"What?"
"Something like a King is too small for me. If I were to become a ruler in this world, I would become an Emperor. However, I do not desire to be the king of this realm." Gilgamesh looked outside through the window and spoke these words.
Percival gritted his teeth and said, "Then, if you do not desire the throne, why do you require the assistance of the Purplehorse family?"
"I need a shield that draws all the attention from the outside, something that doesn't focus on my movements and allows me to act freely even if I dominate the entire world of commerce."
Gilgamesh then turned his gaze towards Percival and said, "By pledging your loyalty to me, you won't be offering your neck for others to tighten the noose. I will send Alastor, a current Sword Emperor, and several Sword Kings to protect your family. But if they are not enough, I will personally step in to deal with any enemy targeting your family."
After the rise of various families, it was common for assassins to be sent to kill their descendants, causing the family's growth to stagnate. That's why, by taking control of Gilgamesh's public moves, many would point their swords towards them to find out who was supporting them.
Percival Purplehorse was no longer furious; in fact, he felt numb from what he had just heard. Does Prince Gilgamesh have a Sword Emperor at his disposal?
"So, what services do you require besides being the face of your businesses?" Percival asked, not daring to question Gilgamesh's strength, as this young prince probably had someone very powerful backing him.
"The slavery business generates the most money after swords and magic books in this world. For that reason, I will buy all the slaves who arrive in this realm, and I want some of them to be trained by your family."
Gilgamesh raised his hand and continued, "I understand your confusion, but I won't buy the slaves without an apparent reason. I will need loyal workers who carry in their minds the gratitude of being liberated from their slavery. I need talented warriors and mages who can take care of what is mine."
"Your Purplehorse family will produce excellent knights, with principles of loyalty and greatness ingrained in their behavior. Besides what they will achieve by being loyal to me, they can stand out from the rest and eventually prevail over other noble families in this realm."
Gilgamesh didn't know what decision Percival would make, but since he had revealed so much, they wouldn't leave this realm alive if they chose not to be loyal to him. That's why he was committing the Purplehorse family to his path, ensuring that their secrets would be kept safe.
"I gave your family an incredible gift, I proposed a business that no other family would deny, so I hope for your cooperation and loyalty," Gilgamesh said with a gentle smile and added, "I hope you can make the right decision."
"I'm not sure what you saw in my family, perhaps it was just a twist of fate that we became connected in this way. But let me make something clear, the Purplehorse family consists of powerful knights with unwavering dignity. If you are willing to protect us, we will be loyal to you, as we are eternally grateful, and because your character is respected by ours."
Percival could do nothing but accept, as merely coming to this place meant that other families would be watching them. But when he heard Gilgamesh's proposal, there was no reason to refuse, so the smartest move would be to pledge loyalty to Prince Gilgamesh.
Everyone might think that simply showing gratitude would allow them to leave this mansion, but Percival knew it wasn't so, and they would likely be attacked if they didn't give Gilgamesh a concrete answer. That's why he had come to this meeting, as he wanted to judge for himself the prince Gilgamesh's attitude and make a decision based on that.
"I'm glad to hear that from you, Mr. Percival. Now, let's discuss the next steps. Firstly, I will send you 300 slaves that you will have to categorize into three different sections. The first is warriors, the second mages, and the third various talents. You'll need to consider the preferences of these slaves and whether their talent is worth it. You must decide based on whether their talent exceeds your desire."
Gilgamesh stood up and continued, "But you must remember that no one is indispensable; everyone should know they can be replaced. Therefore, after categorizing these slaves, you will begin their training. At the same time, I will start hiring warriors who are willing to pledge loyalty to me and seek power. They will need to be educated, and I will leave that to your family as well."
"Forgive my bluntness, but if you're not interested in the throne, is it necessary to have so many guards?" Percival asked, not quite understanding this particular point.
"Of course, they are necessary. I will need someone to kill the pigs and protect my treasures. I plan to take over the auction houses and create a significant business to gain authority and real power within this world."
Gilgamesh's response was cold, and Percival understood that even though he didn't desire the throne, he seemed to value the things he possessed greatly. He still didn't know how the prince Gilgamesh had made all of this work, but it wasn't his job to question and find logic in everything Gilgamesh did.
"It is rumored that certain gods walk the earth, and others are unknown to most people. For that reason, I need you to swear loyalty to me. In return, I will bestow upon you a special sword that will protect and judge you if you ever betray my hand."
"Do you have any enemies of that kind?"
"I have no enemies, Mr. Purplehorse. All you need to do is what I tell you, and I can assure you that glory awaits your family."
"What about what the other noble families will think?" Percival asked this question. He only needed to be sure of Gilgamesh's stance on the matter.
"Those families will disappear just as the prime minister did; there's no one who can stop me. So, before we embark on a journey through the world, we must automatically stabilize my plans... For now, I only need your oath and that of your family," Gilgamesh said as a brilliant ripple appeared behind him, and a sword materialized in the air.
"If you feel more comfortable, it's not necessary for your family to swear loyalty to me. You just need to be careful that outside influences don't sway your family members' decisions. Just know that a certain being can enter your dreams if you don't have an amulet to protect you, like this sword."
"I will ensure that everyone takes an oath in your honor, so as a show of my valor, I will pledge loyalty to you right now." Percival then took the sword in silence and knelt on one knee as a sign of the highest loyalty he could show to Gilgamesh.
"That sword will enhance your abilities and serve as an amulet." Gilgamesh said with a satisfied smile.
"Yes, my lord. From now on, the Purplehorse family serves only the faction of the prince Gilgamesh." Percival said as he held the sword in his hands and observed the mark that appeared on his fist. Without a doubt, this was a life contract.
However, something told him he had made the right decision.