With Rouland outside, and not in the earshot of the elders, they changed their tone rather quickly.

"Whatever would mister Neo be willing to offer us for our dear Roulan? She is our pride and joy after all. It would hurt us to part with her after all we have been through together."

"Cut the crap. It was you who sent her to me. Clearly, there is something that you want. I have little time for your games, and even less patience. I do believe you would like to avoid the situation that happened in Tyrant Dragons sect. And dont pretend you dont know. I would be fool to believe you sects dont have spies in every other high ranking one."

His direct and rather domineering style of aproach did furrow a few brows, and clench a couple of jaws. Normaly they could skirt around the topic to slowly push up the price, but unfortunately for them, they were dealing with a monster that could possibly become their end, yet the possible benefits were way too high to not take that risk.

"Very well then, we shall get straight to the point. You want Roulan, Correct?" and with Rex nod, they continiued "And we have heard that you have a force that does relatively frequent raids into the deep floors back in your city." Not willing to correct the false information, Rex nodded once more. "So, in exchange for Roulan we want a few tonnes of earth grade meat, as well as a few dozen killograms of heaven grade."

"Ha ha ha ha." Rex started to laugh quite loudly once he heard their price.

"Few dozen killograms of heaven grade? You clearly think too highly of yourself. For that amount I could easily go and whipe out your sect, and then take her, the only survivor, with me as a trophy. I advise you to think over your next request clearly. She is just a human after all. Besides, she is a member of your sect, not a slave, nor servant. I have to give you nothing, should I choose so."

"The girl is very loyal to the sect." the council rebuked "Without our blessings she would never become obedient."

"Blythes blood mage will brand her the second I make a request. So your existance is inconsequential. So, tell me, why would I consider offering you anything for her. She is her own person."

"She will end herself should we ask so, for the sect. Now, we have spent quite some time in grooming her to be the beauty she is, and we expect to be reimbursed for our time and effort spent. You should apreciate our efforts more. She is docile and submissive, all thanks to us. What better beauty is there. Such tallent, such beauty, and not an ounce of arrogance. That clearly is worth a lot, is it not. And you can have it, without even needing a brand. With just one command she could be yours. Faithfull and willing to serve."

"Still, there will be no heaven grade offered. And thats final." The elders takled among themselves, appearing in a heavy discussion, but no sound came over the projection.

"As expected. heaven grade must be trully scare, even for a monster like him." one of the members spoke, their voice transmission cut off from Rex.

"But we did expect such an outcome. Still, we can ask for quite the amount of earth grade. Blythe is exporting barely any, even with their supply." another added.

"Yes, we must secure what we can, who knows when we will have another chance like this. Ahhh, how the young make foolish mistakes in their rush for excitement." The third added with an evil smirk.

"So, what amount should we go for?" one of them asked, salivating over the though of getting his hand on that treasure. They were all getting on in age, and without the earth grade meat. they would soon start dying off, so they had to cling to their chance while it was there.

"Lets go with six? That should be plenty for us regain our prime forms as well as still have some left for future. And even if he does not agree, a ton or two off would still be more than enough for our needs. And I dont really want to risk and piss him off, should we act too agressive. Besides, we can always use Roulan if the need arises." one suggested, and the rest soon agreed. With their discussion over, they resumed their voice transmission and proceeded to inform Rex of their asking price.

Rex smirked inside 'Aint they a greedy bunch, but its not like I can ever hope to Run out of earth grade, most of the meat in raid floors is earth grade. Might as well stop hurting Roulan.' He looked at the girl hiding in the rune circle, her hands covering her mouth as tears streamed down her face.

"Fine. Six tonnes earth grade. But I better not hear another world from you afterwards. When will someone from your side get here to collect? and make sure they come with proper sized storage ring."

And with the elder smiling happily, Rex just scoffed and warned them he will call for Roulan to enter once they confirmed the arrival time of their representative for the handoff, and that they should quickly give her the new orders. Roulan, noticing Rex pained gaze in her direction, then his raised hand, that invited her inside, quickly used her long sleeve to wipe her face, and with her head hung low entered the barrrier, her red face hidden from sight.

"Good news Roulan. Master Neo has expressed his interest in you, asking for you to become his concubine. And since we believe it would greatly benefit you and your growth, and remembering just how excited you were to meet him, we have agreed to his proposal. Bow, to your husband girl and enjoy your life to the fullest. Dont forget to invite us to your wedding." The elder spokesperson smiled amiably, but Roulan could not see it at all, her heart aching from the betrayal she was experiencing. Not willing to see the girl suffer any more Rex waved his hand, disrupting the stones that served as the base of the projection, ending it with that.

