"It worked. I got him to believe in me, not being interested in gaining back the abyss grace," Osita thought to himself, while outwardly showing no expression. "Your highness, like I said before, your world gave me an opportunity to live a new complete life and have a family of my own, which I have come to treasure. I would like to be alive to see my wife give birth to my kid, so the coordinate is a guarantee to my life from both you, the gods, and other body parts, so I won’t hesitate to use it as a threat when my life is threatened."
While he said that, Osita thought to himself "the threat probably wouldn’t have mattered if your parents were available but since they are then that works out the best for me"
Ikem looked at Osita and said "you mean the human woman sleeping upstairs"
For a second, Ikem saw Osita flinch so he smiled and said " Would you dare give away this world coordinate knowing that she and your child will suffer from your choice"
Osita stayed silent but Ikem continued "No need for the serious face, nothing has been done to your wife and child but something may happen and it will all depend on your actions from now on"
Osita still stayed silent, meanwhile Ikem wanted to push more to see the limit on which Osita can take when it comes to his wife and kid but he knows when to stop so he said.
"We both are at an impasse, I am forced to admit that this world is also now partly your world. So why don’t we brush past the threats and discuss how things will work out for both of us from now onwards" Ikem said looking at the silent Osita.
Osita unclenched his fist as he said "What do you have in mind, your highness?"
Ikem stayed silent as he began tapping his seat, after a while he spoke "First, I need you to stop making a move on other villages and tribe, from now on the people you have available in your settlement are your own people"
Osita also jumped out of his seat at the request when he heard that, "That is unfair, your highness my settlement need people for it to grow so much have to decline that request"
Ikem showed no expression at Osita outburst but said calmly "I was being respectful when I extended the invitation of us talking and figuring things out but now it seems I was still thinking to naively so let me rephrase my words"
"You are now to follow the conditions that will be laid out by me if you plan on continuing being a leader of this settlement and still have a roof over your head for your pregnant wife and unborn child" Ikem said while calmly staring at Osita.
"I thought we are at an Impasse your highness, we should be making decisions equally good for both of us," Osita said, trying to grasp what little chance he could have.
"Like I said, I was trying to be nice and respectful but you seem to dense to understand that, we are only having this conversation because of your hole card which we both understand won’t hold no credit if I choose to disregard the future possible dangers"
"So do you agree with the first condition?" Ikem asked Osita.
Osita meanwhile sighed and said "I agree but what if some tribes come to join us willingly on their own accord"
Ikem thought for a second and said " That’s the humans choice which we have no say over so you are to do whatever you want with them when they come willingly to you"
Hearing that Osita smiled as he spoke up "What other condition do you have?"
"I wouldn’t call this one a condition but rather a request, I would like for you to share your knowledge on the peculiar writings on the weapons and treasure" Ikem said as he leaned into his seat.
"You mean Runes?" Osita instinctively asked.
"I didn’t know they were called that but yes i want all knowledge you have of rune from beginner to advanced stage" Ikem nodded as he said.
Osita heard that and thought to himself "He really is trying to weaken me in the best way he can while at the same time strengthening his own people, i don’t yet know much about his race, how far they have come in technology and supernatural knowledge. Giving up this knowledge now will surely work out in a way not good for me"
"But hold on, if i give him this knowledge that means he can better handle the other body part when he comes across them. Unlike me who has lost a lot of memory the other counterpart still has a lot of it and more they can use to become a problem to this world which doesn’t work out for me, now the choice lies between strengthening this demigod and at the same time hope that both cripple each other heavily leaving me as the last winner"
"But I have to play hard and not easily give up the knowledge in case he suspects something" Immediately taking action Osita put on a troubled expression on as he looked sadly at Ikem "I understand your request, your highness, but the knowledge of the runes is not something easily shared," Osita replied, maintaining his troubled expression. "It’s not just a matter of teaching you how to use them; it’s about understanding their origins, their significance, and the potential consequences of wielding such power. I fear that without proper guidance, the runes could be misused, leading to unforeseen disasters."
Ikem meanwhile looked stoically at Osita and replied "Get to the point, you don’t expect me to believe that you are scared of consequences, what do you want?"
Osita maintained his troubled expression, inwardly pleased that his ploy seemed to be working. "I appreciate your intentions, your highness, but I truly cannot risk the consequences of sharing such potent knowledge without proper consideration. Perhaps we can find another way or you may ask for something else"
Ikem said nothing but continued staring at Osita who smacked his teeth "Okay, I want your highness to not interfere in whatever i do to or with the humans in my settlement"
Ikem, hearing the request, almost said out loud "That’s it?" But he held back as he began thinking why Osita set up this condition. "Does he think I care so deeply for what happens to the humans or is he testing how much the humans mean to me"
"Either way, he is wrong on both because I simply don’t care what happens to any human. If it was my people in the request then discussion would be different but humans "No" Ikem thought as he nodded to Ikem.
"I agree with your request as long as you never go beyond that" Ikem said as he answered Osita who nodded.
"Your knowledge is indeed valuable, Osita," Ikem said, his tone serious. "But remember, your loyalty to this world must be unwavering. Any attempt to betray or harm it will be met with severe consequences, there would be no talking and coming to agreement "
Osita nodded, understanding the gravity of Ikem’s warning. "Of course, your highness. My allegiance lies with ensuring the safety and prosperity of this world, now that it has become my home."
Ikem regarded Osita with a scrutinizing gaze, trying to gauge the sincerity behind his words. Despite the reassurances, there was still an underlying sense of caution. He couldn’t afford to fully trust someone with Osita’s background and capabilities, but for now, he had to work with what he had.
"Very well," Ikem said finally. "For now, you will still remain under surveillance and once again I will not hesitate to take action if I sense any betrayal or threat to this world."
Osita nodded in acquiescence, knowing that he had to tread carefully if he wanted to achieve his own goals while maintaining his newfound position, at the same time he was thinking to himself "I have not but time to wait surely one day and opportunity will present itself"
"As you wish, your highness," Osita replied, his tone respectful but with a hint of determination. "I will do whatever it takes to prove my loyalty and worth to you and this world."
Ikem opened his hand to conjure a wooden book similar to the one his father gave him, he there the book to Osita who effortlessly caught it as he opened it up as his one of the claws heartened up and reddened which he began using to write the things he can remember about runes, at the same time he was thinking to himself "I would give you what you what as you requested by it is still up to me how much of what i share is the truth, hahahaha"