Standing by the window, Solenne stared at the bustling street in the distance. Since the news of Black Water had started spreading throughout the Crimson Dunes, Mantis Town had beco the focal point of all the nearby forces.
At first, she could not understand why Thoren would demand the spread of Black Water, but when he explained his plan, she could not help but agree with him.
To break from the shadow of the Slave Trade Guild and the control of the Scorpion n, they needed to make themselves so valuable that every beastn species would have no choice but to depend on them.
And now, looking at the bustling street, hearing the noise of rchants, and visiting awakeners moving through the town, she understood the weight of that decision.
She knew that Thoren’s plan was working.
Just from the rent coming from inns and the sales of water and wine from taverns, her guild had raked in a massive amount of wealth she never expected would be possible.
But then ca the other side of their wealth.
Trouble.
With the massive inflow of people into Mantis Town, spies and troublemakers increased by the dozens. Even though she had her guild mbers keep tabs on everyone entering the town, she knew it could never stop the impending storm from happening.
Every face in the crowd could belong to a spy.
Every drunk awakener in a tavern could be testing their response.
Every group entering through the gate could be carrying blades hidden beneath smiles.
"I guess it is ti my Crimson Arc Guild shows its strength," she whispered under her breath.
They had been suppressed by the Silver Crest Guild, the Slave Trade Guild, the Scorpion Beastn clan, and other factions hidden in the Crimson Dunes.
Now that her guild was presented with such a golden opportunity, she could not miss the opportunity to change her guild’s situation.
If they continued to act weak, everyone would try to step on them.
Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, a few slight knocks ca from the door, breaking her out of her thoughts. Without looking back, she said, "Co in."
Creak!
The door was pushed open, and Riven walked in.
"What is it?" Solenne asked, turning to look at him.
"Guild master, the town security is getting worse with each passing second," Riven said slowly. "Many people are causing trouble for both us humans and the Mantis n. We even found out so people were trying to kidnap the Mantis n."
"Elders of the Mantis n are now complaining. Their safety is no longer guaranteed." He paused and looked at her, waiting for her to speak.
But to his surprise, Solenne did not utter any word. She rely stared at him as if the situation was still under her control. Seeing this, Riven was sowhat assured and continued.
"Guild master, we need to do sothing before it is too late. Also..." His voice trailed off.
"Also what?" Solenne asked.
"People are complaining and are tarnishing the na of the guild. With Black Water’s door closed and people not being able to exchange for the rumored promises, they thought it must be our guild that spread such a baseless rumor."
"So are even clamoring about attacking our guild, demanding compensation for all their trouble and the danger they braved by coming here."
When Solenne heard this, she could not help but sneer.
Just because they did not find what they ca for, they shifted the bla onto them. Did they think her Crimson Arc Guild was an easy persimmon?
Since they wanted to play the ga, she would indulge them.
"Capture anyone who spouts that nonsense and throw them out of the town. As for those causing trouble, break their legs and hands, then throw them out of the town as well," she said coldly.
Since they dared announce the news about Black Water, of course, they had already prepared for such trouble.
They had not expected peace.
They had not expected gratitude.
They knew clearly that greed would co first before anything else.
Hmm?
Riven widened his eyes slightly. He opened his mouth to speak, but staring at Solenne’s cold, icy gaze, he swallowed whatever he wanted to say.
Just as he thought Solenne had finished speaking, she continued.
"Also, increase the gate entrance fee to one silver coin per person."
"For a party of more than five, ten silver coins. For a party of more than ten, fifty silver coins."
"What?!" Riven exclaid, his jaw dropping.
He could not believe his ears.
"Guild master, this is not good. We cannot do that," he said quickly.
"Doing this will only make everyone our enemies."
"Please reconsider your decision," he urged, his tone filled with pleading.
"Why?" Solenne asked flatly. "So, you want to be on everyone’s good side while we beco their prey? Is that what you want?"
Ha!
Riven was stunned, unable to co up with a reasonable explanation.
"When our alchemist was assassinated, I did not see this side of you. We have repeatedly been targeted by many guilds and people. Why did you not stand up and speak to them, for them to stop targeting us?"
"I am disappointed." She shook her head, turned around, and stared blankly out the window.
Riven could not react. He could not believe his thoughtless words would make Solenne react so negatively. After thinking about it deeply, he realized his oversight. Why was he desperately trying to please people he did not know?
Was it because he was scared of their retaliation or what?
The more he thought about it, the more he realized his blunder.
If the Crimson Arc Guild continued to bow their heads when Mantis Town had already beco valuable, then every greedy hand would reach toward their throat.
Solenne was right.
The people entering Mantis Town were not innocent people seeking shelter.
Many of them ca because of Black Water.
So ca to trade.
So ca to spy.
So ca to steal.
And so ca to test whether the Crimson Arc Guild still had fangs.
If they lowered the entrance fee and allowed troublemakers to flood in, the guild would be the one to bear the consequences.
If they tried to please everyone, they would please no one.
Riven lowered his head.
"Guild master, I am sorry for my blunder. It was an oversight on my part," he said slowly.
"I will complete the order imdiately."
Solenne did not turn around imdiately.
Her gaze remained on the bustling street below, where laughter, bargaining voices, and footsteps blended into a strange rhythm.
For a brief mont, the scene looked peaceful.
But she knew peace built on resources was fragile.
The mont others realized they could not easily access to Black Water, their envy would turn into hostility.
"Riven," Solenne said suddenly.
He stopped just as he was about to leave.
"Yes, Guild master?"
"Do not only increase the entrance fee," she said calmly. "Double the patrols around the Mantis n district and station trusted mbers near the elders’ residence."
Riven’s expression tightened.
"Also, every visitor who asks about Black Water more than three tis should be recorded. Every group that refuses to state their purpose should be watched. Every person caught trying to bribe a guard should be detained imdiately."
"Yes," Riven responded, his tone becoming firr.
"And inform the Mantis n elders that their safety is now under Crimson Arc Guild protection. Anyone who touches them will lose more than their hands."
Riven felt his heart tremble slightly.
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