The God of Jesters
Chapter 419 - 7.08.3 Good cousin.

Chapter 419: 7.08.3 Good cousin.

Such musings can be left for later. It was time to celebrate and things have really been going well for him since he came here.

Even Amir’s grandfather didn’t shy away from showing his trust in his grandson by acting on information that Amir provided without the need for any confirmation and then going and saving Hemant even before the meeting.

Isn’t it something to celebrate about?

Well, partially it was true. But in some parts of his head, Amir knew that this was not the right time to be happy. Since coming to the border and living in the camps, things have been going his way. But it doesn’t mean he would remain this lucky. Everything has its ups and downs, including luck.

And it’s not like Amir was the kind to depend on luck, to begin with, even if it existed or not.

"You met him, do you consider Prince Ludwig to be a lecher?" Amir wondered, curious about this cousin of his and his nature. As from the looks of it, his cousin did appear as a playboy on the surface. With how extroverted he appeared.

Though the only response he got in return was "I beg your pardon?" Lavani already had an answer in his head, but he didn’t dare to speak it out due to her identity. Not anyone can criticize people of the royal family, even if the one she was serving was a royal.

"Don’t mind it, I am just trying to assess the nature of my cousin and would have appreciated it if you had any input you would like to put forward." Amir’s interpersonal skills were at rock bottom, so he didn’t mind listening to other’s opinions on issues that he was ignorant of, in this case, it was his cousin. "You have been in the barracks far longer than me, you must have heard rumors, his likes and dislikes, or the thing he had done since coming here." The military barracks might be strict on the surface, but to maintain their sanity, most of the soldiers partook in gossip a lot.

Gossip is specifically about special individuals who are either famous due to their strength, eccentricity, or their background.

And in some cases, all of these combined, which is the section that Ludwig must fall under.

Which is something Lavani did know about. Well, Lavani knew a lot of things that were not right to speak about on the surface due to his limited identity and by knowing too much, he might attract some unwanted attention.

So Lavani picked and chose the general rumors about Prince Ludwig and then the achievements. The biggest of which was exposing a slavery ring operating under the underbelly of Wortham as well as Luthanza. Which made Amir’s eyes light up in surprise.

"Slavery?" He asked, somewhat finding this all absurd.

"It’s not uncommon Lord, there are many desperate people who are forced into it due to their circumstances."

Some sell their children, some sell themselves, some are forced into it due to debt and some due to having no identity.

But here is also a subset that is kidnapped into it. Which Amir sighed after listening. "I am from Luthanza, why haven’t I heard anything about it?" This was not a question to Lavani, nor was there any need to ask it. The answer to it was obvious in his eyes.

’These dirty nobles.’

"Were there any nobles caught in this?" The only answer to Amir’s question was a confused look on Lavani’s face. He acted as if he was not aware of any details. This was to be expected, as Cynark won’t dare to publicize this matter due to the identity of the people who might be involved in it.

"Guess I can’t treat my cousin too badly." His cousin didn’t seem bad if he could do something as good as this.

When hearing some more details on how his cousin had operated his camp, Amir became more aware of how his cousin might not be lying with his prior claim of being unlike other nobles. ’Well, I can confirm that he is not a bad person at heart.’ There is no need to be so guarded anymore. All Amir did now was look forward to their meeting.

******

The three days went by fast and although there had been not much progress in his research, there was some new information he learned about the slavery incident, where he finally learned how Ludwig might have earned the Radiant Order’s blessing.

"Is it confirmed, that they are cooperating?" Lavani had found some interesting things.

Things that might give Ludwig an edge against any competitor among his siblings.

"Yes, it is said that there are various Radiant Knights traveling on Merchant ships backed by Prince Ludwig and raiding Pirates as well as slavers in the sea." War was being fought on the seas led by Radiant Knights and backed by Ludwig.

But none of the news ever reached his ears, nor was his grandfather made aware of such fact. Which can be considered bizarre unless this all was done secretly. And if it was done secretly, then how did Lavani learn of all of this?

"I requested an audience with Knight Sarlen." Was his answer.

Which at first made Amir a bit angry, but that was only for a little bit, considering that the fact that he had been trying to learn about Ludwig wouldn’t be hidden from him. So isn’t it better to learn some extra info early, so there is no need to waste time over it during the negotiations?

’It’s a power play, he is showing how he has the backing of Radiant Knights.’

The Knights that have stayed out of politics for so long dared to cooperate with a prince. One can see the precedence it sets. Trouble precedence that would be troublesome for Radiant Order to answer.

’But they dared to do this, more so with a no-name Prince.’ Amir had wondered if his grandfather really was unaware of the fact, or if he just acted.

"Cousin, I had been waiting for you." but none of that mattered, what mattered was the result and the goal he had set with himself.

"I see that you are ready to accept my offer?" Ludwig asked, gesturing to his side, and bringing some refreshments to the table.

And Amir didn’t shy away from either of them, picking a crumbly chocolate pie, he spoke. "It’s a good offer made by a good man, why won’t I accept it?" Amir said with all the smiles he can muster. Trying to appear an extrovert like his cousin.

"Calling me a good man is too much cousin. I just did as was expected of me." For the first time, Amir opened up to this cousin of us. Praising his insight and hard work in dealing with the slavers.

He even wondered who was behind these people and was surprised to learn it might be a royal like them. Making Amir’s hatred for him reach a new level causing his disgust to appear a bit on his face. But he held it all back. Much to the surprise of Ludwig, who never expected that his cousin could make a face like this.

But this also meant that his cousin of his was a much simpler man than he had expected.

"The slavers had dared to harm a Knight of Radiance and my second Knight came to their rescue." The story continued, how his knight still remains at the sea, helping the Radiant Knights overturn some political push that was sent their way due to their ceaseless activity at the sea.

Pushback was probably caused by some invested parties whose interests were harmed by such actions.

But with no proof, these knights can’t do a thing and can only use Prince Ludwig as their scapegoat.

"You are earning their hatred, don’t you fear their retaliation?"

"I have been dealing with people’s hatred through my whole life, adding a few more won’t change things." The smile on Ludwig’s face was absent when he spoke these words and Ami also didn’t bother commenting on it. As he can somewhat relate to Amir as well, with the only exception being that his light had been threatened only after he was in his twenties.

And when the discussion was at the highest point, Amir said. "You are a fine man, a fine lord, and a fine Prince... "Amir’s praises continued like usual, finding that his cousin was truly a great man who anyone would get the urge to follow.

But the tone changed when after Amir’s next words. "... but not a fine cousin."

"What do you mean cousin?" Seeing the sudden change in tone, which appeared distant compared to their discussion, Ludwig wondered if he had offended his cousin in some way.

"Prince Ludwig, your accomplishment is good enough that I am ready to cooperate with you as you have requested. But it will be purely a business relationship. A give-and-take scenario where the input of both of us would be required before either of us uses the other’s name."

The contract that Amir suggested was good enough for Ludwig.

Knowing Amir’s personality, this was the most he could have obtained through this transaction and hence can be considered the best-case scenario. But for some reason, this mood ruined it all for Ludwig.

Something was wrong. Something he hadn’t noticed and something that Amir didn’t wish to explain.

What was the reason? Ludwig wondered for a bit before coming to a singular conclusion that he can completely forgotten about.