As Xarth decided to reveal his knowledge about the 'Mirror of Adea' He carefully made a half-lie story regarding it.
Harold looked at his Brother "Xarth? Do you know something?" he briefly asked.
Xarth took a glance at his brother's perplexed face. he smiled back flawlessly.
He carefully grabs the Duke's Hands-on his shoulder and gently took it off. "Yes Duke, Please sit down, I'll tell you everything you want to know." he returned to where he was seated.
He casually crosses his legs while maintaining eye contact with everyone inside the room. "Well then. So, What do you want to know first?" Xarth asked as he leaned back to a more comfortable position.
Duke Jidek leaned forward "What is this?" he slowly pointed at the white mirror in the table.
Xarth smiled back at the Duke "Well Duke, Here you have is an artifact called 'Mirror of Adea' I know some of you would know the name 'Adea'."
"Is it the Goddess of Life and Death?" Ezekiel replied with his head lifted.
Xarth quickly nodded his head at Ezekiel's response."Correct! The woman submerge in that white mirror is the Goddess Adea, and this artifact holds her blessing. I know this since I was interested in the 4 Continent's History. I found a book that tells the story of the Forgotten Age by chance on my bookshelf`. And it is one of the 10 artifacts that Destroyed the Demon King Vonis and Oh! Did I mention that its current location is unknown for 30 Centuries." he added.
" 'The Age of Calamity' Your right! I also remembered learning something about it from my tutor." Ezekiel replied with eagerness.
"Then, Do you know it's abilities? It is an artifact, right? then maybe it has the capability to destroy 'Amoth'? " Duke asked as he taps his fingers in the armstand of the chair.
Xarth slowly uncross his legs " Yes, though I can't say for sure that it can kill 'Amoth'"
The Duke can't stay still in his seat "What do you mean!?" he retorted back.
Xarth signaled the Duke to calm down. As it will only complicate things if he were not thinking straight. "Artifacts usually comes in different shape and sizes. They can be weapons or any ordinary things in our daily lives, they are graded into 4 categories Common, Rare, Unique, Divine. The 'Mirror of Adea' Is a Divine artifact one of its kind Including the other 9 Divine Artifacts. There are 3 certain requirements for a Divine Artifact to properly work."
Harold narrows his eyes "Then, what are those requirements Xarth?" he asked.
Xarth took a glance at him and explained further "Requirements are First: You need perform certain things to make it acknowledge you as its owner, Second: You need to have a certain amount of Mana in your Mana Core or have a great physique, Third: Luck. This is the most essential characteristic you need to have. As Luck plays a major part in owning a Divine Grade artifact it's where the artifact can base its standard if you're a worthy owner. I know you can't sometimes differentiate artifacts from normal items. But it's different if it is a Unique or Divine Grade Artifact. How can we differentiate it? They can actually talk to you but this only applies to those 2 Categories."
"Then what about its abilities?" Ezekiel asked as he was curious about that topic.
"Do tell us!" The Duke added.
Xarth took a quick breather and replied. "I know for a fact that there are two abilities that it is capable of. First, as its name suggests 'Mirror of Adea' has the ability to reflect any kind of attack to its caster with twice the damage received of the original spell. Second, it's the main ability 'Battle Suit' you'll be able to use a copy version of Adea's unique Battlesuit that is only described in books. Further than that, I don't know anymore." he ended it with a shrug.
The people in the room started to think about how can they solve this problem.
The problem was on how they were supposed to use the artifact to battle 'Amoth as it requires certain requirements for it to properly choose an owner. Xarth on the other hand...
