Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 440 - 8 Negotiations_1

Chapter 440: Chapter 8 Negotiations_1

Mermaid Princess Lanna and her bodyguard Lamia exchanged a glance, a hint of joy on both Sea Race faces. Speaking on behalf of Lanna, Lamia said, "Very well, quite beyond our expectations. The way you all analyzed it mirrors the conclusion some of our elder Sea Race members have reached based on their own experiences. We anticipated you might understand these issues, but we did not expect that you would comprehend them so quickly. We must admit, you two have given us a pleasant surprise, and we’ve started to feel hopeful about you completing our task."

"So you didn’t hold out hope for us before?" Catherine asked, not angry but clearly amused. "If you had no hope for us, why did you seek us out?"

"Because..." Lamia’s stern voice trailed off, abruptly changing the subject. "What this man has said is not wrong. Consider this information as pre-payment, we’re partway there. In a few days, as we pass by, I’ll take you to see the scene. But I am curious, why are you so sure that the real task is not this one? Just relying on that ’wasting time’ argument you made earlier does not explain it well.’

"It’s rather simple, your assertion was a bit exaggerated," Pannis casually replied, shrugging. "You mentioned the incident alarmed the Storm God Temple, this is the crux of the problem. If the Elves were saying this, I would not doubt it, but this is coming from the Sea Race. Unlike Elves, the Sea Race won’t mobilize for a few of its missing members. The ocean is vast, both underwater and on land, every day some Sea Race members disappear without a trace. If the Storm God Temple was alarmed by every disappearance, I estimate they would be too busy to function. But as devoted followers of the Storm, you wouldn’t joke about the affairs of the temple. So, if you say the Storm God Temple is involved, then it surely is. But the reason is certainly not what you have stated."

"Satisfactory, you qualify for the task," Lamia affirmed in her blunt manner. "The matter is of great importance, so we hope you will treat it with the utmost seriousness."

"Hold on." Catherine broke in, focused concern knitting her brow. "We missed a step, didn’t we? Shouldn’t now be the part where you give us an idea of what the task entails? Or, if you would rather, can we wait until tomorrow to discuss the introduction at the Guild, witnessed by a Guild Member."

"I apologize," Lamia shook her head. "As I have mentioned, the matter is of utmost importance, therefore we cannot give you a brief description of the task. We will only reveal the details of the task at the appropriate time at the appropriate place. But I can assure you, in the view of humans on land, the Sea Race is quite a wealthy race, especially the priests of the Deep Sea Storm Temple. They are respected as royalty by the seventy-nine thousand tribes, each offering countless gifts. These objects might only serve as decoration underwater, but once taken to land, each can fetch an extraordinarily high price. So I can assure you, the reward for this task will be beyond your imagination."

"I think there’s a misunderstanding," Catherine declared, her face darkening as she leaned forward, a sign she was getting irritated. "If you want us to accept the task, you must let us know the content and difficulty of the task. It’s not about the money, it’s a matter of principle. I am responsible for the safety of everyone in the adventure team. We’re not just going to close our eyes and charge in blindly. If you still refuse to disclose the task to us, then I ask you to find someone else."

"You!" Lamia’s pupil narrowed into a slit, her voice filled with irritation. "Money and fame, we’ve put everything right in front of you. And we’ve also invited you personally, princess. Is that not enough for you?"

"Unfortunately, it’s not." Catherine’s voice was also filled with discontent. "We need to know what we need to know. If you don’t tell us, how do we know if this task is beyond our capabilities? Do you want me to lead my teammates into danger? Furthermore, who knows if this task will harm innocent parties? Blindly accepting a task and causing harm, we will not accept that. Do you think you can tempt us to betray our principles with money and fame? Are you trying to insult a knight’s honor?"

"Sister Lamia." Coral Princess Lanna suddenly caught Lamia’s clenched fist. Her gentle gaze fell on Lamia as she spoke softly, "Don’t be angry. Let me handle the rest, alright?"

"I apologize, Your Highness. I lost my composure." Lamia drew a few deep breaths, restoring her cool demeanor. "It’s such a bother to ask you to intervene personally, Your Highness."

"It’s fine, sister Lamia. I know you’re anxious because you care about everyone. Also, the lady here. You are Miss Catherine, right?" Lanna turned towards Catherine, her smile sweet and gentle, instantly calming the two women. "I have to apologize to you. We did not mean to insult your principles or tempt you with money. Sister Lamia was just a bit too eager. But we hope you can understand."

