Chapter 429 - Roaring Sea
“It seems that I came a little too late?” Barter stroked his chin as he sat on the tall war horse, smiling cheekily towards Rhode. Rhode rolled his eyes in response. He was so exhausted that he couldn’t stand up and he didn’t have the mood to argue with Barter. The timing of Barter’s arrival was perfect. He came five to six minutes after Rhode’s group had defeated the Necromancer.
“Doesn’t matter. Anyway, I know that reinforcements always come after the main character defeats the BOSS.” Rhode gave Barter a cold stare and ridiculed him. Barter was slightly astonished as though he didn’t understand what Rhode meant. At this moment, Paris arrived before Barter and reported the happenings softly.
Rhode couldn’t help but think of Marlene as he observed how attentively Paris reported to Barter while he listened closely. Rhode was wondering what that rich young lady was up to… Although according to logic, there shouldn’t be much of an issue with Canary’s help, Rhode was still somewhat concerned about how they were managing the Fortress.
“Leader, what are you thinking?” Anne sat beside Rhode and stretched lazily with her arms out. She turned to Rhode and asked curiously.
“Master must be thinking of women; it’s just that we don’t know who he is thinking of,” Gillian approached them casually. On the other hand, Grendy and Natasha were handed over to Barter since their request was to send them to the Purple Lily Guild. Now that the leader of the guild was here to take over, Rhode could finally focus on his dungeon mission.
“Eh?” Anne widened her eyes curiously at Gillian’s remark. “Anne is also a woman and Leader has two women beside him now. Why does Leader need to think of women?”
“All men in the world are like that.” Gillian swayed her tail playfully as she placed a finger on her lips while smiling slyly. Rhode shrugged his shoulders and ignored the fox-eared young lady because he knew that he would get his fingers burnt if he spoke anything.
At this moment, Barter and Paris’s group approached Rhode and Barter burst into loud laughter upon hearing Gillian’s words. “Miss Gillian is right. But I think that all men would rather be stuffed to death than to be starved to death. Look at the small stature of your leader. Heh heh, if he doesn’t eat a bit more, perhaps he can’t keep up.”
Barter stroked his chin and laughed mischievously at Rhode. Rhode shot a cold stare in response to the muscle man’s taunts before standing up. Barter kept his smile as his expression turned serious. “I’ve heard from Paris and those two brats what happened. Did your group really eliminate a team of Undead Legions? That’s great work, but… Heh heh heh. I think the garrisons will have a hard one since they allowed the Undead Legion to mess around. I think there’s no future for those guys anymore.”
Barter swept him a glance and continued explaining. “Judging from your expression, Little Rhode you must be thinking that this alliance is a replacement for the Liberty Wings, right? Heh, things aren’t exactly this way. According to those bastards’ explanations, the Liberty Mercenary Alliance is not restricted to any region or headcount. Any mercenary groups can join them as long as they are interested! Furthermore, they even promised that any mercenary group that joins them will receive a huge sum of funds!”
Rhode’s expression changed slightly as he understood the source of the problem instantly. However, Anne gazed curiously as she gazed between Rhode and Barter, who was gritting his teeth. “But, but, didn’t Royal Highness Lydia say that there is a possibility that those mercenary groups are involved with the Demons? Why would anyone join them? Aren’t they afraid of getting into trouble?”
“Heh, things aren’t as simple as you think, Little Anne.” Barter patted Anne’s head while Rhode nodded slightly at Anne’s sensible questions. Although there wasn’t any restriction to a region for the recruitment of the Liberty Mercenary Alliance, everyone was aware of who established this alliance. But what about it? There are all sorts of humans, as well as mercenary groups. Just like the ‘Undead Spirit Mission’ incident that occurred in the Paphield Region, various mercenary groups suffered huge losses and needed time to recuperate them. However, some lowest-ranking mercenaries would rather choose to be the Jade Tears’s lackeys than to die. Perhaps they were aware that they didn’t have potential as mercenaries so they chose to betray their pride in exchange for something substantial. Moreover, as the saying goes, ‘The law does not punish numerous offenders’, and even the timidest of the mercenary groups would toughen up as long as they have companions.
“I’ve informed those mercenary groups under me, but it isn’t within my control if they choose to join the alliance. But,you have to be careful, Little Rhode, because I heard that the prime target of the Liberty Mercenary Alliance is you. Although it’s impossible for those bastards to find trouble with me on my territory, you have to be wary that they might turn to you if they know you’re here,” Barter reminded.
“I understand,” Rhode nodded. The Liberty Mercenary Alliance had extended its recruitment to under the eyes of the Purple Lily Guild and might have recruited some mercenary groups who would do anything for money. If they were to know that Rhode had arrived in the Eagle City, they would definitely urge these mercenary groups to find trouble with him. Rhode had a sensitive identity as the guild leader of the Paphield Region, while Barter, as the leader of the Purple Lily Guild, naturally wouldn’t turn a blind eye to the disputes between mercenaries over his jurisdiction. It would be easy for the people of the alliance to stir trouble secretly and cause the Purple Lily Guild to confront and even be hostile towards Starlight.
Rhode swept Barter a glance and it seemed that this muscle man wasn’t as brainless as the players had described. For Barter to inform Rhode privately about these matters showed that he was also concerned. After all, Starlight was unlike the Cole Falcon and the Purple Lily who had worked together for so many years where it wouldn’t be simple to stir conflicts between them. Starlight was a newly established guild which everyone was unfamiliar with and unfamiliarity gave chances for doubts and suspicions. Furthermore, if Starlight were to be overly powerful in other regions apart from his, the guild of that region would definitely despise it. From another perspective, if Barter were to cause a ruckus with a mercenary group in Rhode’s territory, Rhode wouldn’t feel comfortable either.
Rhode frowned in deep thoughts “Thanks for your reminder, Mr. Barter. We will think of a way to avoid this… At least, we won’t make it difficult for you.”
“That’s fine, Little Rhode,” Barter nodded in satisfaction as he smiled widely and patted on Rhode’s shoulder. “Work hard! And don’t forget our bet, Little Rhode! I’m still looking forward to the day I see you in women’s clothes!”
“You won’t get that chance.” Perhaps Rhode would have flipped out if it were someone else who said that. However, knowing it was Barter’s nature, Rhode replied coldly.
But… Rhode was no pushover either. Rhode couldn’t wait to teach Barter a lesson on saying what he shouldn’t after winning this bet. Rhode revealed a peculiar smile at this thought.