Jacob regained his calm as he spoke impassively, "How do you know I was looking for you? Besides, even if I were looking for the enigmatic Dark Earl, I don't think you would be so kind as to approach me just because of this reason. Everything aside, I don't believe you are the Dark Earl."
Although Jacob was really looking for Dark Earl and it would've been alright if he had approached the other party. But the thing was, the Dark Earl approached him, which changed everything.
First, he needed to confirm if this was the real deal or not, and second, he needed to know why he even bothered to contact him.
Hallberg guffawed all of a sudden on the other side, which made Jacob's eyes narrow.
He finally spoke in an amusing tone, "You're really careful and mistrustful, huh? Well, a person of your caliber should be like this. Since you don't believe I'm the real deal, how about you pay me a visit to the noble circle?"
Jacob's eyes glimmered sharply before he replied, "I'm not a dark noble."
"Heh, do you think I don't know? But I can arrange that for you. It's the perks of being the Lord of a Dark City. So, are you down?" Hallberg inquired jollily as if he was talking with a long-lost friend, not some stranger.
But this action only made Jacob warier of Hallberg's intentions because if he was apprehensive of something in the rare plains, it was without a doubt the Dark City where even three hegemonies have to behave.
Furthermore, if Hallberg was really the Dark Earl, then this means this guy was another person present in the Rare Plains with 1-star privilege, and he knew for a fact getting that status was not as easy as it sounds. He only got it after he became the champion of the Rare Plains.
If it was someone from the Epic Plains, he might not bother since they can't do a thing to him. But now, it's not the same thing.
Still, Jacob knew this was a chance to meet the Dark Earl in person, and he may be able to strike a deal with him about the materials he required, and it would be more convenient to make a deal face to face.
Even if things turn awry, Jacob is confident in escaping, especially since he now has plutonium in hand.
So, he replied, "Alright, I agree to this meeting. It's better this way."
"Excellent! I haven't entertained a guest in decades. Expect it to be a feast." Hallberg's elated voice rang from the other side, "So when are you coming?"
Jacob felt this guy was too optimistic about this entire thing. But his doubt about Hallberg's identity was now almost clear, so he knew he had to meet him.
Anyway, he was planning on paying one last visit to the dark city and settling everything before he left for good, so meeting Hallberg was a bonus.
"I'm still in the magic beast forest taking care of some unfinished business. I'll return in 10 days." Jacob replied.
"Just send me a message at the city entrance, and I'll have Dark Rose arrange for your escort to the noble circle," Hallberg replied.
"Will do."
Afterward, the call ended, and Jacob received a friend request from Hallberg almost instantly. After some consideration, he accepted it since this guy was quite resourceful.
But he still has to see if he is trustworthy or not. He would only know after this meeting. It would be a lie to say that Jacob wasn't looking forward to it as well. He wanted to see just what kind of person the Dark Earl was and why he took an interest in him!
---
Three days later, in the common circle of Dark City, three figures sat around a round table.
One of them was an elf wearing scholarly white robes. He was none other than the former alchemy guild leader, Braylon. However, from his past amiable aura, he was giving off a cold, distant feeling.
Then there was a three-meter-tall giant with a burly build and bronze skin. He was the current Nightmare Knight Commander of the Nightmare Knight Legion of the Dark City, Tomas, also known as Bronze Giant.
Lastly, an average size man wearing a black suit and his face concealed by a purple mask was sitting straight between the two. Only his astute snake eyes were visible behind that purple mask. He was the Bank manager of Dark City's Zodiac Taurus Bank, Leroy, and also the person who called this meeting.
"So, why do you bring us here from the actual meeting room?" Tomas coldly questioned in his heavy mountain-like voice.
Leroy's husky voice rang, "Tomas, don't pretend you didn't know about any of this. On the contrary, I'm pretty sure you know too well and are part of this now."
Braylon clearly had no idea what the meaning of those ambiguous words was, so he decided to seek it coldly, "What are you two talking about? You do know that I have no power in the alchemy guild now. If you're scheming something against the current guild leader, then you better leave me out of this."
Braylon wasn't a fool as he could easily guess Leroy's intent by not inviting Jacob here, which was an act of blunt provocation.
Furthermore, he didn't want to cross that madman after his short encounter with him. He lost everything without even doing anything, and so he didn't want to find out what would happen if he did something.
He was only here because of the good relationship with Leroy, and he even planned to tell Jacob all about this meeting to enter his good books.
However, after coming here, he found that things were not as simple as they seemed.
"Heh, that guild leader of yours is really something, I must say." Tomas suddenly declared, and there was a hint of deep respect in his voice.
He then looked at Leroy and coldly replied, "I know what you're thinking, but sorry to say, the Chairman told us not to interfere with your side this time. And for once, I'm glad that we are not fighting that monster. But I'm still quite curious. Why the hell do you keep provoking him?"
Leroy's snake pupils narrowed into slits when he heard Tomas's unexpected words, while Braylon was completely out of the loop now.
"But I was informed the alliance would be our allies in this venture?" Leroy coldly uttered!