The Degree
Negotiation Plan

The sound of gunfire rang out from the roof, Terumi who was pulling a rope that was hit by building debris was immediately shocked.

“That's the sound of a shot. It's from where Ray ... is it possible?!”

Terumi no longer cared about the rope she was supposed to take. It could have been if he kept trying hard to pull it by ignoring the shot. Something had really happened to Ray who was up there.

There were two clear options appearing within his head. One of them is the most unbelievable.

“Is it possible that the people from Rebellion came back and decided to kill us? Or, maybe ... Ray shot Erina?”

The last choice he didn't want to believe. Terumi hated herself for thinking about it. Just because of seeing Ray's horrible side, and what Virgo said before.

He came to think that Ray would have no doubt whatsoever to commit such a cruel act.

After all he saw for himself the atrocities that Ray had committed. Actions that ordinary people should not be able to do. Even a dirty job like an executioner is not always able to torture humans without a doubt.

“I have to hurry up quickly!”

Jump, salto, and roll between the gaps of the building to get faster to the stairs to the roof.

Terumi arrived quickly and crept up by the stairs. It was as if he was crawling up because his speed was quite great.

He passed several steps to jump to the roof immediately. Worriedly he saw the circumstances and the first thing he saw was Erina's body lying down. While Ray stood upright and held out his gun into the air.

His breathing gasped, Terumi tried to calm down while walking closer to Ray. What sucks is that Terumi felt a little wary.

When he discovers that no bullet marks or fresh blood is flowing from Erina. Terumi sighed with complete relief. The worry he has is a delusion.

The Rebellion troops who returned to kill them were also nowhere to be found.

It appears Ray fired his gun for another purpose.

“What happened, Ray? I heard the shot earlier.”

Ray turned to find Terumi who was tired and sweating. His body was also dirty and his clothes were covered with dust. There was no doubt that he rushed here after hearing the gunfire.

Is he worried that I'm shooting Erina, or is he taking this as a sign of an enemy?

There is no certainty but for now it can be ruled out.

“Yes. Fire it's mine. Look there.” Ray pointed at one place that had a unique movement. “I want to show our position to them.”

In the distance there is movement from fast moving objects. Ray was initially surprised because even Market provides a transport car that is commonly used by the military.

“What are they from Rebellion? No, from the color—”

“They're from Blueeast. As I thought after hearing the information from Leo. The Order moved because it did not want Rebellion to take over the Redwest union.”

If that happens then Rebellion will occupy the first position as the strongest and big union in the Open World.

Surely Ray had taken into consideration that if the Order was able to maintain the status quo against Erina for more than two years. At least this person was smart enough, equivalent, or even taller.

“But, isn't it dangerous to show our location? Ordo could have come and killed Erina. You might even be the victim.”

No matter what path he takes. In the end the Order or its guild members will find it sooner or later.

Instead of running away useless, Ray would choose to surrender. And, of course, not for free. He will not do anything harmful to others.

“Take it easy. I have a small plan. After all, this plan is based only on mere assumptions and you could say I bet.”

It was a dangerous gamble but there was no other option he could take. That might be the end for him.

“Betting? What are you going to do? If you plan to fight him using guerrilla tactics. Then just undo it. We're just the two of you, scant weaponry, tired, and the worst part is this place can be destroyed.”

Terumi would obviously not agree on an idea that was clearly impossible to do. No matter how smart someone is, they can't win forever.

And, of course, Ray is not a person of that caliber to take rash steps like starting a fight.

Whether Leo survived or not. Ray just needs Terumi by his side to make things possible.

“Take it easy. I will use a gentle way that has been done for centuries. This way is always meritorious for the world to create a peace.”

This is the most subtle method to overcome the tension that occurs as well as being a savior.

The success rate was 50:50 so Ray ventured to bet on him.

“What will you do?” Terumi still does not seem to understand Ray's intentions.

Ray looked at him with an awkward smile, sweat started to appear on his temples.

“I'll try to negotiate with him about this. In addition, there are things I want to make sure through this negotiation.”

Many countries and empires in the past made peace and stopped wars through negotiations.

The reason the two camps fought each other was to meet their needs and try to colonize each other. The situation of Redwest with Blueeast is almost similar.

Therefore Ray aksan tried to be a negotiator to unite the two for the same interest.

“I will emphasize to them; the enemy we must destroy now is Rebellion who controls the small guild and becomes a great unity.”

“You sure? Although the man looks like an unemployed and any lazy person. He is very intelligent in acting and taking decisions.”

Terumi emphasized that trying to fool the Order was akin to a foolish act.

Smart people are not easy to lie to. They can hide the gap well.

“Surely I am aware of that. In any case there will be no fool who is able to establish and maintain a large union for two years.”

Ray's assessment of this man called the Order was never low. The more he heard about it, the higher the evaluation he gave. Ray no longer even counted how much he changed his evaluation of the Order.

“I can't believe these two people really hate each other. Even for two years no one tried to start a step for war. I'm suspicious of any conspiracy or anything else happening.”

Neither Ray nor Terumi will ever know what happened between the two. It was possible that only the Order and Erina herself would know about it.