NOVEL NEXT Chapter 100: Advantages And Benefits
Vera didn't hesitate the moment Roderick passed the ball to her court.
They were here in the first place to meet Roy, so they naturally had to do what they could to help him.
Vera glanced at the other eight fellow Lords as she suggested:
"I think it would be best for us to try to help with Roy's condition as much as we can…"
Lord Jared spoke up, his expression cold.
"I'd have to hold you there, Vera. Why should we go out of our way to help him? What benefits would he give us? I know you said he would be beneficial to our alliance, but that is based on your words.
We followed you here to see this great Lord you boast so much about, but now we are required to go out of our way just to help someone I don't know? I'm sorry, but I'm not convinced."
Vera frowned, her gaze turning cold, as another Lord spoke.
Lord Brandon, who had his legs leisurely crossed on the table, his arms behind his head, sighed.
"I hate to be that guy, Vera, but Jared is right. And if you weren't so infatuated with this guy, you would see reason too."
Bam!
Vera's fist hit the table suddenly, startling everyone. Her face hardened.
"Infatuated? Yes, I'm fucking infatuated!
Am I the only one who took a good look at the territory as they took us through? Am I the only one that saw ACTUAL WORKING MODERN TECH?"
The Lords frowned, not understanding where Vera was going with this.
Vera continued.
"Sonia! You." She pointed at the female Lord dressed in a plain gown with blond hair and blue eyes.
"You're the bearer of the Order of Transportation! Tell me, how convenient is it for you to keep on expanding your business with chariots?"
The female Lord frowned but remained silent, her delicate brows furrowing.
"And when we came in, tell me — how many cars did you see? In fact, wasn't it a freaking van that carried us?
You were planning on adapting modern vehicles in Arcana back when we came early. Tell me, how is that going?!"
Sonia's face went dark at this question. Vera knew full well how much of a disaster the project had ended up becoming.
"And you!" Vera pointed at Henry, a stocky muscular man whose clothing was severely limited, his bulging muscles in full display.
"I thought as the bearer of the Order of Craft, you would have the desire to chase the pinnacle of craft… And before you, you're seeing soldiers armed with tactical weapons, modern-day artillery, some even beyond what Earth could ever achieve!
Not to forget, you even tried creating these said weapons — and you failed badly at that!"
Henry's face went dark also. The truth was infuriatingly embarrassing, but she was right.
Vera heaved heavily, her gaze searching for the next, but the others were quick to avert their gaze.
Seeing they were caving, she finalized her harsh comments.
"So forgive me if I'm infatuated with this Lord!
Forgive me since I'm the only one who sees the endless advantages and benefits we can gain from him!
Forgive me if I see a chance to possibly make him owe us a favor and even see us in a favorable light!"
With that said, she collapsed in her chair, silent, eyes cold. It was clear from this moment on she wasn't going to go out of her way to push them for this alliance.
Her stance was clear: if they didn't like it, if they valued their pride above such benefits, they could leave… without her.
Noelle smiled, commenting playfully.
"That's why she is called the Merchant Empress after all — benefits first, reason later…"
The other Lords smiled wryly.
Meanwhile, Richard, Ethan, and Rachel sitting opposite them watched all this silently.
Richard was still reluctant to lead them to his Lord, but if there truly was a chance they could do something, it would be selfish of him not to let it happen.
Rachel leaned closer to Richard's ear and whispered:
"If they agree, would you let them?"
Richard nodded slightly.
"Only if we can guarantee that they truly aim to be friends."
Suddenly Ethan leapt up from his seat, eyes wide, staring into the void in shock.
This sudden action caught the attention of everyone in the room.
"What is wrong?" Richard asked solemnly.
Ethan turned his gaze toward Richard slowly, his expression erratic — confused, excited.
"I-I suddenly realized I can't sense the nanobots in Master's resting bunker… The connection between me and them has been severed…"
Richard's eyes widened in shock.
"You mean!"
Ethan nodded fervently.
"Possibly so… Master might have awakened!"
Richard didn't need to hear more. He practically leapt from his seat, rushing for the door, closely followed by both Rachel and Ethan.
Rachel seemed to have a thought and glanced at the Lords at the table, leaving a remark.
"You need an invitation?"
With that, she left, hurrying to catch up with the other two.
The Lords glanced at each other in silence, but Vera didn't hesitate, quick to reach the doors. The others, seeing this, couldn't hesitate any longer and quickly followed.
They all moved down the corridor, coming before an elevator. Thankfully it was a room-sized construct and was able to fit them all.
Richard pressed the floor button: -17…
And pressure decreased as their gait felt lighter while the elevator started descending.
Ding!
The elevator before them opened, and all that was beyond was darkness.
Ethan's eyes flickered as he raised his arm, using the glow from his energy to lighten what was beyond.
Richard ran into the room, reaching the seeping pod where their Master was supposed to be residing — and it was empty.
Not only that, all beast crystals powering the room's lighting and gadgets had been drained. The stream of nano-bionic bots was gone, as evidence pointed to the fact that…
"Master is back!" Richard smiled, his expression giddy with excitement.
Behind him, the Lords seemed to understand what was going on.
"No need to be worried about going out of your way to help, Jared, as I believe it won't be needed anymore." Vera taunted with a genuine, excited smile.
Lord Jared's eyes twitched in annoyance.