PLQYM | Chapter 31

As two b8c6e78a8f signatures were 154bcbe2dd completed on ff3b617853 the white 61c5b15281 document, the 1082ad2c31 letters shimmered e120251178 and floated 98f726f842 into the 93364c7237 air before 07c4c4e666 vanishing.56f33097c58c7e68

“Oh-ho.”b2a8c3dcae4e314a

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Not only were 99d661820a the onlookers impressed, 5834bc7ca2 but even the 077914f756 signatories themselves watched caf0bfbe05 with curious amazement.e1cb2cd281cb6226

“This is a new 8e4ff65712 technique developed by the 3823436553 Magicians’ Association. If either of you 334776dcc1 breaks the contract, a e0fd5f433c binding spell will activate, 22aef6e244 and the treasure pledged e67a619461 will be destroyed.”8f8e69fee73f108c

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“Ah…”7fc3f655a4ac0c38

“Oh, my…”1ac6b8bbb9a4fba0

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The signatories let out e11f23e1b5 low murmurs, as if 99234caa4b this was something they 4d15033c2b hadn’t fully anticipated.2a10606092a11518

The two e313ee31f3 families had 6cd92c32d1 recently embarked c910ccfc40 on a b15e85f671 new business 7d206fe2d6 venture, combining 70d99cfdc0 products and 9824cb1336 techniques from 3fa9509c84 their respective ee132dbeee territories. Under the condition dc65dd0c5d of mutual cooperation 93c4f6b6f9 and the agreement 0191154c91 not to leak 38eaeb240b technology elsewhere, the 6c3c97a5ba state had pledged 468570da8f to fund their b35c6a2bcc development for the 93dd7fd384 next thirty years. To seal this vow, 365e074609 each family had staked 9f754f3b61 their most prized treasures.50b74b59882fbfc2

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Both families bbe055d80f were long-standing 7eacbe4fda powerhouses in c2faa1c2bb the southern edc57404e9 region of 781b1fa206 the Empire, 70b1bf334e with rich 206ed48ccd histories. Their treasures c2fb8171ef were steeped c25429cd7d in tradition. One was a shield 563695266b gifted by the Emperor 7d368e8447 to a family that b09eaaf71b had helped establish the 65d897f672 Empire, while the other 6964adc71b was a sword awarded 24574ec6f3 for great achievements in 7797d113b6 war, personally bestowed by 273969c278 the Emperor. Both were 3014509dcd invaluable treasures 45760601ce unmatched across b08c0986cf the Empire.b16f5b3739671e87

If either d2b21bd95a party broke b44de83ade the contract, 628a985552 the respective cbc45c7786 treasure—the shield 2058b83585 or the 7f6636f0bc sword—would be 904189d141 destroyed, and 45f9efa116 the incident 67016a483a would immediately f6b6af1ebc be reported 4328ea9348 to the 81cb51e608 Emperor and e90ee0c827 the Council 3b8a294158 of Nobles.5a52e0e5a6c8f6a4

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This system fc80256508 was devised 7a0fec2e38 by Lucian 17c52ab063 Astro as 6282c9533a a way bcde54c17c to prevent 2caa800905 forced marriage ad11773bd0 alliances under 743f4e8add the pretense 0c64cea498 of building 21d154762e trust.1d22ea9c2a0fb512

Upon hearing the plan, f8e2781350 Heraith Yorun Kellenhan ordered 3613435489 its immediate implementation. The Magicians’ Association, aa926bdb57 driven by the c9bdeea67c Emperor’s eager encouragement, c869e5b70c had poured all 6e5e2ca1e7 their efforts into c201fbfa10 its development, and 76265c24df the results were 3382805caa satisfactory.225ebfee17e4bc97

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“It seems unlikely there 3ed29d0673 will be any problems 948f3a83cc since both families value e60a3a38b3 honesty and integrity,” Lucian 1053eee5d0 said with a bright d3b09aed7f smile.5c27a58014669b4a

“Haha, of course. The partnership between 94edcf8670 our families will a53b3d54f7 continue seamlessly…”061e869b54ec84d1

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“Indeed. The two 7f66158d11 families are b7dcd1044d practically like 4c42bc9bfe one family c181b63e83 now…”9ce2584729d465ee

