Chapter 234: The Deal
Following Zouken, Arkhan entered the mansion. The lighting in this place was far from bright, bordering on dimness.
Due to the corruption of the soul and the decay of the body, Zouken couldn't withstand sunlight. Therefore, he harbored an abnormal aversion to any bright environment.
"So dark... Aren't you afraid of stumbling into something?"
After saying that, Arkhan pressed the nearby switch for the overhead light. The dazzling light instantly illuminated the hall, making it as bright as day.
"Ugh..." Zouken's hands trembled slightly, his face extremely gloomy.
However, as he looked at Arkhan's half-smiling eyes, he forcefully suppressed the discomfort in his body and the anger in his heart, making a gesture of extending his hand.
"Please, have a seat, Your Majesty."
The sofas in the living room were arranged in a main and two-side configuration. Arkhan unabashedly took a seat on the main sofa, while Zouken, moving with stiff steps, sat on his left.
"I didn't expect Your Majesty's visit, so I haven't made any preparations in advance. I hope you can forgive me." Zouken coughed, and the smell of decay on him intensified. "I am very interested in the deal Your Majesty mentioned earlier. Could you elaborate on it?"
"Before that, I have a question for you, Matou." Arkhan crossed his legs and folded his arms. "Did your family participate in this Holy Grail War?"
Though unclear as to why he asked this question, Zouken truthfully replied.
"No, we didn't. The Matou family has completely declined now. Even the younger generation has no one capable of gaining recognition from the Holy Grail, so obviously, we cannot participate in the Holy Grail War. It's embarrassing, really... Clearly, one of the three founding families, but we ended up being the first to be eliminated."
"But with your capability, if you really wanted to participate in the Holy Grail War, it wouldn't be impossible, right?" Arkhan didn't care about the old man's sighs and complaints as his tone remained unchanged.
"It seems Your Majesty truly understands me well..." Zouken said raspily while smiling. "To be honest, I do have a way to participate, but it's meaningless. My two unfilial sons don't have the ability to participate in the Holy Grail War at all. Even if they went, it would just be a waste of a slot. It's better to—"
"It's better to put your hope in the next one, am I right?" Arkhan looked at Zouken expressionlessly.
"Hehehe, Your Majesty is truly insightful." Zouken couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. Even if Arthur had clairvoyance, he shouldn't be able to see through his plans so thoroughly. It felt like Arthur had experienced all those things firsthand.
'The Matou family really didn't participate in the Fourth Holy Grail War...' Arkhan's eyes showed a thoughtful expression and then nodded slightly. "Now, let's discuss the details of the deal."
"I'm all ears." Zouken adjusted his posture slightly.
"About the child you adopted from the Tohsaka family a year ago, Tohsaka Sakura—no, she should be called Matou Sakura now. Hand her over to me." Arkhan said in a calm tone.
Zouken furrowed his brow tightly.
"Your Majesty, you should know she is my only—"
Before he could finish, he saw Arkhan suddenly pull out a white lance. The powerful aura it emanated shook the bounded field of the mansion slightly.
Zouken was almost scared to death, desperately suppressing his violently beating heart.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?" Zouken asked in a trembling voice.
Arkhan didn't answer the question; instead, he walked straight to a withered potted plant in the corner and touched the soil with the lance tip of Abyss Flower.
With a faint glow on the lance's lily patterns, the already withered plant unexpectedly burst forth with new vitality, and vibrant petals soon bloomed.
"Here's the deal." Arkhan said in an unwavering tone as he turned to the stunned Zouken. "What do you think, Matou?"
As Zouken's gaze fixed on the fiery and vibrant petals, his breath became erratic, and his magical energy surged uncontrollably, creating intense ripples in the air.
After a while, he managed to calm himself, his eyes heatedly fixed on the lance in Arkhan's hand.
"Your Majesty, what about the effects of this Noble Phantasm?"
"Immortality is impossible, but I can make you regain your youth and maintain that state, at least not shorter than your current lifespan." Arkhan calmly stated.
Zouken didn't expect immortality from a single Noble Phantasm; that would be unrealistic. If this man had claimed such a thing, he wouldn't even believe it. However, five hundred years of youth remained an irresistible temptation for him.
"Understood, I agree to the deal."
Zouken turned and ascended the stairs, seemingly revitalized by the prospect of returning to his youth.
In a matter of minutes, he returned with a young girl in a blue dress. The girl had big purplish-blue eyes, gazing at Arkhan with a mix of timidity and curiosity.
Observing Sakura's still black hair, Arkhan paused for a moment.
"Go, Sakura. From now on, you belong to this gentleman." Zouken said raspily with a smile.
Sakura hesitated briefly, then ran to Arkhan's side, hiding behind him and avoiding eye contact with Zouken.
Ignoring her behavior, Zouken turned to Arkhan.
"Your Majesty, the deal is done. Now, it's your turn."
"Using a Noble Phantasm requires a significant amount of magical energy. I just had a battle with Gilgamesh yesterday, and my magical energy hasn't fully recovered. Once I've defeated the other Servants, I'll come again to fulfill the deal." Arkhan said calmly while gently patting Sakura's head.
*Buzz—*
Zouken's expression instantly darkened, and magical energy instantly surged around him again. The surrounding insect sounds intensified, frightening Sakura. She clung tightly to Arkhan's leg, not daring to let go.
"Your Majesty, do you intend to go back on your word?"
"Since you know who I am, you should know I won't break my promise like that." Arkhan spoke calmly as if stating the obvious.
Zouken hesitated, his gaze lingering on Sakura and Arkhan for a while.
Considering Arthur's demonstrated power last night, he could practically stroll through this Holy Grail War easily. Moreover, King Arthur was known as the embodiment of knightly honor and chivalry, so he wouldn't likely go back on his word.
Most importantly, he was unwilling to easily give up this rare opportunity. Even if there was only a glimmer of hope, he had to take the chance to be young again.
With that thought in mind, the chaotic magical energy around Zouken immediately dispersed and returned to calm.
"Well then, I'll wish Your Majesty a victorious and safe return in advance."
Zouken slightly bowed his head and chuckled in a raspy voice.
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