As we were escorted deeper into the core area of the den, guards could be seen on either side of the hallways.
All of them looked strong, with those war-veteran looks.
Arthur had his own elite army, and looking at them, he seemed to have maintained it quite well.
The person who was escorting us kept glancing at me from time to time.
Maybe he was looking for some sort of reaction.
Was it a trick to intimidate me?
Bad for him. I have always lived among criminals and killers, being one myself.
Such things don't faze me anymore.
After around a few minutes of walking, we arrived at a sturdy door with golden engravings on it.
The boss room.
Sigh.
Although I wanted things to proceed this way, now standing here, mere moments away from the meeting, I felt a little… nervous.
It was a strange feeling for me.
As X, it was others who shook in fear before me.
Maybe it's because this world has mana, and with it comes people with strength beyond logic.
Steadying my heart, I entered the room as one of the guards opened the door.
Julien stood beside me, like the obedient butler that he was.
Or at least was trying to be.
Inside the room, luxurious sofas were arranged opposite each other.
I sat at the corner of the one opposite the entrance.
Julien stood beside me, his gaze never leaving for any signs of ambush.
Heeh.
Not like he could defend me from something like that.
Still, his efforts impressed me.
He had already begun to treat me like his boss.
Not that I hated it.
We waited for the boss to arrive.
In the meantime, I took the liberty to eat from the snacks that were placed on the table before me.
Munch munch.
They were heavenly.
Is this what the rich eat?
Although being one myself, I still don't have all of Kael's memories.
And feelings like remembering the taste of things he ate were a little difficult at the moment.
Soon, the silence was broken as the door opened again and a tall man entered the room.
He was around 6'2" in height, with blood-red hair complementing his body.
A long scar ran across his face, giving him a manly look.
More than manly, he looked deadly.
The air in the room felt suffocating as he stared back at me with those black eyes.
Silence.
Neither of us spoke.
I was amazed by the sheer intensity of Arthur's gaze. It felt like he was staring deep into my soul.
And this was despite him not actively releasing his presence.
It would have crushed me brutally.
I felt like a bug in front of him.
But I couldn't afford to look away if I wanted to have the higher ground in the negotiations that would follow.
Without letting the atmosphere affect me, I stood up gracefully from my seat and calmly walked towards Arthur, who stood silently near the door, observing me.
"The name's Kael… Nice to meet you."
I extended my hand for a handshake with the most confident smile that I could muster.
Arthur's gaze turned towards my hand, and after a moment's pause, he shook it.
"Arthur Dimitri… Didn't think I would be seeing a Frost at a gambling den."
He smiled back.
I didn't let his words faze me.
It didn't matter if he knew who I was.
It wasn't like I was actively hiding my identity, but the intent behind his words was clear.
It was a warning not to play around.
"It's good to enjoy once in a while."
I walked towards my previous seat, while Arthur sat opposite me.
"It's a good thing that the young lord enjoyed his stay, but if you keep depleting everyone of their money, our business may take a hit. We have to maintain credibility wherever we can."
"I believe it was lucky of me to win. Never thought I would earn much."
I said with the most innocent expression on my face.
Arthur stared at my face for a moment, and then wiped the smile off his face.
"What are you playing at, kid? Don't think for a second that being a Frost would save you from me!"
"I don't get what you mean?"
I tilted my head in confusion.
"Do you take me for a fool? If you wanted, you could win the games while staying low and still make a lot of money. But you chose to create a scene by purposefully crushing everyone. If it wasn't to get my attention, then I wonder what your motives are?"
Sharp.
That was my assessment.
This was the exact reason for playing at the table and winning everything.
Getting an appointment with Arthur was difficult.
Difficult was a modest word.
Arthur never met anyone, for he didn't think it was worth his time.
I had to somehow make him talk to me.
Of course, just winning the games wouldn't equal earning his attention.
My name played a bigger part in it.
Family name.
A Frost indulging in such acts was sure to garner his attention. Not because it was me, but because he suspected the involvement of the duchy in the affairs of his territory.
If it was someone else, they wouldn't so openly call for a meeting.
They would first probe for my motives, try to understand what actually was at stake.
Then come up with possible measures to reduce any damage that the situation might cause them.
But the man before me didn't care for any of those petty games.
He wasn't scared of the Frosts.
Well, he wasn't scared of anybody in the world.
If he thought he was being played with by some greater power, he wouldn't bow down.
He wouldn't try to please anyone.
He was someone who talked less and acted more.
The End's Sword, they call him.
A fitting name indeed.
Someone who ends all obstacles with his sword.
Arthur Dimitri.
My soon-to-be pawn.