Chapter 26: The Parchment

The small party of Artag, Lori, Sachi two elders from the family and four guards started the journey. Unknown to them a few masked people started following them.

They were the shadow guards of the king of Alsan kingdom. He sent them to safeguard his son-in-law.

"Hey sis, can I ask you something?" asked Artag as he looked at the ice beauty and Sachi's mount.

Lori understood her brother, so she quickly replied "don't, we only got one each. This was also due to your niece's luck and opportunity. We do not know if it is possible to get another like them."

"Oh! Okay no worries, just curious how you got them" Artag cleared his doubt.

"Well, you have to ask Sachi for this, as it involves something which only she has to tell" Lori replied back.

Artag had thoughtful expression but did not ask Sachi immediately.

Sachi was at the front of the group she was looking around the scenery and places as this was her first visit to a new kingdom. Where came from was more like in-between village and town. This kingdom is more like coming to a city. It was big, with many amazing constructions and big market where things were shiny and unique.

She can see a few things while looking around and some by the merchants who are shouting to buy things from them and explaining they were brought from ruins and dangerous places. Also, how unique and great they were. They are shouting about the uses as well.

"Young lady, I offer you a map of special treasure place. Only for just 10 magi crystal" a man came towards Sachi's horse. "I see that you are having a unique mount so I'm sure you will be interested in this map" he took out and showed a beast skin parchment.

The guards quickly rushed forwarded and stood infront of Sachi. The seller quickly took two steps back a little afraid and cautious. Then he saw Atrag coming towards them, and it startled him a little.

He recognized Artag the young patriarch of the family. Who doesn't know the Dyna family in the kingdom, especially here which was their territory

So, he tried to quickly back away. Then he saw a lady who stood beside him. The young girl and the lady have a lot of resemblance.

It quickly hit him who they were. Initially he though the girl was a random traveler as she was just wearing normal clothes used by men without any family crest. So, he thought to gain some quick bucks. But it backfired on him.

"Hey, are you trying to con my niece?" Artag came forward a little anger visible on his face.

His niece has come for the first time to the maternal family for the first time, and someone wants to scam her right infront of his nose. This made him little furious. 

Actually, Artag loves his sister very much. Though they fight, have dislikes, different opinions and rivalry, their sibling bond is deep. They were twins and they understood each other very well. That is why he immediately supported her sister when she loved someone and helped in the marriage as well. Because he knew she would do the same for him. They were also partners in crimes, each supported the other, also covered for the other infront their father and mother.

He treasured the little girl as well as she was his sister's precious child.

 Sachi was still looking at the parchment in the man's hand. She had read about parchments, maps or something special items found by MCs in the novels and manga then their exploration. Though it maybe fake, it was first time she faced this type of situation, she felt like an MC in a novel which brought a smile on her lips.

In the Poalm family she never faced similar situation, the market was small, and everyone knew she was the family head's daughter and had escorts all the time, so no one ever approached her.

She was little intrigued by this and wanted to just have look at it out of curiosity. She saw her uncle shouting at the man, it made her feel warm as this also never happened in the Poalm family.

"You should be Ivan, right? I did hear your name" said Artag rubbing his chin as he thought about a few complaints he received

He did send people to find this scammer, but Ivan was cunning, so he escaped. But today his luck was down, and he was caught directly by Artag.

Before the guards can imprison him, He looked around him inorder to escape. But he knew the man standing infront him was a saint level mage, and family head. Still, he did not want to give-up, so he thought of ways to escape.

Inorder to buy sometime he quickly spoke up "your highness, how can I scam her, also those are false rumours by people who don't like me. I am a trusted merchant. This is really found in a very dangerous ruins by my people, we even lost few people because of it" he started blabbering quickly.

Sachi came forward and said to Artag "Uncle thank you, but don't be angry."

When Artag heard the word Uncle something inside him moved, his heart felt really happy. Even though had a few conversations, it was with whole family. There was never a chance to hear the word 'Uncle' from his niece's mouth this was first since her arrival. He really felt good, maybe this is what a bond is, this is what a blood relation is. He was as happy as when his son called him dad for the first time.

"Uncle, as this is my first time I'm curious to see that parchment once even though it is genuine, or not can you please show it to me?" she asked.

Artag looked at Sachi for a second and then nodded. "Today is your lucky day, this is first time my niece asked me something. Show her that thing, I'll think of reducing your punishment" said Artag looking at Ivan.

Ivan quickly thought luck has not abandoned him yet, so he moved forward and gave the parchment to Sachi. He did not have any other thoughts because he knew he was standing infront of a saint and the son in law of the kingdom, also his father is the great general of the empire whom no one wants to face. If the girl infront him is his granddaughter, then for sure he will treasure her.

He was cunning and intelligent, so he knew taking her hostage will be the most foolish thing he can do now.

He quickly did as he was told, handed the parchment to the girl. As he gave the parchment, he suddenly felt goose bumps. All the hair on his body stood.

"This?" he was shocked he looked at the girl as he gave it to her. She was completely normal just 3 level water mage nothing out of ordinary. But he felt like some primordial beast has locked onto him.

Instinctively he wanted to take a step back. "This normal looking girl is not normal at all" he thought. He was really unlucky today. But still if he can leave with his life that would be great as well.

What he guessed was correct as he really locked by Queen who was in the sky looking at him with caution. Any misstep by him Queen would come to her mother's rescue and freeze him to death. Though her level is low the merchant cannot withstand a phoenix's freezing power.

As Sachi took the parchment even before she can open it her expression changed.