Chapter 1088: Defiant
Chapter 1088: Defiant
"This shameless...!" Starry Aster muttered under her breath.
Sleeping Gardenia and Defiant territories were located right next to one another in Kifa Karsts. Because of this, it was not uncommon for them to have minor disputes when it came to things found near their agreed-upon borders. However, this time was different from those minor disputes.
"We just want a piece of what rightfully also belongs to us. You should know how dangerous it is to want to devour a mountain alone. Is Sleeping Gardenia really going to risk others finding out to satisfy their greed?" Defeaning Silence said with a grin.
Starry Aster narrowed her eyes. She did not have the authority to make such a major decision, which is why she contacted Zinnia.
"The section leader should be here soon. I have to endure until then." Starry Aster thought to herself as she tightened her grip on the sword in her hand.
At the moment, both sides were posturing and had yet to make a move against one another. After all, once the first blow was struck, there was no turning back. And, even if they defeated Defeaning Silence and those from Defiant, there was nothing to stop them from informing the other top guilds of the ore cave's existence. Once that happened, this place would be swarmed from all sides, with everyone wanting a piece of the ore cave for themselves.
"What my Sleeping Gardenia does is none of your concern!" Zinnia's voice sounded as she arrived and joined Starry Aster and the other members of Sleeping Gardenia.
Defeaning Silence's gaze became cold when he saw Zinnia's arrival. However, the members of Sleeping Gardenia seemed to gain a new wave of confidence. If the section leader was here, then it must have meant that reinforcements were nearby!
Naturally, Defeaning Silence had the same thoughts as those from Sleeping Gardenia.
"Tch, I wanted to apply a bit more pressure before that woman arrived and secure the area. Are their reinforcements already here?" Defeaning Silence thought to himself as he inwardly frowned.
"Section leader Zinnia, how good of you to grace us with your presence. Maybe you'll be more willing to listen to reason than your guild member over there." Defeaning Silence stated.
"Aster, what happened here? Explain it properly." Zinnia said without entertaining Defeaning Silence with a response.
"Section leader, it's like this..." Starry Aster went on to explain how the situation devolved to this point.
By the time Starry Aster finished her explanation, Zinnia was outraged at Defeaning Silence and Defiant's actions.
According to Starry Aster, one of the players from the combat group discovered the entrance of the ore cave close to the Sleeping Gardenia and Defiant territory border. However, when she entered the ore cave, there was already a small party of players inside.
Those players immediately attacked the member of their Sleeping Gardenia. Fortunately, Starry Aster and others from the combat group were nearby and arrived in time to support their guild member.
As a result, the players who attacked their guild member was wiped out. That is when Starry Aster and the others of the combat group discovered what kind of existence the cave was-an ore cave.
However, before they could even celebrate their great discovery, Defeaning Silence, accompanied by a large group of players from Defiant, abruptly appeared.
The timing was too convenient. Not long after those players who refused to reveal their identities perished, Defiant arrived as if they had been waiting the entire time.
Most likely, those who attacked their guild member were players from Defiant. They may have initially stumbled into the ore cave by chance; however, they had to be aware that the ore cave was in Sleeping Gardenia territory. Not to mention, there was no way to actually prove the players who were originally in the cave were acting under Defiant's orders.
Nonetheless, even if there was no proof, Zinnia was not a fool. She could sense that Defiant set this stage up intentionally.
"The entrance to the ore cave is within the territory of my Sleeping Gardenia; therefore, we reserve all rights to the ore cave and its contents as agreed upon when our guilds established the rules of this place. If Defiant wishes to be the first to break those rules, then the Kifa Karsts will turn into a lawless area. Are you willing to go so far over a single ore cave?" Zinnia questioned with a serious expression.
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you? Is Sleeping Gardenia really willing to be the reason why this place is turned upside down?" Defeaning Silence replied without hesitation.