'Ha...All that talking made me thirsty, now that I remembered that. Does this mean 'The Drunken Blade' is a Unique Grade Artifact? And why is the 'Mirror of Adea' here in the early chapters of the novel? It first appeared as the only explanation in the chapter of 'The Forgotten Past, The Age of Calamity' it did say that it was with the box where Duke Jidek had found it. But when I read it in the novel it was stated that the 'Mirror of Adea' was stolen from the Duke's Castle when Zero arrived. What does that mean? And why is the Mirror still here when it was supposed to be stolen? Is it because we arrived early than the settled time? I know for a fact that Zero only used the Drunken Blade to slay 'Amoth' and no other artifact. Did something change in the Storyline? When did it start?.'
Xarth started to frown while gritting his teeth at the thought of the story progressing very differently from the novel. As it may affect the incident in the Capital.
He then took a peek at Zero, He was looking and holding onto the Drunken Blade by his waist inside his scabbard with a stoic look on his face.
'Seems like they've calmed down...'
Then suddenly Zero shifts his gaze at Xarth. He subconsciously flinches but didn't move a muscle while keeping his gaze straight as an arrow.
'Sh*t that scared me!'
Instead, he signaled Zero to come to him.
Zero got up from his seat and took his time making his way to Xarth.
"What is it Xarth-nim?" he asked while having a fake smile on his face.
'Ha!..this bastard. Why is he always pissed?'
Xarth scratches his neck before smiling back at Zero "Can you get me something to drink."
Zero leaned closer to Xarth, Close enough that he could whisper to his ears."Is this part of the contract? To boss me around?" Zero replied with a disrespectful tone in his voice as he leaned back.
'What am I going to do with this rebellious kid? Oh, I know! show him whose boss. We'll never see each other anyway, why not annoy him?'
Xarth mischievously thought to himself.
Xarth smiled back and looked at Zero straight in the eye. "Then I'll add another condition in our contract Since you added one. My condition is that everything that I command you must be obeyed. Simple enough right." he added while still having a smile on his doll-like face.
"Why should I?" Zero retorted back.
Xarth furrowed his brow.
'Can't you just bring a drink to this thirsty Hyung~ This stubborn kid! Did Xarth also act this way? No wonder every servant hated him.'
Xarth let out a loud sigh before looking back at Zero "Don't worry I'll compensate you well. You'll only do it until the end of our contract." Xarth then leaned closer to Zero and whispered "Don't forget I'm letting you stay with us with free food and accommodation including your expensive compensation money. Remember! I also can take that sword back and get rid of you in the process." He added and leaned comfortably back to his seat with an enigmatic smile on his stunning face.
"..."
'Hahaha! Cat got your tongue? But If I were really to get rid of you I would totally get destroyed.' Xarth thought to himself as he just intimidated Zero.
Xarth gestured Zero with his hands to go.
Zero just nodded his head and left the room to get Xarth something to drink.
While Zero was out getting refreshment the duke suggested something.
"I have an idea." Duke Jidek announced.
Everyone inside the room looked at the Duke.
"Let's take each turn holding the artifact, to see if any one of us can make the artifact talk." The Duke suggested.
"That's a Duke for you, Such a wonderful idea!" Harold replied as he parts his lips slightly.
Xarth nodded his head in agreement." Then who's going first?" he added.
A man with white hair and gray woeful eyes raised his hands as he volunteered first. It was Ezekiel.
He carefully grabs the artifact with his hands and intently looked at it while having his usual bright smile. But to no avail.
Ezekiel then heads his gaze at Xarth."Nothing. it's not responding to me."
"Then pass it to Duke Jidek," Xarth replied.
Ezekiel did as he was told and handed the 'Mirror of Adea' to Duke Jidek.
Duke Jidek carefully grabbed the mirror from his son and stared at it...But still to no avail.
The Duke then handed down the Artifact to Harold.
But still, it was futile. It was now Xarth's turn to hold the Artifact Harold carefully gave the 'Mirror of Adea' to Xarth he then smiled at him with no reason.
'Why are you smiling at me? Weird.'
Xarth is delicately holding the artifact with both of his hands. He stared at Adea's face imprinted in the mirror...Then suddenly a woman's tender voice resonated inside Xarth's head.
