Divine Beast Ascension

A few minutes later, they were back in the lounge section. Oli noticed that about a third of the lounge was now full and half the people were also wearing masks.

As Oli approached his seat, Fulkar got up and bowed, catching Oli off guard. The moment Oli was back inside the silent seal, Fulkar spoke up, “Welcome back. Considering how long you were gone, I imagine you made a killing.”

Oli chuckled and sat back down. “Perhaps... I learned that you won’t find the sword your after, at least not today.”

Fulkar squinted. “Then when will I find it?”

“During the new moon auction in three suns. Apparently, the auction house makes requests for specific items, including the rare yet desirable sword you’re after. It even seems they’re only somewhat rare because the smiths and auction houses keep it that way...” Oli deduced. “But I still want to see what they’ll sell today. Seeing this auction play out will help prepare us for the auction we’re really after. And maybe some others will be ready to join us by then. Maybe...”

Sensing the calm and calculating tone of Oli’s voice, Fulkar was taken aback. “Oliver, did you find out how much such a sword would cost?”

.....

“Five thousand gold.”

“But that’s-”

“Remember what I said. If you don’t mention any details of today’s events to anyone, then I’ll pay the difference. And perhaps I would...” Pausing, Oli sighed to keep Fulkar an edge, “... Depending on how many benefits and how much value I feel you and your family can offer me and my cause, I might be able to offer you a lot more.”

Fulkar was an intelligent person. He was prideful, but Fulkar wouldn’t let his pride overtake his sense of priority. Though he wouldn’t beg Oli for help or for support from Oli’s strange origin and secret backer, Fulkar wouldn’t overlook it either and would carefully consider what the best course of action would be.

Staring at the stage, Fulkar asked, “... How much are you able to offer me and my family?”

“Like I said, that depends on what you and your family are able to offer me,” answered Oli. “Are you able to speak for your whole family? Or not?”

Fulkar nodded subtly. “I can.”

“And your father wouldn’t turn down what you promise me?”

“No. He would support me and trust my judgment. You guessed correctly. I’m the family heir, but I’ll be taking over the moment I’m a perennial, not when I surpass my father.”

“Oh...” Oli was slightly surprised but didn’t say much.

Fulkar continued, “Since I’ll be taking over in a matter of a few years, my father already fully supports me and my actions, so long they’re of benefit to the family.”

Oli took a moment to glance about the lounge section, noticing another group entering with masks on including a cloaked, four-legged beast. It was intriguing, but it wasn’t enough to pull his attention from the conversation. “... If I was able to help raise the status of your entire family and help more of your family members become perennials, what would you be willing to offer in return?”

Finally hearing some kind of offer, Fulkar sighed and pondered it deeply. He ignored the next preliminary item entirely. It wasn’t worth any of his time while such a unique offer was on the table in front of him.

“That deal would involve migrating your family,” Oli added, making sure Fulkar had time to process that information.

Fulkar slowly nodded and took even more time to think. They sat in silence for almost ten minutes. Then, Fulkar finally spoke up, “... Migrating wouldn’t be out of the question, depending on where we would go.”

“Honestly, I would only want your main family migrating, unless your family is willing to weed out or leave behind the more... undesirable members. It would also involve a vow of utmost secrecy. Working with me and my people involves levels of secrecy that your family has never experienced,” Oli explained. “If you can’t agree to such vows, even to the extent that you’ll be killed for revealing anything of consequence, then our discussion stops here and we never return to this topic ever again. So consider this carefully.”

Squinting under his mask, Fulkar took a drink of wine. “... To agree to such secrecy, would that include receiving the direct support of your backer?”

“Yes. You’d be included in a select group of clans and offered our full support since you’ll be joining our cause and fortifying our forces by migrating.”

“... If that’s the case, I’m personally willing to take such a vow along with my father and any direct family members that must also be informed of such details,” Fulkar admitted with a humble nod.

“Are you sure? The moment it’s in writing is the moment you’ll never be able to go back. And should we be discovered, we’ll be facing forces beyond your imagination. Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?”

A sudden air of confidence came over Fulkar as he nodded briskly. “Yes. I’m certain. My father taught me many things. One of the most important lessons is that the greatest possible gains will always include some kind of risk. And should the family be offered undeniable gains, despite the potential risks, its best to accept so long as we’re not left in the dark or forced to lose our integrity.”

Oli gave Fulkar a quick clap, catching him off guard. “Very well... And can I ask why you’re so trusting of me despite not knowing anything about the real me?”

Fulkar laughed. “That’s what I thought. There’s no way that you’re such a simple person. From the moment you appeared in that tournament years ago, that was made clear to me and my father. And since you’ve become Zelsh’s secret pupil, to the extent that he crafted a team around you for this qualifier, then you have to come from a backer of at least the same level as King Zelsh, if not higher.”