It was clear that neither side would budge from their position. Once the players on both sides began to realize that, the atmosphere became increasingly intense. It seemed that a fight would break out at any second.
"Then, we have both said all that needs to be said. There is no point in talking any further." Zinnia said as she gave Starry Aster a meaningful look.
"Finally, something we both can agree on. Don't say we didn't give you a fair chance to play nicely." Defeaning Silence scoffed as he lifted his hand.
"Defiant! Sleeping Gardenia selfishly wants to take a part of what rightfully belongs to us for themselves! We will not stand for such injustice and insult! Let's show them what we of Defiant are capable of!" Defeaning Silence shouted as the members of Defiant prepared themselves to attack.
"Everyone, do not pay any attention to their nonsense! We will not be bullied or threatened into handing over what rightfully belongs to us! We stand our ground and fight for what belongs to us and our Sleeping Gardenia!" Zinnia declared as the players from Sleeping Gardenia readied themselves.
"This is quite the gathering. Section leader Zinnia, I am a bit troubled that you did not invite us personally." A voice echoed from all directions.
Zinnia was taken aback when she heard that voice. She immediately recognized its owner. But what was he doing here instead of searching for clues about his missing people?
Whatever the case, Zinnia was grateful for him. Because of his sudden appearance, Defeaning Silence seemed to temporarily hold off on the attack.
"The reinforcements sent by the guild leader have not made contact with me yet. We need to find a way to hold out until they arrive; otherwise, our losses won't be small." Zinnia thought
to herself.
The next moment, two individuals appeared in front of Zinnia, Starry Aster, and those from Sleeping Gardenia.
At first, Starry Aster and the players from Sleeping Gardenia were surprised. However, Zinnia quickly told them to stay their hand. After all, she recognized the two who had arrived.
"Palace Master Izroth, Miss Wraith-what are the two of you doing here?" Zinnia asked in a low voice curiously.
Zinnia was not oblivious to Izroth and Azalea's strength. Izroth was currently ranked first on the event leaderboards, while Azalea Wraith always stayed within the top ten. Zinnia knew that if she asked for their help to solve this matter, it could likely be handled with fewer
losses.
However, Izroth was a VIP guest. To make such a huge request of a guest who they were supposed to be helping-how would she be able to explain it to the guild leader? Sleeping Gardenia and the Mystical Realm Palace may be close to one another, but wasn't that mostly only in regard to their financial exchanges rather than providing combat assistance? "Didn't your guild leader already inform you that you would be receiving reinforcements?" Izroth said in a carefree manner.
Zinnia's eyes widened and shock, "Then, the reinforcements the guild leader mentioned...!"
"You are looking at them," Izroth said calmly.
Zinnia and the players from Sleeping Gardenia were stunned. Why did their guild leader only send two people to reinforce them? Did she plan on giving up on the ore cave? Or, did she just place that much trust in the owner of the Mystical Realm Palace to resolve the situation?
"Pffft...! Bwahahahaha! You guys hear that! Look at their reinforcements! It's just one guy and some short brat!" Defeaning Silence burst out into a fit of laughter.
"Hahaha! Guess that's all they could send on such short notice!"
"Looks like their actual reinforcements will be arriving a little later!"
"This'll just be a small inconvenience at best, section leader!"
"Hey, doesn't Sleeping Gardenia only accept women? That's one manly-looking woman!
Hahaha!"
The players from Defiant joined in with Defeaning Silence to amuse themselves. They seemed to be at much more ease after realizing that this was all the reinforcements Sleeping Gardenia could call forth. As a result, the atmosphere among the Defiant members became lighthearted, as if the outcome had already been decided.
"...Teacher... Please allow me to take care of this trash myself. You should not dirty your hands and inconvenience yourself with such filth." Azalea said as she turned toward Izroth with her fist cupped and gave a respectful bow.
Azalea was angered at their open mocking of her; however, she was enraged that they dared insult and look down on her teacher!