Calian felt pleased with the man's words, promising to keep his identity and blessing a secret, even unhesitatingly swearing in the name of the Gods.
"I trust you, Mr. Eralio." Calian said in a calm tone, yet an underlying firmness was evident in every syllable.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Eralio replied firmly, letting out a sigh of relief. "Thank you very much for the extraordinary trust you have placed in me. I will not disappoint you."
Calian nodded in satisfaction at the dedication shown by the man.
Still sitting on the sofa, he immediately turned his head to the side. He looked at Wolvin, who was currently still in the form of a five-year-old child.
The purple-haired youth raised his left hand.
Instantly, the anomaly of natural law occurred once again. Wolvin's tiny body elongated and enlarged rapidly. His muscles expanded back, and his childish face reverted to the features of a handsome young man. The clothes that were previously oversized now fit perfectly, wrapping around the Night Wolf youth's body.
Seeing that the prince could manipulate someone's age so easily and quickly right before his very eyes, Eralio swallowed softly. The power of the possessor of the [Time Loop] was truly beyond human comprehension.
Realizing this, the merchant immediately considered matters carefully and decided on what he wanted.
"Your Highness," Eralio called out in a polite tone, "am I still permitted to choose between the two options you offered me earlier?"
Calian turned his head, withdrew his hand, and then looked calmly at the man's face. "Of course, Mr. Eralio! The offer still stands. So, what do you want? To become young again, or do you want me to halt your aging at your current condition?"
"For the time being, I just want you to halt my aging, Your Highness." Eralio answered, finally making his choice wisely.
"Your reason?" Calian asked, wanting to know about the decision.
"If I suddenly became young after you visited me in this room, it would certainly raise major suspicions from my family, business colleagues, and also my employees. If that happens, I do not want rumors about you to spread, let alone cause your blessing to be known to the public."
Hearing such a reasonable and calculated answer, Calian nodded in agreement. He carved a faint smile. The decision Eralio gave him acted as his own savior from unnecessary public uproar. Eralio had truly utilized his logic exceptionally well.
"A very smart choice! Very well, Mr. Eralio, close your eyes immediately, I will begin."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Without hesitation, Eralio closed both his eyes, awaiting the miracle that would happen to his body.
Calian immediately raised both his hands toward the merchant and activated his time magic.
"Age Stasis!"
A dark purple glowing light, the visual manifestation of his time energy, began to appear and envelop the entire surface of Eralio's body. The light seeped into his pores, permanently freezing the rotation of time in every cell of the merchant's body, protecting him from being consumed by age anymore.
Calian lowered his hands and exhaled slowly to restabilize his stamina.
"It's done, Mr. Eralio."
Hearing the prince's words, Eralio immediately opened his eyes. The man looked confused and blinked his eyes a few times, as he felt he had only closed his eyes for about a second.
He raised both his hands, touched his own face, then looked at the front and back of his palms with a feeling of confusion striking his mind.
Is it already done? This fast? Eralio thought in disbelief. I don't feel any changes at all in my body. There is no pain, no warm sensation, nothing at all.
"Mr. Eralio?" Calian called out, snapping the man out of his confusion.
Instantly, the merchant was startled. He immediately lowered his hands and looked straight at the prince who had called him. "Y-Yes, Your Highness?"
"Your age right now has indeed stopped increasing. But you must remember, you are not an immortal being." Calian explained in a serious tone, giving an important warning. "If someone stabs your vitals, for instance beheading you or piercing your heart, you can still die. The same goes if you are poisoned by someone. So, ensure you guard your own safety well."
"I understand completely, Your Highness!" Eralio answered earnestly as he lowered his body, bowing deeply on the sofa as a form of respect. "I will certainly guard this life as best as possible in order to serve you later."
....
Feeling that their current meeting was over, Calian and Wolvin intended to leave immediately to find an inn in the city while simultaneously seeking deeper information regarding the network of the S-class fugitive bandit group they had previously killed.
"Very well then, Mr. Eralio. The two of us will leave soon to find an inn around the city," Calian said as he stood up from his seat, followed by Wolvin.
Seeing his guests about to leave, Eralio hurriedly stood up as well.
"Find an inn?" Eralio repeated with a surprised and slightly uneasy facial expression. "Why are the two of you looking for an inn outside? Why don't you just stay here, Your Highness?"
"We cannot accept that offer, Mr. Eralio." Calian replied, declining the offer. "We must seek and gather information about the massive syndicate of that bandit gang. Inn lobbies, bars, restaurants, taverns, and the streets of Gias City are the most appropriate places to listen to rumors that might never reach the house of a merchant like you."
Hearing that answer, Eralio realized. The future emperor's line of thought was far broader than merely looking for a soft bed. He finally decided to let the two of them go find an inn outside, having no right to be presumptuous by forcing his will upon them.
"I understand, Your Highness." Eralio replied as he bowed his body with full respect. "If the two of you need anything from me, please come see me here. I will definitely meet you immediately."
Calian nodded. "Yes, we will!"
And then, accompanied directly by Eralio, the married couple walked out of the room. They descended the stairs and crossed the front courtyard until they finally arrived at the front gate area of the mansion, which was guarded by Eralio's subordinates.
"Very well, Mr. Eralio, we shall take our leave now." Calian said when the three of them were already standing on the edge of the street outside the gate. The youth's tone of voice had now returned to normal, akin to an adventurer speaking with his client. "Thank you very much for taking the time to invite us to drop by here."
"See you again next time, Mr. Eralio!" Wolvin added enthusiastically.
Realizing their change in demeanor, Eralio immediately adjusted himself. He once again put on the face of a merchant satisfied with his escorts' performance in order to protect the identities of the two youths.
"Yes, be careful on your journey, the two of you!"
Calian and Wolvin immediately turned around, stepping away from the gate area, blending into the bustling streets of Gias City that were blanketed by the light of the evening sky.
Meanwhile, in front of the gate, Eralio stood there for quite a long time, staring silently at the backs of the future Emperor and future Empress Consort of the Erthland Empire slowly distancing themselves from him, bringing along the secret about the god-like power that changed his life today.
After the two youths were completely out of sight, Eralio turned his head to the two large-bodied gate guards beside him. His facial expression turned very serious.
"Listen to me carefully!" Eralio instructed the two gate guards in a tone that accepted no negligence whatsoever. "Starting today, if the two of them come here again, immediately invite them to come inside without needing to be inspected at all!"
The two guards bowed their heads in unison.
"Yes, Mr. Eralio!"