"I'm curious—how did your governor come to know so many secrets?"
Faced with Ian's offer, Elena did not give her answer. Instead, she responded with a question of her own.
"Governor John's personal intelligence network is far deeper than you can imagine."
"And according to the governor himself, when it comes to the secrets within the Allied Forces, there is probably no one in this world who knows them better than he does."
Seeing that Elena's killing intent had somehow dissipated, Ian understood that the Star-Shattering Sword Saint had been completely swayed by the terms they had offered.
He no longer maintained his hard-line attitude. Calmly returning the scroll in his hand to his pocket, he bowed slightly to the contemplative Elena and smiled. "Lady Elena, we have already demonstrated our terms and sincerity regarding this deal. Now, please make your choice as soon as possible."
"Will you leave in exchange for the complete Thousand Blades Formula inheritance and a method to cure Stellar Eclipse Disease—or will you stake your family's honor and your own future, all to kill a student under your command who has already resolved to defect here?"
As if remembering John's instructions, Ian hurriedly added, "Allow me to offer one more presumptuous reminder. If I fail to report the outcome of this incident to the governor within two hours..."
"Then every secret concerning the Kamlofi Family will appear simultaneously on the conference tables of the Allied High Council and the royal family of the Victoria Kingdom."
"Please consider your decision carefully~"
"So John Maslow is threatening me?"
"This is merely a contingency measure to prevent you from acting on impulse and causing mutual destruction."
Facing the cold tone of the Star-Shattering Sword Saint before him, Ian showed no trace of timidity or fear. Instead, a somewhat