***
The next day.
LionArk Headquarters.
The door to Ethan’s office opened, and Sherly stepped inside while carrying new information. She reported that representatives from another guild had arrived to visit. Ethan nodded calmly in response.
Yesterday, he had sent a ssage to the Guild Leader of White Coat through a standard direct ssage.
Ethan had sent her a friend request, and the woman accepted it imdiately. Since then, the two of them had exchanged many ssages back and forth.
Florensia had clearly expressed her desire to et him in person, and Ethan had no objections at all.
He welcod her to visit Mavelard. He even allowed her to bring mbers of her guild as personal security, even though Ethan himself had already ensured how tight the security in Mavelard was.
Today, however, Ethan did not expect Florensia to arrive sooner than anticipated.
He assud she would co tomorrow or perhaps the day after, giving herself ti to prepare many things. But reality proved him wrong.
"Let them co in," Ethan said.
"Yes, Sir Ethan," Sherly replied clearly.
She left Ethan’s office and returned to the front hall. There, she inford Florensia that she was permitted to et Ethan, but only Florensia herself and her aide were allowed inside.
Florensia, a beautiful woman with long black hair, nodded in agreent with Sherly’s explanation. She and her male aide followed Sherly as they entered the LionArk headquarters building.
As they walked inside, Florensia could imdiately sense the high level of activity within the building.
Ever since LionArk rose to the rank of an S rank guild, their work ethic and discipline had beco vastly different compared to A rank guilds.
mbers moved quickly, reported efficiently, and followed strict procedures without hesitation.
Sherly continued walking up the stairs until they reached the third floor. Her steps stopped in front of Ethan’s office door.
"Sir Ethan, I have brought the guild representatives," Sherly announced.
Ethan’s voice responded from inside, ordering them to enter. Sherly opened the door and stepped into the room, followed by Florensia and her aide.
Not long after, the two of them found Ethan still seated behind his desk. The mont Florensia’s eyes landed on him, they widened slightly.
She froze in place, clearly surprised and captivated by Ethan’s presence.
In this ga world, most won prioritized strength over appearance when choosing a partner.
However, when soone possessed both overwhelming power and good looks, it was only natural that they would beco even more desirable.
Florensia had been extrely busy in Arkban City and rarely paid attention to matters outside her territory.
Because of that, she had never truly beco familiar with Ethan. That was perfectly understandable, since she herself was one of the three players who held considerable power in Arkban City.
"Please," Sherly said politely, but her words went unheard as Florensia remained stunned.
Ethan gave a brief smile. He stood up and stepped away from his desk, stopping in front of Florensia and her male aide.
It was obvious to Ethan that Florensia had already ford a relationship with another player.
What surprised him was that the man turned out to be her aide, judging from the matching usernas the two of them shared.
"Are you alright?" Ethan asked, glancing briefly toward Sherly.
Florensia’s aide, Nick, pinched her hand lightly to snap her out of her daze. Florensia jolted, wincing slightly from the pain, and turned her head reflexively.
"What are you doing?" she protested.
"That’s Ethan," Nick whispered quietly.
Florensia looked forward again and smiled when she realized Ethan was standing right in front of her. She raised her hand and reached out to shake his.
"Thank you for receiving us, Sir Ethan," Florensia said politely.
Ethan extended his hand and gestured for both Florensia and Nick to take the seats in front of his desk.
Sherly stood attentively beside Ethan’s chair, ready to assist if needed during the discussion.
"I was already waiting for your arrival. I did not expect you to co this soon," Ethan said.
"We did not want to keep you waiting. It is obvious that you have far more responsibilities than we do," Florensia replied.
Ethan nodded. With a casual motion, he summoned a bottle of wine and poured it into two glasses, clearly intending to talk while drinking.
"I have already received your ssages. Is there sothing specific you wish to discuss?" Ethan asked calmly.
Florensia and Nick exchanged a brief glance before nodding at each other. After taking a deep breath, Florensia began explaining the reason for their visit.
"We have heard the news about Glorious Sword being expelled from the Eastern Alliance. That is terrible news for the entire Arkban City," Florensia said.
"Glorious Sword clearly did not attend the first eting of the Eastern Alliance. I considered that their withdrawal," Ethan replied flatly.
"There are many rumors saying that the Guild Leader of Glorious Sword was detained, which prevented them from attending," Florensia said.
"I consider that nothing more than an excuse. The fact remains that he did not co, and he admitted it himself," Ethan answered.
"Is the purpose of your visit to persuade to accept them back into the alliance?" Ethan asked seriously.
Florensia shook her head firmly. She clearly stated that she had no such plan. Together with Nick, she began explaining the true reason why they ca all the way to Mavelard to et Ethan.
In short, Florensia described the situation in Arkban City after Glorious Sword left the Eastern Alliance.
Trade routes beca restricted, prices of items and food skyrocketed, and chaos occurred endlessly throughout the city.
Glorious Sword attempted to establish cooperation with cities in the Central Plains, but they failed.
Accommodation costs were much higher, item prices were inflated, and the variety of goods and food was completely different from what Arkban City was used to.
"Sacred Bonds, one of the major guilds there, keeps creating trouble after trouble. It has made the situation in the city extrely unstable," Nick explained.
"That is only natural," Ethan replied calmly.
"Sacred Bonds is likely trying to take control of the city from Glorious Sword, especially when the city is already in chaos," Ethan added.
Florensia clenched her hands slightly on her lap before speaking again.
"We want to ask you, as the Vice Leader of LionArk, to help all of us in Arkban," Florensia said.
Ethan fell silent. He leaned back against his chair, releasing a long breath before slowly exhaling it.
They ca prepared. They know exactly how desperate the situation has beco.
He felt pleased by their request, but Ethan wanted sothing else from them, sothing far greater than what they were currently asking for.
"Hm."
"That seems difficult," Ethan said at last.
Hearing those words, Florensia lowered her head weakly, feeling as though she had failed to persuade him.
She knew very well that it was nearly impossible for Ethan to help Arkban, especially considering that Glorious Sword was no longer a mber of the alliance.
"I see. I understand," Florensia said quietly.
"However..."
Florensia’s head lifted instantly.
"I can help you," Ethan said.
"Help us?" Florensia asked in disbelief.
"What do you an, Sir Ethan?" Nick added.
"Glorious Sword has proven itself incapable of managing Arkban City," Ethan said calmly.
"I plan to change the ruler of the city."
Florensia froze. Her heart began pounding violently in her chest. She turned to look at Nick, who appeared just as confused and stunned as she was.
"You an Sacred Bonds will take control of the city?" Florensia asked carefully.
"No."
Ethan pointed straight ahead.
"You."
"I will help you seize the city from Glorious Sword, on one condition."
"You, as a guild in Arkban City, must listen to and obey my words."
"Are you willing?"
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