Daily News: Insect Girls' Heavy Dependence

After a moment's thought, Yekalin replied.

"I'll take all the mushroom worms. Your pioneers can now be stationed in Stormwind... Take my guards to retrieve the essence worm fluid, and I'll pay you the corresponding amount in Dio coins based on the quantity..."

This is a losing proposition; only a lustful fool would agree to it.

"I refuse. Stormwind has an obligation to accept pioneers. Besides, the essence insect fluid I mentioned is enough to cultivate a fully formed fourth-tier creature! It's a priceless treasure!"

He was rejected by Richard to his face and learned that it was the essence insect liquid that could cultivate a fourth-order complete form.

This left Yekalin somewhat bewildered.

As expected, the pioneering lord was a collateral descendant of a noble family, and he had no manners or upbringing!

Weren't those noble young masters always willing to take a loss when they made deals with me in the past?

Moreover, how could a member of a collateral branch of the family know so much information about the essence insect filtrate?

Most importantly, he was unaffected by the tooth decay chair and could still drink so much tea...

Who exactly is he?

Regardless of what Yekalin thought, she needed the mushroom worms right now.

But that batch of essence insect filtrate was even more important to her!

"Then you make an offer!" Yekalin conceded.

However, she didn't notice the hint of disdain that flashed in her eyes.

Richard, with keen observation, defiantly downed his tea in one gulp.

Under the noble lady's distressed gaze, he spoke calmly.

"Miss Yekaterin, please face reality. The Duke of the North is gone... You no longer have the privileges of a duke's daughter. I hope we can conduct this transaction on equal footing."

Richard was telling the truth. It wasn't too surprising that Yekaterin's knowledge of her father's death had been revealed.

But being treated with a lecturing tone for the first time was something Yekalin couldn't accept.

"Who exactly are you? Which family do you belong to?"

"My name is Richard Charlemagne."

Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, Baron.

So this guy's background is just an earl's family? How dare he be so arrogant when he's two ranks lower than me?

But when Yekaterin thought about the surname Charlemagne more carefully, and then looked at Richard's dark hair...

They put away their disdain and contempt.

"Who is Asdallen to you?"

How do you know this person?

This time, Richard's expression changed.

Asdallen has only been back with his family for a month, right? What did he do to make Yekaterin, who lives in the world outside the walls, know his name?

Yekaterin discovered that,

Richard was unaware of Asdallen's deeds.

So I didn't elaborate, and just casually mentioned it.

"The most debauched whore in the entire Kingdom of Kiel... Which noble doesn't know his name?"

Upon hearing this title...

Richard filled in some other possibilities in his mind.

In my memory, Asdallen was an effeminate man... What was the reason he became the heir to the title?

Could it be that he pleased the Earl's father by selling his genitals or something?

I never expected him to be an adapter!

Richard was caught up in his reminiscences and complaints.

Yekalin took another sip of tea and slowly began to speak.

"Stop thinking about it, let's get back to the point. What are your trading conditions?"

Richard regained his senses and thought for a while.

"My first deal is to take in my remaining followers who arrive in Stormwind. They've become separated from me... and are likely to be injured. For each person I heal, I'll voluntarily grant you a life potential, a second-tier growth form of the mushroom worm."

"Okay. I never expected someone like you to have such a righteous quality."

Yekalin was surprised to hear Richard's decision.

The value of a second-tier, fully grown mushroom worm is enough to hire several more pioneers.

Sally and Gosling, who had remained silent, knew that young master Richard was a sentimental person. Therefore, they were not too surprised.

"The second deal is that you provide me with materials to build the fortress..."

Richard was interrupted by Yekaterin before he could finish speaking, disregarding aristocratic etiquette.

"No! This is the only one that won't do... The recovery season is coming, and Stormwind's walls aren't even finished being repaired yet. Otherwise, why would I want your building-type mushroom worm?"

"The recovery season is still two months away, right? There might not even be a bug swarm this year, and besides, Stormwind is on an island in the middle of a lake, not relying on city walls..."

Richard directly exposed Yekaterin's excuse.

What is this duke's daughter hiding from me? What is she concealing...?

The atmosphere became somewhat tense.

Richard spoke again.

"If you believe in my sincerity in making this deal, I can give you all the Essence Insect Fluid. The condition is that my team be stationed in Stormwind..."

Yekalin saw Richard, who had just been so calculating and unwilling to suffer any loss.

He suddenly proposed a deal that even he himself felt was a loss for him.

She spoke in her usual languid and aloof mature voice as a reward for him.

Why did you do this? What will be the price I pay?

"A marriage alliance, you and I will marry!"

Richard answered very seriously, without the slightest hint of joking.

These sudden words surprised the three women present.

Before Yekalin could answer, Sally suddenly spoke up.

"No... I won't accept this!"

Three strange gazes fell upon Sally.

Queen Sally's imposing manner vanished, and the little maid's timidity took over.

"Um... young master, please continue..."

Yekalin looked thoughtfully at Sally's silver hair.

Then he looked into Richard's incredibly sincere eyes.

"Time? How long will the engagement last?"

"By the time you use the essence insect fluid to grow to the fourth-tier complete form, it will only take two months at the latest, right? By then, my fortress will be completed, and I will leave on my own."

"make a deal!"

That's it? Govi ​​felt like her mind hadn't quite grasped it yet.

Why the sudden talk of marriage? And they actually agreed? Do all nobles play these kinds of games?

Although Sally didn't understand the reason either.

But she knew that the young master was only faking the marriage, so although she felt uncomfortable, she wasn't as upset as she thought.

Richard, the future duke, spoke up.

"Now you can tell me what you've been hiding, right?"

Yekalin rolled her eyes at him without any attempt to hide it.

"My cousin, from a collateral branch of the August family in the inner world, is heading to Stormwind. The family wants him to marry me so he can inherit the title..."

Just as Richard had guessed, this was nothing more than family infighting and melodramatic aristocratic ethics.

"So you're going to repair the city walls and resist by force?"

Yekarin did not answer.

In her opinion.

Richard and his cousin were no different. The only difference was that Richard wasn't as threatening as the family, but he could still bring himself enormous benefits.

Because that's what she wanted all along. She wanted to find a puppet from outside the family to replace her husband. The puppet would inherit the title, while she would control that puppet.

And those old fogies in my family want me to marry some cousin.

Richard's deal now coincides with Yekaterin's plan.

First, let Richard succeed to the title of Duke... and then, relying on the Essence Insect Fluid, he can acquire the full power. Stormwind will still be under his control.

The details of the transaction were quickly agreed upon by both parties.

Over the next two months, Stormwind will need to do everything possible to help Richard build his fortress...

Richard, in turn, provided ample amounts of the essence insect fluid… and of course, he couldn't covet the dukedom…

These contractual obligations certainly cannot be fulfilled solely through law and morality.

There is a type of insect with the potential to reach the third stage of maturity, called the "Flame-Emerging Heart-Slaying Insect".

Both parties must fulfill the terms of the contract after implantation; otherwise, spontaneous combustion within the body, cardiac arrest, etc., may occur.

"Now that things have been settled, may I go for a stroll around the city?"