Eren gulped nervously.
If he had the liberty to sweat in trepidation, he would have. If he had a way to disappear from the scene without anyone knowing, he would have done that in this instant as well.
Eren knew what Garos was talking about. He was the thief the Sage was looking for. Of course, the butcher wasn't aware that he was committing a "crime" at the time of committing it. He had just taken what he thought belonged to nobody.
The more he learned about spirit beasts from Nira Nightshade, the more he realized how fortuitous his encounter really was. He also doubted that Alephee knew an ideal environment had been created for the spirit beast's formation and growth. And that it could only be done by a Sage like Garos.
Alephee chose not to talk about a potential spirit beast owner at that time. This is because she thought Eren's cautious nature would have prevented him from messing with Sages.
Eren could only smile mirthlessly at Alephee's cunning. He might not have stopped himself from getting the spirit beast. But it would have remained on his mind like a constant brain nag.
Of course, no ranker from Eren's generation knew what the two Sages were talking about. They knew about the spirit beast spell program Edinburgh's army launched sometime back. It was still developing.
The spirit beast spell program was only meant to help rankers of their caliber. This program was specially made for Edinburgh army rankers who were about to join the war against Layos. These rankers didn't know that the spirit beast spell was actually an artificial way of creating something mother nature created naturally.
***
"Wh… what the fu…"
Gregory gulped empty air and decided not to use abusive words in his response. This was when Garos stared him in the eye while holding his neck and lifting him from the ground.
"I mean what… What are you talking about, Sage Garos? I didn't do anything like that..."
Garos snorted and cut him off.
"Don't bullshit me, Greg. You have infiltrated Edinburgh for some time now. And you are a Sage with water-element attainments. I guess Layos' higher-ups also have problems with me. Only you guys could do something like this.
Nobody in Edinburgh has the guts to mess with me as you did. Not even the current king is immune to this rule."
Eren pursed his lips and maintained an expressionless look while speaking in his head.
'Well… actually… in my defense… I didn't know.'
Garos tightened his grip on Gregory's neck even more before continuing.
"Looking back, I can say that you appeared in Edinburgh around the same time my spirit beast was stolen. It has to be you. I refuse to call it a coincidence, damn it."
Gregory looked at Garos with eyes that screamed "injustice" at him. He wanted to say that Garos was trying to change the puzzle itself to match the puzzle piece he had. But Garos' tightening hold over his neck prevented him from breathing normally. So voicing his innocence was the least of his worries.
Garos realized he had unfairly treated Gregory by looking at his reddened face. After all, he demanded Gregory to speak while making it nearly impossible for him to do so.
Garos turned his head to his side before speaking to the Sages of Edinburgh standing behind him.
"I'll bring Gregory with me. After settling your affairs here, send a notice to Layos. Tell them we have Gregory Grant as a hostage."
Marcus came forward and responded solemnly, "Yes, Lord Garos."
After examining Gregory, Garos scrunched his nose.
"Tell them it will be a war prisoner exchange.
I don't think this old fart has much value as a hostage. But we could still get Layos to release a few of our talented Grandmaster rankers from its clutches.
Those we sent to make a preemptive strike would still be alive. Let's bring our men back to us."
Only someone like Garos could say that Gregory had no significant value as a hostage. Of course, Garos' definition of such values was skewed from what was generally understood.
Garos had already considered a prisoner exchange at the start of the war. That's because Layos was not the only kingdom to try to create unrest in the enemy kingdom by infiltrating its rankers. The kingdom of Edinburgh also did the same, albeit on a much smaller scale and magnitude.
The young generation of rankers was glad that Edinburgh's higher authorities cared about their well-being even after getting caught by enemies. Gregory's command encouraged these young rankers. It encouraged them to take an active part in the upcoming war for their king and kingdom.
Of course, Eren knew what Garos had done. This was more of a political and psychological move than a command. There was a reason why he gave such orders out loud. It was important to him to have a certain influence over the young rankers generation. And from the looks of it, Garos' trick worked.
Marus had been assigned to handle wartime diplomacy for the most part. And the war prisoner exchange program fell into that category. But there was another process needed before wartime diplomacy could be initiated– primary contact.
Marcus, therefore, looked at Hansen, prompting him to respond to Garos. Hansen coordinated Edinburgh's army. He stepped forward before voicing his agreement.
"Certainly, Lord Garos. I will contact Manas Reach and ask him to convey the message to Layos forces."
Garos nodded at Sages standing behind him before looking in a particular direction in the distance.
"Larson? Are you here?"
A towering man in full knight armor appeared in front of Garos and kneeled. His name was Kev Larson, one of the Blood Punisher Force's on-field leaders. He was Meera Madinah's superior when she was alive and working for the Blood Punisher Force.
"Yes, Lord Garos."
Kev Larson was ready to receive his orders for the entire Blood Punisher Force.
AN: Manas Reach was introduced in chapter 714. Kev Larson was introduced in chapter 720.
