92 Private Conversation with the King (1/2)

The room was quiet. Each adventurer took turns reading each other's reactions and figuring out the consensus of the room. Rydel sat down, not having anything else to say. Jack and Maynard keep their eyes focused on the king, trying to look past his trained body language.

After a couple of minutes passed, Zariff glanced at everyone and stopped on Rydel, who in turn looked to Jack. When Jack shook his head, Rydel did the same.

Zariff understood their stance and spoke up, ”If you can't produce some kind of evidence, then we can't plan to act with you. I want the best for the kingdom and would love to stick it to that pompous mage more than you know, but I can't do that without one hundred percent confidence that what you're saying is the truth. I'm sure you understand that, Leo.”

”I do, and I don't blame you. I would do the same in your shoes.” King Leodoro laughed and shook his head. ”In that case, would you all mind leaving me alone with Jack so we can chat a little?”

”I don't see why we can't chat with everyone else here,” intercepted Jack. ”If you can say it to me, you can say it to everyone else.”

”Please?” the king stared at Zariff as if asking a favor of an old friend.

”You heard him, give the two some time alone.” Without another word, the branch chief stood up and immediately exited the room. Most did the same while a few stragglers, like Rydel and Maynard, took a little longer to step out.

Once the room was clear, King Leodoro walked over to the other side of the table and sat beside Jack, turning himself to face him directly. ”Now, I can finally speak to you in private.”

”What do you want? I don't want to waste my time,” Jack coldly stated.

”I'm sorry if I've caused you any harsh feelings and I hope that we can resolve those in due time. For now, I wanted to discuss a few things with you and ask your opinion on some things.”

”My opinion?”

”Yes, I'd appreciate it if you entertained a few of my thoughts,” said the king. ”First off, how on earth did you find a Hell-flame Fox within my kingdom? Please tell me that there isn't some horde of them hidden away near here.”

Jack showed a slight smile, amused by King Leodoro's way to phrase the question, unsure if he was genuinely concerned for his people or concerned for his royal position. ”I was lucky and, to my knowledge he's the only one here.”

”That's good to hear,” sighed the king, appearing more at ease. ”Then, on to the real matters at hand. I'm sure you're curious about who I really am, the arrogant man you met before or the simple king you met at the meeting moments ago, right?”

”You know how to get straight to the point, don't you?”

”I don't like to waste my time or yours. I'm a king, whether you accept me as your own ruler or not, and you're a hero, whether I accept you as an affiliate of this kingdom or not. At the very least I think we can respect that much, right Jack.”

”Correct, Leo,” replied Jack, returning the casual tone.

”Great. You may not have sworn loyalty to me, but I want to keep a friendly relationship. I don't think either of us would benefit from having another enemy,” stated King Leodoro. ”I want to know where you morally stand as a hero. Are you wanting to protect others, or are you only after strength and advancement like many heroes before you?”

”That depends on who the others are that need protecting. If they already have their own means of protection that's working just fine, then why should I interfere.”

”But what if their means of protection turned against them, then what would you do?” asked the king.

Jack hesitated. He pondered the possible meaning behind the king's question and was shocked by the thought of the Royal Court turning against the people.

”Obviously, the Royal Court won't turn on my people, not while I'm in charge,” added Leodoro.

”But if you weren't in charge? We could all sense some fear behind your earlier statements, so who could say you'd remain in power?” reasoned Jack.

”That's why I ask, what would you do?”

”Me…” Jack took another second to put his thoughts together. ”I'd do what I feel is best. If I feel that it's unjust, then I might act, but I wouldn't hold back against the aggressor.”