Chapter 2132: Entrusting the Orphan, Happily Obtaining a Plane

But regardless of what the final outcome for Brother Talafu is, the current situation is—the Mairide Family has already been dragged into this, and it is very difficult to break free!

Even if everyone knows this matter has nothing to do with the Mairide Family, once a war breaks out and collective interests suffer heavy losses, can they still refrain from seeking compensation from the Mairide Family?

When that time truly comes, I fear even the Grand Archon or the Grand Emperor, who still hold expectations for the Mairide Family, will be unable to resist!

Or rather, perhaps the Grand Emperor and Grand Archon of Calimshan are only keeping the Mairide Family for now out of a desire to avoid war, or perhaps they are still thinking of dragging Xia Duo into the water through the Mairide Family.

For a moment, Xia Duo did not know what to say; unless he could immediately find evidence to clear the Mairide Family of suspicion.

Otherwise, even if Kaitemier does not go to war with Calimshan, the external pressure brought by this matter is very likely to crush or drag down the Mairide Family.

Therefore, Xia Duo felt he was worth a higher price—not from the Grand Emperor or Grand Archon of Calimshan, of course, but from the Mairide Family.

【To be honest, I have been using Wild Fruit Reading to follow updates recently; it has many sources, and many reading voices. Both Android and Apple are supported.】

"Then what exactly does the Mairide Family need me to do?"

"What the family hopes for most, of course, is that Lord Xia Duo can find the true culprit who assassinated the Elf Prince, or find evidence that can clearly prove the Mairide Family has nothing to do with this matter. However—"

Speaking of this, Talafu's expression suddenly collapsed, and he said with a miserable smile: "But you and I both know that such a meticulously planned conspiracy could not possibly leave behind overly obvious flaws! So, so the family's true purpose is to hope that Lord Xia Duo can take a portion of my branch of the family away from Calimshan."

"Take away a portion of the family members?"

Hearing such a request, Xia Duo was shocked; it was clear that the Mairide Family already had the resolve to sacrifice themselves to avert the war.

Making such a decision might be due to the coercion or deals of the Grand Emperor and Grand Archon, and of course, it is possible they had this resolve to sacrifice themselves, but regardless of the reason, it would not change the reality of what might actually happen.

Everyone has a survival instinct, even those willing to die are no exception, but there are many things in this world that can transcend life, death, and reason; this is the complexity of human nature.

As for the subsequent questions, Xia Duo actually did not want to ask any further; after all, what the other party requested depended to a large extent on his subsequent attitude.

If he were to harbor any crooked thoughts and take the worst path requested by the Mairide Family, he would likely be able to swallow up the final foundation of this family.

However, human nature is complex; the Mairide Family, currently in crisis, might agree to anything, but once they escape the crisis, would they still be willing to pay the price?

Xia Duo does not like to test human nature; he would rather have the conditions and benefits stated and even secured upfront, and for that, he does not mind appearing cold.

The spirit at the source of order can have warmth, but order itself is cold and ruthless.

In a sense, this is also the optimal real-world solution he has found for his own principles of conduct; he is not a person who likes to complicate problems, nor is he a person who pursues the extreme maximization of profit.

If there can be less tug-of-war and less probing, even if he gains a little less because of it, it is completely acceptable.

……

During the subsequent bargaining, Talafu did not disappoint Xia Duo, or rather, the other party had already made the relevant preparations when he came to see him.

Just as he opened his mouth, Talafu decisively took a bright silver ring adorned with a sapphire from his wide sleeve and handed it to him with both hands:

"Lord Xia Duo, this is a small token of the Mairide Family's appreciation, thanking you for your efforts in this matter. Regardless of the final outcome, you will always be the best friend of the Mairide Family!"

Xia Duo took the ring and almost immediately felt a trend of Magic Net synchronization echoing with his own bloodline; this was the first time he had seen a Magic Item so compatible with his bloodline.

Following his inner intuition, Xia Duo put the ring on the index finger of his left hand and then rubbed the sapphire adorned on the outer surface of the ring twice with his thumb.

The next moment, a white fortress with the typical pointed arch dome style of Calimshan appeared in Xia Duo's Perception.

"This—" Xia Duo almost exclaimed.

Originally, he thought the other party might just be handing him a Magic Item with specific symbolic significance, or perhaps just a Storage Prop; he did not expect it to be a mobile fortress built in the Elemental Plane of Howling Winds!

Although it could not cross Planes, and could not even move autonomously, the mere fact that it was built in an Elemental Plane indicated that its value was bound to be immense.

Not to mention, this was not an empty fortress; the interior was almost filled with all kinds of valuables: gold, Gemstone, refined weapons, equipment, paintings, and sculptures.

Of course, if it were only these, to Xia Duo, they would just be a bit of floating wealth, including that fortress built in the Elemental Plane.

What truly moved him was that there was also a small Library inside the fortress that was almost filled with books; even if there was some padding, there had to be at least that many!

Seeing this, Xia Duo could almost confirm that this otherworldly fortress ring should be one of the foundations of the Mairide Family. Feeling the ring on his left index finger, he felt the pressure ahead increase a little more.

But regardless, a primitive Wind Elemental Plane alone was worth him taking action, not to mention that room full of treasures, which also made it hard for him to refuse.

……

"Do you have any suggestions for the next steps?"

Xia Duo is a man of action, but Calimshan is, after all, an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar rules and unfamiliar relationships, so he wanted to hear the suggestions of Talafu, a local.

Perhaps not expecting Xia Duo to enter the state so quickly, Talafu was stunned for a few seconds at first, and then a trace of joy, a trace of hope, and even a trace of fighting spirit erupted in his eyes!

"Lord Xia Duo, currently the Kaitemier side has re-dispatched an Envoy to investigate. What you need most now is to obtain an identity that can participate in this matter; being just a friend or guest of the Mairide Family is not enough."

"Then what identity is qualified to participate in it?"

"A Northern Alliance Observer would be good!" Talafu said an identity without hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Xia Duo suddenly understood a little; so they were waiting for him here! He was not sure if this was Talafu's true suggestion or if it was at the instruction of the Grand Archon of Calimshan.

Previously, when he met with the Grand Archon Fahede, the other party had proposed the idea of wanting the Northland Alliance to cooperate, but it had been brushed off by him at the time.

So now that Talafu suggested he obtain the identity of a Northern Alliance Observer, it was hard for him not to make the connection.