Mask removed, the man's true appearance was unveiled. With a glance, he resembled more of a gentle scholar than the master of a fighting arena. "What do you want from me?" He inquired calmly.
Not responding to him, Eitan just lifted his cane while Beren watched him warily. But instead of activating the blade again, Eitan turned around and gave the woman behind him a hard hit to the head, due to which she immediately crumpled to the floor. He had felt her inching closer and so knocked her out to prevent Beren from being able to make any moves. "You have truly wonderful subordinates, willing to risk their lives for their master even in such a precarious situation." Although his words were complimentary, his tone contained hints of mocking.
Beren shut his eyes tightly for a moment before opening them again, a look of resignation appearing on his face. "This esteemed sir is truly impressive."
Eitan clicked his tongue. "Flattering won't get you anywhere right now."
Beren shrugged as if to say it was worth an attempt. His expression then became serious. "Tell me your terms. I, Beren Simal, will fulfill anything to the best of my abilities."
Eitan shook his head with a low chuckle. "You're a smart man. How could you not understand what I desire?"
A look of puzzlement flickered over Beren's face before he recalled Eitan's words. He gave a half smile. "Did I offend you in some way? If so, I'll do anything to make amends. This lowly life of mine can't be worth so much." He had misunderstood Eitan's demand for him as wanting to take his life.
Eitan let out a full laugh, causing Beren's brow to furrow slightly. Is this still not it? Never in his life had he encountered an opponent he so utterly failed to get a grasp on. Ever since he was young, he had always been the one to string along others as if they were puppets. So, this sense of being toyed with was a new feeling to him. Although a small corner of his heart didn't feel it was wholly unpleasant. Instead, oddly refreshing, perhaps?
"I find you to be worth quite a lot. And that, far more alive than dead." Eitan asserted with a cool smile.
Beren's mind worked quickly, and he finally understood what Eitan was saying. He put one hand on his head and smiled helplessly. "This is my first time experiencing such a tough recruitment attempt."
Eitan sat up, leaning forward on his cane with a smile. "It's rather refreshing, no?"
Beren couldn't stifle an incredulous snort. "It's also my first time meeting anyone like you."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Beren reached up and smoothed down some of the stray hairs around his bun. "So, who are you here for? First brother? Second sister? Fourth brother?" He listed the top three suspects in his mind who would want to pull him under their banner and were capable of utilizing such tactics. He had no idea how those in his family had found out about this side business of his, but that wasn't a curiosity he had the privilege of satisfying right now.
"I told you, I don't work for anyone." Eitan retorted steadily.
Yet another surprise. Beren pressed his temple subconsciously as he gazed at Eitan. He kept a composed exterior, but he was truly perplexed at this point. Then who on earth are you? He was tempted to grab Eitan's collar and shake the answers out of him, but a glance at the ebony stick extinguished any such thoughts.
"No matter how much you wrack that brilliant brain of yours, you won't be able to ascertain my identity." He told Beren bluntly. No matter how smart the man was, he couldn't work without any clues. He wasn't even aware of Eitan's existence in the first place, so how could he possibly guess his true identity?
Beren didn't appear entirely convinced but still loosened up a bit. "Well, I'll consider it my honor to have gained the attention of a great man like yourself then." Rather than a great thing, it was more like he had invited a catastrophe into his den. But he was far from fool enough to say such a thing.
Eitan laughed again on the inside. This guy's tongue sure is slick. However, he externally smiled placidly at Beren. "So, how about it?"
Beren looked at Eitan somewhat oddly. After threatening him and knocking out two of his subordinates, this guy still posed it like he had a choice. He tapped his finger on the table and looked at Eitan seriously. "Are you actually considering my opinion on the matter?"
Eitan dropped his smile and matched Beren's straightforward demeanor. "Yes." It wouldn't be difficult for him to subordinate Beren forcibly, but he'd rather not do so. Even if he had Farrel monitor him or made him sign a magic contract, Beren wasn't the type to easily be controlled. With his intelligence, Eitan didn't doubt he'd be able to escape whatever leash was put on him, and that ensuing payback wasn't something he was keen to endure.
"How am I meant to believe you?" Beren's guard didn't drop in the slightest at Eitan's sudden shift in attitude, but instead heightened further.
Eitan cracked a small smile as he observed this. He couldn't help it, as he was reminded of the first time he met Farrel. He acted in a similarly wary manner, but look where they were now.
The tips of Beren's fingers trembled slightly at the sight of this smile. He didn't know what was going on in Eitan's head, but he was certain it wasn't anything good for him. "... I need some sort of basis to make my choice." He relented to some degree, not wanting to push Eitan's patience. He valued his life quite a lot. This was why he was doing all this, after all.
Eitan was ironically surprised at these words. He hadn't expected Beren to waver so easily. Well, easy was relative. He did currently hold the man's life in his hands. "I'll give you a gift, then." It was the carrot and the stick. He had given plenty of the stick, so now it was time to dangle a carrot.
Beren raised his head and looked at Eitan, bewildered. What sort of gift could a man who came to threaten him possibly give?
