20demayo Chapter 165 Broken Promises
Chapter 165 Broken Promises
Chapter 165 Broken Promises
Water stains remained on the glass window, but sunlight shone through and fell onto the floor inside.
The intertwined shadows, like cracks, gaps, and fragments on the floor, are hidden within the light and shadow.
Without warning, the library was filled with a tense atmosphere.
Even Kendrick, who had just entered, was stunned for a moment before belatedly assuming a fighting stance.
Although Aaron verbally claimed it was five against one, he knew in his heart that it was just bluffing.
Kathy's combat ability is negligible, but Aaron doesn't want Kendrick to participate in the battle directly.
After all, Aaron couldn't fully control his psychological problems. Moreover, Kendrick was currently unable to control the power in "Crimson Lust" at will, and might even have his mind controlled by this extraordinary force.
Therefore, their actual combat strength is only three.
To elaborate further, Harriet's extraordinary abilities are only at the very beginning, and Lola's mastery of "The Knot of the Clouds" has not yet reached a level of complete understanding.
Therefore, the library's advantages are not actually that great.
But at least in terms of momentum, he successfully suppressed the fully armed soldier in front of him.
In this way, he will be able to take the initiative in the situation.
If possible, Aaron does not want to resolve the issue through force.
Aaron sized up the uninvited guest.
This man was tall and burly, with steel plate armor covering almost all of his skin.
A beard protruded from under the helmet's chin, tied into a braid, but at the end of the braid was a clean cut.
Therefore, Aaron guessed that the beard must have been cut with scissors or something similar.
The warrior's weapon was two hand axes, but the shapes of the axes were different, so they were probably not a pair.
Kathy told Aaron about her experiences, and Draco also recounted his first encounter with Lola.
Combining this intelligence, Aaron was able to deduce that the person before him was Jarl McCoy, the vice-commander of the Unswearing Knights, known as "Brown Braid".
Aaron had heard Ajax mention the Unswearing Knights; they were probably a mercenary organization.
Moreover, they are probably a top-tier team in the industry.
According to Ajax's description, everyone in the Unsworn Knights is an elite, so this "vice-commander" must be even more extraordinary.
The Unswearing Knights' motto, "We will not return until our mission is accomplished," demonstrates their extreme emphasis on contracts.
He was clearly after Cathy, so if Aaron didn't intend to hand her over, this man probably wouldn't give up easily.
Regardless, Aaron still intends to prioritize finding a peaceful solution.
Aaron bowed politely to Jarl and said, "Sir, while I don't mind fighting you, I also have no ill intentions towards you. I know you are acting under orders, so I understand your actions."
"But there are more ways to solve problems than fighting, and fighting often leads to mutual destruction. Why not sit down and talk about your needs? Maybe we can find a win-win solution."
Jarl sneered, "You expect me to sit comfortably in a room full of enemies?"
"No one is born an enemy, but since I am the host and you are a visitor to the library, I do need to show some hospitality."
As he spoke, Aaron glanced at the other three.
"Harriet, Lola, Kendrick, put away your hostility."
Laura was the first to follow orders, followed by Kendrick.
But Harriet's actions didn't change at all, of course; the only thing she needed to worry about was Cathy.
Aaron turned to Harriet and gave her a gentle look:
"Believe me."
Harriet hesitated for two more seconds before nodding and finishing her work, but she didn't want to leave Cathy's side for even a moment.
Aaron asked, "How about it, sir? I've been sincere enough, haven't I? But I also crave your respect."
After speaking, Aaron gestured to Jarl's hands with his eyes.
Seemingly trying to figure out Aaron's thoughts, Jarl stood there for a long time before putting the axe back into the buckle at his waist.
Aaron extended his right hand, inviting Jarl to sit down.
The two then sat facing each other at an elmwood table, while the others stood behind Aaron.
Aaron interlaced his fingers, placed them on the table, gazed at the other person for a moment, and then said:
"Sir, what is your purpose?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm taking that kid with me."
Jarl pointed to Kathy behind Aaron, the smooth metal plate on the back of his hand reflecting a blinding ray of light into Aaron's pupils.
Aaron then asked, "Why take him away?"
Jarl scoffed, "What's it to you what I say about my reasons?"
