Provocation and Duel
Led by the dwarf captain, everyone entered the camp.
Here, wooden houses and stone houses were neatly arranged, with many dwarves weaving through the streets. When they saw Serea and the others, so stopped to observe, so left with sullen expressions.
They entered a multi-story stone building. The dwarf captain turned to everyone and said, "This is the place, but before you go in, you need to hand over your weapons to us for safekeeping."
Upon hearing this, Serea and her group handed over their weapons and then walked into a spacious room together. As soon as they entered, they imdiately attracted all eyes in the eting hall.
Goblins, dwarves, ogres, fishn, beastn, goblins...
They scrutinized Serea's group of seven. Already knowing that their tribe was a multi-racial one, no one present felt particularly surprised.
However, among so many gazes, one in particular made Aruka frown slightly.
It ca from a beastman. He first sized up Serea, then shifted his gaze to Avril, who was disguised as an elf. That blatant, unrestrained stare caused Aruka's face to darken.
Sensing Aruka's gloom, avril held onto his arm, admonishing him to keep his emotions in check.
On hearing this, Aruka nodded and didn't say more. Still, seeing the beautiful female elf fawn over a re werewolf, the beastman was instantly displeased within.
During this first wave of exchanges through glances, Serea noticed sothing: every race present was allied with Maregof; the so-called "great tribes" were only the goblin and dwarf tribes.
The 'Whirlpool Tide' naga clan from Lake Paske, the 'Blood Eye' beastman clan from the southern jungle, the 'Brand' bearfolk clan from Mount Eiso—none of these true powerhouse tribes were present.
So, the 'Great Tribe Alliance eting' that Deseli spoke of was actually just a front?
With this in mind, Serea glanced at the seat of honor. Next to the dwarven clan chief, a grey-skinned goblin sat serenely. Upon seeing Serea enter, he smiled and greeted her.
Epic Level 31, leader of the Silver Ear tribe—Maregof!
Seeing this, Serea figured that since they'd co all this way, she might as well see what tricks the other party wanted to play.
Serea led everyone to their seats, but before they could even sit down, the beastman chief was the first to speak.
"As latecors, isn't the first thing you should do upon entering apologize?"
The beastman chief shouted loudly, causing everyone to fall into silence and look toward Serea.
Serea remained silent, but that didn't an others would. Aruka, already irked by that beastman, shot back imdiately.
"Before you speak, you ought to give your na. That's basic courtesy."
"Hmph! Then rember it—I'm Strolomacaria, the grand chief of the 'Macaria Beastman Tribe.'"
Stro responded confrontationally, and Aruka snorted coldly.
"Heh, acting all arrogant—I thought you were the chief of the 'Blood Eye' beastman clan."
Aruka's tone was filled with contempt, which infuriated the hot-tempered Strolomacaria, who slapped the table and stood up.
"What did you say?!"
Just as Stro was about to charge over and challenge Aruka—justifiable, as he was a level 25 silver elite—Maregof interjected.
"Chief Strolomacaria, please don't be upset. After all, lady Serea has only just arrived in the western jungle. So tolerance toward newcors is only proper."
Maregof spoke, and after a glance at him, stro sat back down. "This is out of respect for Lord Maregof."
Seeing this, Serea realized they were just trying to test her—but it didn't seem to be working very well.
"Is the pointless bickering over? Let's get to business. What did you call here for today?"
Serea spoke, and Maregof's gaze settled on her.
"I like your directness. As for what I wish to discuss today, I think you're well aware."
"You're planning to make trouble over those ogres, aren't you?"
Serea replied, at which Maregof chuckled.
"'Make trouble' is a bit harsh. But, as the new tribe to settle in the western jungle, you seized territory and even massacred our western jungle brethren right after arriving. I believe the Queen owes us an explanation."
"Explanation? What's there to explain? Those guys captured my tribespeople and attacked my allies. For those who initiate war, we can only respond in kind."
"As for the claim about your tribespeople being captured and your allies attacked, we can't verify that; when my scouts arrived, only corpses remained. But even so, lady Serea, couldn't matters have been resolved through negotiation? By acting so rashly, you're making life uneasy for us as neighbors."
Maregof spoke like he was the true master here, and the dwarven chief appeared unwilling to get involved—he had just provided a eting place.
Facing Maregof's questioning, Serea gave a soft laugh.
"So what do you intend to do about a neighbor like —expel ?"
"No, we aren't so uncivilized. On the contrary, we want to resolve our conflict in a more peaceful way—for example, like this."
Maregof spoke, and a goblin handed a rolled parchnt to Serea. After taking it, Serea examined it carefully.
Upon seeing the contents, Serea appeared unconcerned; but Avril beca nervous, because the parchnt was a 'Trade Alliance' contract—Maregof was trying to draw Serea into his alliance.
This made Avril anxious, for she knew her own Xiyun rchant Guild needed Serea's help to establish itself in the jungle, whereas Maregof was already the area's biggest rchant. Everything she could offer Serea, maregof could also provide.
With a better option available, would Serea still cooperate with her...
"Oh? I hadn't thought of such a thod."
"Win-win cooperation has always been our core principle. Queen Serea, as long as you sign this trade alliance, we will be partners. I trust you'll abide by its terms and we can develop together with peace of mind."
Maregof spoke, and Serea glanced through the clauses.
If she signed, Serea would be required to ally herself with Maregof and uphold the alliance's interests. In return, she could obtain all kinds of supplies from Maregof at the lowest prices—enticing terms for any tribe in the jungle.
But...
"It's certainly a good proposal, but Lord Maregof should know—I have my own trade alliance. What you offer here, I can obtain for myself in the future."
"But that's in the future—too many uncertainties exist in the jungle. And if I'm not mistaken, your trade alliance includes humans, doesn't it? You must know what those people have done. Have you considered the consequences of bringing them into the jungle?"
