The Kingmaker System
Chapter 338 - 337. Negotiations (2)

Chapter 338: 337. Negotiations (2)

Eric and Rune matched my pace effortlessly, their movements swift and controlled as we sped toward the border. With our combined speed, the journey was brief, and soon, we came to a halt at the outskirts of enemy territory. The moonlight barely touched the ground through the thick canopy above, casting long shadows that danced in the night breeze.

I reached up and gently patted Nox’s head. His golden eyes gleamed as he tilted his head toward me, awaiting my command.

"Go, boy," I whispered.

Without hesitation, Nox spread his dark wings and launched into the sky. In an instant, he blended into the darkness, his midnight feathers rendering him nearly invisible.

Eric and Rune stood in quiet anticipation, their eyes following his flight for a moment before Rune turned to me.

"How’s everyone back home?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with underlying concern.

"They’re fine," I assured him.

Both he and Eric nodded at my words, but I let a teasing smile slip onto my lips as I added, "Oh, and the Archmage got engaged."

A beat of silence.

Then—

"What?!"

"Wait, what?!"

Their exclamations echoed a little too loudly for my liking. I immediately lifted a finger to my lips, hushing them with a stern glance.

"Not so loud," I warned in a low voice. "We’re in enemy territory."

Rune, still reeling from the revelation, narrowed his eyes. "Wait, you’re telling me that the Archmage—Uncle Silas—is engaged?"

I nodded, my expression betraying my amusement. "Yes. Interesting, isn’t it? I’ll tell you the details when we return."

Eric ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in disbelief. "I still can’t believe it. I thought he was never going to marry."

"He was just waiting for the right girl," I said simply, my gaze shifting upward as I spotted Nox returning.

The owl circled above us once before descending slightly, signaling that the path ahead was clear. I turned back to the boys.

"Let’s go," I commanded.

We moved swiftly, Nox soaring above as our silent guide. The enemy territory stretched before us, the terrain rough and unforgiving. We made sure to keep our footsteps light, blending into the shadows as we maneuvered through unfamiliar ground. Every rustling leaf and distant sound put us on edge, but we pressed forward without hesitation.

After what felt like an eternity, we reached a clearing. Four figures waited for us there, their silhouettes stark against the moonlit backdrop.

Eric and Rune instinctively flanked my sides as we stepped into the open. Across from us, Lyall emerged from the darkness, walking toward me before turning to face the others.

Two of them immediately bowed low.

"It is an honor to see you again, Lord Dragon," they greeted in unison.

A smile tugged at my lips. The two who had bowed straightened, and I met their gazes.

A familiar voice followed, its owner stepping forward with an air of politeness. "I’m glad you found me useful enough to call for me again, Great Dragon."

I smiled at him and then looked at the other man, "I trust you’ve been well, Earl Carcel Fenson and Duke Damon Lancaster?"

Damon inclined his head respectfully. "We are well, thanks to you, Lord Dragon."

Fenson, ever the composed one, corrected me with a small smile. "Besides, I’m a Viscount now, Lord Dragon."

"Congratulations," I said, acknowledging his rise in rank.

A third voice interrupted, laced with impatience. "Why am I here?"

I turned to look at him.

He had grown significantly in the past four years. His once-boyish features had sharpened into something more defined, and the sword at his side vibrated ever so slightly, as if acknowledging my presence.

A slow smile formed on my lips.

"It’s been a while, Your Highness Arian."

At my words, the boys at my sides tensed. I didn’t need to look at them to know why. They had known we were coming to meet Arian, but that didn’t make it any easier.

Securing this meeting had taken some effort. I had used my sources in Denril to pull Damon and Fenson into this—trusted pawns in my larger game. After all, there had been no direct way to contact Arian himself.

Arian’s gaze remained steady as he studied me. He was no longer the reckless boy I had once known.

"I see you’ve grown strong enough to match some level of your sword," I remarked, gesturing toward the blade at his hip.

Arian frowned, clearly aware of what I meant.

"May I see it?" I asked.

His grip on the sword tightened briefly before he sighed. Just as he hesitated, the weapon itself shuddered, as if answering for him. With a grimace, he stepped forward and unsheathed the blade, holding it out.

