357 Mayhem in Phoenix Part 1 (1/2)
Dinner had been served. Saleen poured some wine for Irene before raising his crystal wineglass and laughed, ”Mm, for the future.”
”For the future.”
”For the future.”
A crisp sound was produced when the three crystal wineglasses clanged together. Saleen felt satisfied, not really caring about the profit he would receive. It was just that with this working relationship, the four big families would not be able to monopolize trade in the future if they decided to take root in this city. Saleen still remembered a story he had heard in the past. A company with a profound history had been pushed out by the four big families when it had tried to develop in Holy Rock City.
The four families had infighting, but when other powers tried to take a cut of the profits, they would immediately unite.
Now that the representative from the Clyde family and the Williams family had been placated by Saleen, the other two families would not be able create any uncertainties anymore.
Business affairs could not be settled with the use of force. The best solution was to have covert distinction.
Once cooperation was affirmed, the three people warmed up to one another. It seemed like Irene had forgotten about her unpleasant childhood memories, as she began discussing about the location of the company with Saleen and Aini. The site selection of a company was a deliberative process. Aini had the upper hand, but Irene had not arrived too late either. There were still some excellent locations for her to choose from.
Before dinner was finished, Nailisi dashed in from outside.
”Master.”
”Nailisi, come over and take a seat.” Saleen was in a good mood and allowed Nailisi to sit next to him. He knew that Nailisi was not a reckless person. There must have been a reason why she had entered in such a hurry.
”Master, it is not an enemy.”
”Oh? Then who are they? The guts of them to deploy their troops here.”
”This…”
”It is fine, Irene is family,” Saleen replied as he decided to go with the flow. If Nailisi was going to speak about some classified secret, she would not have come here. She would have waited for Saleen to return to the temple before revealing anything. The two of them had telepathy and chemistry.
Irene did not know that Nailisi was Saleen's contract creature, and when she heard Saleen's words, she felt a little smug.
”Do you remember Baron Piac?”
”Yes, it will be good if he even has ten soldiers. Aren't they all scouts? Oh right, I instructed him to wait in Deep Forest Town for the time being. I will go receive him once I gather sufficient manpower. Has he come on his own?”
”Not only that, he has even managed to persuade two viscounts to defect to you.”
”Pu…” Saleen sprayed a sip of wine from his mouth. Right from the start, he had never looked up to Baron Piac. To think that he would do such an earth-shattering matter. A baron only owned a small town at best, but a viscount would already own a sizeable city. Saleen's hometown, Ceylon City, was the territory of a viscount.
Piac was a down-and-out baron, yet he had managed to persuade two viscounts to abandon their cities and defect to such a faraway location. Saleen could not believe his ears. Was Phoenix in trouble or were there any movements from Holy Rock City? Saleen did not feel that he had a reputation which could tempt two landowning nobles to defect to him.
Irene's eyes were wide open, staring at Saleen. Nailisi's words are too astounding. There are actually nobles defecting to Saleen. What magic does Saleen possess? Irene's mind was in a frenzy, clouding her judgmental ability. But in her mind, Saleen's image became even mightier than before.
”Mm, Nailisi, accompany Irene to her accommodations.”
Saleen had lost all appetite. He simply wanted to meet with the two nobles at once, to find out what trouble Phoenix was in.
”Irene…”
”It's okay, go and settle your issues. We will discuss our matter tomorrow.” Irene smiled knowingly, her face full of amorousness.
Aini's lips moved, but when Aini noticed Nailisi's hostile glare, he corrected his words, ”I will go back for now, to plan for the ocean expedition next year.” In truth, Aini had wanted to go with Saleen and take a look, but since Nailisi had signalled for him not to go, he had no choice but to put up with it.
Saleen trusted Aini, but Nailisi did not. She trusted Sika the most, that silly girl. Even if Saleen sold Sika away, Sika would not even know.
”Miss Irene, you don't have to go back right away. Lodging has been provided for your subordinates, they are taken care of.” Nailisi grinned, then she instructed for Irene's soup to be swapped out and the dessert to be served. Aini stood up embarrassedly, unable to get angry. He hated himself for being so fearful of a mere maidservant.
Saleen took his leave without helping Aini. He had the utmost trust in Nailisi. After so many untold dangers, he already understood that Nailisi was thinking of him most of the time. He was aware that Nailisi would reveal her true nature occasionally. This incident might have been a pure coincidence, but there was a higher probability that there were unforeseen circumstances in the south. If Phoenix had really run into trouble, Lex could meet with danger when she returned next year.
Saleen dispatched someone to summon Jola to bring along troops and leave the town hall, and go to the west of the city. The construction of the city was almost completed, and there was a temporary garrison camp. Besides practicing magic, Daniel spent most of his time there training his soldiers.
Upon meeting Daniel, Saleen commanded him to lead one hundred soldiers and two hundred spirits to leave the city and receive Baron Piac. On the other hand, Saleen himself waited in the campsite.
Daniel had been ordered to establish the first camp. He only had two hundred pirates to start with, and even though the campsite was huge, only a portion of it was actually utilized. The moment Saleen arrived, the guards did not even have the time to rest. They quickly put on their armor and stood guard on both sides of the room. In reality, Saleen did not need the protection of these men. He already had Jola, who could defeat all the pirates.