The Last Bargaining Chip
"Regarding Allen Watson, I need you to help me put on a little show."
Hearing Gustavo Flynn say that, Amber Xiu answered without a moment's hesitation. "A show? That'll cost extra."
Gustavo Flynn suppressed his anger. "You haven't even asked what kind of show."
"Whatever kind of show it is, it costs extra. It's nothing personal; it's just how I do business."
Gustavo Flynn sneered. "Does a lich count as a person?"
Amber Xiu chuckled. "Racial discrimination? Then I'll have to renegotiate the price!"
Gustavo Flynn could only grit his teeth and bargain with Amber Xiu.
Before setting out, Gustavo Flynn had already learned the council's final decision. No matter the cost, they had to get their hands on Allen Watson—but they couldn't just hand him over to the Lyne Empire too easily.
Alchemy City needed the Lyne Empire's help. But if all they did was send the Supreme Adjudicator's son back, the favor would be neither too big nor too small. It might earn them the friendship of this powerful figure, but probably wouldn't be enough to persuade him to push for major cooperation between the two nations.
After all, the Supreme Adjudicator had chosen the harshest possible way to deal with his son's capture. It was clear he didn't care whether Allen lived or died.
That would make Allen Watson worth less to them.
So Alchemy City needed Amber Xiu to help fan the flames.
The Lyne Empire had sent ten Guilty Knights to rescue Allen. The Order of the Guilty Knights was a powerful force second only to the Lyne Imperial Guard, and its members were considered the future pillars of the Lyne Empire.
If all ten Guilty Knights were captured, and Alchemy City then stepped in to ransom them, the favor would