OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 191: Leaf Head

Chapter 191: Leaf Head

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[Do we attack?!] Lyra screamed in Emir's mind.

But he remained still, seemingly unaffected by the pressure.

Which was unlike those beside him, as even Lyra was struggling to stay straight.

[No... We both know how this guy does things.]

In the novel, Auric was described as someone family-oriented.

Emir thought that it was only shown on the outside, a cover that the man hid behind...

But it seemed to be true, based on how his daughter acted with him around.

So then it was confirmed to Emir that his other characteristic was also true.

This man loved a challenge.

Auric hated yes-men and liked those who actively challenged him.

He also loved the smart ones, wanting nothing more than to absorb them into his fold or at least have them as allies.

This meant that Auric's current threatening demeanor was nothing but a façade.

The moment Emir would try to defend himself would be the moment Auric 'won.' [He's quite childish, isn't he?] Lyra said, just realizing the same thing.

And as if he was listening to her words, the killing intent pervading the atmosphere dissipated as if it were never there.

Auric let out a laugh.

"...Goodman. I like you, and yes, you can ask two things of me, one for saving my daughter and the other for this info."

"Do keep in mind their importance." He added.

Emir didn't care for Auric's warning and licked the blood off his lips, sparing a glance at his knocked-out companions.

Both of whom slept away on the couch.

Showing Auric a nod, he said:

"Of course. Now regarding what happened..."

"We don't know of the person involved, as he had disappeared, but the man sneaked into the

nest, and after writing down runes, the monsters went mad."

"Anything else?" He asked.

'There's one thing, but telling you that might spell our doom.'

'Actually....'

[Lyra, keep your focus on his reactions; I'll try my luck at something.]

[Alright.]

Emir shook his head.

"No, but I've got a question for you."

"Yeah?"

Emir chose his words carefully:

"I'm curious about the motives of the man who did this...."

"Do you have any idea why he wanted the monsters to go mad and what his goal might be?"

Auric leaned back, a smile playing on his lips.

"Ah, motives... Who knows?"

"The workings of the human heart are complex, are they not?"

"That they are." Emir agreed.

"As for his ultimate goal, well, I suspect you already have some insights, don't you?"

Emir maintained his composure, not letting Auric's probing words rattle him.

Tap.

"I have my suspicions, but nothing concrete."

"To make sure, I'd like to know more about the runes and their connection to this whole thing..."

"Could they be what caused those effects on the monsters?"

Auric's eyes glittered with interest, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.

"...Runes aren't my strong suit, so I wouldn't know."

'So he doesn't want to share....'

'Well, let's see about that.'

"What about Aether cores? Do you think they could be affected?"

Auric showed no visible reaction and calmly stated:

"Aether cores are a delicate balance of energy. If someone were to interfere with them, it could have dire consequences, which would most likely lead to their destruction."

"But, of course, such actions are highly dangerous for both sides of the coin."

"The one attempting to interfere in the other's Aether core will spend a lot of his own Aether and well... you know what happens next."

Emir nodded.

"I see..."

Auric paused for a moment; intending to give Emir the time to 'process' what he just laid out for him.

"So now that I have satisfied your curiosity, tell me, are you suggesting that the intruder manipulated the monsters' Aether cores?"

'Good question.'

Emir hid his rising grin.

He knew the consequences of his plan going awry, but he couldn't let go of the chance to gain

more information.

"No, we didn't see anything that would indicate that."

"The guardian actually tricked me into doing his bidding, so I'd say I mostly lost time going

after false leads."

Emir's lies came mixed with embarrassing truths, only further solidifying his words.

Auric chuckled, but judging by his sharp red eyes, that was nothing but a front.

"Really now?"

"Yeah, I've only heard stories, but you know how rumors can be..."

-???.

"I was more curious about why that man would do all of this, 'cause the guardian didn't say

much."

Auric's smile widened as he appeared to have finally caught on to Emir's 'tell.'

A subtle shift of his fingers' position, a tap on his thighs, whatever it may be, after every 'lie'

his fingers had moved in some random way.

"But I don't believe that."

Emir's calm face faltered for a moment, an act that Auric noticed.

"What are you hiding from me?"

They stared at each other, neither of them blinking until Lyra finally cut into the silence:

"W-We should tell him."

|| ||

Emir looked at her for a while and then let out a defeated sigh.