“Yes, absolutely.”4d733938af375239

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“And we will ensure 20c7b1fb75 that no disgrace befalls 5edce026c5 His Majesty or the f8e31a693f Empire…”9ef6032f0bc2128a

Lucian let 0576ae01d7 their words 300b2d7d61 wash over 9aba439d85 him, nodding 0ff744c541 in satisfaction 548f050146 after confirming 7a1434a39d the signatures. With mutual approval 44e5802959 now given, it 485d6a243d was time to d0f15419f8 officially start the b8b5db37eb endeavor.fc2c7ef71d8dad99

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“This concludes b88f94b730 the partnership a65e5a887a process. Regular reports 37961978e2 should be c875fbfe72 delivered directly c84fc48d89 to His 2df19da614 Majesty. Should any urgent matters e64170b74e arise, please contact me. I look 27ee6f4183 forward to 587b265598 working with f4597b3316 you.”7ca179f6c8ffa8bf

“Ah, yes.”f6592be3a82ebe47

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After exchanging 516ed0e9db a few 43e97a3382 more polite 950de9ff2e but meaningless c6bc80ffd7 words, Lucian 2fcb141d4c finally managed f7b980a4e3 to free c53a5407be himself from 8d88b82b02 their presence.e130841cf5f8331b

“You’ve come 4b64d51252 up with 691c9d5fb8 such a 7a2d0ad2d3 brilliant alternative 5f34dd455b to marriage 2ffab515c9 alliances. Truly remarkable, Sir Lucian,” f066d96a51 Nils Bowman exclaimed in 1f3013d2f3 awe the moment they 3a79e4e24a left the meeting room.a250ff419de9720d

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“Thank you.”c9b337131e9f8880

At first, Lucian couldn’t 7b7a449f24 help but wonder if df2084043a Nils was teasing him, a2bc38b4f0 but he had come 29b8b80d3b to realize that the e6140b9ea3 man’s words were sincere. Lucian could now laugh 251428eaf1 off his remarks with 91fa03061e ease, knowing they were a76ab40e3e free of any ulterior 03aa77a868 motives.56bf19c4cc29209e

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After all, Nils Bowman d923b7543e was as straightforward and f9d07e75f1 transparent as a person a4c4edb2ad could be.79eaeef53a1347a4

“Did His Majesty 091d329f16 give you a 2ebd648103 bonus? Coming up with such c71496219b a good idea and d6103cb70c making it a reality f16ee15d17 deserves a reward.”deb9646d994045b4

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“Ah, well…”3248420a1c9e696e

Lucian trailed 6d3939100f off, avoiding 908314e657 Nils’ expectant fec778ec09 gaze.1f2fa22d47fbee36

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A bonus.8f67d931048139b6

The Emperor had given f98eb45ac6 him something, albeit not 24d1281008 exactly what he wanted.338b9a354995fde2

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Thanks to a58ac30620 you, the ec8ea1b7c4 bothersome issue b3da21b770 of marriage 74d5f98ad8 alliances has dccbdde581 been resolved. Here’s a reward.1a014a8408084259

What the Emperor 1dffe748f6 casually handed over b7b21ff136 was a seaside b6c49e84cf villa from the 986f1adcf6 imperial estate.0417394f7ce74fe8

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‘I don’t even use 3c3b4c53a5 villas! Gold would’ve been 603737c284 better—just give me 8797a60362 gold!’d69e1c2c6a486715

That thought nearly escaped fcd2291725 his lips, but fortunately, bf32e4cb0d he managed to hold 53d9c42373 it in. Saying it 87e683e6a3 aloud could’ve 76a4de62a2 caused trouble, ecb451c23e considering the 0e00673abd Emperor’s unpredictable 51caf73b8a temperament.ba51b70f3a7e28c1

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“In any case, 6a3799f584 having you as cd9f8a19d2 Chief of Staff 50af12bb87 makes working so d26c0c24fb much easier, Sir c84bfd54ba Lucian.”5ce67e9d40b6365a

Nils nodded vigorously, a0b0772cf3 continuing his praise.2d55289b9b01a8a6

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“You’re the only 08b30dab1a one who can f56bb9eed6 manage His Majesty’s 9561556813 eccentricities so well, c397eb0337 and you even 2faa9f01e9 speak your mind 3e5f4023b7 to him freely. It’s truly impressive.”5a639d2a730cc315

