"Do you see where I am going with this?"
Gilhause asked in a cold voice. Eren prevented himself from snorting at the guy's question. He maintained his standard army stance before responding.
"I don't."
Gilhause had to admit that Eren had dodged a lot of bullets by sticking to simple answers and not using any threatening language against him. This was true no matter how many times he tried to shake things up.
But Gilahuse's job was not to get impressed by Eren. His job was to threaten him.
"You have pissed off big names, a young man with the way you are doing things.
Demonmir! Do you know who he is?"
Eren didn't take long to answer.
"Ottoman de Montmorency."
Gilhause stopped walking when he was in front of Eren. he looked him in the eyes and smirked before commenting.
"That's right. House Remus and Ottoman's faction. Let's say they have gotten into some sort of arrangement. Both our sides have some influence on Edinburgh's army.
You have met with Dianna Remus from my clan. But she is… let's say the black sheep of our lot. House Remus's major military might and influence is not something you can comprehend based on your interactions with Dianna."
Gilhause stepped one step forward and almost whispered into Eren's ears.
"About the arrangement between the two sides. The Ottoman faction in the army supports House Remus in getting back the land you stole from us through lies and deceit. Now we don't want to make things too difficult for you.
Give up your rights to the land that was Minerva's Utopia. In essence, you'd have to give up the White Raven city. In exchange, we would offer you some other land and a premium package that you can claim as your convenience fee.
If you can do this, I'll make sure your exit from the army is as seamless and safe as possible. Otherwise, I can't assure you that your exit mission would not claim your life.
What use are money and fame if you die obtaining them?"
Eren realized that there was another butterfly effect at play in this case that worked against him. If there had not been a war-like situation surrounding Edinburgh, he would have graduated just by being the Adept ranker.
However, LA had prevented students from getting graduated until the joint event was conducted by all the top academies. That meant Eren could only sever his connections with the army this way. He could only leave the army after concluding his on-field assignment from his end and awaiting the army's approval on the same.
'Ivor becoming Osan Woods butcher has complicated things for me in the long run. I'm just beginning to see the repercussions now.'
Eren sighed internally in his head when he thought of the whole incident. He dispersed his stray thoughts before responding to the threat thrown his way with a threat of his own.
"I assure you, sir, Gilhause. I didn't establish the city solely for money and fame. They are mere byproducts of what I want to achieve. But I'd be a fool to underestimate their influence.
For example, I know I have enough money to sanction hits on only particular clan members. As a result of my fame, I can influence certain people who would make it difficult for only one House.
Whether I live or die for certain people, my money and my fame won't die with me. And those things can fuel my vengeance for years to come without me having to be on the continent of Anfang.
Of course, I'm merely stating things here. Hypothetical situations, if you want to call them that."
Eren said and looked into the army officer's eyes before throwing his question back to him like a boomerang.
"Do you see where I am going with this?"
Gilhause was stunned when he heard Eren's words. Eren's voice was neutral when he said that. If Gilhause was here in person, the man would have been intimidated just by Eren's burst of soul sense.
Gilhause couldn't come up with a convincing reply to threaten Eren with anymore. So he stuck with the old one he got.
"Pride kills more people than spells ever will, boy. I hope your exit will not be too difficult for you. Leaving a will behind is always a wise choice. You never know."
Gilahuse's spectral image started fading after he said what he had to say. In the end, he concluded his speech with a possibility. A way for Eren.
"The time is not entirely against you. You still have one last opportunity to make things right for you. It'll knock on your doors shortly. Make sure you remember what I said clearly when dealing with this last chance you have been given.
Think about your guild members. Think about their safety and well-being. I'm sure you wouldn't want anything to happen to them. What would happen to your city when you up and disappear one day?
You need to start thinking about these things. That's all I have to say. Farewell."
Gilahuse's spectral image completely disappeared. The communication array Eren was standing in dimmed before disappearing from the ground, indicating that the call was completed.
'Last chance? What was that all about?'
Eren felt puzzled hearing Gilhause's words. But before he could conclude, he received another message on his voice communication from one of his subordinates.
Rey Remus had come to personally meet Eren. He was waiting for him in Agatha's office. And from the looks of things, the old man was not listening to any of Agatha's words. He treated everything in White Raven as if it was his property.
Only now did Eren understand why Gilahuse had tried to call him at this point. He was trying to press him down psychologically. To create an environment for negotiation that Rey could use to strike a deal with Eren.
"Trying to suppress me by using military tactics, huh! To terrorize me using ranks and Demonmir.
Too bad I don't negotiate with these petty terrorists."
Eren said and shook his head as he started activating the spatial array that will send him straight into Agatha's office.
'Of course. Who would negotiate with their juniors when it comes to terrorism?'
Alephee's sarcastic voice sounded in Eren's mind. He chuckled before disappearing from his spot.
AN: Rey Remus was first introduced in chapter 713.