'I lost.'

He had conceded the match.

"Lord Auric, I'm sorry for hiding this from you, but I... thought that you would kill us after

finding out."

Auric's face showed genuine surprise as he asked:

"I swear I won't. Now tell me, what is it?"

'Or so he thinks...'

There wasn't a soul in the universe who hadn't told a lie.

The glancing eyes, anxious pulse, subtle expressions, and nearly impenetrable movements...

Those were all tells of a lie.

But Emir had no such tell.

He had such a high level of control over his neural network that not even a lie detector would

work on him.

So, instead, he simply made others believe that he had one.

In turn, the lie would become the truth in the eyes of those opposing him.

"One of the Elite is involved-"

"QUIET!" Auric roared while standing up from the couch, his face twitching with fury.

Emir and Lyra immediately lowered their heads, their bodies threatening to collapse from the

sudden pressure that fell upon them.

Auric glanced around the room for a few seconds, and just as his eyes returned to the duo, his

killing intent finally dissipated.

Emir let out a long breath, and his trembling body looked up.

The GoldLeaf's head was before him, his gaze bearing down on him.

"Is that all you know?"

Emir immediately moved his head up and down.

"Did you tell this to anyone other than me?"

"N-no."

Auric nodded, showing signs of relief at Emir's stuttering answer.

'Heh, I guess I don't need her to confirm anything....'

The cautious dance they were both engaged in was now over; the tension had left.

Emir won the game while simultaneously allowing Auric to feel that he had done so as well.

A bomb was now planted in the upper echelons of Earth, one that Emir could detonate

whenever he wished.

[You're amazing.]

Emir glanced at Lyra.

[I learned from the best.]

She rolled her eyes and rested her head on her hands.

[I'll get you back for this one day.]

[And I'll be looking forward to that.]

Just as their conversation was over, Auric sat back on the couch.

"Alright... Forget this ever happened and tell me of your rewards."

Emir lightly bowed.

"We'd like the first one to be a meeting, one involving all the other family heads... And the

topic of discussion will be our Prince Emporium."

Auric raised his brow.

"Why all four? Can't you make do with us? Those involved in the situation?"

"No, our discussion would involve the other families as well, so them being there would

actually be to their benefit."

"Ah, I understand. That's doable."

"Now as for the second reward, I'd like an E10 augmented suit."

"Oufff.... I expected something expensive. Alright, I'll get you one now."

Auric easily accepted as he taped his terminal once.

'Was the info worth that much?'

[...Lyra?]

[Your thinking wasn't wrong; your opponent was.]

[They're the Gold Leaf family; a single E10 augmented suit might be worth a lot to you, and it

is, considering that they cost more than ten Valora, but to them, it's nothing but chump

change.]

[So even though the information is worth way less than that, it still wouldn't matter to them

in the end.]

Emir let out a telepathic sigh.

[I see... Thanks as always.]

[And it's my pleasure. Always.]

...So I made a loss there, huh.'

Shaking off those thoughts, Emir looked straight at Auric.

But before he could speak, one of the guards standing outside entered the room.

All three looked at the confused guard for a moment, until Auric spoke:

"You, reset your suit and strip."

"Yes, lord!"

The guard nodded and did as he was told, showing no hesitation.

After a few moments, he quietly set his augmented suit on the table and stepped back,

nakedly looking at Auric for further orders.

"That's all. Leave us now."

"By your command, Lord!"

'Poor dude...'

Emir shrugged his shoulders and turned to Auric.

"Lord, this might be rude to ask of you, but I must..." "Can you swear an Oath?"

Auric's smile burned brighter as he laughed aloud. "Haaah... Alright, I seriously like you.' With his hand on his secondary heart, he spoke:

"I announce this Oath, and I swear upon Aether, with the Oracle as my witness, that I will

reward Emir with the meeting that he asked for as soon as I possibly can." "Thanks for this, Lord... Is there anything else that you require of me or 'Amanda'?" Auric chuckled while staring at him, only replying after a few moments: "No, you two have done a great service to our family; this was only natural."

Emir and Lyra bowed towards him, and with no need for communication, each took hold of

one of their companions.

"Have a good day, Lord."

'Hook, line, and sinker...'

Emir then dragged Jake with the augmented suit over his shoulder, and Lyra carried Emma

right behind him as they left the premises.