Chapter 610 - 575: The Old Superior Requests to Join the Group
As the battlefield suddenly quieted down, Elena’s laughter echoed across the scene: "As mercenaries, you need to assess the battlefield situation. Do you think you can still oppose the master?"
Just then, a sinister voice emerged from one side of the battlefield: "Having tasted freedom, we’ll never turn back. Even if we can’t beat you, we can escape—and what can you do to us then?"
Elena’s face darkened: "The freedom like a stray dog, is that your pursuit?"
Da Fei was taken aback—it was that stealthy Cave People hero! And at the moment it spoke, Da Fei’s mini-map flashed red, finally revealing the enemy’s whereabouts! Damn it, the Cave People’s Stealth was so advanced that my God-level Reconnaissance Technique didn’t even notice it!
As he was in shock, the chubby Ogre also laughed loud: "Even a pack of stray dogs is better off than those wagging their tails. And you, having become someone else’s minion yourself, think you’re qualified to lead us? Even the Demon couldn’t command us!"
The whole battlefield erupted in laughter.
Elena’s expression turned cold, and Da Fei also felt a jolt in his heart. Da Fei suddenly thought of a serious issue: Could Elena, as a player’s Vice Hero, potentially rule a region or even inherit the throne? If possible, wouldn’t the player become Supreme Emperor? Such a situation clearly wouldn’t align with the game system’s consistent nature.
Similarly, like Tachiusu, the hero forces such as Habbit Village, even if the relationship with the player maxed out, would at best be annexed by the player, becoming a subordinate village of the player’s territory—not acting as Vice Heroes carrying a piece of land as dowry or something.
In short, a player’s Vice Hero could only be appointed as the City Lord of the player’s subordinate territory, unlikely to become the head of an NPC force. In other words, if Elena were to become an Empress, she might have to break away, becoming an entity like Tachiusu. Yet having a relationship like Tachiusu’s is quite inconvenient, as it’s not just about saying whatever you want but requires negotiation! Like Tachiusu sailing out this time, a military alliance against Demons had to be signed with the opposition in advance. Moreover, if the alliance helps a few times and suffers casualties, the friendship level decreases.
Damn, just considering this possibility gave Da Fei a sense of dread! No way, absolutely not! I need an Elena, a human cannon next to me as Little Honey, how can I let her go independent?
Even if she were to go independent, it can’t be now, can it? I severely rely on Elena now, whether it’s for killing the Eight-Headed Snake or going to the Eastern World!
Overall, seeing Elena at a disadvantage, I can’t remain silent! It’s time for the player to guide the storyline, isn’t it just coaxing a few people over?
Da Fei shouted: "Who said it’s a return to the past? Times are changing, society is progressing! We’re no longer in a slave society; it’s a salary society now, all about performance-based pay! If you follow me, uh, if you continue working with Elena, there’ll be wages for everyone!"
Selvia suddenly asked: "Is there a salary? How much is my salary?"
—Ah, phew! Da Fei spat out a mouthful of saliva! Can you not cause trouble? Da Fei casually tossed a million Gold Coins to Selvia: "That’s your salary, keep it safe!"
"A million!!!" Selvia’s eyes widened in shock, looking incredulous: "Is that really my salary? Is it really my own money?"
Vice Heroes are basically lifelong indentured servants with no salary! Da Fei replied with a sense of dread: "It’s yours now, after following me for so long."
Selvia asked again: "Then how much does Miss Catherine get? Miss Anlicia? Miss Elena? What’s this salary based on?"
Ah, cough! Da Fei nearly choked on his saliva! Starting to compare now, my little darling, what are you up to?
Da Fei waved his hand and continued shouting to the other side: "Did you see that? A million! That’s our Radiant City’s salary package! You guys know about Radiant City, right? You ought to know my forces destroyed tens of thousands of Demon troops there, right? Would you rather work comfortably for a powerful boss like us and complete tasks easily for money or get pushed into a corner by formidable foes like now? As mercenaries, can’t you do the math for this deal?"
Elena immediately followed, "The Radiant City’s Lord already expressed his stance. Considering you’re my former people, I’m willing to introduce you to the City Lord. But if you don’t agree, we’ll wipe out your forces to prevent you from continuing to aid the Demons against us!"
Oh yeah, husband and wife supporting each other, that’s real negotiation!
The Ogre laughed: "Anyway, this crappy place has no business. The only thing we can talk about is opening the Mercenary Tavern in this boss’s city. You can hire us for tasks, but whether we accept them depends on our mood!"
Da Fei’s eyebrows twitched, progress! Damn, it’s a big step forward—having system-function buildings on the player’s territory is basically a private venue, isn’t it?
The Cave People hero named Shakert continued in his sinister tone: "Indeed! As mercenaries selling our force and life, we reserve the right to refuse commissions. The Demon employer wanted us to fight on the front lines of the Pool of Radiance, but we declined. Your presence here is a complete surprise."
—System Prompt: The Wandering Mercenary Heroic Group wishes to establish a base in your territory. Do you accept?
Damn! A system prompt? Can they really open a tavern on my territory? Isn’t this a good thing? I don’t mind more diversity in my land!
Da Fei, overjoyed, was about to agree when Elena said coldly: "I need an army I can dispatch at any time, not merchants haggling with me. Besides, you’ve already reached a point where explaining to your Demon employer is hard—you’re out of options!" Then she turned to Da Fei: "Lord City Lord, there’s no need to waste words with these people. Clear them out to eliminate potential threats."
