I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Chapter 375: Negotiations Part II

Jack studied the king’s face for a long moment, reading the layers beneath the explanation. ”You want me to babysit your chosen one for two weeks because you can’t spare your other chosen one. That’s the first favor.”

”Essentially, yes.”

”That’s doable,” Jack said after a pause. ”But what about Sera, or the other chosen one I’ve never met?”

”Hah... Sera is a maniac at best. She does as she pleases, and I only ever call upon her at times of war. It’s best that way. And the other one... never leaves the magic academy in Elysium. Even if we went to war, she would never leave.”

’What kind of chosen one never leaves a magic academy...’ Jack pondered.

”First thing,” Jack said immediately. ”A piece of land in the capital. Prime location, large enough for a significant commercial building. I want to open a shop, and I want it positioned somewhere nice to expand my business.”

Eric’s eyebrows rose fractionally, but he nodded. ”That can be arranged. The capital has several properties that would suit. Consider it done. What else?”

”One at a time, King Eric. A favor for a favor.”

Eric’s expression shifted to something more complex. ”The second favor is more complicated. I need you to travel to Caeloria.”

Alaric’s attention sharpened immediately. Father Caelen’s serene expression remained unchanged, but something in his posture revealed his heightened awareness.

”Caeloria,” Jack repeated slowly. ”The elven kingdom. You want me to go there because...?”

”Because events are unfolding there that could ultimately lead to war on our borders.”

He paused, choosing his following words with obvious care.

Jack’s red eyes blazed with interest. ”You’re being deliberately vague, Your Majesty. What kind of ’events’ are we talking about?”

Eric leaned forward, his expression deadly serious.

”Three weeks ago, a Krogar ambassador was killed while traveling through Caeloria territory.”

Jack’s expression didn’t change, but his fingers steepled beneath his chin. ”Krogar. The orc kingdom?”

”Yes,” Eric confirmed. ”The ambassador was traveling to Caeloria for trade negotiations when he was murdered. The circumstances are... unclear. No definitive evidence pointing to anyone specific, but the ambassador is dead nonetheless, and Krogar is holding Caeloria responsible for failing to protect him on their soil.”

”Political mess,” Jack observed neutrally. ”But why does this involve me? Seems like something your diplomats should handle.”

”Under normal circumstances, yes,” Eric concurred, his tone conveying a gravity that implied the circumstances were far from ordinary. ”But there are complications. First, the nobles of Krogar and Caeloria don’t trust each other. Decades of border tensions and trade disputes have created an environment where neither side accepts the other’s word on anything. Both kingdoms have requested a third party to conduct an investigation. Someone with no political ties to either nation who can be trusted to find the truth.”

Jack’s eyebrows rose fractionally. ”And you volunteered me as this neutral investigator?”

”Not exactly,” Eric replied. ”I have dealings with both King Maelor of Caeloria and Queen Mor of Krogar. Trade agreements, diplomatic relations, and the usual connections between neighboring kingdoms. When both sides approached me separately requesting Elysium’s assistance, I saw an opportunity to prevent a war that would devastate the entire region.”

”Still doesn’t explain why me specifically,” Jack pressed. ”You have diplomats. Investigators. People are trained for this kind of work.”

”Both kingdoms have specifically requested a chosen one,” Eric said bluntly. ”Someone with the power to defend themselves if the situation turns hostile. A chosen one carries weight that normal envoys don’t. And you, Jack Kaiser, are the only one who can do it.”

His words just hung there, as Eric had already tried everything else.

”You mentioned complications,” Jack said, like he already knew at least one. ”Plural. What’s the second complication?”

Eric’s expression darkened fractionally. ”Demonic residue was found at the scene of the murder.”

Alaric’s golden eyes blazed with sudden intensity, though his expression remained carefully neutral. Father Caelen’s serene mask finally cracked, showing concern. S’s presence behind Jack became somehow more oppressive despite not moving.

”Demons,” Jack repeated, his voice carrying no particular emotion but his red eyes blazing with interest. ”Demons killed a Krogar ambassador on Caeloria soil.”

”The evidence suggests demonic involvement,” Eric clarified carefully. ”Whether the demons acted independently, were summoned by someone, or are part of a larger pattern. That’s what you would need to determine. Both Krogar and Caeloria are demanding answers, and the presence of demonic residue has escalated the situation.”

”Because if demons are operating openly in that region, it’s not just a murder investigation,” Jack said, understanding the situation. ”It’s a potential invasion threat that could spread to other kingdoms. Including Elysium.”

”Exactly,” Eric confirmed. ”Krogar is demanding justice, reparations, or the right to send their own forces into Caeloria territory to investigate. Queen Morvanna is refusing all three, claiming it would violate their sovereignty and set dangerous precedents. The situation is deteriorating rapidly, and without intervention, war is inevitable within months.”

”And war between Krogar and Caeloria puts Elysium directly in the crossfire,” Jack concluded. ”Both geographically and economically.”

”Krogar supplies Elysium with several critical resources,” Eric said, confirming Jack’s assessment. ”Orichalcum for our weapons, rare minerals for magical infrastructure, and trade routes that connect us to kingdoms beyond. If they go to war with Caeloria, that trade stops. Worse, the conflict would destabilize the entire region. Refugees, bandit activity, and potential demon expansion. All of it threatens Elysium’s borders and prosperity.”

Jack kicked back in his chair, his mind zipping through scenarios and calculations like he’d learned to think several moves ahead.

The situation was complex, politically sensitive, and potentially lethal. Precisely the kind of challenge that made most people hesitate.

His grin widened.

”So you need someone who can investigate without triggering diplomatic incidents,” Jack said, laying out the parameters. ”Someone powerful enough to operate in hostile territory if things turn violent, who can find evidence of what actually happened and present it in a way that prevents war.”

”That would be accurate,” Eric agreed. ”You would have full authority to investigate as you see fit. Both kingdoms have agreed to provide access and cooperation. Though how genuine that cooperation will be remains to be seen. Your mission would be to determine who killed the Krogar ambassador, whether demons are actively threatening the region, and provide evidence that both kingdoms can accept as truth.”

”And if royalty is somehow involved in the ambassador’s death?” Jack asked, his tone suggesting he’d already considered the possibility. ”If the evidence points to Caeloria’s royal family orchestrating this to frame someone or cover something up?”

Eric’s expression remained carefully neutral, but something flickered in his eyes. ”Then you report what you find. The truth, regardless of who it implicates. That’s what both kingdoms are requesting, and that’s what I’m asking you to deliver.”

’He’s not telling me everything,’ Jack realized. ’Either he suspects someone is involved and wants confirmation, or he genuinely doesn’t know and is hoping I’ll uncover whatever conspiracy is brewing. Either way, he’s putting me in a position where I might need to expose or eliminate someone powerful. That’s not a small ask.’

”Interesting,” Jack said finally, his grin never fading. ”Very interesting. And what exactly am I getting in return for potentially starting a succession crisis in Caeloria while preventing a war and investigating demon activity?”

Eric leaned forward slightly, his expression showing genuine curiosity about what Jack would demand for such a dangerous and politically sensitive mission.

The king had clearly anticipated significant compensation requests, but Jack’s following words made his eyebrows rise in surprise.