Chapter 702: Chapter 435 Agricultural Production
In the study, Nois relaxed as he leaned back at the brown desk, while Nickler stood opposite him.
Perhaps Colin had knocked on the door before coming in, so after Nois had said "please come in," Colin stepped inside, Nickler, recognizing him, showed no reaction and did not even turn around.
However, Colin did not know that Nickler was inside, so he was slightly surprised to see the latter at that moment.
"Colin," Nois greeted with a smile.
"Councilman Nois," Colin replied.
"Just a moment, I have a few more words to speak with Nickler."
"Okay ..." Colin paused, "Do you need me to step out?"
"No need."
Nois shook his head and continued speaking to Nickler. "According to the plans of the Supreme Councilman, I will need to be at the front for most of the next six months.
This is unchangeable, so I won’t have time to represent the Family at the Miracle Meeting; please find someone else to represent us."
"Alright," Nickler nodded.
Colin stood behind him, unable to see his expression, but Nickler’s voice sounded gentle and calm, and there wasn’t the tense atmosphere Colin had imagined between them.
But then again, it made sense, as Nois was, after all, the nominal Clan Leader of the Tate Family. Even if Nickler, as a senior member of the Family, had disputes with him, they were still of the same Family, not enemies.
After nodding, Nickler turned to leave.
Colin’s expression remained calm, and he did not intend to engage in conversation.
"Councilman Colin, long time no see, and congratulations on your success in resolving the farmland pollution."
Unexpectedly, Nickler turned around to face him, a smile appearing on his face, and he spoke sincerely.
"Luckily." Colin, watching Nickler’s smiling face, was a little surprised by his attitude.
Suddenly thinking of something, he activated World Perception.
A sensation of exhaustion, different from that of Magic Power or spiritual power, came over him.
"I can probably use this about two more times," Colin felt the unique exhaustion from using World Perception and pondered silently.
Being able to use it two more times didn’t mean World Perception could only be used two more times in total—it meant he could use it consecutively two more times at most.
The certain energy required to activate World Perception was already slowly recovering.
By the time it fully recovered, he would be able to cast World Perception three more times.
Thinking thus, Colin suddenly realized that the world around him had changed unknowingly.
Light halos, mist-like and translucent, appeared on both Nickler and Nois. Certain areas or objects in the study, such as the Crystal Ball Nois was fiddling with, also took on a layer of light.
These halos’ sizes and colors were different.
The halo around Nois was a soft, warm light white, the one on the Crystal Ball in his hand was pale gold, and the one around Nickler in front of him was slightly blackish gray.
Without explanation, Colin instinctively understood what these halos represented.
"Indeed... his attitude towards me is just a facade."
He silently glanced at Nickler without changing his expression.
The blackish-gray color symbolized Nickler’s hatred towards him; though it hadn’t reached the point of irreconcilable enmity, it was at least to the extent of muttering curses under his breath and occasionally trying to trip him up!
"Luck has always been a part of strength; you are too modest, Councilman Colin."
"I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first. Take your time chatting with Nois."
Nickler continued smiling, as if he wasn’t the same person who previously mocked and advised Colin not to come looking for Nois.
"Take care, Councilman," Colin said with a smile, watching Nickler leave the study.
Although he knew that Nickler’s friendliness was just a facade and he actually harbored hatred inside, in life, interactions with others weren’t always governed by personal likes.
"Have you met with the Supreme Councilman already?" Nois asked with a smile.
"Yes," Colin nodded.
"Be sure to avoid physical contact when using Divine Blood," Nois nodded, glanced at the now closed study door, and continued.
"Nickler was recently penalized by the Family Council for signing a contract with Yista School’s Councilman Johnson, securing a priority supply of food purchases for the Family and its allies for the next year."
"Although the agreed price for the food purchases was not expensive, now that you have resolved the farmland pollution, next year’s food supply is no longer an issue.
So, that contract is now seen as quite unfavorable. The Family Council has ordered Nickler to find a way to cancel it; he’s quite troubled by this... His views about you are probably not as friendly as they seem, so don’t be deceived."
Nois’s face was smiling, clearly enjoying seeing Nickler in a tight spot.
Regarding the loss of benefits to the Family, it was just some grain. It would be a problem if they couldn’t buy at all, but now that the food crisis had been resolved, even if Johnson’s side asked for a higher premium, it didn’t matter much.
"I understand," Colin nodded, paused, then added, "If needed, the Tilamei Plain can also supply food to the Tal family."
"I’ll propose it to the Family Council," Nois replied with a laugh, not hesitating but jesting instead. "You’ll probably have many forces coming to negotiate food deals with you during this time; make sure to give the Tate Family a discount."