The Book Of Flowers

Raise Price

-- 1 Week later, Umibe port kingdom Gong ---

"Good afternoon. Nice to welcome you here, messenger from Miralius"

.....

"What did he say, Eryn?" Cyth whispered softly

Veskal was forced to come forward to respond to the words of the king of Zen

"Good day too, your Majesty Zen. We're also glad you've bothered to come to see us"

Cyth was immediately stunned to see Veskal speaking Gong, especially when he realized that the face of the king of Zen was beaming

"Looks like your Highness Lev is here too? Greetings to you"

Cyth was getting a little gaping when Veskal used the Bestia language from the one he had just heard

"Oh~? It seemed like he was quite proficient in the language" Eryn praised

Veskal only sighed silently as the two people standing behind him could not help him talking to the two kings before him

"Then we don't have to linger. We from the kingdom of Gong welcome you with joy"

Veskal immediately took a breath of relief as Zen blurted out the words. Afterwards, they went to be led by the two kings, into a large building, right in front of the dock

From the looks of it, Veskal immediately knew that it was the residence of the Gong royal family in this area

"Vescal, Veskal. How can you be fluent in a foreign language?" Cyth who approached her asked half a whisper

"Hmphs. Almost 20 years of my life you think I'm using for what?"

Cyth just silently pouted hearing Veskal's response

They just kept walking while looking around. Trees grow beautifully in this beautiful home. A walkway made of white round stone with a part of the garden filled by white sand. On it are carved various beautiful and charming motifs, accompanied by several small garden lights in some parts. Made of wood as the main material of the foundation, the traditional building belonging to Gong that gives a very soothing impression for people who enter

Veskal breathes air in there. After a few days at sea, he was finally able to enjoy the fresh breeze on land again

They entered the living room of the building. But they couldn't find a chair there. There were only enough pillows on the floor and a long table in the middle of the room. It made everyone confused due to the absence of a normal chair in the room

But when he saw Zen take his seat, coupled with Veskal who once again took the initiative to go ahead and sit down, everyone understood the procedure of sitting at the table belonging to the kingdom of Gong

They followed the two people who were sitting first. Sit with your knees folded down while your thighs fold over them

"I hope you don't mind eating fish. It was our special material" Zen opened the conversation

"We have absolutely no problem" Veskal replied

"What did he ask us?" Cyth asked

"He asked if we had no problem with fish as a menu today"

Cyth immediately nodded in understanding

Not long after, he then nudged Veskal while showing the paper agreement that lay behind the suit he was wearing

Veskal shook his head slowly, indicating that it was not the right time. Cyth nodded in understanding again, then sat quietly back down

"Oh, young man. You have not introduced yourself to us. We only hear names, but don't know your faces" Zen said

Veskal turned to Cyth and Erin because he didn't want to be the one to respond. Because Cyth does not understand their language, Erin is forced to replace him

"I'm Erin. I am the right hand of this black haired man sitting beside me. We are the chairman and deputy of the Black Hunt pirate crew. The one talking to you guys since is Veskal Grandier, and he's Oberon's closest friend"

"Black Hunt huh...? You guys are quite famous in Gong because most of the professions in our country are sailors"

"T-What's famous?"

"Hm... For example, you are quite friendly and friendly...

But you sometimes sell our country's fish at a slightly higher price to fishermen whose catch you scoop out of the sea. They wouldn't even know that you took it from our sea, if my sea troops hadn't reported"

Erin instantly froze when she realized what Zen meant while Cyth sat with a face unaware of what was being said

"M-I'm sorry! We were just going to do it that time"

"Ah is okay. It's been years, maybe 12 years. It only happens once, right?"

Erin breathed a sigh of relief, then sat back down even though her body was still trembling in fear

Veskal and Cyth just smiled confusedly at Erin's behavior. Veskal did not know anything about the incident, whereas Cyth did not know anything about what Erin and Zen had just discussed

"Uh... What was he talking about just now, Veskal?"

"Something about you selling Gong royal fish to fishermen who know nothing"

Cyth immediately went pale just like Erin, and began to try to avoid the gaze of the Zen King

This time only Veskal was left confused in the room

...

