That meant their morale was going to plummet, hit rock bottom. And William intended to make the best use of this golden chance.

"During this time, fetch for all the masters you can find up there, all from our guild, send them here, and let them learn from Mark and others about the way to fortify the place here."

"Mark?!"

"Ah I know him, he is one of my boys," Berry recognised the master William was speaking about, before she deeply regretted saying it in such a way when William gave her a long and serious look, "he came to me before, so…"

"Yes that's the master I meant," William didn't change the look on his face, while Berry held both hands in front of her, lowering her head and humming with things he didn't hear, "let him handle the teachings for other masters while we work on our tasks. Now it's time for all of you to move, we are on the clock here and we can't risk delaying anymore!"

"Let's go…"

"Not this fast, old man," just when Sloth was unwillingly going to follow Anjie's words and William's plan, the latter jumped and stopped in front of him, blocking his path forward.

Seeing William stand in his way, looking in such a greedy and evil manner towards him, made Sloth have doubts this kid was here for something good!

"What do you want?" Sloth tried to control his anger, while his tone betrayed him.

"I'm going to lay down lots of defensive formations, and also… You know… I will need to make the preparations I did before… I mean…"

"Just spill it! You need more rings with materials, stingy little bastard!"

"That's something out of my control," William's expression didn't change for even a little bit, didn't even show any remorse or regret on asking like that, "and I need lots, lots of the same materials we gathered before…"

"Out of my way! Who do you take me for? A fool?!!"

"I'm not," William jumped to stand again in front of Sloth, who tried to sneak his way out of this with an angry shout and change of direction, "I know you were fighting alone on the frontline for a long time, plus the rear battles were handled by your men…"

"Are you accusing me of something here, kiddo?!" Sloth's voice, tone, and look on his face carried only one impression: bloodlust!

"I'm just saying… You aren't going to fool me, old man!" William welcomed Sloth's attitude with a similar one, "if you don't follow, I'll just look for places myself, keep all the benefits to myself, and won't share anything with any of you!"

"Easy there," Anjie and Fang had to step in and stop this needless clash, "he'll go and bring what you need, right?" Fang turned to Sloth, while he sent a message to his stubborn old friend using spirit telepathy, [Just play along, this kid plans something massive it seems, and something tells me you'll terribly regret not playing by his rules today!]

[He extorted us for a large number of materials already! And he is asking for more!] Sloth replied back, seemingly unwilling to follow what William asked.

[You and I know your people gained tons of rings and materials in the time this kid wasn't here!]

[And? I'm not obliged to give him what I gained! Not to mention his guild also gained much more!]

[I told you my advice, you make your own future by yourself!] Fang realised there was no further point in continuing this argument. He knew how special these materials were, especially considering the kingdom had no other means to get their hands over these materials.

William had Lara's underground city for that, and yet he was asking for Sloth and the kingdom's masters to give up lots of what they gained!

"I'll give you an hour," William could easily tell the two old men were speaking using telepathy, "when I'm done with those enemies, it's better to have the materials prepared."

"Or what?!" Sloth was determined to face William, but Anjie gave William a wink, and her man simply smiled before turning to walk away.

"Anjie! No, I won't allow it!" Sloth could easily sniff what happened between the two, and he knew what Anjie planned to do.

"If you won't help, then I'll go and ask my father," Anjie casually said while playing with her long hair, "either way, he'll get what he wants!"

"Dammit!" Sloth knew he stood no chance against this move. If Anjie went ahead and spoke with the king, he'd instantly agree to her proposal and help William, "you don't get it, we have no other way to get our hands on these materials! Still that kid has this city to get any materials he wants!"

Sloth tried to relay his point of view over to Anjie; in the hope she would stand by his side this time and do the best for the kingdom.

"My dear mentor," yet unlike what he expected, he greatly underestimated the power of love, "you are missing one big factor in this hypothesis."

"Which is?"

"William is going to be my man," Anjie seriously muttered these words in a low tone that only the two of them would hear, "and as his woman, the first lady of such a legendary master, I can secure anything for my kingdom. My strength is for my kingdom, and my rise comes from him, got it?"

"..."

Sloth this time was speechless and lost for words. He didn't know how to properly refute such a solid argument. In fact, he wanted to clap for Anjie in admiration for her quick and strong response.

"Ok," as he knew he was fighting a losing battle, he decided to give in, "but that kid won't get satisfied with a simple amount this time. He'll take most of what we acquired…"

"I told you already, much more will come for us in the future," Anjie gently interrupted her mentor's words, "consider it as a prior investment in the great future waiting for all of us, ok?"