Chapter 76: Englandraz
"This is about me," he said, his tone serious. "I don’t want them to say my father accomplished nothing good. Here I am! I am the son of the former king."
"What’s your plan now? I heard that the countries of Moonatoria and Dreamithrio are asking for help?" (Hmm, they’re in trouble, and they need us now? Convenient.)
"That’s what I was thinking. It’s a great benefit for our country to help them to strengthen our alliance, but just because they’re asking for help doesn’t mean they can just take advantage of us easily." (They’ll have to earn our trust and our aid this time.)
"I think you shouldn’t be so concerned about making the alliance a good one... back when your father was king, they were like leeches, clinging and sucking... but when your father died, they abandoned Englondraz as if they didn’t get any benefit from it." (I’m still bitter about how they left us.)
"The country was gradually sinking while no one came to help us back then. What they did was like a slap in the face... That’s why your mother was forced to quickly enthrone you in the position your father left. You know how hard it was to run the palace back then... we failed many times. But you proved to me what a good leader you are." (I was so proud to see you rise from that adversity.)
"Grandfather, may I ask you something?" Chroffer said.
"What is it?"
"If you were to choose?" Chroffer began. "What weighs more for you: choosing the suffering kings or a happy and safe child?" (I wonder what he’ll say. It’s a heavy question.)
"Hmm... that seems like a riddle. Grandson, this isn’t an ordinary situation where you just choose based on what you prefer or what weighs more for you... Think carefully, a choppy water may seem dangerous, but calm water is more dangerous because you can’t measure its depth." (The answer isn’t so simple, Chroffer. You have to look deeper.)
"It’s sad to think that I don’t quite understand this riddle because I don’t have enough basis to do what is more appropriate," Chroffer replied. (He’s right. I’m lacking a key piece of information.)
"If that’s the case, then your decision earlier was correct, wasn’t it... You need the inscription to understand this." (It all connects to the inscription.)
"Grandfather, you know I’m counting on you because with your help, I was able to raise the country of Englondraz, but something is bothering me, and he gave me this riddle."
"What is it, grandson?" said the old man Ozerio. (What is it that’s bothering him so much?)
"I know this isn’t the right thing to say, but I think the Time Entity spoke to me." (I still can’t believe it.)
"The Time Entity!" The old man Ozerio replied in shock. (This is huge. This is more than a simple riddle.) "There’s a story about that, that’s right... according to a legend based on prophecy... There is a being whose power controls the flow of time. He can play with all the events in a person’s life, repeating what happened without stopping. But the legend says that sometimes the being chooses a person to serve as a history and future fixer for the people of the world, but the weakness of man is what weakens the force of time. Grandson, that’s not a kind of challenge to measure your intelligence, but a prophecy that has been revealed to you," he continued. (This is a significant moment in history.) "If you’re sure about that being, you must find out what he wants to convey, especially since you are the one chosen for that challenge."
"Let me talk to a person who lives in the country of Dreamithrio, and he happens to be visiting now and will introduce his new player."
"Are you referring to Mr. Genmonth, Grandfather?" (Genmonth? What does he have to do with this?)
"Yes, him—we’ve been friends for a long time, and I heard he knows something about the inscriptions. He can help."
"A player?" Chroffer thought. "His son has been dead for a long time. Does that mean he found a new player as good as his son?" (Who could possibly be as talented as his late son?)
"I don’t know, grandson... But I know Genmonth’s taste, he doesn’t just choose someone who doesn’t meet his standards."
"It’s better to have him fetched now." (The sooner, the better.)
A soldier arrived, and as Chroffer expected, he was accompanied by a person. "Your Majesty, the friend I was talking about is here."
"Honorable leaders, a respectful greeting from you." Chroffer saw that this was not a rich or influential person but a normal person whose livelihood was business. (An ordinary man? This is not what I expected.) "I am the friend of your soldier, Khanid. I am just a merchant there in the northern town of Englondraz. I am Derfu."
"A respectable profession you come from, what is your connection to the inscriptions?" Chroffer said.
"He knows about the inscriptions?" Chroffer’s grandfather was astonished. (This man? How could he have any connection?)
"Yes, that’s right." He replied firmly. "I know the person who bought the antique inscription, and I think my friend brought me here for additional information." (My friend needs me, and I can also make a good profit.)
"Tell me, if that old inscription is really alive... I can’t believe it... isn’t it possible that the contents of the Inscription were secretly copied? To be used as a business." The old man said, who seemed to have a secret about the inscription. (This is a dangerous game. They shouldn’t be messing with these.)
"After all the inscriptions about prophecies, legends, and visions were collected—the former king immediately burned them before the reign of Chroffer’s Father." The old man still remembered the whole event, so he was surprised that an inscription was appearing now, as he witnessed the inscriptions being burned back then. (I was there. I saw it all burn. How could one exist?)
