Chapter 935: 292. Behind the Scenes_3
“Heh, even more convincing evidence.”
He straightened up, looking toward the Rock Bone Enforcer beside him:
“With an Enforcer from Larolon Rockbone as witness, I represent the Pangula Family and issue a challenge to your Deep Sea Branch to compare our exploration abilities.”
The Rock Bone Enforcer, expressionless, his gray-white rock face betraying no emotion.
He nodded to Dietrich, Selena, and Lonco as a sign of acceptance to witness Dietrich’s challenge.
“The Pangula Family owns a total of 1,322 isles in the Suman Archipelago, encompassing large, medium, and small isles of various sizes.”
...
Dietrich tapped the table with his finger and said:
“I will randomly select 10 small isles, 5 medium isles, and 1 large isle from these 1,322. Your Deep Sea Branch must provide the ore distribution maps for these 16 isles within 16 days. I will bring in the exploration reports from within our family to compare with your exploration results. noveldrama
“If it turns out that the Deep Sea Branch lacks the ability to map out the mineral resources of these 16 isles within the allotted time, or if your exploration results are less precise than those of the Pangula Family, then the Deep Sea Branch must immediately cease its cooperation with Mira Faar and expel Sienna and Mira Faar from the Suman Archipelago.”
Dietrich smirked:
“Since you can explore veins without leaving any trace, surely you have exploration abilities no less than those of Pangula and ‘Larolon Rockbone,’ right? Exploring this modest number of isles in 16 days should be no problem, right? Lonco, Selena.”
Lonco pondered for a few seconds before asking:
“And if you lose, what penalty shall you face?”
Dietrich spread his arms wide:
“Then we would of course hold your Deep Sea Branch’s exploration abilities in high regard. The Pangula Family will no longer interfere with the matters concerning Mira Faar and Sienna.”
Lonco nodded slowly:
“Hmm, not bad, we acce…”
“No, we refuse your challenge,” Selena interrupted her older brother, saying:
“Your challenge means nothing to us, Dietrich. We chose Sienna and Mira Faar as partners because they are stronger than you. The Fagen Lineage has been eliminated—don’t think you can regain control over the Suman Archipelago with such a clumsy provocation and conspiracy.”
Selena cleverly brought Sienna and Mira Faar into the discussion, partially shifting the conflict between herself and Dietrich onto Sienna and Mira Faar.
Lonco was initially taken aback by his sister’s interruption and then by her forceful tone.
But he quickly composed himself, closed his mouth, and handed the right to speak to his sister.
Well…
He was a Combat Wizard, preferring to solve problems with fists and duels.
So when Dietrich proposed the challenge just now, Lonco almost agreed without much thought.
But after hearing Selena’s words, Lonco realized that this was not his area of expertise. Better to leave social matters to Selena.
Seeing that Lonco remained silent, Dietrich maliciously taunted:
“Since when can the affairs of the Pomida Family be decided by a woman? Does Selena have the authority to represent the attitudes of the Deep Sea Branch and the Pomida Family?”
“Don’t bother trying to divide us, save your efforts,” Selena sneered:
“Thinking you can spy on the secrets of our Deep Sea Branch with just a few exploration reports and an absurd challenge. You don’t have the right.”
Dietrich’s lips twitched, his gaze turning cold and frustrated.
Changing tack, Selena said to the Rock Bone Enforcer:
“Moreover, why should the terms of the challenge be dictated solely by the Pangula Family? Don’t you find such behavior rather rude?”
Dietrich hesitated for a moment, seemingly caught off-guard by Selena’s sudden offer of an “out.”
Grudgingly, he moderated his tone slightly:
“Then, Miss Selena Williams, what kind of challenge would you deem acceptable?”
Selena glanced at Dietrich, who was showing an expectant look, and at the Rock Bone Enforcer, who was silent but watched her intently.
She pondered for a moment and smiled, saying:
“We’ll talk about that later. You’ve turned up unannounced at our doorstep as if to accuse us, then escalated to a challenge, all this has happened too swiftly. We need some time to discuss and deliberate before we can give you a clear response.”
With a snap of her fingers, Selena caused the Miniature Ocean that had been hovered above by the Ceiling to fall, and it hovered beside them.
“We’ll stop here today. We’ll get back to both parties in a few days. Now, please leave.”
Unbeknownst to them, the control of the inquiry had shifted from Dietrich to Selena.
The trio, originally ready to pounce for answers, was now obliged to accept Selena’s suggestion and patiently await news.
This place was the Deep Sea Branch, after all, Selena’s Study Room.
Until Selena herself was declared a Wizard Criminal, she was entitled to full self-defense rights here.
If they were asked to leave by her and refused to go, they might well be captured as criminals on the spot.
After hearing Selena’s dismissal, Lonco slapped the armrest of the Chair, causing a crisp sound to echo.
He stood up, straightening his back, reached out his large hand toward the Miniature Ocean, and said in his big, booming voice: