An Extra's Rise in an Eroge-Chapter 219: Deal

The uncle, Torv, belched loud enough to shake the table, wiping his mouth with a hairy arm. "Torv. Huntmaster. Kaela says you're all academy brats—how'd she meet you softskins?"

Arthur chuckled, leaning back.

"Ah, now that's a story."

Kaela's ears twitched, and her tail froze mid-sway.

"Arthur—NO!" She quickly sat up, eyes wide with panic.

Arthur grinned and lifted his mug.

"Well, let's see… Our mighty Kaela here—future warrior of the Wolf Tribe—got herself lost on her way to the Academy."

The table erupted into laughter.

"And that's not even the best part!" Arthur continued, relishing Kaela's growing embarrassment. "She ran into a scammer who convinced her to trade all her traveling money for a 'lucky charm'—which, by the way, was just a painted rock."

The laughter grew louder, and even Morrika, who had just taken her seat, let out an amused snort.

Kaela, her cheeks burning red, slammed her fist onto the table.

"I DIDN'T KNOW, OKAY?!"

"That's not all, though," Arthur added, eyes glinting mischievously. "After that, she demanded money from me, for doing me a favour for killing some bandits even though I didn't ask for it!"

"I was desperate!" Kaela groaned, covering her flushed face with her hands.

The raucous laughter from earlier had slowly faded, replaced by a more focused and serious atmosphere as the night deepened. The remnants of the grand feast—a massive roasted beast, jugs of potent ale, and an assortment of rare fruits—remained scattered across the table.

Despite the intimidating presence of Kaela's extended family, Cedric had somehow managed to win over most of the elders with his humor and keen intellect. His self-deprecating jokes had softened the initial hostility, and now, with the conversation shifting towards the struggles of the Wolf Tribe, he took the opportunity to prove his worth in another way.

Leaning forward, his fingers interlaced, Cedric finally spoke with a measured confidence.

"Your tribe is being squeezed out by the others because they see an opportunity," he said, his voice calm but firm. "They think you're weak, and weakness in a power struggle is an invitation for destruction."

Morrika, who had been silently listening while sipping from her cup, finally snorted, her crimson eyes glinting in the dim torchlight.

"Tell me something I don't know, boy."

Cedric didn't falter.

"The problem isn't just strength," he continued. "It's leverage. The other tribes have monopolized key resources, and the Wolf Tribe has been isolated. If you don't find a way to level the playing field, things are only going to get worse."

Morrika's silver-furred ears twitched slightly. A subtle sign that she was paying attention.

Kaela, sitting beside Cedric, tensed, watching her mother carefully.

"Go on," Morrika said, finally leaning back in her chair.

Cedric smiled.

"Your people have something no other tribe has—unrivaled expertise in hunting and navigating this dangerous forest. That alone is a massive untapped advantage," he pointed out. "High-class beast meat, rare alchemical herbs, monster materials—these are resources that can be turned into power. You just need a stable trade partner who can help you convert them into something more."

Morrika's eyes narrowed. "And let me guess—you're volunteering?"

"Not just me," Cedric clarified, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a signet ring—the crest of the Raven Family.

Arthur's eyes flickered toward the ring, amused by how smoothly Cedric was playing his cards.

"The Raven Family has strong trade networks across the continent," Cedric explained. "We have connections in major cities, merchant guilds, and noble houses. We can take your tribe's raw resources—meat, furs, herbs, enchanted materials—and distribute them to places that pay top coin for them."

Morrika tapped her fingers against the table, thinking.

"And what do we get in return?"

"Security and stability." Cedric didn't hesitate. "In exchange, we'll provide steady food supplies, architects, and skilled workers to help modernize your settlements. That means better homes, safer roads, and fortified defenses. We can also help establish disguised trade routes, so your enemies don't suspect where your wealth is coming from."

Morrika studied him, her gaze sharp, analyzing every word.

Arthur, watching the exchange from the side, found himself mildly impressed. Cedric wasn't just making a deal—he was securing a future for the Wolf Tribe without them even realizing it.

Morrika took a slow sip from her cup before finally setting it down.

"Interesting…" she muttered, her voice unreadable.

Cedric leaned back, flashing a confident smirk. "And to sweeten the deal, I'll personally oversee the trade network. That way, no one—not even your rivals—can try to cheat you."

