Chapter 38: S+ Grade Minotaur! Ferdinand Reveals Information!

Roko's heart stirred, and he activated the attribute panel.

【Name: Talos】

【Race: Minotaur】

【Level: Warrior Mid-stage】

【Talent: S+】

【Status: Weak, Angry, Suppressed】

【Favorability: -10】

【Loyalty: 0】

S+ grade talent!

Roko's heartbeat accelerated slightly.

This Ferdinand was simply his lucky star!

The first time he came, he brought Martina with SS-grade talent.

The second time he came, he brought a minotaur with S+ grade talent!

This luck was simply incredible.

His gaze toward Ferdinand softened a bit.

Ferdinand was shrewd; he immediately noticed Roko's gaze falling on the minotaur.

His heart stirred, and he hurried forward.

"Young Master Roko has a good eye!"

Ferdinand introduced with a smile: "This minotaur is a tough nut to crack, his strength is astonishingly great; we spent quite a bit of effort capturing him, and he even injured several of our knights."

"Oh?"

Roko remained calm.

"Name your price."

Ferdinand rubbed his hands and quoted a relatively fair price.

For the market price of a minotaur at the Warrior Mid-stage, this price could even be considered somewhat low.

Clearly, Ferdinand had made up his mind to sell Roko a favor.

"Fine."

Roko nodded in agreement, and the transaction was completed quickly.

When the guards unlocked some of the shackles on the minotaur, preparing to hand him over to Roko's guards, the silent minotaur suddenly spoke.

His voice was low and resonant, with a muffled quality.

"Human noble."

The minotaur raised his head, revealing eyes containing stubbornness and anger, looking directly at Roko.

"I can submit to you and serve you."

"However, you must agree to one condition."

Roko looked at him with great interest.

"Let's hear it."

"Over there, there are eighteen of my clansmen."

The minotaur pointed to several other minotaurs in the slave team who were equally tall but slightly thinner.

"If you want to buy me, you must buy them as well."

"And, you must guarantee that you will not abuse them at will, and give them enough food and relatively fair treatment."

His tone carried unquestionable firmness.

Ferdinand's face changed slightly, wanting to scold the minotaur.

Roko raised his hand to stop him.

He looked at the S+ grade minotaur before him, lost in thought.

Buying the other eighteen minotaurs would require spending an extra, not-insignificant amount of gold coins.

And this minotaur had also put forward additional requirements.

However, an S+ grade talented powerhouse, plus a group of clansmen who might be able to form a special battle formation, was worth far more than those gold coins.

More importantly, the minotaur's defense of his clansmen meant he valued loyalty and friendship.

Once subdued, his loyalty would be well-guaranteed.

Roko pondered for a moment.

"I can buy all your clansmen."

"I can also guarantee that as long as they follow my rules and work hard, they will not be abused and will receive enough food."

"However, in exchange, I need your absolute loyalty, Talos."

Roko looked directly into the minotaur's eyes, his tone calm but carrying majesty.

Talos looked at Roko for a moment; in those young eyes, he did not see the contempt and cruelty common to other human nobles, only calmness and confidence.

Finally, he slowly lowered his massive bull head.

"Talos, and my clansmen, are willing to offer you our loyalty, Master."

【Minotaur Talos, favorability increased to 60】

【Loyalty increased to 70】

Roko nodded with satisfaction.

Subsequently, he bought a total of three hundred kobolds and goblins from Ferdinand as consumables for the mine and infrastructure.

He also selected one hundred strong male human slaves, one hundred nimble female human slaves, and twenty dwarf miners who looked experienced.

This transaction cost Roko nearly eight thousand gold coins.

The minotaurs alone cost at least three thousand gold coins.

Martina was keeping the accounts on the side; watching the gold coins flow out like water, her small face wrinkled, and her snow-white fox ears drooped.

But seeing the newly joined strong minotaurs, she felt this deal didn't seem like a loss.

The transaction was completed, and Roko was in a very good mood.

He enthusiastically invited Ferdinand to the Lord's wooden house to enjoy lunch.

Ferdinand naturally agreed happily.

Sumptuous roast meat, ale, and several exquisite small dishes supervised by Martina were served.

The two chatted while eating.

Ferdinand probed Roko's future plans and the level of support from the Raymond family.

Roko parried everything without a leak, occasionally revealing some insignificant information to maintain a superficial friendliness.

After three rounds of drinks, Ferdinand seemed a bit tipsy and lowered his voice.

"Young Master Roko, there is something, I don't know if I should say it or not."

Roko put down his wine glass.

"Speak freely."

"I received some uncertain news..."

Ferdinand said mysteriously: "It is said that Baron Carter's son Morris, a few days ago, carried letters and went to Baron Ao Ge Si Si Ke Te's Black Stone Territory and Baron Wei Er Ke Weila's territory respectively."

"Oh?"

Roko's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression remaining calm.

Ao Ge Si Si Ke Te, Baron of Black Stone Territory.

Behind him was the old Marquis Si Ke Te family of the Kingdom.

Wei Er Ke Weila, that son of the Earl who had a conflict with him at the Prada City teleportation array, now seemed to have opened up a territory nearby as well.

Baron Carter was unwilling to accept defeat and was looking for allies, preparing for revenge.

Or rather, plotting against his gold mine.

"Is the news reliable?"

Roko asked.

Ferdinand shook his head: "Just hearsay, not necessarily accurate, but there is no smoke without fire; Young Master Roko should still be careful."

He stopped at the point and didn't elaborate.

Roko understood.

Ferdinand revealing this news was both a show of goodwill and a reminder of potential risks, further closing the relationship.

Regardless of the source, the value of this intelligence was great.

"Thank you for the reminder; I will be careful."

After eating, Roko walked out of the temporary Lord's wooden house.

The matter of the minotaur Talos had not yet been handled.

At this time, the nineteen minotaurs, including Talos, were standing outside the wooden house waiting patiently.

Roko looked calm, watching the minotaur Talos, who was slightly bowing but still standing tall.

He did not hesitate and took out the magic steel seal symbolizing the Raymond family.

It was a small metal seal with a lifelike Flame Griffin carved on the top, flowing with a faint magic radiance.

"Raise your head."

Roko's voice was not loud, but carried unquestionable majesty.

Talos took a deep breath and slowly raised his massive bull head.

He saw the seal emitting a dangerous aura in the young noble's hand, a hint of humiliation flashing in his eyes, but more of the forbearance he chose for his clansmen.

The scorching seal, carrying a hint of burning pain, was lightly branded onto Talos's broad forehead.

A clear, small Flame Griffin mark appeared, emitting a faint red light.

【Minotaur Talos, loyalty increased to 80】

【Minotaur Talos, favorability increased to 70】

Feeling the strange connection coming from his forehead, and the irresistible feeling in his mind.

Talos's body trembled slightly, then completely gave up resistance.

He knelt on one knee.

"Talos, greets Master."

The eighteen minotaurs behind him, who were also branded with slave marks, also knelt down one after another, their movements neat and uniform. ===== CHAPTER 39 =====