Chapter 1255 Ultimatum and Exhibition
But less than half a day later, the 9th Rank Archmage envoy was carried back.Looking at the mournful mage before him, Faleau couldn't help feeling angry. The envoy they dispatched had his legs and teeth broken. If not because he was an Archmage with vitality tremendously higher than an ordinary person, he would have already died from blood loss.
He helped his subordinate set his bones before pouring a Health Potion over his body. At this time, Faleau looked at the mage in his embrace and saw a piece of crystal on his chest.
He picked up the crystal and poured a wisp of mana into it. The image of a young man no older than 30 appeared in the air. That young man had a lofty expression, his head slightly raised as if he was looking down at a group of ants. His overbearing and unquestionable voice echoed, "I'll give you three days to think about it. Serve the Rodney Family or be destroyed!"
The image dissipated after that simple sentence. Faleau didn't dispatch someone again and instead started mobilizing their defensive forces. A group of hidden level 39 puppets started being assigned to defend important parts of the Gilded Rose in secret.
The transportation of raw materials also changed, they no longer used airships for transportation. Aside from special treasure materials, preliminary refining wasn't done. Raw ores or medicinal ingredients were delivered to the Odin Kingdom through spatial equipment.
Although it was more troublesome and increased the costs, it was the best method. On the other hand, Faleau sent a report to Lin Yun through the magic beacon. The Rodney Family's overbearing attitude was no different from coercion.
Normal negotiation methods were completely useless. If the other side really relied on power to plunder, then the Gilded Rose wouldn't be able to deal with it with their current strength. The Gilded Rose had already formed a large-scale army below the Heaven Rank, but their Heaven Rank forces were almost non-existent.
Aside from the newly hired Layford and Fortmore guarding the Gilded Rose, there was only one level 40 spider puppet.
But this kind of force couldn't cope with the current situation, even Layford and Fortmore were helpless. The other side's attitude was tyrannical and they clearly showed that they were unreasonable. The Gilded Rose was the ally of the Odin Kingdom and had a good relationship with 2nd-rate forces.
Sky City and the Henry Family had a good relationship with the Gilded Rose, not only were they cooperating, they also had exchange of techniques and sharing of trade channels. As for the Jackson Family, they only had a supplying collaboration project.
In these circumstances, their collaborators couldn't do much. After all, the Rodney Family was a 1st-rate force and wouldn't care about those forces' reputation.
There was no need to consider the Starry Sky College, there were too many forces cooperating with the Starry Sky College. And their cooperation was only about providing nurtured alchemists, some exchange of techniques, or jointly researching some things. It was unlikely that they would be able to get the Starry Sky College to intervene in a conflict between two forces.
Two days rapidly passed. At that time, Lin Yun brought back his exploration group to Neverwinter City and immediately learnt the details of this affair upon returning.
Lin Yun had also heard of the Rodney Family, it was a force that has been accumulating a huge amount of wealth in the past millennium. The Rodney family's wealth was even bigger than the Henry Family.
The Henry Family wasn't able to become a 1st-rate force in the Odin Kingdom because the higher-ups weren't powerful enough and they didn't have enough people. Thus, they were using a lot of wealth to strengthen themselves. Every single member of the Henry Family was armed to the teeth.
But the Rodney Family's higher-ups were even stronger than the Henry Family, their Patriarch was a 4th Rank Heaven powerhouse, and they had a large number of Heaven Rank powerhouses.
Just as Lin Yun finished reading through all the information, someone led Layford over. After cautiously walking over, Layford couldn't help feeling fear when his eyes landed on Lin Yun. His face was filled with a worried expression. He was clearly afraid of Lin Yun driving him back before taking his anger on the Jackson Family. He would really be screwed then.
Seeing Layford, Faleau immediately whispered an explanation to Lin Yun and even handed over the contract.
As he read through the contract, Lin Yun's expression became somewhat strange. The paper used as a medium was unique to the Gilded Rose, and it could be said that no one could tamper with this kind of contract in this era. As for the content of the contract, it was no different than a slave contract.
He gave the contract back to Faleau. Since they had signed such harsh contracts, Lin Yun didn't have to worry about Layford and Fortmore pulling anything. As long as the Jackson family had some brain, they would know that their family's economic lifeline, no, their entire lifeline had been in the hands of the Gilded Rose from the start.
It was even better now, the Gilded Rose had gained two Heaven Rank guards. He also no longer needed to be reminded by Shawn to go and get Layford's soul as a reward.
Shawn, sitting on Lin Yun's shoulder, looked at the scene with a regretful expression. He was looking at Layford as if he wanted to tear through his soul, making Layford drip with cold sweat.
