Elydes

Chapter 203 - The Lesser Evil

Kai scratched his head in confusion. Improvisation masked his nervousness and the cold sweat down his back. He was happy to avoid a death duel with the wyrmling, though it peeved him to have revealed his ring for nothing.

The beast lay in a widening pool of pale ichor, slitted eyes staring empty at the sky. It was two meters of gleaming pearl scales, its tail probably severed during the teleportation. Despite being low yellow and wounded, it was hard to believe how easily Makyn had killed it. The same man who now watched him, expecting an answer.

I can still salvage this.

“You mean this one?” Kai looked at the serpent sword in his hands as if he’d just realized it was there. Edgar had helped him cloak the elemental enchantments, though it couldn’t hide the fact it had them. “It’s quite pretty and sharp. Valela gave it to me earlier.”

He peered at the princess’ fat satchel with unconcealed desire. “I can’t believe all the stuff you fit in that bag. How many weapons do you carry?” If he blabbered enough, his companions might decide to go along with him. He was out of better options.

Lou nodded along without missing a beat, no doubt planning to question him later.

Valela shifted her gaze between him and the sword. She hid her puzzlement behind a prideful smile. “As today has proven, it’s better to be prepared for any occurrence. You never know when you might need a sword.”

Thanks, sorry I thought you were a spoiled brat.

Even if he gaslit Makyn that the sword had always been there, Valela and Lou would piece together the truth. Kai was confident they wouldn’t sell him out or rob him—at least not out of greed.

Makyn waved off an approaching soldier. “I’ve got this handled. Go help finish the other beasts and help the wounded.” The man tripped on his feet to get away from the steely gaze.

Without another soul for a hundred meters, his attention switched back to them. “I saw you pull it out.” The man stated with unwavering certainty.

Spirits… I should have picked a dumber porter.

Kai raised an eyebrow. “So you were watching as we almost got eaten?” It explained why Hallowed Intuition hadn’t spiked at the danger. With the ongoing battle in the distance, the whispers were constant in the background.

Valela stepped forward with her arms crossed. “Why did you wait till the last moment to intervene?” She managed to look down her nose despite the height difference. “You can be certain the council will learn every detail of today’s disappointing performance. The military’s incompetence almost cost our lives.”

Hmm… Nice Karen-mode, you must teach me how to do it.

Makyn tempered his stare from polar arctic to cold professionalism. “I was occupied with other duties and had just reached the site, ma’am. If there were any cases of gross negligence among the troops, you can be assured they’ll be dealt with accordingly.”

“I’m sure. The high councilor will be happy to hear every detail.”

The man acquiesced with a nod. “As for the wyrmling, ma’am.” His boot tapped the carcass bleeding pale ichor into the grass. “I was keeping a distance to give you some privacy and intervened as soon as I noticed the threat. Since the ice spell fended off the initial assault, I waited for an opening to finish off the beast. It would have been problematic if the wyrmling escaped to the skies. I apologize if I didn’t immediately reveal myself.”

Yatei’s mercy, is he a lawyer too?

“Huh… that’s a reasonable decision if what you say is true.” Valela conceded. “I expect to receive a full report and be given full access to investigate today’s event.”

Makyn stood unruffled. “I don’t have the authority to grant that, ma’am, but I’ll inform my superior of your request.” He looked back at Kai, scanning him from head to toe. “It still doesn’t change what I saw.”

You’re more persistent than the stain I burned on my wall. Can’t you pretend to get gaslighted and forget about it? I should have fired you when i had the chance.

“Am I required to explain every action I take to you?” In a last-ditch effort, Kai stomped his feet like a kid throwing a tantrum. “The contract said I’d share my knowledge of the Vastaire civilization. This has nothing to do with it.”

Makyn’s gaze grew a few degrees colder, lingering on the silver ring and chain bracelet. “You’re correct. You aren’t forced to answer my questions.” Despite the flat tone, the meaning was crystal clear. If not him, whom?

You merciless bastard. I can’t even be properly mad at you since you just saved us. Dammit…

The constant running and fighting for his life crashed on him like a wave. His shoulder sagged as adrenaline left his body. He was exhausted emotionally and physically. “Okay, let’s talk. You two can go ahead.” It had been foolish to believe he could bamboozle the man.

