Chapter 140
But then again, this window wasn't that expensive, was it? Whether he compensates or not doesn't really matter.
After she finished speaking, she waved her hand, as if she didn't care.
However, the next moment, Zuo Jian tapped the girl on the head.
No, Laurentina.
[Let's keep things separate. He broke the window, and that's not something to discuss. Yes, window repairs don't cost much, but isn't every little bit of money important? Laurentina, you need to understand that sometimes these seemingly insignificant things can add up to a considerable expense in the end.]
Zuo Jian raised his hand, looking like he was lecturing someone.
In fact, one of the few virtues of Mr. Zuo is that he always maintains a rational attitude towards finances.
Even though he had secretly seized control of an entire hotel that generated a decent daily income, there were still many ordinary, unsuspecting employees who weren't involved with the gang.
After removing some positions related to gangsters and transferring some ordinary employees who were familiar with him, who were highly motivated and capable, to suitable positions, the "spare funds" the hotel could provide him daily were not a small amount.
Moreover, the dukes, as their financial backers, generously provided them with considerable "operating funds."
Putting everything else aside, this gang leader remembered perfectly well how he embezzled the large sums of operating funds allocated by his superiors.
His memory was so clear and profound that Zuo Jian only needed to follow the steps once to transfer a large sum of money to a personal account without any problems.
But is Boss Zuo getting cocky now?
No, not at all.
This is a kind of awareness unique to adults.
Zuo Jian was about to say something more, Duhkare, who was sitting down next to him, suddenly stood up, causing such a commotion that even Skadi in the kitchen poked her head out.
"?"
He looked at Duhkare, who had suddenly stood up, with a puzzled expression. He looked into the latter's eyes, where something else seemed to be gleaming.
The latter swallowed again, then took a deep breath!
He slammed both hands on the table! He then lowered his head, even slamming it against the table!
"It was me... I beg you... to forgive my rudeness... I'm willing... to pay any price."
Two conflicting thoughts raged in Duhkare's mind for a long time.
He had never before felt that even a few minutes could be so agonizing.
But in the end, reason, which kept echoing in his mind, finally prevailed over everything.
For the sake of Kazdel, for the restoration of Teekaz's glory, he must ensure his survival at this moment, and survive without fail! Then he must inform the royal Royal Court of all the information about this being.
Therefore, even if it meant lowering his head and begging for mercy in such a ridiculous manner, even if it was so humiliating that it made him want to commit suicide.
But... for Kazdel.
He had to do it.
Taking what the other party wants from themselves is merely a convenient option.
I have no leverage to discuss terms.
But right now, he is the only one who knows that this powerful being is interested in Kazdel.
No matter what, he had to survive, at least until he could deliver the message to Kazdel.
Tell those bastards in the Royal Court ------
Do not go near Londinium, do not go near Londinium, do not go near Londinium.
Victoria has been targeted by an even more powerful and terrifying being!
"Are you sure you mean you want to pay for the window?"
Laurentina leaned close to Zuo Jian's ear and whispered a question.
"Yes, I really only said I'd replace the window."
Zuo Jian was also surprised. It was just replacing a window; why was this guy making such a fuss?
"It seems to me this guy is trying to gamble himself away. Are you describing this broken window as having a frame made of Pure Gold or glass made of Pure Gold?"
"No, it's just a normal description, with a few sentimental elements added—"
"Ahem, um, Xiao Du, don't be like that. Get up first, and speak slowly. You don't need to put on such a big show."
Zuo Jian ended his private conversation with Laurentina and quickly told Duhkare to get up.
[To be honest, I just wanted to get some information about Kazdel from him, and maybe even find something helpful, but this guy...]
"Do you feel that I am not qualified to offer an apology? In fact, perhaps I am insignificant in your eyes, but in reality, the reputation I hold on this land still has some value."
Seemingly sensing that Zuo Jian was considering his usefulness, Duhkare quickly offered an explanation.
"A hollow reputation? You have a hollow reputation?"
Zuo Jian asked, Duhkare straightened up and introduced himself.
"I am generally referred to as Crimson of the Court Duhkare, a member of the Kazdel Military Council and the Lord of the Bloodfiend Court. Therefore, please rest assured that I will definitely be able to provide you with a suitable apology!"
"Ha?"
Chapter 98, Teacher DaTe: What! You confessed everything?!
Damn it...
The Bloodfiend Great Lord forced himself to raise his head and face the extraordinary being before him, enduring the oppressive aura surging like a tidal wave around him!
At this moment, Duhkare! Not in his own name, but as the Lord of the Bloodfiend Court!
After listening, Laurentina glanced at the Bloodfiend Great Lord had inexplicably raised his head, then looked at the window beside her, seemingly deep in thought.