"Next week, a snake will enter the fox den," Eitan informed Beren leisurely, rising to his feet. "I shall return in a fortnight, so if you're pleased with my gift, I hope you'll contact me then." Without waiting for Beren to respond, he took his leave. Only when the clacking of a walking stick faded did Beren finally come to his senses.
His limbs felt weak after the tension released, and he leaned his head back, massaging his temples with a sigh. Numerous thoughts whirled through his mind, but he eventually settled on Eitan's parting words. He stared at the door with a steely expression. A snake in my den, huh…
*****
Eitan had only been in the gambling area for a few minutes when the woman with a golden fox mask approached him. "My master has been waiting for you." She bowed her head in front of Eitan, and although she was acting respectfully enough, he heard underlying hostility in her tone.
Eitan didn't react to this, as he had threatened to murder the woman just two weeks before. Very few would be able to keep a complete grasp on their emotions after such a thing. He nodded calmly and beckoned Farrel to follow.
The woman didn't say anything else, so the only sound that could be heard as they walked was the tapping of Eitan's cane. They soon arrived at the same room as before, but this time the silver masked man was nowhere to be seen. The woman opened the door for them, apparently not going to enter. "Please go ahead."
Farrel and Eitan exchanged a glance, and Farrel went ahead first, a white glow emitting from his sharp eyes. Eitan stood just outside the doorway for a moment, causing the brow of the woman holding the door to furrow slightly. Eitan ignored her and only stepped into the room after Farrel gave him a subtle nod. The door finally closed behind him, and Eitan scanned the room before his eyes landed on the black masked man behind the desk. He was alone.
Beren sat there with interlaced fingers and a fine smile. "You're rather suspicious of me, even though you're the one who approached me first. I'm a bit hurt."
Eitan rested his hands atop the cane and smiled loosely. "One can never be too cautious when catching a fox."
Beren laughed softly, then gazed at Eitan quietly for a few moments before speaking again. "I must admit, your gift was quite helpful to me." Somehow, his eldest brother had indeed discovered this place. A spy had been sent in, and if Beren hadn't discovered them when he did, the arena could have been revealed to the world. This wouldn't have ruined him, but it would have been a large setback in his plans. Although, since meeting the man in front of him, that seemed to have gone to hell anyway.
"I'm glad to hear it," Eitan responded levelly.
Beren fell silent again, his penetrating gaze so trained on Eitan it felt almost as if he was staring into his soul. Eitan stoically received his scrutiny, and Beren eventually leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing. "What are the benefits of my choosing to follow you?"
As expected of someone pragmatic to the bones. Even after everything, he still needed to weigh all the pros and cons. Instead of feeling irritated, a pleased smile bloomed on Eitan's face. Beren's lips twitched at the sight of this, but he waited expectingly for Eitan to respond.
"It is not money or status that shall be granted to you, but freedom." Eitan stared directly into the violet eyes behind the mask and continued, "The freedom to show off and use that magnificent mind of yours as you please. Then, to reap the rewards that come of such."
Stifling. That one word could sum up Beren's current situation. Even if he appeared like a mastermind, every one of his actions had to be carefully calculated and hidden for fear of one of his siblings grabbing his tail. He had all this ability, but could only demonstrate it freely in dark places like this. He had all the money he needed, and Eitan knew he didn't actually care for the position of Viscount, but rather what achieving it would prove. But even after that, what happened? He did not sit in glory and recognition, but in scorn. Beren had undoubtedly realized long ago that would be the case, but pushed ahead all the same. For no other reason but to prove that he could. That even as an illegitimate child, he was worth something.
Beren's pupils involuntarily shook as he took in Eitan's proclamation. Then, nearly a full minute of nothing went by. Eitan became antsy enough to ponder giving Beren another push, but managed to remain composed. A fine line had to be tread to successfully snare the fox, as he must have a firm grasp, but also didn't want to scare him away.
Another minute went by, and Eitan was nearing the end of his patience as Beren suddenly stood up. Farrel immediately went on guard at this, but Eitan put up a hand for him to be at ease. Beren reached up and took off his mask, once again putting his soft yet sharp features on full display. He stepped slowly until he was directly in front of Eitan. He was taller than the small-statured Eitan, so he had to look down a bit to make direct eye contact.
Eitan did not shy away from his gaze, and this standoff held for a few moments. It only ended when Beren's gaze finally lowered as he knelt on the floor. "I, Beren Simal, shall follow you." It was no fanciful oath but a short, resolute statement. But that meant it was likely the most genuine thing to come out of the mouth of this man so far.
"Stand," Eitan told him coolly, and Beren obeyed. Eitan held out his palm to Farrel, and a scroll was placed in it. It wasn't as if Eitan had been idle these past two weeks. This was the preparation of his own. "Are you willing to sign a contract to conform to those words?" It was not a normal contract but a magical one that would bind the two parties to the clauses.
Beren looked at Eitan's quick actions with mild surprise and chuckled a bit. "A leash, huh?"