A tense silence followed.

Then, Morrika let out a low chuckle, shaking her head. "You may be weak in body, boy, but you've got a damn sharp mind."

The deal was sealed.

With the major discussion settled, the elders and extended family, satisfied with the outcome, began to excuse themselves one by one.

Soon, only Arthur, Cedric, and Morrika remained at the large wooden table, the glow of torches casting flickering shadows on the walls.

Cedric stretched his arms and let out a satisfied sigh. "Well, that was productive. I think I'll get some rest—I'm drained."

With a knowing smile toward Arthur, Cedric pushed himself up from the table and left the room.

Now, it was just Arthur and Morrika.

The air shifted.

Arthur leaned back lazily in his chair, his piercing gaze locking onto Morrika. Despite the residual tension, he didn't seem fazed at all.

Morrika met his stare, one eyebrow raised, sensing something in his expression.

"You're still here," she remarked, her voice low and smooth. "What do you want, boy?"

Arthur smirked.

"Yeah," he said, voice casual, but there was an unmistakable weight behind his words.

"Let's talk about Fenrir."

The moment the name "Fenrir" slipped from Arthur's lips, the temperature in the room plummeted.

Morrika's golden eyes darkened, her expression turning stone-cold as a wave of hostility filled the space. The flickering torches along the walls seemed to dim, as if suffocated by the sheer pressure of her killing intent.

Her voice was low, sharp, and laced with a dangerous warning.

"Whatever you're about to spew, boy, you better watch your mouth."

Arthur, unfazed, leaned back in his chair, completely nonchalant. His tone was light, almost mocking.

"I know why Fenrir disappeared."

The air cracked.

A monstrous killing intent exploded from Morrika, crashing against the walls of the room like a raging storm.

Outside, the guards stationed at the door fell to their knees, sweat dripping from their brows as their instincts screamed at them to flee.

Inside, fissures formed on the wooden floor beneath Morrika's feet, her aura pressing down like the weight of a mountain.

"I told you to mind your words, boy."

Her voice was thick with warning, but her fingers twitched, itching to tear him apart.

"Do you think that matter is a joke? Spew one more piece of nonsense, and I will forget that you are my daughter's friend."

Arthur simply exhaled.

"But I really do know." His voice remained casual, as if he weren't sitting across from a woman who could shred through steel with her bare hands. "And if he isn't helped soon, he'll die, you know?"

Something inside Morrika snapped.

Her sharp claws unsheathed, glinting in the torchlight as she lunged.

"YOU ARROGANT BRAT!"

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Her blazing silver aura surged as she pounced like a predator, her claws aimed straight for Arthur's throat.

But he was already moving.

In a split second, Arthur twisted his body, the wind howling as her claws sliced through the chair where he had just been sitting, splintering it into pieces.

CRASH!

The heavy dining table flipped over, plates and jugs of ale shattering against the floor.

Arthur skidded back, his sharp eyes locked onto the wild beast before him.

Morrika's muscles tensed, her predatory instincts in full force.

Arthur clicked his tongue, flexing his fingers as a faint dark aura crackled around them.

"Now that's just uncalled for."

Morrika vanished, reappearing before him in a blur.

"Try dodging this!" she roared.

Arthur barely had time to react as her fist came crashing down, forcing him to block with both arms. The impact sent a shockwave blasting through the room, cracking the walls and sending debris flying.

He slid back several feet, his arms numb from the sheer force.

Morrika didn't let up.

She was relentless, a blur of claws and fists, each strike tearing through the air with devastating power.

Arthur weaved through her attacks, dodging some, deflecting others, while countering with precise strikes that forced her to adjust her stance.

The room had descended into chaos—furniture was overturned, wooden beams were cracked, the very foundation trembled from the sheer force of their battle.

But as the fight dragged on, a realization dawned on Morrika.

This boy—this supposed teenager—was keeping up with her.

And that was absurd.

Her eyes widened slightly, the bloodlust in her expression faltering.

'This brat… he's no ordinary human.'

Realizing that this battle would have no decisive outcome, Morrika suddenly halted, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

Arthur, seeing her lower her stance, let out a heavy exhale, his muscles relaxing as well.

A smirk tugged at his lips.