Chapter 369: The Founding of the Organization [Red Dragon Ring], Resounding Across the Continent

Chapter 369: Chapter 369: The Founding of the Organization [Red Dragon Ring], Resounding Across the Continent

Bazzer explained vaguely.

’Got it.’

’So these toys are probably for kids to play with, right?’

They were like those light-up swords and staffs he saw in his past life.

So, Lance said magnanimously, "It’s fine. You can just agree to this kind of collaboration on my behalf."

He was all too familiar with this.

In his previous life, when he was a kid watching cartoons, he’d often pester his parents to buy merchandise and toys, like the Golden Cudgel.

’Not only can it expand my fame, but I can also earn a licensing fee. Why wouldn’t I do it?’

Seeing Lance grasp his meaning so quickly and answer so decisively, Bazzer finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the money earned from licensing those little Alchemy toys was indeed more than from the books, he still felt a bit of a psychological burden.

In truth, he was mostly afraid it would have a negative impact on the Legend they were building.

After all, it seemed no one in the Minstrel circles had ever tried this model before.

This was also a new business model that had recently emerged in the Royal Capital.

This sales model, which tied story characters to physical products, was apparently called a "collaboration" over in the Royal Capital.

Just as the two were finalizing the details of their cooperation, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

Soon, the door to the inn room was pushed open, and the first person to walk in was none other than Nieve.

Dressed in a black skirt, she looked even more cool and aloof, a stark contrast to her icy blue hair and small face.

The moment Nieve’s and Lance’s eyes met.

Before Lance could even say, "I’m back."

He only saw a black and blue blur before, a second later, a heavy weight suddenly slammed into his arms.

Nieve leaped into Lance’s arms like a koala, wrapping her arms around him and her legs around his waist.

She opened her mouth and latched right onto the side of Lance’s face.

"SMOOCH! MWAH!"

A loud kissing sound echoed in the room.

"Wai... Wait! Nieve!"

"Stop playing around, everyone’s watching!"

Lance was completely caught off guard by this sudden kiss.

He had to support Nieve’s back with one hand to keep her from falling while protesting with the other, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Meanwhile, Julius, who had entered a step behind, didn’t stop his sister’s actions. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, watching the two with a fond, knowing smile.

After a good while, Nieve, having had her fill of Lance’s scent, let go with a satisfied look and jumped down from him.

Meanwhile, Felix and Bazzer, who were standing nearby, were desperately trying to stifle their laughter, their shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

Because a round smooch mark had appeared on Lance’s right cheek.

Lance vigorously rubbed his numb cheek and said helplessly, "Sorry, Julius. I made everyone worry about me during this time."

"As long as you’re okay."

Julius shook his head with a smile. "Actually, it was Felix who insisted we keep your faked death a secret. This whole incident was just too big. The fewer people who know, the better it is for your future."

After speaking, Julius even raised his eyebrows in Felix’s direction.

For the next while, the group sat around the table in the room and started chatting.

Bazzer made a special trip to the kitchen and prepared some iced summer drinks, the kind his daughter Lilia usually loved to drink.

During their conversation, Lance learned that Bazzer, now well-off from receiving a portion of the manuscript fees, had spent a large sum to send Lilia to study at the Violet Affiliated Enlightenment Academy.

Bazzer had to wait until school was out in the evening to pick her up, which was why Lance didn’t see Lilia this time.

At the same time, Lance also learned from Julius that Nieve had been selected by the Princess’s Crimson Crown Knight Order. She had skipped the initial selection process and was accepted as a full member through an exceptional admission.

This meant Nieve would be heading to the Royal Capital to be trained by the Iris Royal Family, and she would no longer have to struggle to scrape together resources like before.

"Congratulations, Nieve."

Lance habitually reached out and ruffled Nieve’s hair.

Although the praised Nieve still maintained a deadpan expression, the slight tilt of her chin betrayed the hint of pride in her heart.

She reached out and tugged on Lance’s clothes. "Then is Lance going to the Royal Capital with Nieve too?"

Nieve tilted her head up, her eyes filled with what looked like expectation.

"Sorry, Nieve, I probably can’t go to the Royal Capital just yet."

Lance explained, "I promised a friend that I’d personally escort her home. Once I’m done with that..."

Lance once again extended his pinky and made a pinky promise with Nieve.

"I promise, as soon as I have time, I’ll definitely come to the Royal Capital to see you."

Having received Lance’s promise, Nieve was still inevitably a little disappointed, but she nodded her head sensibly.

"Nieve will wait obediently for you in the Royal Capital."

She tilted her head, seemingly searching for what she considered a more threatening phrase. "If Lance doesn’t come, Nieve will eat frosting 200 times!"

Hearing this punishment, Lance instantly broke into a sweat and solemnly promised that he would absolutely not break his word.

"It’s just a pity. Once you two go to the Royal Capital, you’ll be so far apart. We won’t be able to contact each other as often."

Watching this scene, Julius let out a sigh.

Lance also felt a deep sense of regret.

Although the Alchemy of this world was freakishly advanced in some areas, it seemed somewhat backward in civilian communications. They still hadn’t invented instant communication Alchemy Equipment like telephones or cell phones.

But in that moment of regret, an idea suddenly struck Lance. He remembered a novel use for one of his Skills.

"Wait, I think I have a Skill that would let us contact each other anytime, anywhere."

Lance said excitedly.

"There’s a Skill like that?"

Bazzer immediately voiced his doubt.

"It’s a Skill that’s similar to a pact. As long as we sign the pact, no matter how far apart we are, you can send me messages at any time through a Star Realm connection. Likewise, I can also contact you proactively."

"But there’s one limitation: you can’t establish a communication link with each other. You can only relay messages through me as the hub."

What Lance was talking about was the [Bronze Imperial Decree] he had obtained from Galeos.

This art could not only be used to analyze and control others’ contracts, but it could also be used to actively form them.

The last time his consciousness connected to that Bronze Network, he had discovered that those who signed contracts with Galeos could use the contract to directly call the signatory.

And Lance could use the Bronze Imperial Decree to respond to these calls.

Now, as long as everyone signed a mutual aid pact under the witness of the Bronze Imperial Decree, they could achieve a function similar to a group chat.

"This ability to communicate through the Star Realm is extremely rare in the Material Realm."

Bazzer exclaimed in amazement.

After all, the only widely known method at present was the Minstrels’ manuscript submission network in the Star Realm.

"Come on, what do we need to do to sign this pact?"

Julius asked readily.

"It’s simple."

Lance extended his right hand and placed it in the center of the table. "Everyone just has to fist bump me, and we can sign the pact with me as the core."

Hearing this simple condition, everyone extended their hands.

But just as their fists were about to touch, Felix suddenly blocked everyone else’s.

He looked at Lance with a fiery gaze. "Wait!"

Felix’s tone was both excited and serious.

"Since we’re forming a pact, our group should have a cool name."

"Makes sense."

Julius deeply agreed.

Then, everyone’s gaze fell upon Lance.

Lance gave a wry smile. "Why am I the one naming it again?"

Then he sank into deep thought.

He thought of the Talent that had pulled him back from the brink of death countless times, the [Ouroboros Ring], and his own Star Track, the [Endless Star Ring of the Tail-Biting Giant Dragon].

"In that case..."

Lance looked up and extended his fist again. "Then let’s call our group the ’Red Dragon Ring’ from now on."