Chapter 410: Chapter 410. Yasenia's aggression. Ghana's brilliance.
The City Lord spoke. "You can sit on those chairs. They have specially built back holes so you can easily sit with your tail. Your friends can also use them. They are adaptable and comfortable. One of the bests wood-workers in the city created them."
Yasenia smiled. "Thanks. Then, we'll take a seat."
After sitting, Yasenia spoke. "Leader Fu, as you should already know, my juniors began a ritual two days ago. However, it went out of control and created damage all around Koran City. Although the items that suffered irreparable damage were mostly mortal and low-level items, we admit that the action was a mistake on our part."
Leader Fu nodded. "I understand. However, let me deal with a little trouble before we continue."
Yasenia paused and squinted for a second. However, she didn't say anything and nodded. "Please, go ahead."
He smiled and said with a troubled smile. "Sorry, Lady Yasenia. I thought you would delay your visit, so you caught me slightly off guard. Please, wait for a moment."
Yasenia said nothing but knew people had been tracking her as she moved through the city.
Therefore, she also knew he wasn't caught off guard. Moreover, Ghana's appearance was more than a clue to know that her superior was aware of their visit. 'Such a low-level action to let me know we are not in control? Hmph, since you are playing that game, don't blame me for being ruthless.'
Nevertheless, she didn't say anything and just smiled, waiting for whatever play the City Lord was about to do.
The City Lord looked at Ghana and said sternly. "Second Secretary Ghana, why are you here? I gave you work before, didn't I? I also told you to guide our guests here and then leave because your lack of attire can make things awkward."
Yasenia lifted an eyebrow but remained silent.
Ghana spoke calmly. "Leader Fu, there is a reason why-."
City Lord Fu sent a pressure wave that interrupted her speech, making Ghana look bad. "Listen to what I tell you."
Fu Liang looked at Ghana with a mocking expression.
Yasenia's eyes flashed with understanding, and everything clicked. 'So it is like this... Since you don't want this little gem, let me get it~.'
Of course, this matter was suggested by her in order to let these people know that Ghana was not the one in charge.
The wolf girl wanted to clarify it because of Ghana's previous contact with them. She was scared that this new clan would favor Ghana more than her.
In short, she was blatantly stealing "customers" right before them with the support of the highest authority. Ghana was mainly demoted because of these small tricks that slowly stripped away Ghana's power.
Ghana had realized it long ago, but she didn't have any way to point it out since everything was done slowly and looked natural.
Under the reproachful glare and mocking smile, Ghana could only lower her head and accept it.
She wanted to clench her fist in anger and argue back, but she knew doing so would only give them a reason to strip even more responsibilities from her because of "lack of conduct."
She knew because it had happened before.
Sadly, although her contributions were high and her connections deep, when choosing between her and the City Lord, it was not hard to guess whom they would prefer.
Ghana didn't show anything on her face and swallowed her frustration.
After taking a deep breath, she was about to agree when something unexpected occurred.
The silent Yasenia spoke up at this moment with a calm and steady tone. "Leader Fu, it was me who told her to enter the room with us."
Yasenia didn't explain further and just glanced at him with a penetrating gaze. Her posture was natural and made people feel she didn't have to explain herself.
It carried a hint of arrogance. However, this was purposely created by Yasenia to give Leader Fu the feeling that she was superior in this cooperation. They were subtle hints that affected the subconscious more than the conscious part.
He squinted and asked. "Hoh? Isn't it an eyesore to have a person showing off all her private places right before your eyes?"
Yasenia continued calmly. "I told her to enter with us because she was present during what happened. She has a first-person recollection. Moreover, she gave the orders in that place and probably read and processed most of the information about the incident. Having someone on your side to corroborate our story would be advantageous for you."
Leader Fu looked at Yasenia and placed a bit of pressure on her. He was about to speak when Yasenia directly cut him again and said, unafraid. "I can understand that you were unable to prepare for our visit. However, forgetting to have the most important witness at your party is quite a blunder. If you are tired, we can come on another day. Of course, my thoughts about compensation might change. What do you say, City Lord? Should Ghana leave or not?"
If they had tried to gain the upper hand indirectly, Yasenia had made a metaphorical slap on the table and looked at him in the eye, saying. "I'm in charge here. Do you agree or not?"
Angry that things didn't develop in her favor, Fu Liang snarled and lifted her tone. "Who do you think you-."
Yasenia's gaze immediately moved onto her, and she released her pressure without holding back. "I'm talking with your superior, so don't bark unnecessarily."
Fu Liang felt as if her body was about to collapse as monstrous pressure surrounded her, like a giant hand squeezing her whole body.
Her face became pale, and her eyes were filled with horror.
Yasenia's pressure control had always been superb, so the City Lord didn't feel it so much. However, he could see the drastic change in expression.
Our dragoness didn't pressure her for more than five seconds, but Fu Liang almost collapsed after Yasenia's gaze moved away.
Fu Liang was physically unharmed, but her poor state was there for all to see.
