Chapter 2061: Erol Requesting for an Assist
The story was long winded. Ansel looked at them and went straight to the point. "You’re basically asking us to help you in your rebellion. What’s in it for us?"
It wasn’t that Alterra was averse to getting involved in other territory’s matters.
On the contrary, they had done so many times. Pretty much every town they were now associated with, as well as their satellites, had changed a lot due to their meddling, didn’t they?
But those had always been their own volition, and achieved because it would benefit Alterra greatly and increase its overall safety. Otherwise, they would never send the people outside to risk their lives!
Erol and the others immediately felt awkward. They were trying to soften the other party up first...
"Not exactly," he said. "As long as we can get enough resources, it is already very good. Whether it is food, supplies, potions, and equipment—all of which are essential for our cause."
"It’s just that we need a lot—definitely far beyond the current purchase limit and...we might need to pay for most of it at a later date. We promise to pay ample interest after we take over."
Erol and the others had saved up a lot of money, but it was barely enough for the group of them to last a week outside let alone fund a battle against the Lord.
In short, it was a very risky investment.
"You don’t have to send us your best, but we definitely need a lot of them. Just think of us as a bulk buyer."
"What have you prepared so far?
"We have a village as a hideout and we have been setting aside consumables and equipment there through the years. We can hide the things there while we regrouped."
It was in a relatively isolated place (which was more plentiful in this region than elsewhere) so there was little worry of getting attacked in a war.
As for what Alterra could get from it, this is the tricky part.
They were customers, but Alterra never lacked customers. They also didn’t want people to use any of the ministers’ names to gain any benefits. Networking was fine but that was about it.
Erol nodded, completely understanding. "After we take over Metteo, you can use us as your base for Undead hunting. We can cover the costs of all Mercenary Hall transcations done in the name of Alterra, and we will form a team to escort your people to the designated area—effective as long as we hold Metteo."
"You know so much?" Ansel couldn’t help but exclaim. They even knew about the Undead Grinding Spot plan.
"Lady Althea and Sir Garan were fairly open with their discussions about the place," they said. "Although we are not sure what they are doing there now or where they are now, I feel like they always have a plan."
This meant that those things they had been discussing likely had been forwarded for implementation as well. Those two didn’t seem like the type to dilly-dally and daydream without actually doing anything.
Somehow, hearing an outsider praise their fellow minister made them proud as well.
"I am also an information broker. I can write books about everything I know about my region, even some unrelated to it. I heard that you pay points for information, and I have plenty of that and you don’t have to pay me anything.
"Of course, I am not sure if the information would be helpful, but I heard you take anything as long as they’re the truth."
Of course, news like gossip gave much less rewards, but if they could prove their sources were reliable, then the information had value.
"Since you say you’re an information broker, then tell us everything you know about the town," he said. "Don’t miss a thing."
They were discussing the grinding spot not long ago, and since this info broker presented himself, they naturally had to take advantage. Loki happened to be there, his recorder on the table.
This was also to enrich their records, and also to see where they could help, squeeze in, or take advantage.
Erol told them more about the two other factions, their relationships, the personnel, the few intermarriages that happened in between, as well as other major events.
Speaking of intermarriages, the children of the Lord were actually products of an affair with his own cousin. In reality, he was actually married to the daughter of a nobleman from another faction, who was discovered to be barren. The attempt to connect the two factions ended up being a tragic one.
Ansel was already eating some snacks, listening to the drama. "How are their morality? Is the world better off with them?"
They had to figure out how harsh they could go.
"It’s a mix," Erol said honestly. "There are some decent people on both sides, but mostly—especially on the side of the Lord—was just troublesome and bloodthirsty. I worry for the town when they completely take over.
If he had said both parties were evil, then they wouldn’t have gone beyond supplying some goods with him. Now it was good, it meant that he had an objective eye.
The group agreed to supply a batch of goods, though the actual strategy was still a work in progress. They would probably send a set number, just to make sure their side was armed.
A formal takeover wasn’t easy in this world, since the tokens were generally attached to the Lord’s bodies, so the minimum goal was to balance things again, force the Lord to make peaceful concessions, ideally with oaths, and allow Metteo to focus on the important things again.
They would definitely use the deaths of their companions to make an issue. They had to get revenge for their fallen brethren, but they would be fighting to gain peace for their families as well as improve their lives.
No one wanted to die and cause more deaths, and they were hoping Alterra was willing to invest in that.
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