A Gunslinger’s System in a World of Magic

Chapter 176: Compromise

"There's no compromise," Aurelius said through gritted teeth and though he was speaking to Eloise, his eyes did not leave Henry's face. Or his gun.

"Aurelius," Eloise said in a tone half placating and half chiding.

"We need to burn them!" Aurelius yelled as he shook the book hard in Eloise's face while his sword remained steadily pointed at Henry,

"Every bit of evil knowledge here should not be allowed to spread."

"And who the hell are you to decide what spreads? This is ours. It's our choice what we decide to do with it, not yours," Henry said and black eyes flashed a cold glint as he continued,

"Try and spark a flame or leave with any of these books and my bullet will go through your skull. I guarantee it."

For a few seconds, neither of the two said any more as they remained locked in a standoff while the groups in the Chamber with their eyes on the loot seemed to hold their breath and hope the fight began. The ensuing chaos would make it far easier to scamper away with some of the books.

Eloise sighed,

"I say again, there's a compromise," she said and turned to face Aurelius,

"Let them keep the books."

Henry's lips twitched in a smile. He was surprised Eloise was taking his side and wasn't sure why she would but he was glad she had.

Aurelius was of course, irate,

"What?" He asked in a sharp tone, "Of course, you'll side with him, a stranger, over me…"

"Aurelius!" Eloise said sharply in a tone that carried and the look they shared next was loaded with information that Henry was not quite interested in deciphering. Aurelius' stance slacked then even though his face was still contorted in anger.

Eloise cleared her throat,

"As I was saying, let them keep the books. It was their find and they do have the right to decide what to do with it."

"Thank you!" Louis said and took advantage of Aurelius' weakened stance and pose to rip the book out of the Knight's grip before he could tighten his hold.

"But," Eloise said with a hand directed at Louis as though to make sure she had his attention. It was as though she knew the moment he opened that book, the conversation would be lost to him,

"But, you donate them to the Alvareen Museum of Magical Antiquities."

Louis' ever-wide eyed glowed again but he said nothing. Henry guessed that was because he knew little of this museum. Or maybe the name just made him too awestruck to speak. A novel concept considering the Mage never really quite knew how to shut up about anything that excited him.

"You want me -us- to give this up to a Museum?" Henry asked in a slow voice like he wasn't sure he had heard right. But of course, he had.

Eloise smiled,

"Not just any Museum," she said,

"The Museum of Magical Antiquities is the largest collection of Magical knowledge in any one place. There are branches in every major city and the branch at Alvareen will be more than happy to relieve you of these books."

Aurelius' stance relaxed even more as he saw sense in Eloise's suggestion even though Henry was still not clear on all the details.

"Wait—" he started to say.

"The Museum will pay you market price for them of course," Eloise said as though she had anticipated what he was about to ask,

"I'll personally introduce you to a friend who will attend and appraise the books. You'll get what is fair for finding them and the books will be safe away with those who can best decide what to do with it."

Henry furrowed his brows and then glanced at Aurelius,

"You're okay with this?" He asked.

The Knight frowned, not at the suggestion but rather at Henry's casual tone. He pursed his lips before he said,

"The Museum would be a good place for the books. I'd still prefer to have them destroyed."

"Compromise," Eloise said in a singing voice.

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"And you think the people in the Museum won't use the books to perform all the evil you fear?"

Aurelius' eyes tightened.

Eloise seemed at ease,

"Like I said, we'll be visiting a friend. I trust her."

"Alright," Henry said with a shrug but of course, Eloise trusting her mysterious friend meant very little to him. Just as he had no intentions of holding up his side of the compromise.

He didn't even think he'd get to since he was not returning to Alvareen.

Aurelius dropped his sword and Henry dropped his gun. Eloise smiled, content with her peace-keeping but when she glanced at the books, it was clear she agreed with Aurelius' sentiments. She wanted no part of it. That could also have been because she wanted Henry, Louis, and Andor to have it all so they'd have all claim to the profits.

The groups in the Chamber had all relaxed from their battle/loot-robbing stances. Clearly, there'd be no commotion to take advantage of and if they were to start one, they shuddered to think how many of them the Knight duo of Eloise and Aurelius could cut down while the 'slaves' picked off the rest. Also, there was that black horse to worry about.

"Better to seize it outside," Norbert said like a voice of reason and, nodding in agreement, the others turned back to the Loot they had been grabbing off the walls.

There were Thirty books, all large with their varying differences in covers. Henry, Louis, and Andor had separated in three but as the others made to stow them away, Henry tapped them stealthily,

"Hand them here," he said.

He thought he'd have to explain his reasons but they just gave him their share of the books. Even then though, Henry gave a short explanation,

"They have their eyes on you. Bags make an obvious hiding spot. If they come for you, they'll come for the bags."

And so, with the smoothest passing wave of his hand over the stacks, he had them all in his Inventory in a second.

It had happened so fast that even if anyone had paid attention they'd have assumed the books had been stowed into Louis and Andor's bags.

And then, looting continued normally.

Andor seized wall-mounted treasures on the section that Henry had laid claim to and put it all in his bag. Louis did the same and soon, when the entire Chamber had been stripped clean, it was clear the Dungeon raid was over.

"Are you done?" Eloise asked Henry gently but it sounded like she had been waiting for him.

"Yes," he said, "Yes, I think we are."

"Then we should get out of here," Eloise said, "Dungeons don't remain stable for long after the Boss has been defeated."

"Oh," Henry said and he glanced at Aurelius who was making a point not to look at him. Flanked by Squires who were eyeing him curiously like the recent standoff had piqued their interest.

"Why haven't you left yet then?" Henry asked Eloise.

Eloise smiled a beautiful smile and her grey eyes seemed to twinkle,

"I was waiting for you," she said, "I have a proposition and I'd like you alive to hear it."

'Uh oh.'

"What proposition?" Henry asked with trepidation.

"I'm not going to tell you here, Henry," Eloise said and rolled her eyes. His name rolled off her tongue so easily it was as though she had been saying it for weeks rather than a few hours at most,

"I'll tell you outside.

Let's go."