10. Taking Advantage of the Fire to Rob the Villain

My questioning became the last straw that broke Lin Ke’s psychological defenses at that moment. Perhaps it was because my suspicions had gathered enough evidence; or maybe it was that her clumsy “seduction techniques” had predictably failed, leaving her with no other options to delay me. Of course, it was also likely due to the fact that what happened with the “relics” was truly serious…

In the next moment, Lin Ke saluted like a French soldier.

“Ah… I surrender, I surrender! Mr. Oujili De, I’ll tell you everything! But before that, you need to close the door~”

Lin Ke sighed, looking quite helpless as she returned to her seat.

“After all, the content that follows really can’t be known by more people.”

【Lin Ke decided to explain her reasons for lying.】

The script appeared, and there was nothing suspicious about Lin Ke’s subsequent actions. After I closed the door according to her words, this kingdom’s supreme leader, who needed to provide an explanation, finally somewhat returned to her original, decisive, and even slightly masculine demeanor.

“Whether it’s the Rodma Empire or the Great Ying Empire, you are indeed my VVIP guests. However, your little concubine… uh, I mean Miss Nilu, seems to have some objections regarding my attitude and the arrangements I made for you, doesn’t she?”

Can’t you just say Miss Nilu? If that’s too much, just call her a maid! Referring to her as a concubine… I…

Forget it, there’s no time to correct this issue now.

The Lin Ke before me definitely didn’t rise to her position solely based on her looks; it seemed she sensed Nilu’s displeasure right away. While I didn’t mind whether the reception was grand or not, I did feel that Lin Ke’s welcome was rather ordinary. This was not the attitude a buyer looking to make a deal should have towards a VVIP client.

What’s more, I wasn’t doubting Lin Ke’s identity; I just felt that she had recently appeared rather lonely, like… uh, a lone commander. This term perfectly described her current state.

“It seems I wasn’t wrong in my guess, I’m sorry~ Although I also wanted to properly host you, unfortunately… I currently have no one available.”

After a pause, Lin Ke looked at me and said, “Do you understand what I mean? All my subordinates, whether capable or not, are gone. Even my bodyguards are missing. Recently, I’ve had to hide at home to work, not daring to go to the ‘Black Palace’ for fear of accidentally becoming someone who ‘was shot dozens of times in the back and committed suicide.’”

Then, at the moment I frowned, Lin Ke readily revealed the answer.

“The reason is simple: all my subordinates have been ‘taken out.’ I’m basically left as a lone commander now. Ah, if you want to laugh, that’s fine.”

Who would be so gleeful about that!

Soon, Lin Ke’s explanation made it clear: she was completely without support, and the situation with the ‘relic’ was just a continuation of the same issue.

The appearance of the ‘relic’ was within Lin Ke’s “sphere of influence,” and it was her people who discovered it first, so that was no problem. After that, eager to “make a fortune,” Lin Ke contacted several buyers, and ultimately, Nilu made the winning bid. However, just as Lin Ke was preparing to sort everything out from the relic, due to some very “Merry Kingdom, very Western” reasons, the items were seized by “bounty hunters” sent by other forces in the kingdom, and most of Lin Ke’s subordinates were killed. Naturally, with no options left, Lin Ke had to keep making excuses in front of us to buy time.

Until the moment I sensed her intentions.

“That’s how it is~”

Once the conversation was open, Lin Ke felt much more relaxed without needing to hide anything, propping her legs up on the table. “The territory of the relic was taken by other families. That son of a b*tch bounty hunter was incredibly strong, killing everyone present cleanly. I almost didn’t make it out alive.”

“I was originally planning to stall for time in front of you. As long as I could bring in people from various federations, I could resolve this mess. If all else failed, I could use a little trick on you, record it, and threaten you or something. But speaking of which, your relationship with them has progressed way too quickly, hasn’t it!? Last time in Rodma, you were still shy, and now you’re already…”

Shut up!

Stop with the euphemisms!

“You wanted to play tricks but ended up exposing yourself, so tone it down a bit.”

“Aha!”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Lin Ke’s current situation was really awkward, and I didn’t want to delve into it further. The issue with the ‘relic’ was now my primary concern.

“One ‘bounty hunter’ wiped out your entire group. Who exactly is she?”

In the Merry Kingdom, the profession of “bounty hunter” exists, essentially akin to mercenaries who kill for money. But… was the bounty hunter Lin Ke encountered just too strong? Facing Lin Ke’s large group at the relic, she managed to kill so many people!

Only someone with Ke Fei Er’s level of strength could pull that off! But then again, if a bounty hunter is that strong, why bother with such bloody work? Wouldn’t anything they did yield a fortune?

Lin Ke shook her head. “I’m not sure. Up until now, I’ve only managed to find out who hired her. However, I don’t have enough manpower to deal with this, and using the Commander’s authority isn’t realistic. After all, if the root of this matter gets exposed, I’ll be the one most affected. People in the Merry Kingdom are used to the four great families doing dirty work, but they won’t allow the Commander to engage in such underhanded dealings. If it gets serious, I might have to pack up and leave.”

After a moment of silence, I suddenly spoke up.

“Are you sure you discovered the ruins first? First come, first served. If that’s the case, you should take us to reclaim them.”

“Really!?”

Lin Ke immediately jumped up from her chair, excited like a child who just found a new toy!

“Of course it’s true.”

After all, the thing you lost is the ‘main storyline’ for me! If I don’t rush to get it back, wouldn’t I, along with Ke Fei Er and Ni Lu, really just be here on a leisurely trip?

Of course, I wasn’t foolish enough to reveal all the unfavorable reasons to Lin Ke. When dealing with a businessperson, you can’t let her find your weaknesses; for now, I just need to go along with Lin Ke’s expectations.

“This is just… incredibly thank you! I’ve seen your strength!” Lin Ke said joyfully, looking at me with anticipation, and then… after I remained silent, she seemed to think of something and broke into an exaggerated smile!

“Then, as a thank you, I’ll give you a 50% discount on the selling price! 50% OFF, oh yeah!”

“Hmph…”

“Ugh… uh, then, how about a 30% discount! 66% OFF!”

“……”

I still didn’t respond.

Previously, Lin Ke had swindled us out of quite a bit of money in Rodma, and now that I finally had a chance, I had to get it all back. After all, you’re the one begging me now, and you have no idea that I’m also eager to reclaim it~

“Miss Lin Ke, these ruins are something we can dig up without spending a dime~”

Lin Ke’s expression was almost in tears, her hands clasped together as she faced me: “One-tenth, that’s the lowest! You have to at least let me have some labor costs, right!?”

“Deal.”

I’ll give her a token amount; the rest will be a surprise for Ni Lu. At least it will keep her from picking fights with Ke Fei Er for a while.

“The value and importance of the ruins decrease over time, Miss Lin Ke. We need to hurry and take us to that family. We’ll find a way to get it back for you.”