玉蒲团之云雨山庄

As the heavy rain continues to soak the capital city of Astellia kingdom, it should be a perfect moment to enjoy a glass of high-quality wine while getting immersed in one\'s own thoughts, accompanied by the nature rain music. Inspiration would flow smoothly, and solutions for problems would appear like divination.

Or so it should be.

"......." (Lyan)

Sitting inside the tavern, three people are shrouded in in a very tense atmosphere. The truth is that only the two people out of the three that is showing hostility towards each other, but because the remaining person is sitting right between them, he couldn\'t help but get caught up in the tense atmosphere.

*Sigh!*

Lyan let out a heavy sigh before putting his glass of wine that remains only 1/5 of the glass on top of the table.

"So? I wonder what does the very important and noble crown prince and lord duke wants from me? I don\'t think I\'m that important that such two important figures of the kingdom would go out of their way to such a tavern just to meet me, though?" Lyan asked with a shrug.

Of course, Lyan is well aware of the identity of the two of them. Even though the two of them are using some sort of spell or magic item to disguise their appearance, it\'s still obvious to his mystical eyes that could see through any kind of illusion.

The handsome man on his right is William, or what the citizens of the Astellia Kingdom recognize as the great crown prince of the Astellia Kingdom. While on the other side of him is one of the greatest nobles of the kingdom with a vast land, Duke Ravindor.

In their surroundings, the people that secretly know the identity of the two figures beside him are surprised by how calm he is. The hidden bloodlust clashing between the two is quite obvious to them, and even though they are sitting in quite a distance from them, they could still feel the ominous pressure shrouding the three of them.

"Really, Lyan? I surely believed that the reason why you came to the capital is to announce your allegiance to me, though," (Prince Erich)

"Don\'t be a fool. I heard that his destination is the country at the far north. The capital is just a mere stopping point that he coincidentally visited," (Duke Ravindor)

"The Duke is absolutely right. So well, would you mind telling me your business now? I believe the both of you are not the type that has too much time on your hand, no?" (Lyan)

Hearing Lyan\'s words returned the two to their senses, forcing them to stop their stupid banter with each other.

"Ahem! I came for the agreement we\'ve made before, Lyan," (Erich)

"I see... The agreement, huh..." (Lyan)

"....." The duke silently stares at the two of them, he\'s clearly curious about the agreement mentioned by the crown prince.

(Did I get into the deal too late?) (Duke Ravindor)

Erich\'s words are spoken purposely ambiguous in order to give a wrong meaning for the duke to catch. Even though their actual agreement is about how Lyan agreed to give an answer to his offer, not a promise for him to join his faction.

"Forgive me beforehand, your highness, but I have not yet reached a conclusion about that matter. As I\'ve said before, I\'ll give you a reply when the time is right," Lyan replied respectfully.

Hearing Lyan\'s words that are similar to a rejection, Duke Ravindor sneered.

"Rather than taking whatever deal you have with him, how about making a deal with me, Evocatore?" (Duke Ravindor)

"Hm..." Lyan didn\'t reply, but instead, he shifted his gaze to the duke with his eyes telling him to go on.

(Heh! He got quite the gall!) (Duke Ravindor)

"Come under my wing. I\'ll give you everything you possibly want, except for the things that I want for myself. I\'ve heard your exploits on the city of mercenaries and merchants, Arkansas, and how you defeated the goblin king. After seeing you directly, I got more convinced that with you by my side, we could make history together. What do you think?" The Duke\'s eyes glimmered with both greed and excitement as he stared at Lyan as he gave his passionate speech of offer. Those eyes and speech are the things that have been bringing the nobles and other factions to his side.

Even though his appearance is in disguise, it is still obvious.

As the duke\'s eyes continue to observe him, Lyan\'s eyes never stopped observing him either.

As the two of them peered at each other, both of their eyes met.

!!!

