Chapter 16: A Second Contract!

The Great Hall, Hall of Land and Border Department (Present)

Sir Wennen turned, fully surprised by the new information that came out of Rihan's mouth. The full copy of the Golden Pavillion contract? Both of them? That means— he stares at the boy. Is this the true heir of the clan? How could this child have obtained such documents?

Sir Wennen pauses, thinking carefully of how to proceed with this matter. There's no doubt that Rihan indeed possesses one of the contracts. However, there are too many questions surrounding this particular issue.

For starters, why did Rihan suddenly reveal that he possesses the second part of the contract? Was that part of some devious plot to trick him or was it merely the truth? Sir Wennen stares at the boy, trying to discern whether he is lying or telling the truth.

"Well, it's not like there's any way to confirm the validity of this claim," he stares at the boy. "If you really do possess the original, then the only thing left to do is to check the authenticity of this copy."

Rihan stares back at him, nodding.

"I will have my men take you to the capital, so we can verify this claim," he stares at the boy. "However, I must warn you, if this is a false accusation—"

Before Sir Wennen could finish talking, Rihan took out another gold document. Sir Wennen stares at the parchment, his eyes narrowing. It appears genuine. This is definitely the real deal.

"This is the proof, sir!" Rihan stares at him. "I'm not lying!"

Sir Wennen stares at the boy, his eyes narrowed. "What do you want?" he stares at the boy in disbelief, his face turning red with greed as his fists clench. This is an opportunity to make a fortune. "I'll give you whatever you want, just tell me the price."

Rihan stares at the man, his jaw clenched. Hmph! This is a person who values money heavily, his greed stings. In his previous life, if it wasn't for the fact that Sir Wennen possessed the Golden Pavilion's key, the entire Irricester Mountain range wouldn't have fallen. As for now, he stares at the man, knowing that he doesn't stand a chance against him. But there is something else that he can do to uproot this greedy man.

"What's wrong?" Sir Wennen stares at the boy, noticing his pensive gaze.

If I can lure him with sufficient benefits, he'll surely fall for it. He stares at the man, grinning. "I have a suggestion," he stares back at him, his gaze cold. "Why don't we move to a bigger room? Maybe with a larger table?"

Sir Wennen stares at the boy, his face paling. "What do you mean?" he stares back at him, a vein throbbing in his forehead.

"I mean this hallway is no place to do business," Rihan stares at the walls. "There's too much noise from outside, and I can't concentrate on our discussion."

With a raised brow, Sir Wennen stares at the boy, his eyes pausing on the other Golden contract that the boy stashed inside his pocket. "You're suggesting that Iawe transfer to a different location?" he stares at the boy, his voice quivering with anticipation. If the boy agrees, he'll be able to reap all the profits from owning the entire contract to the Golden Pavilion including the key in his possession.

"Yes, yes." Rihan stares at him, nodding furiously. "We can discuss the details later."

"My office," Sir Wennen stares at the boy, his lips curling into a smirk. "It's just down the corridor. It'll be more suitable than here."

"Wait, isn't it too dangerous—" Sung Li whispered before being cut off by Ijohen.

"No, no, the area around here has already been secured by Hall's guard. We won't be able to run away."

"Really?" Sung Li stares at Ijohen, his eyes wide.

"Tch, but it's nothing for you, isn't it. Mr Royal Guard would never let anything happen to you, right?" Rihan stares back at Ijohen, smirking.

"As expected, you've considered everything." Ijohen stares at the boy, his voice quivering.

Sung Li stares at them. "What's going on? So there's a plan?"

"Just watch for my signal." Rihan stares back at Ijohen, patting his shoulder. "I'm sure you're gonna like it." he pauses. "It's a surprise that he wouldn't see coming?"

Sung Li stares at the two of them, stuttering. "A-a-and that's supposed to be a good thing, right?"

Ijohen stares at the boy, his heart pounding faster. This has better be a good idea, otherwise, the consequences will be dire. He reached into his pocket, clenching his fingers tightly on a dagger's hilt.

Rihan stares at the boy, stifling a laugh.

"Would you promise not to steal our Golden contracts?" he tones seriously as he stares back at Sir Wennen.

These boys are too gullible! the soldiers stare at them, their hands resting on their swords' handles. They were sent here to retrieve the fraudulent copies of the Golden Contracts but based on the seriousness of the conversation taking place, their faces filled with suspicion.

Sir Wennen stares at the boy, his hands steepled together as he appears to be in deep thought. "I swear, I won't." Sir Wennen stares at the boy, his expression stony. "But what if you're lying?"

"You don't believe me, do you?" Rihan stares back at Sir Wennen. "He holds the Golden Contract to the Golden Pavilion high above his head! That alone should prove my words to you, shouldn't it?!".

