Chapter 80: Qualification for the First Expedition

So, Naimi Xisi has always longed for more sources of wealth.

Xia Nai, having pinpointed the dragon's greed, smiled and proposed: "The Masked Mage Guild has obtained three slots for the first expedition; I will choose who participates. If you, Lord Naimi Xisi, are willing, I can add you among them."

Naimi Xisi was very surprised by Xia Nai's proposal; many factions scramble for spots in the first expedition—aren't they just afraid later arrivals won't get a seat at the table? The Masked Mage Guild securing three slots is already quite good.

And Xia Nai, as a …

"I'm very interested in your proposal," Naimi Xisi admitted graciously, raising two fingers and asking, "But I have two questions."

"First, what is the price for obtaining this qualification? Equivalent exchange is the truth that we, the Juan Ce Long, uphold."

In response to Naimi Xisi's question, Xia Nai nodded approvingly and said, "Of course, Mr Naimi Xisi, equivalent exchange is the truth all Mages revere."

"In exchange for the slot, I wish to obtain, within three years and without reservation, all your knowledge of transformation and Abjuration spells, and to be given enough gold coins to purchase spell materials. I need to raise my Mage level to at least 10 before departure," Xia Nai said confidently.

She had no doubt that her talent could become a tenth‑level Mage within three years; she believed the only thing limiting her was a lack of resources. Having already spent her mentor's final inheritance, the resource she most lacked for this political power exchange was indeed resources.

She thought to herself.

Naimi Xisi pondered briefly and said, "Your deal touches on my second question."

"I am about to fall into a slumber, breaking through to the next age. I don't know whether I'll have a chance to awaken within three years; how can you guarantee that if I miss that three‑year window, I can still join the expedition?"

Faced with Naimi Xisi's question, Xia Nai's expression turned grim; after long consideration, she chose to bite the bullet and speak honestly.

"Even though I could deceive you and obtain your investment, I still feel I must be truthful. Lord Naimi Xisi, if you miss the opportunity after three years, you will have no chance to join the first expedition."

"The Golden Legion's advisory consultant—Legendary Spellcraft Mage 'Liu Dong Zhi Men'—and the An Mu fleet that circles the east coast of the New Continent guarantee that no stray can cross them to reach the New Continent; of course, if you are Legendary, you can ignore my words."

Naimi Xisi nodded; she had spoken the truth, and the great Juan Ce Long always rewards the honest.

"I agree—it's a gamble‑style investment, isn't it?"

A Spellbook materialized in his hand; page after page was torn away by unseen force and flew to Xia Nai, each a Spell Model of the transformation and Abjuration spells he mastered.

Then, with a pained look, he produced a spatial bag, opened it upside down.

Coins cascaded out with a clatter, piling into a hill several hundred centimeters high. He inhaled deeply, shifted his gaze from the glittering coins and said, "Fifty thousand gold coins—collect them quickly before I change my mind."

"Remember," his dim‑yellow pupils fixed on Xia Nai, "do not break your promise, or you'll learn how terrifying it is to anger a dragon."

Xia Nai, happily gathering the coins, replied perfunctorily, "Don't worry, don't worry. Others may be different, but you can find me directly after leaving the Throne; how could I dare deceive you?"

Naimi Xisi was pleased with Xia Nai's answer; that's why he dared to give her the coins—on the planet Toriel, it's not that big, where could she run? Yet, as a dragon who treats money as life, he still cautiously required her to swear a divine oath before feeling completely at ease.

Fa Qi watched Xia Nai's bounty with envy, but he knew the Round Table's principle was exchange and trade—yet he had no chips to barter.

With that in mind, Fa Qi's resolve to explore that tomb hardened.

Soon, the second Round Table meeting that Naimi Xisi attended concluded—one month after the demon sacrifice incident, in Degun City.

"As I have said, citizens of Degun City! I will inherit the glory of my forebears and pass it on forever! The Rosa family and Degun—may they endure eternally!"

The blond maiden, even after stepping onto the political stage, had not shed her armor and sword; she stood on the podium, a breeze lifting her hair, sunlight glinting in her emerald eyes, her exquisite face shimmering like lake water.

She gazed at the tens of thousands of citizens before her; the confident girl felt, for the first time, a sensation—being needed.

From now on, she will no longer be merely "Golden Iris" Keli Te; she will become Degun City's first female lord—Countess Rosa! Half‑elf Losri En stood silently behind the podium, accompanied by an enchanted female Mage; the Mage's hand, cloaked in a black robe, constantly shifted as magic danced at her fingertips, manipulating the crowd's emotions.

Keli Te will become Degun City's lord, but not alone.

The Mage Guild will serve as her think tank, the Drow will become her assassin squad; even though Keli Te lacks any political resources, once she assumed the lordship, Degun City's nobles keenly sensed a hint—

The new lord does not appear as naive as she seems; on the contrary, a massive force operates behind her.

