Chương 88: A Full Team - 1

LANCE stared at Outlet dumbfounded.

"Of course, come in, please! I didn't know the king had a son."

"He has many children, but few who are entitled to the throne. He keeps us in secret, though, so do not fear ignorance," Outlet said, stepping into the room and walking over to the table. He said nothing for a moment, not sure on how to proceed.

"I am in trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" Now, things were getting interesting.

"I might be able to help you."

"I am hoping you would say that" Outlet grinned.

"You see. My life has been a sheltered one. I have spent my time in luxury in the palace but like all Royal Children, I have been trained for combat, self-defense, hunting, and kingdom building. I wish to leave my sheltered upbringing and make my own way in the world. I want you to bring the notion of my freedom up during your negotiations with my father. Can you do this?" Lance looked to Bipin but had no answer for him whether verbally or facially. On his own, he told Outlet that "We will do what we can.

But you must understand this is a sudden request and we don't know anything about your or your relationship to your father. If we do this for you, what do we get?" Outlet grinned.

"A shrewd negotiator, I see. I cannot offer you much in the way of riches. My father keeps a tight hold on the treasury and wouldn't trust any of his children with such access as far as he could throw them. I can offer you something, though. Myself!"

"Yourself? What do you mean?" Lance was curious. Slavery was outlawed long ago by the majority of the nations. If such bondage was still allowed within the Androic Lands, which he doubted, it would not be acceptable as a bartering chip.

"I mean, allow me to help your cause. AS a flesh-mech, I am someone who could act as a bridge to other places reluctant to join your alliance. I have that history. I also have the knowledge as someone trained in the finer arts. Along with the passion for self-defense, I would be a vital asset to any alliance building effort. As you know, however, my father is reluctant to allow anything to change regarding the status of his kingdom and of me..."

Outlet's words got him thinking about what was true and what was not true. Did Outlet not know his father was, apparently, hungry to spread the holy word, to such a degree, evidently, that he seemed willing to allow his land open to all manner of foreigners and their investments? Or perhaps such desire was a ploy? Perhaps King Pluglet was planning something beyond them all that his son was unawares?

"I will see what I can do," Lance reiterated.

"No promises. Having you in an official retinue, however, would make a great deal of sense and would, as you said, make future interactions with reluctant territories easier. Consider the issue raised." Outlet smiled widely. He got up to leave.

"Oh. I almost forgot. Could you hurry? I, uh, have some killers on my trail and it would be best to hurry from the palace while they are bogged down in politics..." The prince-apparent left the chamber, leaving Lance to his own devices. He sighed.

"What do you think that was about?" he asked Bipin. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Bipin gave a non-committal answer.

"I do not know. But take what he said with a grain of salt. Royals, especially disgruntled royals, will say anything to get their way. He might be playing us all." Lance sat down.

"Does it matter? I mean, as long as we are successful in what we're supposed to be doing, what is the point if we're being played?"

"It does not matter, no," Bipin confirmed.

"If some royal brat wishes to entwist our talks with their own plotting, that is fine, so as long as it doesn't interfere with our purpose or safety. That said, if he planned on stabbing us in the back once he gained his freedom, then that is another matter." The following day, the negotiations resumed. Lance, as promised, brought the issue up to the King.

"So, because of the value of your son as a figure on the world stage, would you be willing to allow him free reign in the foreign lands?" King Pluglet stroked his beard which was half-hair, half-wires.

"My son? Hmmm. Strange... but perhaps? If this would sweeten my cause in spreading my God's holy word, then I would allow it." He couldn't really say how much him allowing his son to travel abroad would help the King in securing 'religious access' to the alliance lands. He guessed the king's allowance of giving his son free movement could be interpreted, in a certain light, as his willingness to open his country up to the world, and therefore be valuable to wider talks, but he doubted such a claim would go far.

Then again, what did he know? He was but a young man still growing. Maybe not still growing, but sometimes he felt that way. The king left the discussion regarding his son there, content with the possibility that allowing his son to travel and do his own thing would be seen as a positive sign to those on the world stage. As for the actual negotiations, those were boring.

King Pluglet said what he wanted and Lance and Bipin, who was allowed to sit in this time, simply shot out some wild counter that might get Pluglet what he wanted if many a person many miles away happened to be in a fantastic mood when it came time for them to sign off on the talks which transpired between Lance and Pluglet. A few hours were all it took for the meeting to end. Bipin yawned.

"I think that is everything, King. Do you have any questions for us? What the next step is, maybe?" The king stroked his beard and nodded.

"Yes. What is next step?" Bipin explained how now they would take the recordings of their conversations along with the minutes and present it to the Planetary Defense Council Committee for International Cooperation, or PDCCIC, who would present it, in turn, to the other member states.

"Once we've all had a chance to review the minutes and whether what you are offering is adequate to receive full conversion rights, we will contact you again and resume negotiations. You've already made it clear you are aware how slow these affairs can be, so with that the case, Lance and I will bid you goodbye for now—" Glass shattered; an explosion tore away the peace; and screams pierced the early evening air. Lance shot up and drew his sword and shield, ready for battle.

"Stand behind me, Bipin, your majesty." Cries of anguish came from outside the chamber — the unmistakable sound of men skewered by blades. A thumping bump then smashed against the door as whoever had killed the guards outside were coming for them next. Their assailants broke down the door moments later and charged into the room; they wore black armor whose pulsating red blades emitted a foul magic.

Lance willed his weapon into the form of a crossbow and fired off one bolt, then another, each of which ended the lives of two attackers, respectively. Next, he willed his weapon into the form of a spear and brought it across the chamber in a wide-arc, slicing in half a number of the attackers who had initially charged into the room. But those whose entrails spilled onto the royal carpets were not alone, and more and more men charged into the chamber, their minds clearly set on killing the king.

He again shouted for the king and Bipin to stand close to him.

"I will protect you!" He shouted as a new Quest notification popped up: [Protect the King During the Coup] Shit.