Da Fei was astonished, really—we gained such significant progress in negotiations, yet still need to fight?
Da Fei hastily said: "If they are willing to open a tavern in our city, it’s a win-win situation—"
Elena frowned, her face turning icy. Da Fei abruptly stopped speaking—this was—
Understood, it was still part of the negotiation! Elena aimed to recruit them, not just open a tavern; if I opposed Elena in front of the opposition, wouldn’t that embarrass her and ruin everything?
Da Fei suddenly realized, Even if we take a step back, and it’s not about negotiation, there’s no need to upset the beauty for these worthless hero recruits, is there? Fine, we were here to burn, kill, and loot anyway—no hesitations!
Da Fei immediately said: "Alright! First, eliminate those Banshees!"
The Jungle Hunter, long on standby, unleashed another wave of arrow rain, sweeping across the Banshee forces, leaving them no escape and sprawling!
Da Fei was puzzled, unable to instantly kill these frail Banshees? During close-range shots on the Hell Horse weakened by Magic, it didn’t seem like much, but now Da Fei truly sensed the enemy’s attribute levels. Besides the range affecting power, the enemy heroes’ Defense estimated at around 100 wasn’t far behind my own Attack. Without Elena, the human cannon, in the lineup, my forces alone would have a disastrous outcome if an encounter began. Perhaps the first round of charges would have knocked us down.
This truly was a scene designed for Elena! However, I must admit, the opponent’s strength was indeed formidable. All in all, save for the female heroes, the rest is like passing clouds to me!
And with the successive fall of the Banshees, Elena swung her arms, casting a massive flame array over the battlefield. Laughing wildly, she declared, "You heroes can escape as you please, but I’ll obliterate your troops and see how you continue in the mercenary business!"
At that moment, the Minotaur hero shouted: "Hold it! I’m not afraid to die, but I have to think about my brothers. We can negotiate!"
—Ah, phew! Da Fei spat out saliva again! Turns out, if not pushed to the brink, they won’t relent!
Elena sneered: "I can grant you freedom and respect your autonomy as mercenaries, but under the condition that I become your boss! How about it, your former superior wants to join in—no reason to refuse, right?"
The Ogre was visibly stunned: "What!"
The Minotaur immediately responded: "No problem, Ogg over there can’t even count properly, him being a boss is impossible!"
Upon speaking, the Minotaur’s troops switched from red to yellow names and turned their coats, rushing over to Da Fei’s side!
The opposing camp was in an uproar! Da Fei’s joy made his eyebrows twitch, they recruited one!
Elena canceled her spell and burst into laughter: "Gengna, for a slave Minotaur like you to reach this point, you’re indeed much smarter than most!"
Gengna quickly replied: "Thank you for the compliment, boss!"
Ogg bellowed in rage: "Gengna, you’re an idiot! At least negotiate percentages if she’s to be the boss!"
Elena sneered: "Fifty-fifty! I take 50% of your commission! It’s up to you if you want to work or not, I won’t force you!"
Ogg growled: "We risk our lives and you just sit back and rake in the money?"
Elena laughed heartily: "Of course I’ll help you get business. If I’m the boss, your business will undoubtedly be better than in this crappy place with neither people nor liquor!"
Ogg raged: "Seventy-thirty! I get seventy, you get thirty, or you can kill me!"
Elena lowered her voice: "Fine, my final offer—sixty-forty. I take forty, you take sixty! If you’re unwilling—hey, Kobold and Lizardman friends, you don’t seem to be natives of the Underworld, interested in swapping bosses and heading to a lively place with good food and drinks?"
The Kobold Alkin replied seriously: "Doesn’t matter, as long as there’s money!"
Lizardman Fu’er calmly said: "We’re in a cooperative employment relationship, not a loyalty-based hierarchical one, free with our decisions!"
Elena nodded: "Of course, the boss isn’t a ruler."
"No problem!"
Oh yeah! Secured two more!
Finally, the Ogre Ogg also said in a heavy tone: "I need to drink half a bucket of beer with every meal and eat a large plate of roast meat!"
Elena sneered: "Earn your own food money with your salary! I have no reason to use everyone else’s money to feed a glutton like you!"
The Minotaur immediately chimed: "Indeed, every time it’s him using our money for his eating and drinking!"
Cave People Shakert finally revealed himself: "Then let’s welcome our new boss!"
Elena laughed loudly: "This is how it should be! As warriors, all you need to focus on is fighting. Being the boss isn’t suitable for you!"
Oh yeah! It’s all settled! Da Fei couldn’t help but laugh out loud! With Elena being a Vice Hero, recruiting them wasn’t feasible. Maintaining this cooperative relationship really was the best option!
Now, let’s not waste words, quickly gather up the corpses and leave. Yet, Da Fei’s plans didn’t stop there—he had his eye on the various-race workers on the dock.
Da Fei approached the heroes and greeted, "I warmly welcome you powerful heroes to join our Radiant City. I’d also like to take those workers serving the Demons with us. Can everyone help?"
Cave People Shakert stepped forward, "No problem, many of those people are from my tribe, merely enslaved by Demons, not serving them willingly."
Da Fei laughed heartily: "Then hurry, prepare to board the ship!"
(Continued in next Chapter. If you enjoy this story, you’re welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)