"Finely, while we wait for our food to arrive, we will talk directly about the agreement" Zen said

...

All the camps there immediately turned on their alert signs towards each other. But Zen still tried to put on a friendly face without changing it in the slightest

"To be honest with King Julius, I'm quite surprised that you submitted the agreement to us. You can't take much advantage of it, don't discuss it for the residents of Miralius

What are you really after?"

Hearing Lev speak, all the translators at the side of their leader immediately whispered the meaning of his words

"What His Holiness Lev said is true. You can't just want to catch Walter Herb by working with us, can you? There must be other intentions, as you are not the first to offer us that offer" Zen added

"Just get to the point. Yes, we did just want to capture and execute Walter Herb with the help of your kingdom" Julius replied briefly

Zen shook his head

"If the logic is so, wouldn't it be better for you to work with Xiang? I mean, that greedy king Shen would definitely not refuse even if he was being taken advantage of, even if he was asking for a heavy fee. They have a military power that is much stronger than our two kingdoms, not discussing the amount of gold he can give you

But for some reason, you are actually proposing that to us, a small country that is in a period of redevelopment because of a heinous act 5 years ago"

...

"If you intend to insinuate my noble stronghold of Zen, I have absolutely no respect for it" Veskal finally retorted

"... I'm sorry, Mr. Veskal, but you are still unbelievable. Your statement about you is not the culprit may be the most appropriate honesty, but it can also be a deliberate lie to divide the minds of every kingdom. You might want to use that to control a small kingdom like ours"

"They don't intend to use you! They've also asked for time to prove themselves, but doubters like you will hinder that and continue to defame them" Julius interjected

"Your thoughts are also completely illogical, noble Julius! How can you!?"

"I told you, your Highness Lev, I-I!"

"We're getting too out of the topic"

Veskal interrupted at the right moment. The two kings were even instantly silent and sat back down quietly without making any more sounds

Veskal and I had been aware of this since the beginning of our discussion in Miralius. The two kingdoms can still not believe in us, but the plan must still be carried out for the sincerity of this hunt

"Topic today is Walter Herb's arrest and execution, but somehow you went far and insinuated us about Blood Sabbath"

Veskal was upset at the time, to the point that he even used Hortensian language that no one from the other camp could understand

"Do we need to get back to this topic? We weren't even served warm tea, and I seem to know enough about how the Gong kingdom treats their guests"

Zen was just silent annoyed at the innuendo. He ordered one of the servants nearby to serve tea first

It was actually a presumptuous treatment and indicated that the Zen King did not care about them at all by not serving tea. That should have been the basic manners throughout the entire country of Vitario. At least if not tea, even a small snack can

"I know that you only want to be careful to ensure the safety of your kingdom, but we also need this for Miralius who is also a kingdom"

"I'd guess. You guys have got a second intention"

"But, just as for the events of Blood Sabbath, this cooperation will be useful for Miralius only to introduce ourselves well to you. To declare that we are innocent"

Cyth and Erin nodded to give a sign of agreeing in support of Veskal's words

"That's not gonna prove anything. A merchant always uses the word sweet and alluring to convince an unwary buyer. How can we believe in your 'trade?"

...

"... How about we do a little more expensive buying and selling?" Cyth interrupted

"Captain?"

"Relax Veskal. Leave this debate to me now"

Seeing Cyth's big smile, Veskal was convinced that this discussion would be resolved with a destiny in their favor

"If you are willing to help even in the form of roadblocks, we are willing to provide trade security assistance with you as long as you do not commit aggression to Orion and Miralius. Oberon also intends to trade with you. Sounds unconvincing, right? So, what if I ask for a fee like this

Help Verdea Hortensia gather strength in order to ascend the throne"

Everyone there was shocked, even Veskal and Erin

"You crazy?! Where we might be able to interfere in the affairs of the throne of another country! What does that have to do with proving yourself, huh!?" Lev exclaims

"I'm not saying you should do it directly. And also, it's the most important step so that our voices can be heard loud later isn't it?"

