Planet of Sand and Oasis of Iron

Chapter 224 223. Pork Chop Rice is already a veteran actor (rd update)
The pork chop rice in the thermal box is certainly not as crispy on the surface as when it is just out of the pot, but the full immersion of the sauce makes its taste more substantial in salty and fresh flavor.

The rice is mixed with the sauce, as well as the juice that slowly seeps out from the cut surface. The salty and greasy taste is diluted by the vegetables. After taking a bite, the sense of satisfaction soars to the sky.

As a senior manager, Feldrich's taste in food is naturally not on the same level as that of the mercenaries. She is knowledgeable and has tasted all kinds of delicacies from land and sea at a young age.

But this strange rice—what on earth is this and why is it so delicious?

Was it because I was too hungry, or because my tongue had betrayed me?
Feldrich didn't know what was going on. She stuffed her mouth with rice and 'deep-fried pork cutlet'. This was actually a simple dish for Sefer, but she accidentally choked and squeezed her eyes shut in pain.

The cup was handed to her at the right time. She immediately raised her head and the cold, slightly stinging, but sweet drink immediately entered her mouth.

The previous feeling in her mouth was instantly washed away, and she opened her eyes wide - she had drunk both sparkling water and sweet sparkling water, so why did this one taste so unique?
Sefer wasn't sure either, because the recipe was given by Dr. Mei and it tasted a bit like Fanta.

When she finished her feast, Seifer put his hands to his nose and asked calmly, "Are you feeling a little more relaxed, Miss Feldridge? I think we should talk a little."

"……snort."

She was humming, but she didn't stop eating. Seeing that she was willing to listen, Seifer continued, "First of all, I don't think there's any reason for us to be enemies."

"You're the leader of a large corporation, a giant who controls one-third... one-quarter of the desert's resources. I'm just an ordinary independent mercenary."

"Spending more than a million on me is a waste, not to mention that your sunk costs are more than that now. It's really not worth it, right?"

Feldrich was silent, with a flicker in her eyes, as if she was thinking about something, but she was just eating seriously and did not refute.

"As for accidentally interfering with your plans, how should I explain this... As an independent mercenary, I accepted the mission and I certainly can't abandon it casually."

"After all, the benefits and obligations provided by the support system are equal."

Seifer expressed his thoughts: "Just like this time, I was only able to confirm that you had murderous intentions towards me and intended to eliminate me, so I was forced to retaliate in self-defense."

Who would fight back by pulling out a tactical nuclear bomb and smashing it directly into the group of armored vehicles?

"After this meeting, I'll continue to earn money as a mercenary. Who knows, I might die in an exploration or a mercenary conflict someday, and then you won't have to do anything about it. Isn't that right?"

Feldrich swallowed the food in his mouth and suddenly put down his bowl and chopsticks: "You, when you are talking to me, are you planning to use this iron lump to fool me?"

How did she figure it out?

"You want to know how I can tell? I can tell at a glance whether it's a person, a modified mercenary, or a communicator in front of me."

She is worthy of being a high-ranking guy, not an ordinary little ghost.

Seifer raised his already lowered judgment a little. "Thank you very much for this rational exchange. I've already explained the pros and cons. What do you think?"

Feldrich was silent for a while, surprisingly without looking down on others. Perhaps in her heart, the 'mercenary' in front of her was a calm madman, and she had to deal with him with all her strength to avoid his sudden death on the spot.

"You have some truth in what you say, but... even if I make a promise here, I can always break it, right? Tell me, what are you going to do to solidify your promise?"

Sefer took out the collar he had prepared in advance. Dr. Mei had even polished it, and it looked very beautiful.

"This is... a bomb collar. Once you put it on, as long as I give a command, your clever mind will be free."

Feldrich's expression turned extremely grim. She took a deep breath and reached out tremblingly to take it, but Seifer suddenly raised his hand and said, "I have to put this on myself later, otherwise I won't feel safe." "...Ordinary independent mercenaries don't have such a brain."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"And then, aren't you afraid that I'll find someone to crack the collar and continue to cause trouble for you?"

In fact, he was quite worried, but the other party was rich and powerful. If it weren't for the support of the Phantom Mist Group this time, Sefer felt that he would have been killed by continuous assassinations in the city.

Killing the backup is also considered death. After all, if you die in public, you won't be able to go out with this identity, right?
"It would be a lie to say I'm not worried, but what should I say? I want to have a frank conversation with you to prove that I'm actually a very rational person."

"But rational people always have some random thoughts, like paranoia."

Seifer tried to sound sincere, but failed miserably, and Feldrich remained unmoved.

She wiped her lips and suddenly made a suggestion: "Then I have a better suggestion. Why don't you come with me to Abian now and be my exclusive corporate mercenary to protect my safety from now on."

"what?"

"Isn't that strange? Your strength doesn't match the current environment. Instead of continuing to live a mediocre life competing with other wild dogs for food, why not..."

Before she could finish her words, Cypher had already taken the bomb collar and buckled it around her neck with his own hands.

"you--"

"Don't get angry right now. The main thing is, we don't trust each other, right?" Cypher sat back down. "So this is more equal. So, don't send anyone to deal with me until you've cracked the collar."

Feldrich, who was already a little exhausted, was angry that his temptations and negotiations had failed, and he was even a little unable to maintain this "well-behaved" image.

She pulled down the corners of her mouth, as if evaluating how to kill the damn mercenary in front of her... and not this iron lump with skin, but the person who controls this thing!

"Put yourself in my shoes, Miss Feldridge. Have you ever thought about this? If you were me, would you happily go work for the guy who hired someone to kill me?"

"This wicked employer had previously squandered the lives of others without care, treating mercenaries like dirt, currency, and merchandise. After being captured, he showed no fear and even brazenly declared, 'I want to hire you.'"

Seifer coaxed him gently: "In this case, if she asked to hire you, would you agree without hesitation?"

Feldrich was silent for a moment—she had never experienced this so-called "putting herself in someone else's shoes." Because there was no need. Her comfortable life and stable environment meant she never needed to consider others.

This time, after being caught and locked in the small dark room for such a long time, her seemingly tough defenses were indeed broken a little.

The mastermind behind these things also served her a steaming hot meal that she had never tasted before after the psychological offensive, which slowed her brain down after the fright, and a large amount of dopamine made her feel extremely peaceful and relieved.

To sum up, for the first time in his life, Feldrich tried to put himself in the shoes of Cypher, thinking from the perspective of a "helpless" and "unsupported" mercenary, what would happen if he joined his team.

Then she fell silent.

　I've been busy for most of the week and am exhausted. I'll continue tomorrow...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)