Chapter 38: The Mysterious Elias

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: The Mysterious Elias

Those capable of receiving private protection from the Federation Army were undoubtedly of crucial importance to the Federation. Liang He didn’t think she had reached that level of importance yet, so she politely declined Huo An’s proposal.

"My purpose for coming to the reserve is very simple. I just like being with the fluffy animals. I won’t go out unless necessary, so you don’t need to worry, Brother Hao." Since Huo An had chosen to discuss this matter with her privately, it meant he had given her the room to refuse.

"Alright, I respect your decision." Seeing her insistence, Huo An could only nod. He decided to have the reserve’s Guard Team keep a closer eye on the situation in the Seventh Service Area. Plus, with Hoder by Liang He’s side—who, despite looking somewhat unreliable, was actually quite capable—Huo An could feel a bit more at ease.

While Huo An and Liang He reached a consensus, Valken, who had been wanting to use Liang He to make up for his decision-making mistakes, was heading alone to the Wandering Planet to meet an important figure.

"Elias, my friend, long time no see."

After going through layers of security checks by the other party’s subordinates, Valken finally met Elias, the person he wanted to cooperate with this time. Valken greeted him enthusiastically, but Elias remained calm and composed. Sitting on a luxurious chair adorned with various gemstones, he looked down at Valken from above.

"Sit, Valken."

With long black curly hair and deep facial features, Elias lazily propped his chin up. His amber eyes quietly scrutinized the travel-worn Valken. Logically speaking, a person of Valken’s level wouldn’t be able to see him. However, since the other party had come knocking on his door and even promised a hefty reward, it wasn’t entirely out of the question to grant him a meeting.

"Elias, I came this time to ask you to personally lend a hand and help me catch someone." Seeing Elias’s attitude, Valken slightly restrained his smile. He sat in the chair below and cut straight to the chase.

"Valken, I am very willing to help you, but you also know that I have a large group of brothers to feed." Elias’s meaning was simple: he wouldn’t do anything without a benefit, and it had to be a substantial one at that.

Faced with Elias, who wouldn’t act without seeing a clear advantage, Valken lost his initial joy. Since they were negotiating, he naturally couldn’t let himself be at a disadvantage. "What do you want?"

"That depends on what you can afford to give." Elias didn’t care who Valken wanted to catch. Unless it was a high-ranking Federation official, catching someone wasn’t a difficult task for him.

"One million Federation Coins." This was the reward Valken had prepared. He originally intended to slowly increase the price, but Elias’s current attitude made him unsure. If Elias abruptly ended the negotiation, Valken would be completely out of luck. "It’s just catching a person. This is the highest price I can offer."

Valken, who thought he was showing great sincerity, was still rejected by Elias.

"I’m not short of money." With his current status and position, money was not worth mentioning to him. Just the gemstone chair he was sitting on alone was worth far more than a million Federation Coins.

"Elias, given our many years of friendship, why don’t you just say it straight?" Valken had already realized that Elias was after something else, and he didn’t want to waste time testing the waters.

Seeing this, Elias put away his casual smile. He sat with his long legs crossed, his hands resting loosely on his knees. His long black curly hair moved with him, and a sharp gleam flashed across his amber eyes. "I want a hundred Fierce Beasts."

The Rebel Army’s Fierce Beasts were powerful weapons against the Federation. He had coveted them for a long time, and now was the best opportunity.

"Impossible!" Valken subconsciously refused. It wasn’t until he met Elias’s deep gaze that he suddenly snapped awake, rushing to salvage the situation. "You know as well as I do that I’m only the minister of a Rebel Army branch. I don’t have that much authority." Creating just a single Fierce Beast required a significant amount of manpower and resources. Elias asking for a hundred right off the bat was treating him like a complete sucker!

"In that case, there’s nothing left to discuss. Next time you want to cooperate, have the higher-ups of your Rebel Army come." Elias leaned back in his chair and immediately called for someone to see the guest out, turning his head, too lazy to even acknowledge Valken anymore.

After going through so much trouble to finally meet Elias, Valken naturally wasn’t willing to just give up like this. If he couldn’t catch Liang He, his time as the branch minister would be completely over!

"Fifty! I can transfer fifty to you at most!" Seeing that he was about to be dragged away, Valken disregarded any negotiation tactics and just shouted it out, hoping Elias would change his mind for the sake of their past friendship.

"Step back." Elias waved his hand casually. Twirling the ring on his left ring finger with his right hand, he lightly raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Valken, now we can talk about the specific details of our cooperation."

What kind of cooperation Valken and Elias ultimately reached remained unknown. However, Liang He, the target of their plot, was quite busy lately. She was busy knitting a sweater for the Mengji Snow Leopard.

"Leopard, come try on the sweater I knitted specially for you!"

Previously, to treat the Mengji Snow Leopard’s external injuries, a portion of its fur had been shaved off. Now that the weather was getting cold and the fur hadn’t fully grown back, Liang He had knitted a sweater just for him.

"MEOW?" The Mengji Snow Leopard didn’t know what a sweater was or why he had to wear it, but he cooperatively stretched out his paws, letting Liang He slip them through the sleeves.

"So good. It’ll be on in a second, and then I’ll take you to look in the mirror."

Ever since he was shaved, the Mengji Snow Leopard hadn’t wanted to look at himself. If it weren’t for Liang He praising him every day, the others would have worried that he would become so insecure he’d shut himself off. After all, fluffy animals treasured their fur the most.

"MEOW~"

The central control room watched Liang He’s whirlwind of activity. Upon closer inspection... hey, it actually looked pretty good.

"Wow, Liang He’s craftsmanship is amazing! This sweater blends in perfectly with the Mengji Snow Leopard!"

Liang He didn’t playfully choose colorful yarn for the Mengji Snow Leopard. Instead, she specially customized yarn in a color similar to his own fur, complete with strands of long fuzz, and even specifically knitted out the snow leopard’s spotted pattern.

"Leopard, come quick! Look at your new fur coat."

Guiding the Mengji Snow Leopard toward the floor-length mirror, Liang He’s gentle smile made him finally willing to face himself, having previously been too afraid to look in the mirror.

"MEOW... MEOW!" The undisguised joy in the leopard’s eyes, coupled with him pacing back and forth in front of the mirror to admire himself from every angle, was enough to show just how satisfied he was with his new fur coat. It looked real enough to be mistaken for the genuine article.

"MEOW~"

The Mengji Snow Leopard happily pounced on Liang He and started rolling all over the floor again. In the end, he focused on licking his fur, deeply cherishing this newly "grown" coat. Seeing him so happy, Liang He was also delighted. However, when she inadvertently met the expectant gazes of the Mojin King Tiger and the Canglan Hunting Eagle, she felt a little guilty.

"Alright, alright, I know. I’ll knit one for you guys too."

Unable to play favorites, Liang He ultimately knitted a hollow embroidered ball with a bell inside for Cedriel, and a little hat for Lanton—just in case he turned into a bald eagle, he could use it to cover up, hehe.

Just as Liang He was looking at her handiwork with satisfaction, the main door of the animal dormitory was suddenly knocked on with urgency. It was Xu Yi.

"Liang He, hurry and bring the little wolf cubs with you! Follow me!"