Silence. A grim silence suddenly filled the merry environment as soon as Kahn made his proposal and asked for their friendship as a form of reward.
However, the Vampire Lord's face turned somber the next second and his aura rose again. Unlike before, this time his aura filled with wrath towards Kahn. Although he didn't release all of it.. Both Szayel and Albestros who were sitting on the sides felt like their soul had left their bodies.
"You.. You shouldn't chew something that you can't stomach. We're not some no-name clan sitting at the bottom of the food chain. Besides... friendship is done between equals.
And you should know better.. Both friendship and enmity with our clan have their consequences. Consequences that someone like you can't afford." warned the vampire clan leader.
"So are you telling me that your own son's life isn't worth extending your friendship to someone?" asked Kahn.
"Not quite.." replied Szayel's father without a hitch.
"Lord father!.." Szayel interrupted with an expression as if he was betrayed.
"Don't get me wrong, son. You're not well aware of the terms that come with such promises. He isn't just asking for some small gesture of friendliness. But for our backing and use our clan's name.
That is something which shouldn't be taken lightly." explained Ismatrazel to Szayel and looked back at Kahn who was enjoying the fragrant and soul-soothing tea without the slightest hint of fear or awkwardness.
[This brat! He's not even fazed..] he thought.
"You should know that I deal with hundreds of affairs like this on a daily basis. If not for you saving one of my children, no way in seven hells would someone of my stature even share the same table as you." spoke the clan leader.
"Can I be brutally honest, lord clan leader?"
"You may. So speak.."
"You should know how much resources and time people like you and I need to hone our skills. And I have no intention to spend years trying to make a living while working for somebody. I want to be free of these shackles and focus on something worth my time." clarified Kahn.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Kahn didn't actually need any money given his current wealth but he already had plans in his mind to bring in some big amounts of cash. Because soon, the number of resources and money he would require couldn't be just gathered by robbing petty nobles or raiding a dungeon.
At this explanation, even the clan leader felt surprised and perked his ears.
"You.. I assume you have something to offer in exchange. And you have planned this conversation since the beginning. Am I right?" asked the clan leader and leaned on his chair, giving Kahn an understanding gaze.
"What..what are you two talking about?" asked Sazyel with a puzzled expression.
"Since when?" asked the vampire lord as he ignored his son's question.
"As soon as I learned about Szayel's background." replied Kahn and shrugged.
"Okay, seriously.. What the hell are you talking about?" interrupted Szayel.
"So what's the big plan? It better be worth my time." spoke Ismatrazel.
Szayel was ignored.. Again.
The next second, Kahn stood up from his seat and did the gesture of pointing both of his palms towards a figure sitting on the table who had been quiet since the very beginning of this conversation.
"Lord clan leader, allow me to introduce you to.. Sir Albestros Winston! The Grandmaster rank Blacksmith of Flavot city!" declared Kahn in a grandiose manner.
"What?!" exclaimed both Ismatrazel & Szayel in shock. Both of their expressions froze as soon as they heard the name. And then they looked at the old man with an unkempt and long white beard.
Not even in their wildest dreams had the father and son duo imagined the mundane looking and disheveled old man to be a Grandmaster rank Blacksmith. The ones who were as rare as a phoenix's feathers.
On the other end, even the old man had a 'NANI?!' expression on his face.
"35%" spoke the vampire clan leader in haste.
"5%" replied Kahn.
"25%"
"10%" replied Kahn and rolled his eyes.
"20%"
"15%"
"Deal!" spoke Szayel's father and stood up to shake Albestros's hands.
"We will be in your care, sir Winston. I heard of your great name many years ago. I hope our relationship stays strong over the course of upcoming years." spoke the vampire lord and shook the old man's hands vehemently.
"What is actually happening?!" shouted Szayel who had no idea what just transpired here.
The grandmaster blacksmith looked at Kahn with an expression of disbelief and betrayal.
"Hey, kid.. Did you just sell me off?"
"Hahaha! In a way.. I did." chuckled Kahn and sat on his chair again after shaking the vampire lord's hand.
"Can somebody please tell me what are you people even talking about?!" raged Szayel.
His father replied to him the next second..
"This is why I haven't made you my successor yet. You can't even infer a business deal from our words.."
"And what this means is that I will soon open a high-end Blacksmith shop under Sir Winston's name. We will do the business and your clan shall provide enough connections from the shadows. In return, we will prioritize all the orders from your clan and also give you a 15% cut of the monthly profits." elaborated Kahn.
This was exactly the unspoken meaning behind their words. Only those who had experience in doing businesses would understand such a short talk. Kahn, who was an accountant in his previous life and Ismatrazel who dealt with his clan's affairs were well versed people at his. Their understanding transcended above the minds of normal people.
"Then speak like normal people, would you?" rebuked Szayel after being reprimanded by his father.
Albestros on the other hand felt like a knife was stabbed in his back. Kahn had taken such an important decision on his behalf without even discussing it with him first. But there was no sense of guilt or shame on the young man's face.
Kahn's smile looked rather.. Sinister. As if some shopkeeper sold a stone at the price of a diamond.
Although the deal was far beneficial to him and the direct friendship with one of the strongest forces in the entire empire would give him ten times the fame and wealth he had before.. He still felt wronged.
Because Kahn did him dirty.
Kahn on the other hand grinned even wider. This was indeed his plan as soon as he learned about Szayel's secret and escorted him to the capital. And that's also why he risked being killed by this clan's soldiers when they tried to infiltrate.
The money he could get as a handsome reward would last him for so long.. But this business pitch and that too with the clan leader of one of the strongest forces in the empire was a one in a million opportunity. And that's why he took such big risks and even brought the old man together with him in the castle.
But before any celebrations could be made.. The vampire clan leader spoke again.
"Before we make formal arrangements.. I want to do something. I hope you agree to my request."
"What is it?" asked Kahn with a confused expression.
To this, the Vampire Lord replied in a calm demeanor.
"Let's have a duel."