"But Your Majesty, I was there when the inscription was opened, but I just couldn’t understand its every line. Only the wise can understand or give an interpretation."
"Let’s assume there is one... but it’s not the original." The old man replied. (It can’t be.) "I’m too old to be mistaken in my suspicion. So I know what I’m talking about."
"If that’s the case, tell me now, where the inscription is, and I will buy it." Chroffer said. (I will do whatever it takes to get this.)
"What I know is that the person is in the country of Rhinoccarus. I was with him when he delivered that inscription to his home. He’s a rich and influential person, I don’t know what drove him to buy that antique."
"A rich and influential person?" The old man said. (Just like the one I’m thinking of.)
"Do you know him, Grandfather?" Chroffer said with a sigh. Iniiwasan kasi ni Chroffer ang mga tao na kasing tulad ng kanyang ama na ginagamit ang kapangyarihan at yaman para sa impluwensya. (Here we go again. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid.)
"No," said Ozerio, his gaze wandering with old age. "Just forget about it. I’m not sure either." His silence deepened as if he was remembering a nightmare. (I don’t want to bring up that horrible memory.)
Derfu’s eyes were like an arrow with a blurred mind, "What is the true value of that inscription, Your Majesty?" (He’s hiding something. What is the real value?)
The king leaned back in his soft chair and comfortably breathed freely. "I want to know something, and I think that’s the only way to resolve the thing that’s bothering my mind." (I need to know what the Time Entity wants.)
Derfu’s face, looking up at the seated king, seemed enlightened by a ray of light from the king’s response. "Is that so... I can help you talk to the owner of the inscription." The line of his smile grew longer, and he expected a good answer from the king. (This could be a big business opportunity for me.)
The king felt relieved of the tightness in his chest from all the worries and responsibilities he had to prioritize. What Derfu said pleased the king, so he showed Derfu how generous he was. "Well, when you get on the owner’s good side, I will give you a reward, let’s just say a bonus for your business." (I’m willing to pay anything for this.)
"Oh, Your Majesty, your kindness is too much." Derfu said as if the heavens had thundered a golden blessing upon him. (This is even better than I thought!)
"I am serious about my words. Oh, alright, I’ll send people to accompany you, and when you successfully bring the inscription, I’ll even increase your payment." Chroffer added. (This is a matter of utmost importance.)
"In that case, I can’t refuse this offer." Derfu said. His body was invigorated as if he was fed by the king’s promise. (I’m going to be a rich man!)
Agad na nag-utos si Chroffer ng mga kawal para sumama kay Derfu. At pagkatapos sinalubong noon dumating ang hari ng Dreamithrio. Para sa personal na pag-uusap tungkol sa negosasyon. Nagpatawag din ng pagtitipon ang hari sa mga lupon ng mga ambassador para sa pagsasaksi ng negosasyon nila. Mga importanteng tao sa Englondraz na nagbabahagi ng karampatang suhesyon at patnubay para sa mas hayag at malinaw na pagkakaintindihan.
The Negotiation
"Why are you treating me like this?" His hot voice exploded as he began to speak, his eyebrows raised and his gaze like fire. He looked around the smooth, porcelain-like table surrounded by the ambassadors of Englondraz dressed in appropriate diplomatic attire. In front of him were the vibrant colors of their old age in their hair, but in the middle of it was the king with shiny hair as black as coal, with a baby-like face. The companion of the king of Englondraz was wrinkling from a long period of service. "Our countries used to be allies. If there’s anyone you should be stricter with, it’s not us." He was like a serpent spewing venom and striking with that last word. (Who does this young king think he is? We were friends with his father!)
"I’m sorry, king of Dreamithrio... Times have changed, this is not the old Englondraz you know and can easily manipulate," said one of them. (We’re not going to be taken advantage of anymore.)
"You’re taking what happened back then too personally... you know that the king’s father was my friend, but it just so happened that we also had a deeper responsibility within our country, we couldn’t prioritize others at that time." (It was just bad timing! Not our fault!)
"If you want our help, let’s follow this agreement," Chroffer said. (My terms are non-negotiable.)
"You have a lot of guts to propose such an agreement." Klopheous said and scowled, facing them. "Elanthro seems to be better than the training your soldiers are doing here?" (He’s insulting our soldiers! How dare he?)
"We don’t have a problem if you don’t agree with the agreement. But that doesn’t mean their training is weak. And we don’t have time to listen to useless things." (I’m not going to be provoked.)
"If only the former king were still alive, we would probably be drinking coffee now. There wouldn’t be as much blathering as this non-diplomatic agreement." (Your father would have agreed with me.)
"The crooked ways of the king back then... are being fixed now, so don’t think that this didn’t go through a meticulous study," said the highest-ranking leader of the ambassadors. (We’re doing things the right way now.)
"There’s no point in arguing with you. After all, money isn’t a problem for us; it just so happens that— you ruined my good relationship with you," said Klopheous. (This is all your fault, not mine!)