Eitan shook his head with curved lips. "Just consider it as some insurance." He handed the scroll over to Beren.
Beren unfurled it and read it over, but his expression became increasingly strange as he did so. He even read it twice before looking back up at Eitan. "Are you certain about these terms? Even if you had me sign a slave contract right now, I would not be able to resist."
Eitan's smile widened slightly. "I told you, it's just some insurance." He knew why Beren reacted this way. It was not because the contract was cruel, but rather the opposite. The only clause in there was that Beren would not be able to take any action that would harm Eitan or his people. The same naturally went for Eitan to Beren. The punishment was not death or any other extremity, but rather a mere alert and dissolution of the contract. This was because he knew the tighter the leash around Beren's neck, the more likely he was to cast it off. But what about a leash so loose he couldn't even feel its presence? Naturally, no one would feel resistance to such a thing.
Beren stared at Eitan and eventually understood he was serious. The corners of his lips tilted, and he shook his head slightly. "It's truly impossible to grasp you." As he said this, he signed his name below where Eitan had preemptively done so.
The scroll shone brightly for a moment before shattering into sparkling particles that flew into Beren's and Eitan's bodies. Once this was done, Eitan clapped his hands in satisfaction. "Contract complete. Welcome aboard, Mister Beren."
"Please, just Beren. Hearing honorifics from you is just too strange." Beren waved his hand, an uneasy chuckle laced into his voice. "I suppose it's Lord Eitan for me?" Eitan had signed the contract with his true name, so, of course, Beren now knew his identity.
"Sure, Beren," Eitan laughed a bit as he removed his mask. He held out his empty hand. "Let's get along well."
Beren grasped Eitan's outstretched hand with a bowed head. "Of course."
Eitan smiled brightly as he withdrew. "How much time do you need to set things in order?"
Beren raised his eyes, and his eyes curved up into slits. "I spent the past week organizing things so I could leave at any time."
This sly fox! Eitan's lips twitched subtly. Beren likely hadn't done so only to prepare to follow Eitan, but also to cut off his tail in case Eitan attempted to expose him.
"But I have one request before we go," Beren spoke in an uncharacteristically cautious manner.
"Feel free to speak," Eitan surveyed him with an inquisitive expression.
"I would like to bring along my subordinates. Of course, I can acquire contracts for them to sign as well-"
"No need," Eitan interrupted him. He knew that for trust to be gained, it must first be shown. "Just bring them along. But what about the operations here?" Actually, Eitan was more than happy for Beren to bring his people. The more capable hands his territory gained, the better.
Beren's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly recovered, showing Eitan a vague smile. "Now that I'm involved with the lord, I can't possibly continue such shady activities."
Eitan clicked his tongue with amusement. "As you please, then." He tilted his head back to Farrel. "Prepare everything for our return to Saorise."
Farrel put his hand over his chest and bowed. "Yes, my liege." The mission was completed, so he immediately switched back to the proper address.
Saorise? As in the Saorise Region? Beren easily recalled the information he knew about the place. A wild, border region that often came into conflict with barbarian tribes. It seems that I'll have my work cut out for me, going to such a chaotic place. Rather than feeling regret or trepidation, his eyes showed an eager gleam.
Eitan returned his mask to his face and glanced at Beren. "Then, I shall see you outside the city at dawn tomorrow."
Giving me time to sort out my subordinates, I see. Beren smiled ever so slightly and dipped his head. "I shan't be late."
Satisfied, Eitan followed Farrel out of the room to leave Beren to sort things out. The golden masked woman went inside once they left, after tossing a chilly look at Eitan. He wasn't so petty as to care about her and smoothly made his way out of the manor through some side halls. He got into the carriage they had been using, and Farrel drove him back to their temporary dwellings before departing to make preparations.
Eitan washed up and changed into a comfortable robe before sitting on his bed, lying back, fists lightly clenched. This means I can finally toss out that pompous Gehan. This was by no means the driving force behind seeking out Beren, but it was most certainly a nice bonus. Gehan was the only administrator, so he couldn't get rid of him as he pleased. But it was different now. Not just Beren, but his subordinates as well, would be coming to the castle. How could Gehan possibly measure up?
This also meant Eitan could pass off most of the tedious duties. Some of the more important matters would still require his decree as lord, of course, but he could wash his hands clean of the territory's general management and devote more time to training or dealing with affairs of his past life.
At this thought, he sat up and conjured a ball of blood-red aura in his hand. He had gained enough mastery to manipulate the shape to some extent, now. The usages of aura were far beyond just strengthening the body or sword. The only thing it was limited by was the imagination and experiences of the user. And experience was one thing Eitan by no means lacked. He had seen people use pure aura as a projectile and even compressed it into a string. The possibilities were truly endless, so long as he dared to explore them.
He played with his aura until the moon hung high in the sky. Only after realizing the late hour did he halt and settle down to sleep. It wouldn't do to be exhausted on the journey, after all. So, he forced his excited nerves to settle, and his world soon faded to a comforting black.