As our eyes locked, a charged energy filled the air between us. We both knew there were unspoken layers beneath our conversation, and the anticipation of deeper discussions hung over us like a thick fog. Subtle tension lingered in the carriage, hinting at the weight and importance of our exchange. I knew it and he knew it too, we were just waiting for it to be laid plainly on the table
We remained silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts as the carriage rumbled on toward the grand celebration in the capital.
Suddenly, my companion spoke up, breaking the stillness. "You should have seen my father's face when he heard the news about a sixteen-year-old boy killing one of the twelve high demons," he said with a tinge of admiration in his voice. "Immediately afterward, he gazed at me with such distaste...as if asking why I couldn't be more like you."
I stayed silent, allowing him to continue. His expression turned mildly confused as he saw my gaze on him. "Oh, please don't misunderstand," he quickly clarified. "I have no ill will toward you. On the contray, I admire you. After all, I share my father's belief that some are destined for greatness while others are meant to stay in the sidelines doing their own thing."
I couldn't help but be amused by Frolocht's way with words
"Do you see yourself as someone meant to stay on the sidelines?" I asked
His arms extended in a grand gesture, as he replied, "But of course. You are like a mighty torrent, only those stronger than you can withstand your force. The weaker ones either fight and succumb, or they renounce their fate." He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "However wouldn't it be better to simply swim alongside the current instead of fighting against it?" A satisfied smile played across his lips.
I remained silent, my gaze fixed on Frolacht. His smile faltered as I continued to observe him without speaking. As minutes passed by, his nervousness became more evident.
Without uttering a word, I moved to the side and opened a wooden box filled with an assortment of alcohol and food. Carefully, I selected two bottles - one for myself and one for Frolacht. Uncorking mine, I took a long drink straight from the bottle before returning my focus to Frolacht.
Confusion etched across his face like a series of delicate lines as he hesitantly reached for the bottle, the golden amber liquid sloshing gently inside. I tilted my head, silently urging him to continue drinking. He took a swig before asking, ''Is everything all right Favian?''
''Drink '' I said briefly ,as he reluctantly did
''Again , until you reach half of the bottle'' I said as I took a sip of it myself
As he took another one, his brow furrowed in confusion and apprehension . I watched as he reluctantly finished half of the bottle, his movements becoming slightly unsteady.
''What was that about?'' His words were slurred now, his speech muddled by the effects of the alcohol. Wow he really can not drink
My calm demeanor shifted as I explained, ''I have no patience for those who talk too much and I hate those who go around too many words to delve into the topic at hand. I am drinking so that you may find me less austere while you drink because I want to make sure you will have not as easy time talking. After all, a dizzy man is much easier to deal with than a sober one.''
As I too finished half of the bottle I smiled and broke the silence. "Now we may proceed," I said, my tone light with amusement. "I have a feeling the carriage breakdown was no accident, a clever ploy to ensure some private conversation. So go on, what's on your mind?" I raised a curious eyebrow, prompting Frolacht to take another swig from the bottle before launching into his thoughts.
"So you knew uh?" He said with a small chuckle "What is your opinion on our attitude towards demons?" he asked finally, his words slightly slurred from the alcohol but still conveying a serious tone .
Did I make him drink too much?Confusion flickered across my face. "What do you mean?"
Frolacht realized his mistake and chuckled sheepishly. "My apologies; I meant our strategy against demons. We've fought two wars against them, and yet, despite losing both, we haven't changed our tactics to deal with them "
Now that is a topic I am interested about... I thought about it a little before blurting my thoughts "We are far too passive," I stated with simple words "We simply wait for the demons to make a move and then respond accordingly. It's not a winning strategy, rather a sure-fire way to lose."
A satisfied smile spread across Frolacht's face. "That's exactly my point. But unfortunately, the old men in charge believe us to be too arrogant and inexperienced in battle, saying we still have not faced any demons to talk about how to fight with them . They refuse to listen to our ideas and continue down this futile path. Who knows, maybe they're right? But one thing is certain - we've never attempted an offensive strike against the demons. Since the thirty years they reached our shores , we merely turtled ourself in our land gradually losing grounds to them, while they get stronger..."
''So, what exactly is your plan?'' I asked, tilting my head to the side as I peered at him with curiosity. He took a swig from the bottle in his hand and let out a deep sigh before answering.Seems like I am a bad influence on him....
''To gather as much support as possible,'' he said, his words slightly slurred as the alcohol began to take effect. ''But more importantly, we need to show the kingdom at we are capable of fighting against them. And for that, I need you.'' His cheeks had turned a light shade of red from the drinking.
I furrowed my brow, unsure of what he was getting at. ''What do you mean by that?''
He leaned in closer and lowered his voice. ''I mean, if you publicly support our cause, it will hold more weight than ever before. Your father is the one who produces the weapons used by the entire kingdom. With his own son backing us, our faction will gain even more credibility.''
I couldn't help but state the obvious. ''So you want to use me to garner more support?''
He didn't flinch at my bluntness. ''Yes, I do. If we want to make any real progress, we need all the help we can get. You may not know this, but the military faction took a liking to your new tactics, some hail you as a tactical genius already'' he said with a small laugh'' you may be able to sway some of those old men on the court to join our cause...So what do you say? Will you lend us your support?''
Immediately after the battle with the demon, I had decided that from that point on, I would no longer be a mere pawn in the plot's game. If I truly wanted to prevent the kingdom from falling to the demons , I couldn't just delay the inevitable - I had to actively change the course of events in my favor. And if that meant delivering a crushing blow to the demons who threatened our world, so be it.After all if there was something I was sure on, it was that the strategy and tactics in this world were underveloped, while I instead had an actual knowledge of the tactics of great conquerors and warriors, like Caesar, Napoleon, Hannibal, Belisarius and many more , whose tactics none in this world ever saw ....I knew what I had to do.
With a fierce determination burning in my eyes, I locked gazes with Frolact and growled, "I'm in..."