Satvik looked at him with sneer and said, "Firstly, I want lifetime free supply of this spice for myself, my family and my friend Danny here. Secondly, I want a 30% share of the profits you earn".
Satvik paused for dramatic effect, came closer to the old man, Haldi, despite his nose telling him not to, and said with dead serious look, "And finally, in future I might require few favors from you. You have to help me out then". Satvik then gave him his most sincere fake smile, you know like a businessman's smile.
Haldi turned, looked at Danny in astonishment and questioned, "Did he fall on his head of something."
Danny thought for a moment and said while giggling, "I don't know much about that but I'm sure of one thing that he was bit by some wild 'fish' from the lake".
"Eeh!" Satvik gave a look to Danny, he didn't want to remember that.
Haldi sighed and said to Satvik, "You are trying to extort money from me kid, you know that right? I've lost all my fortune, people think I'm mad and even my family left me due to this damn plant and now I can reap the benefits off of it but you want your share. Have some shame" said Haldi in annoyance.
Satvik shrugged and said, "That was due to your greed. I'm willing to help you out here."
"Heck! You can build a new family for yourself" said Satvik while winking at him.
Haldi imagined himself being surrounded by young money and lots of gold while holding a glass of wine. 'Paradise!' he thought to himself.
"Fine! I can't believe I lost a bargaining bout to the kid" said Haldi while shaking his head in disappointment.
Satvik laughed with evil grin and said, "You should never have bargained with the devil, hahahahaha!"
Danny cringed hard and looked at Satvik with poker face. After realising what he had said, Satvik coughed to cover his shame.
"So shall we begin?" said Satvik while rubbing his hands.
"It seems you both have finally hit off well. So I will return back to taking care of the library or mum's gonna chew me alive" said Danny while leaving.
When Danny left Haldi's expression changed to serious one and he asked Satvik, "Tell me kid! You were sent here by the supernatural, right?"
Satvik's whole face became pale and his heart started beating fast due to nervousness. Was his cover blown, thought Satvik while stepping back?
"It seems I was right on the mark. You were sent here by the God's people called the False Gods now."
Satvik cursed himself, he had let his guard down because he thought like most of the people the fellow before him wouldn't be a member of Ashanti's believers.
Satvik concentrated his mana and activated his sight ability. Haldi's body was covered in light blue hue.
'Great another new colored aura' Satvik thought to himself while rolling his eyes. Although he didn't have to be afraid of the backlash from mana depreciation anymore because of the gift he received from his self-proclaimed mother in law.
He gained back his cool and relaxed as the aura's hue of Haldi was not purple at least. But he decided not to let his guard down now.
Haldi noticed Satvik's worried expression, he then sat down on the couch that was placed in the center of the hall.
He gestured Satvik to do the same and take the seat on the other end of the couch. Satvik sat down as well and waited with resignation.
The Haldi sighed and started to speak, "Few years ago, I met this peculiar guy. He was trying to slip through the guards stationed at the gates for some reason. I had quite an influence over this town back then, so in absence of the mayor I was the person people looked up to. During our interrogation he requested that he will tell his identity only to me. So I ordered the guards to leave and then this person claimed to be from another world that visited our town looking for someone."
Haldi's face has a vacant and detached expression as if he was viewing that night so long ago fresh before his eyes. "At first I thought either he was trying to make a fool of me or he had a few screws loose. But then he started telling me stuff that although seemed impossible but at the same time seemed logical."
"He told me about science and history from his world. Everything he narrated seemed fascinating and my curiosity got better of me." Haldi's expression became that one of an excited child entering into a new toy store.
"We talked about a lot of things, although he couldn't give the reason regarding many things claimed by him but most of his explanation seemed legit. The most fascinating one being about something he called 'Machine'. Some machines could make a person fly without mana. He even explained to me how certain substances reacted with other. If I'm not wrong he called it laws of physics and chemistry."
"We met a few times, he told me more about certain plants and told stories about glorious cuisines that can be prepared form it."
"He also mentioned that he was looking for his wife and trying to reunite with his family.Then few months later he told me that he had found his wife and that she was pregnant now. The last time we met six to seven years ago he told me that he was looking for a family to look after his child."
Satvik's eye's kept getting wider and wider as the story unfold in shock. The story the old man was telling about, to him felt like was about his own father.
Haldi misinterpreted Satvik's shocked expression and said, "I know it's astonishing. What sort of parents would look for other person to take care of their child, right? I used to have the same question initially until I found out the reason why" he stopped and waited for information to sink in.
The old man then continued, "But he and his wife with their young child were killed during the crusade of Baimum Theocracy against the people who prayed to 'False Gods' according to their ideology."
