Each got two Crystals - one tal, one Fire. The burly soldier led the group, and his box held four Crystals, two of each type.
In his past life, Magnus knew neither Cliff’s n nor the Ridgebreak Battalion ever carried Crystals personally - unless they held real rank, and these three didn’t. Still wore their standard fatigues, no high insignias.
"What’s the aning of this?" the burly man asked, instinctively covering his box. He could feel it - his had more than the others’.
Magnus caught the move. His suspicion deepened. "Three of you ca all this way. It’s only right we Ice Regint show so hospitality," he said smoothly. "Alright then, if there’s nothing else, let’s trade. Chloe, go tell Evan and the others to let our friends from Ridgebreak drive the trucks in. They get priority - let them trade first."
"This it?" The burly man held the box, standing up from his stool.
"What?" Magnus gave him a surprised look. "There sothing else? Ah - " he lightly slapped his own forehead, then turned to Chloe again. "Chloe, head to Liana’s. Grab that case of Louis XIII Cognac. Pack so for the officers here. I’d invite them for a drink myself, but I know they’re on duty. Can’t drink. So take this as a gift from , personally."
"Yes, sir." Chloe saluted and left to get the liquor.
Crystals, then the Louis XIII Cognac. The burly man raised a hand, clearly uneasy. "Wait a sec! Commander Specter..." His tone changed. "Let’s not play gas. This gift feels a little off. We can’t just take it. You need to speak plain."
"Speak plain? About what?" Magnus frowned.
"Commander, don’t ss with . You’re handing us gifts for nothing? You don’t know us, didn’t ask for anything - what do you really want?" The burly man’s stare was sharp.
"What could I want from you?" Magnus looked genuinely puzzled. "Didn’t I say already? We trade, then you’re free to go. Or, if you’d like to rest a few days, you’re welco to stay. We’d treat you well."
"Really? You don’t want us to do anything for you?"
"Nothing at all," Magnus said, standing and gesturing to follow him off the truck. "Co on. I’ll personally handle the exchange with our Ridgebreak guests. Everything in your favor."
If those three traded and left smoothly, that alone would be doing Magnus the biggest favor - not that he’d say it out loud.
Today they ca with three trucks packed with scrap - useless stuff, really. Magnus sneered inwardly. Were they here to test him, or just cause trouble?
But fine. He still gave them fair trades for all of it - rice for every item - never shorted them on weight, but didn’t give a single grain extra. That move alone sent a clear ssage: the Ice Regint isn’t scared, won’t be bullied.
A small concession today was worth it. After the three Ridgebreak Battalion n left, chaos broke outside. The survivor teams waiting to trade exploded with complaints. They didn’t dare yell at Ridgebreak, but they had no problem venting their anger on Magnus. Many started shouting they wouldn’t trade anymore.
Liana looked worried. "Teacher White..."
Magnus lit a cigarette, sitting in the RV’s lounge. "Tonight, give the trading teams outside a good al. Charlotte, go tell the trucks: starting tomorrow, we’ll begin large-scale trading. No more sorting items. They can trade however they want. Let’s finish all deals within three days."
"What about Cliff’s unit? Are we feeding them extra too?" Liana asked.
"No need," Magnus said sharply. "From today forward, no more cooked rice or water for them. And make sure they’re last in line when we start trading tomorrow."
One hand fed honey; the other swung a stick. That was Magnus’ tactic. Spoil Ridgebreak, get them to cooperate, trade and leave fast. The hint being: Ice Regint and Ridgebreak are close.
Suppress Cliff’s n, and the ssage was clear: I’m not scared of you. Why? Let him guess. If Liam and the others go back and report that Ice Regint is part of Ridgebreak, Cliff would think twice about making a move.
Over the next three days, Ice Regint sped up trading. No more delays. By morning of the fourth day, only Cliff’s convoy remained in Ashbrook Town.
They’d waited seven days. The officer from Cliff’s unit was fuming. He hadn’t even seen Magnus once. The guy never showed. Who knew what kind of hatred existed between him and Springvale’s troops?
Still, the grain mattered. No matter what, they had to hold back their anger, get the deal done. Once they got what they needed, he swore he’d personally lead troops to wipe the Ice Regint out.
Cliff’s fleet had 77 big trucks - box trucks, trailers, all loaded to the brim. Over 90% were daily supplies - pots, pans, toilet paper, blankets, won’s clothing and shoes...
Didn’t matter. Magnus followed the list to the letter. Not a single pound of grain short.
He couldn’t push them too hard. Make them feel scamd, and they might do sothing desperate.
They didn’t finish checking inventory until 3 p.m. Finally, Ice Regint delivered the promised grain. Both sides confird. The officer made one last request to see Magnus.
"Our leader is cultivating quietly. No visitors," Isabel replied coldly, turning away.
Cultivating? In the damn apocalypse? What, he’s ditating for enlightennt? The officer fud. Cursing under his breath, he returned to the convoy, pissed off, and rolled out of Ashbrook Town.
"They’re gone?" Magnus asked, sitting in the RV with the other Ice Regint won.
Isabel gave a quick report. "Gone. I had soone tail them ten kiloters. Saw them leave with my own eyes."
That Cliff never threatened or tried recruiting the survivor teams was a surprise to Magnus. And when his n crossed paths with Ridgebreak, neither side seed to notice the other. Must’ve been given so kind of order beforehand.
Stirring trouble between them was hard - but not impossible.
Just then, Chloe strode into the RV lounge, face tense. "Magnus, Evan is here. Says it’s urgent!"
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