398: Equal terms

Equal terms

"A-agreement?" Principal Mar stammered.1

In Spike's hand was a written agreement. He wasn't that stupid to mindlessly take over this city. He knew that even if they succeeded in occupying the city— their effort would be wasted because of one of the laws in the World Agreement.

Enforcers enforcing the agreement are sure to take action when this matter reaches them. If that would be going to happen, then occupying the city was a dumb choice.

It was in the agreement that when the foreign-led city is occupied by enemies, the administrator who facilitates the law will send strong forces to annihilate the invaders and restore leadership to the original administrator of the city.

In exchange for their protection, the foreign-led cities were paying taxes to the organization. It was a give-and-take relationship between the cities and the organization.

The power of the treaty enforcer cannot be ignored. In today's era, that organization's forces rose to power to such an extent that even the current leaders of each country would not dare openly antagonize them. Spike knows the consequences if ever the organization joins the fight.

That's why they were so careful in this invasion. It was also why he was bringing an agreement in the face of the principal, who was one of this city's admins. 

He secretly glanced at Principal Kim who was behind Principal Mar. He saw his wicked smile. He seemed to be happy with what was going on. 

Regardless, Spike was just another pawn in this mission.

According to Principal Kim, they could avoid being attacked by the organization's enforcers if he could show evidence that his subjugation of the city was concluded in a legal process. Even if they saw evidence of an attack or even if there were witnesses, as long as they showed them proof that the admins of the subjugated city agreed to an agreement to hand over the city's ownership, the organization enforcers would surely not chase the matter. 

However, they needed to claim the ownership of the city faster.

Meanwhile, after seeing the paper and hearing what Spike said, everyone immediately had stunned faces. 

Most affected by all this was Principal Mar who was one of the city admins.

Seeing the frozen expression on the principal's face, Spike's lips curved upward, and so did his other comrades.

"Exactly as you heard. It is written on the paper that you agree to sell us the whole city for one gold point. You just need to put your signature in it to finalize the deal." There was a grin on Spike's face as he said it.

"What?" Principal Mar could hardly believe what he heard.

1 point for a whole city? Everyone questioned in their minds as if this news baffled them.

After a short pause, Principal Mar exclaimed. "No way. I can't do that!" Principal Mar rejected it right away.

If it was a normal day, he would surely lash out at this insolent fool for having such a crazy demand. But since it was coming from a criminal who could easily kill a person without batting an eyelid, he could not let his feelings get over his head. A little wrong move would surely lead to everyone's demise. In this case, the safety of everyone in this room was in his hands.

A bead of sweat trailed down his face as he could feel the pressure.

Everyone understood the principal's reaction. If they were in his shoes, they would not accept such an absurd request too.

Spike sneered at Principal Mar. "Do you think I'm asking you to do it?"

"What do you mean?" Principal Mar asked in a guttural voice.

Spike sighed and said in a cold tone, "I'm ordering you to do it. At least you'll get a piece of gold in return!" Then, he sent a cold stare at him. "Or maybe you want to die here?"

Receiving such a cold glare and threatening words from a criminal, Principal Mar was taken aback. The others could also feel the pressure he was releasing.

"N-No way! Even if you said that I still won't do it. Even if you kill me, I would rather accept my death than agree to your absurdity," Principal Mar replied with an honest feeling. He remained firm even under such pressure. He continued saying, "This city wasn't only for myself. It is for all the people who are living here and the students. If I were to die here in exchange for the city, I'd be happy to accept such a fate. Besides, who in their right mind would accept to trade a city for one gold?!"

"Yes, Principal Mar is right," said one of the VIPs.

From the principal's reply, "Heh!" Spike snorted.

It seemed like the old man didn't understand the situation. It looked like throwing a head on the floor wasn't enough to deter him.

Without saying anything, he walked but not in the direction of Principal Mar. The VIPs, who were in his path, stepped aside to let him pass. At this point, all eyes in the room were on Spike. They were wary of his every action and any subtle changes in his expression. 

They saw him stop in front of the large monitor where they used to watch the competition. His other comrades followed him while the others remained on their feet to guard the entrance.

Principal Mar just remembered something. 'Right, the competition!' He wondered what happened, especially to the students there. After the commotion started, he had already forgotten about it, so he had no idea how it turned out.

He also noticed that everyone already lost interest in it. Well, it was to be expected given the current situation. His only concern was the safety of the students.

At that moment, Spike turned around and faced them again. 

"Are you looking down on that piece of gold?" He asked. The noise immediately cascaded at his sudden question.

A second later, someone among the VIPs cleared his throat, "Ahem!" and he said, "Besides, an agreement should be on equal terms." Everyone from the room turned their heads toward him.

They saw the oldman Adam Praeter step forward.

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