Chapter 313 311-Deliberate Intent
"Enter into a contract?" Ethan was puzzled, "Do I need to sign a contract even for providing resources?"
"Sir, let me explain in detail. A contract is necessary; we must ensure that after you complete the transaction of money or resources, you do not cause trouble should you fail to secure the right to enter Deityforsaken Land."
Ethan caught on and nodded slightly.
At this moment, the scribe turned again to Daphne: "Will this lady be tested as well?"
Ethan nodded.
"Then I think this lady can sign an Employment Contract," the clerk said with a smile.
Ethan was confused: "What is an Employment Contract?"
"It means that for this test, we will not take any resources or fees from you, only a fifteen-year Employment Contract is needed. In other words, if this miss agrees to work for the Adrien family for fifteen years, we will grant one testing opportunity for free."
"This contract is most advantageous. The Adrien family does not only provide employment but also opportunities for learning, allocation of resources, and should she prove adept, a chance to enter into the inner circles of the Adrien family."
"This contract is perfectly suited for the young lady beside you, so you wouldn't have to waste a lifetime's collection of resources, right?"
The clerk spoke in great detail and was even willing to be more verbose; it seemed that he valued Daphne highly!
Ethan's mind was tinged with a cold sneer. A fifteen-year Employment Contract? The Adriens truly were vampires.
In this world, signing a contract was no simple matter.
One had to invoke the name of a deity to enter into a contract, and once it was signed, breaking it would render one an Oathbreaker.
An Oathbreaker would henceforth be marked by the deity, greatly diminished in strength, and could even face the wrath of being struck down by the deity.
If Daphne were to sign such a contract and enter the Adrien family fold,
She would then be at their mercy, a mere plaything for their whims.
Such a trap, how could Ethan possibly push Daphne into it?
Ethan shook his head and said, "No, we would rather trade resources for the opportunity."
The clerk's face chilled, his tone neutral as he said:
"Very well, produce resources you deem of sufficient value."
Ethan had fought too many battles in this world, ventured through numerous secret realms.
The resources he had amassed were countless; a random selection from his spatial holdings should suffice for Daphne's use.
The clerk's mouth gaped as Ethan produced an assortment of resources.
"Mithril, Darkwood, Dragonhide, Froststeel, Argentum..."
Mouth agape, the clerk scribbled frantically in his ledger.
These items were basically of restricted class within a kingdom, yet Ethan was parting with them as if they were mere trinkets.
The clerk thought he had seen grandeur, yet Ethan's lavish display still sent shockwaves through him.
Those behind Ethan stared at the items he unveiled, their hearts nearly ceasing to beat.
Which grand family's scion was he?
Seeing he had brought out materials roughly equivalent to two portions of Blood Source, Ethan nonchalantly inquired, "Is this sufficient?"
The clerk, seeing Ethan's effortless and witty demeanor, twisted the words "That's enough" into: "It's not enough, not nearly enough!"
The pupils of those privy to the situation behind Ethan constricted slightly.
Yet none spoke up, for at this juncture, to anger the Adrien family was to forfeit one's own prospective future.
Ethan's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Are you certain it's insufficient?"
The clerk, eyes fixed on the table laden with materials, saw only the shimmering allure of gold coins.
He was blind to Ethan's ill-tempered expression.
"Indeed, it's not enough," the clerk said, his eyes alight with fervor.
Ethan drew forth more resources from his space.
Radiant White Gold, Stardust Tin, Milky Way Silver, Radiant Bronze, Dragon Scale Iron...
With each piece of metal Ethan presented, the clerk's breathing grew more ragged.
His eyes dazzled with the myriad metals, sensing the extraordinary energy fluctuations.
Inwardly, the clerk laughed maniacally:
"To think, amongst these paupers, there truly was a plump sheep."
It wasn't until the table was heaped with a rainbow of metals that Ethan stopped, his tone sinister as he queried:
"Is this sufficient now?"
Those behind Ethan trembled at the sight of the materials spread before them.
Each material there was the pinnacle of weapon metals, some so rare they were beyond price.
Treasures worth a fortune so casually offered up.
Their hearts bled at the sight.
