Chapter 784 The Backbone

Roland couldn’t have been more confused to see Schuck’s crazy message. He wondered if the World Tree was insane or something. Why did she dare to declare war on the players? 1

But he knew that the World Tree was neither reckless or brainless, and that there was definitely a good reason why she did that after four months of lurking.

Then, just like Schuck, he checked the forum and gathered similar intelligence. He was instantly lost for words.

Those players were getting more and more lustful.

However, he found it quite understandable.

For most players, that was just a regular choice of sides.

Besides, it was the instinct of many players to side with beautiful races.

It was just like in a certain game called WoW: the Alliance had a bigger population than the Horde did on almost every server, because the races of the Horde were all too ugly.

Then, after a certain update, a beautiful race was added to the Horde, and its population increased. After that, the Horde suppressed the Alliance in almost every server.

Roland had been through that too, so he completely understood and sympathized with the players who sided with the elves.

That being said, he would still chide them for their betrayal. Of course, he was more amused than he was angry. Seizing the Divine Spark of Greed with the Hand of Magic, Roland brought Andonara to the floating city with teleportation.

Miranda came along too. She asked, “Are you leaving already?”

“Yes.” Roland nodded and said, “There’s something urgent that we must deal with.”

I see!

Miranda was quite disappointed.

She wanted to say something, but she kept quiet. A moment later, she left the floating city with teleportation. Standing amidst the flowers, she watched the floating city fly away with regret and sorrow. After they left, she would be all alone in the paradise and had to suffer loneliness for a long time until any souls appeared.

She lowered her head and looked at the grasses, as lost as a baby bird that had been abandoned.

At this moment, a black light darted from the floating city and fell in front of her.

It was the Sword of Wisdom.

“Mr. Roland asked me to stay and chat with you until you no longer feel lonely, or I’m summoned by the Goddess of Magic.”

“Okay.” Miranda hugged the Sword of Wisdom and rubbed her face against it. “Roland and Sister Andonara are really nice to me.”

After Roland left the Paradise of Pain, he teleported himself to the heights of the main plane and reached the sky of Wetland City.

The players in Wetland City weren’t too surprised to see the floating city because they had just seen the system notification that Roland killed another Evil God with Andonara. They were no longer shocked.

They also knew that the floating city was probably here for the elves.

Schuck was greatly relieved when Wetland City was shadowed.

Uncle Liang was relieved too.

Roland entered the city master’s residence with teleportation and met Schuck and Uncle Liang.

After hearing Schuck’s report, Roland couldn’t help but ask, “Have you asked for O’Neal’s opinion? They started this, and they should have a say in this matter.”

Schuck shook his head. “I haven’t. Besides, they’re surprisingly low-key recently. It’s hard to find them.”

“They’ve probably dispersed and run to other places to cause trouble.” Roland thought for a moment and said, “Nevermind. I’ll just contact O’Neal and figure out his plan.” The other two quickly nodded.

Wetland City did need a tough guy at this moment, and Roland was exactly that guy.

Even Schuck wasn’t qualified.

With his account on the forum, Roland soon reached out to O’Neal.

Roland: “You must’ve heard about the World Tree.”

O’Neal: “We have.”

Roland: “As the initiator of the whole matter, is there anything you want to say?”

O’Neal: “We will shoulder the responsibility, but if Wetland City is willing to step up, we’ll be at your command.”

Roland: “You’re so cunning.”

O’Neal: “But we’re sincere.” Roland: “Fine. Come to the city master’s residence and let’s talk.”

He closed the forum.

Sitting down opposite him, Schuck asked, “How did it go?”

“They’re willing to contribute and negotiate.” Roland heaved a sigh. “But I think they have their own plans.”

Uncle Liang said, “That’s normal. Where there are people, there are conflicts. I didn’t know the value of the city that my son established until just recently.”

Schuck smiled. “In any case, let’s talk to them first. After all, the players aren’t united. We should seek as many allies as possible.”

Roland sighed. “It was O’Neal and his people who started the trouble, yet the World Tree came to Wetland City for revenge. There’s definitely a good reason.”

Schuck said, “Yes, I think so too.”

After a moment of hesitation, Uncle Liang said, “In fact, there’s indeed a secret in Wetland City. It’s in my son’s notebook.”

Hmm?

The two of them looked at Uncle Liang.

After a moment of silence, Uncle Liang said, “A lot of Meteorite Minerals are buried underneath Wetland City.”

The Meteorite Minerals were important and rare magic materials. They were alternative materials to cast spells, advanced materials in alchemy, and necessary components in magic arrays.

They could be replaced by lesser materials, but in the circle of magic where everybody pursued perfection, nobody used less materials if they could use the Meteorite Mineral.

It was like salt in cooking: you can live without it for a few days, but not forever.

Neither Roland nor Schuck were too surprised to hear that.

Both of them were in high positions and had seen countless fancy materials.

Roland simply asked out of habit, “About how many Meteorite Minerals?”

Uncle Liang replied slowly, “According to my son’s notebook, it’s enough for all the Mages in the world to use freely for three hundred

years.”

Well… Both Roland and Schuck were lost for words.

No wonder the elves were interested in this place.

The Meteorite Minerals were important to the elves too.

Many types of special elven equipment required them.

Also, it was said that a lot of Meteorite Minerals were buried underneath the World Tree, and that they were critical to the World Tree’s growth.

If that rumor was true, it made sense that the World Tree came to Wetland City for trouble.

Then, there was another problem… Who exposed the secret that there were Meteorite Minerals in Wetland City?

Even Betta’s closest friends didn’t know that.

