The Kingmaker System
Chapter 339 - 338. Negotiations (3)

Chapter 339: 338. Negotiations (3)

The plan was simple—I would meet with King Augustine of Denril to negotiate an end to the war. It would have been far easier if I had stepped onto the battlefield myself, but that wouldn’t be a battle. It would be a massacre. I had deliberately avoided influencing the war directly, even though my presence alone tipped the scales in Sestia’s favor. But I didn’t want Denril to lose either. They were victims in this conflict, caught in a web of circumstances beyond their control.

I had secured some beneficial terms for them, ones that I hoped Augustine would seriously consider. If he was wise, he would listen.

For now, I was waiting at Damon’s estate until the time came for our meeting.

The moment we teleported to his residence, Damon gestured for me to follow. The household was already stirring despite the fact that dawn had yet to break. Servants gathered at the entrance, their gazes lowering respectfully as Damon stepped forward.

"Please show My Lord to his chambers along with his attendant," Damon instructed his Head Butler.

The elderly man bowed deeply before turning his eyes toward me. "Please come this way, My Lord."

For now, I was in disguise of—Ace D’Arc, a young man with jet black hair and ruby red eyes. A merchant with longstanding ties in Denril. It wasn’t a fabricated identity; I had, in fact, established relationships here long ago.

The Head Butler led us up the grand staircase to the third floor, where I was assigned an opulent guest suite. Lyall’s room was right next to mine, ensuring we remained within close reach of each other.

"If you require anything, please call for me, My Lord," the butler said with another deep bow before excusing himself.

As soon as the door shut behind him, I made my way to the bed and let myself collapse onto the plush mattress. Nox, who had been perched on my shoulder, flapped his wings and flew to the table near the window, just beside the balcony.

The exhaustion of travel and planning caught up with me, and within moments, I drifted into sleep.

By the time I awoke, the sun was already high in the sky. Stretching lazily, I called for the servants to prepare a bath.

After washing away the lingering drowsiness, I dressed in proper noble attire—nothing too extravagant, just enough to blend in and maintain appearances. As I stepped out of my room, I found Lyall already waiting for me.

Nox reclaimed his spot on my shoulder, and together, we descended the grand staircase toward the dining hall.

I had missed breakfast, and now my stomach protested its displeasure. A feast was in order.

"Did you sleep well, Lyall?" I asked as we walked through the hallway on the second floor.

"Yes, Master," he replied smoothly. "What about you?"

"I slept well too," I said, glancing up at him.

He seemed at ease, despite being in a foreign territory. Then again, he had briefly stayed here before, which likely made him more comfortable.

We were making our way down the stairs when the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly reached our ears.

Lyall’s posture stiffened immediately, his senses sharpening, but I remained relaxed. The approaching presence didn’t carry hostility.

A girl—no older than thirteen—came racing toward the staircase. Her thick curls bounced as she ran, framing a face flushed with excitement. Large, rose-colored eyes widened as they landed on us, her lips parting as if to speak.

But she had miscalculated her momentum.

The moment her foot missed a step, her small frame lurched forward.

"Little Lady!" Lyall’s sharp voice rang out.

Both of us moved at the same time.

Before she could fall, I caught her, cradling her against my chest with ease.

A chorus of horrified gasps erupted from the top of the stairs.

"My Lady!"

"Oh my God!"

The maids had arrived, their expressions frozen in sheer panic. Relief flooded their features the moment they saw her safe in my arms.

The girl sniffled, the shock of the near-fall setting in.

I patted her back lightly, murmuring, "You’re all right."

Lyall turned to the maids. "She’s unharmed," he reassured them before following me down the stairs.

As I carefully set the girl down, she sniffled again, her wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Crouching to her level, I met her gaze gently. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

She wiped at her eyes quickly and shook her head.

"Were you scared?"

This time, she nodded.

I smiled, placing a steadying hand on her shoulders. "You’re all right now. See? You didn’t fall. No harm done."

Her lip trembled, but she gave a small nod.

"I-I’m sorry to have troubled you," she said in a tiny voice.

A chuckle escaped me. "It’s fine. I’m just glad I was able to help, Little Lady."

A pair of frantic voices called out from the hall.

"Anastasia!"

"Anastasia!"

Damon and his wife, Beatrice, came rushing over, their worry palpable. They dropped to their knees beside her, hands flying over her small frame as they checked for injuries.

"My child, are you all right? What happened?"

