Chapter 2175: Events Back Home

Time passed, and the world went on, and time in Alterra was no different. The town was bustling as always, people lived their own lives, the flow of people was lively, and there was a consistent number of entries flowing in.

Those going out were hunters, to return with a lot of game, some wealth, and some new experience. There was always ’new blood’ coming in, whether they were mercenaries, merchants, or spies.

One group was comprised of all three.

This was from the Bleulle party, mostly comprised of caravans, but also other groups.

These people were from a City and they generally looked down on towns. Whenever they entered a town, they would have their noses up, expecting the best treatment. ℯℯ𝘭.

In the case wherein the treatment was less than perfect, some of them might even take offense, even making threats of war and harassment as if they were the Lord of their home territory. Oftentimes, the town lords themselves would show them around, allowing them to live in the best rooms in their palaces.

Most would not want to downgrade, not necessarily because they were snobbish, but because they were practical. There were generally far fewer amenities in Towns, the walls were of a lower level, and the ambient aether was also less. In that situation, which self-respecting powerhouse would choose a town over a city?

Cities emitted and passively collected aether, after all, it was how aether crystals formed under specific areas in cities and also how the average level was higher in it. There were only so many high level monsters after all.

This was why, when this Bleulle party was still asked to queue outside the gates, some of them started to make a scene.

"We’re from Bluelle City!"

The guards gave them a look. "So?"

"You—" he yelled, tone rising. "We’re from a City!"

He said this as if it were enough explanation.

"If you can’t even explain the reason why, then don’t bother using it!"

"You!! I can!"

For a merchant, it took him a moment to list down the things a city could do.

"We have tall walls and sentries!"

"We do, too! More than enough for our tier! Ours is probably denser too!"

"..."

The merchant looked up and counted, realizing that the sentries were indeed very dense. Don’t even mention the sentries not attached to the walls!

"We have many powerhouses past level 40!" Level 40 was the cap in Town wars and it was also what was considered to be absolute powerhouses in that tier. Even in a long-standing Town, the number of level 40 residents might not be more than a handful.

Therefore, saying they had plenty of level 40s was meant to emphasize the gap between the two tiers.

"We also have them!" the guard said. "We even have level 50s!"

"..."

"We have tall buildings, a lot of amenities, and many cars!"

"We have powerful toolmakers, alchemists, and so on!" Before the guard could retort, the Bleulle merchant hurriedly added.

"We have them too! Haven’t you heard we fixed the fire plague? How not updated are you? Are you really a merchant? Tsktsktsk."

"..."

To be fair, he knew, and that was why he was here. He momentarily forgot about it! Further, there was a part of him that was cynical and wanted to check the source itself!

Now, what?!

But how could the prideful merchant really allow himself to lose an argument against a townsfolk!?

It was here that a heavy pressure dropped down, causing the merchant to finally shut up.

"Ruto. Stop making a fool out of yourself," a deep voice, coming from behind the crowd. His presence made the Alterran soldiers more guarded as well.

The group made way, revealing an old man with a solemn expression on his face. He was wearing traditional clothing and had the gravitas of a powerhouse around him.

The Alterran soldiers frowned, raising their guard further. This was a level 60 master.

How often do they see level 60s!? There were probably fewer than a handful, even in cities! Was this one friendly? He didn’t seem hostile yet, but he also didn’t seem very friendly!

Anyway, Ruto, the merchant, bit his lips and lined up properly. "Yes, Master Laizon."

Laizon did not turn to look at Ruto anymore. Instead, his eyes shifted towards the guards. "I expected better hospitality from this place, considering its reputation. It does seem like I can only be disappointed."

Laizon was very old. He was already more than 200 years old, and he had to be in seclusion most of his time to absorb crystals if he wanted to continue extending his life.

When he emerged from his recent seclusion, too many things had changed. The Golds were gone, the Blu was running out (and the remaining blu during recent preparation had a lot of wastage), profligates wasted so many resources, and so on.

He thought at the start that he had miscalculated the time, and a decade or two had actually passed since he entered.

Who’d have thought he was just gone for a year?

And at the center of all those changes was this town that appeared only two years ago.

...

This party was specifically sent there as a negotiation group of sorts. It was a mix of caravans, guards, and experts, with Laizon overseeing the entire operation.

They had plenty of spies inside and had gotten a lot of information, so there was no need to mobilize one of the highest level people in the City, right?

The goal was to get some advantages to this place. Laizon heard that this Town somehow got the backing of Holt City, which was why Bleulle hadn’t made any hostile moves yet.

However, it did not mean that they could not make small moves to gain some advantage. To do this, however, one had to send someone who could actually suppress the snakes that Bleumrick called the Alterrans.

For instance, they had to figure out how to properly handle Blus from the Golds, who were now annoyingly and selfishly living well elsewhere after causing chaos in their home city.

Another would be attempts to recruit back the magic tool makers they had lost, ideally lure back others as well. Laikon was given a budget and some bottom lines he could take.

With his level, kidnapping was also an option, but he had to carefully consider the pros and cons, whether or not doing this was worth it. They did not admit they were wary of a Town, just that they had to consider the City they allied with.

It was another reason why Laizon was chosen to take on this mission. His level was intimidating, and his mere presence would almost always tilt the negotiations in his favor. At least this was what had been happening so far.

In exchange for this work, Bleumrick promised him twice the usual allocation of aether crystal as well as some monetary reward, the amount of which would multiply depending on how many talents he could get back.

Laizon depended on those crystals to remain alive now, so he would definitely not refuse the job.

With his life literally on the line, he naturally had to complete this mission with flying colors—no matter the cost.