I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Chapter 658: Grom Zor-Grimmarch, Shaman of the Krogar line

He subsequently refocused his attention on Jack, his demeanor shifting to show respect.

"But I am Grom Zor-Grimmarch, Shaman of the Krogar line," he said. "I can smell a lie written in paper and ink as easily as I smell rotting flesh. I examined their reports. I studied their words. And beneath the careful language, beneath the diplomatic courtesy, I detected the rotten, sulfurous stench of demonic essence."

Skarl made a sound that was almost a gasp. The other Orcs in the chamber stilled completely.

"The High Council is corrupt to the bone," Grom stated, his voice carrying absolute conviction. "They are hiding a monster in their high seats. They think we are too stupid to recognize the markings of demonic interference, too simple to smell what they have done. They murdered Korva Stonefoot with something born of the Ash, and they tried to bury the truth beneath layers of official decorum."

He paused, his gaze still fixed on Jack with a fierce intensity. He was assessing far more than simply the human’s physical form.

"The question now is: why are you here? Why does a Kaiser son care about the death of a single Orc negotiator? The answer cannot be simple charity. Your bloodline does not traffic in charity."

Jack remained silent for a moment. The pause was deliberate, allowing the weight of Grom’s revelation to settle.

"They are not just hiding it from you," Jack said finally. "They are using you as a distraction while they consolidate power. They murdered your negotiator to test the extent of your response. When you took no action, when you accepted their lies, they moved forward with larger plans."

"And you know this how?" Grom asked.

"Because I have been investigating the same corruption," Jack replied. "The Elven Council attempted to conceal evidence of demonic activity from their own King. They tried to hide the presence of a demonic entity from the throne itself. Your negotiator’s death was likely collateral damage. A test of whether they could commit murder and escape accountability."

Grom’s grip on his damaged staff relaxed fractionally. His painted face remained impassive, but something in his bearing shifted.

A slight adjustment, he was reconsidering his initial assessment.

"You offer this information freely?" Grom asked. "A Kaiser prince walks into the Krogar villa and simply provides intelligence about crimes against our delegation?"

"No," Jack said with absolute clarity. "I offer it in exchange for something."

The statement resonated within the chamber, creating a palpable tension.

"Speak your price," Grom commanded. "But know that Krogar does not barter with blood for anything less than permanent alliance."

"Then we have alignment," Jack replied. "I want two things. First, if anything comes for my family or me, Krogar will provide support indefinitely. Military support, magical support, resources. Whatever is required."

Grom’s expression shifted. His tusks caught the light as he nodded slightly.

"That can be arranged," Grom said. "We have lost much patience with the Elven Kingdom. An alliance with a Kaiser would be beneficial, particularly if that Kaiser is investigating the same corruption that took Korva. And the second thing?"

"I want to meet a certain individual in Krogar," Jack said. "Someone of significance. Someone who operates outside the standard hierarchies."

Grom’s eyes narrowed. His hand moved instinctively back to his staff, gripping it despite its damaged state.

"You ask much for an unknown," Grom said. "But I sense no deception in you. The air does not lie, and your mana does not shift with falsehood."

"In exchange for these two things, Sorne will receive trade agreements with Krogar at three times the standard rate. And I will also make sure you get all the materials you came here for."

He paused, his shamanic senses apparently processing information that existed beyond normal perception.

"Very well," Grom continued. " I will personally ensure that your introduction to this individual occurs when the time is appropriate."

Jack inclined his head slightly. "Acceptable."

"But before we finalize this agreement," Grom said, moving closer, "I have a question. The demonic residue in Korva’s death. The signature I detected on their documents. Did you find similar evidence? Does your investigation confirm my assessment?"

Jack maintained an entirely neutral expression, with no alteration in his breathing or posture.

"The High Council attempted to conceal a vial of demonic residue," Jack stated flatly. "The substance was found inside the body of a Krogar emissary. Specifically, inside the mana veins, which had been hollowed and filled with it. Someone deliberately infused the residue into Korva’s corpse, then allowed the Council to discover it and attempt to dispose of the evidence."

The assembled Orcs reacted with several individuals stepping forward, their expressions growing stern. Skarl’s hands clenched into fists, his calloused knuckles turning white as blood receded.

Grom remained still, but his grip on his staff tightened once again. The wood groaned under the pressure.

"A summoning," Grom said quietly. "Someone brought a demon into the Elven Kingdom and fed it mana. They used it as a weapon against Korva. And then they attempted to hide the evidence."

"Yes," Jack confirmed. "This means that the corruption extends beyond individual Council members making questionable decisions. It had to be a coordinated effort, involving meticulous planning and the strategic allocation of resources specifically for concealment."

Grom turned away from Jack, moving toward a heavy wooden chair positioned at the far end of the chamber. He seated himself as he thought for a moment.

"Then our agreement is sealed," Grom said, his voice carrying the weight of shamanic pronouncement. "Krogar will stand with you. We will provide the trade agreements you require at three times the standard rate. And I will arrange your introduction to the individual you seek."

He paused, his ancient eyes fixing on Jack once more.

"But know this, Jack Kaiser, if you prove to be deceiving us. Suppose your investigation into the Council’s corruption proves to be false. If you are simply using Korva’s death to advance some agenda of your own. Then Krogar will come for you with the force of a thousand storms. We do not forget our debts, whether they are debts of alliance or debts of blood."

Jack met Grom’s gaze without flinching. His white hair seemed to catch more light as he stood, the golden-orange eyes reflecting the torchlight with an intensity that made even the assembled Orcs shift uncomfortably.

"I do not lie to allies," Jack said. "The Elven Council’s corruption is real. The demonic activity is real. And if you stand with me, you will see both of these truths confirmed."

"Then we are agreed," Grom said, inclining his head slightly. "Skarl will prepare the formal documentation for the trade agreements. And I will send word when your introduction to the individual you seek is ready."

Grom rose from his chair, and the assembled Orcs seemed to take this as a signal. Several moved toward Skarl, who was already gathering writing materials from a side chamber.

Jack stood in the center of the chamber, surrounded by creatures ten feet tall, and felt absolutely nothing approaching concern.

His presence commanded the space not through intimidation or display, but through the simple, undeniable fact that he was operating on a level of power and clarity that transcended the normal rules of hierarchy.

"That is not necessary, I have someone who will draw a contract and give it to me."

"One final matter," Grom said as Jack prepared to depart. "The demonic residue you discovered. Do you still possess it?"

"Yes," Jack replied without elaboration.

"Good," Grom said. "Because I suspect that before this is finished, we will need to examine it more closely. My shamanic senses can detect demonic essence, but not the details. The specific origin, the nature of the summoning, the identity of whoever performed the ritual, those details require deeper investigation."

Jack inclined his head. "When the time is appropriate, you will have access to it."