OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 267: A Silent Gamble

Chapter 267: A Silent Gamble

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Shinobi heeded his leader's command.

He was a Japanese man who wore a 'Shinobi Shozoku.'

Like those before him, it was an outfit used traditionally in ancient times.

A hooded black jacket with similar black pants.

"We shouldn't sting a hornet's nest if we can avoid it... I vote against attacking."

Lionheart was of a similar disposition.

He was a blonde man with brown eyes.

His body was massive, similar to Emir's in size, and he wore a suit as well.

"To me it's obvious how we should go about this... Emir is an enigma; on the off chance that we lose this gamble, everything will be destroyed."

"So?"

At Aquila's reminder, he added:

"I vote against."

The Eagle nodded.

"And the rest?"

Kremlin and Iron Reich stepped forward together, both seemingly itching to fight.

The Russian one was a black-haired, green-eyed man.

Iron Reich looked similar to Kremlin, with the only difference being his blue eyes.

They both wore green-colored military uniforms.

"Let's kill the fucker!"

"He's too much of a threat..."

"...So?"

Aquila reminded them once more.

"In favor!"

"Alright... How about you, Southern Cross?"

The man with a scruffy beard and dirty brown hair slightly bowed his muscular body while saying:

"I will follow your orders, Eagle."

"I as well."

Kremlin, a South African woman, immediately seconded.

She wore a normal sundress and a black 'Doek' atop her head.

It was a headscarf that only highlighted her beauty.

'Jamal would love to see her...'

She noticed Emir's stare but only smiled when they met gazes.

'Oh, I better introduce them.'

"Now, how about you, Red?"

The man nodded and walked towards Aquila's right.

He was similar to Shinobi in looks except for his clothes, which were 'Manchu-style.'

A full-length red robe with a darker red vest that had numerous dragons of gold lining the cloth.

"You've got style."

Red Dragon's head snapped towards Emir, showing bewilderment.

"What?"

"I give credit to who deserves it, and you rank first in the fashion show we have here; Kalahari ranks a close second, with Phoenix trailing in third place."

The reaction of the two women was like a night and day; it was obvious who said what:

"How dare you judge me!"

"You think so? Hehe... Thanks~."

Aquila raised his hand, quieting them once more.

"Red?"

"Ah, yeah..."

After coughing a couple of times, he announced:

"Sorry, but I'm in favor; you're too shameless... It's quite sad though; I do like you."

"Thanks for the confession."

They shared a quick laugh, and Emir's gaze returned to the Eagle.

Now everything was in his hands.

There were two in favor, five against, and another two that left their decision to him.

So this meant that Aquila held three votes.

A chuckle then suddenly escaped the man.

"Alright..."

He gestured for everyone to sit down.

"This is a lot of pressure, you know."

Emir nodded.

"I get you... Though you probably got used to it by now, while I'm here just starting out."

"Right, and how's your HG going, by the way?"

"It's alright, some deaths here and there, but nothing we can't manage."

Those around the two grew bewildered.

"Oh, is that so? Most that join our profession don't last long; I'm impressed."

With the exception of Red Dragon, all their faces now showed confusion.

"What can I say? I've got great people helping out."

Weren't they fighting a few minutes ago?

Where was the bloodshed?

Where was death?

"That's nice... though you've killed one of my 'great people.""

"No, I didn't."

That was a variation of what they probably thought.

"How are you so sure?"

"I realized this after talking to you... no matter how cold you are, losing your girl-"

Aquila's hands rose and formed an X.

Emir flinched, about to attack, but the Eagle's next words stopped him:

"Don't fucking say that shit! I've got a wife! I'm innocent!"

"...Huh?"

His relaxed posture returned as he asked:

"The fuck? Why were you letting her touch you up like that then?"

Aquila sighed while his hands dropped back on the couch.

"What do you think? I wanted a favor from Templar, so I've brought her along."

"Aha, so the dog began sucking up to you for a quick buck."

"Yes... Anyways, now we can't get that favor because of you."

"I guess, but you shouldn't worry too much about them."

"Why?"

Emir winked.

"It's a secret."

"Expected as much... So now that you know, what do I think I should do with you?"

His words were calm as his gaze fixed on Emir's again.

The prince shrugged and waited for his decision.

He truly was composed...

Yet a few thoughts couldn't help but cross his mind...

Clouding it.

Although he planned everything out and played every action to the best of his abilities, he

still thought of the worst-case scenario.

Emir really couldn't help it.

If they decided to attack...

Then should he kill them?

There was a low chance that he could survive, but he didn't want to risk it.

Instead of going that route, he could bargain with information that he knew regarding certain

events that would help them in the future.

But they might not take that bait-

"Look..."

Emir's musings paused as Aquila finally opened his mouth, ending a long silence.

"Like my friend Red... I grew to like you, and so! ...I'll have you take responsibility."

"What you did today isn't something we can take lightly, but if you handle the favor that we

were going to ask of Templar, then we can walk past it..."

"Sweep it under the rug, or so they say—"

Phoenix suddenly cut in, interrupting their moment with her mad shout:

"Will you seriously move one like this?! It just doesn't make sense!"

Tsk!

The others reacted to her with disdain, but Red Dragon's words gave them pause before they

could lash out at her:

"So what? We do what's best. I get that you're new to all of this, but you can't be going around

screaming at us when you're irritated."

"But... he still went against our rules!"

Maharajah nodded while seconding: "She's right! He did-"

Shinobi shut the man up while clicking his tongue again.

"You fucking troglodytes, if he accepts, he'll pay the price differently, and in a better way as

well."

Red Dragon then added with a grin:

"Besides, it's been decided already; Eagle's decision always presides over the group if there's

a tie in the votes." Phoenix's rage-filled gaze locked on Aquila's, wanting him to comment.

But the man didn't give her any face and simply smiled, his eyes still trained on Emir.

The prince observed the situation unfold in silence, for he knew that such a childish argument

wouldn't hold.

'At least the rest got a brain on their shoulders.'

He sneered at the angry woman, which prompted her to mouth a few curses that she didn't

dare voice out.

"I appreciate your thoughts, Phoenix, but I'd rather there not be a second time for this..."

Aquila's indifferent voice resounded, one with a warning that sent shivers down her spine. "This has already been decided, so please... Just shut the fuck up!"

She immediately quietened and sat back down, puffing at all the 'injustice' playing out against her.

"What's the favor?"

Emir asked as they finally brought a close to all that useless drivel.

"What you want to know is the favor's safety factor, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'll tell you about the favor when the time comes, but just know that it isn't to plot

against you in any way..."

"I swear this Oath that it isn't."

Aquila showed a prideful grin acting as if the entire conundrum was a facade for this moment.

"Now that you can trust me..."

'Ah...'

"Are you down or not?"

It seemed that Emir had officially won this silent gamble.