Leon

The next day

"So let me get this straight," I begin after several seconds of silence. "Lord Frost wishes to have an embassy within Wolfdenn, along with a twenty percent discount on diving passes, in exchange for a thirty percent discount on all metals purchased from Fort Frost?"

The messenger nods his head in agreement and says, "Yes, my Lord also wishes to build friendly ties with you."

I look down at my desk for several seconds before shaking my head and looking back up as I say, "I apologize, but Wolfdenn has no need for metals from Fort Frost."

My answer surprises the messenger as his eyes go wide before he exclaims, "But you're just a new city! How could you-"

I cut him off as I answer, "The Orcs have already given us plenty of precious metals, so we have no need for them from elsewhere at this time. Is there perhaps anything else you would like to offer instead?"

Their offer was a decent one, but we really have no need for any more metals right now, so it would just go to waste in the end.

The messenger tries and fails to hold back a scowl when I mention the Orcs before his face relaxes again as he pauses – likely conversing with his lord.

I reach over across my desk to grab a couple of documents to deal with while I wait for him to finish.

Several seconds pass before he finally begins to speak again, "My lord is willing to offer the same deal again, except with a 35% discount on any food purchased from Fort Frost instead of the discount on metals."

Food?

Yeah, I guess that will work.

We haven't had all that much trade in that area, and we will likely be needing more food eventually.

Especially since most of the people in Wolfdenn tend to be Tier 1, meaning that they still have to eat to survive.

I nod my head in agreement before saying, "That is acceptable."

The messenger sighs in relief before I continue, "Now, on to the next topic."

Seconds after I finish saying this, my office door opens, and Aidan enters while being followed by Lord Xurek.

"What is the meaning of this?!" the messenger shouts with a scowl as he sees the Orc Lord.

I lean against my desk as I explain, "Lord Xurek had another deal that he wished to propose to me, but I decided that it would be best if we all talked about this deal together instead of just us."

My words make the messenger calm down before he asks, "What was the deal?"

Lord Xurek answers for me, "I asked for the permission to cross through the Lost Mountains with a small number of forces in exchange for a Blood Contract declaring a non-aggression pact, along with a down-payment of 50,000 WC for each instance of crossing."

The messenger freezes in shock at hearing the offer.

I begin speaking to explain, "Seeing as I can likely tell why he wishes for this deal, I decided that – based on my neutral position – I should allow both sides to offer me the same deal before I accept his deal. If Lord Frost wishes to make this same deal with me, then he can. However, if he doesn't, it won't change the fact that I will accept Lord Xurek's deal."

Surprisingly, the messenger looks at me with a hint of approval before he stares blankly ahead again – likely contacting his Lord once again.

A few minutes pass in silence as I work on filling out paperwork until the messenger looks at me again and says, "We would also like to make this deal with you."

I faintly smile before nodding my head, "Then I will have the contracts drawn up now for both of you."

"Although," I add while turning to look at the messenger, "Only Lord Frost may sign your contract, so you must bring it back to him first."

The messenger nods his head in agreement as if that was to be expected.

Being neutral might just be more than a way to avoid complicated politics after all.

It's actually starting to be quite profitable.

Fenrir

I open up my status as I take a break from cultivation.

Name: Fenrir

Race: Dungeon Core

Element: Void

EXP Level: 7

EXP: 77/80

Cultivation Level: 5

Cultivation to next Level: 48%

Mana: 70/70

Secondary Tabs: Dungeon Status, Skills List, Talents List, Achievements List, Starter Environments

At this rate, I might be able to reach Tier 2 within the next year or two!

That deal with the Vampires is definitely proving to be a good idea so far.

I turn my attention towards the group of intruders currently entering the boss room of my fifth floor.

Oh?

I think this is the second group to have reached the boss room.

The last group was completely wiped out though.

The leader of the current party – a man with heavy metal armor, black hair, and a short beard – cautiously looks around the room at the dozens of bridges as the entrance slams shut behind them.

"What the hell..." the party's archer mutters as she raises her bow to aim at an approaching direwolf.

The direwolf makes it several more meters before an arrow strikes it straight through the eye and it skids to a stop in front of them.

"Everyone, choose a bridge and cross it! There obviously isn't enough room for all of us on just one bridge!" the leader shouts before crossing the bridge in the very center of the room.

The other five members of the party nod before each picking their own bridges as they slowly begin to cross towards the center of the room, only for three of the bridges to suddenly disconnect from the ends and rotate with the intruders still on them.

Two of the three intruders on said bridges manage to drop to the ground and grab on to the edge of the bridge to keep their balance on the bridge, but the third one ends up falling straight off of the bridge in to the pit of lava below as their screams of pain echo throughout the room.

Yeah, that is just like how the room went with the last party. They lost a member or two in the first bridge rotation before moving forwards again.

I do have to wonder as to whether they will reach Ashina or not though.

My thoughts are interrupted as I sense Dawn's attention focus on the intruders as well.

I guess they piqued her interest too then.

The intruders all grimace at their party member's screams before the two of them on the bridges that didn't rotate continue crossing, while the other two stay low to the ground on their bridges since they can't cross right now.