Chapter 794 Negotiation
"I will not stand idle while ours is stabbed in the back!!" said Captain Thedel angrily.
"Presumptuous!!" rebuked Respected Havras harshly.
"Guardian! Remember your duty and oath!!" added Respected Erhan.
Hearing Erhan's words, the guardian captain immediately has a somber feeling. Being a Guardian member is not easy. Not only do they need to pass a series of strict selection and tests, but they also need to take a strict oath.
One of the oaths is to protect Everwhite from Gram and fight it to death no matter the circumstance. Anyone who runs from this duty will be labeled as a deserter.
In the past, there were many deserters of guardian members since many couldn't stand the brutal fight against the monstrous Gram continuously. These deserters will always be hunted by Guardian Captains before even reaching the border of Everwhite.
Suppose the guardian captain decides to ignore Gram and is labeled as a deserter. In that case, the blood in their hand will only signify a senseless murderer. The guardians may come from people with various backgrounds, such as petty criminals, thieves, farmers, fallen nobles, etc.
Their varieties also often have different opinions on certain things. However, they also reach the same agreement about the knight's honor. They could die miserably but couldn't stain their knight's honor.
Breaking their oath and forgetting their duty is one of the significant offenses towards their knight honor. It will become worse if the captain becomes a deserter.
This is also the source of their stubbornness about their rules and regulations. *Clank* As the atmosphere between the Guardian captains and the Respected ones becomes more somber, a commotion is heard from the nearby medical room.
"Sir, you need to lay down!!" said one of the staff healers anxiously.
The injured Captain Miguel exited the medical room with a pale face and ragged breath.
"Miguel!!" exclaimed the Respected Ones and Guardian Captains.
"*Cough* *Cough* D-Don't worry about me. This is my own mistake. Huft.. Huft… All of you just focus on the next Gram wave. You should know how dangerous... *Cough* *Cough*." said Captain Miguel before coughing blood.
"Miguel, stop talking. Lay down first!!" said Captain Thedel with worry.
"Huft.. Huft.. Thedel, remember your oath. Remember why you wear this symbol on your armor." said Captain Miguel while clutching Thedel's armor tightly.
"Miguel!!" said Captain Thedel anxiously while catching the unconscious Miguel.
Fortunately, the nearby staff healer is nearby and already taking action. The condition of Miguel is horrible. It is already a miracle he could stand up and talk with everyone.
Besides Draven's poison that slowly corrodes and weakens his body, there is also some fire-ice poison in his body. Since any antidote only worsens his body, the initial fire-ice poison slowly reacts to his weakening body.
With the cold temperature in the area, his body will be like getting frostbite and torched from the inside simultaneously. This will give unimaginable pain to the guardian captain's mind and psyche.
Moreover, this pain will worsen as Draven's poison weakens Miguel's body immunity. The most dangerous thing about Mundus poison is not its lethality but its effect on lowering the body's resistance and immunity.
When the body's immunity is almost non-existent, the victim will be prone to sickness and various complications, especially in a harsh environment. Even the strong mana in their body cannot keep protecting it.
Fortunately, the guardians' medical equipment and healing art are also improved thanks to the recent support of Count Flamewaver. Ironically, this support comes from King Leon for the Extermination Squad.
If King Leon knows about the healing art and equipment being spread through the Guardian, he may decimate the whole Glass Fortress without hesitation. One should know this healing art and equipment is one of their protective national secrets.
Not only does it come from Angus, but it also contains a few traces of the Temple of God's knowledge and technology. If by some chance anyone finds it, the Temple of God may point their spear at their nation.
After making sure Captain Miguel was adequately taken care of, the Respected Ones and Guardian Captain were no longer in the mood of bickering each other.
After a moment of silence, "We should prepare for the Gram Wave." said Captain Dannet.
"Agreed." said Captain Gabel.
"Then, leave the matter of the Heart Kingdom to us." said Respected Erhan.
The captain and other respected ones agreed with this decision. Their relationship with the Heart may have gone wrong and they are on the verge of war with the recent incident. However, they couldn't abandon their post and primary duty as guardians.
