470 Decline (2/2)

The commander pondered hard. He had to solve the problem fast.

”If we send another emissary to Lord Sherlock to explain the situation, he will understand our defensive motive. It was Eternal Kingdom that attacked first. We didn't start the conflict,” another Orc said.

”That's correct. If we tell Sherlock that we'll relinquish the forest to him, I believe Lord Sherlock won't attack us. I heard he's a magnanimous Devil.”

”Magnanimous Devil? Are you joking? I haven't heard of a Devil who is magnanimous. Do you know how many Magic Stones and resources Sherlock has blackmailed the Merchant Alliance and Eternal Fire for?”

The commander looked ghastly as he spoke, ”From what I heard, he blackmailed the Merchant Alliance and us for 50 million Magic Stones.”

”That isn't the most frightening part. He actually sacrificed the lives of his citizens to obtain the Magic Stones. Do you believe that? Most of the compensation was for death compensation! Can you imagine the number of casualties sustained by Eternal Kingdom?”

A creature at the side commented, ”Ah, I also heard that the warriors of Eternal Kingdom weren't afraid of death.”

”They weren't afraid of death and were a bit perverted. They were looking forward to death!”

”And what's terrifying is that they laughed when they were dying. During the battle, they were more concerned about protecting their equipment than saving their comrades. I have never seen such warriors before.”

”During the middle of battle, many of their warriors become naked green troops without any equipment. Then they pick up weapons from the battlefield and continue fighting.”

”That's scary. What a horrifying Dungeon!”

The group chatted until the commander banged on the table. He shouted, ”Enough, I know how awesome Eternal Kingdom is, I don't need you to repeat it. I will report our situation to Eternal Fire and send an emissary to Eternal Kingdom to negotiate with Lord Sherlock. No matter how the warriors of Eternal Kingdom taunt us, we shall not retaliate. We will only defend and prevent them from coming into our Stronghold. If we retain this Stronghold, we will have territorial rights over this forest.”

Everyone became quiet. His order wasn't feasible.

How could they not retaliate? If they didn't retaliate, with the current defenses, the Stronghold would be overrun.

But it was an order, and they had no choice but to obey it. They hoped to come to a resolution with Lord Sherlock as soon as possible.

As for the negotiation with Lord Sherlock…

…

”Please take a seat.”

Sherlock pointed to the chair in front as he spoke to the Werewolf.

The Werewolf was an emissary of Eternal Fire. He had arrived at Eternal Kingdom via the Winterfell Teleport Portal after approval from Sherlock.

Sherlock invited the Werewolf to take a seat politely. Eggface brewed a cup of bloody chrysanthemum tea diligently and placed it before Sherlock, then returned to his computer.

”Lord Sherlock, I believe you are aware of my intentions.”

The Werewolf looked at Sherlock, who didn't show any remorse. Sherlock gazed at the Werewolf and replied, ”I know, you're here to discuss compensation, aren't you?”

”Wait, what compensation?”

The Werewolf was dumbstruck. Sherlock quickly said, ”That's correct, it's regarding compensation for the loss of Eternal Kingdom. Five hundred of my citizens were killed in the Underground Forest belonging to Eternal Kingdom. I have video evidence.”

Sherlock took out a few Adamantine rocks and infused them with Mana. Images appeared from the Adamantine rocks.

The images showed the first-person perspective of numerous Arrows and Mana rockets flying towards the camera at the forest Stronghold. There were explosions all around. Each series of images only lasted a few seconds.

When the images were stitched together, it showed the gamers being massacred by Eternal Fire's long-range attacks at the Stronghold.

”Wait a moment, Lord Sherlock, perhaps you don't understand the entire incident. The warriors of Eternal Kingdom killed our emissary and stripped his clothing. They even wielded weapons and attacked our Stronghold. Take a look at the bladder object in the images. Isn't that a bomb made by Eternal Kingdom?”

The Werewolf was very familiar with Eternal Kingdom and did his homework before coming. Sherlock remained composed as he said, ”I think we shouldn't have any misunderstandings. Your Orcs killed my Goblin, so my warriors went to your Stronghold to demand justice.”

Sherlock took out another piece of Adamantine rock and infused it with Mana, and a series of images appeared before them.

It was the first-person perspective of a Goblin as a few Orcs surrounded him. They spoke about Eternal Fire and threatened to kill him. Then, an Orc took out a knife and slit the Goblin's throat. The Goblin died.

That was the recorded video created by Marco Polo before he was killed by the Orcs from Eternal Fire.

The later images showed the emissary walking out of the Stronghold and denying killing the Goblin of Eternal Kingdom. Then the emissary was clubbed to death by a warrior of Eternal Kingdom.

”We have strong evidence. Moreover, the Underground Forest is within the boundary of Eternal Kingdom, while Eternal Fire is so far away. Why did you build a Stronghold in my territory and kill my warriors? Is Eternal Fire declaring war on Eternal Kingdom?” Sherlock said as he looked bewilderedly at the Werewolf.

The Werewolf didn't expect Sherlock to have evidence. When the Orcs killed the Goblin, they didn't see the Goblin holding any image recording devices. How did Sherlock obtain those incriminating images?

The Werewolf couldn't figure it out, but the evidence was laid out before him. Even if Eternal Fire made a complaint to the Devil Management Committee, the Devil Management Committee would side with Sherlock. However, Eternal Fire had its reasons for not giving up the Underground Forest.

The Werewolf said to Sherlock, ”Lord Sherlock, I believe these are just some misunderstandings. Eternal Fire is sincere in reaching a resolution with Eternal Kingdom. Let bygones be bygones. We're willing to offer triple compensation for your losses during the conflict. In addition, we're willing to provide additional compensation to you in order to lease the Underground Forest. The rental price will be very attractive to you. Don't worry about money.”

As he spoke, the Werewolf gestured out a figure with his finger. That was a figure that a normal Dungeon Lord wouldn't decline. Sherlock pondered for a while and said, ”I decline.”