After seeing that Lin Yun didn't seem to care, Layford sighed in relief.
'I'm really too smart, directly joining the Gilded Rose was the best way to avert the crisis. Mafa Merlin is becoming more and more frightening. In half a year, he matured to the point where he could crush me like an ant.
'I can't feel his existence, even though I'm standing right in front of him, it feels like a fierce beast is staring at me, as if I'm in danger of being torn apart at any time. I'm simply unable to retaliate if he wants to get rid of me.
'Moreover, that ghostly wolf on his shoulder is truly terrifying. It feels like he is staring at my soul… As if it was his prey…
'Damn, I originally didn't know how to please Mafa Merlin, but now I do.
'Those damn idiots of the Rodney Family, what a bunch of nouveau riches. A bunch of loathsome b*stards like them want to snatch away Mafa Merlin's Gilded Rose?
'Hahaha…
'What a joke. Unless they use all of their assets and all of their forces to deal with Mafa Merlin and overthrow the Gilded Rose, they would definitely pay a disastrous price.
'I hadn't known that the owner of the Gilded Rose was Mafa Merlin before, I had only thought that the Gilded was a wealthy alchemy chamber of commerce. But it's completely different when Mafa Merlin is added to the mix.
'Mafa Merlin really has too many allies. His greatest backer is the Starry Sky College. Dean Gandaph, who rarely makes appearances, personally appeared and punished an assistant dean. This is something that hasn't happened in a millennium.
'Some idiots told me that Mafa Merlin had nothing to do with Sir Gandaph, haha, as if I would f*cking believe it.
'Fortunately, the idiots of the Rodney Family are giving me an opportunity to ease this relationship. I believe that the information I have is enough to get Mafa Merlin's pardon and let me stay in the Gilded Rose.'
"Sir Layford, is there something you need?"
Seeing Layford's strange smiling and worrying expression, Faleau took the initiative to break this awkward silence.
Layford cautiously looked at Lin Yun before unhesitantly saying what he knew.
"Sir Mafa, I just got an important piece of information through an older cousin of the Jackson Family.
"The idiotic Rodneys intend to attack our Gilded Rose's exhibition tomorrow and disrupt the Gilded Rose's arrangements. Moreover, there might be powerhouses of the Rodney Family participating in the attack, and their leader might be a 3rd Rank Heaven powerhouse.
"They also warned every force cooperating with the Gilded Rose to not interfere in their business or they would face trouble.
"I was also told that all the material suppliers working with us had been warned by the Rodney Family, and that whoever provides us with raw materials is an enemy of the Rodney Family.
"But Sir Mafa can rest assured. Whoever comes tomorrow, Sir Fortmore and I won't let them have their way!"
Layford's sincere display stunned Enderfa and Shawn, this was the perfect example of shamelessness.
Lin Yun couldn't react at all. Last time he saw Layford, he was still acting arrogantly. He felt like he was looking at a completely different person.
"Sir Faleau, I'll go back to guard in case those idiots of the Rodney Family attack today…"
After finishing his report, Layford forced a smile and left with a grin.
The Rodney Family launching an attack on the Gilded Rose's exhibition was unexpected, but no one doubted the information.
The Rodney Family had spread the news that it only gave three days to the Gilded Rose. If they hadn't agreed to serve the Rodney Family by then, they would end up destroyed.
With the Rodney Family's unreasonable and tyrannical style, they might really do so.
Even the Jackson Family dared to pull something in the Starry Sky College, it wasn't surprising for the Rodney Family to do something in Neverwinter City.
Due to its characteristics, the Starry Sky College was bound to be different from other forces. Apart from some key areas, it was common for people with powerful backers to fight in the Starry Sky College.
Fighting wasn't allowed in Neverwinter City, but that rule wasn't too strict. If one had background and strength, the Starry Sky College wouldn't necessarily bother them if they fought.
The Rodney Family's tyrannical style and methods immediately made the Gilded Rose a bit passive. It was already the night of the 3rd day. The Rodney Family's people could come starting dawn. Regardless of the outcome, it would affect the Gilded Rose's exhibition.
Due to the pressure of the Rodney family, many larger cooperation projects might end up being dropped and the forces with power similar to the Jackson Family might just stop working with the Gilded Rose. This would be a big blow to the Gilded Rose who just developed in the Odin Kingdom.
The Gilded Rose's expansion might also end there, the new branches depending on the Neverwinter's Gilded Rose might be unable to open.
After all, these branches had to cooperate with local forces to smoothly rise. And those small cities' forces might not even be as powerful as the Jackson Family, so how could they risk offending the Rodney Family to cooperate with the Gilded Rose.
