Chapter 117: Result

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Result

"Are you joking, Knight Jarvis?"

Baron Kels was not annoyed; instead, his tone was relaxed. "I can send out a hundred Guards at most. As for a Knight, I will not lend one out for the time being."

"Lord Kels, you are the one joking." Jarvis’s face was solemn. "Asking for a coastal village plus twenty thousand Gold Rums in exchange for lending a hundred men for less than two months—isn’t that too outrageous?"

"If you feel the terms are unreasonable, we can end this discussion. You are completely free to borrow troops from others, such as Baron Nando of Storm Town or Viscount Babila, the old friend of Baron Enton’s father."

Baron Kels was calm and breezy, showing no emotional fluctuation whatsoever.

A clear flash of anger crossed Jarvis’s eyes. Seek assistance from Baron Nando and Viscount Babila? How could that be possible? 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Setting aside the losses Storm Town suffered in the border war, based solely on the fact that Baron Enton had previously rejected Baron Nando’s invitation, there was no way he would dispatch Guards to Blue Whale Town. As for Viscount Babila, his Oyster City was facing the brunt of the Pirates’ attacks; he had no time to worry about Blue Whale Town. Even if he personally delegated forces to come, what price would they have to pay?

Cede another coastal village? That absolutely would not work. Never mind whether Viscount Babila would be satisfied with such a condition, even if he did agree, Baron Enton wouldn’t dare let him set foot in Blue Whale Town. A greater noble like him could easily use certain methods to seize even more maritime interests. This was simply not worth the risk.

Jarvis quickly suppressed his anger and calmed himself down. "Ceding Pearl Village, plus forty thousand Gold Rums. This is our limit. If Baron Kels is still not satisfied, then there really is no need for us to continue talking."

"Pearl Village, plus sixty thousand Gold Rums, in exchange for lending one hundred Guards and one Knight." After saying this, Baron Kels turned to look at Olay and Vili. "What do you two think?"

If Olay and Vili did not agree, he could always change the terms.

"I can go," Vili stated his position before Olay could.

The ocean was a completely new domain for him. Only by constantly exploring could he unlock more titles and gain more attribute points. Vili had yearned for the ocean before, but because it was Baron Enton’s territory, he never had a good opportunity to go. Now that the chance had arrived, he could try to seize it.

"I can too," Olay said, looking at Vili with gratification. In his view, Vili was taking the initiative to shoulder the risk of resisting the Pirates so that he, as the teacher, wouldn’t have to overwork himself.

Beside them, Condas curled his lips. In fact, he hoped Olay would be the one going to Blue Whale Town. After all, Olay was a Middle Knight, while Vili was only a Junior Knight.

Jarvis didn’t mind it; on the contrary, he was more interested in the newly risen Vili.

"Pearl Village plus sixty-five thousand Gold Rums, for one hundred and twenty Guards and one Knight."

The reason Jarvis was so insistent on the number of Guards was forced by reality. Blue Whale Town had a long, stretching coastline. They needed an ample number of defenders, or else they wouldn’t be able to mount an effective defense if the Pirates suddenly stormed the shore. A Guard’s role was not just defense, but also reconnaissance.

Baron Kels pondered for a moment before finally making a decision. "Agreed." He was well aware that these terms were basically Jarvis’s bottom line. If he were to raise the price again, it might backfire. He couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity to interfere in the distribution of marine resources; he had to seize it.

Upon receiving Baron Kels’s affirmative answer, Jarvis and Condas both breathed a sigh of relief. The most crucial problem had been solved.

"One last question," Baron Kels said. "I want to know exactly how strong the enemies we are facing are."

The first issue was about profit, the second about cost, and the third was to figure out the risks.

"We aren’t certain about that," Jarvis answered truthfully. "The Pirates aren’t a single faction, and their attacks lack any pattern. We don’t know who our specific opponents will be."

"In that case, I must add one more condition," Baron Kels proposed.

"Please speak, Lord Kels." Jarvis frowned slightly.

"If a situation arises that threatens Vili’s life, he has the right to immediately withdraw from the operation and return to Diamond Town. Furthermore, if the death toll of my Guards exceeds thirty, and the number of severely injured exceeds forty-five, I also reserve the right to withdraw the surviving Guards. Moreover, the casualty compensation for these Guards must be borne by Blue Whale Town."

At this moment, Baron Kels acted more like a shrewd merchant.

"Agreed." Jarvis didn’t hesitate much and nodded directly. If something happened to Vili, a mere Pearl Village wouldn’t be enough to make up for the loss—he was a Knight, after all. Asking someone else’s Knight to fight to the death to defend your own interests was simply impossible.

"In that case, here’s to a pleasant cooperation." Kels smiled faintly. "Please stay for a simple lunch at noon." Baron Kels was in a good mood; this deal was quite a bargain.

"No, thank you. We need to return to Blue Whale Town; there are other matters to attend to." Jarvis and Condas stood up simultaneously and bid farewell to Baron Kels and the others. They didn’t have the luxury of such a leisurely mood. Blue Whale Town still had many defensive structures and protocols that needed to be put into place.

After seeing off Jarvis and Condas, Baron Kels turned to Vili beside him and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"It is my duty." Vili nodded slightly. Baron Kels already treated him quite generously, and since this trip was in line with his own wishes, Vili was also in a relaxed state of mind.

"Remember, your life is the most important thing," Baron Kels reminded him.

"I understand, Lord Baron," Vili nodded in response.

...

For the next month and a half, Vili refocused his energy on studying the middle stage of the Frost Knight Breathing Technique.

Compared to a mortal advancing to a Junior Knight, this process was somewhat simpler. As long as one persisted with enough time to temper and accumulate, anyone could reach this step. But even so, Vili did not slack off; by comparison, what he valued was the efficiency of improvement.

He wanted to achieve External Fighting Spirit as quickly as possible and unlock the Middle Knight title. After learning about the existence of Secret Masters, Vili’s thirst for strength became even more urgent. With the Title Attribute Panel, it was only a matter of time before he faced a Secret Master. Against this uncertain group, enhancing his strength was his only guarantee.