Tch! It's just a bunch of kids, what do I Sir Wennen have to be so cautious about a single boy. These children are harmless; they're ants in my world.

"That's enough," Sir Wennen stares at the boy, his voice quivering slightly. "Bring them to my office."

"Yes, sir." the soldier stares back at him, bowing.

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They're no threat to anyone. Just send them off once we're done, that's it. They aren't even worth wasting time on, not when I have important matters to attend to. With these thoughts running through his mind, Sir Wennen turns and walks towards his office, Rihan, his friends and the group of soldiers following behind.

***

The Great Hall, Main Lobby

As they moved across the hallway into the main lobby at the centre of The Great Hall, Sung Li stares at the soldiers, frowning. "I wonder why Sir Wennen seems so reluctant towards us? Is it because he didn't bring along enough guards?"

Ijohen stares at the soldiers, his heart beating harder. "I'm not sure, but there's no need to worry. There are plenty of soldiers surrounding the main hall and the surrounding areas."

They looked around and sure enough, there are at least a few hundred guards and soldiers stationed everywhere. The soldiers were differentiated by their silver armour which signifies their rank—and the Royal emblem stitched onto their chests.

Even the lowest ranking soldiers wore this kind of armour while the highest-ranked ones had golden armours stitched with various symbols and patterns. While the Hall guard wore light brown leather jerkins stitched with the Hall of Land and Border's symbol.

"Is this the first time you've seen the Royal insignia stitched onto the uniforms of the royal guard?" the soldier escorting their muses.

"No, I have." Ijohen stares back at the man. "I have met the King before."

The man stares back at him, a smile forming on his face. "The King!? You have the honour of meeting the king? That must have been a great experience for you, young man." he mockingly stares at him.

Ijohen stares back at the man, his face formed in a stony mask, his eyes stinging with anger.

"What's the matter, kid?" the soldier stares at him, his eyes widening in amusement. "Did you forget your manners?" he pauses, his eyes narrowing.

Ijohen stares at the man, pausing, trying to hold back his emotions.

"Man, these full-grown men sure know how to talk bullshit!" Sung Li stares at the man, pausing, stifling a laugh.

"Why don't you go and fight some monsters or something, instead of escorting young boys like us?" he stares at the man, pausing. "What are you? A pervert?" his piercing words stinging the man.

"What did you say?" the guard stares back at him, his eyes quivering with fury.

"Ah, you're a cheeky little brat, aren't you?" another guard stares back at him, his eyes twitching. "I'll teach you a lesson."

"Why? Do you have a fetish with little boys?" Sung Li retorted.

The crowd in the hall stares at them, whispering amongst themselves. The commotion attracts the attention of Sir Wennen, who stares at them with his brows pinched. "Shut up back there! What do you think you're doing?" he stares at the guard, glaring at him. "Don't make trouble here!"

Sung Li stares back at the old man, his eyes glimmering with laughter.

"I'll show you after Sir Wennen is done with you boys." the man stares back at him, his eyes narrowing.

"Bleh~" Sung Li stuck out his tongue, stifling a giggle.

"You're really getting on my nerves. Don't make me lose my temper," the guard stares at Sung Li, pausing. "I can tell that you have no respect for authority." he stares down at the boy, his nostrils flaring.

Rihan ignores the exchange, stifling a yawn while observing the surroundings. He stares at the people strolling past the open windows, watching the bustling streets below. The soldiers bearing the royal insignia stares back at them with hard gazes, their stances firm.

"Hey," he whispers to Ijohen. "What do you think of the soldiers posted here? Are they the elite corps of the Royal Guard, or are they the regulars posted around the Halls?"

Ijohen stares at the soldiers nearby, pausing, his gaze stumbling upon Sir Wennen's office. He pauses, thinking. "I guess they're probably the former," he stares at Rihan. "There should be an elite division for the Royal Guard hidden somewhere."

"Really? Where?" Rihan stares at Ijohen. "I'm curious to find out more about them, but I don't want to get into any unnecessary troubles."

Ijohen rolled his eye. "You're a rascal, you know that?"

"So what's wrong with that?."

"You're too eager to take risks." Ijohen stares at the boy, pausing and sighing deeply. "I'm sorry to say this but you're too reckless."

Nearby a man with a silver beard stares at them, his eyes prying at the group of kids being led by the hall guards, stumbling to keep up with the pace of the man in front of them.

The man wore a dark blue cloak, his hair was short, and a single white strip was stitched diagonally on the sword-like blade stashed behind his back.

The old man raised his brow, his gaze stumbling upon a braid hanging on Sung Li's shoulder.

"Hm? That's the-?" he stutters, while watching the group exit the large hall through a side door decorated with intricate carvings of a dragon stitched on the wood.

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