Lady Farren imdiately shook her head. "I cannot, in good faith, let you inspect the Compound Bow. It is not my property. It is not a secret that I can simply give away."
A lot of people were confused with her words. After all, weren't the Compound Bow hers? Wasn't it the property of the Elves?
They could understand her saying that she didn't want them to copy the chanics of the bow. They would have accepted that. She didn't have to say that it wasn't hers. So… she must have been telling the truth.
But if so, then who did own it?
"Then, who owns this Compound Bow?" asked Gourdon Zentister.
Lady Farren was about to shake her head. While Michael didn't tell her to keep it a secret, she sure wouldn't want to tell it to everyone without his express permission.
Bzzz… bzzz…
All of a sudden, she felt a vibration in the hems of her skirt.
She took out her phone. A ssage notification was written on the screen.
And once she read its contents, she imdiately pivoted her stance on the whole situation.
"If you want to learn the Compound Bow, then you must ask its owner."
A lot of people were still beholden by the strange tal brick in her hands. But the prospect of sohow borrowing the Compound Bow simply overpowered that curiosity.
Mr. Wadeby imdiately stepped forward. "Please tell us so that I may kowtow to their feet and ask them for this favor."
Then, Lady Farren raised her hand, pointing towards the crowd.
People made way as they backed away from Lady Farren's pointing hands. And eventually, it landed towards the group of Royalblood Vampires that everyone seed to have forgotten.
"What? The Vampires created the Compound Bows?!"
"How? They're not fad for their blacksmithing culture!"
It was at this mont that Lady Farren shook her head. "Look closely," she said.
They began to pinpoint the location her finger was pointed. And there, they saw that it didn't land on Arthrax himself. Instead, it was on the violet sli that was perched atop his head.
Many were still unbelieving of this. Doubt and confusion painted on their faces.
There was no way. There must have been a mistake.
But Fudge, the 'harmless' violet sli, hopped on over towards Lady Farren with a laughter that echoed through the six walls of the Garrison.
"Fufufu!"
Lady Farren lowered her gaze as Fudge approached her. "Mr. Fudge. It has been a while. Have you been finding it well?"
Fudge jumped atop Lady Farren's head, which she had graciously lowered for him to perch on.
"Good! Good! You have passed my test. You have been treating the Compound Bows well. If you had told them the truth about it, I would have confiscated them from you!" Fudge laughed. "My Master doesn't like tattle-tales!"
Lady Farren bowed. "I would never reveal unless your Master commands to do so."
After seeing this interaction, everyone was simply at a loss for words. Sohow, even the Elves were treating this sli with the utmost respect!
Now, they were starting to realize that maybe the Royalblood Vampires weren't that crazy after all.
Was this sli really a big deal as he was presenting himself as?
"Mr. Fudge, these humans wish to borrow the Compound Bow for their own use."
Fudge looked at everyone, and everyone looked at him with utter shock.
They would have never thought that this little sli would be the very person they needed to kowtow towards! Now, if they wanted access to the Compound Bows, then they would need to bow in respect to the little sli!
"FUFUFU! You are all very fortunate!" Fudge said, his voice booming. "If you want our help, then you must help fulfill our conditions."
Gourdon Zentister stepped forward. In his face, there was no longer any surprise at the sli taking control of the situation.
As an experienced negotiator, he knew that he would need to bow down to Fudge if he wanted those Compound Bows.
"Very well. Sir Fudge, was it? First of all, on behalf of everyone here in the Garrison, we apologize for treating you with less respect that you deserve.
But you must forgive us. This is a very hectic ti for all of us. After all, we are fighting an enemy that threatens to destroy the fabric of peace in the world.
You have your own conditions. Please tell us, so that we may use those Compound Bows to fight against the Ersatz."
Fudge looked towards an empty spot in the air, nodding towards the place where Michael's Drone was hidden.
"My Master is very generous. He would like to help your cause. But if we were to do so, then we need to be hands-on with such a project. We need to be involved."
Michael was glad that Fudge reiterated his words without changing much of anything.
This was his chance. He wanted a seat at their table. If he was involved in this mission, then he may be involved in others as well.
"And," Fudge continued. "You must all be servants of the Iron Maiden!"
Michael slapped his own forehead in disappointnt. Stick to the script!, he shouted inwardly.
Everyone looked at each other. Gourdon Zentister took the initiative and gathered all six faction leaders together for a decision.
And after a few minutes of deliberation, they ca back with an answer.
"We will be able to provide your… organization… with a place here in our garrison," Gourdon said. "But we cannot force our mbers to believe in your religion. That is an immovable stance."
Fudge clicked his tongue. "Tsk, whatever. Fine, we agree!"
The others heaved a sigh or relief.
But then, Fudge said: "now, get these campfire out of here!"
And without even asking for permission, Fudge's shadow began swallowing the very center of the Garrison, every bench, armor stand, and tent disappearing into the darkness, leaving only an empty space.
"This is where we will be staying!" Fudge demanded.
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