After saying goodbye to Wang Xu, Luo’er went straight to Nightingale’s room. This is the headquarters library and data archives, with many books and files about the Otherworld. Nightingale had set up a bed right here, always poring over books and documents as soon as she woke up, and even solving her eating, drinking, and other needs here. With no other choice, the staff at the headquarters had to build a separate room within the room, equipped with its own shower and sanitation system.
Luo’er arrived at the library filled with the scent of incense, a kind that settled one’s mood. He walked into the library and found a familiar face in addition to Nightingale.
"Teacher Zhu, Sister Nightingale," Luo’er greeted respectfully.
"Oh," Nightingale responded without lifting her head, while Zhuyan Yu looked quite pleased to see Luo’er.
"You call her ’sister,’ and me ’teacher’?" Zhuyan Yu asked teasingly.
"Well, you are my teacher," Luo’er scratched his head.
"Girls usually prefer youthful titles," Zhuyan Yu said.
"Girls..." Luo’er felt a bit perplexed about this term, yet he didn’t dare to voice it out.
"Ah, Luo’er, you finally came to see me!" The magical energy in front of Luo’er fluctuated violently and then Fulajie’er appeared out of thin air in front of him.
"Fula, long time no see." Luo’er greeted with a smile, extending his palm towards her, which Fulajie’er promptly sat upon.
She particularly liked this kind of intimacy. Although Luo’er couldn’t feel her weight and she wasn’t subject to gravity, she would be very happy if someone actually held her this way.
"It’s rare to see the two of you together," Luo’er said, looking at Zhuyan Yu and Nightingale.
To his knowledge, Zhuyan Yu was a child prodigy who went straight from school to the Origin Project’s Otherworld Research Center and later served as a magic teacher in Haiya Academy. Meanwhile, Nightingale excelled from an early age too, gradually becoming an essential scientist in the front line Research Department.
"There were some things I wanted to discuss with her. I had heard that the frontline headquarters had a researcher who could be counted as a repository of knowledge. So, I came specifically to pay her a visit." Zhuyan Yu added with a smile.
"Oh, then you continue, I won’t disturb you," Luo’er paused before adding, "But Sister Nightingale, I have a favor to ask. Could you help me?"
"Just say what you want, don’t beat around the bush. You’re wasting my time," Nightingale said, without lifting her head.
"Um, I was wondering if I could borrow Fula for a little while..." Luo’er asked.
"For that, you should ask Fula directly. Why come and ask me for such a thing?" Nightingale knitted her brows in response.
"Uh..." Luo’er could sense Nightingale was somewhat irritated, and this left him feeling at a loss.
"Sister gets angry when her reading is disturbed. Just ignore her." Fulajie’er floated over to Luo’er’s back and sat behind him.
"So, shall we go?" Luo’er asked Fulajie’er.
"Sure thing, sister! We’re off to play!" Fulajie’er announced loudly as Luo’er led her away from the library.
Once they’d left and reached the hallway, Luo’er looked around to ensure there was no one else around, then turned to Fulajie’er and asked, "Fula, I have a task for you. Can you help me with it?"
"What is it?" Fulajie’er cocked her head to the side and asked.
"In a moment, can you pass on something I’m going to say to my mom?" Luo’er asked.
"Luo’er’s mom, ah, the beautiful elf lady!" Fulajie’er exclaimed in surprise.
"Lower your voice," Luo’er made a hushing gesture, then continued, "What I’m about to tell you, only my mother can know. Don’t let anyone else find out, even if your sister asks, you can’t tell her. Can you promise me that?"
"Um... okay!" Fulajie’er thought for a moment and then agreed without hesitation.
"Great!" Luo’er nodded.
He then told Fulajie’er what he needed her to relay: essentially, to tell Nina to be slightly more cautious and to soften her stance because people from the Headquarters might grow suspicious of him. Luo’er didn’t tell Nina how to make her decision because he knew she would make adjustments after hearing his warning.
"Um, what does this mean?" Fulajie’er asked in confusion.
"You’ll understand when you grow up." Luo’er didn’t explain, but instead brushed her off a bit.
"Not this again, I’m already grown up!" Fulajie’er pouted.
"Alright, hurry and go now!" Luo’er urged.
Fulajie’er looped around in the air a few times before floating back over. "When I’m done, will you still play with me?" she asked.
"I never said I wouldn’t play with you; you’re the one who doesn’t come to find us." Luo’er shrugged.
"Ah, why didn’t you tell me that earlier?" Fulajie’er complained, and in an instant, she vanished.
After sending Fulajie’er away, Luo’er breathed a sigh of relief. He trusted Fulajie’er immensely; otherwise, he wouldn’t have given her such an important task. Fulajie’er might act clueless most of the time, but she had lived for over thirty years, so how could she have no experience? Her question was merely meant to ensure Luo’er trusted her.
The message from Fulajie’er proved effective. In the following meetings, Nina’s attitude softened considerably, but she was steadfast in her conditions.
Her intention was clear. Since Headquarters emphasized a closer relationship with Ilanadale, they shouldn’t hedge about some issues. So, the immediate problem was that Headquarters must guarantee its unconditional Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters. They cannot be opportunists, jumping between half-elf regimes.
This was Nina’s greatest concern. Once the collaboration began, and the queen passes, Nina will inevitably take over Ilanadale. If half-elves rise to power and Headquarters meddles, she would be left in a passive position.
Headquarters was no stranger to opportunism; in fact, it was their default state. They shared no real difference with the CIA, both seeking advantages wherever they could for their own interests.
The most typical example was Headquarters’ Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters. According to Nina’s logic, they should Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters.
Of course, Headquarters’ Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters. If the Masya royal family were to surrender voluntarily, Headquarters would not hesitate to abandon Princess Melia in favor of them.
The most worrisome thing for Nina was this kind of behavior. Hence, no matter how much Headquarters emphasized a deeper connection, they had to unconditionally recognize the legitimacy of the original Elf governance in Ilanadale.
Ilanadale had an abundance of Kedal metal mines, and Headquarters was in desperate need of this ore. Hence, both parties were balanced from the start, and Headquarters could not reuse their previous tactics on Nina.
After about four hours of discussion, both parties finally reached a basic agreement. Headquarters recognized the legitimacy of the original Elf political power in Ilanadale and ensured that they would unreservedly side with the original Elf power when threatened. Nina, on the other hand, took a step back, not asking for immediate assistance in building a military industry system, but only asking for the training and development of modern military forces.
Headquarters desperately needed to increase their purchase of Kedal metal from Ilanadale. Therefore, they had to assist them in industrializing their mining. With Nina stepping back, they did not have to worry about assisting the military industry and could focus on helping the mining industry.
After signing the agreement, Headquarters would open an air trade route between Yazhi City and Divine Wood Down and had already arranged airboats to assist with transportation. These airboats included those from Blaiqi merchants and civilian-modified airboats from the High-peak people. An airboat would take off from Yazhi city to Divine Wood Down in the south every three days.
Overall, in this agreement, Headquarters had to sacrifice more than they would immediately recoup, but it was all within their acceptable range. Investments in Otherworld were inherently risky and long-term.
The people from Headquarters initially wanted to delay the meeting, but they were under constant pressure from upper management. The fact that they had to compromise was already a relatively good outcome. At least they did not lose more.