Moreover, they know this year's Gram Wave is stronger than the years before. Some scholarly experts may predict it is the strongest from the signs of the recent Gram spawning rate.
Meanwhile, King Leon and Duchess Amberblaze again approach Frostfall City with a few mysterious hooded people. All the hooded people wore a special cloak with the Heart emblem on it. This time, the mischievous twin Gemini is not around them like before.
The arrival of King Leon and Duchess Amberblaze is noticed by the nearby guards or hidden extermination squad. They didn't expect King Leon to be so blunt and only accompanied by the Duchess and a few people.
Yet, they dare not stop the King because of the previous incident. No one wants to turn into pieces of meat without knowing it.
King Leon and his group just walk leisurely without expression, as if taking a stroll in the park. But, the people nearby could feel an invisible pressure emanating from him even if he didn't release any mana or aura.
The not fast nor slow walking speed is also making everyone more anxious. It is as if King Leon was confident no one could do anything to him, even if they surrounded him. By the afternoon, King Leon and his group arrive at Frostfall City.
In front of Frostfall City, a group of stoic guardians wearing magic armor with snowflake emblems stand tall like a statue. On the front of this group, a few elderly people accompanied by the bandaged Count Flamewaver, are already waiting for King Leon and his group.
"Your Highness King Leon, it's been an honor to meet you." greeted Respected Floke and the other Respected Ones.
"Hmm… If I am not wrong, you should be Respected Floke of the Guardian Respected Ones." asked King Leon stoically.
"It's been my honor to be remembered by Your Highness." said Respected Floke politely.
"Alright, since the representative of the Guardian is also here. Give me a reason why I shouldn't raze Everwhite city?" asked King Leon.
"This…" reacted the few nearby Respected Ones.
However, Respected Floke didn't falter and still maintained his calm smile. Unlike others, he already knows about King Leon's character since the previous civil war. He is one of the people still surviving Hearing this, King Leon could only frown at the Respected Floke. But, seeing the other party will not speak further, he decides to since the rebellion and civil war.
"Gram Wave." replied Respected Floke shortly.
Hearing this, King Leon could only frown at the Respected Floke. But, seeing the other party will not speak further, he decides to entertain this old fogey for a while.
King Leon could just force his way to Everwhite city. Still, he also knew a few secrets about Everwhite City and the appearance of Gram. Otherwise, he would not have chosen this particular time to force these rigid old-fashioned people to meet him.
Moreover, both sides know nothing good comes from fighting each other. It will only bring more casualties and dead body count.
"Alright, let's hear your further explanation inside." said King Leon.
Then, the Respected Ones guide King Leon and his group to the nearby enchanted tent. Judging by this preparation, the Guardian Respected Ones expected King Leon to negotiate first.
After entering the tent, "Excuse Your Majesty, about your people?" asked Respected Howie.
"What's about them?" asked King Leon coldly.
"Err… What we talked about next is about Everwhite's secret? I think it is better to have fewer people hear about it." said Respected Floke while trying to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
"Are you dumb?! If I raze Everwhite, your so-called secret will no longer be a secret." said King Leon.
"You can't do this!! You already signed the contract." rebuked one of the Respected Ones.
"And? Did you see or hear me spread the news or secrets of Everwhite? Also, next time you speak with that tone. I will take it as a sign to start our war." asked King Leon while releasing tremendous pressure.
Feeling King Leon's aura, all the people nearby, even the Guardian and Count Flamewaver outside, couldn't help but tremble in fear. Except for the Duchess and the mysterious hooded people, they felt like facing a ferocious beast.
"L-Let's calm down first. If His Majesty insists, there is nothing wrong with letting them know." said Respected Flokes in a hurry.
"Stop talking around and get to the point. Don't think just because you have that old man, you will always be safe." said King Leon coldly.
"Y-Yes. As I already mentioned before, it is Gram Wave. Your Majesty must know this unique monster in our land. Over the years, the number of Gram spawned in the area is increasing. Their spawned rate is increasing at a steep number."
"Even the current Gram Wave is predicted to be on par with the monster horde attack at the Black Fortress a few years ago. Therefore, the existence of the Guardian is necessary." explained Respected Flokes.
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