing the things that happened in Jeremiah, wouldn’t believe that Siva’s goal only ends with him searching for a person. Even if the said person was his brother.
“What else?” he prompted. He trusted his gut.
Siva didn’t smile but instead, pulled out a piece of paper prepared by Cortana and gave it to Gaspar.
Gaspar stood up and walked over to Higginson to give him the contract paper. He was now brought down into the level of a messenger without even himself knowing.
After reading it, “Just this?” Higginson couldn’t help but ask.
“Invoke your Mana when you speak those exact words and the Heavenly Laws shall open its eyes to listen to your oath… because I am qualified to make it listen. Mana binds all sentient soul in the universe and that is their source of life and the energy which gives even stars their fuel. After a Heavenly Oath is conjured, once you break your oath, the Mana you’ve entreated will be the chains that will bind your soul and you will be devoid of your chance for reincarnation, thus, a complete and utter death……” Siva paused for a moment before he added, “….in this universe.”
The last part was him as ‘Rex Kingsley’ speaking.
Looking at the piece of paper, Higginson couldn’t help but look at Gaspar making him read its words and contents. He gave him a nod.
“It’s the same.” Gaspar had only promised to not speak of Siva’s secrets and so confirming what oath he had sworn is not a part of the oath that he had sworn.
Gaspar added, “A Heavenly Oath depends on the words that were spoken, not what the heart feels or even desires. Eloquence in explicitly iterating a complete and exact point is the key to it.”
These were the words spoken by Siva and since they were out of time to confirm its authenticity, a decision must be made here and now.
Siva, as if to read their minds, spoke, “Of course, I will be the first to swear the oath to make you guys confirm that my words are true.”
Higginson put down the paper and said, “Let me just confirm this first… you agree that we cannot give you the things you demand regarding our AI Technology but will instead accompany you on a visual inspection along with a general explanation of the information that all Terrans with qualifications are entitled to know —regarding the secrets about the Panel Options; the catalog the [Item Analyzer] use as reference; the T-Devices workings; with the final demand being a request to search for your brother.”
“Let me add another Dragon Spike. In exchange, I want a Portable Nano-Furnace.”
“Deal.”
“Ho? Then to finalize my list of requirements, I also require 500 of your finest and state-of-the-art audio-visual spectral units…. just like this one that I accidentally found in one of my hauls.”
Siva opened his palm and showed them the small triangular spying device that Draco had tried to sneak in on his items last night.
Higginson recognized the item and then looked at Siva, “That’s something.”
Siva, of course, wouldn’t back down, “I want 500 of this little toy… can you provide it to me along with my initial requests?”
Higginson was trying his best to remain stoic and unrelenting on his expression, “Are you going to use it to spy on us now? Giving you a PNF is already the limits of the agreement we’ve signed with The Alliance… this ‘little toy’ is bough with an extravagant price and after signing to a Vow did we only allow Draco to get a few of them. You demanding 500 of them with a single Dragon Spike…… I think it’s too little.”
If Siva was poor in Dragon Materials, he would have exploded here and now. But he was not and so he only let it slip by.
“I’ll add another 50 crates of Dragon Scales.”
Higginson, “…”
“+100 crates. Final.”
“All of your Dragon Blood.”
“I only have more or less 32 cubic meters of it.”
Siva tried to sound unwilling. However, Higginson still wore his stoic look and spoke solemnly.
“All of it.”
It was a demand.
Ah, this was how rough negotiations work. Siva could only smile to himself.
“Alright.”
Higginson microscopically heaved a sigh of relief.
“So it’s (1) a tour with The Teacher’s task; (2) a short briefing regarding the T-Devices, the Panel Options, and the Item Analyzer; (3) 500 pcs of [Diamond Spot]; (4) one unit of PNF; (5) and then a world-wide search for your brother…”
Truthfully, these were surprising enough items to be included in one exchange but for the sake of the planet’s most valuable resources, Higginson was willing to risk the feeling he got from Siva…
…piloted by his [Compassion Card], he trusted that Siva will not go back on his word.
—that Siva will not hurt his people.
He, demanding to search for his brother, was his proof that Siva was strict to his wants and vicious to his enemies. Draco was one good example.
