Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 379

Chapter 379: Choosing the right man Chapter 379: Choosing the right man So this is the one Shahab recommended for the mission, Alpheo thought, his sharp gaze resting on the young man standing before him.

He studied him quietly, taking in every detail.

The envoy was younger than Alpheo had anticipated-barely a man by his estimation.

Twenty-five, perhaps even younger.

Certainly not the seasoned operative he might have envisioned for such a critical task, though the prince was even younger than him..

Still, Shahab had vouched for the man , and Shahab’s word carried weight.

That alone was enough to make Alpheo take this candidate seriously, though skepticism still flickered in his mind.

It wasn’t as though Alpheo had an abundance of options.

His network was small, fragile even, after all there were so many skilled people in a small state like his.

The task itself was delicate: to establish contact with a tribe that could be described as barbarians , people that he believed would be fiercely independent and wary of outsiders.

Diplomacy would require tact, courage, and a quick wit.

Alpheo leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming lightly on the table as he continued to observe the envoy.

His appearance betrayed little-neither arrogance nor fear, just a quiet resolve.

That alone was promising.

After all, the last thing Alpheo wanted was to send an envoy burdened by arrogance to a tribe where first impressions were everything.

Arrogance would only breed disdain, exposing a man’s thinly veiled contempt for the very people he was meant to negotiate with-a surefire way to close doors that should remain open.

On the other hand, fear would be just as disastrous.

A timid envoy would falter under the intense scrutiny of a people who valued martial prowess above all else.

To them, strength was life’s ultimate currency, and a fearful man would be seen as nothing more than a weakling unworthy of their respect.

No, this mission required balance-a man with enough confidence to hold his ground but not so much that it veered into condescension.  The envoy’s name was Aron, the third son of a knight who had served the court until his untimely death.  The informations he was given by Shahab detailed a string of modest experiences:He had participated in a few diplomatic missions to Oizen before the last war.

A respectable feat, though hardly impressive, considering that it came to war, the same one he had partecipated as a mercenary, and that kicked off everything from there, landing him his current position.

The truth was plain: Anor had no real accomplishments to his name.

He was a man with only a smattering of experience, enough to give him some credibility but not enough to inspire confidence.

Alpheo’s lips pressed into a thin line as he considered the options-or rather, the lack thereof.

There are certainly better choices, he thought with a touch of irritation.

But they aren’t mine to summon.

This one will have to do.

Alpheo leaned forward finally opening his mouth to speak “Tell me,” he began, his voice steady but with an edge that cut through the room’s quiet.

“Why should I choose you for this mission?” Anor blinked, caught off guard.

“Pardon, Your Grace?” .

“You heard me,” Alpheo repeated, this time slower, each word deliberate.

“Why should I choose you?

There are plenty of others I could send.

The only thing setting you apart from them is the fact that someone referred you to me.

So, convince me.

Why are you the one I should entrust with this?” The man shifted his weight slightly, his hands clasping in front of him as he tried to steady his thoughts.

“Your Grace,” he began, his voice gaining confidence as he spoke, “I may not have the most extensive record, but I’ve been tested in the field, I have been sent so other diplomatic meetings to represent the royal house.

Alpheo’s expression didn’t shift “I understand the importance of this mission,” Anor continued, his tone earnest now.

“I know this isn’t something that can be entrusted to just anyone.

But I believe I can adapt to what’s required” Alpheo sat back, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his chair.

He studied Anor in silence, his face unreadable.

After a moment, he said, “This mission is crucial.

The first contact sets the tone for everything that follows.

I cannot afford mistakes.” Anor nodded, the weight of the words clear in his eyes.

“And I won’t make any, Your Grace.

Give me this chance, and I’ll prove you were right to trust me.” His desire for this mission was genuine, driven by ambition and an understanding of the opportunity it represented.

To be entrusted with such a task meant more than carrying out orders-it was a chance to elevate his standing.

If he succeeded, the approval of the royal family would be within reach, and his influence in court would expand exponentially.

