The Real Deal - Part 2

Everyone looked at Ashan with surprise. Hugo turned back to him and smiled.

"Of course. What is it?"

"Back then, you said Lunaris needs growth supplements and is currently suffering from a disease. Are you sure what you said was the truth?"

Ashan looked directly into Hugo's eyes. There was no hesitation in his gaze. A quiet intensity settled over the room. Hugo felt a sudden discomfort.

What's with his eyes? Does he know they're both lies? No way. There is no way he could know about it. But… he seems suspicious.

Hugo forced a nod, keeping his expression neutral. "Yes, it's the truth. I didn't lie."

Ashan's eyes flickered with something close to disgust, and Hugo noticed it immediately.

This kid knows something. His eyes tell it. What could it be?

"What happens if someone plants Lunara at a lower price?" Ashan asked, his voice calm yet firm.

Hugo smirked, shaking his head. "That's a needless worry. It can't be planted. I'm sure of it. If someone did manage it… then I would lose completely."

"Is that so?" Ashan stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Maria glanced at Leone.

"What if I told you I found a way to plant it?"

A heavy silence filled the room. Maria, Leone, and Boris exchanged astonished glances.

"What is he saying? He found a way to plant it?" Leone mumbled to himself, barely believing the words he had just heard.

Hugo suddenly burst into laughter, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke. He shook his head and turned to Leone.

"I'm sorry for my rudeness, but your son is quite the entertainer."

Ashan closed his eyes and smiled. "I didn't lie to you either. It's the truth. Wanna bet?"

"Oh?" Hugo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A bet, you say? Tell me about it."

"First, let me ask—how much time does it take to grow a Lunaris plant?"

"At least an average of two weeks."

"Then this is my bet. If you don't lower your price this week, after half a month, I will make you suffer a loss that you will regret for the rest of your life."

Lina, Hugo's wife, stepped forward angrily. "What is this nonsense, Third Lord? Why is your son trying to threaten us? Are you behind this?"

"Stop it." Hugo glared at her, his tone sharp. "Who gave you permission to butt in? Stay out of this."

Lina flinched and took a step back. "M-My apologies," she muttered, lowering her head.

Hugo turned to Leone. "My deepest apologies for my wife's outburst. Please forgive her."

Leone nodded. "It's alright. We are not sure what my son is up to either."

Hugo turned back to Ashan and smiled. "What happens if you fail? What's the price?"

"I'll give you my sword, or you can decide."

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "Your sword? Is it even worth betting?"

Without hesitation, Ashan drew his blade and presented it. The moment Hugo saw it, his eyes widened in shock.

"A Phoenix Sword?! How in the world do you have this?"

Ashan smirked. "So, do you accept it as the bet?"

Hugo let out a deep breath and smiled before nodding. "Of course. And what about my price?"

"Something equal in value to your loss," Ashan said. "It doesn't have to be money, but it can be something of equal worth."

"And if I offer something unworthy?" Hugo asked, eyes glinting with amusement.

Ashan didn't hesitate. "I'll leave it to the pride you have as a mercenary."

A small chuckle escaped Boris. Hugo laughed too, impressed by Ashan's quick wit.

"And if I refuse the bet?" Hugo challenged.

"Then you can take my words however you want—a prophecy, a threat, or a warning. It's your choice. Now, do you accept?"

Hugo turned to Leone. "Are you alright with this, Third Lord?"

Leone sighed and turned to his son. "Ashan, are you sure about this? If you lose, there is no going back."

Ashan nodded with certainty. "I'm sure. Trust me, Father."

Leone hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Then I support my son's decision."

Hugo extended his hand. "Alright. I accept your bet. From now on, you and I are official rivals, Ashan."

Ashan shook his hand firmly. "Looking forward to seeing what decision you will make in the future."

"Then we will take our leave."

…

The Loyanal family stepped into the carriage. As the wheels turned and the mansion faded in the distance, Hugo's face darkened. He turned sharply to Lina, his voice cutting through the silence.

"Who told you to raise your voice like that? You almost made a scene. Don't you dare to do something like that again."

Lina lowered her gaze but clenched her fists. "How could I stay silent when that brat was threatening you? He was completely looking down on you."

She glanced at Julia, who sat by the window, lost in thought. "I'm not like others who can't step forward for their husband."

Hugo exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Enough. It's over."

A tense silence filled the carriage until Nolan spoke up. "Father, your goal wasn't achieved. So what are you going to do now?"

Hugo crossed his arms, deep in thought. "Yes, that's a problem. But I did expect this." His gaze shifted to his son. "By the way, what do you think about coming all the way here? Was it worth it or not?"

Nolan offered a small, knowing smile. "It was good. I'm happy that I came here."

Hugo chuckled. "Oh? And why is that?"

Lucas scoffed. "Hah. Are you talking about the nonsense that brat spewed?"

Nolan turned his head slightly, a puzzled expression on his face. "Which part do you call nonsense? What he said was true. Aren't those five things what we must overcome as swordsmen?"

Lucas snorted. "That's common knowledge. Everyone knows about it."

Nolan's smile didn't fade. "And yet, even knowing about it, you are unable to do it."

Lucas stammered. "I-It's natural. You're acting like it's easy."

"Did I say I could do it?" Nolan countered smoothly.

"Whatever. I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about that ridiculous meditation nonsense. Does he think we're fools? How could something so simple lead to those results? Only the Sun Breathing technique is capable of such feats."

Hugo nodded, deep in thought. "Yes, it does feel absurd. That might be a lie."

Nolan shook his head. "Even so, he seemed confident. The way he spoke, the way he carried himself—he wasn't lying."

Lucas sneered. "Huh... so, are you going to try it?"

Nolan's expression remained calm. "Trying won't hurt, will it?"

"Suit yourself," Lucas muttered.

Lucas then turned to Hugo with a grin. "By the way, Father, even though you didn't get what you wanted, you're still going to receive a Phoenix Sword."

Hugo smirked. "Of course. I don't know how he has it, but he's going to lose it. It's a treasure."

His eyes flickered to Nolan, who was staring at the carriage floor, deep in thought. His expression was troubled.

"What is it, son? Something bothering you?"

Nolan nodded slowly. "No matter how many times I think about it, it's just... strange. I know that planting Lunaris is impossible, but I feel like he knows something."

Hugo leaned back, contemplating. "Yes, I felt it too. He was suspicious about the lies I told. But there's no way he knows the truth. Other than the Margus family and us, no one knows how it's cultivated."

"You have a point, Father."

At that moment, Lunara, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "He is definitely strange."

Everyone turned to her.

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

Lunara hesitated before explaining. "When all of us went inside, he stayed outside for a while."

Nolan furrowed his brow. "Yes, I remember. He was late coming in."

"He approached our horses without hesitation."

Hugo's expression hardened. "Oh? And what happened? Did they try to attack him? You should have stopped him instantly."

Lunara shook her head. "That's just it. I was about to warn him, but something unexpected happened."

Hugo narrowed his eyes. "What?"

Lunara's voice dropped to a whisper. "When the horses saw him, they didn't react with hostility. No, they acted like they had met an old friend. Even though they are your horses, I have never seen them behave that way with you. They looked... happy to see him."

A deep silence filled the carriage. No one spoke. A strange, unexplainable tension settled in Hugo's chest.

What the hell... just who is that boy?

For the first time in years, an unknown feeling crept into Hugo's mind.

Did I make a mistake?

To be continued...