796: The Negotiator

The Negotiator

1 HOUR AGO1

While both human saints were contending the final part of the trial of Commandment of Fellowship, many things were happening behind the scene that were unknown to the elven prince.

With each passing moment, Vildred was pushed over the edge as both Kahn and Aragorn were solving and fixing the flaws of each magic formation in the final test because the way things looked… he was going to be turned into a slave no matter who won. 

On top of it… Aragorn was in lead and clearly prepared beforehand as he could easily solve most of the archaic formations. 

A feeling of dread welled up in his kind. 

Because if things went as they guessed… Aragorn, a blood descendant of the person who sealed him here, was sure to win. 

However, right at this moment when Vildred was anxious and on tip of his toes… a secret transmission resounded in his head. 

[Listen, you old fool! Let go of your stubbornness and help us out! 

Otherwise, we will be dead and you will be enslaved by the High Elves till your last moment.] the peak saint aka Rathnaar's voice resounded in the dragon emperor's mind. 

Because although there were no Good or Right sides, there was one thing in common for both Vildred and Kahn. That Aragorn was an enemy whom both of them detested and had to get rid of. 

[I can't interfere with the trial in any way. And I can't hurt him either because of the restrictions placed on my body and soul. 

Besides, it's not like this Hero of Darkness is an ally to me either.] resounded Vildred in a ghastly tone. 

[Then I have an idea. But you will have to make a small sacrifice on your end.] spoke Rathnaar and revealed in a stoic voice. 

[The Maskaanxavir formation has bound your Soul inside this dungeon, right? 

And even the archaic formations and runes can only restrict your body if you attack the high elf. 

So what if we changed the root of the problem itself?] he proposed in an insidious and cunning tone. 

[What are you suggesting?] asked Vildred while hiding his expression from the outside world. 

[Let's cut iron with iron and neutralize poison with another poison.] he iterated. 

[At the end of the day, the Commandment of Fellowship placed with Maskaanxavir formation was made by the Deity of Subjugation. 

And the only way to overpower it is by using another spell of the same level. And in the current situation… you know which spells or contracts would work the best without you or us suffering any loss.] said Rathnaar with an evil grin. 

[Like hell I'll go with any of those! The only choice we have now is that contract!] raged the dragon emperor in an indignant voice. 

[You think I want this?! If the prince wins, he'll be your master and have you kill us all to maintain secrecy. This is not favorable for us in any way either. 

But at least this way… both of us will get out of here alive rather than being at the mercy of that high elf brat.] rebuked Rathnaar and spoke again in a commending tone. 

[As I said before, we are not associated with any Gods and although Kahn is a chosen Hero… he is not engaged in their war or worships the God of Darkness. 

So choose the Lesser Evil.] said Rathnaar, putting the royal dragon in a dilemma. 

What Vildred didn't know was that Rathnaar had been waiting for this moment as soon as Kahn started the trial. 

He didn't even bother telling Kahn about this because of the risk of Kahn losing his focus and failing the trial at the very start. 

And now that Aragorn was progressing at an astounding speed, even Vildred's mind was in turmoil, making him unable to think straight due to nervousness. 

However, as time passed and Aragorn finally reached the 190th magic formation without any trouble in just 1 and a half hours, the dragon emperor finally lost his patience. 

He could no longer afford to wait it out in the hopes of the high elf prince failing the trial. 

Through Rathnaar, he conveyed his message. 

[Boy… I have a plan. But know that it won't be favorable to us either.] said Rathnaar as he revealed the results of the negotiations with Vildred. 

[What the hell! Something like that could be done?

But the terms… I'm not getting out any major benefit from it. 

Let's renegotiate.] he spoke while hiding his surprise lest Aragorn sensed something was amiss. 

[You stupid brat! Do you think it was easy to make Vildred agree to this? 

Do you not want to stay alive?!] berated the first emperor. 

[Although we're both in a sinking boat… at least our side has the means to survive for longer. 

At this speed… Aragorn will finish the trial within half an hour. 

So place my terms in front of him.] replied Kahn and gave a new set of terms. 

[You shameless bastard! Your appetite is too big!] even Rathnaar was amazed by Kahn's terms. 

Even in the time of crisis, Kahn was still a hardcore businessman. 

And as soon as Rathnaar relayed his message… Vildred almost threw up blood. 

[Preposterous! Does this child not know what he is asking?! 

Does he want to die by my own hands?!] he flared up in rage but still contending his killing aura at Kahn. 

But as soon as Aragorn completed the 197th formation, his expression paled, feeling even more anxious. 

[Fine! I'll do it.] 

----------------

Since time was of the essence and Aragorn was stuck with the last set of formations… Vildred suddenly started chanting in ancient Draconian that was known only to Royal Dragons as he prepared a spell for a Soul-Oath between him and Kahn. 

However, this soul oath was nothing similar to the one between Kahn and Rathnaar. Rather… it had good as well as restrictive terms and conditions set for both sides. 

And finally, as soon as they established a soul contract by merging the wisps of their souls, forming a new bond… Vildred's entire Soul Signature changed. 

[It's working!] exclaimed Rathnaar, the main Negotiator of this deal as he saw Vildred being freed from the Maskaanxavir Formation. 

At this moment, the Elven prince was perplexed after this sudden turn of events, unable to understand what the hell just happened right now.

What he didn't know was that unbeknownst to him, Kahn and Vildred played an underhanded move instead of waiting for the trial to end and used an ancient spell made by the Deity of Subjugation. Also called as… 

The Contract of Familiarity. 

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