"Good afternoon, Lady Countess~"

Keli Te finished her speech and returned to the Rosa Castle, where several Degun City nobles had been waiting for a long time.

A corpulent noble, as fat as a sow, forced a smile and bowed to Keli Te; his tiny, fly‑sized squint widened disproportionately when he saw the many Mages behind her.

Having once crossed paths with Losri En, he recognized the black‑robed figures behind Keli Te. "This Countess has pledged to the Silent Mage Guild? Damn it," the scheming corpulent noble muttered, then tossed the thought aside. His family has been in Degun City for centuries, rising from a simple tailor to a stable house today, relying on keen judgment of the times.

But some nobles were not that clever.

"Countess? Heh, Baron An Te may be speaking too soon," a middle‑aged noblewoman in red mocked the corpulent noble.

Baron An Te's pitifully small squint flashed with a glint; his ingratiating instinct instantly recognized a good opportunity.

"Bold!" Baron An Te shouted with his uncharacteristically sharp voice, leaving the female nobles bewildered.

"Countess Rosa is the direct bloodline of the old Count, his biological daughter. According to the kingdom's noble law, after the heretical cultist Charles Rosa vanished under divine wrath, she became the legitimate Count!"

Seeing Baron An Te's righteous demeanor, the female noble's mouth twitched, then her anger faded; she realized the corpulent noble had played her, cowardly allying with the Countess! "Heh, Baron An Te really knows how to joke," another elder said, standing shakily, pulling out an ornate staff and tapping it on the ground, casually remarking, "Yinbu Tu Kingdom's law seems not to protect a heretic's relatives, does it?"

The middle‑aged noble seemed to find a foothold, eyes brightening: "Exactly, Lady Rosa, your brother, after inheriting the Countship, proved to be an evil, blasphemous heretic! The Rosa family's glory is now shattered; what right do you have to inherit the title?"

"We will report to the royal court, demanding the revocation of Countess Rosa's title! That filthy name does not belong in Degun City!"

Baron An Te seemed to hear a treasonous remark, his face incredulous as he pointed and shouted, "Y‑you!!"

Afterward, he seemed helpless as usual, sighing, he looked at Keli Te and shook his head.

The silent girl from start to finish let out a soft laugh, snapped her fingers, a maid approached and gently removed her battle armor, while another maid handed her a cup of warm honey black tea.

She sat down, leisurely sipping the tea, savoring the blend of the tea's bitterness and the honey's sweetness.

The girl's indifference left the two nobles, who had just spewed threats, feeling awkward; they had hoped to see the other's panic, but what is this? Looking down on them?

Count An Te said nothing, merely observing the girl's expression in secret; her confident demeanor gave him an uneasy feeling.

The middle‑aged noblewoman and the elder had long grown impatient with the scene; just as the noblewoman was about to warn the other not to be cryptic, Keli Te spoke.

"Esteemed nobles, how do you intend to report to the royal court?"

To that odd question, the elder smiled and said, "Of course we'll send a messenger; I need not worry about interception. As soon as the disaster ended, I dispatched a messenger toward the capital. By now, he should have arrived outside the city bearing the royal condemnation letter."

Keli Te let out two strange chuckles, then, feigning indifference, said, "In that case, you may withdraw for now. I'll wait for you to bring the royal decree to strip my title, but until then, I remain Degun City's lord."

The middle‑aged noblewoman rose, snorted coldly, and said, "Enjoy your final good times."

Another elder also stood up with a cheerful laugh, trembling as guards helped him out of the reception hall.

Only Baron An Te remained, his face heavy, head bowed, standing in place.

Losri En asked with a smile, "Baron An Te, why haven't you left yet?"

Baron An Te fished a silk handkerchief from his chest lining, hurriedly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, and said nervously, "Leaving Lady Countess, my ancestors' family creed is to trust intuition. My current intuition tells me that if I leave here, a terribly bad outcome will ensue."

Ke Litte and Luo Silien exchanged a glance, showing interest, and it was hard to tell that this fat man's intuition was still quite accurate.

A burst of footsteps rang out, and in the down‑cast view of Baron An Te a pair of delicate men's boots appeared—Luo Silien had stepped before him.

"You are very clever, Baron An Te; we do not wish to cause a big commotion in Degeng City, so we need, um, clever people like you to help us."

"After tonight, Tan Ta Er and the Bi Er family will be erased from Degeng City, and I need you to take over their territory. You will manage all the business of the two families and hand over every last profit to us without a fraction missing."

Luo Silien's cold words slithered like a snake around Baron An Te's ear; he pressed his handsome face close to the other's ear and, word by word, spoke the harshest fact.

Baron An Te frantically wiped the cold sweat forming on his forehead with a silk scarf, stammering, "May—may I ask what to do with Bi Er's messenger sent to the Royal City?"

Bang!

A human head rolled to Baron An Te's feet; from its rotting state it seemed to have been dead for a month.

"His messenger has never set foot beyond Degeng City."

(End of chapter)