Once he was sure the connection was properly severed, he pulled Roulan towards his three women on the sofa to the side, where all three of them imediatly embraced the young girl and started to soothe her. Rex just sat there to the side, waiting for Roulan to cry her pain out, while being embraced by the other three beauties present. So in such a somber and sad atmosphere half an hour passed by, during which Rex left the room for a moment, coming face to face with the governor, who was waiting there.

"So. why dont you tell me about that little problem of yours we discussed before I went delving?" Rex asked, and by now the governot just gave up and disclosed the problem he was facing. As it turned out, a rather arrogant and quite powerfull, for this city, mercenary band had taken residence in this city, and they started acting out, demanding protection fees, forcing local women and other ussal thug and lowlife deeds. The problem is that said group has a backing of a rather large sect behind them, preventing others from interfering. Based on the governors investigation, said sect seems to want to expand their holding to include this city, and due to the recent end of the war, and the turmoil Neo caused, barely anyone can be bothereed to keep them in check.

Luckaly for Rex, he could kill two birds with one stone, since when he inquired more in depth info in the sect behind this all, it turned out to be the same one whose members had roughed up the governor just before Rex had returned.

"Say, what are the likelyhood that they all are parked in said mercenary groups base in this city right now? Waiting for news of my return and having fun?" Rex asked once he had all the necessary info.

"It is quite possible indeed." governor answered.

"Guess we will fix that problem as well then" Rex spoke and then entered the room with his four beauties. A few minutes later, the five exited, with Roulan still in the embrace of Mary and Vivian, since Vivian knew and considered Rouland a friend and Mary was just that kind hearted and sweet.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

As they left the mansion, Roulans sect members were informed that Roulan was now a part of Rex family, and that they could return to their sect come morning. And in case they run into an elder of theirs asking about Roulans of his location they should tell him to go to this cities governors house and wait there. They would make a quick errand run and be there soon. With that, the now six person group entered the carriage, and based on the governors dirrections they were off to solve another problem. During their ride the governor asked Rex the question that was pressing his mind the most.

"Sir, what is it that you plan to do once we arrive?"

"Obviously spell in the most simple manner that this city is mine, and anyone who is stupid enough to cause trouble should expect the full brunt of my wrath. Dont you worry though, nothing will change for you. i dont plan to do anything besides acting as the biggest club here to ensure order and my dealings with the Svergi. The rest is upon your discression as it has always been. Got any complaints?"

"No, of course not sir. On the contrary, I humbly thank you for your benevolance.

"Good. I will rest for a bit, speak to me when we are there." And with that, Rex rested his back against the backrest of his seat, pulled Diana closer to him and rested. Ten minutes later, the governor spoke, rousing Rex from his rest.

"We have arrived sir."

"Hmm. Lead the way, and do not worry, I will be swift and clear in my message."

With that said, the group left the carriage, the governor leading the way into a small courtyard that had seen better days. It was not in disrepair though, since the chaotic sight was due to the wild partying and drunks strewn about, who in their stuppor paid no attention to the fresh strangers entering the property. Stepping obver a few unconscioous bodies, they reached the fron door that was half open, the scent of strong booze wafting out of the building. Quickly gathering his courage the governor pushed teh door fully poen, and stepped inside, followed by the rest of the group.

"Roulan" Rex addressed the girl, who was slowly coming out of her teary state, her mood slightly better due to Vivi and Mary "What you are about to whitness is something quite brutal, but neccesary, since this is what I do with people who dare to harm my people or workers." He then pointed his thumb towards the governor.

"Did you see his miserable state a while back?"

"Y-yes. He was like that a few days ago when I arrived. Flying sword sects people had beaten him quite severely, since he had the audacity to ask them to wait for your return."

"Did he say that those were my words, not his own?" he inquired further.

"Yes. He made it quite apparent that it was 'the exelency Neo' who had left the message. Wjen I inquired why he had not taken any potions to cure his state, he fearfully answered that they said should he use anything but his own natural healing factor to repair the damage they would repeat the beating, just this time they would up the severity."

"Thanks Roulan." Then he looked at the other three girls, focusing more on Vivi and Diana "So, solid reason for a proper purge as an example? One does not harm the messangers." Both girls nodded in agreement. And even if it was a bit too severe, the two did not care, he had the individual power to afford such reprimands, besides the Flying Sword sect had acted way over the line in according to both cultures.

Soon they were in a rather large hall, that was filled with tabes around which sat two distinct groups. One was rough looking men in leather or mail armor, clearly worn out and experienced many battles or skirmishes. The other were youths dressed in the ussual cultivators apparel, with a few of them sporting slightly more adorned and facy versions of the outfits. The adventurers were quite liberal with their consumption of the spirits, and Rex group could see a few struggling ladies, with teary eyes, multiple pairs of hands freely enjoying their assets as the mercenarries pleased. As soon as the sects people noticed teh governor, a few of them shouted and pointed in his dirrection, laughing.

