Chapter 717: Generous Gifts

"I heard that you just settled here so I had my men prepare some materials to help you with the construction of your camp. Each box has storage equipment inside that carries all these materials." As Rolferth said this, the servants opened several boxes containing the storage equipment.

Seeing the curiosity in Alaric’s eyes, Rolferth said with a smile. "Please inspect them. If you find them lacking, I will have my people bring in more materials."

Alaric randomly grabbed a storage equipment and sent his consciousness inside to inspect its contents. To his surprise, the space inside was about a hundred cubic meters and it was fully loaded with some kind of magical steel.

"That is vidrium steel. It is a thousand times tougher than cold steel and it is compatible with mana. If you use it to construct buildings or walls, it would certainly be durable. You can also use it to craft weapons, but you need to mix it with other metals since vidrium steel lacks flexibility." Rolferth explained.

Alaric hadn’t seen this kind of steel in the desolate region. He casually grabbed a bar and studied it in his hand.

It was cold to the touch. It was as hard as Rolferth had described. And when he sent a stream of his mana into the steel bar, he was surprised that it managed to absorb a dense amount of energy.

"Remarkable!" He exclaimed, not hiding his surprise.

Rolferth was glad to see his reaction. "Vidrium steel is not uncommon in Cangnan, but our version is much denser and tougher. I hope that you can build sturdy walls or homes using them."

Alaric put the steel bar back into the storage equipment, nodding. "I like this gift, Elderman. I will accept your goodwill."

He then went to check the other storage equipment and found more materials. Some were for construction, some were for forging weapons, and there were also some for engraving formations.

It was a generous greeting gift.

However, Rolferth wasn’t done just yet.

"Hold on, Lord Alaric. That is not the end of it. There is more." He clapped his hands and gestured to another batch of servants to present the next gifts.

Alaric raised his eyebrows in surprise. The materials that Rolferth gifted were already a sizable sum. He didn’t even know the exact worth, but it was definitely enough to buy a small kingdom in the desolate region.

"Inside this storage equipment are byproducts of high-level monsters."

Alaric revealed a look of interest. He grabbed a storage equipment and sank his consciousness inside.

Within the space of the equipment, he discovered beast bones neatly arranged and segregated by level.

There were bones of Catastrophe-grade beasts and even a small number of Calamity-grade beast bones.

Alaric was shocked. He then grabbed another storage equipment and found a thousand beast soul crystals inside. Among them was one Calamity-grade beast soul crystal.

Alaric frowned as he put the storage equipment back into the box. These gifts were much too valuable. It had exceeded his expectations.

"Elderman, we are intelligent people here. I don’t believe you brought in all these items as a mere greeting gift. Please state your true objective. I will hear you out at least." Alaric stared deeply at the other party.

Hearing this, Rolferth signaled to the servants with his hand.

When everyone left the tent, he finally spoke. "Lord Alaric, you must have learned by now that this land is governed by the Golden Lion Tribe."

Alaric nodded.

Seeing him nod, Rolferth continued. "The Golden Lion Tribe isn’t the true owner of this land. They are merely the personnel assigned to take care of Red Mountain Territory. The true owner of this vast land is the Sacred Beast Pavilion. I am sure you have heard of it."

When this name was mentioned, Alaric was stunned.

He remembered that this was one of the top powers of Cangnan according to Bellator. A powerhouse faction that was helmed by a Paragon, a supreme expert who was two major realms above the Beyonder realm!

His expression suddenly turned heavy. He didn’t expect that he would soon encounter one of the divine factions of Cangnan. Moreover, he somehow invaded one of its lands.

"But you don’t have to worry." Rolferth let out a smile.

Alaric raised an eyebrow and waited for him to explain.

"Although you have accidentally invaded Red Mountain Territory, it is actually quite beneficial for us."

He paused for a moment before he explained.

"You see the Golden Lion Tribe has grown immensely over the past few decades. They now have several Beyonders, enough to threaten the nearby cities and territories. The Golden Lion Sovereign has also gotten more arrogant because of the massive growth of his faction. He has even shown signs of extending his reach to other territories."

Rolferth pointed his finger at Alaric and said. "Your presence has diverted his attention and also made him remember that he is merely a vassal of the Sacred Beast Pavilion."

"Now, what we want is for you to settle here and keep him in check. In return, we will acknowledge your existence and give you legal permission to settle in this territory. What do you think, Lord Alaric?" Rolferth adjusted his sitting posture as he observed the changes in Alaric’s facial expressions.

Alaric was silent for a moment. He processed all the information he had learned and sorted his thoughts.

"If I accept your offer, does it make us a follower of the Sacred Beast Pavilion?" He asked with a deep look.

As an emperor and a general who had fought his way to the top, it didn’t sit well with him to become someone’s subordinate. As powerful as the Sacred Beast Pavilion was, Alaric was unwilling to bend his knee.

Rolferth was an astute man. He quickly realized the implications in his words.

"Not necessarily." He shook his head.

"Although you will occupy the land owned by the Sacred Beast Pavilion, you have not formally become its vassal faction. It will be more accurate to think of yourself as a tenant. You can stay in the Sacred Beast Pavilion’s land in exchange for your services."

"Of course, you can also turn down this offer." Rolferth chuckled, thinking that there was no way Alaric would reject this offer.

Alaric leaned on his seat, his eyebrows locked into a frown.

After a minute of silence, he gave his response. "I would like some time to speak with my associates. Please stay here in the camp while I talk with my colleagues."

Rolferth didn’t pressure him. "Alright, but I am a busy man. You cannot make me wait for too long."

"Naturally."