As the battlefield suddenly quieted down, Elenaâs laughter echoed across the scene: "As mercenaries, you need to assess the battlefield situation. Do you think you can still oppose the master?"
Just then, a sinister voice emerged from one side of the battlefield: "Having tasted freedom, weâll never turn back. Even if we canât beat you, we can escapeâand what can you do to us then?"
Elenaâs face darkened: "The freedom like a stray dog, is that your pursuit?"
Da Fei was taken abackâit was that stealthy Cave People hero! And at the moment it spoke, Da Feiâs mini-map flashed red, finally revealing the enemyâs whereabouts! Damn it, the Cave Peopleâs Stealth was so advanced that my God-level Reconnaissance Technique didnât even notice it!
As he was in shock, the chubby Ogre also laughed loud: "Even a pack of stray dogs is better off than those wagging their tails. And you, having become someone elseâs minion yourself, think youâre qualified to lead us? Even the Demon couldnât command us!"
The whole battlefield erupted in laughter.
Elenaâs expression turned cold, and Da Fei also felt a jolt in his heart. Da Fei suddenly thought of a serious issue: Could Elena, as a playerâs Vice Hero, potentially rule a region or even inherit the throne? If possible, wouldnât the player become Supreme Emperor? Such a situation clearly wouldnât align with the game systemâs consistent nature.
Similarly, like Tachiusu, the hero forces such as Habbit Village, even if the relationship with the player maxed out, would at best be annexed by the player, becoming a subordinate village of the playerâs territoryânot acting as Vice Heroes carrying a piece of land as dowry or something.
In short, a playerâs Vice Hero could only be appointed as the City Lord of the playerâs subordinate territory, unlikely to become the head of an NPC force. In other words, if Elena were to become an Empress, she might have to break away, becoming an entity like Tachiusu. Yet having a relationship like Tachiusuâs is quite inconvenient, as itâs not just about saying whatever you want but requires negotiation! Like Tachiusu sailing out this time, a military alliance against Demons had to be signed with the opposition in advance. Moreover, if the alliance helps a few times and suffers casualties, the friendship level decreases.
Damn, just considering this possibility gave Da Fei a sense of dread! No way, absolutely not! I need an Elena, a human cannon next to me as Little Honey, how can I let her go independent?
Even if she were to go independent, it canât be now, can it? I severely rely on Elena now, whether itâs for killing the Eight-Headed Snake or going to the Eastern World!
Overall, seeing Elena at a disadvantage, I canât remain silent! Itâs time for the player to guide the storyline, isnât it just coaxing a few people over?
Da Fei shouted: "Who said itâs a return to the past? Times are changing, society is progressing! Weâre no longer in a slave society; itâs a salary society now, all about performance-based pay! If you follow me, uh, if you continue working with Elena, thereâll be wages for everyone!"
Selvia suddenly asked: "Is there a salary? How much is my salary?"
âAh, phew! Da Fei spat out a mouthful of saliva! Can you not cause trouble? Da Fei casually tossed a million Gold Coins to Selvia: "Thatâs your salary, keep it safe!"
"A million!!!" Selviaâs eyes widened in shock, looking incredulous: "Is that really my salary? Is it really my own money?"
Vice Heroes are basically lifelong indentured servants with no salary! Da Fei replied with a sense of dread: "Itâs yours now, after following me for so long."
Selvia asked again: "Then how much does Miss Catherine get? Miss Anlicia? Miss Elena? Whatâs this salary based on?"
Ah, cough! Da Fei nearly choked on his saliva! Starting to compare now, my little darling, what are you up to?
Da Fei waved his hand and continued shouting to the other side: "Did you see that? A million! Thatâs our Radiant Cityâs salary package! You guys know about Radiant City, right? You ought to know my forces destroyed tens of thousands of Demon troops there, right? Would you rather work comfortably for a powerful boss like us and complete tasks easily for money or get pushed into a corner by formidable foes like now? As mercenaries, canât you do the math for this deal?"
Elena immediately followed, "The Radiant Cityâs Lord already expressed his stance. Considering youâre my former people, Iâm willing to introduce you to the City Lord. But if you donât agree, weâll wipe out your forces to prevent you from continuing to aid the Demons against us!"
Oh yeah, husband and wife supporting each other, thatâs real negotiation!
The Ogre laughed: "Anyway, this crappy place has no business. The only thing we can talk about is opening the Mercenary Tavern in this bossâs city. You can hire us for tasks, but whether we accept them depends on our mood!"
Da Feiâs eyebrows twitched, progress! Damn, itâs a big step forwardâhaving system-function buildings on the playerâs territory is basically a private venue, isnât it?
The Cave People hero named Shakert continued in his sinister tone: "Indeed! As mercenaries selling our force and life, we reserve the right to refuse commissions. The Demon employer wanted us to fight on the front lines of the Pool of Radiance, but we declined. Your presence here is a complete surprise."
âSystem Prompt: The Wandering Mercenary Heroic Group wishes to establish a base in your territory. Do you accept?
Damn! A system prompt? Can they really open a tavern on my territory? Isnât this a good thing? I donât mind more diversity in my land!
Da Fei, overjoyed, was about to agree when Elena said coldly: "I need an army I can dispatch at any time, not merchants haggling with me. Besides, youâve already reached a point where explaining to your Demon employer is hardâyouâre out of options!" Then she turned to Da Fei: "Lord City Lord, thereâs no need to waste words with these people. Clear them out to eliminate potential threats."
