"Wait!" Rod spoke up desperately.
He knew that if he didn't, Renee would've died.
"You must be searching for Inna? We can help you!"
The King looked at Rod with an eyebrow raised.
"And how can you help?"
"Do you wish to kill her? Or capture her?" Rod asked back.
"Capture her."
Killing her would be improper towards the original body. And as a King, he vowed that he would never kill a human, no matter how the circumstances permits it. He would let the Fates take its course. After all, they will all die sooner or later. And when they enter his kingdom, he can play with them whenever he wants.
"Then we can help with that!" Rod said firmly.
"We know her better and we know of her mannerism and attitude."
"It's better if it's us because when you hire people to simply look for her with a sketch of her face, they would just be looking at what she looks like. It's better for us to look for her because we actually met her personally and we observed her for a considerable amount of time. Hence, if she were to disguise herself, others wouldn't notice but we would be able to easily see through it."
"Besides, she also has deep hatred for us since we tricked her and almost killed her."
"We can use her hatred to be able to know if it really was her."
"Also, it will be easier since we are 4 people who actually met her." Rod looked at the King with a cunning smile, proud of the ideas he came up with.
Renee's eyes sparkled when she heard this. It means that she can have an excuse to stay near this enchanting man until they found that woman, which might probably be already dead anyways.
The King, upon hearing Rod's ideas, was also quite convinced with his logic. Also, this saves him the trouble of doing it by himself. He'd prefer not to move much in this body since he still hasn't recovered.
He looked at the Reapers who still had their claws aimed at Renee's throat.
"A year. I will grant you a momentary pardon of death, for a year. If you cannot find her, then your lives will immediately be forfeited. To these terms, do you all agree?" The King ordered with an imposing aura.
The team found his choice of words weird. But if it gets them to live for a year more, they don't really care even if he starts clucking like a chicken.
They looked at each other before nodding, "Agreed."
The Reapers upon hearing this, retracted their claws and murderous eyes. They went to the King and bowed respectfully.
"The King grants these souls a year of momentary pardon. These servants acknowledges the King's decree and it shall be carried as what has been agreed upon. They will not meet with any unfortunate events that will cost their lives for the duration of the promised year. These servants will report this decree to the kingdom and to the heavens. A year from now, we will return for their souls, esteemed deity."
Upon hearing their announcement, the King nodded in acknowledgement. The Reapers then got up and turned into black mist.
Afterwards, the King looked at the team.
"Dedicate a year of your lives in searching for her. Do not kill her but capture her alive."
"If you ever find her, report immediately to the royal capital, Anemolia, in the Kingdom of Anemoly. Go to the royal castle and tell the guards to send this message to the Emperor."
"Omnia mors aequat."
"What does that mean?" Renee chimed in.
"What that means does not concern you." The King spat. "Just pass that message and they will let you in."
"Once you've entered, you will see me there."
"Also, you have free control on what methods you wish to pursue. All I need is her alive."
After speaking, the King pointed at George.
"And I will be taking him as hostage. I have another use for him."
"What?!" Renee screamed. She wanted to be that hostage!
Renee wanted to protest more but Rod shut her up with a glare.
The King pretended that he didn't hear her. He touched George's forehead with his finger before muttering, "Sleep."
George immediately felt the cooling sensation before he slumped and fell asleep. The King grabbed the back of his collar, dragging his body on the ground like how a criminal would to a hostage.
Actually, there was no need for the King to have a hostage. But the King had other plans for the youth. He doesn't fully trust the adventurers' capabilities so to ensure more success, he had another plan in mind. He knew that the youth 'connected' more with Inna so he will be a great asset for his 'other' plan.
He gave one last look at the remaining people before he turned around, ready to leave.
"Wait!"
Rod stopped him.
"How are we going to cross the borders? The two ways are both deadly. One is to pass through the Heaven's cliff which is impossible. The other is to pass the Poisoned Path filled with deadly corrosive plants and poisonous beasts. Only fully prepared people can pass there. That is if they don't get eaten by packs of beasts."
"Choose the Poisoned path." The King muttered, his voice held a tinge of disinterest and impatience.
"I have great confidence that you all will be momentarily immune to those poisons and no beasts will cross your path. And ease your future worries and heed my words, you will be able to live smoothly for a year." The King said before he leaped towards the direction of the kingdom of Anemoly, leaving the team at awe with his powerful display of ability.
The King now had a lead in his search. He knew of her appearance from the adventurers. But the problem is her body's name. Her name is Inna, but the body she possessed must have a different name.
He needed to know it so that, in case those adventurers are unable capture her, he can pressure the body's family to force her to be found and be brought to him. To do that, he needs to start his search in Anemoly for any daughters missing. Then he will travel to Edseria to do the same as well.
If after a year and there will still be no news, he will have to use drastic measures to find her. And for that, he needs to meet with someone powerful enough to make it possible.