"Boss?" Cris asked. He looked at Naga and waited for a response."Tell me.. What do you suggest?" Naga asked seriously.
Cris nodded and pointed at the soutern part of the map.
"South. There"s a small village. We can start with a gambling den and a market place." Cris said smiling.
"A gambling den. Good. We can turn it into a grand casino in the future." Naga said.
He frowned and continued, "But a market place, why?"
"Information. Weapons. Treasures and any valuables that we will get. We can sell those things, Boss." Cris said.
He continued, "I am good at gathering information. With a gambling den, we will get tons of information. Weapons, we can get weapons from the Magic Hall"s supply and sell it outside. We... we can offer protections to merchants or black market dealers that will want to do business in the village."
"Great. Now, why the village in the south?" Naga asked while looking at the map.
"Far from the City but accessible to Merchants and travelers. Also.... they have delicious b.u.t.ter and cheese." Cris smiled.
"b.u.t.ter and cheese?" Naga asked smiling.
"Absolutely, Boss." Cris said proudly.
"Hahaha!" Both of them laughed after.
Draxus found resources in the southeast and the commoner"s town is located in the south too so Naga believes that this is a good choice for his group.
"Here. Use these to finance the plan." Naga took a treasure box from his storage ring. It is one of the boxes he got from the demon"s den.
"Master, it"s more than enough!" Cris was surprised. He opened the box and he sae not just gold coins.but jewelries too.
"Take it. Get people that can be trusted. Talk to the villagers and tell them what to expect." Naga commanded and smiled.
"Got it, Boss. The leader of the village is Alfred"s uncle by the way. A retired soldier." Cris said with excitement.
Even though the west and the north are much better, he suggested this southern village not just because of its b.u.t.ter and cheese but also because this place doesn"t belong to any n.o.ble or powerful family. They also talked about the recent events and their group"s other plans. Naga asked him information about Lillie as well. As someone who loves to gather information, he was able to provide details that Naga wanted. He was shocked when he learned that Lillie is Naga"s sister.
After Cris left, a servant and a guard approached Naga.
"Good evening, young master." The servant and the guard bowed.
"Good evening." Naga nodded and said smiling.
The guard told him that the items which the young miss wanted were already prepared by the Magic Hall while the servant informed him that Old Samuel and Old Drun are looking for him. Naga thanked them and followed the servant to Bill"s office. Inside the room, he saw the two old men drinking and waiting for him.
"Oh, you"re here! Just in the right time, Kid!" Old Drun said when he saw Naga entered the room.
Old Drun stood up and activated his storage ring. "I am leaving tomorrow. The empire asked for our help."
"l heard." Naga said and smiled.
He continued, "Take care, Old Drun."
Old Drun nodded and smiled. He threw a black chainmail to Naga.
Naga caught the chainmail and was surprised. It was light and durable. He can feel the warm arcane from it too.
"I made it two weeks ago. You can wear it beneath your clothes. It will serve you in times of sudden attacks." Old Drun said smiling.
"Thank you, Old Drun. I definitely need this." Naga said and smiled.
He activated his storage ring and gave a metal box to Old Drun. "I was supposed to give it to you when I arrived from my mission."
Old Drun took the box and opened. Strong magical presence exuded from the box.
"This is!" Old Samuel was shocked and stood up.
"Dragon Stone! Hahaha! You are really incredible, Kid!" Old Drun laughed.
"I heard that you got a Dragon Heart but I didn"t expect you have these too." Old Samuel was really astonished.
"Hahaha! You old men should calm down." Naga laughed and said.
He looked at Old Drun and said, "Create weapons that can rival the demons and G.o.ds."
"Hahaha! Of course! I will not waste it, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!" Old Drun laughed and then drank another mug of ale. "Gulp!"
Old Drun put the box to his storage ring and they continue their discussion. Naga was surprised when he learned that Old Drun may need to stay in the empire for about a year.
"That long?" Naga frowned.
"Yes. Our Azure Demon Empire is declining. A lot of enemy nations are waiting for the right time to attack." Old Drun said.
"Demons... Dragons... Magical Beasts... Those higher beings are threatening the peace of the land too." Old Drun continued and drank another mug of ale. "Gulp."
"The gangs and powerful organizations are also dping what they wanted to do. This age is really chaotic." Old Samuel looked at the window and said. "Sigh."
Naga did not respond and only looked at the window too. This night is calm but their future might be not.
They continue their discussion and Naga told them his underground family"s plan. Old Drun said that there are some weapons that his stidents created which are not given to the City Lord"s Mansion and he will give it to Naga. Old Samuel said that their Magic Hall will help with finances if needed. Naga appreciated the old men"s help since he really needs it this time. After that, they left Bill"s office and the old men went to their respective rooms while Naga went outside the manor to go home.
Naga saw a servant and asked if Bill already arrived but the servant replied that the young lord is still not coming back. Naga thanked the servant and headed to his house.
"A year... too much later than expected. Old Drun will be busy for a long time." Naga chuckled.
Naga was already near his house when suddenly he heard Bill.
"My Lord!" Bill called him and bowed.
"Oh, I was actually looking for you." Naga said and smiled.
"I just arrived, My Lord. I got a news from the mansion." Bill said respectfully.
He continued, "It seems that the Seven Sword Society is coming."
"Seven Sword? The sc.u.ms from before?" Naga frowned. He remembered that Bill told him the ruckus this organization started on the opening ceremony of their Magic Hall.
"Yes, My Lord. They are preparing to destroy our House Of Iron Crow." Bill said and lightly bowed.
"I see... Let the clowns visit us." Naga said and smiled.
When?" He continued and asked.
"A month"s time. They will not attack now since Old Drun will leave the city with the kingdom"s emissary tomorrow. They don"t want the empire to protect us." Bill said and smiled.
"Got it..." Naga said.
He continued, "Let them do what they want but always pay attention to them secretly." Naga commanded.
"I understand, My Lord." Bill lightly bowed and responded.