Chapter 63: Negotiations
No one had ever reached the top of the Olympus Tree.
The highest point accessible to the citizens within the city was the Grand Arena at the top of the trunk. Above that were the sprawling branches, all of which were military restricted zones.
Because the branches grew in irregular patterns, there were no characteristic “subway elevators” of Olympia. Instead, special staircases were built along the branches.
The three of them climbed the stairs along the thickest branch, finally arriving at a rooftop platform.
This should be the very top of the Olympus Tree, as the branches and leaves in all directions were below their feet. Their current altitude was close to 5,000 meters, in the thin air of the “oxygen-deficient layer.”
Asker and Peggy were fine, but Thira, lacking physical strength, was already panting, experiencing mild altitude sickness.
A man, who looked to be in his forties or fifties, stood on the rooftop platform with his hands behind his back, at the edge of the roof without railings, silently overlooking the distant skyline.
Since the other party didn’t speak, Asker didn’t greet him either, just helped Peggy support Thira as she sat down to rest.
“You are more patient than I expected, Mr. Asker.” After about twenty minutes, the man finally turned around and said.
Appius, the City Lord of Olympia.
“Lord Appius.” Asker silently complained about how difficult the name was to pronounce, then said with a smile, “I thought you were deep in thought.”
“Relations with the West have indeed taken up a lot of my energy.” Appius said lightly. “That’s why I’ve delayed meeting you until today, members of Azure Longsword.”
“Thank you for your contributions to Olympia and the Empire in the fight against the Crusader invasion. I have authorized Quintus to grant you access to level II Arcane Sequence resources. Some are finished potions, but most are formulas. You can exchange them freely with your military merits.”
“Thank you,” Asker said.
“You’re welcome.” Appius waved his hand and turned around again.
Asker naturally wasn’t foolish enough to leave just like that. As the city lord, how could he call him to such a place just to inform him about such a small matter as merit redemption?
Seeing that Appius still didn’t speak, Asker understood his intention.
This was a negotiation.
“I have one more thing I’d like to trade with you, City Lord.” Asker said.
Appius tilted his head slightly and glanced at him indifferently.
“Undead Phantom Sword.” Asker said clearly. “We’ll trade Undead Phantom Sword.”
Peggy was startled. She didn’t expect Asker to suddenly reveal this secret, especially to the City Lord of Olympia.
However, out of trust in Asker, she didn’t interrupt, just stared intently at the City Lord’s expression.
Appius remained expressionless, as if none of this was unexpected.
“What do you want?” He asked indifferently.
“Help her master Undead Phantom Sword.” Asker placed his hand on Peggy’s shoulder, signaling her to calm down. “And, the original text of ‘The Song of Roland,’ which records Charlemagne’s Holy Sword.”
“That’s not an equivalent exchange.” Appius said.
“It is equivalent.” Asker said. “The text of Undead Phantom Sword in exchange for the text of Charlemagne’s Holy Sword; you help her master Undead Phantom Sword, in exchange for us helping you defend Olympia.”
“You must be mistaken.” Appius said indifferently. “Although Olympia is under siege, it won’t fall to the Latin Crusaders just because it lacks the help of a single mercenary group.”
“Of course, Olympia won’t fall to the Crusaders.” Asker replied calmly. “The Eden Tree, as a Transcendental being, possesses powerful defensive and offensive capabilities. The Life Cage and the Branch Barrage can protect the city while instantly annihilating the siege forces at the foot of the mountain. Even if the Crusaders’ numbers were doubled, it would be useless.”
“What you’re truly guarding against is the coming magic tide! And the awakening and riots of supernatural creatures that will inevitably occur after the magic tide! That’s the real threat to Olympia!”
“That’s why you triggered the undead anomaly, trying to obtain Alexander’s corpse and explore the secrets of ‘Undead Phantom Sword,’ isn’t it? Even if the magic tide level cap is raised to 10, as a demigod, you still won’t be able to exert your full strength. You can only rely on a transcendental sword technique like Undead Phantom Sword, which can transcend levels, to try and defend Olympia during the supernatural creature riots!”
“Now that we have obtained the seed of consciousness of Undead Phantom Sword, even if you eventually obtain the corresponding written text, the learning time will be extended to at least 10 years due to the distortion of the text.”
“It would be better for you to help Peggy master Undead Phantom Sword. In return, her Undead Phantom Sword will provide you with powerful assistance in defending the city. As for the exchange of the two transcendental sword technique texts, it’s just an addition to this deal.”
Appius looked at him coldly.
After a long time, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
“So, Rasul told you?” He asked casually.
“He gave me a hint.” Asker said. “Of course, it wasn’t hard to guess.”
“Indeed.” Appius’ gaze fell on the masked Thira. “With my little princess by your side, how could you not guess?”
“Grandfather…” Thira took off her mask in disbelief. “You recognized me?”
“Otherwise? Did you think that with your ‘Storm I,’ you could resist the high-sequence Fire ability controlled by a demigod?” Appius shook his head.
Thira froze, then rushed over and hugged Appius, burying her head and sobbing.
“Why did you become a mercenary?” Appius sighed, gently stroking her dark hair, the coldness on his face finally softening into an expression of pity. “Wouldn’t it be better to go to Athens with your sister?”
“She’s not my sister.” Thira said with a wronged expression. Only in front of her dear grandfather did she show the emotions of a girl her age. “She bullied me! She even locked me up!”
“If she wasn’t your sister, how could she just lock you up? Don’t you know the cruelty of imperial political purges?” Appius sighed, clearly also dissatisfied with Zoe’s actions.
“Zoe is short-sighted and not fit to be a ruler. It’s good that she lost Constantinople, at least in the Achaea region, I, Olympia, can still ensure her safety.”
“As for you, little Theodora, if you don’t want to go to Athens, you can also stay in Olympia and live with your grandfather and uncle.”
Thira hesitated, looking at Asker.
Asker waved his hand, indicating that she should choose for herself.
After all, in front of a demigod, he couldn’t just try to take away his granddaughter.
“Grandfather.” Thira pondered for a long time before seemingly making up her mind.
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