"You must be Miss Lamia." Catherine, under the influence of Lanna’s tender smile, briefly went silent before finally sighing and reaching out her hand towards Lamia. "If I misunderstood you, I apologize for my loss of temper."

"I apologize as well." Lamia looked at Catherine’s outstretched hand, took a moment to ponder before reaching out to take it. "You didn’t misunderstand. I did try to use wealth and fame to tempt you all, and that was wrong of me. I am the one who should apologize."

"That’s much better!" They shook hands and Princess Lanna beamed, patting her chest in relief. "Everyone’s calmed down, now we can talk this through, right?"

"All right, I’ve calmed down." Catherine suddenly frowned, looking quizzically down at herself. "I’m not sure why, but I was unusually irritable today. I usually don’t get so cross, sorry about that."

"It’s okay. We don’t mind." Lanna’s expression was gentle, but there was a naturally calming aura about her. "I am sorry for it, but as Lamia mentioned earlier, the matter really cannot be discussed in advance. It’s simply too important to our Sea Race. However..."

"It’s okay." Catherine saw Lanna watching her cautiously and replied with a kindly smile. "Go on, now that I have already found out, I won’t be so easily angered."

"Thank you, then I’ll continue." Lanna breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Firstly, regarding the concern you have. To be honest, this mission is extremely dangerous. Any slight misstep could lead to your annihilation. No, even if you are always careful, bad luck could still lead to your demise, even though you already have three legendary rank members."

"I am waiting for what comes next." Catherine’s face showed no emotion, speaking calmly, "I believe there’s more to your statement."

"So, we have prepared a reward you cannot refuse." As Lanna spoke, she seemed more relaxed, producing a small bag of fish skin and placing it on the table. "There are two things in total. The first is this."

"A reward we cannot refuse?" Catherine responded calmly, "I don’t think there’s anything that can make us go against our justice and belief."

"No, no, you misunderstood." Lanna said with a smile. "This is specifically for your first concern, that is, with regards to the danger. Apart from a large sum of monetary reward, there are two additional items. This is one of them, why don’t you open it up and see for yourself."

Catherine remained silent without making a move, hesitating. However, already overcome with curiosity, Lina nudged Catherine’s arm, giving her a beckoning nod. Catherine let out an unwilling bitter laugh, picking up the fish skin bag and opening it. Inside was a droplet-shaped crystal, transparent and shifting in a spectrum of colors under the moonlight, looking both beautiful and mysterious. Catherine held the unidentifiable crystal, feeling puzzled. Suddenly, Miss Vivian let out a suppressed gasp from beside her, pointing at the crystal and stuttering, "Is...is...is this a Mermaid’s Tear?"

Catherine’s hand trembled in surprise. She had long known about Vivian’s high price plea to the Mage’s Guild and Adventurer’s Guild for information or possession of the Mermaid’s Tear, but there were never any hints until this moment when a Merfolk personally delivered it.

"Miss Vivian, pleasure to meet you." Lanna smiled at Vivian, "With your abundance of magical knowledge, you are aware of the life span of the Mermaid’s Tears. I assure you, there isn’t another Mermaid’s Tear on land that retains its vitality. In the past twenty years, our Merfolk have only produced seventeen Mermaid Tears in total, none of which have found their way onto land. Therefore, this one here, is the only one on land. Our first additional reward is four Mermaid’s Tears, with each used up, we will replace it with a new one, three changes in total."

Vivian bit her lip, staring intensely at the crystal in Catherine’s hand as if wanting to swallow it whole. After a moment, she shook her head at Catherine, closing her eyes without uttering a word.

"Vivian has made her intention clear." As Catherine gently stroked Vivian’s hair, she spoke solemnly to Lanna, "She is not willing to risk everyone for her research, therefore..."

"Of course." Lanna interrupted Catherine, "A single Mermaid’s Tear cannot be considered an irresistible reward, that’s just one part of it, there is still one most critical item remaining."

"What is it?" Catherine asked.

"A piece of metal." Lanna mysteriously replied, "A silver-white rhombus."

"Crack." Pannis suddenly snapped a piece off the edge of the table, clearly, the shock made him momentarily lose control of his strength. "In your possession?"

"Yes." Lanna’s eyes squinted into a smile, maintaining a serene demeanor.

"Catherine, come with me." With a sigh, Pannis pulled Catherine to one side, "There’s something I need to discuss with you privately." (To be continued. If you like this story, please go to qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets, your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)