***

The next day.

LionArk Headquarters.

"Of course. Besides cooperation in the economic field, we also accept cooperation in the form of military support and party raids," Ethan answered.

"You can consider what kind of cooperation will benefit us. I'll wait for your information later," Ethan said.

He stood up from his desk and stepped toward the two people visiting him. They were clearly from the Ink Sword Guild.

The Ink Sword Guild was quite unique. Even though they used the word sword like a warrior guild, most of their members were from the Mage and Archer classes. Some of them were warriors, but only a few.

They listened to everything Ethan said. Slowly, they stood and said their goodbyes. They needed to return to their headquarters to discuss their cooperation proposal again.

LionArk would always be open to discussing cooperation with any potential guild.

The two left Ethan's office, and Sherly came back in carrying documents in her hands. She told Ethan that she had brought files containing requests from guilds that wanted to work with LionArk.

"There are a few more guilds proposing cooperation, Sir Ethan."

"Let me see them first, Sherly."

Sherly stepped closer and handed the files to him. Ethan opened them and read through them. Most of the guilds offering cooperation were rank A, though there were some rank B as well.

"Go and tell them we're not opening cooperation with rank B guilds yet. I suggest they start building cooperation with other guilds first," Ethan said.

"I understand."

She left the office to return to the first floor. Ethan stepped back to his desk, sat down, and handled the documents he needed to sign.

While waiting, he read through the cooperation proposals from the rank A guilds. Many of them suggested partnerships in the economic field, something Ethan needed to review in detail.

Would the cooperation they proposed bring good and significant benefits to LionArk and Mavelard or not? It was important because sometimes an unequal economic agreement ended up burdening one side more.

Ethan didn't want the cooperation proposal to burden LionArk, or the other side. That was why proposals in the economic field had to be discussed properly with Ashley.

Right when Ethan was handling the documents on his desk, he was surprised by Sherly entering his office again.

She came alone. The representatives from the rank A guilds did not come with her. That was enough to make Ethan curious.

"What is it?" Ethan asked.

"The envoys we sent to other guilds to retrieve the assets from the corruptors have returned. All of them came back safely," Sherly said.

Ethan froze, reflexively standing and looking at her closely. He immediately asked how much money they had managed to take back. Sherly opened her file and read the number.

The amount was quite large because many assets had been seized. Ethan was clearly pleased with this good news.

He told Sherly to go to Ashley's office and inform her about it, which Sherly gladly agreed to do.

The small guilds don't dare oppose LionArk. Gordon is dealing with the people in Redemption Sword, while I still haven't heard anything from Silver Star or Scavenger.

Is this the right time to show them my threat isn't a joke?

Ethan paused for a moment, let out a breath, and sat back down. The location of Silver Star's headquarters was in the central region, quite far if he had to travel from LionArk.

He could activate the quick travel option from Mavelard to Silver Tower City, but that would allow people from Silver Tower City to enter Mavelard.

To keep Mavelard safe, the only option he had was traveling by land, visiting city after city until he reached Silver Tower.

I need to talk about this with Ashley first. If I leave without telling her, she'll be furious with me.

Sherly returned to Ethan's office after informing Ashley. She explained how excited Ashley was after hearing the news. She hoped LionArk could seize even more assets from the other corruptors.

"Sherly," Ethan said.

"Yes, Sir Ethan?"

"Delay all discussions about the cooperation proposals. I need to talk about something important with Ashley."

She smiled. She assumed Ethan and Ashley had something important to discuss about the seized assets. Sherly had no intention of stopping Ethan anyway, nor did she have the authority.

Ethan left his office and walked to Ashley's. The door was open, and he saw Ashley working on documents at her desk. Jill was there helping her.

"Ethan?"

"Jill, I need some time with her. Do you mind?" Ethan asked.

Jill and Ashley fell silent. Jill looked at Ashley. Ashley smiled and nodded, letting Jill step out so Ethan could talk with her privately.

Seeing Ashley's gesture, Jill understood. She left her documents and walked out, leaving Ethan alone with Ashley.

"To be honest, I'm impressed. The collection team did their job really well," Ashley said.

"Yes. They collected the assets from small guilds. None of them dared fight back against LionArk."

"Then what brings you here?" Ashley asked.

"This is about the Big Three Guild."

Ashley stopped her pen and looked up, her eyes fixed on Ethan, curious what he wanted to say about the Big Three Guild.

"Gordon came here and guaranteed that Redemption Sword will cooperate. But I haven't heard anything from Silver Star or Scavenger."

"Silver Star and Scavenger are our enemies. Of course they won't obey us easily," Ashley said.

"I'm planning to make them obey and understand the consequences," Ethan said.

Ashley narrowed her eyes, staring sharply at him and waiting for him to continue.

"I'm going to Silver Tower to fight them," Ethan said firmly.

"No!" Ashley snapped, shocking Ethan.

"No?"

"If you leave Mavelard, this city will fall into chaos."

"What do you mean? Isn't there you who—"

"How do you think people managed to obey the law so fast, Ethan?" Ashley asked.

"Because they're afraid of going to prison."

"No."

"They're afraid of you. If you leave, what do they have to fear?"

Ashley stood up and stared strongly at him. "I need you here. We can think of the best way to get our money back. But please, don't leave Mavelard."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.