Chapter 1292
But in less than half a day, the Ninth-Rank Title Archmage they sent out was carried back.
Looking at the miserable state of the mage before him, Farrow couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. The envoy sent out for a tentative negotiation had both legs broken, every tooth knocked out. If he hadn't reached Title Archmage, whose vitality far surpassed ordinary people, he would have already died from blood loss...
After setting his subordinate's bones and pouring a vial of life potion down his throat, Farrow finally noticed a crystal clutched in the mage's arms.
Picking up the crystal and channeling a trace of mana into it, a phantom of a young mage—appearing not yet thirty—materialized in midair. The young mage wore an arrogant expression, chin slightly raised as if looking down on a swarm of ants, his voice domineering and brooking no argument.
"You have three days to decide: submit to our Rodney Family, or be destroyed!"
With that simple statement, the phantom vanished. Farrow didn't send anyone else to negotiate. Instead, he began mobilizing defenses. The previously hidden legion of Level Thirty-Nine Alchemical Golems was now positioned in secret. All critical locations of the Gilded Rose were guarded by large contingents of Level Thirty-Nine Alchemical Golems.
The transportation of raw materials also changed. No more floating airships, except for rare special materials. Everything else was left unprocessed. Ore and herbs were sent directly to the Odin Kingdom via spatial equipment.
It was more troublesome and costlier, but for now, it was the best solution. Meanwhile, Farrow began sending magic beacons to Leon, reporting the situation. The Rodney Family's outrageous, domineering tactics were no different from outright coercion and robbery.
Normal negotiation methods were useless. If the enemy truly resorted to force, the Gilded Rose's current strength would be no match. Below Heaven Rank, their forces could form a massive army, but when it came to Heaven Rank power, they had almost none.
Aside from Lafayette and Fortmore Jackson who had just arrived, the only one guarding the Gilded Rose was a Level Forty Spider Alchemical Golem.
But even this force was powerless against the current situation. Even Lafayette and Fortmore Jackson might be helpless. The enemy was clearly unreasonable, and among the Gilded Rose's allies in the Odin Kingdom, those with good relations were all second-tier powers.
Skyhold Fortress and the Henry Family were among the Gilded Rose’s closest allies, with direct partnerships—either technical or logistical. As for families like the Jacksons, those relationships amounted to little more than procurement arrangements.
Given the situation, the other partners couldn't do much either. After all, the Rodney Family was a first-tier power and wouldn't give face to groups like Skyhold Fortress.
As for Astral Academy, that was out of the question. Too many forces collaborated with Astral Academy, mostly for training alchemists or technical projects. Trying to use Astral Academy’s influence to pressure the Rodney Family was wishful thinking; the academy never intervened in factional disputes.
Two days passed quickly. At this point, Leon returned to Neverwinter City with Xiu Ban and the others. As soon as he arrived, he learned the full details of the situation.
Leon had heard of the Rodney Family—a lineage not especially ancient, yet in just over a thousand years, it had amassed vast wealth since its founding. Morgan Henry once mentioned the Rodney Family’s fortune exceeded even the Henry Family’s.
The Henry Family’s inability to join the Odin Kingdom’s top echelon was due to their lack of elite power and limited bloodline. They relied on wealth to acquire resources for strengthening themselves. Every Henry Family member was armed to the teeth.
But the Rodney Family’s upper echelon was far stronger than the Henry Family’s. Their current patriarch possessed Heaven Rank Level Four power, and they had no shortage of Heaven Rank experts.
Just after Leon finished reading all the information, Lafayette was led over, walking gingerly. Seeing Leon, he couldn’t help but show a trace of fear, his face full of anxiety—clearly worried Leon would drive him away and vent his anger on the Jackson Family. If that happened, he’d be dead for sure...
Seeing Lafayette arrive, Farrow quietly explained the situation to Leon, even presenting the contract on the spot for Leon to inspect.
After glancing at the contract, Leon's expression grew strange—the contract's paper was a special Gilded Rose product. In this era, no one could tamper with such contracts. Its content was essentially a slave deed.
Leon handed the contract back to Farrow for safekeeping and said nothing more. Since such a harsh agreement had already been signed, Leon wasn't worried about Lafayette or Fortmore Jackson causing trouble. If the Jackson Family had any sense, they'd realize their family's economic lifeline—and even their very survival—had been in the Gilded Rose's hands since the start of their cooperation.
In fact, things were better now—the Gilded Rose had gained two Heaven Rank security guards, so there was no need to occasionally consider disposing of Lafayette and handing his soul over to Lord Shaun as payment...
On Leon's shoulder, Lord Shaun looked regretful. His gaze at Lafayette seemed to tear through the latter's soul, making Lafayette break out in a cold sweat.
Only when Leon showed no reaction did Lafayette finally breathe a little easier.
I really am too clever—joining the Gilded Rose was the best way to avoid disaster. Archmage Leon Merlin is becoming more terrifying; in just half a year, he's grown strong enough to crush me like an ant.
Standing before him, I couldn't sense his magic at all. When he looked at me, it felt like a terrifying beast was watching, ready to tear me apart at any moment. If he wanted to kill me, I wouldn't stand a chance...
And that ghost wolf on his shoulder—what a frightening creature. I could feel it staring at my soul, as if... as if I were prey...
Damn, I didn't know how to curry favor with Archmage Leon Merlin before, but now I do.