The pieces of the puzzle began to come together. The special academy uniform, the arrogant attitude, and that extensive knowledge.
"Why do you want to recruit us?" Rayand asked, his guard not yet fully lowered.
"Aren't you tired of always being chased by the Marland Kingdom?" Arvin asked, stabbing right at their weak point. "Don't you think about your families? Living on the run, sleeping on muddy ground? I'm pressed for time! Just bring Gaile here!"
Ignoring the barrage of questions, Rayand focused on Arvin's request to duel Gaile immediately.
"Huh? What did you say?" Rayand was confused by the leap in logic. "Why do you want to duel him? Gaile could snap your neck with one finger."
Arvin looked at Rayand seriously. "It doesn't matter! I just want him to exert his full strength when fighting me. If he does, I will cure his daughter who is seriously ill. But if he refuses, I hope he accepts the reality that his daughter will die because of her illness!"
Rayand's gaze sharpened. This student was truly dangerous. How could he know about Gaile's sick daughter? That was a closely guarded secret.
"Rayand, do you want to waste time just because of your suspicion?" Arvin pressed. "If you're late, his child will die, you know!"
Then, Arvin pointed toward a rickety house in the distance. "Just order the two assassins lurking over there to pick him up!"
Now, Rayand was completely cornered. He felt the young man in front of him was no ordinary student.
Only a handful of people knew their hiding position, and even fewer knew the position of the shadow guard assassins. But this young man detected them easily.
"You two!" Rayand shouted toward the shadows. "Meet Gaile immediately and tell him to come here right away for a duel. Tell him... if he exerts all his abilities, his daughter will be cured!"
Two figures emerged from the darkness of the alley, nodding quickly. "Okay, we'll pick him up!" answered one of them before disappearing again.
One of Rayand's colleagues whispered worriedly, "Are you sure about bringing Gaile here to duel with him? What if that kid dies?"
"The young man doesn't have a shred of hesitation in challenging him," Rayand whispered to his colleague.
Meanwhile, Arvin noticed someone not far from where he stood.
The man was sitting pensively in front of a house that was rickety and could collapse at any moment. His clothes were shabby and his gaze was vacant, as if he had no hope left.
"Hey, you over there!" Arvin called out loudly.
The man pointed at himself as if asking, "Are you calling me?"
Rayand and his four companions immediately looked at the man who was sitting in confusion. They just stared blankly, looking at Arvin and the man alternately.
In their hearts, they wondered, why is he interested and calling that man in the middle of this serious negotiation?
"Why are you staring blankly while pointing at yourself? Is there anyone else near you?" Arvin asked sarcastically.
The man stood up and approached him with hesitant steps.
"Why did you call me, young man?" the man asked.
Arvin smiled thinly looking at the man's shabby face. "Lorrin Fravoin, a fallen noble as well as the great strategist who was betrayed by his own kingdom!"
Lorrin was shocked when Arvin knew his full name and dark background. He stared into Arvin's eyes with deep suspicion.
"Are you a spy from the Flamort Kingdom?" Lorrin asked in a low voice, full of wariness.
Arvin rolled his eyes lazily. "For the second time, I am asked the same question. Did you not listen to my conversation with them?"
"I heard it!"
"If you listened to our conversation, why are you asking such a ridiculous thing?"
The man fell silent, not answering his words, feeling he lost the argument.
"Lorrin, I guarantee the safety of you and your family! Become the strategist for the Vedegra family!"
Lorrin's eyes widened. "A-Are you serious? I have been betrayed so often that—"
Arvin didn't let the man finish his sentence.
"Do you think the Vedegra family is that despicable? The choice remains in your hands and I won't force you!"
A choice that would determine his fate made Lorrin think hard. He still felt afraid because he had experienced too many betrayals in his life.
Lorrin stared into Arvin's eyes very seriously. His gaze was so intense, investigating every inch of Arvin's face searching for a lie.
Arvin, being stared at in such a way, felt uncomfortable.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Arvin blurted out suddenly, putting on a look of dislike. "Sorry, but I'm not interested in you!"
Lorrin jumped in shock hearing Arvin's words that suddenly went off track.
"What?! What do you mean?" Lorrin immediately dismissed the words in panic. "Don't speak carelessly, young man! I already have a wife!"
Arvin just waved his hand, indifferent to Lorrin's panicked reaction. "Good then. Back to the topic!"
Arvin grabbed Lorrin's arm again, this time with a fairly strong grip.
"Think of your pregnant wife, Lorrin!" Arvin said in a serious tone. "If the Vedegra family betrays you, come to me and kill me! I won't fight back!"
The sentence hung in the air, heavy and full of responsibility.
Lorrin looked into Arvin's eyes deeper and more seriously. This time, he didn't see any intention to play around or utter a lie. He only saw the steel determination of a young noble holding onto his principles.
"Do you swear you will guarantee the safety of my family?" Lorrin asked with a trembling voice.
Arvin released his grip, then placed his right hand on his left chest, standing tall.
"I, Arvin Vedegra, swear I will not betray you!" he said loudly.
His voice was so loud and heard by Rayand and his men. There was not a shred of doubt in every word that came out of his mouth. The oath he took was a Soldier's Oath and was a very sacred thing in this land.
Lorrin knelt before him, tears welling up in his eyes.
"I can feel your sincerity and without hesitation, I swear I will be loyal to the end to the Vedegra family!"
Everyone was truly surprised because Lorrin decided to be loyal to the Vedegra family.
Rayand, who had been watching in silence out of confusion, now gaped in disbelief.
Rayand's shocked mind murmured heavily as he watched Lorrin kneeling before Arvin. That stubborn man could be melted by him? Are you kidding! I've even tried to recruit him many times to Red Sand but was always rejected outright. But that young man... he only needed to speak once to convince him. What is his secret?
Rayand stared at the back of the young man in front of him with a look of considerable curiosity. Is it because he is a member of the Duke's family? Ah, impossible! Lorrin really hates and doesn't trust nobles because he's been betrayed too much. This must be because of the young man himself.
Arvin looked at Lorrin, the man kneeling before him.
"Lorrin, you are kneeling before the wrong person! You should swear loyalty before my father, not to me!"
Lorrin looked up in confusion. "Aren't you going to be the heir to the Vedegra family?"
"No!" Arvin answered casually while flicking his robe. "I'm not interested in being the heir and have handed over the inheritance rights to my younger brother. For now, I only support from behind the scenes."
That answer made everyone fall silent again. This young man was full of surprises. He had the authority of a ruler, yet absolutely no desire for the throne of power.