After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World - Chapter 598

Chapter 598: The Deal
They looked at the poor boy, only 11 or 12 years of age, thin and messy. He was covered with bruises all over his body and his eyes were brimming with tears as he looked at his father. However, there must’ve been an order for him not to speak, because all he could do at this time was whimper.

The boy came from Bright—a good territory that treated its citizens well—and yet the boy looked so horrible even after just a few days. It was obvious he suffered a lot.

Just the imagery made their blood boil in outrage, but at the same time, they couldn’t attack recklessly lest they accidentally take the boy’s life.

“I heard about your outburst when the slaves arrived… Of course, we kept this card safe and sound for you. Aren’t you thankful?”

Okra chuckled as he handed the boy over to Fargo who had a dagger ready in his hand. He put the blade threateningly on the boy’s neck, making everyone pale.

A millimeter closer to the boy’s skin was a stab to his father’s heart.

“RIANN!!!” he sobbed, wanting to approach, but could only freeze when the dagger was pushed a bit deeper as he moved forward, making the lad bleed a bit.

His feet halted so quickly that his knees buckled. Juliet walked over to him to pat his shoulder, silently asking him to calm down, though how could a parent truly calm when his child’s life was being threatened right in front of his eyes?

Fargo and the others loved seeing such sights, making their dour mood a bit better. “I happen to know the human body very well,” Fargo said, “I know exactly where the carotid artery is, and I assure you I will not miss.”

“No… please don’t…” Rasso pleaded, looking at him. He did not bother standing up, so now it seemed like he was begging Fargo.

…which he was.

“Help us convince the Alterans to take the deal. Maybe your son can keep his life.”

The man flinched and he looked to the side, meeting Althea’s eyes. Although they didn’t know each other, the woman had a certain stance and aura around her that told him she was someone whose words had weight.

Not to mention, Fargo himself seemed wary of her.

Without hesitation, Rasso—who was already kneeling down—crawled to go near Althea, rubbing his hands together. “Save him please, please. I’ll do anything.”

Althea looked at everything in deep thought.

Alterans’ mantra had always been ‘life first’, so this was indeed a heavy dilemma for her. While she didn’t want to give Fargo leeway into a discussion, the boy and the other ‘slaves’ were thousands of lives depending on her decision. It was really not much to consider.

Not to mention, it sounded so… concrete when there was one person directly begging for her mercy.

Fargo looked at Althea. “I’m getting impatient,” he said. “Do you want this kid’s head to fly or see an unknown number of slaves destroy their limbs?”

He knew these people had soft hearts. He had been taking advantage of Victor and the others through this, and he shall continue doing so.

Sure enough, Althea’s shoulders softened, signaling that she was about to succumb. “What do you want Fargo?”

“Let me go!”

Althea narrowed her eyes as she looked at him, taking a beat before speaking.

“Not possible,” she said. “Not unless you give me the Lord Token for both Fargo and Bright.”

This naturally heckled a few feathers but she raised her delicate palm to continue speaking.

“I also want everything you own in your spaces. Only then can I let all of you go, what do you say? Oh, and you’ll need to swear on it as well.”

Fargo’s headache immediately worsened. “Dream!”

The standstill continued for a few moments, with Fargo seriously just considering killing the kid. On the other hand, Althea had been chewing mana cookies all this time, actually trying to delay the conflict while she recovered her mana.

A second later, she took down her normal bow and arrow and replaced it with the Bellagio. She pulled it back, ready to shoot.

It could only make one good shot and she’d be spent, but she had little choice right now.

The sight of it made the three enemies flinch, understanding its power too well. However, they had their pride and didn’t show anything on their faces.

On the contrary, they were prepared to do whatever to avoid getting hit by the damned weapon.

“I forgot to tell you I recovered some mana,” she said. “I can kill you now. And maybe even them,” she said, looking at the two aborigines who immediately flinched.

Fargo growled. “Lies!”

“Wanna bet?”

She tried not to show any doubts. In fact, a shot left would only gravely injure if it hit—assuming that it hit—Fargo, let alone one of the aborigines. If she missed, a lot of lives would be lost.

Fargo’s eyes turned red as he saw the glimmering weapon. Then he looked at how they were surrounded by the enemies. He might have strong guards, but they weren’t willing to kill!

Rather, he had seen how they both flinched at the sight of the weapon! In their minds, if it hit, it could really kill them.

Maybe they were already planning their exit at this moment!

Before either of the two men abandoned him, Fargo had no choice but to… compromise.

The mere thought made him feel like he was boiling in anger and shame.

He had never compromised in his life, but look at him now!

His whole body was physically in pain with how everything was just not going to plan! His red eyes turned to look at that woman who was standing still, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

“FINE!” he said. Even if he loses the village—for now—at the very least, he could get the rest of the Rongos to attack this place!

And, most importantly: Destroy Altera!