Uphold The Future

"Frozen heart..." Malleus muttered finally as he listened carefully as he released her hand

"The poison is man-made with no cure for thousands of years, apparently. It creates cold in the body and turns the blood black slowly over time. Exposed to cold environment is what makes the poison grow stronger. As it does, it would start to turn the bones and organs into a blackened, death-like state. Once it reaches the heart, it will completely freeze the body and disintegrate it into ashes as though the body was burned away. Nothing but ashes would remain." Peony explained reluctantly , "The only way to suppress it to some extent is heat. Whether external or internal does not matter. However, due to this poison, I have become unable to utilize cold mana whenever I pleased."

"Utilizing that mana would accelerate the process, I presume." Malleus frowned, "Perhaps, this poison can also influence the mind and personality?"

"Not bad." Peony nodded as she praised him, "You assumed correctly. The poison can also start to influence the personality over time. However, I can not tell how far along I am at in regards to this, aside that I am taking suppressants I've managed to concoct. Would this information suffice for the trouble we've involved the prince into?"

Hearing this, Malleus was surprised. Was this the price she gave him for being pulled into a conflict of her kingdom and herself? Although he did not ask for it, it was true that it was sufficient and answered a few questions he had about her. Moreover, with her vow back at the table, she is unable to tell a lie. He opened his mouth, "It is only a fair trade-off when a price is mentioned. You did not mention the price you were willing to offer for this trade-off. How can I take it simply as a trade-off? In this case, you shared very important piece of information about yourself. Therefore, I will share you one of mine that would balance out this transaction. What would you like to know?"

Hearing this, Peony was surprised and confused! Is the little prince trying to bargain fairly with her?

Interesting.

If it was the queen, she would not care if the price was too much and simply take it as is. Was this little prince too kind or simply too naive? After some thoughts, she opened her mouth, "I hear that the Valley of Thorns are full of forest and rural areas. What I wish to know is information of rural land that nobody wants. Ones that nobles could care less about aside from treating it as disposable property. Would this count?"

Malleus hummed in deep thoughts before nodding his head, "There are a couple. However, I would require time to confirm this."

"You are the prince and someone who manages the inner courts alongside the queen as her assistant and heir. How can you not know of one or two abandoned territories? Making the other side wait is just disrespecting them. Do you have the answer here or not? You mentioned having over or two territories."

Surprised to be challenged his firmly by a princess, Malleus nodded after some thought, "I do known of some. They are under my control since a long time ago as my mother's dowry. I may gift them to you if you so desire it."

"Who asked you to give someone your mother's dowry?!" Peony scolded him, "Is that not something important?!"

"It is, but it has not been used for over hundreds of years now. It would be better to handover the land to someone who has use for it." Malleus stated bluntly.

Peony sighed shaking her head in dismay, "However, that is land controlled by the royal family. How can a foreign princess take control of it from the royal family of that land? Ugh.... Don't tell me we need to have the queen manage the dowry too..."

"That's unnecessary." Malleus responded bluntly, "The queen has little interest in the dowry of my late mother, even though it would appear she still means a lot to her. Most of my parents' possessions remain safely hidden away in the attic where my grandmother often sends her closest retainer to sort and tend to them. The lands belong to me by right. So, what I choose to do with them is my own concern. With that, I have little problems sending you the lands if that was your aim."

Peony grumbled, "I asked for information. Not actual land."

Malleus frowned. Was his offer not enticing enough to make her take the land off his hands? The land was not a big matter as it was just one part of a large area of land his mother received from his father a long time ago. Had she not mentioned wanting abandoned land, he would've forgotten the large acres of forest land for a while longer.

According to Malleus, the land was on the country side and complete void of people. As it would turn out, Malleus only held interest in place that once held many places and people, so these forestry was of little interest to him. More importantly, if this land was what it takes to buy her trust then he may as well put it on the table and see what he can get. It is the only way, after all.

"I refuse this price." Peony stated bluntly much to his surprise.

"Is it not enough?" Malleus frowned.

"It is not even what I wanted." Peony shook her head with a scowl, "I said I wanted information of vacant land that not even the nobles are interested in anymore, but you just gave me land that is not even abandoned. Moreover, land of a deceased member of royalty, is still a land of interest. Both does not satisfy my requirements. Are you even trying to negotiate?"

