Chapter 471: Taking Advantage of the Fire

"."

Rod thought for a moment, then said, "Why not just take them back? I'll cover the teleportation fee."

He had checked the relevant records in the Rock Heart of the Demon Control Union.

Dragon-slaying commissions below the ninth tier average only two hundred thousand Jin Along!

Three million?

Damn, they really dare to ask for that.

The ghoul Pan Ni, standing nearby, thought that discovering the visitors counted as an achievement, so she insisted on following over to claim credit.

Having been tossed about all night and still feeling groggy, she was instantly jolted awake upon hearing the price.

Stunned into silence:

"Three million?! Why not just say thirty million? It's all robbing people anyway! Isn't robbing more better!"

Rod was, after all, a decent person.

He shook his head lightly:

"If you gentlemen have no sincerity and are merely planning to rob us in the midst of disaster, you may leave now."

Before the crocodile man Jeroen could speak, the man named Lyle behind him spoke first:

"Mr. Rod, the market has changed. Do you know how many teams died in the Aethelorn dragon-slaying campaign this month alone? Exactly 150 teams. On average, five teams are wiped out every day. Do you still think this is the old world?"

This fellow spoke lightly and frivolously, with a face that begged for a beating.

Rod actually knew this number.

Not long ago, when in Waterdeep, the newspapers there had compiled this statistic following the half-orc Lily's successful dragon slaying, using it to praise Waterdeep's Hero Alliance.

Although it was likely a paid article bought by the Hero Alliance, the statistics were probably accurate.

At the same time.

They also speculated that dragons possess foreknowledge of calamities and the transition of eras.

And this rumor is that the dominant race of the continent's Second Era is mobilizing on a massive scale, attempting to regain control.

It is also for this reason that dragon disasters have been frequent recently.

"Lyle."

The crocodile man Jeroen glanced back at his subordinate, signaling that he had done well.

These two were playing good cop, bad cop, all to drive up the price.

"Apologies, Mr. Rod. Lyle's words may be harsh, but they are the truth. You should know how difficult dragons are to deal with, especially two dragons with connections to the Inferno. To speak plainly, this commission will likely require us to deal with the Dark Elf warlocks as well."

That was true.

Or rather, it was something Rod deliberately did not mention.

It wasn't to trap people; it was just that the Dark Elf warlocks who wouldn't die were somewhat terrifying.

Moreover, it implied a connection to the Inferno Duke, which most people were unwilling to engage with.

It was a last resort.

Rod's expression remained calm: "Those two dragons can fly and walk; they are not holed up motionless in Coral Bay. As for herding and luring the prey, don't tell me you don't know how to do that."

"Exactly. Besides, we have our own ways of dealing with the Dark Elf warlocks. Even in these extraordinary times, no one has inflated prices like you. This is destroying the market!"

Pan Ni chimed in on the side.

The Young Lady ghoul had saved money on every little thing at Henry Farm, to the point where she had saved the farm's General Manager title right out of existence.

Spend three million on this?

Just thinking about it made her chest ache with anger.

Oh, or perhaps it was from the Master grabbing her last night.

"Our own ways?"

That frivolous Lyle spoke again:

"Mr. Rod, we took a stroll around Shi Ying Town. Most of the constables and guards, while having some spirit, have not experienced much combat. The highest-ranking official is only the Young Lady Witch of the upper sixth tier.

As for that ragtag bunch of adventurers, there is no need to mention them. Do not expect them to be of any help. Don't blame me for speaking plainly, Mr. Rod. This is a dragon slaying, which is no different from a siege battle.

Our own ways? Not to mention the Dark Elf warlocks, even I, I fear you would find difficult to deal with."

This person's words were truly infuriating and begged for a beating.

As he spoke, he released his spiritual pressure. It turned out he was actually a mid-seventh tier.

A cold wind blew, carrying wisps of yellow sand.

The atmosphere among the group grew somewhat cold.

The crocodile man Jeroen frowned; he felt that Lyle seemed to be trying a bit too hard today.

Ordinarily, there would be no need to speak so harshly or look down on people so much.

This could easily backfire, causing the other party to simply not invite them.

A glance from the corner of his eye.

He noticed this fellow's gaze wandering over the face and body of the ghoul lady opposite, and he finally understood.

Well, this fellow's small head was controlling his big head.

The lady opposite was a ghoul, but she had a graceful figure and a beautiful, exquisite face. Her pale, greenish skin texture was vaguely similar to that of a human woman.

Her temperament carried a hint of a married woman's coquettish innocence, and she always seemed to have a flush on her face; when looking at Rod, her eyes were filled with an alluring, soul-stealing, intense lust.

All these factors combined were enough to offset the disadvantage of her being a ghoul.

This Rod was quite skilled, to have raised a beautiful ghoul matron so well.

"Are you sure?"

Pan Ni sneered, her face full of disdain.

She was never someone to be trifled with; her first meeting with Rod had been a fierce battle.

Now, as the captain of the security battalion forming the first line of defense in the Windwall Forest, especially in front of her own master,

there was no question of showing weakness!

The chilling magic power brought by the 【Negative Energy Constitution】 erupted instantly.

Substantial black aura gradually extended and spread, surrounding the three members of the Blizzard Mercenary Band like a Slender Man.

Even the negative energy, thickened by winter, rose from the ground.

For a moment,

the sky itself actually dimmed a few shades.

Crack—

The undead of the forest defense line also began to stir due to Pan Ni's negative energy.

One by one, they crawled out of the earth; nearly a hundred ghouls, evil spirits, and skeleton soldiers rose rapidly and slowly approached.

The evil soul fires in their hollow eyes were as terrifying as man-eating demons.

Nair's face changed; he felt his throat strangled by the black negative energy, making it difficult to breathe.

"A necromancer? Why is the pressure so strong for a Stage Seven beginner!?"

Rod perceived the intensity of some of the negative energy.

He immediately knew that Pan Ni had grown stronger again.

Converted to the value of a Brass Spirit-Testing Orb, it was estimated to have broken the 200 barrier, reaching around 205.

The 【Negative Energy Constitution】 was a skill that elevated talent; after acquiring it, Pan Ni's meditation became more efficient.

"Not bad, Pan Ni."

Upon hearing this,

the frost on Pan Ni's face vanished instantly.

She coquettishly hugged Rod's arm, pressing her chest against it, and flashed a dazzling, beautiful smile in a flattering manner.

"Hehe—When the master is away, I also work hard to become stronger!"

"Much more diligent than Tally. That one only works hard in bed; the rest of the time, she's either sleeping in or clinging to me."

Pan Ni's ink-black pupils rolled in her sockets as she proposed:

"I think the master spoils Senior Tally too much. The forest girls should have a reward and punishment system. Only girls who progress quickly can live in the master's ranger cabin, while those who progress slowly, like Senior Tally, should be punished by living for a time in the farm villa outside the forest."

"That makes some sense."

How could Rod not know her intentions?

He pinched her hopeful cheeks.

The texture was slightly hard, not very elastic, but the smooth, cool feel had its own unique charm.

(End of this chapter)