"You’ve also said that money isn’t a problem, so you’re making it seem like we’re just after money and not the policy reform?" (This isn’t about money.)
"We spent years studying this new agreement for a better and fairer one. Are you just going to say that you can buy it with money?" (He’s devaluing our efforts.)
"What’s the point of this anyway, isn’t it just about money?" (It’s all about the money.)
"When you pay the soldiers the right amount, it doesn’t mean you no longer care about their lives. We’re lending lives, so we want lives in return. Just because you bought them doesn’t mean you can just let them go into a war without certainty." Chroffer said. "I don’t want us to misunderstand the agreement now, that whatever happens to them, it’s your responsibility to support the families they leave behind. Let’s just say, it’s still your duty to support their families even after the war is over, for a whole year." (My people’s lives are priceless.)
"This agreement seems too complicated, I’m just buying the soldiers, not their whole families. What is this, am I buying the whole population of Englondraz?" Klopheous’s eyes narrowed in great dismay, and he winced at the confusing agreement. (This is completely outrageous.)
"There’s only one answer to that, do you agree or not?" Chroffer said. (There’s no middle ground here.)
"Wait a minute, you seem to be pressuring me too much... I’m not the only one behind this... Let me talk to king Harthur, the king of Moonatoria; I think the wind will change here." His feet suddenly landed, and he stretched from intense annoyance. His nose snorted in great dismay. (I’m not the only one you’re dealing with.)
"We are not swayed by the sparkle of your wealth or Moonatoria’s." Chroffer’s chest expanded, and he calmly expressed his feelings. "I know that Moonatoria will face Thallerion again. But what pushed you to meddle in someone else’s fight?" (I know why you’re here. Don’t play dumb.)
"Oh, now I understand why you’re treating me like this, because you don’t understand the point of having an alliance." Klopheous said. (You’re too young to understand how this works.)
"And you also proved to me how much you belittle me just because I’m young and my experience in leadership isn’t enough, didn’t you?" Chroffer said. (I can read you like a book.)
"Anyway, this isn’t going anywhere good, we might as well meet again in the next few days." (I’m done with this conversation.)
"Don’t take it the wrong way, but we have no intention of ruining your former relationship with the former king here, and as the son of the king, I just want to clarify to you that, what we’re doing is for internal security and a proper agreement." (This is for the good of my country, not a personal attack.)
"I’m not dumb enough not to understand that, I know about these things but it’s just disgusting to think that you’ve become too personal in our negotiation." (He’s right, but I’m still angry about it.)
"In that case, king of Dreamithrio... We expect your proper response." said one of the ambassadors. He just stared blankly with his eyes and left with a sigh and an eye-roll. His soldiers followed him back to Dreamithrio. (I’ll show them.)
Chroffer and his grandfather met again, but the old man was accompanied by a guest he knew. He found out it was Mr. Genmonth, accompanied by a young man who looked to be his age. The man named Lebriel was introduced to him.
Lebriel showed a gentle demeanor, so he knew that Lebriel came from a family of a low-class status. Sometimes, Chroffer could easily identify people based on their manners of speech. (This guy is humble, but there’s something about him.)
"He is the one I told you I’m proud of." Said Genmonth, the full tone of his confidence in Lebriel’s talent was heard. He sat on a silver chair with a rich design. (Lebriel is my masterpiece.)
"This young man seems kind and trustworthy." The old man said as his eyes scrutinized him. Masyadong natahimik si Lebriel dahil sa ganda ng lugar na kaniyang nakikita, lalo’t siya’y hamak na katulong lamang. (He seems too quiet. Why is he so intimidated?)
"Don’t be shy, Lebriel." Genmonth said because he felt Lebriel’s silence was cold because the gap in his social status was too wide. "They are my friends, and the man in front of you, is none other than Chroffer, the king of Englondraz." Lebriel became a little flustered when he heard about Chroffer, who was a king. (Just be yourself, Lebriel.)
"Good afternoon to you, Your Majesty, the king of Englondraz." He poured his full respect as much as he could in front of the king of Englondraz. "... and also to you, Sir." (Oh, my god, I’m talking to a king. What do I do?)
"You’re making me too young, I’m an old man, boy, you can call me old Ozerio." Said old Ozerio. (I want him to feel comfortable.)
"If you’re proud of Lebriel, I’m sure he has an extraordinary quality." Chroffer said. "What is his job?" (What makes this boy so special?)
"I am just a servant of Heshun and I take care of Mr. Aritheo’s horses." Said Lebriel. Ang kaamuhan ng kanyang tinig na nagpapakilala ng kanyang mababang loob ang nagpahanga sa matanda. (I’m just a simple guy. I don’t belong here.)
"A servant but he learned how to ride horses?" Said old Ozerio. "It’s hard to be poor, all things in the world become..." (How did a boy from his background get such a skill?)