Chapter 168

Chapter 168

There will definitely be losses due to their defeat in the guild war, however, it was not that bad for Dragon Knights and Seomgwang.

In any case, they would still be able to get Dale Castle’s benefits.

From Hwahong’s perspective, as stated by Leeha, they would have a formidable ally for a relatively low price.

It was a win-win proposal, however, Ram Hwayeon shook her head.

“If that was the case, I would have done it sooner. I made a similar suggestion. Who was it that shook it off when I held out my hand?”

“What? Suggestion? I mean...... Isn’t it the first time I hear about it?”

“Me too....... I have never heard of it. We were told that Hwahong wanted us to surrender unconditionally......

Gaeryong and Eunchon slowly shook their head.

Only Hyein and Sasuke were the only people who went to negotiate between Hwahong and Byeolcho Alliance. Because of these mistakes, Hyein was stuck with Sasuke.

“What? I almost lost my mind thinking about it, as expected of Ram Hwayeon. Then you can just agree! Hwahong has the exclusive right to trade in Dale Castle, and hire Dragon Knights and Seomgwang.”

As Leeha smiled, Gaeryong and Eunchon lightly bowed to Ram Hwayeon.

“W-well, if you do that-”

“We thank you.”

To them, it was like their last hope.

If they continued this war as Ram Hwayeon said, they would be completely defeated. The only thing that would remain is their wounds.

Ram Hwayeon also pretended to be reluctant but was surprised by Leeha’s suggestion.

‘If I had said it first- no, I wouldn’t have accepted it even if someone else said it.’

But now? The person who executed Agromni Igor

appeared to mediate.

The guild masters of Dragon Knights and Seomgwang lived up to their reputation.

The same went for Ram Hwayeon. The suggestion was reasonable, and since it was Leeha who suggested it, Ram Hwajeong and Jacheong gladly accepted it as well.

“What do you think?”

Hyein, who listened quietly to Leeha’s mediation proposal, stepped forward. His words and actions were quite surprising.

“I beg you, Ram Hwayeon..nim. Because all the responsibilities lie with me. I will leave Byeolcho. Please take care of my guild members...”

Hyein bowed toward Ram Hwayeon.

It was by no means easy to bow one’s head toward someone who had been cursing you. Additionally, Hyein had been played by Sasuke and he would have felt that it was unfair.

However, Hyein did not run away. He was determined to bear all responsibility.

“Hyein-hyung...”

Seeing Hyein like that Kijeong felt complicated. A guild master that always put the guild first.

Maybe he messed up because of his greed to do well and raise the guild.

“Kay. Sorry. I won’t ask for forgiveness. But...... But, please take care of ...... Byeolcho. I will destroy the contract.”

“Hyung...”

Hyein tore up the [contract] he made with Kijeong. There would be quite a bit of backlash in Byeolcho, however, at least it was sorted out.

“This bastard! What the fuck will you do after all this shit? Will you take responsibility?”

“Did you take us for fools? What do you mean the head of the Alliance-”

“I am sorry for both guilds. Even if it’s only a small amount, I will pay you back disposing of my items.”

The guild masters of Dragon Knights and Seomgwang, who had been enraged, also accepted Hyein’s sincere apology.

Of course, it wasn’t a fake apology, they heard the Sage, who was ranked 40th in the world, and in the top 10 of the Korean ranking, was going to dispose of his items.

“Hyein-hyungnim.”

“Please take care of Byeolcho, Kay. The position of the guild master......

“M-me? Why so suddenly?”

“If the guild members knew what Sasuke and I did... they probably won’t reject Tale and Kay. I will tell the guild members myself for the last time.”

“B-but-”

“Fufu, it’s because of your dongsaeng again? But you’re not going to join Byeolcho, are you”?

“Well...... Probably. If I belong to an organization, I won’t be able to do what I want. I might have to fight someone I don’t want to fight.”

Hearing Leeha’s words, Ram Hwayeon laughed. While he is good at judging the situation, at times like this, he’s quite blunt and neutral with his words.

“I know it well, but keep this in mind, Ha Leeha-ssi. I am saying this to you because I think I know Middle Earth now.”

“What?”

“To remain neutral in war is to be the enemy of the victor and loser. No matter how fair you are, in the end, you’re a thorn to their eyes. Neither Hwahong nor Byeolcho thinks so now, but do you know what would happen if things went wrong?”

Leeha nodded.

If the information from Madam Ju was late, or if it had not been for Leeha’s participation. There could have been a situation where both Hwahong and Byeolcho listened to the traitor’s words. Leeha also knew it.

“In other words, you’re also saying that I could be a friend to both the winner and the loser if I stay neutral, right? Right?”

“Puhahaha! As expected! I like your personality, Ha Leeha. However, one day, your personality might hold you back.”

“You’re not trying to tell me to quietly come to Hwahong, are you? Haha. You’re an eloquent speaker after all.”

“Hmph, there’s nothing I can do if you think like that. But I’m serious Ha Leeha-ssi, I want you.”

Ram Hwayeon looked at Leeha seriously with her shining eyes. Leeha, who was teasing her, was taken aback.

“Y-you’re really good at saying such passionate words! If I become a member of your guild, can’t you give me a stake in Dale Castle? Can you tie me with something like that? Haha, like a fateful community. 1%-”

“That makes sense too. Good. I’ll give you 10%.”

“W-Whaaat?”

“If I can keep my relationship with you, 10% would be cheap. But wouldn’t it have been better if you joined our guild and be treated as a vice-guild master?”

“Wow...... aren’t you really crazy?”

“No, my eyes are right. Because I never make a losing investment. Isn’t that right, Hwajeong?”

“Yes. Paying that cheap for oppa is quite good.”

Ram Hwajeong, who was seating beside Ram Hwayeon, suddenly smiled.

“‘Cheap ‘oppa’? Aren’t those words not quite right?”

Leeha was taken aback. It was because of Ram Hwayeon’s words, and Ram Hwajeong’s cool consent.

The income from Dale Castle could not be estimated. But 10%.

It was so huge that Leeha, who casually threw the 1% as a joke, was rather taken aback. No, maybe it was just a joke.

“Wait a minute. Ram bi-, no, Ram Hwayeon-nim. You can’t just take my hyung like that.”

“Kijeong!”

Kijeong, who had talked to the Byeolcho Guild to some extent, approached Leeha.

It was their first conversation since they parted on Kunigo Hill, but there was no awkwardness between them.

“I’m sorry, hyung. Even though I knew you weren’t like that...... I made a mistake.”

“You’re cheesy. So why didn’t you trust me and focused on raising your level? Don’t you know that good things happen when you listen to your hyung?”

“Thank you so much Leeha hyung.”

Both Leeha and Kijeong, who faced each other, felt the tip of their nose itch. They both thought they were lucky they didn’t cry.

“Thank you? You punk. It’s all because of you?! I had to spend every money I had and I wasn’t able to save even a single penny.”

“Can’t you get money out of this? It’s hyung’s. I picked it up earlier.”

“......Huh?! This?”

He did not ask for money in the first place. Kijeong seriously offered something when Leeha was just trying to tease him.

“It’s an item that Igor dropped.”

“K-Kijeong......!”

Kijeong handed over a black necklace. Obviously, Kijeong and Ram Hwajeong contributed to capturing Igor, however, they did not think it was the case.

Because Igor got killed by Leeha. And because of that, the war ended.

The only person who deserved it was Leeha.

“Haha, I am here to give you this. And Ram Hwayeon, thank you so much for accepting the mediation proposal.”