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"Golden archer... That's a curious nickname for a swordsman," says Anwar Cangani humorously.
"He is not only skilled with the sword, my lord. In fact, during the war, the Golden Archer broke Samael Entrial's sword with a single arrow," says Cael in a cheerful tone of voice that betrays something akin to pride.
'Seeing how he talks about him, anyone would think Emir is his son... I wonder what Emir has done to make the head of the Castemira kingdom's intelligence service think so highly of him.'
Hearing these words, everyone begins to murmur in surprise, since normally a person should not be able to be so skilled with two weapons as different as the sword and the bow.
"Dorian... you've been my best friend since we were children, and you're also the champion of this kingdom... But there are days when I'd like to strangle you. Tell me the truth, why didn't you tell me about such a diamond in the rough?" says the king, looking at his friend with a mixture of confusion and anger.
"Because he's more rough than diamond. The temple's accusations seem stupid to me, obviously, but they are right about one thing, and that is that the boy is a jerk. We tried to recruit him along with Cael, but he's not interested in money or fame," Dorian complains in response to the words of the sovereign of Castemira.
"Being in his same situation, you probably would have thought the same as him when you were his age. If my research is correct, the boy is just over 15 years old," says Cael, dropping a bombshell of information that visibly disturbs everyone present.
"Impossible," says Dorian incredulously, but he knows Cael would not lie to the king.
'Ha! I remember having the same reaction when I found out his age... but age means nothing. Emir is a better man than all the men in this room put together.'
"Good heavens! That boy is too powerful a weapon to be left unattended... if he weren't so powerful, we could... But no... We have to find some way to bind him to the kingdom," says Alejandro Nomizo, the political affairs officer, hurriedly, as he looks around the room at everyone present, hoping that someone will have an idea.
"Certainly... But how could we bind someone who has no ambitions?" says Geld Ruppel, the head of the treasury.
"I see that you are aware of his reputation... or perhaps you are simply speaking based on what Dorian said a moment ago... Either way, you shouldn't blindly believe everything you hear..." says Cael with a smug smile, earning a disapproving look from the king.
"... It's true that the boy doesn't need anything, as far as he knows, but I think we can give him something he doesn't know he needs."
"Speak, Cael! Don't play games with us. Remember where you are and who you're mocking," says the king in a harsh voice.
"I did not mean to mock anyone here, Your Majesty. In any case, I apologize if anyone has been offended by my words..."
At these words, Dorian snorts, stifling a laugh, then quickly hides his smile with his hand, for now it is he whom the king is censuring with his gaze.
"... Strange as it may sound, Emir has a strange rivalry with your youngest son, Anwar..." says Cael, looking at the patriarch of the Cangani family.
"... And I believe he also knows your second daughter, Helio..." he says, turning his gaze to the head of the Damore family.
"... Why am I mentioning these details? Because, as far as I know, Emir doesn't have many friends his own age. He has money, strength, and lovers to spare, but no friends. I think Yair Cangani could be that friend."
Cael's idea leaves most of those present speechless for several moments, as it is so absurdly simple that it seems impossible that it could work.
"Your idea is fine, Cael, but I think I have a better proposal. I'm sure my Stella could seduce the Golden Archer. What better way to tie him to the kingdom than to marry him to a girl of noble birth," says Helio, with a sly smile as he dreamily rubs his chin with one hand.
"Really, Helio? You expect us to believe that you are suggesting this selflessly and not to increase your family's power?" says Anwar, looking at him with a frown.
'Damn men and their obsession with power... That bastard has fallen so low as to think of his own daughter as a tool... Under other circumstances, I... but I have to restrain myself... Emir is different, and that's all that matters.'
Stella's father opens his mouth to respond to Yair's father, but Cael cuts off the potential argument by saying, "Ahem... I don't think that's our best option, Helio. At least not at first. Emir may distrust her if she approaches him without a plausible reason. Yair Cangani, on the other hand, has fought alongside Emir on several occasions."
Yair's father is visibly shocked by this information, but he says nothing significant and simply accepts the idea.
"I think we're going to take your idea, Cael, for lack of anything better. For better or worse, the Golden Archer is too powerful to be left to his own devices..." says Alfonso Fiore, looking around at everyone present to see if they have any objections.
"...Anyway, I want you to start monitoring his actions more closely. I don't care how powerful he is; I will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands in my kingdom. Considering all the circumstances, we will let it slide this time, but there will not be a second time."
'That's a nice way of saying you can't do anything else without looking like a fool... after all, you can't invalidate Emir's actual note without appearing to go back on your word...and the validity of the king's word is vital for them to keep their position.'
"I am honored by your trust, Your Majesty," says Cael, bowing his head obsequiously.
"Don't play humble; it doesn't suit you. Your years of service to my kingdom have forged the trust I have in you. I only hope you are not mistaken in your opinion of that boy..." says the king, after which he turns his gaze to the head of political affairs.
"... I want you to communicate this decision to the Solus Temple. And... we should send a report on this to the Ephire Kingdom as well. If things get tense with the temple, I want them to be well aware of the reasons for the conflict."
'I suppose that's the only way he can cover his ass... after all, the Castemira Kingdom is a tiny kingdom compared to the Sacred Kingdom... Whether they like it or not, they need the support of the Ephire Kingdom.'
"That's very clever of you, Your Majesty," says Alejandro Nomizo, taking note of the king's words.
"Which reminds me..." says the king, ignoring Alejandro's words and turning back to Cael.
"...I'm also going to need you to keep a close eye on the temple's actions. We must do everything we can to prevent more people from the temple from dying. I don't want to give the temple any excuse to bring their inquisitors into my kingdom."
"I give you my word that I will stop the murderer," says Cael, completely serious for the first time.
'Ha! That won't be difficult... I'm not going to kill anyone else now that I know it could cause problems for Emir'
"I'm glad to hear that. Also, while you keep an eye on the temple, I want you to investigate how much truth there is in the Golden Archer's accusations against the temple. If it turns out that they are all true..." says the king bitterly and remains thoughtful for a few moments.
"... we'll see what to do. For now, those are all the orders I'm going to give you."
"And I will carry them out to the best of my ability," says Cael, bowing his head again, but this time with a proud fire in his eyes.
"Hahaha... That's more like you... Now, let's move on to less serious matters. Alejandro, how are the negotiations going with that imbecile who occupies the throne of Drial Cenit? Has he come up with any new stupid demands that I can laugh at?"