"Haha! Hahahaha, Lord Duke, you're so interesting, really interesting!"

In the dead silence atmosphere, the embarrassed dry laughter of the "poisonous snake" echoed, and the pretended calm expression and rich body language: "You can even think of using me as a target to provoke the relationship between the three of us;

"Tree target, stir up relations... What are you talking about?" the black-haired wizard with an inexplicable face furrowed even more, "Didn't we just contact each other last month?" ”

"You promised well at the time, why did you suddenly regret it?!"

Almost as soon as Loren said the name "Locke", the expressions of the three people became a little different.

The unmoved silver blood finally took its eyes off Loren's body and shot at the viper's face like a sharp sword, while the black blade, which was originally fierce and vicious, was frightened and angry, desperately pressing its clenched fists.

Really......

"Oh, hey, the more I talk about it, the more I talk about it, it's funny, it's so funny!" the viper, who quickly interrupted, laughed more and more, but his face turned pale, and he shrugged his shoulders and stared at Loren:

"Judging by your sinister expression, unsuspecting outsiders will probably really think that there is some ulterior conspiracy between us, but unfortunately, these are all lies made up by you, and they are thin, and they don't even have the core content!"

"For example... What are we planning?"

The black-haired wizard raised his eyebrows and deliberately glanced at Corona and the other two mercenary captains next to him: "Really? Not quite right, right?"

"No! suitable, suitable!" The corners of the viper's mouth hooked up a sneer, and his playful expression obviously showed some disdain: "I like to be open and honest about everything, even if it's a conspiracy!"

"Do you really want me to say it?"

"Of course it's true!

"Well, since you've said so. The black-haired wizard sighed and said in embarrassment, "When I knew that His Majesty the Emperor had appointed me as the commander of Ebolden, I knew that the opportunity had come. ”

"As you know, I had a not-so-good memory at Ebolden, but that opportunity made me meet quite a few people, such as an intelligence dealer who cuckolded nobles and ran a tavern. ”

"He's given me a brilliant plan, and the best person to execute it flawlessly—ah, that's you, the leader of the Viper Mercenary Regiment. ”

"Lead the three mercenary groups of Ebolden to rebel, take the opportunity to exploit the nobles and civilians fleeing from Ebolden, and then ruthlessly peel off a layer of skin from the Freedom Council;"

"And then... After the other two fools are fooled, we can throw 20,000 mercenaries to die at Eberden, and have the Byrne Knight escort you and me away—I'll be seven, you, and Locke will get another 10 percent of the commission. ”

"As for Ebolden... Oh, although it's not good to say it in front of Master Corona, but apart from the wizards and the Corona family here, who cares about the lives and deaths of those civilians......"

"Bang ——!"

The moment before the words fell, the indifferent silver blood had already taken the lead, holding down the head of the poisonous snake and slapping it directly on the table!

Half of the head of the viper, caught off guard, stuck on the table, and the red liquid spread around the edge of his skull.

"Thank you. The black-haired wizard's smile faded, and he said lightly, "I thought I would have to continue to fight with him, it would be a great help." ”

"No thanks. ”

Silver Blood said coldly, staring at Loren with a pair of eyes, and the "black blade" next to him was stunned.

"If you're joking, leave it at that, Lord Duke, for I know you don't have that much to spare. ”

He pursed the corners of his mouth, and the green tendons on his right hand holding the snake's head were clearly visible, so nervous that he didn't dare to relax for a moment.

"Yes, but there's still time to clean up your guys. The black-haired wizard with a cold expression who hid his smile also stared at him: "Since you came here, there has been only one choice, and that is to accept my agreement. ”

"What's your 'agreement'?"

