"Could you try to be a little more understanding and at least say a couple of 'I don't mind' kinds of pleasantries to save so face for the old man?" Doll asked, tilting its head.
"Although I'd like to do that, it concerns personal privacy and safety. I don't want to turn a blind eye."
"Ah, you young people."
Erald sighed, "Didn't I say it before? Insisting on delving deeper into this topic will only create a rift in our cooperation. Do you really have to probe to the bottom of it and make everyone feel awkward?"
"I actually have another plan," Erald Sparrow spoke up.
"What plan?"
"Let's talk openly and honestly. In order to cooperate smoothly in the future, I need your official stance."
Pulling over a small chair, Erald Sparrow sat down, "I've thought it through. For right now, whether it's for my own sake, my companions', or the city's, it seems the only way to be sowhat at peace is to find a true partner and ally. I want to know if there's a possibility for you and to beco allies with more aligned interests."
"Allies with aligned interests..."
The doll in the swivel chair scratched its chin rather humanly, "I see, so you an to confirm whether you and I are on the sa side?"
"Not to confirm, but to discuss."
Erald Sparrow stood firm, "If the result of the discussion is that we can cooperate more deeply, then I could turn a blind eye to this 'protection.' If the result is that we cannot conspire due to diverging paths, then our trade might also co to an end. After that, I won't be following your plan to go to the kingdom."
"Now that's being a little unreasonable."
Erald's eyes widened, "Sending you to the kingdom is to help you heal, which is supposed to be good for you. How did it turn into a condition for bargaining with ?"
"For , it's 'healing,' but for you, for the Research Institute, and even your entire involved interest group, is it really that simple?"
Erald Sparrow looked at her calmly, "We both know my true identity, and we both understand why I am in this situation. The impact of stepping into the kingdom once again should only be greater than I know. If I'm not mistaken, going there to heal is only the first stop on the itinerary. The so-called 'assessnt' is just the last stop, right? What arrangents are waiting for in between?"
"Hmm... surprisingly, I can't find an angle to refute, but I don't see the need for this issue to be discussed,"
Erald pondered, "After all, it's a trade, but right now, I should be the only one offering a price, shouldn't I? I should have the power to negotiate."
"If that's what you're asking, then you actually have two rivals in the bidding."
Erald Sparrow extended two fingers, "First, undoubtedly, is White Wolf. Although I don't know the reason, the claw marks have already clearly extended an olive branch to , which is an option for ."
"White Wolf? Her?"
Doll looked incredulous, "Do you really think you can turn to Claw Marks at this crucial mont?"
"I wouldn't if I had other options."
Erald Sparrow closed her eyes, then reopened them, her gaze lowered, "But if it's for the safety of and my companions, when there are no other choices, I might consider White Wolf's offer."
"I don't think she has the sa competitive power as an offerer as I do."
Erald made a judgnt, "I need to hear about the other rival from your mouth."
"You don't know?" Erald Sparrow asked, puzzled.
"Why would I know? Surely it can't be Black Ash Dawn?"
"Hmm... how should I put it?"
"Don't joke, youngster. It couldn't possibly be Black Ash Dawn, right?" The doll's eyes widened in disbelief.
"No, of course not. Claw Marks is already a last resort choice for , let alone Black Ash Dawn,"
Erald Sparrow denied, "I'm just thinking, if we don't discuss standpoints and cris, but rely talk about credibility and character, who is more trustworthy between the Director and Black Ash Dawn."
The question also made Erald reflect for a while before she tentatively gave an answer, "...Black Ash Dawn?"
"Really?"
Erald Sparrow seed to have co to the sa conclusion, "But for the current , it seems not out of the question to take a gamble."
"That old witch has never made you an offer, I haven't caught even a whisper of it."
Erald obviously wasn't satisfied with the answer, "If you think just bringing up my old adversary can serve as capital for bargaining, you're underestimating too much, young one."
"The Director indeed hasn't discussed the issue of deep cooperation with ."
Erald Sparrow admitted the fact stated by Erald, "But, I can be certain that if I go to her now, I can surely get a corresponding offer from her."
"Impossible," the doll shook its head, "Absolutely impossible."
"I don't think so."
Erald Sparrow remained unmoved, "Although her ladyship has been ambiguous and even a bit nasty so far, I trust her nose for profit. I'm very clear about my value as a political commodity."
"Referring to yourself as a 'political commodity' seems a bit too pitiful, young one."
"Am I not?" Erald Sparrow asked lightly.
"This... ah."
Erald seed to want to say sothing but stopped short of speaking, "Fine, I'll just tell you straight. That old witch is not going to make an offer to you."
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