Chapter 581 - Tit For Tat (3) (2/2)
Rhode stood up and gestured to see his visitors out.
“This…” The senior looked on blankly.
Initially, he thought that he could use the name of the Alchemist Association Chairman to pressure this young man. But he didn’t expect that he would use the Chairman against him instead. Dasos was speechless. The Chairman was the most important figure in the entire Alchemist Association and that was why the association had sent out an investigations team in such a short period of time. Dasos also knew that the internal department was having a power struggle and an uproar would arise in the Alchemist Association once they were aware of Rhode’s ridiculous request. But what else could they do? The Alchemist Association didn’t have any powerful beings in the Legendary Stage to fight for their rights and even the Mist Sword Saint of the Light Parliament failed. The Light Parliament only dared to resist Lydia diplomatically, so how is it possible that the Archangel will even regard those guys highly? Even the Light Parliament had failed to win his favors, so what else can the Alchemist Association do? Moreover, Dasos had even witnessed the logo of the Church, which meant that their collaboration wasn’t baseless… Even Dasos didn’t know how he should face such a horrifying monster that was related to the formidable forces. “You can’t put it this way, Mr. Rhode. You have to understand our difficulties…”
“This is a business, Master Dasos. You’re an Alchemist, but you should also understand this. If your association can concoct the antidote yourselves, you wouldn’t need our help at all, right? I think that my conditions are more than reasonable. Of course, we perhaps can negotiate further in the specific details.”
“…”
Dasos was left speechless because he knew what Rhode said was the truth. This poison was too mysterious where none of the top-rate Alchemists could concoct the antidote for it. This was also why the Alchemist Association took actions this quickly after investigating that Starlight had concocted the poison. Although the Chairman was still in a coma and didn’t show any critical symptoms, everyone knew what would happen to the Chairman would be if he continued to survive only through potions to extend his life.
Rhode wasn’t the one rushing for time. He could leisurely wait and perhaps the Chairman would have passed on by then… This way, he would undoubtedly offend the Alchemist Association. But what could they do to him? Stop selling alchemy potions to him? Rhode had such a young, top-rate Alchemist Master by his side so would he even need to care about them? Moreover, the King’s Party and the Senia Family were also widely known for their advanced magical technologies. Since Marlene Senia was still a part of the Starlight, it meant that Rhode could receive magical equipment from the Senia Family, so would he even be bothered by the Alchemist Association’s suppression?
Dasos let out a long sigh and sat down to scan the list of items once more.
It seemed that there were no other solutions other than going through another negotiation with Rhode.
While Dasos and Rhode were engaging in their ‘friendly negotiations’, it was a whole different atmosphere in the alchemy workshop for Christie and group.
“Ah… How boring…” Anne stretched and wiped her drool sleepily. Then, she looked at Christie and the little mermaid with a pout. Both of them were softly talking to each other by the table. Or perhaps, Christie was the only one speaking since the little mermaid couldn’t speak at all and both of them interacted using hand gestures. Anne wished to use this opportunity to get closer to the adorable little girl who always stuck around Rhode’s side. However, she felt helpless because the little mermaid was still equally afraid of her. Apart from Rhode and Christie, she didn’t dare to approach anyone else… But Anne wasn’t a person who would resign to her fate. At this moment, an idea cropped up in her mind and she jumped to her feet. “Christie, Cutie, are you two bored? Want to accompany Anne outside?”
“Outside?”
Anne’s suggestion piqued Christie’s curiosity. Christie was here to assist Lapis, but Canary had asked Lapis away, leaving Christie with nothing on her hands. However, even though she was bored, she continued to stay in the workshop obediently.
“That’s right, Christie. Cutie has just arrived here, right? We can show her around the fortress and spend some time too. Isn’t that good?”
“That…” Christie looked at the little mermaid beside her and she was somewhat interested in Anne’s proposal. In fact, Christie also adored this extremely adorable little girl floating in the water ball. Their closeness made Christie felt as though she had a younger sister. Besides, Rhode had also asked of Christie to take good care of Snow, which gave her a sense of responsibility. Perhaps Christie might be hesitant if Anne suggested heading out of the fortress. However, she swiftly nodded in agreement since they would be roaming about in the fortress and Anne was with them. “Alright, Sister Anne.”
“Let’s go!” Anne grinned and hopped toward the two little girls.
The little mermaid displayed a frightened expression and hurriedly shrunk her body. Along with her movements, the water ball nimbly shifted to behind Christie. Although the little mermaid couldn’t touch Christie due to the separation of the water ball, this behavior was more than enough to explain her thoughts. However, Anne wasn’t mindful of it at all. She carelessly pulled Christie’s hand with an excited smile. “I’ll bring you two to see something fun in the fortress!”
The massive fortress was exceptionally bustling as more and more people had moved in. Even though the originally deserted fortress had slowly become lively, there were still close to no incidents of harassments and riots caused by the migrants because Rhode had laid down strict rules. If one caused a ruckus in the fortress, one would be blacklisted and immediately deported. With such rules and the presence of the mercenaries and Ocean Elves, ordinary civilians didn’t dare to stir any trouble. Therefore, although the entire fortress was bustling, there weren’t any disorderly uproars and chaos.
Christie and the little mermaid attracted a lot of attention. However, no one was foolish enough to stop their paths as they knew the rules of the Guild. Although the little girl floating in the water ball appeared interesting and adorable, she seemed much more normal than the Ocean Elves with tentacles fluttering all over their bodies.
“Let’s go to the garden! Anne always loves to go there for a nap everytime Anne returns to the fortress. Christie, Cutie, do you know? The best way to have a nice dream is to find a warm and quiet place, shut your eyes and think about happy stuff… That’s how Anne does…”
As Anne gesticulated excitedly to teach Christie and the little mermaid about her ‘Nice Dream Philosophy’, some men clad in cloaks emerged in the crowd out of a sudden. They appeared to be ordinary humans who had blended into the crowd and were approaching the three young ladies gradually. While Christie listened attentively to Anne’s exciting speech, the little mermaid looked around worriedly as though she had detected something and inched closer to Christie.
Shortly after, the group of men in cloaks brushed passed the three young ladies. They drew out three short staffs from the fold of their clothes secretly and struck forward.
Clang! Anne raised her right arm instinctively without turning around. Along with this movement, the shield hung on her back sprung up and crashed to the ground heavily to protect Christie and the little mermaid from the ambush. At the same time, a violent whirlwind rose from the ground and swept across the streets. The group of men in cloaks lost their footing and rolled on their backs. But a faint magical radiance emanated from their bodies quickly and they stabilized their footing.
“Who are you? What are you trying to do?!” Anne clasped her shield and protected Christie and the little mermaid bravely.
The group of men didn’t answer. Then, another group of men in similar outfit emerged from the ground mysteriously and encircled the three young ladies. The man leading the group reached into the fold in his clothes and retrieved a shimmering dagger. “Get them!”
The group of men instantly transformed into ghostly shadows and pounced forward!