The Hegel Family's Supreme decisively backed down in the face of the Little Gangster Girl's blunt retort.
"I really had heard about that protection... Fine, I was wrong."
He really had heard that Digital Phantom would not allow ducal families to touch its own families.
But as long as the opponents had not lost one or two Supremes, they could still pose a threat to the family.
Although the Hegel Family was under Digital Phantom's protection, those potential rivals... were still better off being weaker! All told, the Philosopher Duke's family and the actual duke's family had paid Digital Phantom a combined 110 billion Energy Blocks in compensation.
It had taken half a month plus another half month, along with the time spent negotiating, for a total of more than a month.
Then there was Empire Storm's 100 billion, bringing the total to just over 200 billion.
As for Old Tree, the Mine Management Department's Supreme had also contributed 10 billion, but compared to the rest, that was mere pocket change.
The real prize was still the three Energy Stone Mines, along with the mine that had gotten his own side out of trouble.
However, this trip had taken three months from beginning to end, and fully taking over those three mines took another two-plus months.
Jing Yuexin's and Duo Gan's subordinates remained the main force in taking over the mines. Separating the mines from the Mine Management Department also took some time.
Fortunately, the Mine Management Department knew what sort of people and matters were involved, so no one caused any unnecessary complications.
But the fifth mine—the mine belonging to the rival of the Pearl Star Region Mine Management Department's Top Leader—ran into a minor problem.
That mine did not have much remaining reserves. Only a little over 300