The Ancients World

Chapter 323: Negotiations II

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~~~(POV: Melimora)~~~

~~~(Location: Outside Temporary Home, Border City)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:23 AM)~~~

They are having a good laugh and enjoying their time together. This is a group that's familiar with each other, not strangers traveling together. Normally, it'd be impossible to spy on people that are in a private home without magic. Luckily for me, there are plenty of vantage points to see into the home through the windows.

Picking a place to stay is driven by two things, how much money you have and who you are. Since they have money, that means it's the latter. Who are they... While it's impossible for someone who isn't an elf to get into the Elven Kingdom, it's rare for people to be so discreet and careful with hiding their identities.

That leads to problems in itself and ones that are dangerous for Helda and me. "Why go through all the trouble... Having a good look at your face... You're familiar..." I can't remember where I saw him... When they were out earlier, and when I met them. They had hoods on, but now I can see all their faces. It's like I've seen his face in passing...

It's driving me crazy, and I don't like being driven crazy. Time is flying by, and Helda should be getting here in about an hour from now. "This is going to suck..." The reason why is cause I don't have anything substantial to give her. All I know is they don't seem bad, but they're a secretive bunch. This'll bring us trouble for sure, but she already knows that.

I hope that everything doesn't go to shit like I think it will. This life is the only one we have. We're not like these new people. They all laugh and continue eating, and it's one of the most impressive scenes I've ever seen. How can someone put down so much food? It doesn't make any sense to me. All 4 of them eating like that makes it an anomaly for sure.

Being elves ourselves gives us an incredible life span, and we keep our physical prime until death. The new people are strange when they die. They come back at those mysterious buildings that arrived around all of Gaia. "Having immortality in a potential enemy is a tough opponent to handle..." There is a chance this could become a fight.

However, they do have one weakness. Two of them aren't new people, and they can permanently be killed. This could be exploited if needed. Getting a good look at them from here, one of them is an elf herself. Makes me wonder why she's here in the first place. Speaking of being here, I should move to a different spot. The light from the sun is causing a glare.

It takes me a few minutes, but I find a spot that isn't that bad. My eyes focus on the group, and I notice that one of them is gone. The girl who had the dagger has left the room, and now there are only three left. "Just so you know." I jump out of my skin in pure fear and surprise. A feminine voice calls out from behind me, close.

My eyes lock with the girl that had Helda's prize, and my hand instinctively reaches for my weapon. She doesn't respond. All she has is a calm smile and folded arms as she sits about a floor above me and in a separate room. "It's considered rude to spy on people. So, you scouting for Helda?" My words are caught in my through with my saliva.

I don't know how to handle this situation since I've never been in one. How did they even know I was watching? I was in places that are covered, and you'd have to really look to see me. She's waiting for a response, and her legs swing back and forth as she sits above. "Doing my job, new person." This is the best excuse I can come up with, and it's pathetic.

She rolls her eyes, and I can't help being a little ticked off by that. "When your boss is ready to talk, tell her to knock on the door. We'll be waiting, and remember. If you even think about touching the two girls in there, I'll kill you and your boss with the help of my little brother." The tone and attitude shift are completely different from just seconds ago.

Her words are laced with venom and caution. She leans off the roof and lands on the one I'm, and walks towards me. I draw my weapon out on instinct. "Don't come a step closer!" She smiles as she continues, and before I can even blink, she's in front of me and has my weapon in her hand. I didn't even see her move or feel her take my weapon.

She twirls it in her grasp and gives it a look over. I'm in a dangerous way here. In the blink of an eye, she tosses the blade back to me, and I almost drop it. "Careful, having butterfingers can be the death of you." Her true meaning isn't going unnoticed by me, and she's making sure I know she can kill me. She's either unbelievable fast, or she can teleport.

~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Roofs across the street)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:49 AM)~~~

She is pretty jumpy, and I can understand that. I gave her the scare of a lifetime. Taking her weapon may have been a little overboard, though. "You're lucky that you have something Helda desperately needs... If she didn't, you wouldn't get a moment of her time..." She's very protective of Helda, probably lifelong friends.

I wouldn't put the thought of them being lovers past me either. I'm surprised Cera knew she was out here cause I wouldn't have noticed unless he pointed her out. "Isn't that how the world works? People having what others don't? Trying to get that thing by any means they can?" While the thought could be considered deep, it's really not.

An observation of the many things that go on around us every day, it's never so black and white. "You're not wrong, but if I think you're going to hurt her even for a second. I'm prepared to die to protect her." She has incredible spirit and loyalty. Something that I haven't seen enough of here. Gaia is a cruel place with even crueler inhabitants.

There is no reason for me to stay here any longer than this, and with a smile, I walk past her. She is confused... At least I think she is... Whatever her mind is like, it's going to be an interesting conversation for her and Helda. I'm glad that I have friends like how this girl is a friend to Helda. I use my speed to make it back inside the home.

It won't be much longer before we get to talk to Helda and try to cut a deal. Our greatest bargaining chip is the dagger in my Inventory, and without that. There is no border crossing. After I enter the living room, I look to the other three on the couch as they continue to eat. Cera looks at me with hard eyes and a questioning gaze.

My single nod in response makes him relax and focus on what Jasmine and Sally are talking about. I sit next to my brother, and he leans over a little. "You did great, Hailey... You're always impressing me these days with how much you've grown as a person..." He doesn't know how much it means for me to hear that coming from him. It's meaningful to me.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder and gives me a one-armed hug. "Mom and dad would hate that we use such tactics, but that's why we're free from them. We have our way of getting things done." A smile spreads across his face, and I give one that matches. This is a moment that I won't forget, and I don't think he will either.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.193]

[Exp: 3/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 30] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 4x] [Dried meat 4x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl.77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]