Da Fei was astonished, reallyâwe gained such significant progress in negotiations, yet still need to fight?
Da Fei hastily said: "If they are willing to open a tavern in our city, itâs a win-win situationâ"
Elena frowned, her face turning icy. Da Fei abruptly stopped speakingâthis wasâ
Understood, it was still part of the negotiation! Elena aimed to recruit them, not just open a tavern; if I opposed Elena in front of the opposition, wouldnât that embarrass her and ruin everything?
Da Fei suddenly realized, Even if we take a step back, and itâs not about negotiation, thereâs no need to upset the beauty for these worthless hero recruits, is there? Fine, we were here to burn, kill, and loot anywayâno hesitations!
Da Fei immediately said: "Alright! First, eliminate those Banshees!"
The Jungle Hunter, long on standby, unleashed another wave of arrow rain, sweeping across the Banshee forces, leaving them no escape and sprawling!
Da Fei was puzzled, unable to instantly kill these frail Banshees? During close-range shots on the Hell Horse weakened by Magic, it didnât seem like much, but now Da Fei truly sensed the enemyâs attribute levels. Besides the range affecting power, the enemy heroesâ Defense estimated at around 100 wasnât far behind my own Attack. Without Elena, the human cannon, in the lineup, my forces alone would have a disastrous outcome if an encounter began. Perhaps the first round of charges would have knocked us down.
This truly was a scene designed for Elena! However, I must admit, the opponentâs strength was indeed formidable. All in all, save for the female heroes, the rest is like passing clouds to me!
And with the successive fall of the Banshees, Elena swung her arms, casting a massive flame array over the battlefield. Laughing wildly, she declared, "You heroes can escape as you please, but Iâll obliterate your troops and see how you continue in the mercenary business!"
At that moment, the Minotaur hero shouted: "Hold it! Iâm not afraid to die, but I have to think about my brothers. We can negotiate!"
âAh, phew! Da Fei spat out saliva again! Turns out, if not pushed to the brink, they wonât relent!
Elena sneered: "I can grant you freedom and respect your autonomy as mercenaries, but under the condition that I become your boss! How about it, your former superior wants to join inâno reason to refuse, right?"
The Ogre was visibly stunned: "What!"
The Minotaur immediately responded: "No problem, Ogg over there canât even count properly, him being a boss is impossible!"
Upon speaking, the Minotaurâs troops switched from red to yellow names and turned their coats, rushing over to Da Feiâs side!
The opposing camp was in an uproar! Da Feiâs joy made his eyebrows twitch, they recruited one!
Elena canceled her spell and burst into laughter: "Gengna, for a slave Minotaur like you to reach this point, youâre indeed much smarter than most!"
Gengna quickly replied: "Thank you for the compliment, boss!"
Ogg bellowed in rage: "Gengna, youâre an idiot! At least negotiate percentages if sheâs to be the boss!"
Elena sneered: "Fifty-fifty! I take 50% of your commission! Itâs up to you if you want to work or not, I wonât force you!"
Ogg growled: "We risk our lives and you just sit back and rake in the money?"
Elena laughed heartily: "Of course Iâll help you get business. If Iâm the boss, your business will undoubtedly be better than in this crappy place with neither people nor liquor!"
Ogg raged: "Seventy-thirty! I get seventy, you get thirty, or you can kill me!"
Elena lowered her voice: "Fine, my final offerâsixty-forty. I take forty, you take sixty! If youâre unwillingâhey, Kobold and Lizardman friends, you donât seem to be natives of the Underworld, interested in swapping bosses and heading to a lively place with good food and drinks?"
The Kobold Alkin replied seriously: "Doesnât matter, as long as thereâs money!"
Lizardman Fuâer calmly said: "Weâre in a cooperative employment relationship, not a loyalty-based hierarchical one, free with our decisions!"
Elena nodded: "Of course, the boss isnât a ruler."
"No problem!"
Oh yeah! Secured two more!
Finally, the Ogre Ogg also said in a heavy tone: "I need to drink half a bucket of beer with every meal and eat a large plate of roast meat!"
Elena sneered: "Earn your own food money with your salary! I have no reason to use everyone elseâs money to feed a glutton like you!"
The Minotaur immediately chimed: "Indeed, every time itâs him using our money for his eating and drinking!"
Cave People Shakert finally revealed himself: "Then letâs welcome our new boss!"
Elena laughed loudly: "This is how it should be! As warriors, all you need to focus on is fighting. Being the boss isnât suitable for you!"
Oh yeah! Itâs all settled! Da Fei couldnât help but laugh out loud! With Elena being a Vice Hero, recruiting them wasnât feasible. Maintaining this cooperative relationship really was the best option!
Now, letâs not waste words, quickly gather up the corpses and leave. Yet, Da Feiâs plans didnât stop thereâhe had his eye on the various-race workers on the dock.
Da Fei approached the heroes and greeted, "I warmly welcome you powerful heroes to join our Radiant City. Iâd also like to take those workers serving the Demons with us. Can everyone help?"
Cave People Shakert stepped forward, "No problem, many of those people are from my tribe, merely enslaved by Demons, not serving them willingly."
Da Fei laughed heartily: "Then hurry, prepare to board the ship!"
(Continued in next Chapter. If you enjoy this story, youâre welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)