Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 472: Old fox and the snake (2)

'Stay as long as you want, milord' the owner said and he return to the first floor to leave the lord with his thoughts.

The only one present inside the restaurant is the owner and his staff and this enigmatic young man. 

Restaurant is a Vanguan concept. 

Arrandians could not believe of course that Vanguan have an idea that would impress them.

Restaurant provided food, but high class food not found in taverns or inns. 

Only the nobles and merchant prince could dine in such places. Restaurant was first made in the King of Vangua palaces following one of the many cultures of the first Generations. 

To Arrandy, when they were undergoing much development culturally, ideologically, economically, and militarily during the rise of the Vermont's, the Vanguans was still divided among the nobles lord. 

So they were looked down upon by the scholars of Arrandy.

It wasn't until Vangua was conquered that Arrandians took the concept and elaborate it until the way it is today. 

One might say war is terrible, true, but it is only terrible to those who lose. 

The Emperor war has brought wealth unprecedented in the Human Continent history. United, the goals that need to be achieved can be accomplished easily. 

All the trade routes in the Empire is open to all traders.

In the past, each Kingdom has feud against each other and sometime when a kingdom get too powerful, the other kingdoms would try to plot boycotting or sabotaging the other Kingdom economically or militarily.

Under One rule, under One emperor, under One House, the Continent is united. It could be said, that the Human Continent is Eden Continent.

If not for the vast expansive areas of Great Renasia, Arial might have changed the name of the Continent.

Arial did not want to seek war with Great Renasia. Two superpower Empires in one continent.

If they battle, the war would lasted for decades, and the estimated casualties would amount to millions with the damage to civilized cities is incalculable.

And Arial knows that Renasian will fight to their last breath. 

Renasia knows this and so does the Emperor. This is why both of them enter in a truce and become trading partners.

The marriage between the two monarchs would theoretically join the two houses, Vermont and Renasi into one of the greatest union among Kings and Queens in all of the history of the Human Continent and guaranteed peace and prosperity.

There are many proponents of this marriage, spearheaded by Silas who prefer peace than war.

Silas is very vocal voicing his dissatisfaction with what has transpired in Zettel.

Zettel was consumed by the Empire, their wealth robbed, their lands confiscated and the Empire ruled all of it. 

With great management and distribution of wealth to the nobles and the people, Zettel will one day also rose from the ashes.

All the loot and the riches of Zettel was brought back to the Imperial Treasury and the Emperor uses that wealth to create jobs, forge relations with foreign nations, and stimulate domestic economy while at the same time trading with the foreign nations.

With no viable threats from any forces in the Human Continent other than Great Renasia, the Empire is thriving.

'Blood alone moves the wheel of history' the man said, as he sipped at the red wine. Then a man climbed the stairs to the second floor. 

It was the staff of the restaurant.

'Lord Regent, is there anything else you would like to order?' the staff asked.

Silas smiles.

'There is no need. I'm waiting for an old friend.' The staff understands and quickly climbed down to the first floor.

Silas is waiting for someone right now. And he has been waiting for a long time. Silas understand this kind of game. It is simply trying to rile him up.

He just smirked.

That old fox he mused.

'Hah' he sighed. It is a headache. Oliver what are you planning exactly? he mused as he take another sip of the red wine.

Outside a carriage stopped in front of the restaurant. 

A middle aged man with dark purple robe climbed down from his carriage, his cane supports his weak leg as he walked to the restaurant.

The middle aged man eyebrows are gray, and his smile is warm.

In front of the restaurant, one could see a guard, with armour that bear the crest of a dragon, an aura of power emanating from the guard, his eyes look at the middle aged man.

'Lord Oliver, you have come' the guard said. 

The guard did not bow neither he shows any respect to Lord Oliver. A Dragonguard. The only one they need to kneel down to and bow is the Imperial Family. 

Kneeling to other people could be seen as treason to their noble charge of protecting the Imperial Family.

All of them are the elites of elites. Even if Oliver has his private army he would not dare to fight a battalion of the Dragonguard.

'Lord Regent is waiting for me, I suppose' Oliver said, slightly smirking. That snake, what is he planning, summoning me? he mused.

The guard just nodded and continues guarding the entrance. 

One of Oliver vassal tries to follow Oliver when the guard suddenly sheathe his sword and pointed the tip to Oliver vassal.

'Lord Oliver, alone.' The guard said, his voice devoid of emotions

'Leave me, Walter. This is beyond you.' Lord Walter nodded silently, glaring at the guards, back off and return to the carriage. 

So, Silas, a show of power huh? he mused smiling. 

He enters the restaurant. As he enters he could see that the restaurant is empty. Then a young man came to him.

'Milord, Lord Regent is waiting on the second floor.'

Oliver nodded and climbed up to the second floor, his cane tapping the wooden stairs like a rhythmic music announcing his arrival.

As he reached the second floor he could see Silas, his hand twirl around the wine glass, bored.

'Old friend!' Oliver said loudly, smiling. Serpent he mused. 

Silas hearing the voice look up and see Oliver. He was too preoccupied with his thoughts that he did not realize that Oliver has come.

'Oliver. You are late.' This old fox making me wait for him Silas mused. Oliver chuckles in that kind of high pitched voice that Silas has always hated.

Silas knew that Oliver knew he hated that chuckles of himwhich is probably why Oliver is intentionally chuckling but Silas hides his expression of annoyance perfectly, always the perfect courtier.

Then Oliver seeing that Silas shows no expression of annoyance, stops his chuckle and said to Silas as he neared the table.

'I am an old man now, weary and tired. You could not expect me to have the same vigour as you. There are many things that need to be done in my estate. And surely, you, of all people are more occupied in your time than me. Why call an old man like me? I just want to live peacefully, looking the young ones guarding the Empire of our lord'

Hmph! Like I'm going to believe in you, Old fox. 

That smiles that seem so warm and harmless, how many times you have used it to charm people into telling them how to destroy themselves? Silas thought inwardly as he smiles at Oliver

'Please sit down, Oliver. I've made time for you, old friend, shouldn't you made time for me too? It has been a long time since we talked with each other.'

Oliver did not sit down, standing there straight, deliberating, and always showing that warm smile, his eyes is calm and he look like a generous middle aged man.

'Hah, Silas, your word is always poisonous. If I can, I would like to hear less from you.' He said directly but still he laughed, making it seems like his word looks like a teasing between old friends.

Oh, direct attack, huh? Silas mused.

'I am hurt, Oliver.' 

However this time, the warm smiles and the open countenance suddenly changed as Oliver eyes narrowed and his face harden and he look at Silas like he is going to eat himbut Silas remain calm.

How many times he has seen this change of expression that Oliver had? It could no longer intimidate him and then Oliver said coldly

'Spare me the act, Silas. You are a snake, I'm an old fox. Intrigues and plots, do you think you are the only one who excels in it?'