Jacob was stumped momentarily, but it didn't mean he would apologize. Since this woman knows this much, then she was here with motives as well.
As for her knowing his actual name, he wasn't surprised in the least bit since he was already registered with his name in Alchemy Guild and the Zodiac Bank in the common plains. So, I didn't come as surprised that they knew his actual name.
It mattered a little as long as they didn't know his appearance, and he was pretty sure the Star ID mattered far more than actual names in Zodiac Plains.
Then, he replied coolly, "Does it matter? Why would I join the Bank just because Miss Manager contacted me personally? Besides, what's the point of joining three hegemonies when they are unfair to their members, and anyone can use their authority without any consequences."
Rich Winter Lady paused for a moment before she spoke impassively, "I understand your point and your stance in this, Mr. Jacob. But you have a false impression of the three hegemonies' power structure.
"Only the Guild President, Alliance Chairman, or Bank Manager of a Plain can kick branch members or reserve official members. We can't do anything about official members and only punish them if they make mistakes. This kind of authority is in possession of very high-ranking members.
"Anyhow, I'm sincere in the invitation, and I'm not like Chairman Gunnar, who only knows how to use his fists. You hailed from the Common Plains, and then somehow, you become the Champion of Rare Plains Trial.
"I have no idea how a native of Rare Plains ends up in the Common Plains, especially someone with your abilities. You're in the Dark City's Alchemy Guild and about to become Senior Grandmaster Gunsmith. This alone makes you highly valuable.
"As long as you join the Universal Zodiac Bank, you can immediately leave the Rare Plains and come to the Epic Plains, where you truly belong. The Epic Plain Trial will start in a few years, and at that time, we can use someone with your expertise."
Jacob cocked an eyebrow when he heard the last part. 'She's probably thinking of me as a native of Rare Plains since I can enter the Rare Plains Trial. But why did she think I could enter the Epic Plains Trial?
'Furthermore, how did she know about my current location and that I was about to become a Senior Grandmasters Gunsmith? I must admit this woman's means are far more impressive than that dickhead.' Jacob grimaced as he didn't feel good about this at all.
"Miss Manager, I can't enter the Epic Plains Trial since I'm the native of Rare Plains. Don't try to trick me." Jacob probed her true intention.
"Oh, I forgot Mr. Jacob didn't know about the loophole of a Plain Trial. Consider this my piece of goodwill. As you know, once a plain trial is complete, the life zone and death zone become like neutral plain.
"And I'm sure you already know that a champion can maintain their sides of the zone and other authorities. Without a life zone or death zone, anyone can go anywhere as long as they are within the strength limit of that plains.
"Then what do you think will happen to those who were settled in that plain after the trial was completed in those hundreds of years? Because the two sides are always at each other throats and many reinforcements come when a trial is complete from both sides so each side won't have an entire Plain for themselves.
"Only the Common Plains are an expectation. Anyhow, will those newcomers be kicked out of the plains when the cycle ends and another trial plain is formed?" Rich Winter Lady questioned impassively.
Jacob squinted his eyes as he didn't think this deeply into this since these restrictions were meaningless to him. However, now that Rich Winter Lady asked this question, he considered it carefully.
Suddenly, his eye winded slightly as he said with uncertainty, "Could it be anyone who was staying on the plains during the trial formation will be considered that plain's native and can join the trail as well? Is this the loophole?"
"As expected of someone who completed a trial in less than six months. As you stated, Mr. Jacob, anyone present in that plain during a new trial forming will be considered a native of that plain." Rich Winter Lady praised, but it was as empty as her voice. She had given all the clues, and if Jacob couldn't even guess after all those clues, she might've already lost interest in him.
"How many years before the trial starts again?" Jacob dismissively questioned.
"6 Years and 5 Months. So, what do you think? If you join the Universal Zodiac Bank, I'll arrange a ship for you, and you'll be here in 2 years. Afterward, I can help you increase your blood force to Epic Rank Blood Force. All you need to do is say the word." Rich Winter Lady offered with full of temptation and confidence.
If it were anyone else, they would've instantly agreed to her offer. The promise of increasing the blood force to Epic Rank was enough to move them.
Alas, it was Jacob who was only interested in things that were useful to him, and the blood force was not a barrier at all. As long as he followed the Cursed Immortality, his blood force will charge up.
But he was still somewhat shocked hearing it would take him two years to travel to reach the Epic Plains, and this was time considering he had the help of someone like Rich Winter Lady.
"Miss Manager, since you're sincere, I won't be unreasonable. Truth be told, I'm not interested in fighting, and I'm more of a researcher. Stumbling into the Dark Ruins was not intentional, nor did joining the Alliance as a permanent member.
pαпdα`noνɐ1`сoМ "I was quite ignorant then and took some unwanted steps and somehow survived the entire ordeal. Do you know joining the Alchemy Guild was my goal from the start, and Chairman Gunnar gave me a time limit before he would've kicked me out?
"So, I was never going to make up to the time limit, and I had no intention of staying in the alliance in the first place. I only told you this because you gave me an important piece of information, and I'm also apologizing for my previous behavior." Jacob 'sincerely' explain.
Although it was truth mixed with lies, but did the other party know this?