'Interesting...'
Xarth flinched...The three men inside the room noticed this and immediately asked.
"Why? Did it respond to you?" Duke Jidek asked while having a slight light of hope.
"No. There was just some bug stuck itself to me."
The Duke nodded his head proceed on looking at Xarth.
'You! Are you one of 'The Forgotten'?'
'What the hell is she saying?'
'Hmm...I swear I feel that aura in you.' she added with a slightly disappointed tone.
'What is she talking about? I want to let this thing go right now. I don't want to be further involved with the story.'
This made Xarth look for a way out of this troublesome scenario, Luckily Zero came in just in time through the door while holding a tray of refreshments.
Xarth immediately gallops his way towards Zero "Thank you! I was quite thirsty" and took the tray out of his hand. Leaving Zero with the artifact.
Zero was confused as to why was the artifact being passed around then suddenly.
'Good enough...but I most preferred the man with the bright Platinum Hair.'
Zero headed his gaze towards Xarth.
Xarth started mouthing Zero to ignore the Artifact's Rumblings. Which he didn't ignore, instead he loudly announced what the Artifact said.
"Xarth-nim the Artifact chooses you!" He loudly announced.
'This brat!!'
Xarth calmly looked at Zero "What are you saying? it didn't respond to me. And how could you even say that? Did the 'Mirror of Adea' talk to you." He retorted back.
Ezekiel then spoke up. "He has a point...Is the Artifact talking to you right now.' he added
Zero hurriedly tilted his head sideways implying that he disagreed.
This just made the three men in the room more suspicious towards Zero. Xarth witnessing this view made himself smile mischievously inside.
'Take that Uno reverse card! You brat!' Xarth happily thought to himself.
Zero was still denying it but the Artifact says otherwise.
'Okay. I'll start the contract process right now.' she tells Zero with a warm tone.
Zero looked at the Artifact surprised Because it was glowing bright white and black illustrating the Life and Death components of the 'Mirror of Adea'. And as he was startled by this he decided to throw the Artifact away. But it was futile as it sticks to his hand as a super glue would.
The light was so bright that the people in the room started to leave the area. Zero was speechless as he was left behind inside the room with the Artifact still stuck to his hand. The Mirror slowly rose in the air as the brilliant light from it surrounded Zero's body and then quickly disappeared like it was never there before.
The contract was a success! The New owner of the 'Mirror of Adea' for the first time in 30 Centuries was none other than. *Drumroll Zero our incredible Male protagonist.
Zero started to frown he was really pissed this time as he was already annoyed with The Drunken Blade speaking to him while swearing. Then another troublesome Artifact came in which can talk as well.
Xarth covered his mouth he was laughing silently while looking at Zero's expression.
The other three went inside and started complimenting Zero."Zero your amazing! Your already a Swordmaster in that age and your also the sole owner of a Divine Artifact! " The Duke implied with a bright smile and impressed tone.
"You're really amazing! I can't believe I'm acquainted with someone great like you." Ezekiel added
Harold gallops his way to Zero and started shaking his hands in a fast manner "It's such an honor traveling with you Sir Zero. To know such an amazing person. I'm so blessed!" he was smiling brightly as he said that.
Zero just awkwardly smiled back at him he then looked towards Xarth's direction with a quite annoyed look.
They made eye contact. Xarth took off the hand covering his mouth. Zero could see it twisted up. Xarth started to clap his hands with a nice rhythm, while still having that annoying smirk on his face.
This just made Zero boil more...He was preparing himself to rushed off at him but was only stopped by Duke Jidek.
The Duke yanked Zero's arms "Now we could kill 'Amoth' I'll be sure to Build a Holy Temple of Life and Death here in the City of Clona with your very own monument in it."
Zero was overwhelmed by all this and was left speechless while being dragged to go where 'Amoth' was sealed in.
They happily went down to the deepest part of 'Ischyr贸s Castle'.
(Decree_Woods)