Chapter 967: Chapter 967: A cloaked visitor (3)

"The rightful and only true heir to the throne of the Northrend Empire, Prince Sedrick Northrend." The mysterious man didn’t vocalise this revelation in a normal manner instead directing his voice directly into Frost’s mind and Frost’s mind alone.

His tone despite being at the A-rank and possibly within the influence of a mighty S-rank individual was full of reverence and awe, clearly he held a very high opinion of his master.

’What!’ Although he had some suspicions, to hear it admitted so blatantly shocked Frost to his core. His relationship with the 2nd Prince was anything but cordial in fact they could easily be described as enemies.

Instinctively he thought of Nanna and Loki, a frown marring his immaculate appearance as bloodlust and killing intent coagulated, giving him a vicious and somewhat aggressive demeanour, seeing the cloaked man before him as an enemy, someone not to be trusted.

"It seems my master’s identity has conjured ill feelings within the young Lord." The mysterious man was very sensitive to bloodlust and feelings of hatred and suspicion, but he wasn’t surprised. Given the relationship between Frost and his master it would be strange for him to experience a lavish welcome.

"That’s putting it mildly." He wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep if Sedrick suddenly dropped dead. Not only did he commission the illegal capture and enslavement of Nanna and Loki, surrogate children in his eyes but arranged for an A-rank assassin to take him out during the monster stampede’s aftermath. If it wasn’t for Maya using up her one chance to intervene on his behalf he would have died that day.

"Hehehe." The man released a self-deprecating laugher before once again bowing his head respectively towards Frost. "I promise you on my Master’s name that I’m here in good faith Lord Frost, hoping to discuss a rather sensitive matter that would see both sides benefit."

"....." Frost silently pondered his words, struggling to understand the man or rather Prince Sedrick’s angle.

"Master?" Findley queried, after the initial greetings all communication had been exchanged telepathically so Khuno, Yuna and himself were in the dark, only seeing their master’s face twist and turn.

".....Haaaaa it would be impolite of me to not invite such a distinguished guest into my humble abode." Eventually and with a heavy sigh Frost chose to play along, inviting the mysterious man into a more private setting so they could properly discuss this supposed deal.

With Maya’s intimidation and his most powerful subordinates flanking him he felt confident enough to take a little risk plus it was improper to slap a smiling face. This man came to him in an above board manner, bowed his head and spoke with respect, earning him some grace.

"Thank you Lord Frost." The man bowed further spreading out his hands in a deferential manner, noble and honest before moving slowly towards the group of four.

His eyes briefly roamed Findley, Khuno and Yuna noticing their monstrous origins but revealed no arrogance or disdain in fact there may have even been a modicum of surprise.

B-rank even if they were far beneath someone of his standing they didn’t exactly grow on trees yet this young man that flew in from who knows where already wielded military might comparable to a heavily bolstered city. Even without the existence of an S-rank protector Frost’s power couldn’t be easily dismissed.

"Let’s talk in the Lord’s manor....what should I call you by the way?" Frost allowed Findley and Khuno to keep their guards up, eyeing the mysterious man with unveiled threat, Yuna even kept magic half formed for quick and immediate casting of her spells. Instead of a comfortable and gracious welcome it was mere akin to a prisoner on death row being escorted to his execution, but the man showed no discord even lightly smiling in Yuna direction before answering Frost’s question.

"Darkness, you can simply call me Darkness." Obviously a false name but quite an evocative one that matched his outward appearance, dense black robes that covered practically every inch of his body revealing only parts of his face making identification all but impossible.

"Darkness....very well Darkness it is." Frost wasn’t bothered by the false name, never believing he’d get anything truthful from this man’s lips.

The group thus made their way to the Lord’s manor.

"Have the ronsos restore order and if anyone asks about the situation just say that it’s been handled." It was merely a small evacuation, a minor inconvenience, something he’d ordered a few times in the past when transporting military secrets and when assassins targeted Nanna and Loki. With his reputation as Territory Lord such things could be easily accepted.

