"No price at all, I'm just hoping to become friends with you, Miss."

Melantha shook her head, speaking with genuine sincerity.

Dorothy: "...."

The homebody witch, who was originally prepared to face an overwhelming demand, was left dumbfounded by these words. She looked at the Silver Princess in surprise.

Wait, how did you suddenly change your stance? How come I didn't know my friendship was this valuable?

Instead, her brows furrowed.

As the saying goes, free things are often the most expensive. If Melantha had actually made a request, she would have been relieved. But this unexpected move made her anxious.

"Sorry, I don't have many friends; they're not something that can be traded."

She thought about it and simply refused.

Though today she might not find suitable shipbuilding materials, Golden Country isn't the only seller. Even with the vast resources of The Four Great Warship Workshops, they couldn't possibly buy out all the materials on the market in one go. She could always try her luck.

Plus, isn't Chris Lineage right here?

"Alright, Aunt, stop fighting. Do you still have materials over there? Ask around. If not, we ought to leave."

Dorothy called out to Sitle, who was busy roughing up some kids nearby.

But before Aunt Sitle could inquire, one of the three Peaks, already coughing up blood, raised their hand.

"We have them; Chris Lineage excels in alchemy. These materials were originally forged by us. However many you want, we can make them for you, all at a rock-bottom price."

One of the witches said this while coughing up blood. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Diana, what do you mean by that?"

Hearing her troublesome child speak, Sitle slapped her down to the ground with great exasperation.

But where there is tyranny, there is resistance.

Just as Diana was subdued, another Peak Witch beside her struggled to her feet.

"No need for rock-bottom prices. We'll give you a batch for free. As long as you take away the Great Elder, all the materials we currently have on hand can be yours, as part of the Great Elder's dowry."

This witch shouted out.

"Mikhail, what on earth are you talking about? What do you mean my dowry? I'm not getting married."

Sitle was immediately embarrassed and angry at being spoken to by her troublesome niece. She swatted this brat down again.

But she only had two hands, so....

"Miss, please believe in our sincerity. As long as you can take good care of the Great Elder in the future and, ideally make her forget this home, Chris Lineage will always be your support. We can even endorse Mia to rise without obstructing her during her Golden Trial."

The last of the three Peaks, with tears glistening, looked at her sisters who were oppressed by the terrible tyrant. She wiped away her tears and, without hesitation, took up her sisters' flag, determined to fulfill their unfulfilled wishes.

"Hephaestus, what nonsense are you spewing?"

Seeing the disgraceful descendants discard the ideals of reviving Chris Lineage, Sitle was furious. She was about to deliver a punch to correct their dream when she heard Dorothy's cheerful voice.

"Deal."

The homebody witch shouted loudly.

Indeed, this is what sincere friendship is about. Chris Lineage, truly, I could cry.

Although touched to the point of tears, Dorothy was forcibly suppressing the corners of her mouth from curling up with her Martial God's strength.

Oh dear, it's hilarious. Aunt Sitle, how many times have you swindled them in the past to the extent that your descendants are willing to bleed heavily just to send you away?

Amusingly, Aunt Sitle, you're truly my lucky star. Giving yourself to me as a technical Paru is one thing, but even your descendants thoughtfully provide provisions for your journey. This thorough service makes me feel embarrassed.

Indeed, if Stars Industry takes off in the future, you deserve the highest honors.

And hearing Dorothy's approval, Sitle had no choice but to let go of her raised hand.

What else can be done, anyway; the beating was done, and the anger vented. You can't really beat these disobedient nieces to death, can you?

In her lifetime, she focused on growing her strength and hadn't planned on getting married and having kids until achieving Sage status. But these nieces were the most qualified picked from daughters of Chris Lineage's sisters, raised and taught beside her, not quite daughters but almost.

But now, the rebellious nieces broke her heart. She couldn't understand why, after nurturing them for years, they viewed her as a bandit.

Could it be that I am the one holding them back?

No way, absolutely not. It's a slander against my extraordinary wisdom by other lineages.

Forget it, it's already come to this. They don't want me anymore, so why embarrass myself further?

Elder Radiant Dragon suddenly felt a sense of ennui. Her heart was aggrieved, sadness flowing like a river. Even though Ley Lines was warm as spring, she felt cold all over.

And in front of Sitle, Hephaestus, who was prepared to be beaten, blinked in confusion.