The Kind of Evil
Chapter 317 - 317: Noble lady.

‎Carrion and Erlina looked at the big mansion in front of them. Carrion didn't know that his brother, Garret had a mansion in Gratlan. It didn't take a while until Erlina pushed his back gently and forced her to enter the mansion with her.

‎The butler brought them to the parlor where Garret and his associate were. Carrion and Erlina looked at each one of them drinking their tea, oozing the atmosphere of people in power from behind the scene.

‎"Finally, you're here, Carrion," Garret smiled as he crossed his legs. "Lady Erlina," he bowed his head to Erlina.

Erlina smiled as she bowed her head at Garret to respect his status since the Earnwind family was one of the most powerful families in South Neva. She got herself a title as Marquess which was on equal with Garret, but she was nowhere near as influential as the Earnwind.

"Please, have a seat. I believe you two are here for these two?" Garret pointed at the couch across the table and then pointed at Esprella Bleuman and Rouben Orbeliani.

‎Garret and Erlina took a seat next to each other as they looked at Esprella and Rouben. They both learned about the Bleuman and the Orbeliani families while they were on their journey to Gratlan. They found out how powerful those two families were, the ones that controlled the economy from behind the scenes.

"How do you know that we are coming?" Carrion asked, staring at Garret with his brows furrowed.

"How do I know? Because Rasmus told me," Garret smiled as he leaned back. "He knows that you two might need a place to live and be safe from the heat that Rasmus is radiating. He predicted this," he explained.

Carrion and Erlina were a bit surprised that Rasmus had planned everything for them. They were glad that he thought of this through while at the same time giving them an opportunity to spread their influence in Central Neva.

"So, Lady Erlina, Lord Carrion, what do we owe the pleasure?" Esprella asked, taking a sip of her tea gracefully. Although she was old, she had the undeniable charm and intimidation in the way she spoke and her mannerisms.

"My brother might have revealed the reason why we both came here before we came. So, we will make it quick," Carrion said as he took a deep breath. "Are you interested in a partnership?" He asked with a serious expression.

Esprella and Rouben glanced at each other, speaking with their eyes.

"Partnership in what exactly, Lord?" Rouben asked with his brows raised.

"Mines, Mana Stones mines," Carrion answered. "I believe I can make your cost of production for the wristwatch to be significantly lowered if you chose to have partnership with us," he explained as he stared at Esprella and Rouben.

‎"That's an interesting proposal you have there, Lord Carrion. But I believe you don't have any mines, as far as I know," Esprella asked, tilting her head and staring at Carrion.

‎Garret also didn't know that Carrion owned any mines in South Neva. He was confused, but he kept his expression straight.

‎"I do have a few mines that I bought from the fallen nobles," Erlina answered, smiling at Esprella. "The exact number is a secret, but I can assure you, that it's more than what you think," she added.

‎"You have the mines, so why is my brother the one who proposes it?" Garret asked with his brows furrowed.

‎"Because Carrion also has some, and again, the number is a secret," Erlina answered, pulling the balance in the conversation back. "If Rasmus managed to plan everything for us to be here, what makes you think that he didn't plan everything for us long before the war with the demon forces even happened?" She asked back, tilting her head, making her and Carrion to have the high ground.

‎Garret was lost for words and realized the difference between then and now. He was leisurely fishing in the big lake, believing he was the one in control. He saw Rasmus as one of the fish in the lake before, and now he realized how Rasmus was no longer a fish, he became a man who fished in the vast sea with big ships behind him.

‎"Let's be honest here," Carrion said with a serious expression as he stared at the three of them. "Central Neva, West Neva, East Neva are still dealing with the demons that are still hiding. Once the war broke, your supplies will disappear. The only place where peace is still exist? Down south," he pointed out with a cold smile on his face.

‎

‎Esprella and Rouben had been thinking about that ever since the war broke out in South Neva. They knew the world would be in shambles soon, and their wealth, power, and influence would be useless. They weren't blind enough to those three things and still prioritized their own safety.

‎"Ah, and one more thing," If you want to take refuge, you're very welcome to stay in my humble mansion," Erlina said as she chuckled. "We have everything you need, even private ships that allows you move around freely while the whole world is shutting down their borders," she added.

‎"Imagine, how much wealth you can save once the war is over. You still have everything while everyone else struggles to rebuild," Erlina arched her brows, smirking at them.

‎Esprella and Rouben furrowed their brows, confused by how it was possible. Garrett on the other hand, he found out that Commander Arka had finally fallen under Rasmus's palm. He didn't expect that Rasmus managed to monopolize the trading and shipping in South Neva, he also managed to possess the Commander of the sea.

‎"Just think about it, this partnership isn't just for the wristwatch, a simple product, it will affect your future. Honestly, we want to have this partnership, spreading our influence in Central Neva with your help. We will give you the safety of your mind and body, you will give us influence and power," Carrion said with a serious expression.

‎"I believe it's a fair trade, is it not?" Erlina smiled at them. "I hope all of you aren't like those people with shallow minds," she chuckled softly.

‎Esprella chuckled as she shook her head and took a sip of her tea. She then stared right into Erlina's eyes as she put down the teacup. Her gaze was sharp and it felt like Erlina was being stared naked by her.

‎"Fair? Is this what you call fair? What if we don't want to? We have our own connection to make now that you mention it. Money can buy everything, so please mine your manner, Lady Erlina," Esprella said with a straight face. "If you want fairness, then don't act that way," she warned.

‎Erlina put a cold smile on Esprella, a bit irritated by Esprella's words. They both knew they were trying to make each other on the lower ground, pushing each other into the corner, and yet Esprella confronted her for doing so.

‎"Oh, my apologies, Lady Esprella. I'm just treating people like how they treat me. If I offended you in any way, I didn't mean to," Erlina responded, staring into Esprella's eyes. "Then, how about we being fair now? We give you what you need, and you give us what you need," she offered with a serious expression.

Esprella didn't expect Erlina, a madam that used to run a brothel house could be this amazing. She had seen many noble ladies her whole life, none of them could stand up for themselves or keep calm under her confrontation. She found it interesting and wanted to know more about her because she could see the survivalist instinct in Erlina's eyes.

"Leave us," Esprella said without looking at Rouben and Garret. "I want to have a private conversation with her," she said with a serious expression, keeping staring at Erlina's eyes without averting her gaze.

Rouben and Garret respected Esprella since she was the oldest, the one who had been in the game the longest. They both nodded with understanding and slowly got up from their seats and left the room.

"I'll be fine, Carrion. I'll make sure that we will get what we want from this place," Erlina said with confidence as she kept her gaze at Esprella's eyes.

Carrion was a bit worried, knowing that Erlina was about to face Esprella, the one who was known to make anyone kneel before her. However, he knew that Erlina might be able to deal with someone like Esprella since she managed to be a part of parliament with her own power and skill. He then nodded with understanding and left the room without looking back.

There was only silence in the room for a full minute until Esprella crossed her arms and legs as she cleared her throat.

"You're so confident, Lady Erlina. But are you sure about that?" Esprella asked.

"I have been dealing with tons of women. I can tame any woman I want and make them work for me. Just don't blame me if you ended up losing your pride here," Erlina answered coldly.

Esprella responded with a chuckle and a smirk on her face.