Chapter 3717: Someone Else Has It
Chapter 3717: Someone Else Has It
Reliance landed slightly far from the woman, his mask still on, while Rean and Kentucky followed him. Taliana, obviously, noticed Rean there, smiling at her, and felt the urge to attack straight away. She was confident she could take him down even if Reliance intervened. She was at the same stage of the Space-Time Realm, Middle Stage. As an expert of the Ermmel Clan, she naturally had many more resources and techniques growing up, so she was bound to be stronger.
Reliance kept his guard up, though. He was also aware that the woman was likely stronger than he, and with Rean and Kentucky hiding their cultivations, she might have some funny ideas. "Thank you for coming. These two are my subordinates, and I believe one of them was disrespectful to you. For his behavior, I sincerely apologize." Reliance bowed, showing full respect to the woman.
Taliana was still thinking whether she should attack, especially since she couldn’t detect anyone else with her Divine Sense. However, she held herself back. "Let’s cut the bullshit. Before I provide you with the information I have, could you explain one thing to me? How did you find my identity? Or, better yet, how did you know it was me who came here with the information? I’m pretty sure I was very careful to not let it leak out when I contacted your Demon Beasts’ Races."
Sure enough, anyone would ask that... although most experts knew they likely wouldn’t get an answer.
And so... "I’m sorry, but that is a little secret of ours. I believe you also wouldn’t tell your methods if you were in my position, am I correct?" Reliance asked. Well, he had no idea how Rean and Roan did that either.
"Hmph!" Taliana snorted but didn’t insist. "And yet, you made sure to use it to blackmail me straight away."
Reliance smiled, not denying that he indeed intended to do it. "That is correct. This is a war, and I’m on the Demon Beasts’ side. You might wonder why a human like me is helping them. But, to be honest, it is nothing hard to image. You are here to sell information because there are some things you want in exchange. The same goes for me. There is something I will gain if they win the war."
Taliana didn’t like that roundabout conversation. "Then let’s make things clear. What guarantees do I have that you won’t open your mouth once we are done?"
"If I do," Reliance continued, "I would lose a good asset, someone in a high position in the Ermmel Clan. Why would I make such an obvious, idiotic mistake?"
"It doesn’t change the fact that passing information to you later would put me at even more risk than now." Taliana still wanted some insurance, though.
Reliance nodded, saying the obvious right after. "And that’s why my subordinate told you that we still intend to pay you for the information. So, you will be properly compensated for the level of critical intelligence you provide us later on. Isn’t that what you want? We have our interests aligned here."
Taliana pondered a bit. Reliance, Rean, and Kentucky didn’t know, but there was indeed a reason for her to sell information. It’s just that it wasn’t related to resources like they thought. The reason was a lot, lot more personal. "Very well. For now, as proof of your intentions, I want you to do something for me. Then we can talk."
Reliance sighed in relief. The conversation was going smoother than he expected. "Very well. As long as it is within my means, I will try to fulfill your wish."
Taliana faintly smiled, pointing her finger at Rean. "I want his life."
"Eh?!" Not only Reliance, but both Rean and Kentucky were taken aback by that request. "Why such a request?"
"The way he treated me back in the Talismans Store. I’m a member of the Ermmel Clan. Do you think I have ever suffered such humiliation?" Taliana asked.
’She’s lying,’ Roan’s voice immediately echoed in Rean’s mind.
’I noticed,’ and Rean confirmed.
Taliana continued. "So, if you truly wish my cooperation, I want his head. It shouldn’t be a problem, right? He is a human, and the Demon Beasts want to take down the Ermmel Clan, which is the human side of this war. So? What do you say? The life of a little piece of trash in exchange for an insider right in the middle of the Ermmel Clan. Not a bad deal, right?"
Reliance looked at Rean, bitterly smiling and communicating through Divine Sense. ’You truly left an impression, didn’t you?’
Kentucky put an arm around Rean’s shoulder. ’He is pretty much bad impression incarnate. Plenty of people hate him, don’t worry. Even Death himself can’t stand his presence.’
Rean’s mouth twitched. ’You two can go fuck yourselves!’
Reliance didn’t understand the Death part, but he didn’t ask. ’So... what do we do? I’m obviously not giving you away. Shall we end negotiations here?’
’Why?’ Rean had his thoughts. ’Just give me to her. Isn’t that simple?’
Reliance wondered if he had heard it right. Sure, Rean is definitely stronger than he pretends to be at the moment. But... would he be stronger than an Ermmel Clan member? Reliance knew the kind of power the Ermmel Clan Experts carried. He was certain he wasn’t the woman’s match, even though they were both at the same level. If the other three kinds of races hadn’t also joined this war for power, the Ermmel Clan could have won it easily. Each of their experts was definitely a cut above the rest. ’Are you sure?’
’Just do it already.’ It’s just that Rean couldn’t be less concerned.
Taliana noticed their interaction, then Rean’s expression suddenly turned into one of fear. Yet, he didn’t move, just nodding. That made Taliana smile instead. Seems like Reliance was going to fulfill her request.
"Alright, this is Lando, and I’m giving him to you. You can do whatever you want with him," Reliance said, pushing Rean forward. "However, he is still my subordinate, so I must at least give him a chance. I will not kill him. If you want his life, you will have to do it yourself. Whether he can survive or not, that’s up to him."
Taliana didn’t mind. She said she wanted his life. It didn’t mean Reliance had to kill him himself. In fact, she would love to do it instead. "That’s very sensible of you. I, naturally, will keep my part of the deal. From now on, I will serve as your spy... as long as you pay me for my services."
Rean walked in Taliana’s direction, the fear on his face increasing, and when he was halfway there...
’Red Life, Enhancement!’
’Red Death, Third Movement Form, Crimson Lightning!’
*Kabrum!*
Rean disappeared in a flash of red lightning!
Taliana’s eyes opened wide. Rean’s movement was so fast that she couldn’t even follow it with her eyes or Divine Sense. Before she could make any sense of what was happening.
*Slap!*
*Ouch!*
Rean slapped her butt! "Little Girl, I know I’m handsome and irresistible, but I’m also already married, so I can’t give my life to you. My wife already has it."