Both of the Aakdani knights were wearing thin yet durable leather armor. They have a curved sword sheathed around their hips. The pommel was a circle with a scorpion carved in it. When they reached the gates of the Chronis manor, one of the Aakdani knights unmounted and told the Panteran knights guarding the gates that their king's envoy was inside the carriage.
After delivering the information to the lord of Arsida and receiving his command, the guards opened the gates of the manor and let the two Aakdani knights and the carriage inside.
Once the carriage stopped, its doors opened and a man came out.
The man was huge. He has short dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a mustache that sways at both ends. One could tell that the man was of great wealth or a noble with a single look, for he wore a fancy violet suit paired with a black cape on his right shoulder. His stare is intimidating yet appealing to some women who find his huge body and mustache suave.
It was Geleon Alexeas. The Aakdani noble of the rank duke, the one who sent the letter to Nireus about him being an envoy for the Aakdani king. As he waited for the lord of Arsida to come out of his residence to greet him, he took a glance at some of the people in the manor. His demeaning stare and puffed-up chest spoke loudly about how he viewed others he thought of as people lower than him when it comes to societal standings.
"Where's the lord of Arsida?" said Geleon. His voice was deep and loud.
One of Nireus's knights responded to Geleon, telling him that Nireus was about to come out and he apologized for the delay.
Geleon scoffed and started tapping his large foot on the ground with his arms crossed.
After minutes of waiting, Nireus appeared. Behind him were Theresa, Lyra, Konon, Donos, and Arsen. He allowed them to listen to whatever the two of them would be talking about.
Geleon smiled, "Greetings, Lord Chronis," he said as he did the Panteran bow.
Nireus responded to the same greetings and returned the gesture but only in the subtlest way. His bow almost looked like he just nodded. Geleon's face twitched. He wanted to make a scene, but although he is someone who thinks that he is far better than everyone else, he isn't dumb and knows that he is in their territory. So, he smiled.
"Lord Chronis. As indicated in the letter, I am here as an envoy of our king to retrieve the escaped prisoner last night. Of course, we will reward you greatly for your troubles, once we've gotten the girl."
Standing proud, Nireus smiled, "What rank are you, lord Alexeas?" he asked.
"Pardon?"
Nireus explained that he was curious how high the rank of duke was in the kingdom of Aakdan.
Geleon smiled. He puffed his chest even more, and closed his eyes while playing with his mustache, "I see," he muttered. Then, he opened his eyes and crossed his arms, "I am a vassal of my king. I own a huge portion of land."
"You own the land?"
"That's right. Unlike lord Chronis who only supervises Arsida, I am the ruler and owner of my land." Geleon said.
Nireus chuckled, "I see. Well, no one in Pantera could own such huge land. Not even our king."
After laughing as well, Geleon went again to ask for the girl, he even commanded the two Aakdani knights with him to bring the gifts out of the carriage. It was a box filled with gold, silver, and many other gemstones and accessories. A lot of it even has magical capabilities.
"So, lord Chronis, where's the girl?"
Still with a smile, Nireus remained silent for seconds. Then, he spoke, "I have a final thing to ask, lord Alexeas."
Geleon sighed and shook his head, "What is it now, lord Chronis?"
The lord of Arsida's smile disappeared, and his expression turned serious.
"You dare command me?"
His voice was the same, yet chilling. Geleon and his men felt their skin crawl. It was just Nireus's expression that changed but he was menacing, like a lion ready to pounce at any moment.
Unlike Pantera where overall prowess was the basis of ranks, nobility in Aakdan were assigned by their regent. People who are wealthy and intelligent could rise to the ranks even without improving their fighting capabilities. Geleon was one of them. Granted that he still bears the Zeal of the Noxious Scorpion and could fight, his skills were lacking and were only comparable to a Panteran knight's captain.
Geleon gulped, he has been in front of powerful people whose presence alone makes him submit. He only realized that Nireus was one of them. His instincts told him that he and the two knights with him wouldn't even last a minute against Nireus alone.
"T—that wasn't my intention, lord Chronis. I am merely here to enact my duty to my king."
Nireus's gaze didn't leave Geleon. He pulled out his letter and read it. After that, the Proud Lion's Zeal on his chest glowed, then, the letter was engulfed in flames.
"Tell me. Didn't that sound like you were commanding me?"
Geleon's heart began pounding. Hearing Nireus's voice with a serious expression sent shivers down his spine. He tried to smile, but because of fear, it appeared weird.
