"Go on," Inala urged Maharell, his voice calm and soft. He had never spoken so gently in his life. But, such a gentle voice was akin to the devil's whisper in Maharell's ears.
The contract stated that Maharell would never legally move against the shop Inala owned from a business side of things. If he dared so, he'd be required to pay a Mid-Grade Elixir as compensation every month for as long as he conducted business.
At first glance, this seemed like a fair deal, created to ensure Maharell wouldn't target Inala's shop. But in their short interaction, Maharell realised a valuable point.
Inala was a madman!
The moment this contract is signed, Inala will softly target Maharell Wares and Services. He wouldn't harm the goods, staff, or the customers. Therefore, he wouldn't be legally held accountable.
Inala's actions would be similar to a housefly, harmless to the most extent but extremely irritating. As long as Inala were to keep at it for some time, even if Maharell held back, someone else in power at his establishment would retaliate.
As long as that someone was Maharell's relative, staff, or an outsider he was on good terms with, the clauses of the contract would come into effect. That would place Maharell in Inala's debt, forcing him to pay a Mid-Grade Elixir every month.
But the worst part of this contract was the fact that the reparations could stack. Meaning, if Maharell was aggressive towards Inala twice, he would be forced to pay two Mid-Grade Elixirs every month.
The moment Maharell does anything, he would be shooting himself in the foot. He would lose everything he had built from scratch, ending up liquidating everything to purchase Mid-Grade Elixirs for Inala's use.
'He would definitely do that.' Staring at Inala's gentle expression, Maharell felt more and more terrified, 'I made a mistake! I underestimated him just because he's in the Body Stage. What the heck is he?'
"Kill me and be done with it," Maharell stated resolutely, "I'm never signing that."
"Is that so?" Inala sighed and retracted the contract, "Too bad."
Inala backing out only pressured Maharell. He panicked, unable to determine what Inala planned to do next. Unfortunately for him, what Inala had thought was a stage above whatever nightmare Maharell had assumed would happen next.
"You guys," Inala waved at the guards, "Your boss wants to evade all responsibility and die. You know…when that happens, I'll hold you all accountable."
"Including your families," He laughed, "You have been affected by a certain power of mine that's akin to a disease. Whenever I want, I can make you lose all your senses like before. But, that's not limited to you alone."
"Your entire bloodline would be infected with the same."
"S-Sir, please spare us!" The captain of the guards slammed his head into the ground in apology, "Take my life, but don't touch my family."
"How rude," Inala acted like he was offended, "We're living in a civilised society. I'm not going to harm your family or anything. It's just that…"
"Well, forget it." Inala shrugged and waved his hand, motioning for them to leave, "You don't need to do anything. Just leave."
"You sure?" The captain of the guards asked in hope.
"Yeah," Inala nodded and turned silent, watching the guards scurry away. But right as they reached the courtyard's exit, he uttered softly, "Look around the city one last time."
"You won't be able to do so after this."
The team of guards stopped abruptly. Their bodies were drenched with sweat, nervous, tensed, unable to determine if only they were getting punished or their families too. unless that was clarified, they couldn't leave.
Inala showed no intention of clarifying them, causing the captain of the guards to break out mentally and beg, "W-What do you want us to do?"
"Nothing," Inala shrugged once again and casually spoke, "If I need anything, I can simply get it from Maharell Wares and Services. None of you guys have the capability to notice my actions. Therefore,"
He smiled, "There's nothing you can do for me."
Inala patted Maharell on the shoulder, "Same for you, sir."
"Do you think the City Lord would allow you to rampage around as you please?" Maharell was at the end of his wits, hence decided to use his final card—intimidation using the name of a stronger existence.
"Go ahead and ask for his assistance." Inala didn't seem to mind that. He casually propped Maharell up and motioned for him to leave, "Do you want to visit the City Lord's mansion now or later?"
"I can accompany you there if you want."
'W-What the fuck?' Inala's actions flustered Maharell. He couldn't make sense of Inala's disposition. Was he simply crazy or didn't even place them in his eye because of a powerful backing? He couldn't tell.
And considering how a fledgling Body Stage Inala subdued a 6-Life Stage Maharell, it was apparent that Inala was on a whole other level of strength. Someone that strong at such a young age wasn't anyone simple.
"I…I'll sign the contract," Maharell said dejectedly, quickly grabbing the contract from Inala to sign and stamp it.
"You can notarise it yourself." Inala waved his hands, motioning for Maharell to leave.
"I'll notarise it and return immediately." Saying so, Maharell sped away in his carriage. A couple of hours later, he returned, exhausted, giving a copy of the contract to Inala. It had been notarised by the Notary Board in the City Council.
Once notarised, the contract was legally effective. Even though it was a messed-up contract, Maharell had no other choice but to sign it. After all, this at least gave him some peace of mind.
As long as he ensures his people never go anywhere near Inala's shop, he could avoid paying the price. But if he didn't sign the contract, he would have no idea what Inala might do next. That was a hundred times more terrifying.
Maharell didn't wish to lose everything he had built up. He acted otherwise to appear resolute, but he held his life dear, unwilling to die.
With a slumped back, a dejected Maharell boarded his carriage and returned to his establishment. Once they were gone, Asaeya returned to the courtyard and stared at Inala to ask, "Are you sure he wouldn't team up with the other merchants to retaliate against us?"
"He'll have that thought." Inala nodded, "But he'll never do that."
"Why are you so sure?" Asaeya wondered, unable to understand the thought process behind Inala's actions.
"This is a dog-eat-dog world where the survival of the fittest reigns supreme." Inala said, "No matter how strong you are, a mistake, and you'll end up in a vicious cycle where you'll lose everything. And in the end, you'll be devoured by someone else. That holds true for merchants even more. None of them are allies of each other."
"Besides," He grinned, "Anyone that lives long would know and abide by this fact resolutely."
"What's that?" Asaeya asked.
Inala laughed and began to bring the wooden chairs into their house, "Never mess with the crazy."