Hazel said melodiously, "She is right, I think Xue should not be involved." Aile looked towards her confusedly, and she continued. "You are going to need someone to go with you to Fort Bot if you do not want to challenge yourself or lose time by trying to find the way to Fort Bot yourself. I have to stay here because we are going to need some power to stop any other radical action by the animals. One, Two, Three and Four has a new mission. It is best for Luna to not travel. Diana, Leia and Zero do not know the way, that only leaves Xue. What do you say, Luna?"
Luna said immediately, "I will do as Lady Hazel suggests. I do not want to stay in bed." She continued in a low volume, "I am fine as it is now, just a little hungry. if only..."
"Good, then Xue should go with you tomorrow," said Hazel.
Luna finished her sentence on her head, 'If only I could have some roasted meat!' She was hoping to be treated to Aile's cooking again, but she did not get the opportunity to ask for it.
Aile nodded and felt he was pushing Luna too much. Nonetheless, Aile told himself to reward her once he is back, not hearing her silent request.
Three entered the conversation again and asked, "Boss, can you explain what you want with the Sun Merchant Union? Should we sabotage it, and teach the Oxe family a lesson too? and do you have any other order for us?" Three wanted to get all the information before starting their mission. They were looking forward to humiliating Marquis Andrew and more importantly gaining Aile's recognition by passing his test. After the test, the little bit of doubt in their heart will be removed, and they would be accepted by their idol.
"Oh, leave the Oxe family, for now, the universe will take care of them, I saw the same ominous sign on that building similar to the bandits. So just selling it to them would be advantageous to us and bring us a profit and doom to them. We will deal with them later if they survive. Also, in the meantime, tell all of our contacts and business to stay low, even more than before. In this volatile environment, we do not need to attract attention."
Aile was about to finish, then he remembered another thing, "The three idiots that came for little Luna in our house. Just make a story and force them to go to the White Clan's side and let them get assassinated, make sure to avoid bringing attention to us and fan the flames between them."
Three nodded, and Luna blushed being called 'Little Luna'. Her short stature had been something she was not happy about, but the endearing way that Aile called her made her happy about it for the first time and a gentle smiled tugged on her face. Aile's hand retracted from massaging her head, and Luna looked at him and smiled in hopes it returning.
"Xue, finish whatever business you have here, we are leaving at the first light tomorrow. Do not forget to take talismans, guards and my alert ruin when you leave the protection of the house, once you leave the house now, just in case." Aile then looked at everyone with a smile and said, "I will meet Hunter and bait the Oxe family. Once I am done, I want to have dinner with all of you."
Aile then left he had already sent a message to talk with Hunter. Wearing his mask, he arrived at the entrance of Moon Merchant Union when he noticed 2 people waiting. It was Hunter and Violet, of course. The meeting started similar to any other, after inviting them to the office on the top floor they exchanged a short greeting. After that, Hunter told Aile about his plan to protect Violet by keeping her hidden.
Aile did not play dumb, and he assured him that only two people knew of her identity, and they have already figured out his plan and would not betray a comrade. Hearing that made Hunter's tone more jovial.
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Hunter came here, expecting to be taken advantage of and had prepared many scenarios in his head. Some involved pressuring Aile and others involved, some rare material to part with that he had on his ring.
Hunter had kept the material to the side, and he was rubbing the storage ring anxiously. However, this was not something he expected, and he looked at Violet who smirked at him.
She had told him that they will not use her to take advantage of him, and she was right. Hunter gave her some extra credit once more. If she was not his daughter, he might even nominate her to join the spy branch to collect information about enemies. Looking at her daughter, who had matured and became more self-aware, he was feeling complex. For the first time, he felt, she no longer needed him, and if she left, what would he do?
The thought of her marriage suddenly appeared in his mind, and he then remembered her connection to a group in Moon Merchant Union... Could it be? But he shook his head. He knew full well how cold she treated everyone and stopped thinking of such absurdities. She needs to change a lot more before he needs to worry about such things and her possible lover or her romantic relationship. If he questioned her now, Violet might abandon her path of self-improvement and socialization.
Coming out of the meeting on top Hunter was jovial, he had already moved some items to the side of his spatial ring to buy Aile's silence. But he no longer had to worry about that, and a small grin etched in his face. Not to mention, he also saw Violet's grown-up nature. While he was happily smiling, he failed to notice a similar glint in Violets and Aile's eye.
Violet was happy because she now knew that Aile cared for her enough to convince his 'Boss' not to extort Hunter. Unscrupulous merchants would need a lot of convincing so he must have loved her a lot, she thought.
Aile was happy that with this, at least the White clan would not bother them in his absence. Plus getting on Hunter's good-side was a plus. Before leaving, Violet asked Aile after her father left the room, "Did my team's captain return?"
"Yes, but unfortunately he was required to go on another mission."
"Oh," Violet's voice deflated a little and then continued, "Can you send me news of his return? I would like to join him - join them on the next mission." With that, she too left.
Changing to the leader of Sun Merchant Union Aile then left to meet the representative of Oxe family. He reached first, and after 20 minutes, the representative arrived. In the meantime, Aile looked around at the damaged locations, that the royal group caused while they searched for Xue and Fiona in here. He was going to return it back with interest in the future.
After he was halfway into his inspection, the Oxe family representative arrived. The Oxe family representative acted haughtily, expecting Aile to beg for his help after the royal's fiasco on his headquarters. So that he could collect some profit and take advantage of the situation. However, Aile's words shocked him. He heard from Aile that the Moon Merchant hall was willing to buy the union and he was planning to say yes.
Aile made it sound that this meeting was a heads up for Oxe family and making it seem like he was extending his helping hand. Telling him that he would be willing to make a connection and introduction between him and the Moon Merchant Union. As he did not have any business relationship with them.
If he wanted to stay and continue the business forming a connection would be essential. He had a small counter on the shop that he used to sell exclusive Oxe family merchandise on Sun Merchant Union after all. Of course, this was to rile him up. He had no intention of getting this traitor involved in with Moon Merchant Union.
Soon after, he got his bearing and questioned Aile why was he not informed that Aile was selling the Merchant Hall. Aile acted surprised, telling him that he never thought he would be interested. Throughout their partnership, on many occasion, he had told Aile that the business was not ideal or brought many of its shortcomings to light.
He was discouraging Aile from continuing so that he could buy it from him after.
Now Aile just told him that because of those preceding comments, he thought that he would be happy that he was finally letting go of the business. Ignoring his previous statements like a talented seller, he asked about terms and what they were offering.
Aile did not exaggerate, he gave a fair price and terms. The only unusual conditions were that the money was transferred to Aile immediately, and Aile will retain his employees, the business will not come with its people.