Siva inhaled deeply to make them realize that the last item is his biggest goal.
“Yes.”
Higginson lifted the paper again, pressed on it, typed-in the few items they had just finalized, and then passed it along to Siva.
“Hmmmm…”
Siva read the contents and felt satisfied with the fairness of Higginson. By now, he was sure that he was really using the compassion card in full swing, trusting that Siva’s search for his brother was his heartfelt aim for this transaction.
[I have studied Higginson’s mannerism and pulses sir, and I can tell that he is an upright man.]
Siva trusted Cortana’s words. She was a gift from his dad and so he had no reason to doubt her and her capabilities.
“Alright.” Siva voiced out and spoke, “I hereby solemnly swear, with the Heavenly Laws as the witness; by my identity as Commander of the Magic Knight Corps under the control and authority of the Enchantment Temple, that as long as the parties involved in this transaction conduct according to the writ we have agreed upon this very day; let me be punished by the might of the Heavenly Lightning nine times until my limit and if that is still not enough, until the death of this body of mortal flesh.”
GAZANG!!!
A very loud thunderous sound rung in the room and this surprised Higginson so much that he had almost fallen from his seat.
“Mr. President! Are you alright?”
“What happened to you, Mr. President?”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Mr. President!”
The Real@D holographic rendering of the other ambassadors became worried when they all saw the President became startled on his seat as soon as Siva finished his words.
“Didn’t you guys hear it?” Higginson asked them all in a very confused manner.
The Ambassadors looked at each other and then looked back at Higginson, shaking their heads.
He then looked at Gaspar who explained, “This also happened to me. It seems only the parties in their physical selves could hear that thunder strike after an oath. It should be the sign that only those who physical holds Mana in their bodies and not just Real@D Holograms are eligible of actually experiencing the so called Heavenly Oath that Sir Knight speaks of.”
Only those who are present can hear that?
Higginson felt slightly concerned and as well as convinced now; someone with the authority can swear the oath to represent the entire organization itself and while the Ambassadors can hear and see the entire endeavor, they cannot actually experience the actual reply of the so called Heavenly Laws.
It should be noted that this is the Home Colony of the Human Society.
This is a state-of-the-art facility complete with an integrated Real@D laser projector and the latest Audio and Visual rendering technologies.
In fact, everything —from the air they breathe and to the floor they are standing on— are all part of a very sophisticated system of intertwined different kinds of technologies that ensured that the security of the president is air-tight.
They didn’t trust the White Knight, considering he had the capability to even threaten the Overlords of Jeremiah.
As such, surveillance in this place was top-notch.
And yet… not one of the Ambassadors heard the sound that made Higginson almost topple off his own seat.
Higginson, now, was convinced that this so called Heavenly Oath was the real deal.
“What had just happened?” the blonde woman asked Gaspar.
Just as he was about to reply, Higginson raised a hand and fixed himself on his seat, recovering his poised and dignity.
“It’s the Heavenly Oath.” He said solemnly. “There was a loud crack of thunder that... exploded in the room and I was just startled by it.”
“But we didn’t hear anything.”
“I guess our technology isn’t on that level yet.”
Siva’s ears caught that one detail. He really wanted to know how the Humans managed to combine their Technology and the Magic Culture of the Terrans.
But forcing won’t give him the results he need so he could only take it slow for now. He will study it on his own if he had to.
[You have me, Boss. As long as there are enough materials and enough data, we can work together to analyze the manufacturing procedures. We can work on it, slowly; develop our very own magical technology. I can use your unique responses on Mana Fluctuations around you as a reference for developing this technology. So for now, we can only be satisfied on how far we have come with our tasks.]
Siva felt optimistic with her consoling words. The goal of everything he had done, by plans or even by chance, here in Jeremiah, was to find a way on how to commission capable organizations or even individuals for the task of finding Baron.
He now had done it.
‘Right. This should be enough for now.’
Siva admits it. He’s too greedy. He knew that being too greedy might end him up in trouble.
This was his current limit.
Relying on his [memories], Siva explained to the holograms, “Mana can only be felt by those who are alive… or even dead… in some regard. Magic can only be witnessed, felt, and touched by those that are present in its manifestation. The Heavenly Laws operate in the name of Mana and thus, holograms are out of the question. This shouldn’t have been a mystery.”