Lou looked concerned, while Valela scrunched her delicate brows. “Are you sure? You can come under my employment, you’ve been very useful today.” Her emerald eyes promised she’d take care of the situation if he wished.

You mean to erase the favor I owe you? I hope the offer doesn’t expire if this goes wrong…

“Thank you for the offer, I’m good. You know who to look for if I’m mysteriously found dead.” Kai chuckled, throwing a meaningful glance at his porter. He was in too deep to give up. The investigation of the ruins had grown beyond a matter of curiosity to potentially affect the entire archipelago. The military would give him the best shot at finding the truth.

“I see. You can keep the sword. I've got people to call and letters to write. Come find me when you’re done, I’ll need your witness account of the events.” Valela gracefully limped away. Her request for a meeting would ensure he returned safely.

Lou threw him one last glance before following her.

Some familiarity was expected after they survived together. She still wanted to pretend they didn’t know each other. Makyn might wonder how they met in the ruins, but anything could have happened in the general chaos.

Unless nosy-boy lied on when he got here, but he doesn’t strike me as a liar.

Officer Seryne would have more pressing issues to worry about. Today confirmed that beasts appeared inside the Vastaire sites, though not even he knew there would be three of them.

Spirits have mercy.

If it wasn’t just the frequency of the accidents increasing but the numbers too, the situation was escalating quicker than anyone predicted.

There is nothing that I can do about it now.

Alone with ice-boy, Kai offered an empty grin. He just wanted to be done with this. “It’s just us. Ask away.”

“Let’s find a quieter place.” Makyn walked away from the ruins, expecting him to follow.

Let’s follow killer-boy into the isolated jungle. What could ever go wrong?

Makyn knew Valela expected him back, and it was better they were alone if his secrets got exposed. “Wait up!” Kai hurried to catch up. “Shouldn’t you be helping with the croc-lizard and toad?”

“The toad is already dead, and there are enough reinforcements to take care of the blackstone terragon without casualties. I won’t be needed for the cleanup efforts.”

“Hmm… when can I expect to get my share of the beasts?”

Makyn glanced over his shoulders, a look that said he made even less sense than usual.

“What? Me, fancy-girl and big-boy did most of the work before those cowards decided to show up and steal the kill. And we also distracted the wyrmling for you.”

“The command will ascertain what happened. The Vastaire sites and everything related to them have been claimed by the Republic to aid in the investigation.”

This is a total scam.

Kai stomped on the lush underbrush, flaring his mana to keep the buzzing insects at bay. “Are you telling me the Republic doesn’t reward the soldiers who put down a beast?”

“You’re a contracted scholar, not a soldier,” Makyn said with infuriating calm.

“My contract didn’t include getting almost eaten by an overweight toad and fighting for my life.”

The man slashed the wet branches in their path with a sigh. “I’ll see if I can get you some credits for your contributions.”

“At the very least.” Kai had no idea what these credits were, but beggars can’t be choosers. He could perceive nothing but trees in every direction, and even the growls of the dying croc-lizard had faded. “How much further do we need to go? Is this where you bring kids to butcher them?”

“Only the chatty ones,” Makyn said dryly.

I’m just making friendly banter here. No hard feelings.

“Have I told you how nice it was of you to kill that wyrmling?” he beamed. “Also, a little tip, people usually change their inflection or expression when they make a joke.”

“I know.”

Kai forced an awkward laugh. “Ah, you’re such a jokester.”

They moved on a path opposite the main camp. With every soldier going to assist at the ruins, no one would stumble upon them besides the chirping parrots perking on the canopies.

Creepy-boy stopped in a clearing of ankle-high weeds. “This is far enough. You have a spatial artifact?”

He hasn’t tried to skewer me yet. That’s a good sign.

“What do you mean—”

“Kai, my patience has a limit. If you want to talk, I don’t want more lies.”

Not like you’ve given me much choice.

