122: Monterey's compromise and pleasant cooperation

As soon as Ron finished speaking, Monterey's eyelids twitched, and he asked in surprise, "What? You want to establish a branch here?"

Ron looked up, a half-smile playing on his lips, and said, "What's wrong? Is that not allowed?"

Monterey's breath hitched, and he said awkwardly, "Uh, of course it's allowed..."

Despite his words, a sense of vigilance secretly arose in Monterey's heart.

As far as he knew, the Thieves' Guild had actually established a branch in Kula City many years ago.

However, at that time, Kula City was not as intertwined with various forces as it is now.

At that time, both the legal and illegal sides of Kula City were entirely controlled by Viscount Kula, and the Knight Order was even the Kula Family's private army.

Even the transcendent Church of Creation had to consider Viscount Kula's feelings.

Therefore, there was no room for the Thieves' Guild to survive in Kula City at that time.

After some consideration, the Thieves' Guild completely withdrew from Kula City.

For the next few decades, they never considered rebuilding a branch.

But now, after so many years, the Thieves' Guild is starting anew and returning?

If that's the case, it's not good news for the Adventurers' Association...

Thinking of this, Monterey was suddenly taken aback.

He suddenly realized that he was now being held by Ron and his companion, and he was already in a precarious situation.

Once the evidence was exposed, he would even be tried and convicted by the Adventurers' Association.

Therefore, what he should be doing now is not pondering the future of the Adventurers' Association.

Instead, he should first look out for himself, stabilize Ron and his companion, and prevent them from revealing his secret!

"...Wait, what did you say your demand was again?"

Monterey recalled Ron's earlier words and frowned immediately.

He looked at Ron with a strange, suspicious gaze.

"Are you saying... you only need the Adventurers' Association not to be hostile to your Thieves' Guild?"

Monterey scratched his head and asked tentatively, "Uh, are you sure it's that simple? No other demands?"

Monterey found it hard to believe. He saw Ron and his companion suddenly appear today, threatening him with something from ten years ago.

So he concluded that they must want him to do something earth-shattering, something that would change the landscape of Kula City.

It was even possible that they wanted him to be an inside man, directly destroying the Adventurers' Association!

As a result, just as he was preparing himself mentally and thinking about how to negotiate, he heard Ron's demand, which was simply... for the two forces to not infringe upon each other? To mind their own business?

This simple and peaceful demand truly made Monterey feel incredible.

Ron saw Monterey's skeptical, disbelieving expression.

He couldn't help but chuckle lightly and said calmly, "What, you don't believe what I'm saying?"

"It's okay, if I were you, I wouldn't believe it either."

Monterey nodded inwardly upon hearing this, thinking that this thief was quite self-aware.

However, he then heard Ron continue, "But, let me remind you of something."

"You can doubt a thief's character, but you cannot doubt a thief's intelligence!"

At these words, Monterey was stunned.

Then, he asked in confusion, "Character? Intelligence? What do you mean by that?"

Ron remained calm and composed, and said leisurely, "The meaning is simple. Although I have leverage over you, I also know your bottom line."

"If I really intended to use this to threaten you into doing something that would harm the Adventurers' Association..."

"Then I believe you might rather reveal everything to the Association Headquarters than cooperate with us."

Monterey's pupils constricted upon hearing this, revealing a look of astonishment.

Because, just as Ron said, he had indeed been thinking that if the Thieves' Guild's demands were too excessive, he would feign compliance, then secretly turn himself in to the Adventurers' Association Headquarters.

The reason he would do this was also simple.

Because, although the matter of framing Nutley was very serious, it would very likely lead to his internal execution.

However, in these years since he became the branch head, he had always been diligent and hardworking, having contributed much despite any lack of glory.

Therefore, even if he were to be punished, the headquarters would handle it leniently in light of his many years of service, giving him a high probability of survival.

Moreover, over the years, he had married, had children, bought a house, and acquired land.

Almost all of his social connections were within the Adventurers' Association.

Once the matter of colluding with the Thieves' Guild was discovered, he would face multiple charges, and not only would he die, but his wife, children, and elderly parents would also not survive.

Of course, there was also the most important point: the word 'credibility' was not in the Thieves' Guild's dictionary.

Almost all the things thieves swore to do would ultimately be broken promises and betrayals.

So, even if he were to be swayed and agree to their demands, the Thieves' Guild would not let him go after the deed was done.

Instead, they would continue to threaten him, making him repeatedly carry out more sinister tasks, until... one day, his identity as an informant was discovered.

At that time, the Thieves' Guild would abandon him without hesitation.

And he, alone, facing the wrath of the Adventurers' Association, his fate would be self-evident; he would surely die a more miserable death.

So, on one side was leniency for confession, perhaps a chance at survival.

On the other side was lingering on, committing more wrongdoings, until his entire family was wiped out.

Between these two choices, Monterey, if he wasn't foolish, naturally knew which to choose.

"As the saying goes—too much is as bad as too little."

"Instead of being insatiably greedy and ultimately gaining nothing,"

"it's better to know when to stop and quit while you're ahead, don't you agree?"

Ron looked at Monterey with a smile, his voice full of certainty.

Monterey also had a sudden realization, and his gaze towards Ron became even more reverent.

"You truly are a... devil skilled at manipulating people's hearts!" Monterey said with a bitter smile and a complicated expression.

Then, he pondered for a moment before sighing, "Alright, if it's really as simple as you say, then... I don't seem to have a reason to refuse?"

Upon hearing this, Ron laughed heartily.

He then stood up and extended his right hand towards Monterey.

"Then, I wish us... a pleasant cooperation?"

At this moment, Monterey looked deeply at Ron, then also extended his right hand.

"Pleasant cooperation."

The two shook hands, and Monterey let out a long breath.

At this moment, Beruke, who was standing nearby, felt a strange sensation amidst his excitement.

It seemed he had seen this scene before, somewhere?