Lord of the Sky City

Rocky finally succeeded in drawing the Rune, and even though it was only a First Level Rune, it was still a cause for joy, so much so that even Liliya couldn't help but feel happy for him.

But even though the Rune drawing was successful, what next?

Rocky was now able to make Runes, but what did that represent? Could it mean that from now on, he and Thunderhawk City could soar to great heights and transform from a sparrow into a phoenix?

Liliya didn't think so, which was why she couldn't help but ask.

However, Rocky obviously had a plan in mind, so he immediately gave his answer, "I plan to produce a batch of rune equipment."

"Produce rune equipment?"

Upon hearing this answer, Liliya frowned, "Are you planning to start trading rune equipment?"

"I..."

"Rocky, you absolutely cannot do this!"

Before Rocky could speak, Liliya interrupted him and said very seriously, "Rocky, you absolutely cannot sell rune equipment before you have the power to protect yourself, and you can't even let others know about it! Mana Runes are too important, important enough to change the entire structure of the skies. If others come to know that you possess such terrifying technology, it would be a disaster for us!"

Liliya looked at Rocky seriously and expressed the concerns that she had harbored for a long time.

Even though Liliya didn't know much about Mana Runes, she was not a fool. She had understood how terrifying they could be just by a rough understanding of the potential applications of the Runes.

If outsiders were to learn that Rocky had such important technology, the outcome would not be beneficial for Thunderhawk City or him. Instead, it would bring disaster upon them, a disaster so severe that it could leave him and Thunderhawk City with nowhere to bury their dead!

Thus, as soon as Rocky was able to draw Runes, Liliya spoke out her concerns, truly afraid that Rocky might not realize this.

"Don't worry, I've thought about all of this already."

Liliya was right to be worried, but she underestimated Rocky. All the possibilities she mentioned had already been considered by Rocky.

No one understood better than Rocky how important Mana Runes were and how they could change the world. The moment the Mana Runes were exposed, he and Thunderhawk City would become targets. Those behemoths roaming the skies, those true leviathans, would immediately come after him, and they would stop at nothing for Mana Runes!

This was a case of 'the innocent man burdens himself with the guilt of his jade treasure.'

Mana Runes were the jade treasure, and Rocky was the man burdened with it. Almost all those he faced harbored malicious intentions toward the Mana Runes!

Given such circumstances, how could he possibly be foolish enough to expose the Mana Runes so soon? The Mana Runes might eventually become known to the world, but it definitely wasn't the time yet.

Rocky's intention to produce a batch of rune equipment was actually part of a different plan.

After Rocky explained simply, Liliya's worries dissipated. In fact, no matter what Rocky intended to do, she would support him in everything except for watching him head toward self-destruction.

"By the way, Aileen came by earlier."

"She wanted me to tell you that people from the Azure Commerce Guild will arrive tomorrow, but she said you shouldn't worry too much. Voss has already spoken with the Azure Commerce Guild, and from the hints they've dropped, it seems that the matter regarding the price increase of the thread is negotiable."

Having finished talking about the Mana Runes, Liliya remembered the main matter at hand and hurriedly conveyed Aileen's words to Rocky.

Aileen had visited earlier that day, but at the time Rocky was engrossed in studying Mana Runes, so Liliya turned her away. Nevertheless, she conveyed Aileen's message to Rocky without omitting a single word.

Upon hearing this, a look of joy spread across Rocky's face, even greater than the joy of successfully drawing the Mana Rune!

The issue of the yarn price hike was what truly concerned Rocky and gave him a headache; it was not only imminent, but any mishandling could lead to great chaos.

"Did Aileen say that Voss has already notified the Azure Commerce Guild?"

"Yes, that's what she said."

"Huh... that's such a relief!"

After asking Liliya once more and receiving a positive response, Rocky finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the price of yarn could be controlled, even if it was bound to rise, if the increase could be kept to a minimum, the pressure on Thunderhawk City would be significantly reduced, and future matters would be much easier to handle.

"Let's go, we need to prepare. Aileen has already taken care of what she can, and we cannot afford any hitches on our part tomorrow."

Having said this, Rocky left the study with Liliya to prepare for the next day's meeting with the Chief Steward of the Azure Commerce Guild.

A day passed by quickly, and soon it was the next morning.

"Grandpa, the merchant ship has arrived!"

The next morning, to welcome the Azure Commerce Guild's skyship, Aileen and Voss made a special trip to the port of Thunderhawk City.

In theory, there was no need for such formality, but this time, Thunderhawk City was the one asking for favors, so not only did Aileen, the finance officer, come, but Voss was there too, showing utmost respect.

At that moment, Aileen and her grandfather stood next to a carriage, looking in the same direction, when they saw a huge skyship entering Thunderhawk City's Defensive Net and slowly approaching the port for landing.

"Don't worry, just perform normally and you'll be more than capable of handling it."

As the skyship gently descended, Voss noticed that Aileen was a bit nervous and spoke to comfort her.

"Yes, since Grandpa has arranged everything, I won't mess it up."

With a deep breath, Aileen nodded and then calmed herself down.

Since Voss had previously greeted Chief Steward Mar, who was in charge of the trade, the negotiations with the Chamber of Commerce would be assisted by Aileen alongside Rocky, and Voss was not going to be involved. This fact had made Aileen somewhat nervous.

However, since Grandpa had already made arrangements, Aileen felt that if she still couldn't handle the matter well, it would be rather incompetent of her. So she quickly let go of her undue anxiety, and confidence began to emerge in her eyes.

Soon after, the merchant ship landed smoothly at the port, and in no time, a group of people disembarked and headed straight toward the carriage where Aileen and Voss were.

These were the people from the Azure Commerce Guild.

"Grandpa! What's going on?"

Yet, as the people from the Azure Commerce Guild gradually approached, Aileen, who had stopped being nervous and was even full of confidence, suddenly panicked!

Because upon seeing these people, she realized that the person leading them was not Chief Steward Mar, who had always dealt with the transactions with Thunderhawk City, but a middle-aged man she didn't recognize!

What was happening?!

Hadn't Grandpa already liaised with Chief Steward Mar? Wasn't it agreed to discuss the details after they met? Why was it not Chief Steward Mar who came this time?

This was bad!

Taken by surprise, Aileen quickly looked at Voss, but found that he still wore a faint smile, as if none of this was unexpected to him...