Chapter 6: Random dream and consequences

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Location: The council of the boys

3rd perspective

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"Everything is proceeding as planned. Let us now go on to the topic of famine prevention. " Jame's middle-aged self talked.

"It's all about timing, man. We need to convince Margarete to lend us some of her agricultural land. " Another James spoke first, although he appeared to be younger.

"Myself, not right now. It's too soon for that. Our crop study will take at least a month." Then there's another James, who appears to be a youngster.

They sat around a circular wooden table, discussing farming-related things. The surrounding stable environment is totally white. The hallowed ground appears to be a milky liquid. Three recognisable people stand in front of the Gurus, all dressed in an earthly way. They are all identified by name tags.

The name tag on the middle-aged James said "ME." He was dressed professionally in a black business suit and wearing round glasses.

While the tag on the teenage James said "MYSELF."

He was dressed casually in a black hoodie. His anger appears to be short-lived.

Finally, the child's James tag read "AI." The child is sitting snugly, knees to his chest, toying with a rubric cube. He was dressed in a navy jacket.

"For that, we need to negotiate with the underground guild." Me said.

"No need. We just need to create Zyklon B and gas out their whole base. Hahahaha", Ai replied.

"We can use them to create strategic mayhem within the population to gain political support later," Myself suggests.

"Accepted", both Me and Ai nod affirmatively.

Gurus' conscious minds are foggy. His critical thoughts are exhausted. He is in dismay. His bleak vision is getting blurry. The three boys continue chatting unawarely of Gurus' existence.

His odd sight is getting dark and dizzying. Their political voices were becoming stifled. Gurus' final drop of consciousness vaporises and they go into a deep slumber.

‘Odd dream’

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Location: Duchess Singha estate.

3rd perspective

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"With all due respect, Lady Caitline. This is a matter of privacy that the creator demands from us." Margarete holds her formal smile.

She sits, confronting an elegant woman. Her skin is pale white. Critical eyes are dyed blood red and shine like rubies. But besides their radiant beauty, they carefully bear the mighty weight of nobility and power. Observing closely, when she smiles, one may see a glint of her unusually long canine. Silver hair flows down her shapely neck and shoulders.

Don't be fooled by her grace and charm; the truth of her nature is stained with blood.

Grand Duchess of Singha, Caitline Singha. Her name inspires fear in her enemies and delight in her allies during battle.The uncrowned queen. Lord of the blood.Crimson death. They are some of the honorary titles that Caitline sustained throughout her life.

"Shame. I guess we have to leave it at that. "

Margarete gently let out a slight breath of relief. However, when she perceives Caitline’s eager eyes, Margarete knows it is not over. Caitline wouldn’t have called her here for a small chat.

Caitline sips some fragrant tea that retained an unusual rose color. She carefully places the cup back down, which creates a slight ringing sound.

"Gurus Tourhan. That’s the name of your son, I presume?", she asks rhetorically, looking at Margarete with anticipation.

The pupil dilates, and Margarete regains her dignified composure.

"It is an honour that you know his name."

"He is quite impressive for his age."

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"I am not following what you..."

"Don’t underestimate me, Margarete," Caitline said sternly. Her peaceful expression grew a little grim. Margarete's face remains stoic and unflinching. She stays silent intentionally, knowing Caitline will continue.

"You and Coson had rejected many marriage proposals for your son, even those that came from highly outstanding nobles."

Marrying a son off to another house represents the establishment of a deep connection between their families. Some even offer a ‘male trade’, where the dutiful son of each family is exchanged with one another.

"... I wish my son to have the freedom to choose his path in life."

"Really? Then what did he do to deserve that freedom? Perhaps it is his extraordinary talent. It is rare for you to be so stubborn." Caitline rises from her luxurious lounge, followed by Margarete.

"What do you want?"

"My young daughter wants to meet your son."

"Huh?"

"She tries tracking down the person who produces the pencil because the pencil that you gave us ran out."

Getting impatient with waiting for the pencil, Caitline’s young daughter searches for the brilliant inventor of the pencil out of curiosity. Clever spies and private investigators were promptly sent to dig up the necessary information about the Tourhan estate.

Caitline was equally interested in how the Margarete region's economy improved rapidly. The spread of single and double-entry bookkeeping systems came to the Singha state.

The economic innovation in accounting along with the various production methods that Gurus mentions in his paper are impressive. Hence, Duchess Caitline willingly spent effort on finding the secret of the Tourhan estate. Coson and Margarete are trying hard to conceal the source of these innovations.

Obviously, they could tell bullshit, but lies remain a heavy crime within the alliance. So Margarete casually dismisses it as a private matter. Additionally, it is identified that the Singhan bloodline had a special ability to smell dishonesty and deception.

"And now she is heading to your son's place,"

"She what?!"

Sure enough, they naturally got into contact with Gurus' old tutor. Then, the cat is out of the bag. Additionally, rumours of Gurus from servants on the estate back up the claim.

News of a youthful prodigy within Tourhan reaches Caitline. It is pretty simple to link everything together from there. The reasons why Margarete and Coson were adamant about keeping their son, as well as the source of the recent advancement, are adequately explained.

"Don’t worry, Margarete. She is only there to get some pencils. My beloved daughter is a kind person~", Caitline grins childishly and moves over to pat Margarete's shoulder." Margarete couldn’t fathom what was going on anymore and just pinched the bridge between her eyes. She tries her best to protect Gurus while knowing it’s only a matter of time.

"My son is not fond of women."

"You never know. Hehe "

"This is amusing to you."

"Yeah, it's rare to find my daughter enthusiastic. "

"… I’m not wedding him off."

"That won’t be up to you," Caitline flicks her finger. A faithful maid suddenly appears, kneeling. She is holding up a piece of paper wrapped with a red string. Caitline eagerly grasps it and unties the document, then delivers it to Margarete.

"This is just a copy of the original contract."

Perplexed, Margarete carefully unfolds the ominous document and skims over the official letters. Her face contours and eyes widen the further she reads.

"T... this."

"I happened to find it while sorting out paper laid down by my mother. Turns out, it will be valuable."

"Don’t do this, Caitline."

"It’s up to my daughter." She laughs victoriously while jerking Margarete's shoulders slightly, as if they're lifelong friends. Margarete sighs and surrenders the fate of her dear child.

‘Gurus. I did my best. '

Here it comes. Thanks for reading this far. Suggestion, question and criticism are welcome in the comment. 

Good day and take care. 

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