Chapter 152: Diverging Intentions Among the Parties
Although Irving had already agreed to collaborate with Elder Seville.
It was clear to both parties that this cooperation was merely a reluctant alliance. In reality, each side harbored the desire to completely eliminate the other.
However, the current situation made it impractical for either side to outright sever ties.
"I'm willing to work with you, but I need you to clarify what exactly your next steps are going to be. You can't possibly expect to keep holding Donald and Sophia hostage and maintain this standoff with us indefinitely, can you? Do you really think that by doing so, you will uncover the so-called treasure of the Smith family?
Moreover, after the event of the Chaotic Forces, I believe there are no more treasures of the Smith family left for you to find."
Irving directly addressed Elder Seville.
Irving's words were both a pressure tactic aimed at Elder Seville and an explanation to his own comrades about the events that had unfolded.
None of them, including the members of the Angel Guild, knew exactly what the event of the Chaotic Forces entailed.
However, after hearing the exchange between Irving and Elder Seville, they could somewhat understand that it was indeed related to the Smith family's treasure.
Which Elder Seville was determined to find.
Elder Seville chuckled in response.
He could clearly discern the underlying message in Irving's words, but he was not yet ready to reveal his true plans.
"Young man, there's no need to rush," Elder Seville replied. "Of course, I won't keep confronting you at the doorstep indefinitely. However, I won't be moving forward with so many people either. Having such a large group is simply too cumbersome."
With that, Elder Seville gestured for his men to take Donald away.
"Donald is a highly respected elder whom I hold in great esteem. The path ahead will undoubtedly be fraught with difficulties, so we should spare Donald from further hardship."
After saying this, Elder Seville glanced over at the people behind Irving.
"I only need you and Vicky to accompany me. The others can proceed with my subordinates. My plan requires a significant number of people, so each individual will play a crucial role."
After finishing his speech, Elder Seville smiled warmly at Irving and Vicky.
Irving nodded in response: "I can move forward with you, and I can speak for Vicky as well, agreeing on her behalf to join you. But you must disclose your plan of action to us first."
Irving considered Elder Seville's plan acceptable.
At least for the upcoming actions. Being able to stay close to Vicky meant he could assist her immediately should she encounter any danger.
The likelihood of danger befalling others was minimal, given that among the members of Night Blades present, only Elder Seville possessed formidable strength.
If Elder Seville did not act alongside the others, the remaining members of Night Blades posed no threat to the Angel Guild or to Benjamin.
Elder Seville nodded with a smile.
"I haven't disclosed my plan because it largely depends on Miss Vicky." he admitted.
All eyes then turned to Vicky, who, although slightly confused and worried, stepped forward and responded.
"How could I possibly know what your plan entails?"
"You are a member of the Smith family." Elder Seville explained. "In the underground unknown space beneath the Benevolent Sanatorium, you used your own blood to help us find the way forward. I need you to do the same this time."
Though Elder Seville had brought Donald to the Smith family's ancestral home.
Donald's physical condition had severely deteriorated. Asking him to use his blood again to help Night Blades locate the hidden treasure of the Smith family could likely lead to his death.
Such a scenario would create significant complications for Elder Seville and Night Blades. Without Donald, negotiating with Irving would become nearly impossible.
Without any hesitation, Vicky agreed to Elder Seville's request.
"Of course, there's no problem! I can use my own blood to show us the way forward!" Vicky bit her finger and a drop of her blood fell to the floor in front of her.
The moment it touched the ground, the entire Smith family's ancestral home began to tremble violently.
As everyone watched, the ancestral home of the Smith family underwent a drastic transformation. The architectural layout was completely altered.
The place where Elder Seville stood was no longer at the entrance of the Smith family home. It had become just an ordinary courtyard wall.
Meanwhile, the actual entrance to the Smith family home had suddenly shifted to 300 meters away to the east.
Everyone present was profoundly shocked by this spectacle.
