Lord of Annihilation

Chapter 377: Pretenses and Cooperation.

Planet Prxima.

Inside an ostentatious furnished study, sitting on two armchairs built out of the remains of a Grade 5 Wild Beast were two humanoid-shaped creatures with handsome faces and a glowing crystal embedded into their forehead.

They were the Magi, the native people of the Grand Alcana Empire, and a Grade 5 species. 

The physical appearance of the Magi was indistinguishable from humans with similar physical and biological facets. 

The only difference between the two was the presence of a glowing crystal on the former's forehead, which was a special organ that allowed them to cultivate a special type of soul power called, magic power.

The Magi had the inherent ability to use this magic power to fuel a vast variety of spells, which could be constructed by learning and constructing something called a spell model. The type and power of these spell models were determined by the type of soul one possessed at birth.

A [Wizard] soul allowed a Magi to cast spells pertaining to two elements, and to a certain degree.

A [Mage] soul allowed a Magi to cast spells pertaining to four different elements, with increased effectiveness and power.

So on and so forth. Since the Magi were a Grade 5 species with their souls being awakened from the moment of birth, the fate of how far one could progress down the path of their power was limited. Once having awakened their soul type, they were unable to change it.

Returning back to the story

The two Magi sitting on the luxurious armchairs were dressed in an elaborate yet loose robe that shone with dim light and flickered with multiple flowing lines and mysterious characters. 

Their handsome faces carried a light and cunning smile while their hands held onto white porcelain-like cups within which swirled an aromatic liquid.

"I see that Sir Earnest has received a new set of Advanced Runic Armor," the Magus on the right, a handsome middle-aged man with blonde hair and blue eyes, spoke obliquely.

"Ahaha, it's really nothing," the Magus on the left, a similarly aged man with brown hair, laughed with schadenfreude. "This was but a little gift from his Prince for this one's humble service."

A haughty glint flashed across his eyes as he continued, "I see that Sir Willem is still using the same robe in which I saw you eight years ago. A special keepsake, I presume?"

Responding with a smile that was as natural and unforced as the air around us, Willem replied, "I apologize for my unsightly appearance, but it is indeed as Sir Earnest said. This robe was a keepsake from this one's late mother."

Patting the non-existent dust on his collar, he continued, "While it might be old and drab compared to Sir's, it is a precious item for me."

"Ohoho, please forgive me for my insolence, Sir Willem. I did not know of the importance of your robe."

"No not at all, Sir Earnest. It was but an honest mistake on your part."

"Ahaha" perfunctory laughter resounded from both of their mouths.

While the atmosphere of their conversation seemed light and the two men looked genial towards each other, the truth was the farthest thing from that.

In actuality, Earnest and Willem were mortal enemies who respectively worked for Prince Dirk's faction and Princess Ehril's faction. 

In the past, the two of them had been rising stars from opposing academies who competed with each other at every turn. Their opposition soon turned into enmity at some point and at present, they couldn't wait to tear each other's throats.

In fact, the very reason why Earnest had joined Prince Dirk's faction was that he had gotten news of Willem joining the Princess' faction. 

Due to the Prince and Princess being competitors for the throne from the same generation, they were each other's greatest competition and each saw the other as someone who had to be extinguished at the earliest.

Earnest and Willem were powerhouses at Mid-Level Stage 4. They have only passed a little over half their natural lifespan and were full of promise at reaching the Fifth Stage!

Now then, coming back to their genial conversation filled with pretenses and schadenfreude. The only reason that the two of them were in the same room and were acting like proper gentlemen was that they were sent as representatives of their respective factions.

As for what they were representing

"Now, then. I suppose we better get started on the topic of our discussion," Earnest spoke out.

"Indeed. I hope that we can come to a suitable solution regarding our predicament," Willem replied.

Taking a deep breath, Earnest temporarily put aside his seething hatred for the person sitting on the opposing chair and spoke with a serious tone.

"His Highness, the Prince, asks about the opinion of the Princess regarding the Crown Prince's recent movements."

Also temporarily casting aside his boiling anger, Willem similarly adopted a serious expression on his face and spoke with a grim tone.

"Her Highness, the Princess, is not in the least bit please with the recent movements of the Crown Prince's faction. She had sent me, her humble servant, here in order to negotiate a solution to this 'problem'."

"It is good that we are of the same mind," Earnest let out a sigh. "Does her Highness perhaps have any suggestions to combat this 'problem'?"

"This suggestion is not so much Her Highness' as it is my own, however, I was hoping that our two factions could temporarily put aside our differences and work together in face of this problem," Willem suggested.

"Ah, what a coincidence!" Earnest 'exclaimed' with a 'surprise yet happy' expression on his face. "This humble servant's suggestion was the same too. Brilliant minds do thinkalike, I suppose." His tone faltered a little when he said the word 'alike'.

Inwardly laughing at the ridiculous display by his enemy, Willem put on a flattering expression on his face and continued the discussion.

Putting aside all their hatred and enmity for each other, Willem and Ernest really were intelligent and capable men when it came down to the task. Had it not been for this, there was no way that they would've been selected by their faction leaders to represent their faction.

Since the current situation with the Crown Prince really was a serious problem for both their factions, the two did not bicker too much and smoothly ironed the details of their cooperation.

There was a saying, 'In the face of an external threat, even the most bitter of enemies will join together and fight.' 

The current situation was a perfect embodiment of this saying.

Hours passed and soon the arch-enemies each signed a contract, solidifying their deal. Their two factions had decided to temporarily work in tandem to combat the growing threat from the Crown Prince's faction.

Having debated for hours at stretch, the two men finally sunk into their armchairs after the signing. They closed their eyes and quietly went over the contract inside their heads for one final time. After confirming that there were no loopholes or traps, they simultaneously let out a sigh of relief.

'I can confidently report to His/Her Highness after this. The merit gained from this mission will be enough to greatly elevate my position inside the faction.'

Even their respective thoughts were the same!

After resting in the quiet peace for a few minutes, Willem suddenly let out a chuckle and spoke.

"Did you hear the news about the Eckhart family?"