Chapter 4: Picking Up A Job

  Freddie gave him a cold look: "Under our current circumstances, whether we can make money or not, or whether we should enhance the combat effectiveness of the guard team, is not the most important thing. What's important is that we still know nothing about what's happening around us, and this situation cannot continue."

  Rudz is from a military background, so he naturally understands the importance of intelligence. He nodded and said: "I agree with this point. In Charlotte, they concealed the true situation of Haidington, and in the battle against those bandits, we suffered enough losses due to the lack of intelligence."

  "Even if it's not very detailed, at least we should know what's happening around us in a timely manner."

  "Alright, how much money do you need?" Raymond said without hesitation.

  "Considering that initially only Haidington and its surroundings need to be covered, 100,000 gold coins would be enough. Later, as the scope expands, I will add more funds." Freddie said calmly.

  "What?!" Almost everyone exclaimed in unison.

  It's worth noting that Ricky made a business investment, and at first, he only dared to ask for 50,000 gold coins. But Freddy opened his mouth and asked for 100,000, which is one-third of Raymond's current family fortune.

  "Whoa, this guy must be crazy for money, just asking for information and he wants so much money." Harold was the first to speak up.

  "Spreading rumors? There's nothing to say to an idiot like you who doesn't understand anything."

  "What did you say!?" Harlot was furious, but didn't dare to lay a hand on Freddy, could only glare with his eyes, panting heavily.

  "Really, it's not a small amount," Rickety hesitated, "are you sure you want that many?"

  Even Rutz frowned slightly, apparently he also felt that Freddy's request was a bit excessive. Only Baster, who had no concept of money, looked at one and then the other with an innocent face, not understanding what they were quarreling about.

  In the face of everyone's doubts, Freddy didn't bother to explain. He turned around and said seriously to Raymond: "Sir, it's not that I'm boasting, but based on my experience in the Hidden Thunder organization, I dare say that the importance of intelligence can't be overstated. It's not just about gathering information, but also includes espionage, infiltration, bribery, sabotage, and even assassination."

  "If you really want to make a name for yourself on this continent, then agree to my request and I can guarantee that you will never regret it. Perhaps now I can only tell you some rumors about what's happening in Haidington, but one day, I'll even know how many snores your enemies let out while they're sleeping."

  Looking into Freddy's eager eyes, Raymond took a slow breath. In fact, he knew more than anyone about the role of intelligence reconnaissance. If he had known Verona's true intentions in advance during the Beastman Empire, he would not have been so passive on the night of the festival.

  However, what Freddy wanted was an astonishing number that even he had to weigh carefully. In the end, Raymond still made a decision.

  Worth it!

  Then he said to Rickett: "After selling those spoils of war, take 100,000 gold coins to Freddy at the first opportunity."

  Seeing Raymond agree so readily, without even putting any restrictions on Freddy's use of the money, Ricky opened his mouth to speak but ultimately just nodded and said: "I understand."

  "Ah, are you really going to give it away?" Harlot's eyes widened in dismay, and he muttered reluctantly: "One million, I'd rather let the brothers divide it among themselves than give it to that guy."

  Raymond's decisiveness greatly moved Freddy, who was clearly able to return to his old trade on the Veronica continent, making him extremely excited. Taking a deep breath to calm down, Freddy bowed deeply to Raymond: "You won't regret it."

  "After we finished talking about the money, Raymond said: 'By the way, there's something else. When Bassett and I were chasing those two bandits, we met a very strange guy.'"

  As he spoke, Raymond told everyone about what happened when he bumped into that person. Then he said: "What do you think?"

  "From what you heard, those words Dennis and Matthew said before they died, it can be inferred that the person must have a connection with this group of robbers." Rickert said.

  Ruth nodded: "That's right, and it's very likely that the person is the mastermind behind the scenes, so he killed Matthew and Dennis in order not to reveal the secret."

  "But..." he said, hesitating for a moment: "What I'm more concerned about is that person's identity."

  "What's up? Is there any clue?" Raymond asked hastily. The strange man had left a deep impression on him.

