"Alright, I'll go talk, talk with you."
As he spoke, Alec signaled to the four remaining Naming Givers behind him with a discreet signal, indicating for two to follow him. He then commanded displeasedly, "Is this, this how the Ivory Tower treats its guests? Having people stand around without offering, offering even a bit of water? Leaving them hungry?"
"There's wine and at!"
Huai Shi nodded vigorously and glared at Lin Nineteen who wasn't far away. "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and arrange dinner for our friends! Have the kitchen take out the good at. And didn't I bring two bottles of red wine? Quick, bring them out for everyone to wet their throats!"
Lin Nineteen was stunned for a mont before rushing off hastily. Soon, a lavish spread of food and wine was served in the Iron Crystal Throne's dining room.
Among the Snake-n, the young commander with variegated markings watched disdainfully as Huai Shi bowed and scraped while welcoming those Rat-n into the office. He spat a gob of venom onto the ground contemptuously, and it landed with a SIZZLE.
"Coward... Esteed Elder, why did we end up with such trash this ti?"
"Isn't this better? With those Rat-n setting the precedent, it's convenient for us to up the price—if there's no victory, at least we should make money."
The Esteed Elder still chewed on dry grass roots, his forked tongue flicking slightly to taste the air, but he didn't let his offspring and subordinates cause trouble.
The spare rein was wrapped tightly around his wrist, not loosening in the slightest.
"Wait," he said warily, glancing at the Gargoyles standing guard nearby, "just wait—"
As a crack force accustod to waging war among the various Hells and always erging on various battlefields, the Snake-man Undead Army possessed formidable mobility and the ability to endure sustained combat. Simultaneously, their military discipline had grown increasingly stern amidst the harsh atmosphere of the Snake-man tribes.
From the mont they answered the call, each Snake-man had brought two weeks' worth of provisions.
Even under Lin Nineteen's warm invitation to the welco feast, they never touched the Ivory Tower's cutlery or the enticing dishes placed before them. Instead, they ate brick-like compressed cakes of grass and drank only the water they had brought, remaining utterly vigilant.
As for the Gargoyles... they didn't need to eat at all. Even if their bodies were occasionally damaged, they could recover by consuming Stone and iron. Real nourishnt ca from Source Substance objects similar to Source Crystals, and two or three tis a month were usually enough.
It was the Rat-n who quickly began to indulge in debauchery, especially after the Wood Cottage served up the fine wine Huai Shi had collected. The wine was as red as blood, emitting an enticing aroma that made the Rat-n's eyes go red with desire. Even though each was only allowed a small cup, they still helplessly imrsed themselves in the exquisite flavor, becoming helplessly drunk and boisterous.
Even the Snake-n nearby couldn't help but flare their nostrils at the scent.
"HUMPH—"
The young commander huffed and placed his hand on the Short Knife at his waist, preparing to stand up. However, he saw the Esteed Elder raise his eyes coldly. "Cholulu, what do you think you're doing?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Cholulu retorted discontentedly. "Fine wine is only fitting for the victors to enjoy. If we don't partake, do those scum deserve it?"
"Whether they deserve it is not for you to decide."
The Esteed Elder said indifferently, "The fine wine isn't yours, nor is the victory. The principle is that only once you've secured victory is fine wine granted to you, not for you to reach out and take yourself. That is not sothing a guest should do, nor should a hired person harbor such thoughts."
"But..."
"But what?" the Esteed Elder asked coldly. "Are you questioning my command? Cholulu, are you planning to defy ? If so, please draw your knife. We can entertain them with a sword dance before the master returns."
"I dare not."
Cholulu prostrated himself in panic behind the table, heedless of the spilled soup staining his clothes.
The Esteed Elder said no more, slowly eating his grass brick provisions with the water he brought, sitting quietly and waiting.
Within him, an uneasy premonition grew ever stronger—
It wasn't long before the screen on the ceiling above everyone's heads suddenly lit up, displaying the scene in the office.
Before they could get a clear look, a flustered voice ca through.
"This, this price, isn't it a bit... rather steep?"
"Expensive! Where, where is it expensive?"
Alec slamd his hand furiously on the table. "Life, life is priceless! It's, it's just doubled! You black-hearted, treacherous rchants, aren't you willing to spend even this little bit of money?"
"No, no, that's not what I ant."
Huai Shi wiped the sweat from his brow awkwardly, lifting his head to look at Alec. Seeing Alec's grim and indifferent expression, he shrank back a bit. "Alright, alright, fine, at that price! I'll have the money brought up imdiately..."
The office, once tidy, had beco a complete ss.
Behind Alec's couch, the two Naming Givers who had followed him were on the verge of turning the office completely upside down. Now, they were wrestling for a handgun hanging on the wall.
It had to be said, the engraving of the small fly on its grip was quite exquisite—clearly a valuable piece!
It wasn't long before a teenage girl in a grey dress pushed a trolley in. As the trolley's box opened towards Alec, the Source Crystals piled inside shone with a brilliant light.
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