“Bastard.” The ambassadors weren’t happy being looked down upon by Siva.
His argument may have been the fact but his choice of words and manner of speech portrayed him to be looking down on all of them.
“That said…” Siva then looked at Higginson, “Are we on business now?”
Higginson inhaled deep and with the scrutiny of the hologram Ambassadors, he swore the Oath as guided in the piece of paper that even Gaspar had reviewed and saw no difference from his own pledge.
The most important portion of the oath is the part where Higginson had sworn that if he was to deny the contents of the oath or tell another soul that’s not part of this meeting regarding Siva’s identity, he, and these Ambassadors who witnessed the signing of the contract, will be subjected to death by Heavenly Lightning.
It was at the last syllable of the word that all of the Ambassadors heard the thunder striking in their vicinity.
That is the clear sign that they are now part of the Heavenly Oath and that their silence will ensure their safety.
Everyone became frightened. Now they know as to why earlier, as soon as Siva stopped speaking, Higginson almost fell on his chair.
“That is certainly a frightening phenomenon.”
“Indeed.”
“So, do we also have to swear an Oath?”
Siva turned towards that woman who asked the question and said, “Of course. Otherwise, if you don’t, then every human in your colony will die…. with you being the only man alive.”
Dying was an escape to responsibility. Living after becoming the main reason why the Human Race became extinct was a fate worse than death.
Just thinking about the agony of self-loathing will be enough to push these Humans to swear the same oath of silence that Higginson had vowed.
A series of thundering sounds could be heard as the Ambassadors made their vows one by one.
Not one of them neglected.
—for the sake of the survival of the Human Race!
“Now then, since we’ve all gotten in line, there is no more need to be hiding my identity then, is it?”
Higginson nodded and pressed a button. All of the Real@D renderings of the Ambassadors all vanished and Gaspar even went out of the room.
Now, only Siva, Scion, and Higginson remained in there.
“Now tell me then, Sir Knight, who are you?”
“Rex Kingsley.” Siva said as he slowly unlatched the lock of his Faceless Helmet. “But I am more commonly known as Siva.”
Pssshhh….
After a hissing sound, the final lock was released and Siva pulled the helmet off his head to reveal the monster that everyone feared in Alexandria.
“..!!”
Higginson’s breathing shortened and his chest rose up and down as he staggered back.
“Y-y-you…”
Siva smiled a warm smile but to Higginson, it was the sight of a devil smiling at him…… warmly.
“Let me tell you a secret.” Siva gave the helmet to Scion and then slowly walked towards Higginson.
Each step he made pushed Higginson towards the wall and just as he was about to call for help, his Battle-AI warned him that it will kill all of them.
Higginson then realized that they’ve been duped.
The oaths they took were all only applicable to the Commander of the Magic Knight Corps. It doesn’t include Siva at all…!!
“It is true that I am the Commander of Magic Knight Corps of the Enchantment Temple, but I’m not bound by its rules. Meaning, I am only acting the role because I was requested to.”
Siva doesn’t want to look sinister so he was telling the words as sincere as he was —not that it would sound any more sincere than this— since he had just revealed the fact that the Heavenly Oath the Humans had taken were aimed at the moon.
“…what I mean is I am still bound by the Oath even though the Magic Knight Corps doesn’t really exist.”
“You tricked me!” Higginson felt like crying. No. In fact, he already is.
He had just doomed the entire Human Race!
Despair is hugging him.
He had just put his people into the mouth of evil and this evil still claims that he is an upright man.
In his eyes, Siva was a cruel and sinister individual. He despaired at the fact that he had actually put his trust in him.
Seeming to have read his thoughts, Siva spoke in sincerity, “Mr. President. Please understand that I am hiding my identity not because I wanted to but because I am forced by circumstances.”
Suddenly, Higginson thought of the events in Dragona where the name “Siva” first echoed.
“Is your search for your brother true?”
“That’s the real reason why he was hiding his identity. He didn’t do anything wrong.”
Scion was the one who answered him and since Siva was already exposed, Higginson now also knew just who this ‘Archmage’ was.
