Chapter 86 - Devil’s whisper
Chapter 86 – Devil’s whisper
Everyone was shocked to hear this sudden statement from Ren. It was a surprise to hear Iselv was an actual relative of the royal family. Everyone had the same questions in their mind.
‘Who was a relative? Iselv? A relative of the king? The guy who is called the Bandit King was actually a real relative of the actual royal family.’
“Are you kidding me?” Iselv spoke which almost sounded like a growl. He looked at Ren, practically oozing with killing intent. Which Ren simply shrugged off as he answered the angry looking Iselv.
“Do you think I’m the kind of person, who jokes around about these kind of things?” When the people present heard what Ren said, they tried recalling all the conversations they had with him. After thinking for a while they came to the conclusion that it was true Ren doesn’t tell such lies.
“How did you figure this out? What’s your source?” Kithra asked a bit excited. If it was true that Iselv was an actual royal, then this could lead her to bigger things. It was at this moment, she was genuinely happy to have joined Ren’s group.
“This guy over here told me.” Ren pointed at Valdel, which made everyone’s attention shift to him. Seeing that it doesn’t seem like Ren minded telling these people what he found out, Valdel started to explain how he met the king, and how he was told about the royal families innate ability.
When everyone heard Valdel’s explanation, they were first amazed that he got an audience with the king, especially Hilda who met Ren’s group the first time they came into town. Who knew that the country boy who kept on sticking to Ren like a lost child was actually able to meet the king. Still the main point of interest they had was with the ability the king had.
The king claimed that the males of his family were the only ones able to use this unique ability. The ability in question was extremely similar to Iselv’s, so the only conclusion they could come up with given the new pieces of information they had, was that Iselv was part of the royal family.
Still they could argue that the king must be misinformed there was the possibility that other people might have a similar ability. Yet the likelihood of that happening in the same kingdom was miniscule.
“I’m part of the royal family?…” Iselv who was confused by the sudden proclamation stood there in a daze.
“Well based on the information we have that’s most likely the case. So what do you want to do Iselv? Of course I can still try to expand your mana pool, but the result might just make your physical strength stronger, and your mana pool remain the same. So tell me Iselv, what is it you want?” Ren who said this, smirked a bit, but no one noticed it since all of the people present were looking at Iselv.
Seeing that Iselv wasn’t answering the question, Kithra spoke first.
“Even though I’m sure no one in the vicinity would even try to eavesdrop on our conversation, but still how about we go inside, so that we have some nice comfy chairs to sit on.”
After saying this Kithra guided everyone inside the building. 𝐛𝐞𝐝𝗻𝐨𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝐜𝐨𝗺
…
Once the group was inside the building, everyone sat down, all except for Iselv who looked like he followed them inside by instinct, and was now standing up looking at the ceiling in a daze. Everyone present could somehow understand how Iselv felt at this moment.
To suddenly learn that he was part of the royal family is indeed a shocking revelation. Anyone in his position would be confused as well. But the situation makes one wonder, why then was he in the slums of Grenton with no memories whatsoever? BETRAYAL. It was possible that someone wanted him dead, but he was able to somehow escape. Still they weren’t sure what his relation was to the king, he could be a b*stard son or something similar to that.
While everyone was waiting for Iselv to speak, Ren went near him and started whispering in his ear. “Hey, how long are you going to mope around for, unsure what to do since you have no memories? Isn’t there a path now that you could tread to find out the truth? Now that the path is right in front of you, why don’t you walk it Iselv? In fact if you wish to tread this path of either revenge or finding the truth, heck you could even have both, I will gladly lend you a hand. That is of course if you promise me something. Obviously if I help you, there must be something in exchange for my help, since I’m neither a hero nor a saint. So what say you Iselv?”
No one except for Iselv could hear what Ren whispered. Even Valdel who had extremely sharp hearing could not hear what Ren said, since Ren casted a sound barrier spell, that no one knew off. Kithra noticed the slight mana vibration upon the activation of the spell. She was the only one who noticed since she was extremely sensitive to mana flow, still that sudden and minimal amount of mana didn’t register as anything to her. Kithra simply mistook it for a simple stray mana fluctuation.
Iselv who heard what Ren said, started thinking. Everything Ren said was right, what was he hesitating for, the truth of his past was now clearer than before. Still what did he want? Revenge or did he simply want to learn the truth? Either way the answers to his questions were now so near that he could grab it, so then why doesn’t he grab it?
The problem was Ren, he might look like a young innocent boy from some random village, but the truth was different. Iselv who spoke and has seen Ren, knew not to be deceived by his looks. This boy in front of him, was more dangerous the the monsters hidden within the dungeons.
Iselv could feel the moment he accepts Ren’s proposal, was the moment he would sign his life to Ren. Was it worth it, to know the truth? To be frank his life as the Bandit king, or more precisely as a subordinate of Ren, was already pretty good. Aside from having to listen to a brat’s commands, everything was good, the pay, the food, even the women were nice.
Still something was telling him that, those weren’t enough. He wanted to learn the truth, he wanted to take back the past he no longer remembers, and the only way to do that is to take the hand of this devil right in front of him. Since he was already a subordinate of Ren, he was sure that Ren would ask for something more, but no matter what it was Iselv decided to accept it.
“Fine then, please help me find out the truth.”
“Very well Iselv, as long as you promise me your everything, your loyalty, your strength, and your life. If your promise to give me those, I will help you find the truth.” Ren showed off his vicious smile, the smile he showed only when he was excited for battle.
Ren who only had a single goal in mind needed to use everything in his disposal to achieve that goal. This was an unexpected piece that fell right into his lap, and was someone he shouldn’t let go at all cost. To fulfill his promise to Valdel, the promise only he knows about, the promise to change the script, the Gods wrote. To accomplish that promise he needed power, more power than he had back when he was still demon lord Kretos. He needed something more than his personal power.
Iselv in front of the surprised people present, knelt in front of Ren.
“I promise you my everything, my loyalty, my strength, and my life. I promise to give it all to you Ren, for as long as you show me the truth.”
Hearing what Iselv said, Ren lightly cut the palm of his right hands using a knife. After which he tossed the knife to Iselv. “Let’s shake on it.” Ren extended his hand that had a knife cut. Seeing this Iselv knew what he needed to do. Using the knife Ren handed to him, he lightly cut the palm of his right hand as well, and shook Ren’s hand.
“The pact has been formed. Your life and everything else is now mine. If you breach this contract form by blood, then expect to lose everything you have.”