Aesir couldn't afford to be bullied, so he let the monsters of the Danger Zone take his place.
Sitting down to recover his stamina, he watched with mild sympathy as Howard had fun dressing up the proud, semi-intelligent monsters like dolls in lewd plays. Howard was a strange old man indeed.
After a while, Howard ended his torment with a sigh of contentment. If Aesir didn't know better, he might have thought Howard had just received a divine massage.
"Well then, boy, you've put this old man through quite a lot dealing with those brutes for you. Sigh, at my age, I should have a fleet of young girls massaging my feet while I enjoy the sun..."
He blew a smoke ring from his pipe, lost in thought. Aesir bit back his indignation. He knew better than anyone how shameless old man Howard could be. Arguing with him would only end in defeat.
"Ah, forget it. I am Howard the Great, father of the modern age and pioneer of the future. A man like myself should be forgiving and understanding towards brats who can't even count to zero. Yes, such is my existence. Sigh, what would the world do without me? I shudder to think..."
Aesir couldn't take it anymore. He fell to his knees and spat blood, trying to curse in anger but only managing more blood. Howard's words had deeply wounded his soul and spirit. The old mage seemed oblivious to the effect of his words, continuing to praise himself and belittle Aesir.
Finally calming himself, Aesir approached the purpose of his visit with a pained grimace, aware of the delicate task at hand.
"Baron Howard the Great, esteemed father of the modern age and visionary pioneer of the future... My name is Aesir. I deeply appreciate the honor of witnessing your greatness earlier. It's an experience I will cherish for the rest of my days. If only I could inherit even a fraction—0.1%—of your greatness... I could peacefully depart this world knowing I had lived in the shadow of your grandeur, perhaps even beneath a statue erected in your honor in the world's most magnificent temple."
Aesir's words were chosen with meticulous precision, tailored to stroke Howard's inflated ego. It was evident that no one in this life or the next could wield language to sway Howard quite like Aesir. His ability to manipulate words was as potent as any weapon, ensuring he navigated delicate encounters with finesse and cunning.
Howard wore the biggest smile imaginable, his grin stretching across his whole face. He laughed and stroked his beard, clearly delighted by Aesir's flattery.
The old man was pleased beyond words and had taken a liking to this naive young boy who knew how to appreciate the good things in life.
"Boy, you are truly blessed to recognize my greatness. Someone like you deserves more than a minor role in the story of life, where I am the protagonist! From today, consider yourself one of the principal minor characters! Take this!"
Howard tossed a small vial to Aesir, who caught it awkwardly like a clumsy youth.
Checking the item's description, Aesir felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart. But he wasn't finished yet.
He would use this opportunity to exploit Howard's overblown ego and take everything from him. If he didn't perish in the process, Aesir would continue receiving rewards until Howard grew tired of him.
"B-Baron Howard! Such a gift for someone as insignificant as me? Wait, Baron Howard, an item like this could embroil entire kingdoms in a war lasting a hundred years, with the victor not daring to use it but preserving it as an heirloom! Baron Howard, are you saying you can give this away so easily? Does that mean you are more powerful than all the kingdoms combined? What a truly remarkable man! I am honored to be in your presence!"
Howard laughed happily. He was really starting to like this young boy a lot. Howard felt that it would be good to make him his herald so he could tell everyone how great Howard was. After all, not many people could see life's truths like this boy could.
"Boy, I want to make you my herald to spread stories of my greatness to the world. What do you think?"
Aesir acted surprised, but inside he was cursing. A herald? Greatness? This old man was just a perverted deadbeat with valuable stuff. Who cared about spreading his name? But Aesir felt trapped, so he hesitated and said, "R-Really? Would you let a foolish boy like me be your herald? Wouldn't I shame your good name?"
"Of course not! I wouldn't make you my herald without giving you something! Look at what being my herald means!" With a wave of his hand, a panel appeared before Aesir.
**Herald's Cloak**
**Grade: Unique**
**Silent Tracer: First Form**
**Effect: Faster movement and invisibility**
Aesir gasped at the benefits of being Howard's Fateful Paladin. These effects were almost impossible to get anywhere else. It made Aesir wonder if his fight with Kyle had been pointless. What scared him more was the idea that Howard might be a Grade 3 Mage King; if so, these benefits would be even better.
Howard blew a smoke ring, enjoying Aesir's surprise. Even though Aesir had a strong poker face from fifteen years of struggle, Howard saw through it easily. Not even the best players in the game were as good as he was. Howard was able to understand everything that Aesir tried to do.
"B-Baron Howard the Great... can I ask what Grade you are?" Aesir asked nervously.
Howard smirked and made a smoke ring that looked like a woman. "Take my heraldry, use my items, and you will see."
Aesir didn't need to ask an NPC about their level. Faction Online was an MMO where players and NPCs' health, energy, and levels were easy to see. But Howard's details were just question marks, which meant he was stronger than Aesir could see. That was okay; to give these items, Howard had to be at least a Grade 3, while Aesir was only Grade 0.
After thinking for a while, Aesir agreed politely. From his view, there was no loss here. These items were like wearing two really good things. Who could say no to that?
When he put them on, Aesir got a special title:
Howard's Fateful Paladin – Special Grade:
Players will get energy back faster. Also, skills will have a shorter wait time.
Howard's generosity seemed endless. Aesir took a deep breath and sighed heavily. By now, nothing could surprise him. Before leaving to complete his mission, he decided to ascertain Howard's Grade.
Aesir burst into laughter until tears streamed down his face, a small piece of his sanity lost forever to the madness of it all. Howard glanced at him sympathetically. Not everyone could witness his greatness and remain unaffected; it was why he chose to live secluded from the world.
"Alright, old man, let's drop the pretenses. Why choose me?" Aesir's composure returned swiftly, his gaze icy as he fixed it on Howard.
Howard, sensing Aesir's directness, nodded approvingly and straightened in his seat. He adjusted the lapels of his elaborate coat before responding. "You already know the reason, young Aesir. You possess a rare combination of skills and insight that make you uniquely suited for what lies ahead."
Aesir absorbed Howard's words with a measured nod. "How long has this plan been in motion?"
Howard let out a sigh, his expression clouded with the weight of the years gone by. Setting aside his ornate pipe, he leaned forward slightly. "About three years, give or take. It began as a seed of an idea, nurtured quietly amidst the challenges of our times."
As the conversation unfolded, Aesir's mind raced with implications. He understood the gravity of Howard's choice and the monumental task that lay ahead. Their exchange, though brief, hinted at deeper complexities and a shared understanding that bound them together in unforeseen ways. Aesir contemplated the journey that had led him to this pivotal moment, where his fate seemed intertwined with the ambitions and visions of Baron Howard the Great, a figure revered for shaping the future.
Aesir pondered silently for a moment before nodding decisively. "It will be done."
With a wave of his arms, Howard teleported Aesir hundreds of kilometers away, a journey that would take nearly three hours at full car speed. He didn't inquire about Aesir's destination, trusting the spell to guide him to where he needed to be.
Howard stood beneath the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy, sighing once more.