  Hariqit and Ruzi exchanged a glance, then Ruzi said: "Young Master, have you heard of the Necromancer?"

  "Death Spirit Mage?" Raymond was taken aback.

  He had certainly heard of the name, only that, and nothing more. In fact, in this era, no one has seen those legendary wizards who can manipulate the power of death.

  "He couldn't help but say: 'Wait a minute, are you saying that person is a necromancer? But aren't they already...'"

  At this time, Freddy interjected: "Yes, 20 years ago, since the Dragon tribe destroyed the headquarters of the undead sorcerer in the Zeiger mountain range, no one on the entire Mojina continent has seen any signs of those living dead people, so people have been saying that they are already extinct."

  "But my experience tells me that there is nothing certain in this world. Even if the necromancers of the continent of Mozhi have disappeared, what about this land?"

  Rudolph also said, "When I was still an adventurer, I had dealings with the undead mages. From your description, whether it's their appearance or the magic they use, they're just like those guys. Freddy is right, even if the undead mages of the Mojina continent have disappeared, it doesn't rule out that there are still some people left here."

  "Unbelievable, won't be so unlucky, could the behind-the-scenes mastermind really be those guys?" Raymond couldn't help but exclaim. Recalling the records he had read about those mysterious mages, and recalling the fear he felt when facing that person, he still had a lingering fear in his heart.

  "Wow, Necromancer Yeh." Bast said uncontrollably: "Young Master, you're indeed unlucky..."

  Before he could finish speaking, Raymond slammed his hand down on his head: "Shut up!"

  "If that guy is really the legendary necromancer, why did he attack Haidingtown?" Rickety asked curiously at this time.

  "Who knows?" Freddie shook his head. "The only two people who knew the inside story were also silenced, and without sufficient intelligence, it's really hard to make any judgment."

  "Anyway, whether or not the other party is a necromancer, our opponent is not simple. The worst thing is that we know nothing about him. Our luck is really good, we finally have a place to settle down, but we've attracted such a troublesome guy."

  "It's certain that they won't give up. Now the only thing we can do is to take precautions and wait for their next move."

  "Hmph, this is exactly what I hate the most. I don't care what kind of person my opponent is, but I just can't stand this feeling of being passive and waiting, yet not getting any information at all." Freddy said coldly: "That's why I want to establish my own intelligence agency."

  "Anyway, at least the problem in front of us is solved." Raymond put down his worries and stretched his waist deeply: "Let's stop here for tonight, everyone has been working hard lately, go back and rest well."

  "We still have a long way to go from now on."

  A few days later, Dreya's ship set sail for Ried's Manas Island, laden with Raymond's spoils of war and Javier in tow, carrying the hopes of all of Haidington.

  Since the eradication of the bandits, Charlotte immediately threw herself into the reconstruction work of Haidington. However, the entire town had been deserted for a long time, the economy collapsed, and countless tasks were complicated, among which the most important thing was that there was no money.

  Although Shawn brought back another batch of spoils, the tens of thousands of gold coins were merely a drop in the bucket for a town with nearly ten thousand people. So before sufficient funds could be obtained, Charlotte had no choice but to pin her hopes on Reed's merchant fleet; if they could sell off the goods that had been stockpiled in Haidington over the past half year, then there would be hope for the town's reconstruction.

  So she and Morini came to the dock in person to see Javier off.

  "Don't worry, Lord Reed's fleet will arrive soon." Javier stood on the deck, waving goodbye to the crowd on the shore.

  Then, the Cangyun set sail and sailed into the vast and boundless ocean.

  After the boat left, Raymond found an opportunity to tell Charlotte about his idea of investing in Headington.

  "Indeed, she who was so troubled by her lack of money immediately agreed: 'Mr. Raymond's willingness to do this is truly too good. Your repeated assistance to Haidington has left us with no way to repay you.'"

  Raymond waved his hand: "No, we will be based in Haidington from now on, and the prosperity of the town is naturally closely related to us. I'd be happy to do my part for Haidington."

  Charlotte was about to speak when Lambert suddenly said, "Looks like Mr. Raymond has a lot of money, and this time you've made a fortune by clearing out the bandits, haven't you?"