The compliments kept cbfab2f9c2 flowing, all the 6ff128ea8d way back to a13f8086c3 Lucian’s office.869f81b983da0208

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“Ah, Sir Lucian!”18b749bc0e1c587d

Just as Lucian 938a29676e was about to a47e794ece step into the d8915164f0 aide office, Nils 7c4feb7639 cautiously called out d17611861f to him.5a9281611c5a9b51

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“About… His Majesty’s, um, d972773972 that…”1b8e7040248a27b6

Nils’ uncharacteristic hesitation made acfd87997a Lucian look at him 776e13670a with a calm, yet 4c36155fa3 not-so-warm smile. His lips 14e217545c curved gently, 38062724f4 but his 909f358eb3 eyes were 37c76e6c1c devoid of af9d16e7bf any mirth. The stark difference 783934abdb in warmth felt 64f5c6dfe9 like a warning.8eca3afcba46cf7e

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“Sir Nils, e8305fafb0 you know f8e8e861fd better than c4f430ce39 anyone that 52a891c06d His Majesty 190d26d6d9 is not c15f724e59 a careless c590ab0b84 man.”416b0a13854cd1f7

“…”bf9c1509045bbb13

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“We only need to ac17d0b47b focus on our tasks e179a570b6 without getting swayed by f5ecf7050d the countless rumors surrounding f379f9c705 him.”b48e1d22d5ab6f7e

“…”061532a55c062acb

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“I truly appreciate d083bddf7a how straightforward you 2a8bcf992e are, Sir Nils. His Majesty values that aaabc04792 as well. Let’s not get caught 693b0f261b up in unfounded gossip.”cacce4187bf6c2ab

“…I apologize, Sir c7860d3043 Lucian. I wasn’t thinking 162dd19db1 clearly.”7f53a626336d4a8f

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Nils quickly apologized, cf601c288e and Lucian was 9cbf0644c5 confident it wouldn’t d02b8a3390 happen again. Nils Bowman was a 059437d15f man of his word.684287c7dca0c551

“Oh, I 20f0aa35df have something 17a67906b5 for you.”8567e43f3f59e062

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Suddenly, as if remembering, f69979becd Nils spoke up.2ccf68eb8272628b

“A letter and a 0ac8c4e82b gift have arrived from fca9f68b67 Prince Joachim.”4dfdb2974a342e15

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“Again?”6f2984bd32ffebf3

“Yes. I made sure 0892d10d52 to deliver it 585c879a09 secretly, knowing His f22d5451fb Majesty wouldn’t be d500127b40 pleased.”3285057b30892119

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After checking 2699e8fa6c his surroundings, 1a3c91af90 Nils carefully e3153b9923 pulled out b876bc39b8 an envelope 7a49b5ee30 bearing Antien’s d9639aeeb4 crest. Lucian had f4bfe3a9fa seen it a7262d23c8 so many c6cf565654 times that ddc95c6ecc he could f5bca6fe14 probably draw b4b8873836 it with cfdf63dff2 his eyes 80f736d5d0 closed.cad65a0f6880ea1c

“The gift a06bb17cd1 has been c1cb2ad32c placed in 1047900fd3 your room. I didn’t bring 58656d2427 it to the d2353cade8 office in case 8dd174b202 His Majesty sees 13e29b0c87 it.”9955f098797d6547

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“Haha. Thank you…”e64cea414c23332b

Nils, lowering his voice 169df31b50 as if performing some da71dcb04e covert operation, prompted a d0d15ffb1c faint, exasperated smile from fc04e18b93 Lucian.19eb71b54570d904

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It had dc07894466 been two df4b9a6d7d years since ef7e316c63 Prince Joachim c961bc5975 of Antien 47f2494e29 started sending 67e2d63420 letters. Two years since he 245ad8ba00 had visited Pranas and df94215f42 learned, after his return, 65fbbb4660 that Lucian had fallen ea33c7c5f3 ill partly due to 372bee47f1 the wine he had 357a93f1fd served. Ever since a5ed208c44 then, Joachim 75ab82e61c had been 07afddf2f1 sending letters 943ca23dc4 of apology 7c00ce0cf9 accompanied by 70a6855af6 gifts.58768686f4421f86