They could hardly believe that Vicky's blood could alter the architectural layout of the Smith family's ancestral home.
Even Elder Seville was profoundly surprised.
After his initial shock, Elder Seville smiled and said, "I told you, our collaboration would definitely be a great success."
With these words, he walked over to Irving.
"Let's enter through the new entrance to the real Smith family ancestral home. As for your other comrades, my subordinates will take care of them."
No sooner had Elder Seville finished speaking than a large number of Night Blades assassins suddenly appeared around Irving's companions.
These assassins quickly surrounded Aron, Anna, and Benjamin.
"What do you mean by this? You were just talking about cooperating with me, so why are your subordinates now threatening my friends? Do you think I can easily accept your threats?"
Irving asked in a cold tone after witnessing this scene.
Elder Seville shook his head. "This is not a threat. I am doing this to protect your companions. Some of them seem to be quite reckless. If I don't use this method to caution them, they might jeopardize our cooperation. You should be well aware that the Angel Guild and our Night Blades are absolute enemies.
What if a member of the Angel Guild loses their rationality and ruins our collaboration?"
Elder Seville's tone was very calm as he spoke. His demeanor was like that of an elder imparting life lessons to a younger person he greatly admired.
Irving was visibly disgusted by Elder Seville's tone.
However, he felt there was no need to confront him directly over this minor issue.
"How do you plan to protect my companions? By locking them all up? Didn't you say earlier that your plan required a lot of people to assist?"
"Of course, I won't lock them all up. They will follow us along with my subordinates. When we encounter danger, we can send them ahead to scout the way." Elder Seville explained.
Elder Seville had learned from the failures of his previous endeavor.
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He believed that this time it was essential to lead more people into the area that might contain the Smith family's treasure.
In this way, even if they encountered dangers, others could go ahead and clear all the hazards.
"I believe my plan is very fair for both sides. Because the scouts will not only be your companions but also my subordinates. Both sides might pay a heavy price for paving the way ahead."
Elder Seville explained, his tactics undoubtedly unscrupulous.
Vicky and Irving disapproved of his methods, but they saw no point in wasting more time arguing. It was clear that no matter what they said, Elder Seville would not change his mind.
"Since this is your plan, I will reluctantly agree to it. Let's not waste any more time and proceed into the real Smith family ancestral home."
Irving urged Elder Seville to move forward.
Elder Seville nodded in satisfaction and walked towards the true entrance.
"Do you think there might be dangers at the entrance?" he asked Irving, who was following behind him.
Irving did not respond.
As he looked towards the true entrance of the Smith family ancestral home, all he could see was darkness.
An ominous presence seemed to lurk within.
However, Irving could not be certain whether entering the ancestral home would immediately bring them into danger.
Since Irving remained silent, Elder Seville sighed and called one of his subordinates to come forward.
"I have a very important task for you." Elder Seville said with a smile.
"You need to enter the Smith family ancestral home through the entrance. No matter what happens, I will be there to assist you. Even if you encounter danger, I am capable of rescuing you successfully. So, have no fear, just move forward."
Despite Elder Seville's assurances, the Night Blades member clearly did not believe him.
"Elder, I have always been very loyal to you. Surely you can still find a use for me after I stay behind." the member said, his legs shaking.
Elder Seville continued to smile.
"Didn't I tell you? There won't be much danger this time. Go on, move forward!"
With that, Elder Seville pushed the hesitant Night Blades member out towards the entrance. Unprepared, the members of Night Blades stepped directly into the entrance of the Smith family ancestral home.
Suddenly unsure of what to do next, one of the members just froze, standing motionless on the spot.
"Since you haven't encountered any danger, keep moving forward. If you try to come back now, someone will surely kill you."
Irving suddenly called out in a cold voice to the Night Blades member ahead.
Elder Seville, hearing this, shot a warning glance at Irving from the corner of his eye, feeling it necessary to caution him not to go too far.