Lev was silent at the words, unable to speak anymore

"Then? What do you want us to do to help Verdea Hortensia rise to the throne?" Zen took over

"Money and gold. I want you to provide such assistance to Oberon secretly in the near future. It doesn't really feel like an impact for us, but with money, you can do anything, especially if there are so many. I'm sure Oberon can use that to advance Verdea Hortensia to the Hortensian throne later"

"... Wait for. Why are we talking about the little prince now?" Lev interrupted in surprise

"Because whatever Oberon Vainzel is doing right now is just for the sake of keeping that kid and this kid safe, you know?" Cyth said then pointed to Veskal and meant another word for Verdea

"Huh!?"

"really. I'm now telling you all here Oberon's greatest weakness while helping him~

Verdea Hortensia and Veskal Grandier are the weakest points of Oberon. Just attack them, and he'll be slowly destroyed. But I believe you won't do that, mainly because you don't dare"

Veskal wondered why Cyth said he was my weak point. But just by taking a quick look, Cyth knew right away that the two of them were my weaknesses

"Please use that information as you please. But since I've already told him, you can start paying him by signing this letter. Such information is in no way free~"

"... Is this all you want?"

"Ah, there's one more thing"

"What?"

"In order to be fair enough to your side, I can make Oberon give you some knowledge of all the natural resources that exist in Goeitias. Monsters, strange flora, even rocks. Your two kingdoms will be the only ones with such knowledge

And I also know that all the kingdoms of the world are trying to put their hands on a greater magical power, but it cannot be done safely if you are lucky, Oberon might consider selling those resources for you to research and use"

...

Zen and Lev immediately swallowed their saliva as they were tempted by Cyth's offer

"That will be very helpful in our development. Forget about rebuilding, we might be able to become a superpower with that offer" Zen muttered

Goeitias is not a continent that anyone can enter. Only a few people who were tough enough could enter the Monster's lair. Even with the Elves in Miralius ruling over all castes in Goeitias, we have absolutely no restrictions on the freedom of the monsters and have no regard for the others they have attacked for daring to enter

The two kings took the time to glance towards each other. With a nod of agreement, they took the document and signed it. Julius, on the other hand, rejects Cyth's offer and only intends to help in this hunt alone in order to dismantle the true perpetrator of Blood Sabbath

Veskal was amazed by that. I didn't even think of changing the resources that were in Goeitias. That's because we Elves don't need too much in our daily lives. Killing monsters only we are forbidden unless it is life threatening

"Cythe. How do you know what they want?" Veskal whispered

"Like that. Greed and Pride. All kings must have it to be a worthy king, and it is fundamental. Kings like them are quite predictable, especially when their country is in a crisis like now"

Cyth blinked one eye, and it made Veskal smile while shaking his head

The two kings had already signed the treaty. Cyth took it back from before them

"This document is only a formality if the four camps are already bound by agreement. There is no content that explains certain conditions in the agreement. That's because Oberon hopes that our cooperation will continue to grow in the future"

"... It's business. We only take what can meet the needs of our country" Zen said

"Only you look at this in that perspective, noble Zen and noble Lev"

"... Why do you believe that we will help you and not break the treaty, Mr. Cyth" Lev followed

"Let's just say it's the foundation for our business, like your perspective"

Veskal immediately nudged Cyth's waist so that he wouldn't offend them again, as Cyth smiled ignorantly

"We just want to believe, that's all" Veskal interjected. "But of course, if you betray us, we can't stay silent"

...

Zen suddenly started laughing, I don't know what's funny. Everyone was beginning to wonder at his laughter. His laughter was loud enough that the entire room echoed that voice

"You Miralius people are a strange group. As if you were too innocent to understand the world" Zen said later

"Well, we just learned a lot. But, to deal with this cruel world, relationships and trust need to be built, right?"

"Well... You're correct. I can only hope we can all trust you later. Don't disappoint us too, stronghold of Miralius and Orion"

"No problem"

That discussion really ended up siding with them. The atmosphere of the room became lighter, although it still felt covered with a fake friendly face

One thing was already accomplished by Veskal in this mission. With this, everything would become easier in the future

...

"Oh yes, your majesty Zen. You discussed that we weren't the first to offer you an offer. Then who?"

Zen silently heard Veskal's question. Silence as if he did not want to talk

But...

"If I can open my mouth, that person is Rosalia Hortensia"