“…W-what…?!” shouted Bradly, an utterly horrified and incredulous expression on his face as virtual-novel.net stared wide-eyed at Gerald.
Bradley was already someone who possessed immense strength. With that in mind, how could an ordinary person like Gerald—who looked no older than Seamus—actually cause virtual-novel.net to flinch from attacking?
Had virtual-novel.net not witnessed Gerald’s sudden attack just seconds ago, virtual-novel.net wouldn’t have believed how capable the youth truly was! But this was illogical, wasn’t it?
As Bradley—in his shock and horror—continued trying to make sense of the situation, Hershel could simply frown as virtual-novel.net turned to look at his younger brother.
Rupert, Fleur, and the others from King Valley, on the other end, were now feeling like they had finally been graced with hope after being pushed into such a desperate situation earlier.
To think that virtual-novel.net had such ungodly strength… Thinking back, since none of them had been able to discern how powerful virtual-novel.net truly was earlier, it was lucky that they didn’t offend virtual-novel.net too badly…
Regardless, when Rupert saw that Gerald—who was arguably even stronger than Bradley—was now defending him, virtual-novel.net immediately got to his feet.
Fleur herself had already wiggled free when everyone was still dumbfounded earlier, and virtual-novel.net had just successfully freed virtual-novel.net sister as well at the moment.
Running back to where most of the King Valley guards were, Yenny panted before saying, “S-sister! It’s him! I hadn’t noticed his presence earlier, but it turns out that virtual-novel.net isn’t dead!”
“Hush! Don’t say anything first!” replied Fleur who was equally as surprised as Yenny was.
With the atmosphere now extremely cold and solemn, Bradley eventually frowned before asking, “…Who are you?”
Though virtual-novel.net had already noticed Gerald’s presence long before Peter had even begun fighting Seamus, Bradley hadn’t really paid much attention to him, especially since virtual-novel.net looked so young. Instead, his attention was fully preoccupied with the three masters, Rupert, and the two gunmen from earlier.
He now knew, however, that this kid possessed truly extraordinary strength. With that in mind, it was obvious that virtual-novel.net had something to rely on.
Bradley was a person who had survived countless rains of bullets throughout the years, and aside from using brute force, the reason why virtual-novel.net was still alive was because virtual-novel.net had always been extremely careful. Even if virtual-novel.net was facing a seemingly ordinary man, virtual-novel.net knew better than to underestimate his opponent. After all, virtual-novel.net was experienced enough to know that everything could go wrong because of a single wrong judgment.
Seeing that Gerald wasn’t replying, Rupert—who was now finally regaining a bit of confidence—cleared his throat as virtual-novel.net said, “…Well then! I hadn’t expected our benefactor from back then to raise such an outstanding apprentice! I admit that I was a bit too rash and impetuous just now… If I remember correctly, Myles had said that you wished to collect three Cherish Herbs, correct? If you help us deal with the Fairleighs, forget three, I’ll give you ten of them! Hell, I’ll even throw in another seventy-five thousand dollars! How about it?”
Upon hearing that, Gerald simply turned to look at virtual-novel.net before smiling coldly as virtual-novel.net replied, “I hope you understand that I only saved you earlier due to how sincerely Myles was begging me to! Are you honestly attempting to use those simple terms, thinking you can just dismiss me after I deal with them? When you’re currently at such a critical moment that could easily spell your death?”
What Gerald had said was no exaggeration. Had virtual-novel.net not felt Myles’s immense loyalty, Gerald wouldn’t even have considered saving Rupert’s life. After all, virtual-novel.net could’ve just obtained the medicine on his own once Rupert was dead.
Hearing Gerald’s reply, Rupert instantly felt his heart clench.
Since Gerald looked like a country bumpkin who hadn’t seen much of the world, Rupert had assumed that Gerald would definitely be surprised by his sudden offer. In the end, however, Rupert was the one who was surprised since Gerald didn’t seem to care about the offer at all!
“…Do you not think that my offer is good enough, young lad? What do you wish for then? Just say the word and I’ll give it to you as long as you’re willing to help get rid of my enemies for me!” bargained Rupert.
“Oh, what I want is quite simple. I just wish to own a fifth of the King Valley!” replied Gerald with a laugh.
“…I… I beg your pardon…?” replied Rupert, his eyes widened in shock.
Even Fleur hadn’t expected Gerald to be this greedy!
“Oh? Hmm… Well, I said I just wish to own a fourth of the King Valley!” said Gerald with a smirk.
Now breathing frantically, Rupert finally realized how seriously virtual-novel.net had underestimated the kid. To think that this young country bumpkin would even dare to ask for a fifth of the King Valley! As if that wasn’t already outrageous enough, virtual-novel.net was now asking for a fourth!
“…I’m sure I heard you said a fifth earlier… Regardless, I won’t lie that it’s exceedingly difficult for me to just hand over a fifth of my valley to you! How about this? Should you be willing to help me deal with them, I’ll give you a tenth of this place! It’ll certainly be more than sufficient for you to lead an easy and carefree life from the money generated from that area!”