As the duke stared at his deep black eyes, rather than being capable of entering and reading the information about him, he feels like he was getting sucked in by those black eyes instead. At the instant that the duke felt danger, he should have broken their eye contact, but he stubbornly glares and emits his bloodlust, withstanding the feeling of danger he gets from the pair of black eyes before him.

(I see. Those actions really describe his personality) (Lyan)

Lyan made a small smile, and broke their eye contact as he closed his eyes.

It\'s not that the bloodlust of the duke bothered him, it\'s just that he\'s already finished observing the duke beside him, and there is no meaning to look further into his eyes.

As there is only one thing that is much more dominant than anything else inside those eyes of him.

(Greed) (Lyan)

(It\'s like a huge ocean of quicksand. Those eyes want to suck in and possess everything they saw and reached contact with. What a magnificent amount of greed. But accompanying that greed, exceptional intellect, shrewdness, together with great boldness possessed by a powerful body. Wow, this guy is definitely not your average noble) (Lyan)

(I guess this is the reason why the handsome and clever crown prince is having difficulties in the political war. It\'s not surprising for the battle between the two factions to be very intense with the two of them standing against each other, after all) (Lyan)

"What do you think, Lyan? Not just a nobility prestige, I\'ll definitely give you a vast land with plenty of soldiers for you to command. Beauties from all over the place you could summon to entertain you," The duke continues his offer, but Lyan knows.

(He\'s the type that does not accept \'no\' as an answer. Considering that the crown prince beside me here is also aiming to get me inside his faction, it\'s not surprising if he aims for my life after I refuse his offer. What a troublesome man) (Lyan)

Lyan took a peek behind, and saw that all of the men from both sides are already ready to hold and unsheathe their weapons whenever they must.

"You must not be too pushy, Duke Ravindor. It will only give you harm rather than good," Erich said with a calm tone, but his hand is already getting near to the hilt of the sword on his hips.

"Tell me, Evocatore! Do you accept my offer!?" The duke asked with a strong tone, but Lyan remain calm and unbothered.

"Sorry. It looks like I can\'t withstand that endless greed inside you, Duke. I have lots of beauty with me, you see. I\'m afraid that if I were to join your faction, I would not be able to refuse if you ask me to lend you one of my women. So sorry, duke," Lyan stares straight at the duke with a smile that is enforced by a strong mana pressure.

"I refuse," (Lyan)

"Hmph!" The duke unsheathes his sword at a terrifying speed, and slashes toward Lyan, but-

*Clank!*

"I\'m afraid not that fast, duke!" Erich blocked the sword at the perfect moment.

Sounds of countless swords getting unsheathed resounded throughout the place, and the two factions glared against each other as the crown prince and the duke points their sword against each other.

Some of the crown prince\'s men immediately secure the waitresses and standby to protect the waitresses, the cook, and the tavern owner. Things are going at such a quick pace, but the man that is the reason for the fight inside the tavern is still sitting as he took the glass of wine on top of the table and finishes the remaining wine inside it.

"Phew! That\'s delicious," (Lyan)

___________________________________________________________________________

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Mythril-ranked Mercenary

Money: 3,797,710,950 Elnes / 3797 gold 71 big silver 9 big coppers 5 coppers

Weapon: Magic Glaive, 1 (Decent) One-handed Sword, 2 (Good-Quality) One-handed swords, 1 (Decent) bow

Equipment: Black leather cloak, Leather Armor, Breastplate, 2 Health Potions, 2 Poison Vials

Grimoire\'s Companions: 8 High Spirits, 3 Valkyrie, Shadow Goblin Lord (Lv. 5), Papilio Slime (Lv. 45), Galewing Butterfly (Lv. 45), Rock Golem (Lv. 50), Deadlight (Lv. 63), Moonlight Butterfly (Lv. 45), Ice Golem (Lv. 50), Acid Ant Queen (Lv. 9), Magma Bear (Lv. 1), Fey Mammoth (Lv. 1), Arcane Retriever (Lv. 1)

Grimoire\'s Army: 6 Shadow Servants, 800 Skeleton Army