Chapter 494: Agreement and Sharon

Dimia understood and said: "You plan to use Jin Along as bait."

"Yes, but even if the Black Dragon among the Five-Colored Dragons isn't as intelligent as the Green Dragon, it's no fool—simple, obvious bait won't work. I need the Shiying Town authorities to set up a false scenario in advance: a successful transaction at some location, with large quantities of Jin Along being transported."

The crocodile-man Jiaolun paused.

"The terrain of Dusk Hills is too open; the route for transporting Jin Along should either run close to Claw Valley or pass through it—we must suppress the dragons' aerial advantage as much as possible."

The elderly gentleman Humbert, sitting beside him, adjusted his fur-lined round hat and frowned in thought.

"Near Claw Valley, by the Keshi Plains, there's a town called Taires. It used to be one of Shiying Town's importers of mineral goods."

"Used to be?" Luo De asked, puzzled.

"Yes, we used to route shipments through the Keshi Plains, but after the Beastification Plague broke out and the Ruins Brotherhood ran rampant across Dusk Hills, transportation costs skyrocketed. We couldn't agree on prices, so we abandoned the route. I happen to have some ties with Baron Alvin of Taires Town—perhaps we can revive this arrangement."

"Good. Then I leave this matter in your hands, Mr. Commissioner Humbert."

This meeting was more serious.

Luo De showed proper respect by addressing the old turtle-man as "Commissioner."

He was thinking exactly that.

Behind him, Tally—now transformed into a sleek female garrison commander—leaned close to his ear, speaking softly with a serious expression.

"Master, can I crawl under the table?"

"What are you planning to do?"

"Ever since I arrived, I remembered the taste of breakfast I had under this table last time. You were fast, sure, but the tension made it unforgettable."

You have the nerve to say that.

Last time, the witch Dimia found out and quietly scolded me several times.

This time is even worse—Lily is sitting right beside us.

That's just it.

Lily, a master of both magical and spiritual cultivation, seemed to have heard something.

She was now looking at him with helpless exasperation.

Luo De smiled awkwardly and pushed Tally's face away.

"No. Stay right where you are."

He paused, then turned to the crocodile-man Jiaolun: "I will participate in this operation myself."

"Me too," Lily added.

"No need."

Jiaolun shook his head. "Since Master Luo De can afford this price, our Blizzard Mercenary Guild will naturally demonstrate the appropriate strength. With proper strategy, we can handle an eighth-rank mid-stage dragon."

The witch Dimia proposed:

"Then why not strike while the iron is hot? Once the mercenaries engage the Black Dragon, we launch our assault on Coral Bay simultaneously, per our original plan."

Two dragons with aerial dominance appearing on the battlefield at once is an utterly terrifying sight.

Dividing the battlefield here is a good option.

Luo De thought it was sound and nodded in agreement.

Next came detailed discussions on timing, support, equipment, retreat plans, and contingencies.

Luo De had no experience in this area and said nothing, simply listening quietly.

The meeting lasted from noon until evening.

Most matters were settled; the group disbanded and began preparing.

The exact timing had not been finalized—it still depended on Humbert's contact with Taires Town.

It happened to be dinnertime.

Luo De, Dimia, and Lily went together to the Land Naga restaurant on Xin Lanke Street.

This was another new restaurant, run by an ordinary middle-aged human woman.

Compared to the beast-woman who pushed raw meat to customers or the half-elf posing as a dwarf chef, she was relatively normal.

Her culinary skills were neither exaggerated nor diminished—she had learned them directly from the Land Naga living in the Death Desert beside the Windwall Forest.

She had once been a local merchant, selling everyday goods.

She frequently delivered goods to the Land Naga, and somehow, she had actually bartered her way into acquiring authentic Naga cuisine.

Luo De had seen her several times; each time, he was startled by Pan Ni's ghoul.

She was a timid but kind-hearted woman.

Soon, the dishes arrived.

Spiced roasted snake and scorpion, Moonlight Grass salad, Poison Vine Soup, Snake Scale Cookies, and a fruit platter.

The Naga had no taboo against eating snakes; they had developed an entire culinary tradition around them.

Neither Dimia nor Lily were pampered girls; they paid no mind to the ingredients and dug in with gusto.

"By the way, Luo De, has Sharon contacted you lately?"

Dimia cut off a piece of snake-egg pancake and popped it into her mouth as she asked.

Her naturally baby-faced cheeks puffed out even more as she chewed, making her cuter than usual.

The witch was always more concerned with etiquette; even now, after growing familiar with Luo De, she still covered her mouth while speaking during meals.

"I chatted with her a few days ago about Coral Bay. She seemed quite busy."

Luo De said.

The dog-girl Sharon was currently in Fay, seeking deeper secrets of the Plague Domain.

She joined a local gang, killed over a dozen people, and finally secured her footing, ending her nomadic state.

After Luo De explained the situation at Coral Bay, she pretended indifference—but immediately planted a jade tree cutting to return and assist, though she hadn't yet reached the level required for 【Spatial Tree Form】.

"Hmm."

Dimia seemed about to say something.

After a moment's hesitation, she spoke again:

"Sharon told me not to tell you, but I think you should know."

"What is it?"

"A high-rank mage in Fay has taken an interest in Sharon and wants to take her as a student. She refused, so he sent men to injure her."

"..."

Dimia looked up.

She saw Luo De's face had darkened.

She had seen this expression before—it was the look he wore when he intended to kill.

She hurriedly added: "Sharon always says it's fine, fine—I thought she'd already told you, but your face says otherwise."

"Yes, thank you, Dimia. Once the teleportation device stabilizes, I'll go there myself."

The jade tree cutting had strong vitality.

Sharon was a mage; she'd likely have it alive within days.

Luo De nodded, steadied his emotions, and gave the witch a reassuring smile.

Beside him, the half-elf Lily also frowned indignantly:

"Can you force someone to take you as a student? I hate this kind of behavior. Luo De! Your friend is my friend! When you go, don't forget to call me—we'll beat that guy together!"

Dimia looked concerned and said seriously: "If I can, I'd like to go too. Sharon was always messy and unkempt at school—I need to see how she's living."

Two 4k-chapter posts per day is a bit excessive; starting tomorrow, I'll challenge two 6k-chapter posts.

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(End of Chapter)