Zuo Jian was stunned for a moment before he suddenly realized what the other person had said.
Duhkare: Let me show you what it's like to be the Bloodfiend Great Lord!!
Laurentina: See? They'll always find a way to fix the window.
Zuo Jian: What?! It's actually the Bloodfiend Great Lord!
At that moment, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned icy. All three of them stood up simultaneously, but did not exchange a single word with each other.
Glug...
Duhkare swallowed hard, instinctively straightening his back and raising his head to appear more confident.
However, it was clear that in the face of such a being, it was already a miracle that he could barely stand. He himself did not even know how he managed to control his body to stop trembling after making eye contact with the other.
As for the silent Zuo Jian, he exchanged a brief glance with Laurentina, and then they spoke in their minds.
'Bloodfiend Great Lord? What's that? And what's this Bloodfiend Court?'
She glanced at the Zuo Jian and asked with some curiosity.
However, the other person only gave her a confused look.
To be honest, I'm not quite sure.
'?'
"Then why did you make that 'What? It's the Bloodfiend Great Lord?' face just now? I thought you knew you'd kidnapped some powerful guy."
[I honestly didn't know, but seeing his hesitant yet determined demeanor before finally making a bold move, I had to play along, right? After all, the atmosphere had gotten this far.]
'You really are something... never mind, I'm used to it.'
'So what exactly is the Bloodfiend Great Lord? Was it described in the encyclopedia you found before?'
[Let me think—it seems there's been a description of Kazdel, that each of their various sub-races has a Royal Court, and the lord of that Royal Court is its leader...]
'It sounds like the relationships between the various chiefs in those tribes...'
[Laurentina, that's not the point!]
'Huh? So what's the main point? Is the Bloodfiend Chieftain able to afford to pay for the window? I don't think he can't afford it, he's a chieftain after all...'
[No, that's not it. Although windows are important, it's clear there are more important things to consider right now!]
Zuo Jian shook his head, then looked at the tense Bloodfiend Great Lord before him.
[The key question is, why would I bump into a Sarkaz chieftain... I mean, a Royal Court ruler, on the street?]
[Or, to put it another way, why would a high-ranking Sarkaz official appear in Londinium and Victoria?]
[They can't possibly be here for tourism and shopping, can they? Is Kazdel some kind of very wealthy country?]
'No, quite the opposite. Just like in the book, that godforsaken place is a breeding ground for mercenaries, and not-so-moral mercenaries at that.'
[... So, there's a problem.]
A hint of confusion flashed in Zuo Jian's eyes.
Why would a Sarkaz Royal Court appear in Victoria?
Given Laurentina 'Aegir characteristic disdain for all land dwellers, calling the ruler of the Royal Court "chieftain" was already quite restrained.
But...
Even a chieftain isn't someone who can just run around aimlessly, let alone...
Kazdel is not some primitive tribe.
They produce a large number of mercenaries and clearly possess a basic level of industrialization; by Zuo Jian's standards, they are undoubtedly a warrior nation brimming with martial spirit.
... But that wasn't enough; he knew too little about Kazdel to make any reasonable assumptions.
But one thing is certain.
Zuo Jian slowly moved closer to the sofa, beginning to ponder everything.
Kazdel is not exactly close to Victoria according to the map, and coincidentally, at this sensitive and crucial time for the country, a Royal Court has appeared in the capital.
Do you want to interfere in other countries' affairs?
However, based on what he understood from the descriptions, it was clear that Kazdel did not have that kind of capacity.
No, that's not right.
Terra's communication technology was not very advanced, and news about the Sarkaz did not receive much attention from the world.
Recent news reports still focus on the horrific details of its internal strife.
... Recent information?
The news in Victoria newspapers is all outdated; Victoria don't care about such reports.
If, if...
At this moment, Kazdel had ended his internal strife and a new ruler had taken the throne.
He was deliberately using his outdated and closed-off information technology as cover, while surrounding countries remained indifferent, to rapidly consolidate all his existing power, and he was making the currently vulnerable Victoria his primary target...
Could there really be such a guy?
This behavior is undoubtedly a high-stakes gamble.
... No, they might not launch a large-scale operation immediately, but instead infiltrate Victoria covertly and continue to lie in wait, using the current situation in Victoria to divert attention. While everyone's eyes are focused on this aged lion, the Sarkaz will hide behind its body, silently sharpening their fangs...
When the time is right, they will swiftly and decisively take down Victoria, whom they have already thoroughly understood, and simultaneously begin their next plan...
If all goes according to plan, the nations of Terra will only realize what has happened when everything is accomplished. But... if Kazdel possesses some kind of trump card by then, will it already be too late?
But are these all just speculations at the moment?
Ugh, this is getting more and more troublesome.