Rhode sat by the edge of his bed. The corners of his lips perked up into a gentle smile as he looked at Icy Snow, who had fallen into a deep slumber. The young lady’s schedule never changed. She always slept at the time she indicated. Of course, before she fell asleep, she blushed and asked for a small request from Rhode.
And that was for him to tell her a bedtime story…
As a matter of fact, this was something that Rhode and his younger sister had always done. When Icy Snow was still a child, she spent a lot of time in their home as her parents were working. So it became a habit for Rhode and his younger sister to look after Icy Snow, which explained their close relationship. When Icy Snow was still a child, Rhode and his younger sister took turns to read her bedtime stories, and it also became Icy Snow’s habit over time.
The god of destiny sure enjoys making fools of people…
Gazing at the young lady in deep sleep, Rhode shook his head. Frankly, one would suspect if Icy Snow was brought up too solemnly by her parents when she was a child whenever one witnessed how stubborn she was in following the times she set. Some even misunderstood whether she was suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many people, including her teachers and classmates, thought that she was brought up by old-fashioned parents, and she merely had a strict curfew.
However, Rhode was the only one who knew that wasn’t the case.
Of course, Icy Snow was indeed brought up by her parents, but none of them were free to watch over her at home. One of her parents was involved in foreign trade, while the other engaged in tourism, where they would only be home every other day. Of course, her parents treated her well. Not only did they buy all sorts of interesting, fun toys for her whenever they returned home, but they also showered her with concerns from time to time. Perhaps it was due to this reason that her parents were rather enlightened about their daughter’s education. As long as Icy Snow didn’t get involved with drugs or mix with the wrong company, they would be more than happy. As for what kind of path Icy Snow chose to take, they supported her fully.
Rhode lamented whenever he recalled this. Icy Snow and Canary were polar opposite cases. Icy Snow’s parents adopted a laissez-faire style of education while Icy Snow grew up almost having obsessive-compulsive disorder with time. On the other hand, Canary’s parents taught her sternly, which triggered a rebellious psychology in her and caused them to bring up an obedient, yet rebellious daughter…
Just… What can I say about that?
Rhode gave some thoughts and determined that it was a personality issue. Icy Snow was self-disciplined, which couldn’t be considered common in people of her age, but through and through an elite and rare existence instead. In fact, even though she spent most of her time with Rhode and his younger sister, they were still teenagers at that time, despite them being older than her. Even though they exercised control over themselves, they weren’t as strict as Icy Snow in treating themselves.
For instance, when a teenager played, there would often be times when the thought of ‘it should be fine playing for a while longer’, ‘five more minutes’, or ‘I’ll have dinner after watching this episode’ came cropping in their minds. It went without saying that Rhode had such thoughts too, and the same went for his younger sister. But Icy Snow was special. Whenever time was up, she would move on to the next activity without fail.
Rhode clearly remembered when the TV station broadcasted an exciting adventure movie. However, as the movie lasted longer than usual movies that played for one and a half hours, it played for two hours and the most exciting part happened to crossover to Icy Snow’s sleeping time.
Back then, Rhode and his younger sister persuaded her to finish the movie since it was at the climax and another half an hour wouldn’t hurt. However, Icy Snow gnashed her teeth, looked at the television with a yearning stare, but eventually turned around and headed to bed. It was only later that Rhode realized that Icy Snow wept in the dark for not being able to watch the ending of that movie. But even so, she wasn’t able to change this habit of hers.
Judging from this behavior of hers, it was obvious that she had a self-disciplined and strict personality. But it was due to this reason that her strengths were often overlooked. For instance, most people thought that Icy Snow was leading a tiring life and that became the focus of their attention. Meanwhile, it was also due to this reason that they neglected the fact that she was smart and talented. For instance, she spent two hours doing assignments, so why wasn’t she concerned about not completing her assignments on time? Wasn’t being able to handle everything in a neat fashion the reason why she was able to follow strictly to her schedule? Perhaps ordinary people could keep up with this for one to two days, but what if there was a sudden situation that cropped up? What if the workload increased? Who could guarantee that one could complete them in the stipulated time?
Judging from this point, it wasn’t surprising that Icy Snow became the best far-range shooter in the Dragon Soul Continent. Ordinary players who played the game all day couldn’t possibly accomplish this achievement. However, Icy Snow came online for only a few hours and yet, she was able to increase with her level and skills and keep up with Rhode.
