For the first time in his current life Kerren was afraid. This guy who currently sat on the chair was on a completely different level!
Not only he was far stronger than any person he has seen personally, even in his previous life... He could potentially become his enemy!
Such a person was not to be triffled with! Even if Kerren was really close to being a B rank himself... This guy was a High A rank, meaning that he could literally oneshot him!
Of course, that is he really was as strong as he thought, but Kerren was sure that there were no mistakes in his judgement.
His aura was enough to make his feel weird, let alone is actual power.
Of course, it was all in Kerren's head, if he played his cards right he could just complete the dungeon and never meet him again, so why fear him?
Because he could kill him? So what? He already died twice! Even if he did so... Kerren will come back stronger to take revenge!
As for his fear? It was just a momentary emotion because he wasn't ready to see such a guy here. He thought that he would see a High B rank at most.
...
- Julien. You've changed
The patriarch spoke first after evaluating "Julien"
- Indeed, father, i have.
Kerren stormed his brains to produce some noble-sounding words to not fail immediately.
- For what purpose do you want to become stronger?
That was such a cliche question that Kerren almost threw up on the place. "Why do you want strength yada yada"... Isn't the answer obvious? To wreck whoever you didn't like! To do whatever YOU like!
- I want to stand at the apex of this and any other world, father.
Kerren still chose to give him a different answer. Saying that he just wants to do whatever he wanted was too blunt, however, his answer wasn't far from that, it just sounded more appropriate.
- I see.
The patriarch simply nodded, without saying anything.
Silence attacked the room. Kerren simply observed the room, finding it somewhat nice, as it was properly built and the furniture stood on the places where he himself would place it.
The patriarch, on the other hand, was in "I'm thinking" pose, he even closed his eyes to... think faster, i guess?
After a few minutes, the patriarch finally spoke.
- I approve of your desire. You may enter the House Library and choose 3 books from it.
As Kerren was about to thank him...
- You may not copy them. You are not of my world, allowing you to read those is already a sign of my goodwill.
Kerren's mind shook once again! What the f*kk does that guy mean! He looked at the patriarch with a strange look in his eyes, as if questioning what he just heard!
- Indeed, i know what you are. My son, Julien, died in his room. Later that day, however, i got a report saying that he beat a butler. -- he expression was somewhat sad when he said it -- Even though he was a waste, he was still my son. I didn't love him, but... i wanted him to live.
His words resonated with Kerren. This guy wasn't a good father, but a good person. Even though his son was completely useless he supported him without breaking the boundaries. He could've expelled him from the house, but he didn't.
Some would say that he's a bad person, but... is he really? He was a noble and had a house to protect, he had many children, yet even the most useless among them was allowed to stay.
Kerren didn't think that he was wrong, but he wasn't right either. Thus, he started speaking...
- You are inside of a dungeon. Time-locked to forever repeat the same period of time, whether or not you allow me to do something i can start over and choose different books. So, i would ask you to answer seweral questions of mine for a promise from me to not copy anything.
Kerren decided to gamble. He would reset the dungeon if he sensed even a bit of hostility or a slightest disturbance in mana. It wasn't a stupid gamble, as knowing some things would be of great help to him.
The patriarch, however, didn't answer him for a long perioud of time. Kerren didn't rush him as it would be rude.
- I agree, but you will answer my question first... -- he paused for a second or two -- Did Julien love me? -- he could barely say those words.
- I dont know. I didn't get any of his memories as i'm special. But, judging from the constant bullying from others and your unwillinges to at least tell others not to be so harsh... i doubt that.
Those words of his wasn't a part of his plan and could easily anger him. He still decided to say them even though it'll probably fail the "raid".
- I see. What's your question then?
Strangely enough the patriarch didn't react at all to what he said. Maybe he didn't want to, maybe he couldn't. Whatever it was - Kerren didn't care, he brought it on himself.
- The dungeon started from the moment Julien died, did you feel anything strange during that time?
- I did feel strange, but it was due to his death.
The patriarch's answer was quick and proper, he didn't even flinch as he said it.
- Could you try to contact someone who is far away from you? This place is either a bubble or a proper world and it is not time-locked, i'm simply transported here to a certain point of time, i want to know what that is exactly.
- I assume it is to get even more knowledge from us? Smart. I will contact a friend of mine, he is 4 cities away from here, is that enough?
- I dont disagree with that, we're all humans, we have our own needs. As for the distance - yes, it is enough.
Kerren didn't bother hiding anything from him, why would he even try to? Would that change anything? No, but if he were to speak the truth he could give him more benefits or even allow him to do whatever he wanted.
As Kerren thought about all that the patriarch tried to contact his friend... to no avail. After failing, he tried several other contacts of his, but they all failed in the end.
- It seems that you are right. Even Imperial Agency doesn't respond, that should only happen if they were all dead, which i highly doubt.
Even thought he just understood that he is a fake living in a fake world... he wasn't upset, at least on the outside.
- That's bad. That means that when i leave you will die along with others.
- It is so. -- the patriarch was still the same as he was before, the only moment that was different is when he was talking about Julien's death.
- Do you want to stop me?
- No. But i have another question, would you like to hear it?
- Sure. -- Kerren was hesitant when he said it, would he ask him to stay here for a while or something?..
- Is swordsmanship prominent in your world?
That question was something Kerren didn't expect, but he could guess where it is going... he wanted to duel Kerren!
- It is, but i am not a swordsmaster. I am a mage, thus i seek magical knowledge. However, i do have some knowledge about swords.
- I see. Would you like to spar for a chance to gain more knowledge? If i deem you worthy, i will allow you to copy every single book in my House Library, there are many rare books there, some couldn't be found even in the Imperial Library. Of course, you can refuse and only read 3, i wont judge you.
This time, it was Kerren's turn to stay silent. He thought about every single possibility for him to beat the guy, but... it seemed impossible. There was a whole rank between them! But... he didn't need to do so, he would only need to impress him... With... what?
- Do i have to impress you with my swordsmanship or power? If it's the former i will have to refuse, i will only embarass myself and my world. The latter, however? I can try, if you promise not to kill me if i lose, i dont want to repeat this day. Moreover, i will have a chance to play my cards differently when i enter for the second time.
Kerren threw his cards on the table! It was a no-lose situation for him if he agreed! More than that, it shows that he was some dignity and he was fair, not wishing to play with his life!
- Smart. -- the patriarch smiled. -- It is fine for you to use any methods and i agree to not kill you. Even if you lose i will grant you a... bonus, as long as you are worthy of it.
As such, they agreed on a duel... So far, this guy was Kerren's strongest opponent!
Uhh.. Deathbed worm? Doesn't count, he blew up that guy, that wasn't a proper fight!