"Quite simply, the commission will be given at the beginning - and because of your uncooperative attitude, the money will not be given to you immediately, the down payment is only half, and you will be paid three-tenths for a month to hold Ebolden, and the final fifth of the final payment will be paid to you at the end of the siege. ”

"It can't be. Silver Blood categorically vetoed: "Double the commission - now you need us, otherwise our 20,000 mercenaries can defend the city, and in turn assist the Azorean elves to take the city." ”

"Don't make any big sense with us, Lord Duke, we are just mercenaries, it is our profession to fight and kill, as long as we can make money, we don't care who kills for us or for whom. ”

"Give the money, and we will work for you and the empire to defend the city. ”

The quiet atmosphere finally looked like a negotiation.

"That's right, you're right, I need your mercenaries - and, of course, the fortresses and city defenses you control. The black-haired wizard looked at him expressionlessly: "But on the other hand, the current Ebolden can't pay the amount you want." ”

"That's what Viper said. Silver Blood emphasized, "You can vouch to us to pay the rest after the war." ”

"As I said earlier, I don't accept extortion from robbers and extortionists. The black-haired wizard straightened his waist, staring indifferently at him and the black blade next to him, who was still stunned.

Silver Blood snorted coldly: "So... Are you not going to continue the negotiations and are ready to let us hand over the city to the elves?"

"No, no, no, the negotiations still have to continue. ”

Fingers tapped lightly on the table, the black-haired wizard held his chin, and his eyes danced back and forth between the three mercenary leaders: "But the person of negotiation... Not necessarily. ”

Silver Blood frowned slightly, and the viper's "personal experience" caused every movement of the duke to make him nervous.

"How... Are you ready to kill us, Lord Duke?" the black blade poked his head, glaring at Loren with an expression as if he was about to eat people: "Then come, do it." ”

"What are you waiting for?!"

Loren glanced at him in disgust.

"Since you've already helped the first time, you shouldn't mind helping a second time, right?" the black-haired wizard looked at Silver Blood, "Tell the respected 'Black Blade' leader to calm him down, or I'll grant his wish." ”

"What do you say......"

Halfway through his words, the fierce black blade was stopped by the silver blood raising his hand, and his face was as ugly as multiple layers of gloom.

"Your Excellency, please explain what you just said. The face of the silver blood sank: "The object of negotiation is not necessarily... What does that mean exactly?"

Literally. ”

Under the two pairs of increasingly cold and vicious eyes, Loren's expression became more and more indifferent and more casual: "I have two thousand Byrne knights, one thousand Imperial legionnaires, plus nearly ten thousand patrols and city defenses. ”

"Come to think of it, I don't really need your 20,000 mercenaries... Only 10,000 more men would be enough to hold the city. ”

At that moment, Silver Blood's expression froze.

"That's right, if the number of mercenaries hired is reduced from three to two, then the price is much more reasonable... Well, if you cut it by a third, you should be able to barely make up for it. As he spoke, the smiling Loren deliberately turned his gaze to Corona:

"Your Excellency the Archon of Corona, if you cut it by one-third, will the Free Council be able to make up the rest?"

"No problem at all. The understanding old man nodded, and the corners of his eyes showed a flash of cunning: "It's better to say that it was because there was still a third of the money that made this agreement delay until now." ”

"In that case, then the problem is solved. Loren turned his gaze back to Silver Blood and said solemnly, "We will select two of the three mercenary groups and pay you twice as much as you ask, and the full amount. ”

"Stop at the rest - you can leave or stay in the fortress, but the price of the latter is to become a traitor to the Empire, and I will kill the Azorean elves before they arrive. ”

The blood of silver held back from attacking, calming himself and not being provoked by Loren.

"This can't be! Ebolden will either hire all three of us at once, or we won't accept your terms and those of the Free Council......"

"Yes, but it seems like it's just your idea. Loren smiled contemptuously and shook his head: "If you don't accept it, then I will directly give the Viper and the 'Black Blade' leader a price that they accept and hire them." ”

"And it's in full, in cash—and not limited to wartime supplies, logistical supplies, plenty of drinks, and at least two hot meals a day. ”

"And... An additional compensation from the mercenary captain himself, I don't know much about Ebolden's market, but... What do you think of the 500,000 silver coins?"

