CHAPTER 28: BEGINNING CONQUEST

The old man stayed silent for a while, staring at Aric as if trying to place him. Yet the longer he looked at the fourth prince, the more confusion welled up. He was certain he didn’t know him—though Aric seemed to find him familiar.

At least, that’s how it appeared.

"Do you... know me?" the old man finally asked. In that moment, the sadness in Aric’s expression dissolved, replaced by his usual blank look.

Aric cleared his throat. "Uh, no. I heard there was an inn open here."

His words only deepened the old man’s confusion.

"I don’t open until next month..."

’I’m too early... ’Aric sighed inwardly.

"Then forgive us for intruding, but we plan on paying for a stay here," Aric explained.

The old man hesitated, considering.

"How many rooms, and for how long?"

"We’re not certain yet, but we’d like to pay for the entire residence and keep it private until we leave," Aric offered.

"I don’t know... that doesn’t sound good for business," Hitoki mused.

"A hundred thousand. That’s how much we’ll pay—for this month alone."

"A hundred thousand silver... not bad. But..." the old man stroked his chin.

"Not silver," Aric clarified. "Gold."

The old man’s face tightened, skepticism flashing across his features.

"Is this some new kind of scam? What are you three really doing here?" His guard was up now, wary of the trio.

"I’m not messing with you," Aric reassured, retrieving a bag of gold from his inventory. "I’m offering an honest transaction." He tossed several bags onto a nearby chair, their seams spilling slightly open to reveal glittering coins.

The man’s expression shifted—not because of the gold, but because of how Aric had produced it. He assumed magic.

Hitoki stepped closer and pried one of the bags open further, confirming the contents. He glanced back at Aric.

"Isn’t this... too much?"

Aric raised a hand, as if refusing any refusal. "No, no. Consider it compensation for inconveniencing you before you’ve even opened."

The old man’s weariness softened, replaced by gratitude.

"You are too kind. Please, follow me. I’ll show you around."

---

Hitoki led the three through the large house, showing them the rooms and letting them choose where they would reside. When the tour was complete, he brought Aric into a study to finalize the agreement.

"It’s a fine house," Aric remarked, brushing his hand over the polished desk.

"Thank you. Though I have a question," Hitoki said, his tone shifting. It was a voice Aric recognized, one that drew a faint smile from him.

"No one else knows I plan to turn this place into an inn. So how exactly did you learn that... your highness?"

Aric turned, glancing at Hitoki, who now held a longsword, slowly wiping its edge with a rag.

"You cunning old man... you’ll get yourself killed for knowing too much," Aric grinned.

"Well, that’s my job, your highness. And I suspect you know that." Hitoki let the rag drop to the floor. "But even for me, this is confusing. If I’d caught the court’s attention, why send the sickly fourth prince—who, curiously, doesn’t look so sick anymore? A lot of things don’t add up."

"Despite what you are, I’m not here for you... unless you’re tied to the rebellion," Aric said.

"Please. Even I have my limits," Hitoki scoffed.

"Then you have nothing to worry about. So lower the sword, will you? You’re making me nervous."

Hitoki sighed and set the blade aside.

"I know better than to harm a prince. It was only for intimidation... though it didn’t seem to work."

Aric shook his head with a faint smile. "No, I was very intimidated, actually."

"Don’t patronize me."

Aric laughed—perhaps genuinely, for the first time since his regression.

"The things you know... how do you know them?" Hitoki pressed, curiosity plain.

Aric shrugged lightly. "Who knows? Maybe I’ll tell you someday. But not today."

Hitoki exhaled. "Fair enough. I can appreciate keeping one’s sources hidden."

"I thought you might."

"Aszer’s plan for rebellion... so it’s reached imperial ears. No offense, your highness, but if they sent you alone, they must not be taking him very seriously."

Aric stayed quiet, the thought gnawing at him. Could that be it? But he dismissed it quickly. Xavier was not a man to take rebellion lightly.

"Perhaps. But it doesn’t matter. What matters is that I have a job to do. And frankly, there’s no better place to set up base than here."

"But you know my occupation. Shouldn’t I be struck down by the empire’s hand of righteousness for my sins?"

"I’m no hand of righteousness. I’m just a man with a goal... and I see nothing but that."

The old man smirked before turning toward the door.

"Very well, your highness. Please, enjoy your stay in my home." He exited the study.

Aric circled the desk and lowered himself into the leather chair, leaning back with a long sigh.

[You have begun your first conquest: Byzeth Kingdom.]

[Conquest feature activated.]

[Hidden Base Established: Stronghold security +5%.]