In Aaron's view, this was not a particularly private matter, but Jarl's reluctance to speak about it suggested that he was likely constrained by his own identity.
The Bloc Cavalry must not disclose the commissions they are carrying out.
Fortunately, Aaron had already extracted the answer to the question from the story that Kathy told herself.
Jarl, standing before them, intended to kidnap Cassie and exchange her for the bounty.
Continuing this conversation would not help solve the problem, so Aaron chose to point it out:
"Sir, the 'boy' you mentioned has told me everything that happened between you and him. I know you plan to use him to exchange for the bounty."
"We sat down to negotiate and discuss a solution that avoids conflict. If we can't be more open and honest, then our actions are meaningless."
Upon hearing this, Jarl lowered his helmet slightly, but did not object.
Aaron continued, "And you've never called him by his name, so you probably still haven't confirmed his identity. Where are you going to exchange that for a reward?"
At this moment, Jarl finally spoke:
"That kid must have told you a lot, otherwise you wouldn't know so much. You should have known long ago that I had a clear guess about his identity and sent someone to verify it."
"And I have now received a reply: Duke Casey Lines of the Lines Plateau is missing, and the Zorc family of Gray City has offered a large reward for his capture."
"That Casey Lines had a very distinctive feature: a thick head of orange-yellow curly hair."
"I've seen plenty of curly hair, and I've seen orange-yellow tops a few times. But besides that kid, there's probably no one else who has both of these features at the same time."
"Hey, Administrator, since you want me to be honest, then what about you? I will treat him as if he were Casey Lines and send him to the highlands. If he really is the Duke of the highlands, then why would you need to hide it from me?"
Perhaps Jarl was right, but Aaron suddenly realized something—to Jarl, Cathy's identity might not be important.
In other words, since Jarl is not sure who has actually put a bounty on Cassie, would he be willing to hand Cassie over to anyone who is willing to pay the bounty?
Then Aaron spoke up and said, "You're wrong, Mr. Mercenary. The bounty on him isn't placed by the Zorc family you mentioned, but by me."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll give you the bounty," Aaron said. "That way, you'll have completed your mission, you'll take the money and leave, and I'll keep Cassie here. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"
If the problem could be solved with money, Aaron didn't want to take any risky solutions.
A soft chuckle came from inside the helmet, and Jarl immediately replied:
"At least you're smart—you're right, I don't need to claim any bounty from anyone. So, how much are you willing to pay?"
Aaron held up one finger: "Ten gold coins."
"Hahaha~"
After hearing this, Jarl burst into a mocking laugh.
"Ten gold coins? Do you think the Knights of the Unswearing Order are all beggars?"
"How much do you want?"
"One thousand gold coins."
Aaron couldn't even come up with a hundred gold coins, let alone a thousand.
However, just because Aaron can't afford it doesn't mean others can't.
Aaron wasn't the only one who didn't want Cathy to fall into the hands of the Zorc family.
Take Cathy's father, for example; the navigator's lair is probably piled high with gold.
However, we can't count on that blockhead right now.
So Aaron said to Jarl, "Sir, please wait a moment."
Then, Aaron pulled Keshig aside:
"Cassie, do you still have any noble friends?"
“Count Reggie is a friend,” Casey replied, “but I don’t know his current situation; he may already be dead.”
"We need to confirm that they are still alive."
Upon hearing this, Kathy thought for a moment before answering:
“Count Zeman of Moonstone Castle,” Casey replied, “took me and Robert on a short stay, helped us escape the plateau, and gave us a large sum of money.”
That's him.
Aaron walked behind the counter and took something out.
Then he returned to his seat and continued negotiations with Jar:
"One thousand gold coins, deal."
Jarl leaned forward: "Then, give me the money."
"The money isn't here," Aaron replied. "You'll have to go get it yourself."
Where do I pick it up?
"Lynes Plateau".
After that, the negotiations at the table fell silent.
"What's the difference between that and before?" Jarl asked. "I was planning to take him to the plateau anyway."
"The difference is that this time, you can't bring him along," Aaron said.
"What do you mean?"
Aaron placed something on the table and then speculated about Jarl.
Jarl picked up the item and examined it carefully in front of his helmet for a while:
"A badge? What's it for?"