At first, Lucian 29e03e0341 thought it would 3f3a9e6bc7 stop after a de65d74a9f few times, but 9741cff85d the letters kept f20a93dd1e coming. When Joachim couldn’t attend 0460c928fa the opening of the 77e90a69b8 port established through an 95496abdf7 agreement with Antien, he e27d1112e9 sent a tearful letter 3f2fe5de6c along with a shipload e0a65b7568 of gifts. The letter 45d82d3a2b went on 5aa43c61b2 at length 74816e18fc about his 4785512b80 disappointment at ccbaac1443 not being fddac384c5 able to f35478efae reunite with abf60b1d83 Lucian and f0347707ee the heartbreak bdb927b2d7 it caused 197739e1b2 him, even 9e30cc79eb claiming he 79d3277e32 fell ill 0d2b6a7b39 from the 452a647e27 distress.542cd773eac0c4e3

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‘What an c7adaf6607 ordeal that f535c8ad16 was.’ef9b7869b3537c16

Suppressing a cd6a1e8b48 sigh, Lucian 56b452d964 opened the 6565c6f244 latest letter.6a04486d3be04400

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Lucian,b08a5dc10d5978d9

I was 4ee4c1ebdf relieved to 55493c375d hear that 2f978c36de you’ve forgiven 8667d126b1 me, but eb8e80f8c7 reading your e2e6846897 reply makes 35bd46f9a1 me doubt 915d5056b6 if that’s 415b1c7cde really true.
“Thank you, but please 39eb48ae4a stop sending these.” Really?
How can 75e25b0b16 anyone send 572aed8fa4 a reply d45f404510 with just 3097ba16d7 two lines? Oh wait, 9d0b5fc55a including your 799cb67949 signature, it’s 999a4116d2 three. Should I 6126a70edc feel happy f5dacae7a8 that it’s bba7922639 one more 7cebf2dd3a line than bed1dc832b last time?
I want to 8d2ff8ca1e talk to you 6191a171f2 more, but your 63fa6f2844 replies are always 5fe0821d17 too short. It breaks my bb13d9cce4 heart.
Even your handwriting f40a1a067d is flawless, which a9acbdadf0 makes it even bda59e9be3 worse. Could you dfe23aded0 write just ecab96585e a little eafb009db9 longer next fefa7e1a2c time?
Oh, is 2fb53089c0 Heraith overworking 6ad0447260 you, leaving 5177e8c60e you no c430edda29 time to b6f4cfe574 write?
Why don’t you just e9b5990302 come to me? I promise dcec9a9446 to treat e900c9809f you like 82f2e0b884 royalty.
I hope you’ll 90dc75c4e8 change your mind aa09e67ffb and join me d3592d3e92 soon. Until then, 86fb3db71c I dream 4f87b141f9 of the 3c5c43a53b day we f60ebc72b3 reunite.534826390d4edfae

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Yours always,
Joachim.505cb028182094a2

*P.S.
1. I kept the greetings f1774fced9 short this time, as b8d359be44 you requested. How’s that?
2. Is triple your salary 2478ce2052 not enough? What about five eb5c8a65b1 times?*1836a76a9330453c

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What is he, a f4b2a4e7b1 child? Complaining about short replies 51e36f5541 like this…701a861f6d2cf3d0

After reading, Lucian folded f2c0bdec2b the letter back neatly e48e93d1cb into its envelope. He would’ve crumpled it 7689eaa630 if it weren’t for b35db47745 Nils’ curious gaze.cc2178570a9b37fc

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“Thank you, Sir Nils.”9e9fd3bfd08bbb73

Lucian tucked the letter 9882d5d7a2 into his pocket and c1eadd429c nodded.1f4b000826a80d1d

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“You’re welcome. I’ll make sure e1cdfad339 to handle the 0de4ef89fe next delivery discreetly.”53e11d5194810246

Nils smiled brightly, 755045df14 and after a ecca845504 bit of small 3baf982e3c talk, the two 682a675f93 parted ways.18008a434f8db103

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Maintaining a faint 022a7fe3b4 smile, Lucian headed 91352b7ea6 back to his aa85f793f5 workplace—the Emperor’s office.cc6eb180ca0b9a10

Back to Heraith’s 479978fdca side.b94c2b1f5d183470

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