Chapter 318: What Next?
Varian slightly paused at Orion’s calm yet pointed question, his sharp amber eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he leaned back into his chair.
The room, previously buzzing with the intensity of their conversation, suddenly grew silent, the faint sounds of breathing and shifting bodies becoming audible in the oppressive silence. Varian met Orion’s gaze calmly, clearly understanding the significance of his inquiry.
"What do you want in return?" Varian finally asked in a deep and calm voice.
Orion’s lips curled into a faint smile, tinged subtly with amusement, as he slowly shook his head. "What could you even offer us, Duke Varian? We hail from a higher world. Every resource or treasure you possess, we have access to superior versions. Your weapons, your artifacts, your cultivation resources, all would be redundant to us."
The statement fell heavily upon everyone in the room. The temperature seemed to drop noticeably, a sense of growing tension and uncertainty quickly filling the chamber.
The Tigerkin elders sitting opposite Orion’s group visibly stiffened, their tails flicking anxiously behind them as their expressions hardened, their eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and unease.
At Orion’s side, his club members subtly straightened in their chairs, their expressions turning serious as the group prepared for any possible battle, their mana surging through them.
Duke Varian studied Orion’s composed expression carefully, his amber gaze unwavering. For a moment, it seemed as though the tenuous negotiations might devolve into outright hostility.
Then, with a long, weary exhale, Varian visibly relaxed, his rigid posture easing slightly as he nodded in resigned understanding.
"Very well," Varian finally responded, his tone heavy yet resolute. "Then allow me to offer something unique, something that perhaps even your higher world cannot easily grant you."