The moment the words fell, the expression of the "black blade" next to him, who was still fierce just now, brightened significantly.

The treatment of the mercenary group is only one aspect, and this "additional compensation" in the end is the heavy hammer.

After all, the commission is to be distributed to everyone in the group, and after the more money is distributed to everyone, the head of the regiment instinctively gets only a small amount, but the "extra compensation" is different.

The head of the regiment can steal this money.

The silver blood with clenched teeth was breathing more and more rapidly, and it could no longer maintain its composure, and the expression on the black-haired wizard's face finally added a trace of fear.

And Loren is still as light as ever.

Bewitchment, deception, pretending to be crazy and stupid, coercion and temptation... From just now to now, this Duke of Byrne has been using various ways to divide the three of them as a whole and fight among themselves.

First the viper, then the self.

This young looking Duke has negotiation skills like a seasoned hunter, luring the three of them into a trap step by step!

"Have you figured it out, Your Excellency the two regiment leaders?" In front of the quiet long table, only the "curious" inquiry of the black-haired wizard could be heard: "Are you willing to accept my conditions, but the chips in your hands are decreasing little by little." ”

Chip?!

The expressions of the Black Blade and the Silver Blood froze at the same time, and suddenly they thought of something that they didn't want to happen.

"Ah, I think you've guessed it. Loren smiled helplessly with some "disappointment", like a storyteller who had revealed the end of the story in advance:

"Right now, my lieutenant, Lord Eckert, Earl of Fort Fury, is leading the forces of Byrne and Eberden to capture the other two gates under your control, and they should have been taken down by now. ”

"In this way, the Empire's reinforcements and supplies can enter Ebolden unhindered, and the nearest one, the cavalry and light infantry of Lothair, will only take about a week, and I can afford to wait for five thousand men, a week. ”

"Well, as for the rest of the fortresses......"

After speaking, without looking at the two mercenary captains whose faces were extremely difficult to see, the black-haired wizard turned his head and snapped his fingers at Lu Sien behind him, and the gray-eyed young man who understood turned around and left.

When he returned, he brought with him an extra pale, trembling fellow.

The Night's Watch is on the outside of Ebolden, a well-known intelligence monger plus a cuckold emissary, the tavern keeper Locke.

"Under my 'reminder', this kind old friend chatted with me about your respective deployments, and by the way, introduced me to a few mercenaries who were willing to 'set things right' and become partners in justice. ”

"I don't know if it's just the Viper, or if the three of you are in collusion with him, but if Locke can help you, he can help me, as long as the price is right or the arrangements are in place. Loren shrugged his shoulders and said flatly:

"So it's only a matter of time before we take the few remaining strongholds. ”

The silver blood pursed its mouth, motionless.

The black blade next to him kept twitching his body, wanting to say something but not daring to speak, completely stunned by the situation in front of him.

"So I give you a deadline - I repeat, I can give you all you want, I can fulfill all your desires, but only by following my commands, by my way. Loren said coldly: "And my method is that only two of the three of you can leave from here." ”

"Bang!"

As the words fell, Loren dropped a dagger on the table, stuck next to the viper's neck.

Meaning... What is already obvious cannot be more obvious.

The two mercenary captains were shocked, and their hearts began to become less determined.

"One last question...... "Silver Blood, who was sitting still, raised his head and stared at Loren, "How do we know that you are telling the truth, and not deliberately deceiving us?"

They were answered by Loren's sneer.

"You don't need to know, really... Because the result is nothing more than two. The black-haired wizard had a sincere expression: "I lied to you, I didn't lie to you—but either way, if you don't accept this agreement, I'm going to kill you all, it's just a matter of time." ”

"It's up to you whether to gamble or seize the actual benefits in front of you, anyway, I can afford to wait, so ......"

"Choose. ”