Ikrei P.O.V.
In the edges of a deserted lake somewhere in Zunar, we were standing before an open portal. The rift was emitting a considerable amount of energy. Our cloaks were fluttering.
“Remember everything we talked about this place. Follow my lead.”
I walked through the opening after Krigsain. Blinding light enveloped us, the typical headache took place. A few breaths later, the light dissipated and two beautiful easterner women in her gowns welcomed us.
“We have been expecting you, please come with us.” They spoke together with a small bow.
Krigsain nodded and we followed after them. The place was extensive; the architecture was similar to what I had seen before when we arrived in Wanei. But this time, the luxury was taken up several notches. Many buildings, many establishments that were meticulously lit, a feast of multicolored luminosity. There were many servants and plenty of clientele. The place was packed.
There were four pagodas of considerable size, masterfully constructed. I estimated a height of 180 cubits Metal, earth, water seals, fire emblems, orgon crystals, gold, carbuncle, jasper, diamonds, etc. As some would say, the works. We went inside one of them until we reached a private room on the second floor. Our guards waited outside the room.
Sitting across the table were two elegantly dressed men, fine clothes with red robes and barely discernable dragon symbols. One of them had his sleeves folded into cuffs, slim stature and long hair that draped down to his shoulders. The other a gruffer and warrior like appearance, but similarly kept long hair.
‘Powerful energy, cultivators.’
“Welcome again, blessed of the Will. As you know, my name is Li Shīzǐ and this one next to me is Konoe Kurohyou. We will be your official and only liaisons in this matter.” They gave us a slight nod.
They placed a couple of pearls in front of us. They were similar to the ones given to us by Lord Sarkan.
“These are the communication devices that I spoke of. Considering distances, security and other matters, they only transmit and receive short text messages. Regardless of what happens, we will only communicate with the two of you. In the case of the death of the client, the agreements will be considered null and void.”
I wasn’t too surprised; I had been warned. We took the pearls, one each.
“Mr. Li, this is the person I talked to you about, Ikrei. I am Krigsain, Mr. Konoe.” Krigsain and I saluted.
“I assume everything is ready?” Krigsain asked.
“Of course. As requested, here are the files.” Cultivator Li showed us a floating mirror screen through a crystal artifact. There were pictures and body measurements. Followed by the accompanying description.
* 16 years old, Demonic Cultivator - Foundation Establishment 4th stage, Blessing of Beltor.
* 15 years old, Unorthodox Cultivator - Qi Gathering 7th stage, Blessing of Xinosha.
* 17 years old, Demonic Cultivator - Foundation Establishment 3rd stage, Blessing of Thypar.
“They are all talented beauties, trained in the arts of the nǚyāo, virgins with blessings of the lesser spirits of Malgrun, quite a find.” Cultivator Li explained.
“Nǚyāo?” I questioned.
‘I knew not having a clear understanding of eastern terms would make things confusing.’
“Succubus, Ikrei.” Krigsain answered.
Krigsain was meditating the present choice, I was comfortable with letting the ladies’ man do the heavy lifting here.
“Perhaps, there is a little more we can offer you, blessed one? Cultivator Konoe said.
After some pause, Krigsain nodded.
“Tā kàn qǐlái méi nàme lìng rén yìnxiàng shēnkè”
“Torihiki wa torihiki, madamu no meirei wa zettaidesu.”
I didn’t understand a thing. I looked to Krigsain for clarification, not speaking as we had planned. “They are not too impressed with you, nothing to worry about, cultivators are far less reserved sometimes and wanted you to know. Don’t take it to heart. Whatever extra they have is different. This might be good.” I received a mental message.
‘Of course the chosen one understands the eastern languages!’
Another crystal with another file appeared. Pictures and body measurements again. Only one girl.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
* 15 years old, Demonic Cultivator - Foundation Establishment 5th stage, Blessing of Malgrun. Bastard child of central continent royalty. Parental lineage will not be provided unless a fee of 400000 Ucra is paid.
“She is exceptional by all measurements. With proper care she can reach Nascent Soul, maybe higher.”
“Can you give us a moment?” Krigsain asked.
Accenting, the cultivators left the room.
“Good news or bad news first?” Red head was unsmiling.
“Tell me the bad news then.” The bad premonition crawled back up again.
“Bastard royalty? That means her cultivator father is extremely strong. She is trouble, now and in the future, you will suffer unless you tame her. The other ones are far easier to deal with. This one is noble blood, why is she here? 400000 disclosure option? Her parents are bigwigs, Ikrei. As your friend, I tell you to forget this woman.” The mental communication was filled with a sense of foreboding.
“Then there is something here. What’s the good news?” I was 2/3 uneasy and 1/3 intrigued.
“She will give you a 99% chance of overcoming your particular awakening. The other girls are 55%, 50% and 60%, respectively. I know what you are thinking, if you choose her I will have to adjust on the fly. That means that my help will cause you complications, the type that you don’t want! And no, I cannot tell you because it depends on how you deal with her. The Will is testing you.” The mental transmission ended.