As Maregof spoke, stro popped up again.
"What?! You actually ally with greedy, despicable humans? Don't forget, they sold our tribespeople as rchandise! People from those rchant guilds are filth that shouldn't exist in this world!"
Stro was instinctively repulsed by humans—as humans rejected them, they in turn despised humans.
Upon hearing this, avril lowered her head a little, as if recalling bitter mories. Seeing his 'wife' look that way, Aruka's face stiffened.
Realizing Aruka was about to lose control, avril tried to stop him, but Serea shot her a look, signaling her to let Aruka be, and then...
"Greedy, despicable humans? Don't paint all with the sa brush. Like among your beastn—the 'Blood Eye' clan dominates, while your tribe serves as soone else's lapdog."
Aruka spoke bluntly—and viciously—because this man had insulted his 'wife' to his face.
Stro's Rage skill almost exploded from anger.
"What?! Say that again if you dare!"
"Are you deaf?"
"Bastard! How dare you insult our 'Macaria' clan! I demand a duel—do you accept Strolomacaria's challenge?!"
Stro shouted. Avril pulled at Aruka's arm.
But then Maregof chid in.
"Why not? Beautiful elf lady, let your man defend his dignity. It's ti he took responsibility for his words."
Maregof teased.
"Aruka..."
"Leave it to ."
Aruka gave Avril a reassuring smile. With Serea's silent consent, he walked outside.
"As you wish, I accept your challenge—putting up the honor of the Bloodthirsty Fangs chief."
"Co on, then!"
The two agreed to head out. Dueling in the jungle was common; everyone was used to it.
"Looks like today's eting won't be dull, and Lady Serea can use this mont to consider my proposal," said Maregof.
"I will."
With that, everyone, eager for so excitent, left the eting room. Once outside, they saw Aruka and Stro standing in the courtyard, being handed two wooden practice broadswords.
"Puppy, don't cry when I beat you up!" taunted Stro.
"You can crow while you still can," replied Aruka.
Avril looked on worriedly. Aruka shot her a confident thumbs-up.
Seeing this, stro felt a surge of jealousy at the beautiful 'female elf.' He sneered at Aruka. "Since we're fighting, let's make a wager."
"What do you want to give ?"
"Don't talk so big."
"Quit the nonsense—na your terms."
"Very well."
Stro, thinking Aruka was caught, pointed at Avril behind him.
"Since you're new, I'll go easy on you. If you beat , I'll give you a cart of refined iron ingots. But if you lose, I just want the female elf behind you to have dinner with ."
Humiliation!
Utter humiliation!
Upon hearing Stro's words, the dwarven chief—silent until now—frowned, clearly disgusted.
Maregof's expression remained impassive, showing no reaction.
"You sure about this?"
Aruka's face was extrely grim. Avril glanced at Aruka in worry, then glared at Stro with loathing.
"It's a good deal, isn't it? Even if you lose, you won't lose anything much."
Stro spoke, still oblivious to the price he was about to pay for such words.
"I refuse your wager. A man would never stake his woman. But just for that one sentence, I'll slaughter you today!"
Aruka bared his fangs. His silvery eyes filled with murderous intent. eting his gaze, stro involuntarily took a step back.
Realizing his own fear, stro stepped forward again, raising his wooden sword into an attack stance.
"Got angry over that? How pathetically small-minded."
Aruka didn't reply. His grip on the broadsword tightened; his gaze was fixed on his enemy alone.
Seeing both n ready, maregof looked to Serea.
"This will be a splendid duel. To make it more interesting, would Lady Serea like to place a bet?"
"That depends on what you're offering."
"I'm a rchant; all I have to offer are gold and goods. So I'll wager these for this duel."
Maregof, apparently well prepared, produced a box containing a pair of exquisite earrings.
Exquisite Goblin Earrings (Blue): Wearer gains 20% faster ntal power recovery; grants skill 'Spirit of ditation.'
Spirit of ditation: On active use, instantly restores 15% ntal power; 12-hour cooldown.
Upon seeing the earrings, Serea imdiately realized Maregof was flaunting his wealth again.
She smiled.
"I'll wager this, then."
She retrieved a set of leather armor from her spatial ring.
Blood Elf Stalker Armor (Purple)!
When Maregof saw the armor, he froze. Upon confirmation, his eyes widened.
As a rchant, he could instantly tell it was exceptional; compared to his own bet, the armor was in a different league altogether.
Total defeat!
He had planned to show off his wealth but didn't expect the other side not to care at all.
"Lady Serea, are you sure you want to wager that?"
"Of course. I don't believe my friend Aruka will lose."
"Very well, since the Queen says so, I'll add this to my bet."
Maregof took out a necklace—also of blue quality, matched to the earrings. Although inferior to Serea's Blood Elf Stalker Armor, at least it would save so face.
"Now that everything's decided, let the duel begin."
"Sure."
At this point, the duel was about to start. Maregof knew Stro's ability best; conversely, that werewolf was clearly a cavalryman, but a cavalryman without a mount challenging soone like Stro—a heavy warrior—was absurd. Maregof was certain of victory.
As for whether his taunt would turn Serea against him...
It didn't matter; Maregof was never intent on winning Serea over. From how she joined forces with the Xiyun rchant Guild, it was clear she was ambitious.
A person like that—good if she agreed, but if not...
Hehe, then there was nothing more to say. He already had a plan, just awaiting Serea's final answer.
All Maregof wanted now was to enjoy a fierce duel. Since it was a duel, casualties were unavoidable. After all, it was the werewolf's daughter who got his subordinate 'Shortie' killed for nothing.
Maregof, petty as he was, rembered this vividly!
(To be continued...)
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