Until then he was just one of the countless courtiers there, now with this opportunity he could become someone.

Alpheo’s voice drew Anor from his line of thoughts.

“Understand this,” he said, his tone steady and firm.

“On this mission, you’ll come face to face with things that will feel alien to you, things that lie far outside your culture or sense of normalcy.

You will see practices, beliefs, and behaviors that you may find appalling or incomprehensible” He listened intently, his expression serious.

“No matter what you encounter,” Alpheo continued, his gaze sharp, “you must never let disrespect slip into your words or actions.

You are not there to judge or change them.

Whether they drink from the skulls of their enemies or burn children every year as some sacred ceremony to have bigger crops -that is not your concern.They are people that lived in a completely different cultures, always have a straight face when dealing with them.” Alpheo leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing.

“Your job is to maintain composure.

Keep a steady face and focus on building the foundation we need to create for our future there .

You’re laying the stones for a house we will build .

Do you understand?” Anor nodded firmly, meeting Alpheo’s gaze without hesitation.

“I understand, Your Grace.” Alpheo allowed himself a small sigh of relief, the weight of uncertainty lifting slightly from his shoulders.

“Good,” he said simply.  As he said so leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest as he studied Ranor’s determined expression.

After a pause, he spoke with deliberate clarity.

“You will be given a contingent of guards to safeguard your wellbeing,” Alpheo began, his tone measured.

“They will accompany you during the journey by sea and remain at your side when you set foot to commence your mission.”  “These men are not a luxury,” he continued, “do not grow soft when you are with them, they are a necessity.

You may face dangers both known and unforeseen.

Their role is to ensure that you return alive to report your success.” However before he could speak, Alpheo raised a hand, silencing any premature thanks as he was not finished .

“I don’t care what methods you employ to accomplish your task,” Alpheo said, his voice taking on a sharper edge.

“Persuade them, trade with them, flatter them-whatever it takes.

What matters is the result.

Fulfill what is requested of you.” There was a pause as Alpheo allowed his words to settle in the air.

His tone softened slightly as he leaned forward.

“If you succeed, there may be more work like this awaiting you in the future.

Opportunities that could bring greater rewards and recognition than you’ve dared imagine.Gods knows how much I require men’s of sweet words.” Hearing the invitation Aron straightened, his chest swelling with resolve.

“I will not fail, Your Grace,” he said with conviction.

Alpheo nodded once, satisfied.

“See that you don’t,” he said simply, the finality of his words dismissing any doubt of the mission’s importance.

With that exchange the soon to be envoy left the room.

The heavy door closed behind him with a soft thud, leaving Alpheo alone.

He leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh as the tension eased from his body.

He stretched his arms above his head, the stiffness of hours of working melting away with the motion.

Rising from his seat, he prepared to leave.

The sound of soft footsteps reached his ears before he turned.

Vrosk, his ever-watchful shadow, stood silently with another guard at his side, his expression as stoic as always.

Alpheo gave him a knowing glance and waved a hand dismissively.

“If you’re planning to hover, you can stay behind,” he said with a faint smile.

“I’m only going for a quick visit to see my wife.

Hardly the sort of excursion that needs an entourage.” Vrosk tilted his head slightly, his lips twitching with the hint of a smirk.

“Apologies, but I’d feel better accompanying you.

It would not look good for a prince to walk alone.

At least until you’re safely there.

Your wife made us a new ass when she discovered just how lax we are on the job; especially when she found Marx to be drunk on the job,” he quipped ”Not that it is our fault; you kind of spoil us.

At least when we are in the palace halls, in war you become another man as if discipline was your mother” Alpheo chuckled softly, shaking his head.

Don’t overthink it , she is under a lot of stress.If I was the one to deliver a child you would be certain I would be as approachable as a cockroach.

But if you want to accompany me in my stroll….

suit yourself then” he said, as he continued walking forward Vrosk gave a mock bow, his stern demeanor breaking just enough to let a fleeting smile show.

“Understood, Your Grace,”