He waved his silver ring. Worst case scenario he would swallow it, bury it, or give it to Valela for safekeep. He trusted her pride wouldn’t allow her to steal it if he played it right. “It’s cloaked. Do I need to show you how it works?”

“No.” There wasn’t a twitch on his face, he looked at the priceless artifact with mild curiosity. His smooth expression made any tiny emotion stick out like paint on a white canvas. “I assume it was given to you by your previous masters. Few can afford such an expensive gift.”

“Yes. And they’d be really upset if someone else were to take it from me.”

Makyn scoffed. “I’m not a thief. I didn’t bring you here to rob you.”

Why then…?

Indeed, if Makyn wanted to rob him, it would have been easier to stay silent and not raise his guard. He could then strike when Kai least expected. A mugging in the night, drugging his soup to take the ring while he slept. The ways abounded. The soldier was smart enough to come up with ideas of his own.

If it’s not to steal or coerce me into giving it up, what else…? To kidnap or kill me? That makes even less sense.

While Hallowed Intuition wasn’t always reliable with its warning, it would have given a sign by now. Did Makyn just want to confirm his suspicions? Could it be that simple?

Either that or he hasn’t decided what to do yet.

“Are you going to report my ring?”

“It’s my job. I can’t hide important information from my superior officer.”

Great. It’ll earn me enough time to get to Valela if this fails.

Kai waved his hand. “That’s just robbing with extra steps, you might as well take it now and be done with it. If you write it in a report, the voice will spread, and someone will get greedy.”

“There are laws in the Republic. The army isn’t a group of criminals,” Makyn coldly said. Strangely he showed no anger or indignation this time.

“Are you telling me you’ve never met any corrupt officer who abused their power? Someone will break the law if the reward is high enough.”

Makyn pressed his lips shut. His eyes blinked with fury, though it didn’t seem directed at him.

“Can you ensure nothing will happen to me?” Kai pressed his advantage. “My ring isn’t relevant to the investigation, but it might get me killed if it gets revealed. I won’t be much help then.” He held his gaze with determination, confident in his assessment of the porter.

Makyn drummed his finger on the hilt of his sword. “I can keep this matter private, but I need something in return.”

That was unexpected, but not unwelcome. Kai’d trust him more if they both got something out of the deal. “What do you want?”

The man raised three fingers. “No more lies. No more harassing my ear with pointless prattle. You’ll do what I say in any matter regarding the investigation. As long as you don’t break these rules, I won’t report the artifact.”

What’s this slander? I was just trying to be friendly.

“When you say—”

“This isn’t a negotiation.”

You’re such a bully. I guess your requests are reasonable.

“Fine. We have a deal.” Kai shook his cold hand, bones creaking under the brute’s grip. This was as good of an outcome as he could have hoped.

One step at a time I’ll lead you to the dark side. My side.

Makyn showed a rare smile. “What’s your true grade and profession?”

“I—”

“Remember, no lies. You wouldn’t want to break the pact already,” he said with surprising cheerfulness. “No one at your grade could have summoned a wall of ice that fast. I’ll also keep this secret if you don’t break your word.”

Wait a second…

A disturbing idea chipped at his mind. Who had played who? Like the first tile of a domino, the thought brought him down an inevitable path. Was this why Makyn had brought him here? Use information he didn’t value to make him agree to a convenient deal. When the man agreed to keep his mouth shut, Kai had been too relieved to even bargain.

You sneaky bastard!

Kai clenched his jaw. He could be wrong, but it all fit so perfectly. “The deal is not to lie. I don’t have to tell you my grade.”

Makyn nailed him with an icy stare. “Do you want to play the game of literal interpretations?”

You just got me because I had to fight a chunky toad and am exhausted. This won’t happen again.

“If anything happens to me or my ring, I'll make sure the entire archipelago knows it was you.” Kai attempted to retain some sliver of pride. He pulled off the bracelet, the enchantment peeled off his channels with a tingle. “Is this good enough?”

“Yes.” Makyn inspected him, back in his impassive mask. “It was a waste to take a profession so early.”

“If I didn’t, I’d be in the belly of a yellow beast.”

Though not the one you think.

His expression darkened. “That’s true. Sometimes you must pick the lesser evil.”