"The saddest part being how enthusiastically he use to claim that his child will achieve great things in life even before the child was born. Talk about over enthusiastic parents" he then sighed.
Satvik's eyes became teary. Now he was sure that the person Haldi was talking about is his father. Only his father could be a person with such a loose tongue.
"Although I've never been a man of religion, the way he use to tell some stories, bit by bit my faith became strong in these false Gods" Haldi laughed dryly at the end of his monologue and then looked at Satvik who was in tears.
"Hey why are you crying, kid?" questioned Haldi while panicking. In his excitement to tell the story and seeing Satvik's reaction, Haldi forgot about his initial accusations regarding Satvik being sent by the False Gods.
"It's due to the pungent order coming from this place and especially from you, old man. When was the last time you bathed or…." said Satvik deflecting the conversation.
He didn't want to disclose anything to him for now or at least till he confirmed that Haldi was telling the truth.
The old man looked at him with a poker face trying to hide his annoyance.
"Anyway, I will tell you how to process these berries can you give me something to write on?" said Satvik and after he was given some kind of paper he started writing the whole procedure.
"How can I trust that you will hold your end of bargain?" questioned Satvik.
"I swear upon my name that I will keep my promise" said Haldi.
'People in this world really like to swear upon their name' thought Satvik.
If he was betrayed by the old man, he will simply hold the information regarding other 'sweet and spice and everything nice' regarding which he had future plans.
Satvik then handed over the paper with the information to Haldi.
Haldi grabbed the paper and started reading what was written on it. In his haste for the procedure he didn't even pay attention to the fact that a six year old had written such complex phrases.
"hmm…. washing.... peeling. In the end you have to sundry it!?" Haldi looked flabbergasted.
He couldn't believe that he had to sundry these berries which was the final missing piece. He had tried roasting them instead.
"How foolish I've been" muttered Haldi in self-contempt?
"It is not that you're a fool, think as if I'm too smart said Satvik with an evil smug.
Haldi had a sudden urge to beat the smug out of this kid in front of him. For some reason Satvik has been pushing his wrong buttons.
hen_pai_san
This weekend was cursed. My PC crashed and I lost several draft. Tch, talk about bad luck.
I will be looking forward to your honest reviews and support for my work.
Feel free to join my discord to make suggestions and discussion and please show some love on patreon, links below.
patreon.com/user?u=79563307
Discord: https://discord.gg/9F9ZdYhW
Satvik looked at him with sneer and said, "Firstly, I want lifetime free supply of this spice for myself, my family and my friend Danny here. Secondly, I want a 30% share of the profits you earn".
Satvik paused for dramatic effect, came closer to the old man, Haldi, despite his nose telling him not to, and said with dead serious look, "And finally, in future I might require few favors from you. You have to help me out then". Satvik then gave him his most sincere fake smile, you know like a businessman's smile.
Haldi turned, looked at Danny in astonishment and questioned, "Did he fall on his head of something."
Danny thought for a moment and said while giggling, "I don't know much about that but I'm sure of one thing that he was bit by some wild 'fish' from the lake".
"Eeh!" Satvik gave a look to Danny, he didn't want to remember that.
Haldi sighed and said to Satvik, "You are trying to extort money from me kid, you know that right? I've lost all my fortune, people think I'm mad and even my family left me due to this damn plant and now I can reap the benefits off of it but you want your share. Have some shame" said Haldi in annoyance.
Satvik shrugged and said, "That was due to your greed. I'm willing to help you out here."
"Heck! You can build a new family for yourself" said Satvik while winking at him.
Haldi imagined himself being surrounded by young money and lots of gold while holding a glass of wine. 'Paradise!' he thought to himself.
"Fine! I can't believe I lost a bargaining bout to the kid" said Haldi while shaking his head in disappointment.
Satvik laughed with evil grin and said, "You should never have bargained with the devil, hahahahaha!"
Danny cringed hard and looked at Satvik with poker face. After realising what he had said, Satvik coughed to cover his shame.
"So shall we begin?" said Satvik while rubbing his hands.
"It seems you both have finally hit off well. So I will return back to taking care of the library or mum's gonna chew me alive" said Danny while leaving.
When Danny left Haldi's expression changed to serious one and he asked Satvik, "Tell me kid! You were sent here by the supernatural, right?"
Satvik's whole face became pale and his heart started beating fast due to nervousness. Was his cover blown, thought Satvik while stepping back?
"It seems I was right on the mark. You were sent here by the God's people called the False Gods now."
Satvik cursed himself, he had let his guard down because he thought like most of the people the fellow before him wouldn't be a member of Ashanti's believers.
Satvik concentrated his mana and activated his sight ability. Haldi's body was covered in light blue hue.
