Family Matters

Seeing this, Nick Rogers sighed again.

But before Nick replied, a dude in his early 30s jumped in.

"Uncle Aaron, I'll have to disagree with you on this one." Wearing a warm smile, this dude stepped forward.

The rest of the chatter in this cavern quickly fell silent. The people here seemed to genuinely respect this guy.

Nathaniel Rogers!

The older brother of Nick Rogers. Thick-framed glasses under thick brows. Wearing a pleasant and welcoming smile. A broad physique like a warrior.

This guy was by no means handsome. However, his demeanors made up for his appearance.

Emitting an aura of wit and enthusiasm. He looked like he was willing to help with your troubles. In general, Nathanial Rogers looked like a good-natured easygoing fella.

Jake took a look at this guy.

Then Jake took a look at Nick Rogers. Thick eye bags. A sulky expression. This guy looked like he was exhausted. Clouded by a depressive aura.

Based on first looks, Jake had to admit, Nathanial Rogers looked way more reliable.

"Master Collins is no outsider to the Rogers family." Nathanial smiled at Jake and looked around.

Some people nodded, as if selling a favor to Nathanial. Some stayed silent, showing no disagreement to this claim.

Jake raised his brows and nodded back in response.

'This guy is trying to win me over?'

'Alright then. Let's see what he has to offer.' Jake nodded at Nathaniel.

"Oh?" Nick Rogers chuckled. "In this case, why did you gather all the team leaders."

"Without. Notifying. Me." Nick Rogers growled saying these words.

Without giving his older brother any time for explanation, Nick Rogers drew out his wand.

"Are you still loyal to the Iron Sparrow Guild?" Nick Rogers turned to the team leaders. "Or are you loyal to... Him."

Looking at the wand, the team leaders' expressions changed a little.

"Of course we are loyal to the Iron Sparrow Guild." A mid-aged lady in a violet mage's robe answered first.

"Of course we are loyal."

"Naturally."

The other team leaders quickly followed suit.

"However, it's been a month already." The lady in violet continued.

"And Nick, you brought Master Collins over at midnight. Why midnight?"

"I think we have waited long enough."

"As the steward guildmaster, you can't ignore our demand forever, right?"

"Nick. Where is the guildmaster?"

"Also, who can confirm that the guildmaster assigned you to be the steward guildmaster?"

The mood in this cavern suddenly got tense.

Everyone had their eyes on Nick Rogers now, as if silently pressuring him to hand over an answer.

Jake raised his brows as he sipped on some coffee. 'Things did get troublesome after all.'

For Nick. Not for Jake.

This was none of Jake's business. He was just an outsider. Looking around, nobody here was actually hostile towards him.

Their target was Nick Rogers.

The situation here was more of a family affair. Older brother vs. Younger brother for the guildmaster seat.

'Alright. I'll just grab the 3 yellow cores and leave then.' Jake nodded at himself, accepting the situation.

Nick Rogers's sulky expression looked even more unpleasant.

The young guildmaster took a suspicious look at Jake, as if saying:

'Can I trust you?'

or

'Can I actually trust this guy.'

A quick moment later...

Nick Rogers sighed in defeat. He looked like he didn't care anymore.

"Very well. Follow me." Nick Rogers powerlessly replied with a sigh.

The team leaders here exchanged glances. They looked rather hesitant to accept this answer.

Some team leaders nodded though. They were patient enough to see what Nick Rogers had to offer.

"Nick." Nathaniel knitted his brows at Nick Rogers. He looked like an older brother scolding at the younger brother. Out of compassion and concern though.

"You..." Nathaniel quickly stopped. Nathaniel blinked a few times. He realized that he made a bad move.

As expected, the way some team leaders looked at him had changed.

Looks like Nathaniel knew the situation as well... He's been hiding the information as well?

Looking at the members of the Rogers family. Yep. They didn't look confused or surprised.

Some team leads' expressions fell cold. Some chuckled in anger. Knitted brows. Glinting eyes. Others didn't seem to care.

Oh. So they were left out this entire time.

Nick Rogers humphed. "As the steward guildmaster, I am also the temporary family head. I'll take full responsibility of my actions."

A mid-aged lady in a formal black dress stepped out. "Good. Everyone here has heard Nick's promise right?"

"As the family head, he violated family rules and brought an outsider here." She smiled in victory.

"If the results are not... ideal, I think we all know what to do." She nodded at her fellow family members.

Nick Rogers stood there panting for a moment. Looked like he needed a moment to ease his anger.

Jake raised a brow and slurped on coffee. If there's a narrator in the background, the show might be even better.

Overall, Jake would give this 'Family Battle Live' a 6.5 out of 10. Not bad. Just missing a lot of information.

However, Jake was too lazy to analyze the situation.

As an outsider, Jake didn't want to get too involved into family matters. Who's in the right and who's in the wrong. Who knows? Jake certainly didn't know.

This was none of his business anyways. In the end, his business partner was the Iron Sparrow Guild, not Nick Rogers.

A little cruel. But if Nathaniel Rogers took over, the deals would still continue. Maybe there would be even more profit.

'For now, get the mana cores and leave.' Jake nodded at his decision.

Taking a biscuit off a platter, Jake met the gaze of the housekeeper. The mid-aged dude looked at Jake with a grateful gaze for some reason.

After all, most artisans would have left by this point. Being called 'outsider' over and over again. Which proud artisan could stand this humiliation!

In reality: Jake didn't feel a trace of humiliation though. He didn't care about what strangers thought of him. Actual concrete profit was more important.

Tears swayed in the housekeeper's eyes.

Their family matter was complicated, and could be dangerous. Yet, Jake was not afraid of getting involved!

The housekeeper was lost for words. What could he say...

Kindness and generosity really does pay back!