The clerk's mind had descended into frenzy, his eyes reddened as he growled:
"Not enough, more, keep going...."
A vicious light surged in Ethan's eyes, and with a swift grip, he seized the clerk by the throat:
"Are you seeking death?"
Magi and warriors of the Adrien family, seeing someone dare to make a move, immobilized Ethan, converging around him with hostile intent.
Ethan's hand quivered slightly, summoning the Blasphemous Spear into his grasp.
He swung the spear casually, sending a crescent-shaped wave of energy towards those closing in on him.
The strike, though appearing haphazard, was infused with the Thunder Language of Nature and the Flame Language of Nature.
A powerful, bursting force sent the crowd flying in all directions.
The elite of the mighty Adrien family were no match for Ethan alone.
Noise of the commotion drew an audience, who converged towards Ethan's location.
Onlookers, witnessing Ethan wielding his spear single-handedly and sending the Adrien family's elite scattering, exclaimed in shock.
"Who is that young man, with such formidable power?"
"Boasting in front of the Adrien family, any strength is moot."
"He truly is a madman; does he not possess a brain?"
"Just wait and see, this young man will be tormented to death by the Adrien family."
"....."
The clamor outside eventually drew out a direct member of the Adrien family.
It was the same young man who had recently attended to Lana Mokos.
Stepping out to a scene of disarray, his brooding eyes carried an interrogative edge: "Sir, are you challenging our Adrien family?"
Unafraid of escalating the situation, Ethan pointed the tip of his spear at the tabletop and declared loudly:
"I have no intention of starting any conflict with the Adrien family, but your clerk is a greedy vampire."
"I have offered up such an abundance of resources, yet your family's clerk demanded endlessly. It was you who forced my hand."
The young man's gaze shifted to the tabletop, his pupils constricting at the sight of the bounty of resources.
Though a direct descendent of the Adrien lineage, even he felt a tingle of overwhelm at such riches.
But an Adrien would certainly never admit to being wrong.
"Sir, your word is truth? Do you have witnesses?" he asked, his hand outstretched, his face wearing a smug, confident smile.
Ethan scoffed, "They all saw it."
"Who?" the young man feigned surprise.
Ethan looked towards the bystanders, but one by one, they bowed their heads, unwilling to testify for him, even though they had witnessed the truth.
Seeing this, the young man burst into laughter, "You lie to tarnish the reputation of the Adrien family. Your intentions are insidious."
Daphne couldn't stand it any longer, stamping her foot in indignation:
"They're all your people, they would never come forward to testify."
The young man's eyes lit up at the sight of Daphne, as if she were a deity incarnate, a beauty to rival the very heavens.
He had thought Lana's beauty was unrivaled until he saw the divine countenance of Daphne.
"You mustn't spout nonsense," he said, his eyes holding a trace of fervor. "Our Adrien family would never engage in such acts."
Ethan found the young man's gaze revolting and pulled Daphne behind him, then began gathering the materials from the table into his space.
"The Adrien family, so it is. True merchants at heart, consumed by greed. It will be your original sin that destroys you."
The young man ignored Ethan's words and instead barked sharply, "You may leave, but the items stay. It is the rule of the Adrien family that anything placed on the table belongs to us."
Ethan felt his anger rising, "Where did this rule suddenly spring from?"
"I just made it up," the young man said, his lips twisting into a defiant smirk, his arrogance boundless.
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly as he twirled the Blasphemous Spear.
He hadn't wanted bloodshed, but the Adrien family's bullying was too much.
"Valentine, you've gone too far," a cool and familiar voice came from behind.
The young man's expression shifted, turning to see the newcomer:
"Lady Lana, what brings you back?"
A subtle sneer played upon Lana's face as she spoke slowly, "Had I not returned, I would've missed this spectacle, wouldn't I?"
Valentine's mouth twitched slightly as he forced a smile:
"Your Highness, you flatter us with your attention. I was merely dealing with some uncouth ruffian from the hills who sought trouble!"
A chill emanated from Lana's gaze, her tone turning decidedly frosty:
"Are you implying that my friend is a ruffian? Since when does the Adrien family dare to speak thus?"
Valentine's expression shifted, as he quickly responded:
"Your Highness, this is all a misunderstanding."
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