Disappointed, Peony shook her head again before waving a hand, "Forget it. Just take the info I gave you as a greeting gift. I'll take my leave first then."

With that in mind, she turned around and made her way back to the campsite. Left behind, Malleus thought for a long while before he turned and called out, "Fairy Chief Fern."

"Prince Malleus?" The older wood fairy reappeared with a curious gaze, "Is there something you wish to know?"

"May I ask what terrain of land your princess is actually looking for?" Malleus questioned curiously, "Briar Valley has always been surrounded by dense forestry and coasts, but your princess does not seem satisfied with land gifted by royalty."

"Even I am uncertain of our princess's aim." Chief Fern shook his head, "The princess has always been a fiery and bold child since young. Though she rarely asked for anything as a child, she never explained her intentions when she does ask for something. That being said, we've never recalled her ever asking for land before. Not even from other countries."

"So, this is news to you too..." Malleus hummed quietly in deep thoughts.

Suddenly, a tiny craft fairy hesitantly hurried to the chief's side and whispered in his ears to which the chief nodded calmly, "Prince Malleus, it would seem your tutors are searching for you and the princess. Would you be returning as well?"

"They are?" Malleus nodded as he pushed his thoughts aside, "I should take my leave then. Thank you for your hospitality, Chief Fern."

"You're very welcome."

Watching the prince disappear into the forest after Peony, Forest Chief Fern turned to the fairy, "Summon the Fairy Gala announcer. Also, bring me a messenger."

"Yes, sir!"

.....

"You assigned a task but forgot whether there is enough herbs to create the potion you assigned the students to make?" Lotus frowned as she folded her arms with a look of dismay, "Hearing you say this... I have some voices of disappointment... But, I'm not in the place to say the details of them. I'll go right now and not waste more time. I'll be back in a bit."

With that, she turned around and treaded softly through the forest. She then jumped onto a nearby branch and began to climb with ease much to the coach's surprise. Half an hour later, she returned with a frown, "Unfortunately, it would seem there really is not enough herbs for the potions. With lanternblossom's requirement for magic to grow, I was able to find some back at the swamp from sports group's challenge. However, even then, it is not enough. Our best option is to cultivate one with magic. That being said, I will need a mage's help to control the magic."

"True... You will require a mage stone for it..." Coach Vargas frowned in deep thoughts before opening his mouth, "Then, after Draconia returns from his task, he shall help you in his quest. He should be back in a bit..."

"Coach Vargas, I heard you say Lotus needs help?" Malleus walked over with a look of confusion.

"We require your magic." Coach Vargas responded without hesitation , "Take this magic stone and help Lotus cultivate some Lanterblossoms. I just hope it would be sufficient enough for today's challenge."

"Let's go." Lotus responded and hurried away into the forest.

Malleus shook his head with a frown, "Did he not wait for me?"

With that said, he hurried after her. Watching them leave together, Crewel emerged from his hiding spot with a look of confusion, "It seems that Draconia and Xue has gotten along rather well. Rather rare to see that pup spending time with someone other than those from Diasomnia dorm."

"They are certainly quite an unusual combo." Coach Vargas noted in contemplation, "Both students shrouded in mystery could become this close in just a few months."

"They are both from Briar Valley as well." Crewel hummed in deep thoughts, "Two potential pups coming from the same kingdom with peculiar personalities and talents that which outshines others."

"Right?!" Coach Vargas laughed a loud, "Looks like the next generation will be able to uphold the future with their own muscles just fine!"

As Coach made his way back to observe with a satisfies grin across his face, Professor Crewel paused and glanced back once more. For unknown reasons, he continued to feel a little uneasy looking in the direction where their students disappeared to and hesitated, "What is this uneasy feeling?"

Thoughts of Coach Vargas' words replayed in his mind as he couldn't help but continue to grow more concerned thinking of the current status of the world crisis at this moment, "Uphold the future... While the world's economy is already at risk?"

He paused before shaking his head, "We still have a long way to go unlike that old man back at school. I wonder if we will also have to guide them by the time the crisis reached the climax. Is there anything we can even do by then?"

A part of him worries how long he will have until then, but, if he does have to be there for them again, would he also have gathered the knowledge and resources he would need then? Should he pray that all goes well? He was never the religious type of person, yet...