Chapter 458 - Young Ancient Man
The crowd was silent as they heard his words, all eyes turning to the balcony high above. Of course, they couldn't see anything, but the tension between Arthur and the Ancient One was unmistakable.
"Sixty thousand golds, if you may," a voice, as ancient and flawless as a river coming down from heaven, came from the balcony. A hand reached out and grabbed the railing as a man appeared.
Arthur was taken by surprise because the man, just like his voice, was young. However, from his appearance, Arthur estimated that he was still in his twenties, almost the same age as the Knight of Nobility. In addition, the man had long hair that he tied using a hairpin.
'This man looks anything but ancient,' Arthur thought to himself as the man met his eyes. They were almost blood-like, and the blood looked to be flowing. Furthermore, his pale complexion and youthful appearance uneased Arthur for some reason, as if this was just a facade.
"Sixty thousand to our esteemed guest," the lady bowed ninety degrees, looking quite nervous. "We are honored to meet you today, Ancient One," she greeted.
The rest of the nobles bowed slightly as well, not even the Duke of Contracts daring to show disrespect. The scene, countless proud nobles revering to a single man, made Arthur apprehensive of the identity of his enemy.
'However,' Arthur forced a smile as a droplet of sweat rolled down his face, 'I finally got to meet the one who betrayed me.'
Their eyes met, and Arthur could feel like a thousand pairs of eyes were looking at him. This feeling was not an imagination but an aura that this man gave off. If Arthur had to describe this man, it would be that he felt like a homunculus.
"A pleasure to meet you, our famous Seika," the Ancient One gave a gentle smile. "I would have been happy to present my name, but I fear it has been too long for me to remember it."
The man was polite, and he wore one of the gentlest smiles Arthur has come across. If he didn't have an impression on him and didn't feel so sick by looking at him, he would have been charmed by the man.
"What is a name beside an acknowledgment of others? You are not lacking in that aspect, great one," Arthur was quick to put on a show. King Solomon might have protected him before, but it was a different matter to offend the head of nobility. "The pleasure is mine."
"I fear that I have offended you by not taking this seriously," the Ancient One said apologetically. "I do desire this monster for the secrets it holds. So, let us both bid to our heart's content. How about that?"
"As you wish," Arthur smiled again as the two met each other's gaze, refusing to break eye contact. Arthur could tell that this man had something against him, but he didn't know why. "Sixty-five thousand," and another bid was placed.
However, none of the crowd dared to let out a sound. In the presence of the young man, known as ancient, they were all too scared to offend him. Arthur was the exception, as he even dared to bid against this man.
Every person in this kingdom, and even the surrounding kingdoms, would do anything to leave a favorable impression on the Ancient One, a man holding as much power as the king himself. However, the Seika of Living Beings seemed ignorant of such a norm.
"You are making this difficult for me, Seika," the Ancient One laughed in a gentle and teasing voice. "I fear emptying my pockets at this rate."
"I am soon to empty mine too, great one," Arthur said with the same smile, forced and cautious. "I hope you don't hold it against me for wanting this monster this badly."
"Not at all," Ancient One waved his hand. "This is what Freda is about and what his majesty desires: freedom!" he said with a bright smile that diffused the tension.
Arthur could see the nobles and merchants looking at the man with awe and respect. It was a wonder how these people failed to feel what Arthur felt toward this man. As he turned to glance at Dia, he realized that she was looking at the man with coldness, but masked within it was deep awe.
"Seventy thousand golds," the Ancient One declared with an excited grin. "It has been so long since I allowed myself to spend so much. However, it will all go to the economy of my kingdom, so I have no regrets!"
"Seventy-five thousand," Arthur couldn't hide his frown anymore. The man talked about Freda as if it was indeed his kingdom, and Arthur felt the only genuine emotions this man had: love to this land.
However, why would someone loyal to Freda work with those of Alva?
That was a question that Arthur needed to answer but didn't think it mattered because this man tried to kill him.
"Eighty!"
"Eight-five!"
"Ninety," the Ancient One said with less enthusiasm as if appearing entirely unconvinced. Arthur knew that this was the last push.
"Ninety-five,"
"Sigh," the Ancient One sighed as he clapped his hands. "It seems you truly want this monster, Seika. There is no one better to take care of it, as the Seika of Living Beings. Hence, I will step down today, and may we compete on another occasion."
After saying those words, the Ancient One disappeared into the darkness of his chamber, leaving Arthur alone with a complex gaze.
"Ninety-five thousand from the Seika!" the lady exclaimed. "Are there any more bidders? No? Then, the hobgoblin has been sold!"
The crowd drew a breath before they blew up into full chatter. Most of the public couldn't believe that the Seika outbid the Ancient One, and the rest couldn't believe the amount of money that went to this Hobgoblin.
"He knew how badly I needed to buy him," muttered Arthur with a look of helplessness. "The only reason he bid along is to raise the price for me, but I had no choice but to keep bidding."
"I know, dear," Dia said with her hand on her head. "I feel... unwell," she said that and leaned back in her chair. Arthur turned to face her with a frown.
"Are you alright?"
"I am, but I am not myself at the moment. When I looked at that man, something within me changed, as if I felt my love to you turn to another."
"It must be one of his abilities," Arthur looked at the crowd, and he could see that their eyes held the same zeal toward the Ancient One. "It explains why he is so liked. It is akin to brainwashing but on a weaker and wider range."
As he told Dia, his hand glowed, and a rule appeared. The rune seeped into her body, and she flinched out of her dizziness. Diana looked at Arthur with a puzzlement, which he met with a smile.
"I made sure to remove the Ancient One's charm," he used his Dispel rune, and he realized it was pretty useful to arm the people around him with it. "Let's go meet my hobgoblin now," he said with a grin, despite the loss he just had.
***
The hobgoblin looked nothing that Arthur recognized, but the bond was there. However, it was also weaker than before, a lot more fragile. Despite standing in front of his follower, Arthur felt the fragility of the bond connecting them.
"Kakan," the hobgoblin stared at him from behind bars, with eyes of worship. "I cannot believe that you are truly here."
The hobgoblin spoke the tongue of his species, making Dia and Ma unable to understand his words. However, to Arthur, it was the same as someone speaking directly into his mind.
"I am sorry for being late," Arthur said as he walked toward the cage. "I abandoned you, and that is something I can never be forgiven for."
His feelings of guilt were the strongest he ever felt after seeing the state of the goblin in front of him. Arthur was why the temporal fissure occurred, but these creatures still recognized him as their lord.
"We are the unforgivable ones!" the hobgoblin grabbed the bars with tears in its eyes. "We failed to find you all this time! Your arm... you have suffered injuries that we failed to prevent. I am sorry. I am sorry. I am..."
The three were taken aback by the wailing of the monster, and especially Arthur, who didn't think that their loyalty was this deep. He would have been understanding if they felt nothing toward him.
"We have all suffered, my dear," Arthur crouched in front of the cage and met the hobgoblin's eyes. "You are one of the five, aren't you?"
"You remember me, Kakan?" the hobgoblin sniffed. "I have failed you, and I was captured. You gave us the power to survive, but here I am, wasting your money."