Chapter 340 - 278: Village Defense Battle (14)
"No wonder... I’ve defeated Han’Er now, so I suppose that’s revenge for you."
"Yes, I know."
’Shirel is a Lord from the Great World. This is a bit of a problem.’
’If she were just an Ordinary Hero, I could slowly raise her Obedience Level, even if it was low.’
’But she isn’t.’
After learning her Identity, Zhao Chi didn’t want her anymore.
’Kill her?’
’That’s an option.’
’But it’s a bit hasty to make that decision right now.’
’There must be a better way.’
’A more profitable way.’
"So... you definitely won’t surrender to me, right?"
Hearing Zhao Chi’s question, Shirel retorted angrily, "I am a noble Knight! A member of the Maple Family! What is your Identity? What right do you have to make me surrender? Are you dreaming?"
Gu Qing couldn’t hold back. "Lord, why don’t you let me handle this? I guarantee I’ll make this woman serve you obediently."
"You dare!" Shirel glared at Gu Qing.
’Looks like she really is a noble.’
’After all, no commoner is this stupid.’
’She’s a prisoner, yet she still speaks with such a high-and-mighty attitude, without a shred of awareness of her situation.’
’She’s probably used to being arrogant.’
However, finding out she really was of noble birth was a nice, unexpected gain.
’Nobles, after all, come from wealthy families.’
’I can definitely squeeze some more profit out of her.’
Her rudeness actually eased any qualms Zhao Chi might have had.
Besides, Holy Tree City was far from here. Even if Shirel had a high-ranking Identity, this was Snowfield City, and Zhao Chi wasn’t afraid of retaliation.
Most importantly, they wouldn’t be able to find Zhao Chi.
Shirel didn’t know the coordinates of his territory.
’Then let’s have some fun.’
Zhao Chi asked, "So, you’re saying you want me to let you go?"
Shirel said, "Finally, you’re showing a bit of sense. That’s right! And not just me. You have to release all of these people as well."
She pointed to the other Elves in the adjacent cells.
"You want me to release all the Elves?"
"Yes! They were my people to begin with, so of course, they’ll leave with me. And release those 15 Human servants, too."
’What an outrageous demand.’
’It seems that nobles among the Elves...’
’No, nobles among the High Elves are just as arrogant and domineering.’
Zhao Chi smiled.
"Since you have such an impressive background, you must have some good things in your System Space, right? You know as well as I do that all of you together are worth several hundred Gold Coins. I can’t just release you all for nothing."
Shirel’s expression darkened.
"Everything in my System Space was stolen. I have nothing now."
"No way."
Zhao Chi pointed at her. "Your clothes are intact, and you don’t have any obvious injuries. Those bandits clearly didn’t do much to you, so how could they have robbed you of everything?"
"Hah~"
Shirel laughed contemptuously again. "A Low Level Lord like you is naturally shortsighted. Though they were bandits, they were extremely strong. Of course they had special Skills for looting my Supplies."
Zhao Chi said, "I just dealt with the bandits you mentioned. They’re not exactly men of morals. With your looks, and that mouth of yours on top of it, there’s no way they would have let you off, right?"
"Hmph! Once they knew my Identity, of course they didn’t dare do anything to me. They were planning to take me to see their higher-ups, but then you defeated them."
Gu Qing said, "I think they wanted to offer you to the bandit chief in exchange for some benefit, right?"
Shirel huffed again and said nothing.
’Looks like Gu Qing guessed correctly.’
Zhao Chi said, "Knight Shirel, I don’t care which city you’re from or what your Identity is. It has nothing to do with me. Holy Tree City has no influence over Snowfield City. If you want me to release you, that’s fine. You just have to compensate me for my losses."
Shirel nodded. "But of course. The Maple Family does not deign to owe you any favors. As long as you are willing to release us, once I return—"
"No, no, no..." Zhao Chi shook his head, cutting her off. "Not after you return. You give me sufficient compensation first, and then I will release you."
Shirel said, annoyed, "You don’t trust me?"
"I don’t."
"You...!"
Gu Qing said, "Shirel, let me remind you of your current situation. This is not your Holy Tree City. This is our Lord’s territory. You are all his legal spoils of war. He has absolute authority to deal with you as he sees fit. Surely you know that, right?"
Shirel stared at Gu Qing. "Of course I know that! But I can’t pay right now! You have to let me go back first!"
Gu Qing took out a long needle. "Stop dreaming. I don’t care what your Identity is. You have been disrespectful to my Lord more than ten times now. If you dare do it again, I’ll stab you to death!"
"You wench! I am speaking to your Lord! What right do you have to stand before me? Get out!"
Gu Qing’s eyes widened.
Zhao Chi was also speechless.
’It seems this Shirel really is a noble, and she’s been far too sheltered.’
’To be so brainless in a situation like this.’
’She probably truly believes her noble Identity can solve any problem.’
’Maybe that actually works in Holy Tree City.’
But Zhao Chi ignored her Identity.
The anger in Gu Qing’s eyes was now plain to see.
She had dared to offend Gu Qing, and Zhao Chi wasn’t going to stand by and do nothing.
No matter who Shirel was, Zhao Chi was done putting up with her.
"Go on. Just don’t kill her."
Hearing this, Gu Qing knew Zhao Chi was letting her vent her anger.
She gave Zhao Chi a sweet smile. "Thank you, Lord. In that case, I’ll help you discipline her properly."
With that, she clutched the long needle and opened the cell door.