But temporary responses wouldn't be very effective. The Rodney Family would invade the Gilded Rose's exhibition the following day. If the Gilded Rose couldn't show enough power, the forces watching the Gilded Rose would definitely pounce on the Gilded Rose like hyenas.
Faleau was really worried this time. The troubles he encountered before were mostly within the rules of the game. Although it was difficult, they could be solved. But they were now facing this kind of formidable force that didn't bother to play by the rules.
"Alright, Faleau, don't worry too much. Just follow what has been planned and continue with the exhibition. You don't need to worry about tomorrow's matters, I'll be there."
Faleau's worries weren't really alleviated with Lin Yun's guarantee. After all, Lin Yun couldn't always defend the Gilded Rose, and more trouble would follow once the Gilded Rose opened their branches.
Lin Yun wasn't so worried. After all, no matter how overbearing the Rodney Family was, they still had a reputation to uphold. Even if someone attacked the Gilded Rose's exhibition the next day, it wouldn't be the strongest member of the Rodney Family, that would completely damage their reputation.
As long as it wasn't the strongest member of the Rodney Family, Lin Yun had nothing to worry about. He was already a 2nd Rank Heaven Mage and his progress was stable. With a Natural Demiplane, comprehending laws was a lot easier than for other Heaven Mages. And with the 108,000 truth runes, his progress was very fast.
When going all-out, his power already exceeded the peak of the 3rd Rank, he was only slightly weaker than a 4th Rank Heaven Mage.
His comprehension of the Spatial Law was progressing smoothly, and as day and night were taking turns, the Light Law and Darkness Law already started evolving. Lin Yun could also be exposed to the Light Law and the Darkness Law ahead of time. Even if he couldn't comprehend them, being able to come in contact with them beforehand and observing the light and darkness evolving from the Demiplane would give out inexplicable benefits.
Pabiete had already advanced to Level 43, but unfortunately, the seal on his memory module still stood strong. But the concept was also proven effective, if Pabiete's level kept increasing, there would inevitably be a day when the seal on his memory module would be lifted.
After advancing to the Heaven Rank, Xiuban and Reina's strength quickly increased and stabilized at the 1st Rank of the Heaven realm after a few battles. And with their outstanding bloodlines and terrifying power, they had no problem facing a 2nd Rank Heaven powerhouse.
Lin Yun wasn't worried about what would happen the next day. Since the other side was coming, preparations had to be done and he wanted to make a stunning display of the Gilded Rose's strength.
…
Time rapidly passed. The Gilded Rose was already crowded at dawn the next morning. The Gilded Rose could definitely be said to be the best business within Neverwinter City, whether it was ordinary mages, first-rate Archmages, or even Heaven Mages, they were all shopping at the Gilded Rose.
The Gilded Rose's potions were selling the best. Almost all of the potions were running out of stock. Every single person who used a potion would never badmouth one of the Gilded Rose's potions. At the same price, the Gilded Rose's potions were of higher quality and had greater effects, they were definitely the best. And this was more than enough.
After all, there was a common saying, mages are always running out of golds, yet mages always spend large sums. Mages made a lot of money and didn't really care if they paid a few more golds. What they truly cared about was the quality of the potions. A slightly better potion could be the difference between life and death at a critical juncture.
By nine o'clock, the Gilded Rose's staff were already extremely busy and the spatial expansion array was already operating at full capacity.
The twenty-meter-wide street going through the eighteen stores had also expanded to over a kilometer to make it feel like there were many people, yet it wasn't too crowded.
At this time, a group of mage suddenly stepped aside as a group of black-robed mages stepped on the street. After coming in, they hardly concealed their auras.
They were led by a mage whose appearance was that of a young man in his mid-twenties. He had a thin and long face, sunken eyes, and deep blue eyes flickering with light. He was so thin he looked like an undead wearing a layer of skin, he even had blue soul fires flickering within his eyes.
The dense aura of death spread out and it felt like a powerful Undead was marking his territory.
Seeing the symbol on these mages' robes, the expressions of the onlookers immediately changed and they all took some distance.
"That terrifying Toursse came? Could it be that the rumors are true? The Rodney Family took a fancy to the Gilded Rose?"
"Shhh, lower your voice, that Toursse is a terrifying Necromancer. All those who offended him were turned into horrible Undeads…"
Toursse smiled, apparently very satisfied by the onlookers' fear. Necromancers had been nightmarish existences for a long time. To this day, it was common belief that Necromancers were cruel, powerful, and mysterious.
To be continued