-Another one?!- Bradd asked, with obvious disbelief.
Ringo didn't explain anything, he just looked at Bradd with a smile, waiting for the man to adjust. -How do I know what you're saying is true?
-You don't need to know, in any case, this Lich Phylactery will be used for Hila's armor.- Ringo shrugged, after all, the material was his, so what if Bradd didn't believe him?
Bradd's lips trembled, he wanted to say. -Since you have another, why don't you let him have this one?- But seeing Ames not far away, looking at him curiously, his lips could only tremble without saying anything.
Bradd sighed, deciding to trust Ringo for a moment. -What do you want?
Ringo smiled and pointed at Ames, saying. -The Floating Dragon would get along very well with a mage of your caliber.
For a moment, the store froze.
Bradd's eyes widened, Ames' curious smile froze, even widening his eyes slightly as he looked at Ringo with evident confusion.
Aesop, on the other hand, seemed to have already foreseen this, a smile slowly forming at the corner of his mouth.
Hila and Eva didn't think much of it, they didn't know Ames well enough, so they assumed Ringo was just inviting a subordinate to Ames. But seeing the quiet atmosphere, they sensed something was amiss and remained silent.
-What?- Bradd was the first to ask.
Ringo didn't wait for the man to think for long, instead, he began to announce. -If you come to the Floating Dragon, you can research in peace. On the other side of the galaxy, business won't be bad either. Although there aren't as many secondary-dimensional materials as in this place, universe materials are even easier to acquire in a neutral territory like the Floating Dragon.
Bradd found himself increasingly confused, looking at Ringo, then at Ames, wondering if this was a suggestion from the woman who wanted to recruit him.
Ames, on the other hand, already had her usual indifferent gaze, not letting anything pass, but inside she was even more confused than Bradd. When had she ever wanted to recruit this subordinate?
Ringo had several reasons for doing this.
A mage who could build Grade A-level equipment in his backyard is far superior to a mage who is several weeks away on a tedious space journey.
Furthermore, he also wanted to thank Ames, it might seem that she had done little for him, but because of this woman, Ringo's life had become much easier. Bradd was not weak at all, far from it, Ringo doubted he could beat the man, even using all his might.
The best part is that Bradd's personality matches Ames's, as an old man who has seen it all, he lost interest in careerists like Heber and Han Xiao a long time ago, and he even rejected Austin!
Ames' indifference and laziness might diminish the interest of most Grade A Supers in the galaxy, but a select few with "different" personalities could be recruited.
Bradd was perfect for Ames!
As for materials? He could slowly gather things that Bradd liked to trade with him later, while he was in Ames territory, it would be worth it!
All he had to do was find a Lich core for himself and fuse it with compatible materials.
Compared to his current wealth, it would be very cheap to hire such a good alchemist permanently.
-Wait, let me see if I understand this.- Bradd raised one hand and held his head with the other. -In exchange for me joining the Floating Dragon, you want to give me a Grade A Lich Phylacteries?
-Exactly.- Ringo promised.
Bradd blinked, blinked again, his face contorted in a thick blur, the indecision evident on his face. -You don't need anything else? Materials? Discounts? I can pay a good price for it.
-Having an alchemist of your caliber on the Floating Dragon is worth far more than any materials, even if you offered me a Grade S material I would refuse.- Ringo shrugged.
Bradd's lips trembled deeply, he couldn't stop thinking. - "Boy, what do you like about me? I swear I'll change! Please, let me go!"
Ames looked at Ringo, not glancing at Bradd the entire time. She tilted her head slightly, no one knew what she was thinking. She didn't contradict what Ringo said, nor did she help him, she just stood there, more confused than she would admit.
What is this feeling inside her?
When was the last time someone dared to act on her behalf without consulting her?
When was the last time she needed someone for anything?
If she wanted something, she got it!
She is the Dragon Emperor!
Even so, with all these thoughts on her mind, Ames curiously realized that she wasn't angry in the slightest.
There wasn't a trace of anger or resentment within her at that moment, instead, she felt a warm feeling, a feeling she thought she could only feel for Aesop.
She looked away and glanced at Aesop, her confusion briefly showing on her face. Aesop looked at her and gave a soft wink, with a slight chuckle, before looking back at Bradd, curious about his choice.
Aesop had seen that the possibilities varied, Bradd could refuse or accept, he hadn't yet decided, constantly struggling between freedom and desire. Aesop could only wait and see, but inwardly, he was very pleased with what Ringo had done.
Much of Aesop's hidden antipathy towards Ringo disappeared thus, being willing to use something that would lead to a bloodbath among the Calamity Grade mages in exchange for something that could immensely benefit another person...
Bradd looked at Ames, searching for something in her face. He didn't dare look for long, averting his gaze without finding anything. He had a feeling that this had been something Ringo had decided on his own.
Whether it was because of Ames's behavior or the woman's widely known personality, he figured Ames wouldn't come asking him to join her. He had already refused Austin because he knew his personality, if it were the Tyrant, he could only promise in the moment and find a way to escape afterward.
Ames was a bit like Austin, she didn't seem to want to force him into anything. Instead, Ringo had made him an offer that he simply struggled to refuse.
Therefore, he could think calmly. - Can I have a few days to think?
-Of course, while you're making the equipment I asked for, you can think calmly.- Ringo nodded.
Bradd's lips trembled, but in the end he agreed. He would think about it for a few days.