‘99%? I get to live! I get to live! I can’t even hold a sword properly right now. What’s there to think about?! Survival first, right? Damn fucking right!’
“It can’t hurt to ask, right? Let’s just meet her first, alright? You do your thing big guy; this is where I need you.” I spoke honestly.
He nodded.
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Some teacups and cookies later, the ‘foreboding’ woman was sitting across the table. I had seen the pictures in the crystal and wanted to confirm but she was wearing a veil. The only thing visible were her dark emerald eyes.
‘I’ll have to buy a flash crystal so I can take pictures. Pictures are the realm of the rich, the common folk have to settle for paintings and portraits. This world and its screwed up constraints!’
The delicate design of her clothes was grand, silk from fearbeasts, a master’s dress. Turquoise mixed in with white in a unique blend, softening the color to a perfect shade. She had a pure white shawl that covered an underlying attractive figure. The elegant mixture of colors gave her a unique appeal. The hair crown with an eye catching hairpin jewel was noteworthy.
‘She seems to be well proportioned all over but I can’t be sure yet.’
“Let’s begin negotiations. There are three conditions for her acceptance. We will deal with each one individually.” Cultivator Li spoke.
Krigsain motioned for him to proceed.
“First is the price, due to her unique circumstances we have to account for her needs and our bottom line. The amount required is 200000 Ucra.”
‘What?! That’s crazy! Why so much for a piece of ass? You can buy a title of nobility, many, many artifacts, herbs, pills, high quality Augirian armor. It’s generational wealth! Heck even a very minute but dwindling orgon deposit on a frontier town. I could live with that forever, if I wasn’t dying!’
“In exchange, we want absolute subservience. And I mean absolute.” Krigsain calmly counter demanded.
“We can use the special seal of our leader but you understand the limitations? It will be an extra 10000 Ucra for the materials. We are providing a hefty discount with this.” Cultivator Konoe detailed.
“Understood. Next condition.”
‘10000 more?! What seal? Explain big guy!!!’
Sensing my distress, Krigsain said, “The seal of the Heavenly Demon, details later.”
“Right of Refusal in accordance with the Malgrunian custom. This is a show of sincerity; compatibility is essential in any fruitful relationship.” Cultivator Li expressed.
“Right of Assessment, no powers, no techniques, no blessings, no gimmicks unless ordered.” Krigsain made a counter again.
The three across the table agreed with nods.
“Final condition, considering she is giving away one of her most precious assets and who her partner will be, she expects marriage.”
‘Marriage?! What? Why? This is a brothel, an expensive, luxurious and deadly one but a brothel. My 99% is slipping…’
“I told you.” Krigsain was bordering on laughter.
I didn’t know what to do. It always ends the same. Someone, somehow controlling me and dictating what I’ll do, my better fortune disappearing like shadows into shade. I was feeling how the gyves of life were stripping away my foolish hope.
After a pause of a little over a quarter of an hour.
‘Sixty percent it is. I cannot do this. I cannot.’
“Broth—” Krigsain interrupted me with a pad on my shoulder and a proclamation.
“The Seachar says, solitude is preferable to improper company. The Zurians say it is better to live in the wilderness than with a contentious wife. I say, bread for today, hunger for tomorrow.”
He placed three of his Will infused glyphic cubes on the table. The eyes of the cultivators almost popped out of their sockets.
“Don’t overestimate yourself. Consider these artifacts part of our counter offer, half the money in transferable funds from the order. The artifacts will be yours upon completion of the deflowering. I want a direct access portal to her private villa for myself and my brother here, a personal tri core maid assistant for her under our orders and I want the permission to commune with her for a few breaths in your presence. Lastly, she will get a proper non sexual related reward determined by the Heavenly Demon paid by us, if and when she provides everything my brother here needs. Otherwise, we will execute the refund policy of the Pavilion. In total counting the artifacts, our offer exceeds 300000 Ucra. This is the final offer from the Andurin order, a fortune. A fortune worthy of her undisclosed parentage.”
‘I knew the artifacts were from Krigsain’s workmanship not from the order. But they didn’t need to know that. A friend, a true friend indeed!
“Never doubt the love that your elders have for you again, Ikrei. Trust that it will all be worth it in the end.” Krisain’s mental communication made me gulp heavily.
‘Thank you elders. My heart was in a complicated state, too many things, too fast.’
The cultivators were contemplative, internally surprised surely. Krigsain didn’t bargain, he raised the stakes. We had them! They had urging eyes, they wanted to close the deal instantly. The girl was looking back and forth among us, finally settling her eyes on me. I was unfazed.
‘Yeah, my friend is cool and if you reject the deal either the Madame or the Heavenly Demon might serve you to the dogs or who knows what. I already have enough people directing my steps, so kindly get in all fours. And fuck your marriage! There is a pun in there somewhere.’
I gave her a leisurely smile.