n

n

nLayn didn't need to wait long for someone to replace the initial negotiator. From how quickly a new person appeared, it was obvious that this change was something that the other party anticipated and prepared for.

n

"My Lord, I apologize for the incompetence of my precedesor,

" the new negotiator said as soon as he reached the talking distance away from Layn.

"I hoped I could be the one to talk business with you, sir, from the very beginning, but as I believe you are aware off, internal politics can be a bitch,

" the man said, keeping a disgusting simile throughout his speech.

n

"I think I know what you are talking about,

" Layn replied, glancing over his back towards where the rest of his group remained vigilant.

nIn theory, they were far enough for Layn to speak comfortably. Yet, the reality of the situation was that even outside Markus, Al, and other powerhouses, even the weakest of the bunch, were high enough on the cultivation ladder to easily monitor the entire discussion!

nBut just as Layn was aware of that fact, Markus would make sure that everyone would be aware of how Layn was aware. Otherwise, what Layn was about to speak about with Kazan's followers could easily uproot the trust between factions in the camp itself.

n

"Well, it's great we could establish something we can both understand so quickly,

" the man said. He then pulled his left leg to the back, placed his right-hand flat over his heart, only to pull his fingers into a fist and slam it in the very same place a moment later.

"I'm Ceres. I'm lieutenant of his majesty, general Kazan,

" he introduced himself, raising from the peculiar bow.

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"I'm Layn, the overlord of the lands you guys wish to migrate to,

" the archmage replied, not pulling any punches.

n'Now, let this doubt fester whether I learned it from Castor or if I figured it out myself,' Layn thought, internally smiling when he saw the face of the man ahead of him sour slightly.

n

"Sir Layn,

" Ceres spoke up.

"Would you like to elaborate where do you see the field for cooperation?

" the man asked, stealthy clenching his teeth.

n'Oh, I shouldn't push him like that,' Layn thought, rejoicing at the moment.

nWhat he did earlier was just a small push. The fact that his negotiation partner reacted so heavily to the point of already getting annoyed only meant how incompetent he was.

nThat, or he was a genius of negotiation capable of even fooling Layn in regards to his state of mind.

n

"It's simple,

" Layn smiled before stealing another glance behind his back.

"I own the land that you guys are interested in. The problem is, this land has scarce resources and several groups already interested in holding it all for their dear life,

" Layn said, shrugging his arms only to roll his eyes a moment later.

"Isn't that annoying? Why hold on to something that you cannot really make use of if you can...

" Layn took a little break, moving his eyes back on Ceres,

"sell it off?

"

nFor a moment, Ceres simply stared at Layn as his eyes continued to widen in surprise.

n

"Sir, is that really all?

" Ceres asked, clearly unwilling to believe that the situation could be that simple. After all, his entire nation wanted to migrate to Layn's lands and was stopped by the fact that they could really deal with him on their own.

nEven for someone as rotten as a lieutenant from Kazan's faction, such a dreamy solution had to seem not a bit but insanely off!

n

"Obviously, nothing can be that easy,

" Layn said. Then, just like before, he looked around as if wary of some kind of spies before taking a few steps forward and gesturing at the man to do the same.

n'I wonder what the boys are thinking,' Layn thought, already repulsed by what he was about to do. Looking over the shoulder of Ceres, he could see that the mobile force behind him had already changed, proving that neither of the Slavian factions was willing to entrust their officers under the care of the soldiers of the other faction.

n'Well, everything goes according to the plan,' he thought, focusing as the distance between the two decreased to just a single step. 'Now, how should I lead with that?' Layn asked himself as two options appeared before him.

nOne was actually going on with the ruse and manipulating the guy into sending a detachment to 'survey the land and iron out the details at their place.' This option allowed both Layn and his entire group to avoid spilling the blood themselves while achieving what they wanted. But because there would be no real pressure on the Slavians to keep going, it would be pretty hard to force them to clash with the monsters, even with all the tricks and illusions that Layn and others had up their sleeve.

n'Do I really care about spilling some blood?' Layn asked himself as he leaned over Ceres' ear. His mouth opened up, yet before a single word could come out from between his lips, Castor's face appeared before Layn's eyes.

nFor a moment, he froze. Then, as the raging emotion filled his soul, Layn's lips curved up.

n

"Thanks for being a naive idiot,

" he whispered to Ceres' ear before taking up a wrathful look on his face and shoving the man aside. Layn pushed the man strong enough to make him lose his balance yet light enough to stop him from falling out of his range.

n

"Where the hell do you think you are touching me?!

" Layn shouted loud enough for every party in the area to realize that something was wrong.

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"What?

" Ceres asked as he stumbled back. His eyes widened in shock, only for the man to squint them as realization started to reach his mind.

nBut it was too late.

nWith one swift motion, Layn pulled out a saber, one that he commandeered from the patrol his group defeated a few hours prior, only to slash Ceres right at the height... of his hips.

nThe distance of the strike was perfectly calculated. Layn managed to avoid all the lethal points.

nHe struck only one of them. A lethal point not to one's health but one to one's pride.

n

"That's what you get for trying to touch my pepe!

" the archmage shouted madly, no longer bothered by making any sense. 'Was it a chuckle?' he almost stumbled when a distant echo of laughter reached his ears. 'Well, whatever,' he thought, raising his bloodied blade to the people in the distance.

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"I could accept your sleaziness. I could accept your corruption!

" he shouted, waving his blade down while glancing at the weeping man just a few feet away. In the distance, the cavalry group of Slavians only now managed to overcome their shock, all kicking the sides of their horses to get revenge on Layn for violating the sanctity of negotiations and their emissary.

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"But I won't accept your attempts to feel me up!

" Layn shouted, cringing hard on the inside for how his words barely made any sense.

"If you want to check if I'm a man, then come at me, you **ing perverts!

" he shouted, flailing his weapon madly in the direction of the Slavian fortifications.

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"We need to go,

" Markus said out loud, appearing right beside Layn and locking his arms around the archmage's chest..

"We need to go now!

" he shouted, dragging his friend away.

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