Endless World: The Rise of Leonard Lawson

”What an impressive fight.” A clapping sound could be heard from behind the group of people.

The group of people soon moved to the side and made way for three people to walk through.

One of the three people was someone Leoanrd recognized.

”Big Sister!” Ellie called out affectionately and rushed to Cassandra’s side.

Cassandra smiled warmly at the approaching Ellie.

”It’s still hard to imagine a ruthless woman as you would care for a little girl.” A rough man with a bare chest commented. There was a necklace around his neck that held a Bear symbol.

”Better not provoke her sore point, Barrett.” Another man said, his axe weapon depicted that of a Tiger’s head.

”What? Did you think I’m afraid of her snakes, Shane?” Barrett snorted coldly.

These two were respectively the leaders of their factions: Barrett of the Bear Faction and Shane of the Tiger Faction.

”You might not be afraid of my snakes, but I doubt your subordinates could say the same.” Cassandra finally spoke up after addressing Ellie.

”You want a faction war?” Provoked, Barrett glared at Cassandra. He held no goodwill toward a poisonous woman like Cassandra.

”Alright, that’s enough.” Shane cleared his throat and broke the tension.

”We’re not here to fight amongst each other. If you really wish to fight, then do so at another time. But make sure that it’s kept moderately to not harm our overall interests.” He reminded them.

”Hmph, I won’t lose to her.” Barrett crossed his big arms and hissed.

Meanwhile, Cassandra was too lazy to interact with a rough man like Barrett.

If it weren’t for the fact that their three factions cannot be shaken, they might have gone all out in a war. After all, they were only the de facto leaders to control the underground slum.

The actual leaders were someone whom they could never afford to offend.

Or it was more correct to say the actual leaders were all people that nobody in this world could afford to offend.

Sometime later, Cassandra approached Leonard with a seductive smile.

”Merchant Vincent, we’ve met again.” She greeted him.

Unfazed by her charm spell, Leonard yawned. He took a bite of a meat snack given to him by Ellie and asked, ”Is it like a part of your character, or do you just want to act pretentious?”

The two of them had established a deal earlier, so what was with her speech?

Maybe some men enjoyed such interactions, but Leonard had no time or the mood to play such games.

”You really are one boring guy.” Cassandra shook her head and took a seat across from him. ”How would you like to compensate for the damages in this sector?”

”What about the materials I asked for?”

THUD!

Stacks of paper documents appeared.

”Happy now?” Cassandra turned to the two bodies on the ground: one dead and one lingering in hell.

Leonard nodded and retrieved a pouch filled with coins. He tossed it to her and held the stacks of documents.

Shortly after, he signaled for Curtis and Mirelle to drag away the bodies.

”Let’s go,” he commanded.

As they left, the other two Faction Leaders gestured for their people to make way.

Sometime later, when their presence was no longer here, they approached Cassandra.

”So that person is related to the Crown Prince of Aldros?” Barrett asked suspiciously.

”Have you seen a mere merchant have the capability to recruit a person from the Crimson Guard and a sixth-circle mage?” Shane took a seat and gazed in the direction they had left.

”Previously, there was a rumor that someone had attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince. I reckoned those bodies were part of the culprits.”

”Mhmm, which is why I established a deal with him,” Cassandra said and threw the pouch to the center. ”Rather than offending the Crown Prince because of a third party, we might as well do him a favor and earn some money.”

”Heh, you just wanted to drag us in so you won’t be implicated in any mishap.” Barrett snorted and exposed her true thoughts.

”So you wish to forfeit your portion of shares?”

”Hmph, of course not! We have shown our faces already, so why should I even fit you?”

While Barrett was displeased with being used, Shane directly took his shares.

”Anyway, we’ll need to reconstruct the Arena Sector. The damages are a bit too much this time.” Shane glanced at the destruction and shook his head.

Although damage happened frequently in a place like the Arena Sector, it rarely received such a level of damage.

”Barrett will be footing the bill.” Cassandra quickly said.

”Why me?” Barrett questioned coldly.

”That fighter was registered under your turn of duty and men. If not you, then who else will be responsible?” Cassandra rolled her eyes. The underground slum might not care about one’s background, but there should be a limit.

To take in someone who attempted an assassination against the Crown Prince would only bring in trouble and headaches.

”I agree,” Shane sided with Cassandra’s statement. The underground slum had no reason to provoke the Crown Prince.

Sometime later, Cassandra and Shane retreated to their respective territory.

Poor Barrett could only swallow this bitter pill and accept his loss.

He glanced at the remaining coins in the pouch with some heartache. His so-called portion of shares was now being used to repair the Arena Sector.

”Damn it!” He hissed and stomped his foot on the ground. ”Go and investigate which bastard was responsible for registering that fighter. Have them chopped up and fed to the bears!”

”Yes, Leader!”

...

Surface Level

Upon returning to the surface level, Leonard finally felt a breath of fresh air.

Although there was circulation of oxygen in the underground slum, the air outside was superior.

”By the way, what is on the documents?” Mirelle asked curiously.

”You don’t need to know.” Leonard flatly responded. These documents contained critical evidence that could be used once he returned to the capital.

Mirelle could only lower her head. ’It seems like the Crown Prince is still alienating me.’