Chapter 55 A Different Kind of Monster
[A/N: Sorry for the sudden hiatus. Loads of work piled up on my main job and got hit by a flu in the process. Chapter release will resume again.]
The room looks like the typical throne room in a medieval era. Multiple pillars made with high quality cobblestone support the entirety of the structure. Weapon racks at both sides of the room, showcasing high grade weapons. Red carpet made from high grade material stretch out from the entrance up to the thrones.
Before reaching the thrones, six guards on each side parallel with each other standing watch. Cleo check their status. Most of them are Lv. 60 elf Knights. After checking he then shift his glance at the person sitting in the throne.
[Alger] [Lv. 90]
[Race: Human]
[Job: Royal Knight]
[Class Skill]
Sword Mastery | Spear Mastery | Sword Dash | Sword Wave | Rallying Aura | Throw: Javelin | Piercing Strike | Corkscrew | Dragon's Tail (Unique) | Dragon's Breath (Unique) | Enchant: Golden Mana | Unrelenting Resolve | Royal Spirit | Lineage Strike
Cleo's eyes widened with the status he's currently looking at. He knew humans are welcome in Venundarr but not to the extent that the most influential person is of human race. Not only he's probably the most strongest in this city, the guild leader of Hallows Guild also have two unique skills.
The human in the throne looks old enough to be his grandfather. Silver finish envelops the man's hair and beard. For an old man, he's physique looks like of that a body builder. The old man has a three scar lines starting from his upper left eye downwards to his left cheeks.
It's not like Cleo doesn't have his own in the form of his skill Crimson Ichor. Which intrigue him the most is the name of both of the skills. He knew Hallows Guild main priority is to slay a dragon to obtain a Golden Egg for their auction. He wonder if he can also obtain those skills, if only he knew what are the right weapon or armor to use.
The human in front of Cleo notice his stare. He clapped once, the sound reverberate in the room. This made Cleo snap out of his reverie.
"Where's Clyde?" asked by the old man in a serious tone.
Cleo felt an unknown pressure that is coming from the old man. He felt this familiar overwhelming feeling. It is the same feeling when he and Leah saw Magno the Cruel for the first time. If the previous arguments was not enough to convince him to do his best on this negotiation then he might as well face Camilla alone.
"He's alive." replied by Cleo, mustering all the courage he can get to utter the words.
"Answer my question young man!" exclaimed by the old man with a commanding tone.
Even the guards that were stationed in the throne room flinches.
Once again Cleo muster all of his courage to utter a reply. He cannot yield in front of this monster. He cannot afford to lose a single bargaining chip.
"Clyde sent me here in the hopes that you two can have a private conversation." replied by Cleo while glancing at the guards, as if he wants the monster to order them to leave.
The old man notice his intention.
"Leave!" ordered by the old man directed at his guards.
"B-but sir..." plead by one of the guards.
"I said, leave." says by the old man with a calm yet decisive tone.
The guards including the one who tried to oppose the order, salutes then proceed to leave the throne room while giving Cleo a disdainful look.
The old man release a sigh of exasperation once he can no longer see the guards.
"Do I look like a pushover? Even my guards won't even listen to me." mutter by the old man. "So you got what you wanted, now tell me, where's Clyde." he added.
Not to annoy the old man more. Cleo proceed to explain what happened to Clyde and how he managed to injure Camilla in the process. After explaining the entirety of the situation, Cleo finally reveal their plan to finish Camilla once and for all. Of course he didn't tell the whole truth. They need this monster to believe that Camilla has no justifiable reason with her actions and the only thing they need to do is take her down.
The extended stay of Magus and Duskfall Guild helped with their arguments. Alger may be a human but he shares the same sentiment with Zirracanians.
After the longest five minutes of Cleo's entire life passed by. Alger finally made his decision.
"That bastard Clyde. I can't believe he manage to injure Camilla." muttered by the old man. "I owed a huge debt to him, if not for the advantageous situation. I will not risk my guild mates to this skirmish." he added.
It might not be a straight forward reply however this is enough to lift a huge burden that weighing down Cleo the moment he was given this task.
"Before I accept this conditions." says by the old man.
This made Cleo nervous. The burden once again looms in horizon.
"Show me your status. Levels and Job. I'm intrigue on how you manage to stay calm in that situation, when even my guild mates who are at Lv. 40 finds it hard to." says by the old man with a curious tone.
Cleo's eyes widened. He didn't expected this outcome. He didn't know how this monster in front of him will react. Will he see him as a future threat that need to be eliminated as soon as possible or a potential strong ally.
"What's taking you so long?" asked by the impatient old man.
After pondering for a few moments. Cleo clenches his fist and utter a prayer under his breath.
"Status." utter by Cleo then proceed to share his Job and Lv. to the curious old man.
[Cleo] [Lv. 60]
[Race: Human]
[Job: SwordMaster]
The old man's eyes widened upon seeing Cleo's status.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! What an interesting young man! Lv. 60 and a SwordMaster. What is your age? You don't look like an elf to me so you must be young." asked by the old man after laughing wholeheartedly.
Cleo was taken a back with the old man's reaction. He made a mental decision to at least increase his original age as to not attract more unwanted attention to himself.
"18 years old." answered by Cleo with an air of confidence as to not give the old man a sliver of doubt.
"Hmmm... you look like younger than 18 years to me. Well, whatever some humans had must have been loved by the gods to receive such a good genes." says by the old man.
Cleo may not look like the ideal supermodel but he's unique hair and eye color cannot be scoff at. He's charismatic enough to have some of the women to give him a second look. With a little work out to tone his body muscles, Leah might have to deal with another Anna in the future.
"I have a grand daughter the same age as you. I'm confident to say that she's more beautiful than all of the elves in this region!" bragged by the old man.
The monster he previously saw was gone. What he's currently seeing right now is a typical doting grand parent. However Cleo had a bad feeling about this situation.
"Say how about you marry her? You're both at the age where the notion of marriage is acceptable." offered by the old man.
Cleo's feeling was right.
It looks like Lady Luck has forsaken the red headed young man.