"Dear, what were you thinking?!"

Damon’s eyes flicked up to me, searching for answers. Before I could speak, Lyall stepped forward.

"It’s fine," he reported calmly. "The little lady slipped on the stairs. Master caught her in time."

Relief washed over Damon’s face before he turned to me.

"Thank you, My Lord."

Beatrice echoed his gratitude, clutching her daughter’s hand tightly. "Yes, thank you."

Then, her expression shifted, brows drawing together in stern disapproval as she looked at Anastasia.

"How many times have I told you not to run near the stairs?!"

Anastasia wilted under her mother’s gaze, her small fingers twisting in the fabric of her dress as she stared at the floor.

"I-I heard that Mr. Zoro was here," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was excited to see him again... That’s why I was hurrying."

I arched a brow, my gaze shifting to Lyall. His usual composed expression betrayed a flicker of surprise before he lowered his head slightly, as if reluctant to acknowledge the attention.

Beatrice, however, turned her sharp eyes to the maids. "How could you be so negligent? She could have been seriously hurt!"

The maids bowed their heads, their apologies spilling over one another as Beatrice waved them away with a sigh.

Damon, standing beside her, glanced between his wife and us before clearing his throat, breaking the tension. "Beatrice, allow me to introduce Lord Ace D’Arc, a merchant who has been instrumental in improving our trade routes." He gestured toward me before turning slightly. "And of course, you already know Mr. Zoro."

Beatrice turned to me with a composed smile, her rose-hued eyes glinting with curiosity. "Lord Ace, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Mr. Zoro often spoke of you during his stay with us."

I inclined my head slightly, observing her with mild interest. With her flowing black hair and striking gaze, she carried herself with the grace of a noblewoman who was accustomed to holding her own.

"The pleasure is all mine, My Lady," I replied smoothly, offering a polite smile.

Beatrice’s gaze softened as she turned toward her daughter. "Go on now, introduce yourself properly and thank Lord Ace."

Anastasia hesitated, then took a small step forward. The pink dusting her cheeks deepened as she curtsied, her small voice laced with sincerity.

"I-I’m Anastasia Lancaster, daughter of the Lancaster household. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ace. Thank you for saving me."

I studied her for a brief moment, then smiled. "It’s a pleasure to meet such a charming young lady."

Her rose-colored eyes lifted shyly, a hint of wonder flickering in them before she quickly averted her gaze. Her attention flitted to Lyall—no, Zoro—who bowed his head slightly.

"It has been a while, My Lady."

Anastasia’s face lit up with a smile. "I’m happy to see you again, Mr. Zoro."

With the introductions concluded, we proceeded to the dining hall. Damon fell into step beside me, while Anastasia and Beatrice walked behind us, engaged in quiet conversation. Lyall followed with a composed gait, his presence always an unwavering shadow beside me.

Lunch was a grand affair, as expected. Damon had clearly spared no effort in ensuring a feast befitting our visit. I ate well, occasionally catching Anastasia sneaking glances at me from across the table. Each time our eyes met, she would flush a deeper shade of red and quickly turn away, focusing intently on her plate. Amused, I merely continued my meal, letting her flustered reactions pass without comment.

After lunch, I excused myself and stepped outside with Lyall. The afternoon air was crisp, carrying the distant hum of the town beyond the estate walls.

"I’ll take a short walk into town," I said, my gaze drifting toward the streets that stretched beyond the Lancaster household. "Let’s go see how this place has changed after so long."

Lyall nodded, falling into step beside me without a word.

With that, we set off, the quiet hum of the estate fading as we moved toward the heart of Denril’s capital.

The carriage stopped outside the town area and we stepped out. The market was buzzing with activity and the two statues of the King and the Saintess with a Dragon were erected again. I looked at the beautiful statues of the Saintess and Dragons before I made my way towards the Temple.

The people were coming in and out of the alabaster building. I stepped inside the grand hall and felt the sense of relief as soon as I entered. The energy seemed to shift as I stepped ahead and came across the statues of the Dragons before I faced the large one of Saintess Miella protected by the Dragon.

"It’s been a while." I whispered looking at her.

There were a few devotees who were talking to the new High Priest after I was done purging this place new people had taken the spots and the corrupting had lost its hold.

After the Temple we made our way down the market area, the people were out about. I looked around and we entered the slum area where the intel network that we had established four years ago was.

We were just passing by an alleyway and I stopped as I heard a strange sound.