Birth Of The Crafts-God

"There's also another benefit to working with me." Russell said, seeing as Lucas had yet to respond.

"And what's that?"

"My family is in an alliance with the Ross family, just as the Bergs and Dufour are. As long as you are in an alliance with me, they would surely change their stances towards you. You will also gain the city lord's recognition and support." Russell stared at Lucas.

"As I said before, the city lord's original order was to have the city and its forces support your store to the reasonably best he could. However, the other factions were against this and let their greed get in the way, displeasing the city lord. However, as long as I do as he wishes and you agree to work with me, the city lord would side with you and even offer his protection."

'I see.' Lucas thought.

He was wondering why Russell was so calm and confident in defending Lucas from the other factions. The answer was now clear; the city lord would step in.

While it might have seemed like the city lord was a weak man, seeing as how the other top factions had disobeyed him, the truth was far from that.

The position of city lord was absolute, as this was a title approved and granted by the Oklo Dynasty. While the cabinet's vote was important in determining who would take the position, the Oklo Dynasty's approval was even more important. If the Dynasty didn't recognise the winner of the elections, then the cabinet would have to organise another elections with the former winner being disqualified from participating.

The fact that Noah Bergs had won the elections as well as the Oklo Dynasty's approval, showed that he was anything but weak. After all, the city lord was one who had to be both loyal to the Dynasty's commands, yet strong enough to be able to keep the local forces in the city-state in check.

One could say that the only reason the city lord let the factions go scot-free wasn't because of a silly thing such as weakness, but because he owed them a favour. However, now that they had all cashed in on that favour, the city lord owed them nothing. As long as there was an opportunity to interfere, he would step right in.

What Russell Mertens wanted to do was to create such an opportunity. Once that was done, the city lord would be able to step in and solve the issue smoothly. All that was needed was for Lucas to nod his head and agree to the cooperation. He would then have the Mertens family and the city lord backing him, and don't forget the possibility that the Ross family would switch sides, which was very likely.

With such a lineup, even if the Bergs, Dufour, and Oder families, as well as all the other top factions gathered, they would be unable to do anything. This was because the city lord's power was absolute. Unless these factions wanted to start a war, they would have to stand down. However, starting a war was a very stupid thing to do.

The city lord was the representation of the Oklo Dynasty's authority in the land. Going against him was the same as going against the Oklo Dynasty, and that was a crime punishable by death. It was because of the great power and influence of the city lord, that the Bergs family had no issues sacrificing their best descendant at the time, Fredor, to take the position of the city lord.

'The Mertens family, the Ross family, and the city lord. What a very tempting offer.' Lucas thought.

To be honest, Lucas had considered working with the Ross family if he had no other options. They had given the best conditions, and it felt more like a cooperation than a threatening get greedy proposition.

The Ross family didn't ask for exclusive distribution in Baylands City, although they did ask for such with regards to Baylands city-state, which was just like his previous contract with Novanio Tech. The reach of the exclusive distribution rights in exports was limited only to the Groeten continent, giving Lucas space to develop outside of their control. They also offered stellar processors at a cheaper price than the market rates and even what Novanio Tech had offered him. What's more, the Ross family had agreed to aid in the design and development of new vestiges in the consumer sector.

Just from all of this, it was clear how advantageous the partnership would be for Lucas.

Regardless, there were two major problems which were the condition to have vestige-smiths work with his 'master', and to sell a fixed number of SS vestiges to the family at cost price. Lucas might be able to negotiate better for the second condition, but definitely not the first since everyone was interested in the technology behind the SS vestiges.

In the end, Lucas had thought that if he had no better offer, he would work with the Ross family. However, it would be with the intention of using them as a tool, and not a real partner.

Now though, that seemed like it wasn't needed. The Mertens family appeared to be a much better option, and he would probably get the help of the Ross family as well. All he had to do was train Vergil in the art of vestige-smithing. Although no one knew that there was no master behind him, Lucas was confident that he could work something out and fool Vergil throughout the learning period.

Nonetheless, he didn't agree to the deal right away.

"I would need sometime to think about it." Lucas said.

"I understand. I already expected it, and so did everyone else. There should still be at least three more days before you have to respond to any of us, right? No need to rush it." Russell sipped on his tea.

"If that's all, then I would be taking my leave." Lucas stood up.

"There's an escort on the way to lead you out. I'm still a bit busy with work." Russell said as he signalled behind him.

A tablet flew from behind and into his hands as Russell began browsing through it.

Lucas wasn't offended that the family head didn't guide him off. The prior expression of respect and even the conversation they had was enough for Lucas to understand how the man saw him. Rather, being overly modest might make Lucas suspicious, after all, the latter was the head of a powerful family.

When Lucas left the room with Melissa in tow, he saw the robot that had brought him over as well as a familiar young lady. When she saw the lady, Melissa quickly hid behind Lucas.

The two sides glanced at each other but didn't say anything. Laura was still pissed over the incident from before, while Lucas saw no reason to hold a conversation with her. However, when she saw Melissa's reaction, Laura was a bit hurt. Who wouldn't be when they see a cute eleven year old hiding away from them?

"How are you?" Laura smiled at her as she tried to strike a conversation, but Melissa remained quiet and hid behind Lucas.

Eventually, the group arrived outside the mansion and Lucas prepared to leave.

But just then, a commotion broke out in front.

"Lucas Saunters, remain still and take no further action. You are under arrest."