Just why did they not realize this sooner?!!
Scion continued without waiting for him to recover from his stupor, “Rex... he... he didn’t do anything wrong! He is innocent!”
Higginson found this odd. “How?” he then looked at Siva, “Why?”
“As you may have known in the Net, I seem to be connected to an ancient inheritance and this is what all those people are after.”
“Inheritance?” Higginson thought and then his Battle-AI told him something which made his eyes widen, “Something to do the war, 56 years ago?”
In the real world, there are story-mongers who’re addicted to the lore of Terroa and because there seemed to be something wrong with RPG: Terroa that limited the quests and missions, smart people who had too much stock knowledges had spread these real-world information into the Local Net to trigger quests and missions… generating a wave that will generally benefit them in return.
This is what Higginson’s Battle-AI had picked up in a forum somewhere in their Local Net.
“Yes.” Siva spoke straightly. “And the reason why I am in Alexandria is because my brother was there… and so… the events that had happened went on one after another.”
Siva’s feats in The North were all famous.
He chipped the moon; prevented an invasion; defeated Devils; and conquered a Dragon. There was not a soul who had not heard of his name. He is a celebrity in a different sense.
But then, as confused and despaired as he was, Higginson also felt furious.
“You! You are going to sacrifice my people just so you could advance your aim! You’re a despicable sun of a beach!”
Siva felt guilty but… he had long steeled his own resolve to not feel any guilt as long as he can make sure Baron’s safety.
But the tiniest of his compassion was still there and so he had agreed to this deal. If he had not, he could have chosen to forsake the deal and not agree to Higginson’s request to know his identity.
He told him with a voice of disdain, “You were too adamant to know who I am so now here I am, in front of you. Now that you know who holds your people’s fate in his hands, it is time for you to do what you have vowed. If not, I would only wait until all of you dies and then get what I want.”
Siva wasn’t threatening him. He was only stating the facts.
The deal was simple, Siva provides resources and the Humans tell him and give him what he wants.
In addition, Higginson had a personal request; to know who was behind his mask.
He had sworn the Oath; now, he must follow the details that were included in the deal. If not, not only will he die, but everyone in his jurisdiction will also die along with him.
In a sense, Siva had them as hostages.
Higginson Bollard was standing in a ledge with his face on the wall and his back on a steep fall. He can’t back down and could only move on so as to find a haven from this predicament.
Besides, it’s not that he facing death anyways. All he had to do was to follow the details of the deal and everything will still be alright.
But still, in the end, as much as he wanted to deny that fact, Siva was the only one who gets to walk away as a winner in this exchange.
Higginson, having resolved himself, only asked the one question that could ensure him a safety line in case of a fall out.
“Tell me; are you really a member of the Magic Knight Corps?”
Siva understood where he was coming from: “I am the Magic Knight Corps.”
Higginson bit his lower lip and then stood straight as he gazed at the Archmage, “I don’t care if he is innocent or not; my people are also innocent and he used this so called Heavenly Laws to take them as hostages. This makes him not different than a common criminal.”
Scion bit her lips and meekly spoke, “You don’t understand. Siva’s brother… Baron… is but a boy and he could be scared somewhere in Terroa. He is the only family Siva has left in this world. I know you understand… he was just desperate!”
Higginson frowned and gazed at Siva, “I will still uphold my part in the oath.”
Then—
“By my name as Siva, with the Heavenly Laws as the witness, I promise to never hurt the Humans willingly in my pursuit of the safety of my Brother, Baron Kingsley, as long as they do not stand in my way and against that goal of mine; and that if I shall break this promise, then let the Heavenly Lightning strike me nine times with all its might!”
GAZANG!!!!
A mighty thunder strike louder than what they had all heard, rung in their ears. This act of Siva… an act of sincerity… even surprised Higginson.
“Y-You…”
“Rex!”
Siva didn’t have to swear an oath yet he did. This was a clear testimony of Siva’s sincerity and it also broke Scion’s heart. Siva just keeps on piling up his burden more and more.
“Now I’ve made the vow.” Siva said somberly. “I need you to keep yours.”
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They were the last Humans…
…and in the end, Siva is as soft as a sponge.
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Next Chapter: The tour in the colony.
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