Free Web NovelChapter 313: Do You Know Where It Is?
Riley Atwood glanced around furtively before whispering, "Commander, what do we do now...?"
He wanted to ask if Aiden Atwood still had any ambitions to rise again, but from the sound of his tone, it seemed he had already given up.
Sure enough, before he could finish, Aiden Atwood frowned and glared at him. "Watch your mouth from now on. I’m not a Commander anymore. If you stir up trouble and cause a misunderstanding with the Druid, we’ll both end up dead! Understand?"
Riley Atwood’s heart sank. He quickly nodded. "I understand, I understand!"
Aiden Atwood shook his head and started walking toward the fortress, lowering his voice as he went. "Don’t ever say that again. If we just live quietly in the City-State of the Paragon Troupe, the Druid won’t treat us poorly! Don’t forget, even the Lion-Salt City-state is being absorbed. We might become citizens of a large city-state in the future! We might even get a chance to see the Dragon God, you know?"
At the mention of "the Dragon God," Riley Atwood sucked in a sharp breath. That was something he didn’t even dare to dream of.
However, the thought of the Druid in action made Riley Atwood shiver, and he quickly nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, the vast majority of warriors from the Lion-Salt City-state had signed the contract, becoming Beastmen of the City-State of the Paragon Troupe. While still dazed and confused, they were pulled away to have their pictures taken, and each was given an Identity Card.
When they saw the perfect replicas of themselves on the photos, the warriors of the Lion-Salt City-state were completely won over.
’This skill alone was something that not just the Lion-Salt City-state, but perhaps not even the Dragon God could accomplish, right?’
*
Evangeline sat in her room, sipping clear tea.
Danton sat beside her. His eyes lowered to Leomund, who was collapsed on the floor. "The Lion-Salt City-state is a Medium-sized City-State with considerable strength," he said softly. "With Leomund leading the way, taking it over is just a matter of time."
Evangeline nodded slightly and pushed the tea toward Danton. "Are Rhea and the others adjusting well?"
Lately, aside from handling the photography, Danton had been spending most of his time in the Triangle Sea, establishing a new settlement with the Mer Clan.
He chuckled softly. "What’s there not to get used to? The Triangle Sea is full of prey and is even larger than the Norfell Sea. If the Mer Clan establishes our home here, we will thrive and endure for a very, very long time."
"That’s good." Evangeline’s lips curved into a smile. She turned to the man on the floor. "Commander Leomund, since you’re awake, there’s no need to keep feigning sleep. It’s a waste of your time and a waste of mine. Don’t you agree?"
Danton’s eyebrow twitched. His gaze fell upon Leomund, and sure enough, he saw the man’s eyelids fluttering slightly.
Leomund knew that he would suffer if he kept pretending, so he slowly opened his eyes, letting out a few soft moans.
When he sat up and met Evangeline’s gaze, his expression was no longer one of lecherous glee, but of fear—utter, absolute fear. ’A Druid who can control lightning... Hah. If I had known it would turn out like this, I never would have led my warriors here to ask for trouble. In the end, I not only lost myself, but the entire Lion-Salt City-state as well!’
"What in the world do you want? I was wrong, okay? I was wrong! Just let me go back, and we can pretend we never met. How about it? It took me so long to become a Commander... WAHHH, do you have any idea how hard my life has been?"
Perhaps at the thought of all the hardships he had endured over the years, only for the city-state he had finally obtained to fall into someone else’s hands in the blink of an eye, Leomund was overcome with grief. As he spoke, he couldn’t stop himself from breaking into loud sobs.
Evangeline paused, giving Leomund a strange look. ’I really didn’t expect a War Pattern-level Beastman to have this kind of temperament,’ she thought. ’Still, a brainless Beastman like this will be easier to use.’
"Come here." Evangeline’s voice was soft as she tapped her fingertips on the table.
Leomund pretended not to hear, continuing to wail as his tears nearly soaked his beast skin clothes.
Danton stepped forward, grabbed Leomund’s arm, and dragged him over to sit at the table.
Leomund’s eyes widened. His gaze fell on the Eight-star pattern on Danton’s forehead. He was just about to curse at him when he felt Evangeline’s eyes on him. He immediately looked away and said warily, "Just say it. What will it take for you to let me go?"
Evangeline sneered. "Commander Leomund, you’re quite the actor."
She took a light sip of tea and said nonchalantly, "I can let you go, but first you have to answer my questions. If your answers satisfy me, if they make me happy, I’ll release you—but you won’t get the Lion-Salt City-state back. However, if you’re willing to stay in the City-State of the Paragon Troupe, the warriors from the Lion-Salt City-state can remain under your command."
Hearing this, Leomund gritted his teeth, wishing he could pounce on Evangeline and tear her to shreds.
But he was a man who knew which way the wind blew. He didn’t dare.
Leomund’s chest heaved. After scowling at her for a long moment, he snorted, "Then you’d better remember what you promised! Let me go!" freeweɓnøvel.com
Evangeline nodded. "Of course. I always keep my word."
’So what if Evangeline keeps the warriors I brought this time?’ Leomund sneered inwardly. ’The Lion-Salt City-state isn’t hers to command. Once I get back, I’ll rally my forces, ally with other large city-states, and we’ll devour this tough nut to crack that is the City-State of the Paragon Troupe! When that time comes, I’ll cripple this female! We’ll see how arrogant she is then!’
With that thought, Leomund felt much better. He lifted his chin slightly. "Fine. What do you want to ask?"
Evangeline placed her teacup on the table with a soft CLINK. Leomund immediately flinched, his haughty expression faltering. His mouth twitched violently as he cursed himself for being so spineless.
"I want to know the location of the Grimgar City-State," Evangeline said bluntly.
"What?! The Grimgar City-State?!" Leomund gasped, looking Evangeline up and down in astonishment. "Don’t tell me you want to be the Dragon God’s female too? Hah, let me give you a piece of advice: that’s a death wish! Don’t even think about it!"
Hearing this, Evangeline’s expression shifted slightly. "So, you know where the Grimgar City-State is?"
Leomund shrugged. "I don’t. The Grimgar City-State is The Holy Land. Ordinary people can’t go there. Even though I’m a War Pattern-level Beastman, I’m not qualified. The Beastmen there are all noble citizens under the Dragon God’s direct rule. Even Beastmen from large city-states have to send a formal request for an audience to get in. Me? Hah, I wish I could go."
As he spoke, Leomund rolled his eyes and crossed his legs, looking completely exasperated.
Danton frowned slightly and looked at Evangeline.
"So, you don’t actually know the location of the Grimgar City-State." Evangeline’s expression turned cold.
Leomund keenly sensed the danger in Evangeline’s tone. He swallowed hard and chuckled nervously, "Well, you can’t exactly say that. I might not know the location, but I have news about the Grimgar City-State! For real! I really do!"
Evangeline’s narrow eyes filled with impatience. "Speak."
Sensing her displeasure, Leomund didn’t dare act up any longer. He whispered, "The large city-states have been very active recently. Everyone knows that the Sharp Teeth Judgment Period is the Dragon God’s mating season. Heh, every time this happens, a lot of city-states send females over. I happen to know that the Commander of the Earth-Armor City-state is planning to send one of his beautiful females."
