Chapter 656 Infiltrator In The Palace
Phoenix sent for the two women they wanted to meet, but it wouldn't be before a few hours that they would be here. So they could attend to other issues in the meantime.
Like who would they send the invitation to, for their second spot in the Inter-Alliance Military Exercises?
"I think we both know who we should send it to… But I'm not sure we should give them that much more advantages over other guilds. It feels like favouritism…" Astaroth said, with a sigh.
Phoenix agreed. But this put them at a bit of an impasse.
It's not like they had other kingdoms that would work under them at the promise of this chance. Or another guild willing to bend to them, in exchange for the clout this would give.
"Should we try selling the invitation to one of the top guilds?" Phoenix asked.
"Eh. That gives a chance to Aces High, and I don't want that prick to get that chance."
Phoenix giggled.
"We don't have to entertain his offer at all. People might call it being unfair, but that's none of our concern. We get to pick who goes, regardless of their thoughts."
Astaroth scratched his chin.
They were back inside the throne room discussing this, where no one could interrupt their thoughts.
"Maybe if we sell it, we can use those funds toward incentives to gather more recruits?" Astaroth proposed.
"Or I can give you a better alternative," a voice proclaimed from the shadows.
Astaroth immediately pulled out his weapon and summoned his companions.
"Who are you, and how did you get in here?!" he asked, ready to tussle.
"Blue Peacock…" Phoenix said, with a bit of venom in her voice.
"Phoenix. Long time no see," Blue Peacock said, walking out of a dark recess in the throne room.
But Astaroth couldn't give a shit less about who this was.
"You didn't answer my question. How the fuck did you get in?"
"Calm down, little king. I've been trying to infiltrate your palace for weeks. It was a chance this morning, when all your guards and patrols were suddenly off doing something at the same time. It gave me the easiest access I have ever had, into a very much guarded place like this one."
Astaroth cursed himself. He knew the patrols had almost emptied because of him. Even if the adventurers' guild had taken on a bit of this burden for gold, their cover couldn't be as good, since they didn't know the palace as well as the Royal Guards or Sentinels.
"But I'm not here to cause trouble. As a matter of fact, I came here with a proposal, and hearing what you two were discussing, I think my timing couldn't be better. How about we have a chat?" Blue said, sauntering up toward the summons.
Genie and White lowered their stances, growling and drooling, while Luna already had miniature moonbeams charged in her little Ash Elven hands. Shegror was in a form Astaroth had never seen, that of a woman in a black and green robe, while Morpheus had perched on the throne behind him.
Phoenix put her hand on Astaroth's arm, shaking her head no. He called back his summons, albeit reluctantly, but kept his weapon out.
Blue Peacock kept advancing, reaching the bottom of the dais, before Astaroth raised his sword.
"Take another step and lose your head. You're close enough."
Blue Peacock smiled wide, her eyes closing in the process.
"My my. Aren't you a cautious one? Fine. I can say what I need to say from here. No need for threats."
"Alright, talk," Phoenix interjected.
"You have five minutes. If in five minutes I'm not interested in what you came to say, I'm letting him have his way. And I don't think you want that."
Blue Peacock grinned as her eyes turned to slits while looking at Astaroth.
"Oh, but I might. I'm always up for an enjoyable challenge. Alas, I have already lost a lot of time by trying to get into the palace. So I would prefer to get this over with quickly."
Astaroth let his magic aura seep out, anger rising inside him. Blue Peacock immediately felt the pressure.
But it did not deter her. She had seen more imposing people before, both in and out of New Eden.
"Kowai," she teased, her grin still stretched wide.
"Anyhow. I came here to offer an alliance between our guilds. Not unlike the one you forged with Knights of the Sun. I was wondering what we could offer in exchange, but you served me my answer on a platter.
"What if I were to win these 'exercises' you were talking about? Of course, I am ready to buy this chance off of you, if just my loyalty isn't enough of an offer."
Phoenix eyes her warily. She had known Blue Peacock for a while.
She also knew what the woman was, outside of her gaming career. Allying herself with her was not without risks.
"How much?" Phoenix asked.
"With my loyalty on the line, I won't offer higher than five. I believe that is a reasonable offer. The services of my guild are usually quite pricey. Getting them for free is already a massive offer in itself."
Astaroth was eyeing the woman's every move, making him unable to follow the complete train of discussion happening.
"Five what?" he asked roughly.
Blue Peacock looked at him and chuckled.
"Why, five million, of course. Transferable in full right now, if you take my offer."
The old Astaroth would have dropped in awe at the amount. But not the current Astaroth.
"Five million is a paltry sum, compared to what we could get from other guilds. You're saying your guild's services are worth that much? How am I to believe you?"
Blue Peacock smiled at him and pulled something out of her inventory.
The sudden movement caused Astaroth to raise his sword again, but he interrupted his movement as something flew at his face.
Catching the projectile, a rolled-up scroll, Astaroth frowned.
"What is this?"
"Proof of how effective we are. Consider it a freebie. A gift, of sorts, to show our goodwill."
Astaroth opened the scroll, taking only one eye away from her to look at its contents. And then he gasped.
'Holy fuck!'
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