I reached for the hilt, fingers brushing against the cool metal. The red stone embedded in the pommel glowed faintly at my touch, warmth seeping through my palm.

A silent exchange of mana passed between me and the sword—a private conversation held in a language only we could understand.

After a moment, I released it, handing the blade back to him.

Eric, who had been watching closely, broke the silence. "What’s that sword?"

I met his gaze. "A Dragon’s sword."

Rune tensed beside me, and I could feel the surge of his mana flaring—concern evident in the air around him. He understood the implications of such a weapon. A Dragon’s sword had the power to kill me.

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a silent message for him to calm himself.

Arian, meanwhile, studied me carefully. "I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon."

I smiled. "I was, though."

A brief silence stretched between us before he spoke again.

"Then, will we have a fight?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "It’s not me you’ll be fighting."

Arian’s brows furrowed slightly, but I simply gestured toward Eric.

"It’s him."

Arian’s eyes flickered between Eric and me, assessing the situation. Then, his lips curled slightly. "If I defeat him, then I can fight you?"

"Maybe," I answered vaguely.

"Not until you’re over me," Rune stepped forward, his tone unwavering.

Arian’s gaze swept over both of them before settling back on me.

"What do you want?" he finally asked.

I held his stare. "I’m here for some negotiations."

Arian’s expression darkened slightly, but I caught the flicker of curiosity beneath it.

"Negotiations?" he echoed.

A slow smile spread across my lips.

"Yes," I said. "And I believe you’ll want to hear them."

Arian exhaled sharply, arms crossing over his chest. "Go ahead."

I tilted my head slightly. "I’m sure you already know this war is costing both our nations dearly."

His jaw tensed, but he didn’t deny it.

"I’m here to put an end to it—with proper negotiations."

Arian narrowed his eyes. "What kind of negotiations? I hope you’re not suggesting that Denril submit to Sestia, because that will never happen."

"Of course not," I replied smoothly. "I’m here to introduce you to each other"—I gestured between him and Eric—"and to inform you that three days from now, you two will duel."

A brief, stunned silence followed.

"What?" Arian’s brows shot up, while Eric stiffened beside me.

I smiled, ignoring their reactions. "From here, I’ll be heading to your father to discuss the political aspects of this war."

Arian’s scowl deepened. "And you actually expect me to agree to this?"

"Don’t you want to fight me?" I countered. "Defeat him, and I will face you myself."

Rune opened his mouth, his mana shifting, but I raised a hand, silencing him before he could protest.

"No one else will step in," I said firmly.

Rune’s expression darkened. "That’s a Dragon’s sword," he hissed under his breath, as if I had overlooked that crucial fact.

I sighed. "And? Do you think that alone is enough to kill me?"

He clenched his jaw but said nothing.

I turned back to Arian. "If you agree to this duel, the war will end with negotiations that benefit both Sestia and Denril."

Arian scoffed, crossing his arms again. "And what if I refuse?"

I smirked, stepping closer. "Four years ago, I uprooted the corruption within the temple, Your Highness. Do you think I couldn’t do the same to an entire nation?"

Arian flinched—only slightly, but I saw it.

A tense silence stretched between us before he exhaled through his nose. He turned his gaze to Eric, then back to me.

"Fine," he muttered. "Three days."

Eric nodded, and I turned to him and Rune. "I’ll be in Denril until then, meeting with the King to finalize the details. You two should return. Lyall will escort you back."

Rune let out a frustrated breath. "Why couldn’t you let me fight?"

"Because I don’t want you to," I said simply.

His fists clenched. "That sword is dangerous!"

"I can handle it, Young Duke. I am not that weak."

Rune’s jaw tensed, but he had no more words. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked off, his anger palpable in the crisp night air.

Eric watched him for a moment before exhaling.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Prepare for the fight, Your Highness. You’ll be leading the charge at the designated location in three days."

Eric nodded, his expression resolute. "I’ll win for sure."

I chuckled. "I won’t scold you if you lose."

His brows furrowed, but he said nothing as he turned and walked away.

I turned back to Fenson and Damon, who had been watching silently.

"Shall we get going?" I asked.

They nodded, and without another word, we set off into the night.