Chapter 264 (2/2)
Gorja scowled.
What? No, no, no. You're not going to ask me first? Besides, my arm gets wrecked if I do what I did, Hikaru thought.
「You should be grateful we're not doing that and instead offering to negotiate. Hahaha!」
Patricia laughed out loud, getting too c.o.c.ky. Gorja let out a low groan as his face turned red. Luke reported to the Supreme Leader what happened at the s.h.i.+p, but she didn't believe that Silver Face destroyed a s.h.i.+p on his own. She thought a s.h.i.+p as powerful as that must've been equipped with magic items that, unfortunately, went haywire. That should be enough to make it sink. Silver Face just happened to be there when it happened.
It was a completely convenient misunderstanding for Hikaru. He didn't receive any needless attention. He wanted her to get the wrong idea even more.
「Then tell us what you want.」Gorja said.
「Unconditional return of Dew Roke. And I want one of your s.h.i.+ps.」
「What?!」
What Patricia wanted more than money and gemstones was a wars.h.i.+p. If she obtained one of the s.h.i.+ps that her navy lost helplessly to, they could dismantle it and study the technology. Virecoean's navy would become even stronger, earning Patricia the t.i.tle of history's greatest Supreme Leader. At least, that what she believed.
「If you agree with that, I will send a skilled Healer to the Ruined Continent.」
There was always a hint of disdain whenever Patricia—or any other person on this side—referred to Grand Dream as the Ruined Continent.
She still hasn't learned her lesson. Hikaru placed his hands on his waist and looked up. We lost.
Gorja already tricked Patricia into giving him a Healer once. There was no way he'd come negotiate without even trying to hide his emotions. He even had an escort with him. The moment Patricia gave her terms, Gorja smiled.
「You got yourself a deal. You want Dew Roke back and a s.h.i.+p. We want a skilled Healer. I want to see with my own eyes just how good they are. In exchange, you may choose which s.h.i.+p you want.」
「Uh… What?」
Patricia was taken aback. All of a sudden, Gorja's face was clear, and he sped up the discussion. She didn't expect them to hand over a s.h.i.+p that easily.
As the Supreme Leader of the maritime nation of Vireocean, she knew just how important s.h.i.+ps were. Giving away a s.h.i.+p built using secret technology and confidential information was simply unthinkable.
Patricia's negotiating skills weren't that bad. She just read the situation wrong. She didn't know just how desperate they were for healing magic. These people invested many men and resources to cross the sea monster-dominated seas just so they could obtain a Healer. Losing one wars.h.i.+p was nothing to them.
「I want to add to those terms.」Hikaru said as he appeared.
Everyone present was startled. Guards drew their swords. When they realized the voice came from Silver Face, they didn't bother hiding their disgust and hostility. Hikaru would've appreciated it if they relaxed and lowered their swords, but he was well aware that people disliked him.
「Mr. Silver Face.」Deena stared at Hikaru, her face pale.
Gorja watched him warily.「We won't accept any additional terms. This is a negotiation between Dream Maker and Vireocean. It's none of your concern.」
「Come on, now. You can't be serious. Have you forgotten that you abducted my friend?」
「Well, you kidnapped Deena and sank our s.h.i.+p!」
「I provided Deena with knowledge about magic and magic items, things you wanted to know more about. Although my friend got taken because of that. You repaid my generosity with cruelty.」
Deena cast her eyes downward, her face as white as a sheet.
「We could've done this peacefully if you just asked for help nicely from the start. Am I right? You're the ones who ruined that option. Your internal bickering led to you guys occupying Dew Roke.」
「That's—」
Watching Gorja hesitate with his words, Patricia realized her misunderstanding. Silver Face really did sink the s.h.i.+p on his own. Not only that, he possessed information that she didn't.
「He has a point.」Patricia said.「I think having his own personal terms included is fine. I'll allow it.」
She didn't just sit there quietly. Instead, she cut in and tweaked the flow of the conversation, emphasizing that Silver Face was on Vireocean's side, and while his terms were different from the conditions that the nation laid out, they would get involved too if there was benefit to it.
What a shrewd woman, Hikaru thought.
「So, what do you want?」Patricia asked.
「Oh, it's nothing significant…」Hikaru answered.
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