"I take possession of Birmond's body, and in return, you're... you are granted custody of your nephew's remains?"
"Haha. I really like the look on your face now, Grimdawn. I… wha… hmm? what?"
Eren's proposition halted Carvel in his tracks. It took him a moment to process the implications of Eren's words. It dawned on him that Eren's statement meant Hamang, his nephew, had met his end in the battle.
He recollected having dispatched Hamang with a sizable contingent under his command to eliminate an unknown Ranker who was on the cusp of advancing into the Master Rank. At that juncture, the identity of this enigmatic Ranker remained concealed.
Yet, Carvel held confidence that Hamang, fortified with numerous subordinates and life-saving means, would easily neutralize this unidentified contender. In case they failed to thwart this individual's ranking ascension and they did indeed progress, the turbulence typically accompanying a promotion to the B-Rank should theoretically pave the way for Hamang's squad to dispatch the newly-promoted Ranker without much ado.
"How... how could he be gone?"
Carvel's voice trembled with grief and disbelief, his emotions spiraling. The commander of the Layos forces had opted to mute all external communication channels during the later stages of his confrontation with Birmond, intent on concentrating on the intense skirmish. Consequently, he remained unaware of the events subsequent to his command for his subordinates to locate and neutralize the unidentified Ranker, ultimately unveiled to be Eren.
Carvel glanced back at the assembly of Rankers standing behind him. Their eyes were downcast, avoiding meeting Carvel's gaze. Unspoken understanding permeated the air – Hamang had indeed met his end.
Recognizing the opportune moment, Eren decided to provide Carvel with tangible evidence of his words. From his ID Storage, he retrieved Hamang's lifeless body, severed head included.
"Here lie your nephew's remains, Master Carvel. Now, the choice rests in your hands. You can persist as the upholder of regulations, or we can both opt for a more conciliatory approach. What shall your decision be?"
Eren's expression remained neutral as he addressed Carvel. Recognizing Carvel's skepticism toward his previous emotional display, Eren adopted a more assertive stance. This slight shift lent authenticity to his previous performance.
Grandmaster Luan, attuned to interpersonal dynamics, deduced that Eren was prepared to leverage Hamang's lifeless body to secure Carvel's agreement, given that verbal appeals seemed to fall on deaf ears. This signaled to Luan that Eren was earnestly striving to retrieve Birmond's remains for proper closure.
'Damn this hardass elf.'
Eren cursed inwardly, observing Carvel's wavering stance. He rose to his feet, locking his emerald gaze onto Carvel, its intensity accentuated by a grim tone.
"Master Carvel, I urge you to make a swift decision. If you're truly inclined, I can grant you Birmond's ID Storage, allowing you access to his spoils of war.
It's highly probable that House Remus has implemented safeguards to protect key inheritances from falling into enemy hands upon Birmond's demise. In fact, every present Ranker would exercise similar caution, ensuring vital assets aren't vulnerable posthumously.
However, since you've claimed Birmond's ID Storage, I'll simply relinquish it to you, preserving your dignity," Eren's words triggered a noticeable shift in Carvel's countenance.
Instead of diffusing the tension, however, Carvel's eyes glinted with a more intense fury. Eren deduced that Carvel was listening to a report made by someone through the voice communication channel, receiving real-time updates on Hamang's demise as he and Eren spoke. Although not privy to the complete picture, Carvel was aware of Eren's involvement in Hamang's death.
'This is spiraling out of control and taking too much time,' Eren lamented internally, recognizing his diplomacy was falling on deaf ears. He couldn't entirely fault Carvel – rationality coexisted with emotion in Rankers.
'Diplomacy would not work anymore. I must resort to clear cut threats,' Eren concluded. Clearing his throat, he shifted to a chilling tone to vocalize his strategy.
"Grandmaster Carvel, it was indeed my hand that slew your nephew. Yet, what outcome did you anticipate when you permitted Hamang's engagement in this battle? Did you envisage his immunity from harm due to his relation to you and the esteemed Horin House?
We stand on a battlefield, not a sanctuary of impunity. I bear no desire to harbor enmity over Birmond's demise. I propose you do the same.
Deny me Birmond's remains, and Hamang's remains shall stay within my custody as well. In addition, fueled by ire, I might opt to erect a Grim Pillar in Hamang's memory at the heart of Grim Pillar Town. This scenario, I'm certain, requires no further explanation. You must have read all about me by this point."
Eren's tone turned menacing as he asserted his position.
Carvel's complexion flared crimson as his fists clenched in a surge of anger. Yet, Eren's words triggered a stark realization of the individual he was contending with. The title of Grimdawn, bestowed upon Eren by the kingdom of Edinburgh, had not been granted frivolously. Carvel couldn't disregard Eren's past, infamous for desecrating enemies' corpses.
The thought of Eren possibly applying the same disregard to Hamang's remains prompted Carvel to reconsider his stance. House Horin, a venerable force within Layos, would certainly be saddened by Hamang's passing, but their structural integrity remained intact. What truly concerned Carvel at this point was the potential damage to the clan's reputation, should Eren employ Hamang's remains for a Grim Pillar.
"Grimdawn, let this be engraved in House Horin's memory. I'll be sure to settle all my grudges the next time I see you on the battlefield," Carvel conceded to Eren's terms, embedding a veiled threat within his agreement.
'Does this guy think I'll not strike him first? I'll not waste my breaths in declaring my threats. Since you want this feud to continue, I'll be sure to respond in kind,' Eren thought to himself as he looked at Carvel silently.
Turning his gaze to Grandmaster Luan, Carvel continued, "Grandmaster Luan, under your supervision, I am prepared to execute the exchange of our fallen Rankers' remains."
Eren's chest heaved with relief at Carvel's unexpected compliance. While it foreshadowed the inevitable enmity of House Horin, securing Birmond's lifeless form took precedence.
'Cultivating that Grim Pillar Town wasn't in vain, after all,' Eren said to himself and smiled mirthlessly.
