The Stonehearted Knight-Chapter 441: The owner’s goal

"The soul isn’t that easy to temper," the owner said as He handed a box with both items over to Hex.

"I know." Hex replied and took the box, feeling its weight. He didn’t flinch under the piercing gaze of the owner but he did look at the box in surprise. ’This is some special wood, it seems. It hides the traces of the energy almost perfectly. I can sense the dense energies inside but that is because my senses are enhanced.’

"If you want you can use this space to proceed with the process. No one will disturb you and I will be close to assist if things go awry."

Hex was about to leave when the owner made his offer. He hesitated.

On one hand, he would rather not risk it. Who knew what would happen during the process. If his secrets were laid bare before this person, he might never return.

On the other hand, it was risky. Who knew what would happen during the process – his soul might end up being destroyed.

A tough choice. His grip around the box tightened. The soul was delicate and he had very little experience dealing with it.

’I either risk being injured or being exposed.’

The owner seemed to have guessed that he was in a dilemma.

"You are hiding something, aren’t you?"

Hex looked up. His expression remained unchanged and he managed to keep his heart rate steady. Even the slightest of change would be enough for Him to learn a lot.

"What do you mean?" He chose to counter the question with another question, giving himself a way out from having to answer.

"No one would refuse help when it comes to the soul. No one. And certainly not from me."

The owner continued to smile as He brushed the fur of the white rabbit. His eyes remained on Hex as did the eyes of the rabbit.

It was a weird beast.

"Maybe. But everyone would refrain from exposing his soul, and with that their most precious secrets, to a complete stranger. Or are people so happy to show you their most vulnerable side?"

"Excellent point," the owner agreed with him. Surprisingly.

"Can I leave now?" Hex asked, preparing for the possibility of a no.

"You could and you can. Anytime. I never stopped or blocked you. I was merely offering my help?"

’He seems to be telling the truth. I didn’t sense any chance in the space around me. Does that mean he is serious about helping me?’

"Why?" He asked. The owner might genuinely be willing to help. That much he could believe, albeit with some caution. But there was no way he believed that help would come free. There had to be a price.

The owner finally stood up. The white rabbit hopped over to his shoulder.

"I owe your mother a favor."

From the several replies Hex had thought of as possible reasons, this hadn’t been among them.

"Mother?"

"Elaena. The Saintess?"

"Oh."

It had been so long since his relation with the baroness had been mentioned, he had almost forgotten that he had two mothers. Elaena wasn’t the name he knew but there ¹was so little known about her.

"Is that why you agreed to a deal that benefits me immensely?"

"For a part, yes. Does that bother you?"

"Not at all," Hex said. "Whatever the reason you might have had, as long as you have agreed and will continue to uphold your side, I am more than happy to make use of the benefits."

"That sounds good to me." The owner grinned.

"So, what are the other reasons?" Hex pressed on. "And don’t say you will let me know when the time comes. I don’t mind owning something. I do mind not knowing what you believe I owe."

The owner looked at His rabbit and then looked back to Hex.

’Did it nod?’ Hex waited but readied himself to leave if things regressed. He even gathered some Souldust.

"When you reach the finals there will be a chance to retrieve one divinity crystal. I want you to get it for me."

That was it? Hex waited but the owner didn’t say anything further.

"Why do you need that one? You said you have a few up for sale yourself?" Hex remembered that clearly.

The owner hesitated and waited for the rabbit’s nod to explain more.

"The ones I have aren’t the ones I actually want and need."

Hex had an idea what the owner meant. Divinity crystals were nothing more than an upgraded version of the crystals within creatures. Each had its own fragments. It would seem that the owner wanted a specific crystal that would suit his growth the most. It still didn’t explain everything, though.

"Why not exchange for the one you want? You are open to barter for it. Why not be a little more daring and ask the Oldest One yourself?"

The owner fell silent. He seemed to be struggling with saying the reason. The more reason for Hex not to agree blindly.

"Tell him."

The rabbit spoke. Hex eyed it suspiciously. Talking animals weren’t unique if they were at a high stage. Hex couldn’t perceive anything special from it, which was a clue in itself. The rabbit was a Devil or Sin stage beast. A powerhouse who liked to be petted. And who could kill him.

The owner seemed to trust His pet a lot. A part of Hex wished to know their story. But there were more important things to be discussed. Like the owner’s goal.

"I want the crystal of Ahmason, the god of trade and coins."

God of trade? It made sense. In a way. He was the shopowner and maybe the crystal could alleviate His powers.

"I can try. But how do I find it? And how are you sure they will give us the option to choose?"

"The Oldest One is doing everything to remove the excess of divinity it had absorbed. The Crack is about to be destroyed. Enemies and allies are all readying to arrive here the moment it does. That has been the goal of this tournament too. For those lucky and strong to do so."

Hex looked at the man with his mouth open, trying to suppress the shock he felt. Such a major thing was about to happen and he hadn’t known. Maybe no one he knew knew about it. That wasn’t the point.

He imagined the mayhem once the Crack disappeared. He had to prepare for the worst. But the owner wasn’t done.

"And this is how you will find it," He continued, pricking his thumb. A drop of blood floated out and moved toward Hex. He could sense the dreadful amount of energy in that drop. He stepped back.

"Let it merge with the token. It won’t do anything else to you," the owner instructed.

Hex held the token up and the blood dripped on it, dying it red.

"This will point you to it. The blood and the divinity crystal are of the same source. My father’s."