Chapter 110: The Five-on-Five Wager
Shadowleaf Village, Meeting Hall.
Ten people sat across from each other in two lines. Each group had five people, and their leader sat in the middle.
Aveline and her subordinates were on one side, while Branik and his people were on the other.
She called Sofia and the others to the Meeting Hall since it was a discussion related to the future of their village.
"So, what is the purpose of your visit this time, Branik?" Even though she was unhappy, Aveline's voice was calm as if there was no displeasure in her. "You didn't come to propose to me again, right?"
Instead of answering, Branik asked, "Aveline, why do you keep rejecting my marriage proposals? Isn't it better for our villages to merge into one? I'm sure we can make our people happier if we are together."
"I don't have any feelings for you." Aveline only had Ren in her heart, so she didn't want to be with any other man but him.
"That's something we can work on after we are married. As a Village Chief, shouldn't you think about your people as well?" Branik tried to change her mind by using her status.
"Why do you keep involving us in your attempts to make our Village Head marry you?" Alaric could not stay still when Branik began to use them as a tool to get what he wanted. "Just so you know, we are perfectly happy the way we are. We won't let her marry someone she doesn't want to."
"That's right," Darian added. "We care about her, so her happiness is important to us. What is the use of a better life if it only leads to her suffering?"
Branik's expression darkened. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I would hurt her?"
"Yes. That's what I mean." Darian didn't hold back. "You may fool others, but not us."
"Branik, just give up," Sofia spoke abruptly. "It's impossible for our Village Head to marry you."
Branik clenched his fists as he stared at them.
But even so, he didn't yell at them and only suppressed his anger.
On the other side, his people gritted their teeth in fury.
They wanted to beat Darian and the others so badly, but they kept their rage in check since Branik had ordered them not to start trouble.
"Aveline, many married couples have happy lives even when they start without love." Branik refused to give up. "I know love can't be forced, but if you give it time and a chance, I believe it will grow between us."
"Impossible!" Aveline didn't change her mind. "Branik, just give up. It's impossible for us to be together. There are many beautiful women out there. Why don't you pursue them instead?"
Branik had no other choice but to carry out his plan now. "Then let's decide this with a five-on-five match. If I lose, I will stop bothering you, but if I win, you have to marry me. What do you say?"
"We refuse!" Hayden disagreed with the idea instantly.
"I'm not asking you." Branik's voice turned a little cold. "Aveline, do you agree?"
"My answer is the same. I refuse!" Aveline was firm in her stance.
Branik's subordinates exchanged glances with each other.
'Should we force her to accept it?'
They communicated through their eyes.
"Why did you refuse?" Branik wanted to know her reason.
"There are two reasons." Avelien raised her right index and middle fingers. "First, there is no benefit for us. And second, I don't believe you will keep your promise if you lose."
"I might seem untrustworthy, but I always keep my word." Branik was enraged when she insulted him, but he didn't show it on his face. "Since you said you would not gain anything, how about I offer you a garden filled with vegetables and fruits by the edge of the Blue Lake?"
"Village Head, no!" Hagan and the others turned to Branik instantly.
The garden produced good harvests every season, and the Blue Lake provided a steady supply of water.
Losing them would be a big loss for them.
Branik raised his hand to stop them from talking. "How is it? This is a fair deal, right?"
Aveline touched her chin to think about it carefully.
She admitted that it was a good offer because it could greatly increase their income every season.
Sofia and the others also thought the same, but they said nothing and let her decide it.
After all, it was related to her life.
"Give me two days to think about this." Aveline could not make up her mind.
Branik's lips curled up into a smile. "Sure."
He liked it since that meant the possibility of her accepting his offer was fifty percent.
"Then, we will take our leave now." Branik rose to his feet and turned to his people. "Let's return now."
Hagan and the others followed him without saying a single word.
Once they left, Sofia asked, "Village Head, are you sure about this?"
It was related to her future and happiness.
She didn't want Aveline to regret it later.
"I will think about this carefully tonight. I will wait for you here tomorrow morning." After saying that, Aveline walked out of the Meeting Hall, followed by Sofia and the others.
At the same time, Hagan was trying to change Branik's mind because the garden and the Blue Lake were so important to them.
"Don't worry. We will win the match." Branik was confident in their strength.
"Village Chief, I'm not doubting our strength, but what if the result is different from our expectations?" Hagan knew that nothing in this world was absolute.
There were always times when things could go out of control. He didn't want them to lose something important due to their recklessness.
"Calm down, Hagan." Branik tapped Hagan's shoulder. "We have Garron. He can poison their fighters later."
"Yeah! I can poison them." Garron added.
"Ah! That's right! I forgot!" Hagan's expression turned to relief.
"Just believe in me!" Branik pointed his thumb at himself. "Didn't you say you wanted to taste Sofia's body? I will let you enjoy her to the fullest later."
Hagan's lips curled up into a lewd smile. "Yeah! She looked so seductive earlier. It makes me want to devour her even more."
"Haha." Zorin and the others laughed loudly.
----
Aveline's House, Ren's Bedroom.
Ren and Aveline were naked on his bed. He was lying on his back while she was in his arms.
Like last night, she came to his room after Elara was asleep.
The duo had sex for two rounds before they finally stopped and began to chat.
This time, it was not raining, but the wind was so strong that the sound of trees swaying reached their ears.
"So, are you going to accept it?" his voice was calm, but deep inside, he felt immense pain.
"I'm thinking about it now." She used her left index finger to make a circle on his chest. "Ren, that garden and lake are worth the risk. They can greatly increase our income."
"But…" he wanted to voice out his disagreement, but for some reason, his words were stuck in his throat.
She was a Village Head, so he knew that she needed to think about her people, too.
"What rank is the strongest awakener in Valcrest Village?" Ren asked.
"2-star." She replied. "Branik is their strongest awakener. He is a black bear shifter."
"Then, can I join the team? I want to take part in the fight," he would not let her fall into Branik's embrace.
"I think I can do it." She would just have to add a condition later.
"Great!" he wrapped his arms around her back. "I will help you win the battle."
She stopped making a circle and turned to him. "If we defeat them, I will give you a reward later."
Unlike usual, Ren only smiled softly this time.
'I will make sure we win the fight.'
Determination flashed in his eyes.
They continued talking.
This time, they were discussing the strategy and who would be the fighters.
At 11:30 pm, they decided to sleep.
The following morning, Aveline told Elara about the duel against the Valcrest Village.
Like Ren, she disagreed with her mother's decision.
Her mother was her only family, so she didn't want her to suffer.
But when Aveline told her that Ren would join the team, she stopped trying to change her mother's mind.
She knew how powerful Ren was, so she believed he could help them win the battle.
Once they finished eating, the trio headed to the Meeting Hall together. After they arrived, they saw Sofia and the others sitting on the chairs.
Their faces were stiff as they were about to discuss important matters.
Once they sat down, Sofia asked, "What is your decision, Village Head?"
"I will accept it," Aveline answered.
"Are you sure about this, Village Head?" Darian didn't want her to regret it in the future.
"Yes." Aveline nodded slightly. "Don't worry. Ren will be helping us, so I'm sure we will win the battle."
"You will join?" Darian turned to Ren in shock.
"Yes. I won't let him get what he wants." Ren could not tell them the real reason, as their relationship was still a secret.
"That's great!" Darian stated.
"But will they agree?" Since Ren was not a villager of Shadowleaf Village, Hayden wasn't sure Branik would allow him to join the battle.
"Easy. I will just add a condition." Aveline said. "If he refuses, then I will give up on the garden and the lake."
"Then, who else will join the battle?" Alaric asked.