'Great another new colored aura' Satvik thought to himself while rolling his eyes. Although he didn't have to be afraid of the backlash from mana depreciation anymore because of the gift he received from his self-proclaimed mother in law.
He gained back his cool and relaxed as the aura's hue of Haldi was not purple at least. But he decided not to let his guard down now.
Haldi noticed Satvik's worried expression, he then sat down on the couch that was placed in the center of the hall.
He gestured Satvik to do the same and take the seat on the other end of the couch. Satvik sat down as well and waited with resignation.
The Haldi sighed and started to speak, "Few years ago, I met this peculiar guy. He was trying to slip through the guards stationed at the gates for some reason. I had quite an influence over this town back then, so in absence of the mayor I was the person people looked up to. During our interrogation he requested that he will tell his identity only to me. So I ordered the guards to leave and then this person claimed to be from another world that visited our town looking for someone."
Haldi's face has a vacant and detached expression as if he was viewing that night so long ago fresh before his eyes. "At first I thought either he was trying to make a fool of me or he had a few screws loose. But then he started telling me stuff that although seemed impossible but at the same time seemed logical."
"He told me about science and history from his world. Everything he narrated seemed fascinating and my curiosity got better of me." Haldi's expression became that one of an excited child entering into a new toy store.
"We talked about a lot of things, although he couldn't give the reason regarding many things claimed by him but most of his explanation seemed legit. The most fascinating one being about something he called 'Machine'. Some machines could make a person fly without mana. He even explained to me how certain substances reacted with other. If I'm not wrong he called it laws of physics and chemistry."
"We met a few times, he told me more about certain plants and told stories about glorious cuisines that can be prepared form it."
"He also mentioned that he was looking for his wife and trying to reunite with his family.Then few months later he told me that he had found his wife and that she was pregnant now. The last time we met six to seven years ago he told me that he was looking for a family to look after his child."
Satvik's eye's kept getting wider and wider as the story unfold in shock. The story the old man was telling about, to him felt like was about his own father.
Haldi misinterpreted Satvik's shocked expression and said, "I know it's astonishing. What sort of parents would look for other person to take care of their child, right? I used to have the same question initially until I found out the reason why" he stopped and waited for information to sink in.
The old man then continued, "But he and his wife with their young child were killed during the crusade of Baimum Theocracy against the people who prayed to 'False Gods' according to their ideology."
"The saddest part being how enthusiastically he use to claim that his child will achieve great things in life even before the child was born. Talk about over enthusiastic parents" he then sighed.
Satvik's eyes became teary. Now he was sure that the person Haldi was talking about is his father. Only his father could be a person with such a loose tongue.
"Although I've never been a man of religion, the way he use to tell some stories, bit by bit my faith became strong in these false Gods" Haldi laughed dryly at the end of his monologue and then looked at Satvik who was in tears.
"Hey why are you crying, kid?" questioned Haldi while panicking. In his excitement to tell the story and seeing Satvik's reaction, Haldi forgot about his initial accusations regarding Satvik being sent by the False Gods.
"It's due to the pungent order coming from this place and especially from you, old man. When was the last time you bathed or…." said Satvik deflecting the conversation.
He didn't want to disclose anything to him for now or at least till he confirmed that Haldi was telling the truth.
The old man looked at him with a poker face trying to hide his annoyance.
"Anyway, I will tell you how to process these berries can you give me something to write on?" said Satvik and after he was given some kind of paper he started writing the whole procedure.
"How can I trust that you will hold your end of bargain?" questioned Satvik.
"I swear upon my name that I will keep my promise" said Haldi.
'People in this world really like to swear upon their name' thought Satvik.
If he was betrayed by the old man, he will simply hold the information regarding other 'sweet and spice and everything nice' regarding which he had future plans.
Satvik then handed over the paper with the information to Haldi.
Haldi grabbed the paper and started reading what was written on it. In his haste for the procedure he didn't even pay attention to the fact that a six year old had written such complex phrases.
"hmm…. washing.... peeling. In the end you have to sundry it!?" Haldi looked flabbergasted.
He couldn't believe that he had to sundry these berries which was the final missing piece. He had tried roasting them instead.
"How foolish I've been" muttered Haldi in self-contempt?
"It is not that you're a fool, think as if I'm too smart said Satvik with an evil smug.
Haldi had a sudden urge to beat the smug out of this kid in front of him. For some reason Satvik has been pushing his wrong buttons.
hen_pai_san
This weekend was cursed. My PC crashed and I lost several draft. Tch, talk about bad luck.
I will be looking forward to your honest reviews and support for my work.
Feel free to join my discord to make suggestions and discussion and please show some love on patreon, links below.
patreon.com/user?u=79563307
Discord: https://discord.gg/9F9ZdYhW