"I—I could see how it might sound commanding, lord Chronis. But, it wasn't my intention. I wrote the letter in a hurry and didn't have the time to check it."
"Is that so?"
Again, the duke gulped, his eyes started blinking. He figured he couldn't act the same way he always does.
"Forgive me if I sounded conceited, lord Chronis. It will never happen again."
Nireus nodded in response. His charming smile returned, "Well then, you may take your leave. Bring that box of gifts with you," he said.
The lord of Arsida's words left the duke befuddled. For the first time in his life, he has reached a conundrum where he couldn't foresee an end that would greatly benefit him. If he decided to return home without the girl, he would lose his rank, and nobility, or even be punished as he swore to his king that he would bring the girl back no matter what. On the contrary, he was sure he'd lose his life if he challenged Nireus then and there. His smooth sailing to the higher ranks in his kingdom has clouded his judgment and made him think that he was unstoppable. Geleon even believed that he could someday become king of Aakdan if he played his cards well.
Unable to utter a complete word, Geleon stood there, stuttering as he tried to say the right ones.
"What are you doing? Leave," Nireus said.
With the lowest bow, Geleon pleaded with Nireus to give him the girl. He offered him another box of gold or even how many treasures the lord of Arsida asked of him in exchange for the girl. The duke was pleading, but Nireus wouldn't budge and was even telling him that he didn't know what he was talking about.
Then, Neoma, who was peeking at them with Tiriara and Aeneas, caught Geleon's eyes. He had seen Neoma before and immediately recognized her even with her hair dyed. His eyes widened, and a grin formed on his face.
"That's the girl, lord Chronis," he blurted out of excitement while pointing at Neoma.
Nireus turned to them, he saw Neoma glaring and growling at the duke. Then, he returned his attention to Geleon, "Her? She's been a guest in my place for months," he said.
It was an obvious lie, and Nireus was mocking him, but he couldn't do anything about it. His bloated pride was down the drain, and he was mad, still, showing it to the lord of Arsida is a death wish.
"Please stop jesting, Lord Chronis. I've seen that girl a lot of times. She's the escaped prisoner. I know you dyed her hair."
Nireus argued that that girl's hair had always been black.
"I also recognize her face, Lord Chronis. Please just hand her to me, nothing bad will happen to her, I swear."
The lord of Arsida didn't believe him. He has dealt with some nobles from the kingdom of Aakdan before. In his experience, the promises they spout are shallow, and most of the time untrue. Only the oaths they offer to the Noxious Scorpion should be believed. Even then, some still break it. Something unthinkable for a Panteran. It wasn't only the case for nobles, but a lot of people from Aakdan. They were branded with the stigma of being petty liars. There was even a saying throughout Nusterra telling you to be careful with the poisonous words of a scorpion.
"You're right, it's her," Nireus said.
Geleon's face lightened up. He sighed, and then with a smile, he asked Nireus what he wanted to add to his gifts.
"You misunderstood me. It is her, but you'd leave this place without her."
"But, lord Chronis. She was from Aakdan, all I'm doing is taking her back."
Nireus stared at Geleon. Without averting his gaze, "Aeneas, come here," he said. He also told him to bring Neoma with him. Aeneas did as the lord of Arsida asked and stood beside him together with the others.
The duke thought that Nireus was simply trying to undermine him before handing the girl over, so he was still happy even though his pride was hurt.
"Do you want to come with him?" Nireus asked the girl.
Neoma shook her head and growled at Geleon, then said, "No!" aloud.
"You heard your answer. Now, go, before I get more annoyed."
Geleon was shaking with rage, "You can't do that, lord Chronis. Do you think our king would let this slide?" he blurted out of anger.
Again, Nireus's expression has gone cold. Without even saying a word, Geleon felt the pressure of his stare. His anger disappeared and was replaced by fear.
"Is that a threat?"
"N—no, it's just the truth."
"Draw your swords."
The two Aakdani knights felt the immense pressure and were about to draw their swords when they saw Nireus touch the hilt of his, but Geleon stopped them. He realized that his assumption of them dying within the first minute of fighting was true, they might not even last half of that.
"Forgive me, Lord Chronis. I couldn't control my emotions, please."
"Draw your swords."
As he felt that there was no way he could take Neoma with him, or even leave the place anymore as he provoked the lord of Arsida, Geleon only thought of doing one thing to survive. And that was to kneel.