I Died and Became a Noble's Heir-Chapter 376: Negotiations Part III
"For the second favor, I need your backing," Jack said.
Eric’s diplomatic mask held, but his eyes sharpened with the wariness of someone who’d just heard a request that could mean anything. "Backing for what specifically?"
"That’s the thing. I’m not telling you." Jack’s grin widened at Eric’s carefully concealed surprise. "At some point in the future, I’m going to need the king of Elysium to publicly support me in a matter. When that time comes, I’ll invoke this favor, and you’ll back me. No matter who opposes me. No matter what the political cost. Your word, Your Majesty."
The study fell into silence as Eric processed the implications of what Jack was asking. It was, in essence, a blank check of royal authority.
An unlimited favor that could be called in at any time, for any purpose, with no way for Eric to prepare countermeasures or negotiate limitations.
"That’s..." Eric paused, choosing his words carefully. "That’s extremely open-ended, Jack. You’re asking for a commitment without telling me what I’m committing to. That’s not how these arrangements typically work."
"It’s exactly how this arrangement works," Jack replied with absolute confidence that bordered on arrogance. "You want me to investigate an assassination that might implicate royalty. You want me to navigate Caeloria’s internal politics while determining if demons are actively operating in the region. You want me to find evidence that prevents a war between two kingdoms that don’t trust each other, all while maintaining Elysium’s plausible deniability if things go wrong."
He leaned forward, his red eyes meeting Eric’s gaze with unwavering intensity. "That kind of mission requires someone who can operate without restrictions, make decisions without seeking approval, and handle whatever complications arise without worrying about political fallout. You need me to be autonomous and effective. In return, I need to know that when I eventually need the crown’s support for something, you’ll provide it without hesitation."
Eric studied Jack’s face for a long moment, reading the calculation and determination beneath the confident exterior. The young man sitting across from him wasn’t asking for gold, land, or titles. He was asking for something far more valuable. A king’s word as leverage for future plans that Eric couldn’t even guess at.
’He’s planning something,’ Eric realized. ’Something significant enough that he’s willing to trade investigating Caeloria for future political support. The question is whether I can afford to refuse, given how desperately I need this situation resolved.’
The silence stretched between them, broken only by the faint sound of wind against the study’s windows.
Alaric remained silent beside his son, but his golden eyes watched Eric with the focused attention of someone evaluating whether the king would accept such an unprecedented request.
Father Caelen and S continued their motionless vigil behind Jack, neither showing any reaction to the negotiation unfolding.
Finally, Eric spoke. "And you won’t tell me what this future matter is? Not even a general category or timeframe?"
"No," Jack said flatly. "Because if I tell you, you’ll try to prepare countermeasures or negotiate limitations. This way it’s clean. You agree, or we renegotiate the entire arrangement. I’m offering you a solution to a crisis that threatens Elysium’s borders and economy. You’re offering me your backing when I eventually need it. Equal exchange."
Eric’s jaw tightened fractionally, but his expression remained diplomatic. The calculation was simple: accept Jack’s terms and gain a powerful asset for resolving the Caeloria crisis, or refuse and watch the situation deteriorate into war while trying to find alternative solutions that probably didn’t exist.
The king of Elysium had ruled for decades by knowing when to compromise and when to stand firm. This situation required compromise.
"Very well," Eric said finally, his tone carrying resignation mixed with grudging respect. "You have my word. When you invoke this favor, I will publicly support you regardless of opposition. But I’ll remember this, Jack Kaiser. The day you call in this debt, we’ll both discover whether your judgment matches your confidence."
Jack’s grin widened with satisfaction. "Fair enough, Your Majesty. What’s the third favor?"
Eric inhaled, his demeanor subtly conveying a sense of urgency beneath his composed exterior. "The third favor is more immediate. A new dungeon has appeared near the Moonwell Shrine, where Lyra makes her pilgrimage."
Jack’s interest was piqued. "Convenient timing."
"Suspiciously so," Eric agreed. "The dungeon manifested approximately three weeks ago, around the same time as the Krogar ambassador’s death, though I have no evidence that the events are connected. The local Duke sent several parties of adventurers and soldiers to suppress it before it could grow dangerous. None of them returned."
"Total losses?" Jack asked, his tone suggesting professional interest rather than sympathy.
"Seventeen adventurers across four separate expeditions," Eric confirmed grimly. "Ranging from Silver-ranked to low Diamond-ranked. The last group included a Diamond-ranked mage who sent a communication crystal message before they were overwhelmed. According to his final report, the dungeon’s interior doesn’t match its external appearance. It’s far larger than it should be, with monster populations that have been growing for months rather than weeks."
"Accelerated dungeon development," Jack said, his mind already running through the implications. "That’s unusual. Dungeons typically take years to reach populations that can kill Platinum-ranked adventurers. If this one is managing it in weeks, there’s either something artificially accelerating its growth, or it’s not actually a new dungeon. It recently breached the surface."
"The Duke’s mages suspect the former," Eric replied. "They’ve detected magical anomalies around the dungeon entrance that could mean external manipulation, but they can’t get close enough to investigate properly without risking more casualties. Their current estimate is that the dungeon will reach critical mass and break within one to three months. When that happens, the monster population will flood into surrounding territories."
"How close is it to populated areas?" Jack asked.
"The Moonwell Shrine sits approximately half a day’s travel from the dungeon entrance," Eric said. "The shrine itself has minimal permanent population. Just a few priestesses who maintain the sacred grounds. However, the surrounding region comprises three farming villages with a combined population of approximately 2,000 people. If the dungeon breaks, those villages will be the first casualties."
Jack leaned back in his chair, fingers steepling beneath his chin as he processed the information. "And you need me to clear the dungeon before it breaks. Kill whatever boss monster is generating the accelerated growth, destroy the core, prevent the civilian casualties."
"Precisely," Eric confirmed. "The local Duke formally requested assistance from the crown after his fourth expedition failed to return. Under normal circumstances, I would send a royal task force, but given the dungeon’s demonstrated lethality and the timeline before the break, I need someone who can handle it efficiently and survive the attempt."
"Sera would probably enjoy fighting whatever monsters are inside," Jack observed. "Why not send her?"
"Sera is currently deployed on the western border, dealing with a different threat," Eric replied. "And even if she were available, her approach to dungeon clearing tends to be... destructive. I need the dungeon suppressed. The difference matters for future use of the location."
Jack’s eyes narrowed fractionally with interest. "Future use? You planning to keep the dungeon operational after I clear it?"
"That depends on the terms of compensation we negotiate," Eric said carefully. "Which brings us to the question. What do you want in return for preventing a dungeon break that threatens two thousand civilians and potentially our kingdom?"
