Chương 180: Chapter 163. Testing and Discussing

" It is in my opinion that the Deity he is involved with isn't a harmful existence to us." An older looking Dark Elf announced that after using a Spell on me. I guess it was a type of Appraisal Spell?" That's good to know, Old Man Rob."" The "old man" part, isn't necessary, Prince Delcan."" It felt like it was though?" The hooded figure that walked us into this wooden structure had a playful exchange with the old man.

Seems that their attitudes have calmed down with the old man announcing that Angela isn't a problem to worry about. I heard an interesting word used during their exchange, but before I could say anything, Sarah's voice filled the room." Can you unlock the shackles you put My Husband in now!?" Sarah, who was standing behind me, had reached the end of her patience and shouted at the both of them.

While Sarah allowed her annoyance to show, I was more concerned with Anna, while she wasn't showing it on her face, I could tell that she was boiling with anger just from the emotionless but calm expression she had on her face. The shackles I was in were a precaution, or at least, that's what the man in the cloak said as he walked towards me before we entered the building. I thought it was a bit of an overreaction if I was being honest.

However, I was currently in a position where I represent Warrick, Aqua and the rest of Diablos, so I agreed to be shackled. My Wives had been dead silent since then... Or at least until now." Oh! Ah... Yes, allow me to. I apologize for all of this, but please try to understand, safety is a big concern to us as a People. I apologize for all of this, but it is all protocol for mana that we don't recognize." / Click. Clank. / release... Rub...

The man walked over to me, and I present my hands to him, and he puts a key into the shackles. They unlocked and fell onto the floor. The man picks them up off the ground and begins to speak after bowing to us. I began to rub my wrists to get the stinging sensation from the metal resting on my skin out of them." Allow me to officially apologize to you all."" It's fine, you're just a guard doing your job, right?"" Actually, no." The man stood up and removed the hood from his head.

Once I got a good look at him, he looked like he was a guy slightly older than me, with brown skin, yellow eyes and white hair." My name is Delcan Nyx. I'm the 2nd Prince of Darkheim. I came here to test you, but I didn't expect you to have such mysterious mana. Because of that, I thought it best to test you with Old Man Rob, as is protocol for everyone with strange mana, as I said. For your treatment so far, I can only apologize Officially as the Prince of my People.

From here on out, I'd like to speak candidly and honestly with you."" How do we know you won't just try something like this later during our stay?" Anna spoke, clearly even more angry than even when I was shackled. I guess the fact this was mostly a test, has caused her to reach the end of her patience. I waited to see what this Prince had to say. Since to be honest, I'm not too fond of being tested without my knowledge." I could promise you that it'd be smooth sailing from this point on, but I'd be lying.

I'm sure there will be people you run into who will try to test you in different ways. It's just goes to show how deeply we distrust outsiders. I suspect My Family will be more relaxed after I speak with them however."" So, for showing you honesty, all you can offer us is a "good luck" and a warning?"

"!!!" Everyone in the room was surprised at my words as this was the first time I showed any kind of annoyance." Listen, First Prince Delcan, I don't mind what you do to me, because frankly, I'm used to it from Demons in Diablos. However, if any of these tests harm My Wives in any way." If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. / rumble... /"!!!" I unleashed a small amount of Holy Mana and a touch of killing intent mixed into it into the room.

The Prince didn't seem to expect it and had a surprised expression on his face as I finished my warning." There will be consequences for those involved." I stopped released my mana as the guards around us went for their weapons and my Wives began to reach for their own weapon or began to ready a Spell. The Prince seemed shocked by what I did. I began to speak to him in particular as everyone around us seemed ready to fight to the death." I would like you to inform whoever you need to about my warning.

I apologize for the suddenness of that, Prince Delcan, but I feel it's important to get my point across to you right now so you can take the necessary precautions." The Prince seemed to register what I said, and he began to speak." Lower your weapons!" At his command, the guards around the room did as they were told. I gestured to Sarah and Anna to calm down a little. They simply returned to standing behind the chair I was sitting in like they were guarding me...