"Look, the fool came to us for more, and even brough some absolute beauties for us to enjoy!" one of the higher ranks yelled as he laughed.

"OI!, The fuck is healed! Guess he thinks we were joking back then!" th second of the leaders laughed.

"You done?" Words sweeped over the hall, bringing with them a chilling aura, quickly sobering the drunks and shutting up the boisterous sect members. They all now focused on the one who had spoken. Two meter tall man with average looks and the eyes of a monster. Black sclera and yellow irises and pupils. A true archon, and those eyes were asociated with a monster by now. One foolish sect member laughed akwardly and spoke

"See, he came to us, We did not have to wait for him at all. Ha ha ha." That one clearly had a bit too much booze in his system since there was not a single cell in his empty head that warned him to keep his trap shut, and before his companions even reacted and took any action to save their comrade, Rex did it in their stead as the man went to sleep one last time, his head getting crushed like a tomato in Rex grip.

As the lifeless body hit the ground, Rex moved his attention to the remaining leaders of this small group. "Any smart person would have either done as the Cyan flower sect, and obediently waited for my return, or as the other two gedess sects did, and left to attend to other of their tasks and whatnot. Do tell me, just how stupid one has to be to attack the messenger of someone who could wipe out their puny sect without breaking as sweat? And do tell, in what sane word do they stick around for said someone to come to them?"

With his words everyone present in the property, even the ones outside in the garden sensed the slight shift in the atmosphere, They were all now in a barrier.

"Think carefully about what you just did, and what you are planning to do. Our sect is much stronger than Tyrant Dragon, and I am the heir of one of the peaks! Know your place, and be gratefull that our sect even paid attention to you. Now kneel and beg for mercy, or you will find no place that is safe for you in this world. Our sect will hunt you down! KNEEL!"

"Slight change of plans." Rex said in a calm manner, temporary ignoring the powertripping young master. He looked to the governor "How long would it take for me to reach their sects enclave from here?"

"There is a gate to a city relatively close to it. Less than a days walk in fact from said city." Governor answered Rex question.

"Good. That saves time." Then Rex searched one of his rings and withdrew a rather well polished stone that was used to record images with voice, this words version of a short recording that could be played back as long as small bits of mana were fed into it. He then lifted it up, pointing at the tripping youth.

"Care to repeat? I missed it the first time."

"You ape of an outsider! KNEEL! And beg for forgiveness, and I might spare your useless life!"

"I suppose thats enough." Rex said as he stopped the recording and stashed the gem away and as soon as it was safely secured, the arrogant fools head fell on the ground, cleanly seperated from his body.

"Seriously, defend yourselves. At least make an effort to. This is even more easier than mid floors of the dungeons." Rex said as he became a small reaper, ending every single life in the barrier, excluding his women, the governor, the unfortunate women who were dragged here and one poor Flying Sword sects member who was in a corner of the main hall and witnessed his reaping. Governor was standing frozen, both terrified and relieved at the same time that the beast was to be his backer, any and all possible thoughts of doublecrossing or cheating Rex evaporated for his remaining life. The women who had been taken advantage of had slightly crazed smiles on their faces, their kidnappers and abusers now all dead. Roulan was shocked and slightly scared of Rex, but that fear was quickly eradicated by Vivian whispering in her ear that that same monstrous nature that he was displaying would be transformed into caring and worry for his people, and she was now one of his people. And, obviosuly, Vivian, Mary and Diana just focused on Roulan, expecting such a result already. They have had enough time to understand Rex nature and the generic way he solved problems.

With the property purged, Rex swung Limitless, cleaning it from the leftover blood, sheathed the blade, turned to the governor and said "Order someone to claen up this mess will you. Then be so kind as to froward my message about this city being under my care, and here" Rex gave him a ring of storage. "One the man from Cyan flower sect arrives, let him take its contents, but keep the ring. I will need it back. Inside is the payment they wanted for Roulan. Let that be her last gift to them for whatever time adn knowledge they instilled in her." He looked to Roulan and asked the girl

"Are you okey with that? Let it be what frees you from any obligation towards them you have felt you had." She nodded, apreciation in her eyes, though her face still displayed a painfull expression.

"Come, let us depart. I have a date with the Flying Sword sect it seems, and you have to meet some special people." Rex said with a misterious smile on his face, and so, they departed the place, took a portal to the city that was close to the Flying sword sect, and left in its direction. Once far enough from the city, Rex summoned a gate to Elysium and sent the girls inside, entrusting the introduction and Roulans integration in the family in Vivians capable hands. And with the girls now safe in his shard world, he picked up his speed. After tonight, The sect alliance would not have a single fool arrogant enough throw their weight around in Rex's face.