Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent! - Chapter 404

Chapter 404: Is that a threat?
The mayor’s expression didn’t change, but a slight twitch in his jaw betrayed a flash of annoyance.

“Think what you want, but you know I’m right. This city runs because I make sure it does. Everyone has a role, and everyone knows where they stand. You… you’ve been allowed to stand on your own as a favour.”

He paused, leaning forward slightly.

“But that favour can be reconsidered.”

Rothwind’s smile vanished at this point, sharpening his gaze like the master smith he was.

He leaned in as well, their faces only a metre or so apart now.

“Are you threatening me, mayor?”

There was a beat of silence, heavy and thick, as the two very powerful men stared each other down.

Rothwind wasn’t scared of this man.

He didn’t have to be.

Which is why the mayor internally found this whole situation so frustrating.

Ever since he took over control of Tenebrus after the last mayor died, he had been the top dog, the most powerful person in the whole Evermoor forest — everyone had to listen to him in this city and the area surrounding it.

But then one day came along Rothwind.

His presence in the city was inconsequential at first, as everyone just thought he was another non-human moving to one of the more lax multicultural cities, which actually wasn’t very lax at all.

But Rothwind’s true power was quickly revealed after some people — powerful people — picked a fight with him because he was encroaching on their business.

And when they tried to have him killed, they quickly found out the consequences they faced were very dire.

He killed each and every one of them, without a single shred of mercy.

And there was not a single thing they could do about it.

Because not even the mayor could stop Rothwind.

He tried to get involved after he heard what happened to the first aristocrat who was killed, as word spread very quickly in his circle, but he discovered very quickly that Rothwind also happened to be an A rank, Mutant class awakened, and one with a particularly difficult talent to deal with as well.

Hence, the mayor’s almost unquestionable rule quickly came under intense opposition from another person of equal power for the first time since he started over a century ago.

However, if one even spoke to Rothwind casually for more than 5 minutes, they would realise that he had absolutely no interest whatsoever in vying for power in this city.

But as usual with the political minded people like the mayor, they never trusted such things, even if they had the most factual, unmistakable evidence right in front of them.

His ego was so fragile that nothing could stop him from thinking of another person, equally strong, as opposition to his reign of power.

Finally, the mayor sighed, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

“No. I’m offering you a deal. One that will be mutually beneficial.”

Rothwind’s eyes didn’t leave the mayor’s face, but he remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

“I want the King class beast’s corpse.”

The mayor said simply.

“I don’t know how you obtained it, or who you got it from, but compared to what I — an A rank and mayor of this city — can offer, surely whatever you are receiving is a pittance?”

Rothwind’s gaze darkened at the mayor’s insinuation.

His eyes narrowed, with simmering anger in his gaze enough to make even someone as formidable as the mayor falter for a fraction of a second.

“You think this is just about payment? Money? Status and riches?”

His voice was lower than his usual tone, even when serious.

“You think I’m holding onto the beast corpse because of some petty deal?”

The mayor tried to keep his expression neutral, but there was no hiding the flash of contempt and irritation that crossed his face.

“Of course it’s about payment!”

He retorted, though his tone wasn’t as certain as before.

“Everyone has a price, Rothwind. Even you.”

Rothwind just scoffed, leaning back and crossing his arms, his entire posture exuded disdain.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Mayor. You’re thinking like a politician, like every other corrupt bureaucrat out there, thinking you can solve all your problems with money. But I’m not your problem, and I’m not interested in your money.”

The mayor’s lips tightened into a thin line.

“Then what do you want? Surely there’s something you desire. Power? Authority? I can give you both. You could even have a seat at my side, Rothwind. Imagine: It’s a partnership. Two A rank powerhouses ruling this city together.”

Rothwind laughed.

It was clear that the mayor listened to basically nothing he had said in the last few minutes!

It was just in one ear and out the other…

“Rule with you? I’m not interested in ruling anyone, Mayor. That’s your game. You crave power, control, to make everyone in this city bend to your will. Me? I just want to be left alone to do what I do best.”

The mayor’s jaw clenched as he took in Rothwind’s words.

It seemed that he may finally be seeing some sense, but that only made him even more frustrated and angry.

Nothing had stopped him from getting what he wanted before, and he was determined to keep that up in this situation too!

But then, as if a flash of inspiration went off in his head, the mayor’s eyes lit up like two crescent moons.

“You say you want to be left alone to do what you do best? Then clearly blacksmithing is your true goal. What if I say I can offer you all the materials you could ever need? Maybe one day with such a constant influx of materials, you might even advance to become a grandmaster.”

However, like a power cut went off in his brain, the mayor’s face very quickly went from gleaming to gloomy.

Because of one thing.

Rothwind’s reaction.

His laughter boomed through the room with deep resonance. It echoed off the walls, filling the space with a mocking sound that made the mayor’s confident smile slip.

“What do you think I have the beast corpse for?”

Rothwind asked with his voice dripping in amusement.

“You think I’d need your scraps when I already possess the most potent material in the entire Evermoor forest?”

Now, the mayor realised that Rothwind truly couldn’t be convinced.