Chapter 1315: Bargain
The Red Mankey general couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Did these demi-humans get changed into different people? Did they get brainwashed there?
How could they say that these humans weren’t bad when they were the ones that were sieging their kingdom? They were living happily underground, minding their own business, when they were suddenly forced to see the light of day!
They did ask to be part of this charade that the humans were playing. They just wanted their peace, and yet, they were being hunted down by human adventurers and companies alike. How could they not have a seething anger for these people?
"You have all been altered, beyond a shadow of a doubt. Never speak of this again!"
It was at this point that the other Red Mankeys started pursing their lips, indignantly standing their ground.
When they were first captured by the Rebornian soldiers, they thought that as well. They hated humans to their very core. They would rather die than have any sort of connection with them, much more an alliance.
However, they saw a completely whole other world in the Rebornian camp. One that wasn’t in trouble with their food. Didn’t have to think about drinking their water if it had poison in it or not. And one that didn’t discriminate against other species.
They saw many demi-humans among them. Even Mankeys! Those Yellow Mankeys were their genetic cousins, and yet, they were a lot more advanced than even them.
This was what surprised them the most. From what they knew, the Yellow and the Blue Mankeys were the weakest ones out of their entire species. They had no talent in fighting, and were only good with building structures and other such things.
Last they heard, the Yellow Mankeys had perished in the Parched Lands.
So, imagine their surprise when they saw those same Yellow Mankeys living like humans, wearing their clothes, and wielding the power of those demigod humans.
And what truly allowed them to change their mind was the fact that the Rebornians didn’t even try to persuade them.
No, they simply gave them the food, and the resources that they were supposed to steal as a gift.
"You’ll need this more than us," their leader said.
And they believed him. After all, if these humans were planning on killing them, that would have been the best time to do so.
They had an entire army there. They could have crippled the entire demi-human kingdom by annihilating a third of their forces.
But they didn’t. They let them go and simply gave them food, drinks, and comfort.
Perhaps, what they’d been saying was true. Perhaps, they did have good intentions.
"I’ll see for myself," the Red Mankey general decided. "Get me my armor. I’ll storm their gates and see how they respond."
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Michael truly felt sorry for the Red Mankeys in the demi-human kingdom. From what he saw, from the state of their soldiers, it seemed that they weren’t in such a good shape.
They were a little bit gaunt, with their ribs showing in their bodies from the lack of sustenance that they were eating.
This underground world doesn’t have that much food.
The Chasm had some parts of it that grew vegetation. However, most of them were being used up by the Conglomerates and the other human companies trying to conquer this demi-human kingdom.
No wonder they hated the humans. Not only were they trespassing on their own property, but they were stealing their food too, making the demi-humans not even have enough food for the winter.
And so, he gave them food. Not only that, but he also healed any injuries or afflictions that had made them ill.
Most of them had ticks and matted fur, which had been leeching their power even more.
And in truth, this made Michael a little bit surprised.
Their overall power must have been reduced by over 40% because of insufficient food and diseases. And yet, they are still able to put up a fight against the Conglomerates?
This was very impressive. It almost made Michael want to recruit them immediately.
After all, he knew that they were extremely talented. He knew it when his Golden Nose alerted him of multiple people within the Red Mankey soldiers who had tremendously good talent, ranging from B to S-class.
However, he knew that they still didn’t trust humans for him to suddenly start to Awaken their talents.
He had to simply keep on earning their trust. This was how they were going to make an alliance with the demi-humans.
And about a day later, their general finally appeared.
Wearing that beret hat skewed on his head, the Red Mankey general looked like he was ready to fight against an entire army by himself. He had his chest puffed up, and his axe ready in his hands.
"Who is the leader of this human settlement?"
Michael walked forwards, meeting with the general by himself.
"You!" the general said. "You are the general?"
There was a lot of doubt in the Red Mankey’s voice. Michael was way too young to be leading an entire human army like this, in his opinion.
"I am. And you are the general of the Red Mankeys. I would like to propose an alliance between us."
The demi-human general frowned. "I make no friends with the humans."
"I know. Trust is hard to earn. So, let me make the first step. Why not we have a simple bartering system?"
This seemed to interest the Red Mankey general. He’d seen the bread and the food his soldiers brought back from the human camp. And they looked delicious.
"I’m listening."
"You need food, water, and resources. I can provide you with everything you need."
Such a tempting offer for the Red Mankeys, the general couldn’t immediately say no.
"And what do you want in return?"
Michael smiled. "Whatever you can offer. That is the point of a barter, is it not?"
The Red Mankey general bit his lips as he began to think deeply about Michael’s offer.