However, just in case, he also made a second plan. He decided to defect to the Empire. As long as the Empire was willing to send reinforcements, then E-Rantel would immediately raise the Empire's flag, and he would hand over all his family's wealth to that Emperor.
Guild Master Buerdun was momentarily surprised upon hearing the Mayor's words. Although making this decision seemed simple, actually making it required great courage. Even if he did this, while the city might be saved, this Mayor's situation would be very dangerous.
Moreover, if that Blood Emperor didn't want to help and simply made this letter public, then this Mayor would be doomed beyond redemption. Trying to abandon the city and flee later wouldn't be so simple. The King and those face-conscious Noble Faction would never allow such a traitor to continue living. However, sending the letter to that Emperor at this time was the most correct decision, because only by sending it at this moment could they show their sincerity.
Although everyone currently knew E-Rantel stood no chance, the battle hadn't actually begun yet.
Furthermore, the Mayor could have easily abandoned the citizens and fled to another country with his family. By offering the city and all his family's assets to the Emperor now, he was undoubtedly proving himself to that ruler! This act showed his willingness to entrust his life and fortune to His Majesty, but did the Blood Emperor have the resolve to accept E-Rantel's fate?
If it were the old King, he would likely have only sighed and ignored it. However, that proud Blood Emperor might very well make a different choice. Moreover, the Empire still held two cards—humanity's strongest Magic Caster and the Sword Saint—so they weren't entirely without a chance of victory.
"I will use teleportation magic to deliver this letter to His Majesty as quickly as possible, but..." Although the Mayor's decision was bold, the Guildmaster was not optimistic. While the Blood Emperor was incredibly proud, this was a deal where the cost and return were completely disproportionate; the other party would never agree.
The Blood Emperor was by no means a simple character, nor did he care about the opinions of outsiders; otherwise, he wouldn't have so readily accepted the nickname 'Blood Emperor'.
"I'm counting on you."
...The letter was delivered to the Blood Emperor with the utmost speed, in less than half a day, showing that the Adventurers Guild had truly put in the effort.
However, after the Blood Emperor finished reading the letter, he remained silent for a long time, finally showing a mocking smile in front of the messenger Adventurer:
"It's nothing more than the usual tricks of the nobility, trying to use this to prove their sincerity. Hmph!"
"Ridiculous!
If he truly cared for the people of E-Rantel, the contents of this letter should have been an offer of all his wealth in exchange for the Empire taking in those displaced commoners. With our country's teleportation technology and territory, we are fully capable of accommodating those citizens.
Instead of using this semi-coercive attitude to threaten our country into sending reinforcements. Tell me, if our country sends aid this time, who will people think of first when this matter is mentioned in the future? Naturally, it will be this Lord Mayor who bowed for the sake of the people. At that time, even if I wanted to sentence him to death, I would likely face condemnation from many 'armies of justice' internationally. To want to use the blood of my country's soldiers to forge his own reputation—he truly dares to use such underhanded methods to threaten me!"
Hearing the Blood Emperor's words, the messenger Adventurer felt his limbs go numb for a moment.
This time he was really screwed by the Guildmaster; that Mayor was truly a menace. Did he really think those tactics would work against the renowned Blood Emperor? The Blood Emperor had killed more nobles than one could count!
He didn't dare speak; at this moment, he could only hope the Blood Emperor wouldn't vent his anger on him. After all, he was just a messenger, an innocent Adventurer.
The Blood Emperor glanced at the Adventurer and then said to the Four Knights beside him: "Escort him out. Go back and tell your Mayor that if he regrets his actions, I can overlook this matter and save the citizens of E-Rantel. But I have two conditions. He must still surrender all the wealth mentioned, and then I want him to sacrifice himself heroically for the people. Afterward, I will erect a hero's statue for him so the citizens will remember him as a hero forever."
"Yes, I will certainly relay your words exactly!"
The Adventurer didn't dare stay. After accepting the task, he hurried out of the palace following one of the Four Knights.
When he stepped out of the palace, he realized that being able to breathe the outside air was such a Blessing. When the Blood Emperor was angry just now, he truly thought he wouldn't make it out of the palace today.
After all, the Blood Emperor was a famous tyrant, an existence that could be said to kill without blinking.
That Mayor really had some nerve to use such tactics against this Emperor.
It was a shame that when he first received the mission, he actually thought the Mayor was a heroic man. He hadn't expected so many hidden schemes behind this matter; if the Blood Emperor hadn't pointed it out, he never would have imagined the Mayor's mind was so calculating.
"I didn't expect the Guildmaster to misjudge someone too. I wonder what decision the Mayor will make after hearing the Blood Emperor's reply, and whether I should tell everyone about this?"
The Adventurer thought about this with great conflict. Although he wasn't strong, he had a strong sense of justice. The reason he chose the profession of Adventurer was because he dreamed of being a hero, so he now wanted to do something for the citizens of E-Rantel.
"If the Mayor doesn't agree, then I'll publicly tell everyone about this."
He silently made this decision.
The Adventurer turned and left.
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