Chapter 52: Looking for support (2/2)
Leaving dealing with the guards at the gate of the mansion to the girl, the archmage soon walked through a beautifully decorated garden, all the way to a small patio. Shielded from the sun by a huge umbrella, a man in the middle of his twenties was enjoying his leisure, resting on a large yet thin bed while handmaidens feed him some kind of stripes of meat.
”Did you finally notice my charms, dear?” Ignoring Layn's presence from the get-go, the man directed his head towards the approaching duo. 'Even though we didn't make a single sound while approaching…' Noticing this small detail, Layn's lips widened a bit. 'What a curious man!' Exclaiming in his thoughts, the archmage prepared for the scene that was bound to happen.
”Your highness, I brought someone who wishes to have a word with you.” Lowering her head in respect of the other party standing, Irea quickly explained after paying her respects. ”While his words might sound insane, I can vouch for him. In fact, he saved my life on multiple occasions, so I would be greatly pleased if your majesty could spare him a moment.”
Seeing the girl openly beg like that, Layn couldn't stand it. Moving forward, he placed his hand on the girl's shoulder, before forcefully bringing her up. ”This is my business. I won't allow you to lower yourself just for my sake.” Reprimanding the girl sternly, Layn then moved his eyes on the prince's face.
In the middle of his twenties, this man could clearly take pride in his appearance. Despite acting spoiled right now, there wasn't a single spare hint of fat on his body. Due to the lack of any kind of shirt on his chest, Layn could only observe the ripped muscles dancing under the man's skin with jealousy.
'I guess even being nearly omnipotent doesn't save me from those simple feelings…' Internally commenting on his own state of mind, Layn shook his head before speaking up.
”Prince, I came to you because I believe you are the only person capable of making full use of my treasure.” Stepping forward, Layn paid no mind to the handmaidens who instantly presented their weapons. The message was clear. Take another step, and you will die.
”Oh? And what treasure could that be?” Catching the prince's attention was the hardest part. Now that his curiosity was piqued, Layn could proceed without any real worries.
”Prince, I'm capable of finishing the artefact, capable of outputting about two and a half grade one stone worth of energy. Per hour, without any breaks, without any time limit.” Repeating the very same details that he already revealed to Irea, Layn smiled. ”It's both my, and the academy's wish to make use of this treasure to establish an area, where young cultivators could use this treasure to break through the energy infusing stage.”
By lying about the silent support of the academy, Layn managed to achieve two things. First off, the topic instantly raised several levels of importance in the prince's eyes. Secondly, Irea opened her eyes wide, putting a lovely expression of shock on her delicate face!
But there was one more, unexpected factor to this situation. Noticing how Layn's eyes instantly moved to the side, hunting for the adorable expressions of the girl beside him, the prince smiled widely. ”I see that you are a man of qualities as well.” Commenting out of nowhere, the young prince stood up from his strange bed before approaching Layn and reaching out with his hand.
Just the sight of it was enough for all his handmaidens to hiss like some kind of angered cats.
”You caught my interest. How about we discuss the details… In a more secluded place?”