Novel Updates
61. Royal Meeting
61. Royal Meeting
There were others, of course.
The king - still looking old and tired, three guys with different attires and ages.
One middle aged man in the ceremonial army clothes with a moustache, the second guy was king's right hand man drabbed in silky robes looking important in his late 30's and lastly a young guy in full knight's Armor trying to look handsome.
And then there was one more person who looked so old I thought she was the king's mother or something but the guy who brought me here introduced her as the High Priestess Thalia. She was in charge of the church where Artula worshippers gathered.
I could see each and every one of them scrutinizing me with their expressionless cold faces. Except for the prince's wife who looked completely uninterested in the whole kabal.
Robe guy - Welcome, Merchant Hikaru. Glad to see that you are on time.
Hikaru - Oh, I wouldn't dare to disrespect his highness by wasting his time.
Thalia - So he is the one hmmm...?
The king - Yes, holy Priestess. So let's start this informal meeting should we?
The robed guy nodded just like others and led everyone to sit at a round table, the guy who brought me here left after bowing. Actually I was also supposed to bow when greeting royalty but no one pointed it out so I just let it be. Not like the king was offended or anything.
After everyone sat down and the servants left, delivering some snacks and drinks, the meeting officially started.
Of course the topic of the meeting was my new weapons and the business deal that we could make. Everyone here was the king's firm supporter and were big shots of the capital. I was the only exception, yet I enjoyed the wine that was served with relaxed posture. It wasn't amazing or bad just unique, maybe something unique to this world.
The prince - So, Hikaru if you don't mind, can you tell us something about yourself ? Everyone here would like to know you better before we start this discussion.
I looked at him, then others who were also looking at me so i put down my wine glass.
Hikaru - I came here from a country that is across the ocean, by the ship of course. My captain was enthusiastic adventurer and was adamant to find new land, we got lost at sea and then a heavy storm took us. Only I survived somehow.
Everyone started murmuring among them, suddenly knowing about a rival country would make anyone stressed I guess. I wanted to convey that I wasn't just a dealer, I had information that could spell their ruin and also make them rich. Not like I had to prove anything.
The bride - There is another country across the sea !?
She had childish enthusiasm plastered all over her face, now whether that was an act or not I didn't know and neither did I care.
Hikaru - Yes, my lady. A beautiful one at that, just like you.
I smiled sweetly at her.
The knight - How big is this country ? Bigger than ours?
I looked at the young knight who had serious expressions.
Hikaru - Yes. It's actually more fair to call it an empire instead of kingdom.
Robe guy - You have an emperor?
Moustache guy - How big is it? Do you know?
Hikaru - It's my home, of course I know. Yes, we do have a sovereign and he is pretty nice guy.
The king - You know the emperor personally?
Hikaru - The prince is my friend. So yes I have seen him.
The queen - What exactly is your status in this home of yours?
Hikaru - Oh, my bad! I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Hikaru Amani Stormchaser. The son of Seaside Association's president Totsuka Stormchaser.
The prince - The.. seaside.. association..?
Hikaru - We handle trade on behalf of the empire, more like imperial merchants. My father is the Duke of Istagar - The busiest city of the empire. Harbor city to be exact.
The queen - You are nobility?
Hikaru - Not exactly...
The king - What do you mean?
Hikaru - Ahm my father kicked me out...
Everyone suddenly had a frowning expressions as if I said something stupid in a very serious conversation.
The Bride - Why did he do that?
I looked at her then at everyone and acted like I was hesitating.
Hikaru - I was kind of caught with the princess...
The bride - Doing what?
Hikaru - The princess.
The bride - No I mean what we... Ohhhh... I got it !
Thalia - Without engagement? Today's youth is so lost.
Hikaru - Actually she was already married...
Thalia - Blasphemy ! How dare you say such things in the presence of his highness and his family?
Hikaru - I'm sorry, but wasn't it the prince who asked for my background ? Should I lie ?
The king - No, it's fine Thalia. He was already punished for his crimes..
Thalia - Why didn't the priests ask for your head for such blasphemy in this country of yours?
Hikaru - Which one would? We have tens of religions and hundreds of churches...
At that, everyone froze. The priestess had her eyes wide open, even the one always in control, young knight had wrinkles on his forehead.
Thalia - You... You.. wh.. religionssss..?
Hikaru - Oh come on ! Are you people really so arrogant that you thought yours is the only religion in the world? No wonder your civilization is so poor and barbaric.
The king - We are barbaric..? Do you realize the Weight of your words ?
Hikaru - I meant no disrespect but you have seen my country's technology, how far do you think we are in terms of scientific advancement and in knowledge of the natural world?
The king had a dark face and so did most of them, the priestess was still finding hard to grasp what I had just said. The queen looked terrified, only the young knight seems to have his composure back and was thinking seriously.
Thalia - That can't be Goddess Artula is the one true goddess...!!
Hikaru - Yeah.. yeah.. sure.
Prince - You think you can disrespect our faith in front of the Reverend priestess...?
He stood up, his hand heading towards his sword.
The king - Enough !
Moustache guy - My liege, we can't let this heathen roam free in our realm !
Robe guy - His knowledge is too dangerous to left alone, your highness..
Thalia - Lies... They must be lies... Yes.. yes.. liess...
The queen grabbed the old woman and supported her body, which was in heavy shock. Then she looked at me and snarled,
The queen - Kill him !
Suddenly a line of knights in exquisite Armor arrived from behind the wall that was opposite to the door. Coming exactly from behind me.
I took my wine glass and emptied it out waiting for the show to start. In the next second two knights came running towards me from my left and right, full body Armor and even visors and stuff. But before they could do anything at all I took out my two guns and shot at directly in the middle of their forehead.
The bullets pierced through the iron helmet and blew both of their heads off. Suddenly the peace and quiet returned only the light smoke from my pistols were moving. All the knights froze on the spot, same as the big shots.
After a minute staying like that the knights remember their job and continued their charge but I didn't aim this time. Instead,
Hikaru - I can just as easily kill the furthest guy on the table. Do you want me to demonstrate?
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