"Yes milord." A high ranking ronso within the security detail gave a salute, his eyes taking note of the cloaked individual before going about lifting the blockade.

Life in the city returned to normal within 15 minutes, smiles plastered on the faces of those working and visiting the restaurant, hush/inconvenience money for their troubles, another reason why the populace had no problem with Frost enforcing such evacuations on occasion.

"Please sit, tea, water or something stronger?" Frost led the man into his office, sat at his desk with Khuno, Findley and Yuna standing behind as a show of authority and a lack of trust in the man.

"I’m good thank you." One of the first rules of the underworld never drink anything you haven’t prepared yourself.

"Fair enough." Frost sat back in his chair while Yuna conditioned as his secretary pulled out a crystal glass from a nearby drawer as well as bottle of amber liquid, pouring her master a glass.

"So Darkness, why are you here?" He took a small sip before locking his gaze on the cloaked man, like a tiger eyeing his prey, a show of strength despite his lower rank.

"...." Darkness looked around the room, gauging the terrain as well as the individuals in front of him. The fact that Frost was asking this with them in the room meant he had no plans to hide their discussion from his direct subordinates.

"You recently agreed to help smuggle forces beholden to Viscount Furano and other neutral nobles into the Glacial mountains to reinforce Icethorne correct?" Darkness didn’t beat around the bush, starting their discussion with a piercing blow.

"...How did you...no I guess such things couldn’t really be hidden from someone like your master." Frost winced in response, the feeling of having your secrets so easily revealed was not a pleasant experience.

The Prince either had spies in amongst the neutral nobles or their subordinates or perhaps he simply guessed it given their recent activities and his territory being the only logical choice, regardless of the method however Frost’s wariness towards him increased. The man hidden behind the curtain was much more dangerous than the one in front.

"Relax Lord Frost my master has no problem with this alliance nor your involvement with the neutral nobles like Viscount Furano." Darkness was quick to allay any misgivings, waving his hands and even smiling in a warm manner.

"For the interim." Replied Frost, his voice chilling and stern. They weren’t a threat right now but in the future well...

"....Yes for the interim." Darkness’ brow twitched not expecting Frost to be so aggressive and open but if he was honest he preferred this kind of individual, intelligent and logical, able to understand... benefits.

"Get to the point Darkness." He didn’t care for games wanting the man to get to his point so he would quickly leave and he could start preparing for any eventualities that may follow.

"My my so impatient Lord Frost but I will indulge you then or rather my master will." Appreciating the sudden acceleration Darkness reached into his sleeve and retrieved a large metal disk roughly 30 centimetres in diameter.

The rim contained 12 high rank magic crystals while intricate runes decorated everywhere else, a magic device and a pretty high quality one to.

He placed the disk on the table and clicked a button on the side causing it to whirr to life. Findley and Khuno both moved to intercept, afraid of a sudden attack but Frost waved them off. This device wasn’t offensive nor defensive in nature but rather auxiliary and somewhat familiar albeit being a little different.

A moment later green light shot upwards close to a metre high, forming a distinct pillar.

"Greetings Lord Frost." An unclear voice came from the pillar before the form of a man donned in regal attire with a crown on his head and sitting on a dark jewelled throne came together.

His were eyes narrow and vindicative, almost evil in nature. His hair short and black, his features angular and handsome yet at the same time devious. Such looks hallmarking him for a life of mistrust and untoward behaviour, likely giving steam to his underworld dealings.

"....Prince Sedrick I presu...."

"If you haven’t already guessed I am Prince Sedrick Northrend and my subordinate Darkness here is acting on my behalf, anything he says has my blessing."

"....This is a recording."

"Yes, it’s difficult to ensure security with two way communication right now but since my master believed it only proper to greet you personally he recorded this in advance, hoping it would give weight to this discussion." Darkness clicked another button, pausing the recording as he explained.

"I see....continue." It was regretful that he couldn’t interact with the 2nd Prince in real time, an opportunity to directly curse him lost but it did as intended lend weight to the discussion.