"This is no ordinary badge. It's made of a rare metal from the highlands. It's the badge of the Lyons family," Aaron replied. "It's a token that you can use to go to Count Zeman in Moonstone Castle and exchange it for a reward of one thousand gold coins."
Unexpectedly, the badge that Pegasus gave to Aaron before parting more than ten years ago came in handy at this moment.
But Jarl sneered, "You're trying to persuade me to give up on that kid and accept the badge? Ha, do you think I'm stupid? I can't verify whether this badge can bring me the bounty, but that kid definitely can!"
.
“I can’t let you take him away,” Aaron said. “And I’m trying to resolve the issue. I’ve already made concessions, and you shouldn’t keep pushing me.”
"But what if I make a wasted trip?"
"Come back to me then, and we can discuss a solution again. Of course, I'll reimburse your travel expenses. Don't worry, I'm the administrator here; you have nowhere else to run."
"I don't care where you are, and the travel expenses are even less important—the important thing is that kid. What if he gets hurt in the meantime?"
He left?
"I'm not going to let him leave me until at least you come back, though you probably don't believe me."
Aaron took a deep breath and asked slowly,
"So, what do you want in order to compromise?"
Jarl McCoy stood with his hands on his hips, and after a long pause, he finally spoke:
"I have also dealt with businessmen and witnessed some ingenious operations to make huge profits without any capital. But businessmen may not have funds to do business, but they must have capital. When they do not have cash, they will take a certain action, which is to use collateral."
Aaron instantly understood Jarl's meaning: "You want me to use it as collateral?"
Jarl nodded.
What do you want?
Jarl's helmet began to spin in the library, then suddenly he raised his hand, pointed in a direction, and called out crisply into the air:
"she!"
Everyone in the library simultaneously turned their faces toward the direction Jarl was pointing.
The "she" that Jar refers to is Harriet.
Aaron remained calm and countered with a question:
"You want to take her with you to the plateau?"
Jarl nodded: "That's right!"
"No!"
Kathy was the first to react, calling out loudly.
However, Kathy's reaction seemed to be exactly what Jarl wanted.
He suddenly burst into laughter: "Haha! Sure enough, I guessed right! It's her. I need her as collateral!"
"No!" Casey shook her head desperately. "No! Mr. Mosley, please, refuse him!"
Seeing this, Aaron asked Jarl:
Why choose her?
Jarl replied, "Ever since that kid ran away, he's been nowhere to be found. I've wasted more than half a year of my time."
I guess I've finally found him. Do you think I'd let him escape again?
"Since you're asking me to bring that so-called 'credential' in exchange for the bounty, fine, I can agree. But I must make sure this kid stays here."
Kathy shouted, "I won't leave! I swear!"
"You've already escaped once, kid," Jarl lowered his voice, "and since you care so much about this girl, it proves my guess was right. Your relationship is special. As long as that girl is in my hands, you definitely won't go anywhere else!"
After listening to this conversation, Aaron pondered for a moment:
"That girl is just my guest. I have no right to make decisions for her. Whether she is willing to use the property as collateral or not depends on her wishes."
After saying that, Aaron turned his gaze to Harriet.
Harriet pondered for a long time before raising her head and saying:
"Sir, does that mean if I go with him, this man won't make things difficult for Kay?"
Aaron didn't answer, but instead looked at Jarl questioningly. Jarl replied:
"I just want to keep that kid in this library. Once I get the bounty, I won't come looking for him again unless it's for a commission from the Unswearing Knights."
Harriet then turned to Aaron:
"Mr. Mosley, what do you think?"
"It's your decision," Aaron said with a smile, "but I don't object."
However, Cathy grabbed Harriet's arm and shook it violently:
"No! Harriet! Reject him! Please—."
For a long time afterward, only Cathy's pleading echoed in the library.
Aaron simply watched quietly, while Harriet closed her eyes, her expression complex.
When she opened her eyes, the first thing she looked at was Cathy.
Then, he turned his gaze to Aaron.
Aaron's response was simply to raise an eyebrow, shrug his shoulders, and give a smile.
Finally, Harriet looked at Jarl and said, "I promise you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Cathy suddenly released Harriet's arm and stumbled backward:
"You promised me—"
Harriet reached out to Cathy, trying to grab him:
"Kathy—"
"Let me go!"
Cathy shook off Harriet, yelled, and ran away.
"fraud!"