As if he knew what they were thinking, Uncle Liang said bitterly, “Betta would’ve told you the matter very soon. He wrote in his notebook that he couldn’t protect the Meteorite Minerals, and it was better to give them away to his brothers than to the outsiders.”

Roland and Schuck heaved a sigh again.

Seeing that their expressions were the same, Uncle Liang was greatly relieved. He didn’t want them to feel angry at his deceased son.

At this moment, a guard came to inform them. “City Master, a few Golden Sons want to meet you. They say that Mr. Roland must be here too.”

“It’s O’Neal and his team,” said Roland.

Uncle Liang instantly said, “Invite them in.”

Very soon, O’Neal and the others walked in.

Seeing Roland, O’Neal shook his hand and smiled. “Chairman, it’s been a long time.”

Roland was still the nominal chairman of the Association of Mages among players.

So, his address was absolutely appropriate. Then, O’Neal greeted Uncle Liang and Schuck and then introduced his partners to them. Uncle Liang asked them to take a seat and said, “Thank you for coming. The pressure of the World Tree is too great.” “I don’t think there can be any pressure now that Roland’s here.” O’Neal smiled. “Whoever disobeys him will die before long, when he throws a nuclear bomb at them.”

“Haha, that’s a good one.” Roland waved his hand. “Let’s get down to business. If Wetland City is willing to step up, are you willing to accept our command?”

“Of course. After all, this whole thing was started by us.”

Roland asked again, “Do you really not have any terms and conditions?”

“As expected of our chairman. You’re truly insightful,” said O’Neal in admiration. “We’ve only a little request.”

O’Neal’s emotional intelligence couldn’t have been better revealed.

It was his requirement, yet he worded it like a request to show respect.

Uncle Liang couldn’t help but ask, “What is your requirement?”

O’Neal said, “If the elves fail, I hope that we can take control of the elves. Therefore, you cannot interfere with their faith, Roland.”

Roland was rather puzzled. “I’m not a god. Do I need their faith at all?”

O’Neal, however, said, “Roland, you’re very close to at least two goddesses. If the elves are defeated, they’ll try to extend their hands to the elves with your influence.”

Roland was still confused. “Isn’t that a good thing? If the elves worship human goddesses, they’ll be part of mankind. Sort of like an ethic minority.”

O’Neal shook his head. “The elves have a more important mission.”

Hearing that, Roland suddenly realized what was going on, and he gently patted his palm. “Oh, you want to completely assimilate them into the human world, and let them inherit your philosophies.”

O’Neal couldn’t help but clap his hands. “I have to say that you’re truly brilliant, Chairman Roland.”

Exactly as Roland thought, O’Neal and his team had other plans for the elves.

If Roland won, the World Tree as well as the elven goddess would probably die.

Then, the elves would lose their leaders, as well as their hope and future.

When they all grieved and felt lost, what would happen if more advanced thoughts and ideologies were spread to them?

Wouldn’t the new ideas prevail?

Besides, the elves lived longer lives. When they picked up new things, they could encourage more people to work and fight longer.

It would be more likely to succeed this way.

He had to admit that O’Neal and his team had an interesting point.

Thinking for a moment, Roland said, “Okay, if what you describe does happen, you’ll be in charge of the reform of the elves.” “Thank you, Chairman.” O’Neal was enthused. “Don’t worry. All of us will lead the charge for you when you fight the elves.” Then, O’Neal left with his partners.

After that, the three guys chatted for a while longer. When Roland was about to leave for business, the guard came to report again. “City Master, the elves’ envoy is here and wants to meet you!”

They looked at each other in bewilderment. Hardly had they seen off O’Neal when the elves came. Had the elves been keeping an eye on this place?

“Invite them in,” said Uncle Liang.

A moment later, the transparent purple-haired woman and Ans walked in.

Both of them frowned when they saw Roland.

Although the floating city had indicated Roland’s presence, they still felt uncomfortable when they saw him in person.

The reason was very simple: Roland was too

strong.

Asking them to take a seat, Uncle Liang said, “I’m glad that you’re willing to talk to us again.”

Uncle Liang was inwardly quite happy, because the World Tree was far less aggressive than she appeared last time. It was not hard to imagine the pressure that Roland imposed on them.

“We’re indeed willing to talk.” The transparent woman glanced at Uncle Liang and instantly focused her eyes on Roland. “Mr. Roland, I’ve heard a lot about you. The more I hear, the more frightening you sound to me.”

“Thank you for your compliment.” Roland smiled.

Ans interjected, “Mother Tree didn’t praise you. You don’t seem good at understanding other people, do you?”

Roland waved his hands unconcernedly. “There’s a saying in my hometown: the curses of your enemy are the best compliments you can receive. Don’t you agree?”

There was nothing Ans could say. He instantly looked up at the ceiling, not daring to make eye contact with anyone.

It was because what Roland said was true and irrefutable.

At this moment, the World Tree said with a smile, “Is it the right attitude to regard us as enemies at the beginning of a negotiation?”

Roland smiled. “But as far as I know, the elves threatened to declare war on mankind a couple of days ago the moment you came.” “Did we?” The World Tree looked innocent.

It was true that a woman would have a lot of advantages if she looked beautiful. Even though Roland and Schuck knew that she was being unreasonable, they didn’t really hate her for that.

But of course, they didn’t lose their good judgment either.

Roland said with a smile, “Let’s let bygones be bygones. Madam, what do you want to talk to us about?”

“We demand reparations.”

Roland chuckled. “We haven’t even fought yet. There’s no telling who’s stronger. How can we give you any reparations?”.

The World Tree looked at Roland and sneered. “No matter what the result is, you’ll still side with humanity, so we’re only here to ask for some compensation.”