Though I guess that is what they're doing in the end? I stared at the Prince without showing any emotions in my face. I was relatively calm, considering I may have messed this whole diplomatic mission up. I waited for him to respond to my words." As for what you've done, it's usually a great crime to threaten a member of our Royal Family... But, as an apology for the difficulty you've experienced so far as a guest who was invited here by my Father, I'll let this all become water under the bridge.

As for your words, I'll definitely be passing them on to anyone who will listen. Are these terms acceptable to you?"" As long as my Wives are safe, everything will be fine. I'd also like to add that we will not be acting in a way to draw in any aggression from your side to the best of our ability. I was entrusted to come here by King Warrick, and I would like to live up to his expectations if I can, Prince Delcan." The Prince squinted his eyes for a moment at my words." You... Are an odd one."

The Prince smiled at me as he spoke." What do you mean by that, Prince Delcan?"" You're unlike any of the Humans I've met before. Also, you're unlike any of the Nobles from Diablos that I've met."" I'm still somewhat confused. I understand that I'm unlike the Promethians you've met, but what do you mean by my Country's Nobles?"" May I speak honestly to you, Marquess Drake?"" Considering I just technically threatened your Country, by all means.

If anything, I prefer blunt honesty in a situation like this, Prince Delcan." Again, he smiled at my words. Maybe he just finds all the formality a pain in the ass like me? I wouldn't blame him for that at the very least." Most Nobles from Diablos I've met have had an attitude of... Superiority... to say the least."" They were prideful and arrogant you mean?"" Hahaha!" Prince Delcan broke into laughter at my words." My Love, it may be true, but saying that while representing the Country may not be the best idea.""

Sorry, Sarah. But considering everything that's happened, some honesty isn't bad from both sides. I'll reflect on this for next time I speak to someone though, I promise." As I spoke to Sarah in an attempt to soothe her worry, the Prince was able to calm down from his laughing fit." Phew.... Yes, like I said, you're very different to the Nobles we deal with, Marquess Drake. Usually, if I were to say that to a Noble from Diablos, they'd demand a death battle from it.""

Well, I may be a Noble from Diablos, but I'm originally from somewhere that follows very different values compared to Diablos. Also, I don't particularly have a good relationship with my fellow Nobles if I'm being honest."" From being a Human?" I nodded my head to the Prince's guess. While it's not the whole reason, I think it may be better for now to let him believe it's only that. I continued to speak to Prince Delcan." So, you find me different based on my demeanor?""

Had I attempted to shackle a Demon, I think they would've reacted by drawing their blades and attempting to attack me in that very moment."" Those types do seem to be in the majority in Diablos. However, I've met good Nobles as well, I must admit. As for the shackles, are you trying to tell me you only attempted to do that to see how I would react?" The Prince's face returned to a serious expression at my question." No, it is protocol as I stated.

However, in the name of honesty, I thought it would also be a good test for you."" I see." I just nodded to the Prince's words. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, I decided to see if we could go now." So, Prince Delcan, have I passed your test?" The Prince changed his face to show a difficult expression." While for me, yes, I would say you pass. However, you carry risk in the fact that I can't control the actions of my People. But my Father does want to discuss the "Elf" situation with you..."

The Prince was thinking hard about what to do. In a way, I was kind of hoping for him to turn us away so I can head back and just say "Hey, I tried, what else do you want me to do?", but the Prince dashed any hope of that in an instant." As long as I follow you around during the day so I can bear witness to any incident, it should be fine!" press... press... And like that, my hopes were dashed. It seems Sarah and Anna understood how I felt as they both gently placed their hands on my shoulders to comfort me.

While they did that, the Prince was smiling like a kid who just found a new toy to play with. For some reason at that very moment, the idea that this whole situation would be tiring to me flashed through my mind as I braced myself for the Prince's next words.