Chapter 1278: Value

"I’m sure you know the power and influence that the Golden Dragon Association holds. You should know what I’m offering isn’t just some empty promise." Braxul stated.

"I know well just how influential the Golden Dragon Association can be. However, you make it sound as if you are certain that you will be chosen as the next head. Getting swept into the middle of a succession battle means that one is putting everything on the line. Do you believe that the next Head will allow their previous competition and those who supported them to do as they please?" Izroth said unhurriedly.

Braxul frowned and replied, "I’m my father’s eldest son. It’s my birthright to take over his legacy. Everyone else is just wasting their time. Besides, I have a secret weapon at my disposal that guarantees I’ll become the next head. I’m just scouting people I think will be useful in making that become a reality even faster. With or without your help, I’ll become the next head anyway. You should latch on to me while I’m giving you the chance."

’This is the person considered to be the second in the succession battle? I see—there must be someone moving behind the scenes on his behalf. In other words, he’s nothing but a puppet being pulled by its strings and hasn’t even realized it.’

From their brief interaction, it did not take long for Izroth to piece together what Vexpela told him earlier—that the eldest child was only considered second because of the influence held by his maternal family’s side. After all, with the level of incompetence he had shown in the past few minutes, it would have been impossible for him to be the Third Pavilion Lord.

’For Vexpela to be behind this person in the succession race means that she truly has nowhere to turn to for support. As long as it’s within Danaharpe, her siblings will always have the advantage. As for bringing in outside forces, there would be no one to watch over the Fourth Pavilion in her absence. During that time, her siblings would undoubtedly make their move against the Fourth Pavilion. She’s in a situation where she lacks talented and capable individuals. With her ability, it should be easy to find such people. If that’s the case, there is only one explanation.’

Vexpela was born with a special ability that allowed her to see the potential value a person holds. For someone in Vexpela’s line of work, such an ability was basically a cheat code. However, in this case, Vexpela’s talent must have also turned into her curse.

If her siblings were aware of her ability, then they would simply swoop in at the last moment to recruit whoever Vexpela selected. Since Vexpela had no support from a maternal family, she most likely could not offer more than what her other siblings were capable of doing.

Furthermore, there must have been constant surveillance on her at all times from her siblings. Otherwise, it would not have been possible to prevent her from bringing talented people to her side. Yet, despite all this, Vexpela was still able to become the Fourth Pavilion Lord and keep at least one foot in the succession race. Most would call it nothing short of a miracle. However, Izroth understood that it was no miracle at work. Rather, it was Vexpela’s sheer determination to continue pressing forward no matter the obstacles on her path.

’She must have known that I would be approached by her siblings. Yet, despite the risk of me being recruited by someone else, she still didn’t rush me to sign the contract and even went as far as to hand me a Diamond-Level VIP card. She said it was because of her instinct, but can’t be all there is to it. She must have reached a point of desperation with no other choice but to make a huge gamble.’

"More and more, it seems like I’ve really made the correct choice." Izroth said to himself.

"Heh, it’s good that you see it that way. I’ll have someone prepare a contact immediately-" Braxul started with a satisfied expression after hearing Izroth’s words.

However, the expression on his face quickly changed after Izroth’s next statement.

"Ah, it seems you’ve misunderstood. I wasn’t talking about you. I was talking about your sister. To be blunt, choosing you is no different than stepping onto a sinking ship with a captain that would be the first to jump off to save himself. You aren’t worthy of receiving my support. The day you become the Head of the Golden Dragon Association will be the start of its downfall." Izroth said in a carefree manner.

The more Braxul listened to Izroth’s words, the angrier the look on his face became. Veins could be seen protruding from his forehead as his face flushed red.

Those among the spectators and attendants close enough to hear the exchange between Izroth and Braxul were left dumbfounded.

Braxul’s reputation in Danaharpe was infamous. Those who knew the Third Pavilion Lord understood that they must not get on his bad side. In truth, it was common sense for most Danaharpe citizens to avoid Braxul because he had ruined plenty of peoples lives. Not over anything grand, but from the sole fact that he was in a bad mood one day and they made the smallest error.

Needless to say, even if others were unhappy with is attitude, no one dared to confront him. In the end, he was the eldest son of the Head of the Golden Dragon Association, which meant that he could possibly become the next head himself. It was not worth offending him and dealing with the potential aftermath.

That’s why, for Izroth to essentially mock and humiliate him in front of a crowd inside the Golden Treasure House, a place backed by the Golden Dragon Association, was seen as a bold and foolish move.

"That person must be new to Danaharpe. Otherwise, there’s no way they would have offended the Third Pavilion Lord just now and rejected his offer." One of the spectators sighed heavily.

"I feel sorry them. I heard that the last time the Third Pavilion Lord’s temper got out of control, a business that had been around Danaharpe for over three decades closed down overnight. The family who ran that place also ended up going missing-" Another one of the spectators commented before being quickly interrupted.

"Shhh! You idiot...! Do you want to disappear to? Don’t bring that matter up if you know what’s good for you. Nothing good comes from making that man your enemy."

Braxul stared at Izroth with a gaze overflowing with rage. He could not remember the last time someone dared to deny his offer. But, most importantly, how many years had it been since someone humiliated him like this in front of others?

"How dare you! Do you know where this place is?! Do you think that because you have that little card you can do as you please in this place?! As the Third Pavilion Lord, using my authority and personal judgment, I declare that you are stripped of your Diamond-Level VIP and all the privileges that come with it! You must immediately pay back the gold coins you used; otherwise, I will have to confiscate all the treasures and Serva Stones you’ve purchased to make up for it." Braxul said with a smirk as he tilted his nose toward the air.

The atmosphere around Izroth shifted as his gaze turned cold. Taking away the Diamond-Level VIP was one thing. After all, it was something that belonged to the Golden Treasure House. However, Braxul wanted to boldly take away the treasures he selected as well? If it belonged to him, there was no one who could snatch it away from him.

"T-Third Pavilion Lord, it is against the store’s policy to reclaim purchases that have already been made in this manner. The reputation of the Golden Treasure House would be tarnished." Pearl said trembling as she stepped forward.

"Hah... Now, even a mere attendant dares to talk back to its owner..! Listen, Golden Treasure House or whatever—in the end, it belongs to me and my Golden Dragon Association. I can burn this place to the ground and dance on its ashes if I thought it’d amuse me. Who are you to question what your master does? Ah, I get it. You must have gotten too comfortable here and forgotten your place. Don’t worry, I’ll remind you." Braxul said in a harsh and cold tone as he reached out toward Pearl.

Pearl instinctively took a step back with a look of horror on her face.

’This is why trash like this shouldn’t be left alone or it rots everything around it. I still have to hide my identity, so I will have to be discreet.’

A faint trace of mana gathered around Izroth’s right hand.

Just a Izroth was getting ready to make a move, a familiar voice thundered from across the venue.

"Third Pavilion Lord—what do you think you are doing right now?!" Vexpela’s voice sounded as she stormed over with a look of fury on her face.

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