That was what it meant to have true capability. If it were others, who could spend three hours on the game everyday and be capable of defeating powerful players who devoted themselves to the game wholeheartedly?
Unlike Icy Snow, Canary’s personality was soft, but just. She was like a spring; the more one applied pressure, the more the recoil there would be. Therefore, facing the blame and coercion from her parents, even though Canary tolerated and took a step back, it didn’t mean that she didn’t have any thoughts of her own. If not, she wouldn’t have a casual sexual relationship with Rhode and come up with ways to bear her own child.
Rhode couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Among Mini Bubble Gum, Canary, and Icy Snow, he was least worried about Icy Snow. It was because her parents treated her well and didn’t force her to take on a path they planned like Canary’s parents. Their entire family also wasn’t in a vicious relationship like Mini Bubble Gum’s family. The reason why their original selves were willing to follow Rhode to this world was that, to put it bluntly, they didn’t have any feelings left for Earth. However, Icy Snow was different. She had a pair of parents who doted on her and also decent classmates and friends. She couldn’t be compared to the other two at all.
“The destiny of humans sure is strange… Especially when different people have different choices. It will often bring about different consequences.”
Rhode spoke softly. But at the next moment, he shifted his gaze to the shadow around the door in the distance.
“Don’t you agree?”
“…”
Along with Rhode’s question, the seemingly-empty shadow by the door warped all of a sudden. Shortly after, a dark elf clad in a pitch-black robe sauntered out of the shadows and approached him. There was an imprint of a vibrant, red spider on her robe, which was the marking of a dark elf. At that moment, the dark elf stooped over and bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, respectful Your Majesty the Void Dragon…”
“Speak outside.”
Before the dark elf finished her sentence, Rhode waved his arm and interrupted her words. Upon hearing his reply, the dark elf was taken aback. Then, she gazed at the asleep Icy Snow, turned around, and left immediately. Rhode stretched out his hand to arrange Icy Snow’s hair, before turning over and leaving the room.
“Greetings, respectful Your Majesty the Void Dragon…”
The dark elf bowed to Rhode respectfully again in the corridor and said.
“I’m the matriarch of the Bailey Family of Carlesodar City, Durelle Bailey. We apologize on behalf of the reckless actions of the fourth family… I represent the council in offering our apologies. We didn’t realize the intention of the fourth family beforehand, which brought forth such troubles and offended you.”
As expected of dark elves; the ability to sell out their companions was always maxed out and they could even betray the whole fourth family. As for the dark elves and families who died in the civilian and lesser-noble districts, Durelle simply skipped over them with the casual mention of the word ‘troubles’.
“Alright, cut the crap.”
Rhode waved his hand to disrupt Durelle’s words. The instant he heard her name, he knew exactly the reason why the council sent her over. It was apparent that they knew Nell was among his group and were using this fact to cotton up to him. Rhode wasn’t amused at all, at least in the current situation. The reason for his arrival at Carlesodar City was simply to pass through the area and didn’t want to stir more trouble…
Of course, gaining some benefits along the way was also a given, wasn’t it?
“I’ll get straight to the point. Are you ceding your territory or paying indemnity?”
“Huh?”
Durelle was taken aback by his question. As a dark elf, she wasn’t comfortable with such direct and uncomplicated negotiations. She initially intended to pull some nonsense, but eventually decided to abandon this thought. She clearly knew that Rhode was one who attacked without speaking a word.
If I continue with the nonsense, I’m not even sure if I can leave this place in one piece.
At this thought, Durelle couldn’t help but ask cautiously.
“Your Majesty, what you mean is…”
“Indemnity; and that is to hand over all the good stuff in Carlesodar City to compensate for our mental loss. As for the amount…”
Rhode pondered and calculated the dark elves’ wealth that players gathered and revealed. As an underground race, dark elves had a whole lot of worthy items, especially magical equipment and treasures that left one in envy. Since Rhode was already here, he wouldn’t be standing on ceremony, of course.
“… It shall be the assets of Carlesodar City, and just 70 percent of them will do.”
“…”
Upon hearing his words, Durelle felt a shiver run down her spine. She swallowed her saliva and stared at Rhode carefully.
“What about the territory?”
“Simple.”
Rhode responded calmly as though he had already made up his mind a long time ago.
“As long as all of you are willing to submit to me and become a part of the Void Territory, we will have no issues.”