Leader Fu smiled, but his eyes weren't smiling. He also tried to pressure Yasenia, and he spoke. "Miss Yasenia, look at the owner before hitting a dog. Maybe, the owner is someone you can't afford to offend, after all."
Yasenia looked into his eyes and smiled back as if the pressure surrounding her didn't exist. "If the dog barks too much, I will find it annoying and maybe hit it, especially when it is trying to bite. I won't allow an animal to harm me, after all."
Fu Liang's face became red and white because of the amalgamation of negative feelings. When had someone disrespected her so much before after being under the City Lord's care?
Naturally, she couldn't speak because of the lingering feeling Yasenia left on her very soul.
Before she could even bring herself to say anything, Leader Fu spoke eerily calmly. "I'll keep it in mind. Let's move on. You are here to give my city compensation, right?"
Yasenia leaned on the couch, and like before, Tatyana began massaging her shoulders while standing behind her. Our Death Empress liked pampering her little treasure, so she wouldn't lose a chance to do so.
Yasenia said lazily. "That was my intention. However, I've only received little plays and mockery from the moment I entered. Therefore, I've changed my mind."
Leader Fu frowned and was about to speak when Yasenia lifted her hand. "I didn't say I wouldn't give you something. I'll be living in Koran City for the time being. Therefore, I don't want a small person to ruin a chance to make amends between us. My first offer was to give Koran City fifteen percent of the net profit generated within the shops we would set up here. It is a big sum, but affordable nonetheless."
Without the City Lord's go-ahead, Fu Liang jumped into the conversation as if she wanted to bite off a chunk of Yasenia's flesh. "What do you take us for? We are not beggars on the street! Fifteen percent? Even fifty percent wouldn't be enough!"
Leader Fu frowned but also felt it was too low, so he said nothing.
Yasenia looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Leader Fu also thinks that's a small sum?"
Leader Fu answered calmly. "Indeed."
Yasenia sneered and butchered him with words. "I thought you would be a little brighter, but it seemed my hopes have been smashed. You don't even know what we are selling, our products' quality, our connections, our strength, or even future and current partners. You don't know anything, haven't asked anything, and followed a stupid woman who only wants glory and respect when her abilities are mediocre."
Unlike how she carried herself toward the elders, Yasenia didn't even bother being polite and directly tore down his facade.
After her words, Yasenia completely ignored their worsening expressions and turned toward Ghana, who had an almost imperceptible smile on her lips, her eyes gloating at their misfortune. Yasenia almost lost the trail of her thoughts and laughed aloud. Yet, she held it in. 'She looks quite cute.'
Yasenia coughed to catch Ghana's attention, and once Ghana snapped out of her gloating, she spoke. "Miss Ghana, please explain what happened without bias to let your City Lord understand. You need to say things as they happened. Do not embellish any words."
Ghana nodded and stepped forward. She had her wings naturally folded before her to hide her body parts.
She looked calm and elegant despite not having any clothes on. Thanks to how she carried herself, no one would feel uncomfortable because of her nakedness. On the contrary, it made an appealing image of a naturally capable and cultivated person.
Even then, Ghana waited for Leader Fu's approval. If she spoke rashly before he gave the go-ahead, no matter what she said, It would look biased toward Yasenia's group. Therefore, Ghana was smart enough to make it look like she was still his ally when she had already decided something completely different in her heart.
Leader Fu felt comforted by this action because, in his mind, it meant that Ghana was still loyal to him. As Ghana had expected, he would've doubted her words' veracity if she had spoken without receiving his order.
Leader Fu looked at the confident Yasenia and sneered in his heart. Then, he nodded and said. "Ghana, you can speak. Remember to tell the truth."
Ghana nodded solemnly and didn't twist or turn her words.
She followed Yasenia's instructions and spoke the truth as it was. No exaggerations or embellishments.
The brown-feathered harpy spoke fluidly and in detail, making everyone present understand the situation perfectly. She also filled some gaps with clever remarks about the involved powers and Yasenia's response to them, giving Yasenia's faction a subtle yet unavoidable edge.
Yasenia's eyes glowed as she looked at the confident Harpy speaking. She had everything Yasenia wished for in a Clan Leader and surpassed even those standards.
Eloquence, intelligence, and ability to speak the truth while giving an edge to one party whenever she could. The details communicated were concise and easy to verify, and her words were hard to misinterpret.
Andrea and the others only now understood why Yasenia had been so eager to take this harpy under her wing. They feared this person could've made a little place for herself if it weren't because Yasenia's heart had already been closed.
To be honest with themselves, they felt that this woman's ability to speak was on par, if not superior, to that of Yasenia.
Even Tatyana's eyes had a hint of praise in them.
With such eloquence, she left no gaps for the City Lord to interrupt, and Ghana managed to speak for almost twenty minutes uninterrupted.
Andrea and the others took a deep breath, only one word floating in their minds. 'Masterful.'
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Author Note: There are new sketches on P.a.t.r.e.o.n.com/Mortrexo! I'm working on Mirrory and Angel anime style and Yasenia in her dragon form this time. Valeria's illustration is also on the way~. Check them out~.
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