  "Mr. Lambert?" Charlotte turned around in surprise, unaware of why he said that suddenly, but it was clear that there was a deeper meaning behind his words.

  Raymond narrowed his eyes slightly, but didn't say a word, just waiting for the other person's next move.

  As expected, Lambert said, "Mr. Raymond has taken over the spoils of war from two bandit camps, no wonder he's so confident. But do you know where those bandits stole those things from?"

  "Of course." Raymond nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised by Lambert's "performance".

  Lambert was taken aback by Raymond's calm attitude, but he still said: "Since you know, don't you think they should be returned to the people who were robbed?"

  At last understanding Lambert's intention, Charlotte was both shocked and angry, and hastily looked at others. However, except for Morini who also showed a surprised expression, Van Ning and Depeyro both had an expression of watching a good show, apparently the two had colluded with Lambert beforehand, and suddenly questioned Raymond.

  In fact, Shawn had already reported to Charlotte and others that Raymond had monopolized the spoils of war from two camps. This time, being able to wipe out the bandits was entirely thanks to Raymond's plan, so Charlotte naturally knew who those spoils should belong to.

  Moreover, Raymond still shared a share with Haidington, and there was nothing to blame. So Charlotte decided unanimously after consulting with Mori and others to take a default attitude towards this matter.

  However, at this time Lambert suddenly confronted Raymond about the matter without communicating with Charlotte beforehand, how could she not be angry?

  "Mr. Lambert, whatever is..." Charlotte hastily intervened.

  Lambert chuckled and interrupted Charlotte: "Mayor, I'm just chatting with Mr. Raymond, don't you want to hear his opinion on this matter?"

  "Meow, you guys!" Even Bastet could see that this old man was intentionally picking a fight and couldn't help but get furious.

  Raymond gently patted the cat girl's head, signaling her to calm down. Then he asked back: "So, what does Mr. Lambert think?"

  "Lambert was taken aback, and immediately shook his head: "I think that anyone with a noble character should not possess something that does not belong to them. Lord Raymond must also think so, right?"

  "Oh, you're right." Raymond murmured in agreement.

  Thinking they had succeeded, Lambert and Depero exchanged a triumphant glance with Van Nying: "So, those spoils of war..."

  "What's wrong with those spoils?" Raymond asked in a surprised tone.

  Lambert's face changed: "Lord Raymond, please stop pretending to be stupid. You should be very clear that these things originally belonged to Haidington, but you seem not to have thought of returning them to their rightful owner."

  "So that's what you meant." Raymond suddenly realized: "Of course I've thought about it, but I just encountered some difficulties."

  "What's wrong?" Lambert was taken aback.

  Raymond said sincerely, "Yes, I also want to return these things to the people who were robbed. But they are too miscellaneous and numerous, it's impossible to determine which ones belong to whom. I couldn't possibly give them to the wrong people, could I? That would be irresponsible."

  "Now that you mention it, would you please ask Mr. Lambert to help me with a detailed list of the stolen items?"

  "Ah?" At these words, all three of the Lamberts were stunned.

  It is known that three bands of robbers have been rampaging outside for nearly a year, with their targets ranging from residents of Haiding Town to merchant caravans outside, numbering in the thousands. Those robbers would not be able to keep detailed accounts, writing down things like "on such and such day, robbed so and so of so much wealth, and recorded the victim's name and home address" for future reference.

  So many spoils of war, heaven knows who they belong to. Moreover, even if Lambert can provide a list, how do you prove it? After all, there are no names engraved on the gold coins.

  Although he knew that Raymond was being deliberately difficult, Lambert had just finished saying something that made him temporarily unsure of how to respond.

  "Even so," said De Péro in a low tone, "what right had you to dispose of these things on your own authority?"

  Raymond shrugged: "The robbers were eliminated by me, and before finding the clear owner, they are my spoils of war. I have the right to dispose of them. However, please rest assured that once the ownership of these things is confirmed, I will immediately compensate the loss to the owner with money."

  At this point, Depero was completely speechless.