Wifey To The Rescue (2)
"You're correct," Alana replied. "As a newcomer, it would be easy to trick my dear hus—pet using the law as a cover."
Saying so, Alana walked toward Zhang Ying, and the guards backed away without a word. Although Bronson was a formidable gangster, known as a mercenary king, the Silvermane was in a league of their own. If given the choice, any sane person would side with Alana.
"Your pet just destroyed my dungeon—"
"Did he?" Alana cut him off. "Either way, what are the charges?"
A guard stepped up and explained everything to Alana. The moment he was done, she smiled as if she had already won.
"To think I was ready for bloodshed over such a trivial matter," Alana scoffed and grabbed Zhang Ying's hand. "Come on, let's go."
However, Bronson was quick to intervene. He didn't know what was going on, but he would not let such a golden opportunity slip away.
Bronson couldn't buy Zhang Ying during the auction. But when he saw Zhang Ying had closed the dungeon, a sinister plan formed in his head. He planned on bullying Zhang Ying into abandoning Alana under the ruse of punishment. But Alana arrived, ruining his plans.
If I can't get him, I'll make some money off him.
"He broke the law—"
"Your manager broke the law first," Alana replied coldly. "Under the continental dungeon regulations, there's another law. Do I have to remind you of it?"
Bronson was taken aback, but Alana didn't give him any time to reply.
"No parties consisting solely of rookies may enter a dungeon. A party consisting solely of rookies must be accompanied by an adventurer ranked Grade 2 or higher. Otherwise, entry will be strictly prohibited."
She continued, "Hence, by allowing Zhang Ying and the other guy to enter the dungeon alone, you broke the law first. For someone who loves to throw around the law, you don't seem to know much about it."
"I-It... yes, the manager made a mistake, and he'd pay for it," Bronson coughed. "But your boy should be—"
"And I will punish him. Anything else?"
"He made the dungeon collapse—"
"That's just your speculation," Alana shrugged. "That dungeon is decades old. It isn't the first time a dungeon crumbled because of lack of maintenance."
"Why you—!?"
"It seems I've hit a nerve," Alana said smugly. "When was the last time the dungeon got maintenance? I'll tell you, seventeen years ago. What's the limit set by the authorities?"
"...seven years," a guard replied.
"Hm, so you didn't do any maintenance, and you were still sending hunters into an unmaintained dungeon? Officer, what's the punishment for something like that?"
"Five to eight years, non-bailable."
All the while, Zhang Ying watched the exchange in awe. He wasn't the only one, either. Everyone in the crowd was just as stunned. Why? Because rules like that were hardly ever implemented on the ground level.
Dungeon owners usually made their own rules. Dungeon owners would either quietly deal with anyone who challenged their rules or bribe the regulators to ignore them.
However, since Bronson was so eager to enforce those laws, he was now paying the price. But Alana wasn't done throwing punches just yet.
"I-I didn't know that," Bronson tried to refute. "I only bought the dungeon today."
Alana already knew all about it—she had used her dad's connections to gather every bit of information she could before coming here.
The dungeon used to belong to Minister Rowan. He most likely wanted to use these dungeons to train his outworlders.
But since they threw him out of the auction before he could make any purchases, he sold the dungeon to the first buyer. However, that information turned a nail in her hands, ready to be driven into Bronson's coffin.
"You bought a dungeon without proper inspection? That's against the continental laws!"
Alana acted outraged as she threw the question at Bronson, but Zhang Ying could see her concealed smile. He thought Alana could make her enemies sweat with weapons, but her words were just as lethal.
Bronson racked his brain for a good excuse or argument to get himself out of trouble. He could blame his brother-in-law for letting two rookies into the dungeon, but as the dungeon's owner, he'd face way harsher consequences if the matter went to trial.
"You can see it, can't you?" Alana smiled. "Let it go, Bronson. A dungeon isn't worth giving up your life for."
Bronson's eyes widened. As one of the mercenary kings, he knew when a threat was being shoved down his throat. Alana had made it clear that she didn't care about the rules. If he escalated the situation, he was as good as dead.
However, Alana knew better than to make an enemy out of Bronson. She wanted Zhang Ying out of the trouble and knew Bronson would back down after her threat.
But he was still one of three mercenary kings. He had a reputation to uphold. If Alana pushed him too much, he might declare war on them. Having him as her enemy won't benefit her.
Plus, her father wouldn't be happy if Zhang Ying got into trouble within hours of being there. She needed to smooth things over and knew exactly how to do it.
"I'll pay you double the price," Alana said, taking out a card. "Enough to buy a dungeon legally. Just end this matter here and the money is yours."
Bronson looked at the card and the around him. Right now, his reputation was in tatters. But if he took the money, it would be the same as Alana admitting her brat's mistake.
That way, Bronson won't lose people's respect and he and the Silvermanes can solve the problem without any enmity.
"You're quite a diplomat," Bronson smiled, accepting the card. "But take care of that brat. Money can't solve all problems after all."
"Thanks for the advice," Alana replied as she yanked Zhang Ying away.