The sinister man in a white suit stood by the window.

He squinted his eyes, staring fixedly at the steel monster soaring above, its passage stirring the snowflakes on the ground as his tie danced wildly in the wind.

Frank observed carefully; there were no cries of panic from any local residents outside the window.

People were exuberant instead; be it soldiers patrolling the territory or workers wielding tools, their eyes were filled with hope.

Undoubtedly, that was a genuine ’Ark War Chariot’!

A new type of war chariot he had never seen before...

Frank withdrew his gaze, turned his head, and looked at the scattered fragments of art treasures, the emaciated man sank completely into silence.

"Are you crazy?! Charles!"

A stout merchant with a face full of flesh, fingers laden with gemstone rings, roared out: "You were clearly warned by Mr. Frank not to play any tricks! You bastard!"

"How dare you do this?! What gives you the courage?!"

The stout merchant stepped forward furiously, attempting to grab Charles by the collar: "You’re infringing on everyone’s interests!"

But at that moment, the alluring maid beside Charles suddenly stepped forward, blocking the angry Alliance merchant.

"Get out of my way! Bitch!" The stout merchant swung heavily, but the next instant, he flew...

The alluring maid grasped the stout man’s wrist, as an incredible force erupted from her delicate arms, flinging him away like a rag.

With a bang, the stout merchant performed a perfect display of disgrace before the crowd.

"Please, calm down, Jas."

Charles’ laughter echoed in everyone’s ears: "We’re all civilized people here; violence is not welcome."

The stout merchant clambered up awkwardly, appalled at the maid’s emotionless eyes, his previously furious gaze became crystal clear instantly.

Covering his bruised nose, his mind was in a tangled mess, he obediently sat back in his seat.

The other merchants stared intently at the maid beside Charles, while by the window, Frank seemed to have discerned something, his expression changed slightly.

"Let’s get back to the point, everyone."

Charles carefully held the flight model in his hand, smiling broadly: "It’s time for everyone to admire this ’rare’ and ’unique’ art piece."

It was a meticulously carved Ancient Century vehicle sculpture, reflecting sunlight, its surface flowing with an intoxicating sheen, every detail flawless.

Charles emphasized those two adjectives heavily.

Frank naturally caught the sarcasm in his words, but merely shook his head, expression indifferent.

Many merchants clenched their fists.

Everyone knew that the shattered treasures on the ground were no less exquisite than the art piece in Charles’ hand, each a masterpiece.

At this moment, the merchants’ hearts bled...

Dealing with newborn small national forces dependent on the Alliance for survival, joint pressure and low-cost acquisitions had always worked perfectly, those beautiful treasures were meant to be divided among them!

If managed properly, each could fetch a staggering price!

Now... they were all destroyed...

Yet the culprit behind it all didn’t even glance at the scattered fragments on the ground, as if they were mere worthless trash.

"Now, you can carefully contemplate the value of this treasure."

Charles maintained a polite and gracious smile.

Since these greedy fellows didn’t understand the principle of enlarging the pie together, he didn’t mind resorting to the lowest tactics.

This is the privilege granted to me by Lord Roland!

The merchants exchanged looks; their eyes started to flicker, gradually realizing that the treasure in Charles’ hand had indeed become a unique and priceless piece...

A community bonded by shared interests so easily manifested an irreparable rift.

The merchants instinctively looked towards their appointed Frank, their gaze carrying some urging.

The emaciated man sighed, sitting back down across from Charles.

Frank reignited a cigarette, leaning forward, his eyes gleaming with cold indifference.

He spoke calmly: "Charles, should I understand that you’re provoking the merchants’ sincerity with the utmost greed?"

"Mr. Frank, I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Charles scratched his head, a look of slight puzzlement on his face: "Have my actions violated Alliance laws?"

"Stop pretending to be foolish."

Frank exhaled smoke, speaking indifferently: "Your actions are undoubtedly a betrayal of order, benefiting neither the Alliance nor the Ark."

"Indeed! Mr. Frank is from the Ashen Battle Group as War Officer; your greedy crimes can’t escape this noble’s eyes!"

Beside him, Jas held his painful nose, hastily delivering a harsh statement: "You’d better be honest! And hand over the treasure obediently!"

Charles ignored the Alliance merchant’s bluster, but he indeed felt the pressure brought by Frank.

After all, the other belonged to a military organization of the Alliance Fortress Main Island.

Though the Ashen Battle Group was not the Fortress Main Island’s primary force, just one of many auxiliary groups, it didn’t mean the emaciated man before him was a nameless individual.