Chapter 9: A Long Conversation in the Dead of Night

  That night's banquet, everyone drank freely until late at night before dispersing.

  At night, Haiding Town is quiet and peaceful, with the fresh sea breeze blowing across the town from the sea. Although it's elegant and pleasant, it also reflects that Haiding Town is still far from prosperity.

  On the deserted and quiet street, two elongated human shadows gradually emerged from a distance.

  "Ugh...whoa!!" Suddenly, one of the tall men leaned against the corner of the wall and started vomiting violently.

  "Slow down, slow down. You may have a face that can drink, but after all these years, you still can't handle more than ten cups." Another person said while patting the tall man's back.

  "Ten cups is already a lot, isn't it? You think everyone is like you, a monster who can drink without getting drunk?" The man retorted with difficulty.

  "Haha, this is also one of the key skills for doing business. If you fall down before your opponent does, how can you make money?" The standing man laughed and said.

  "This way of making money is no different from cheating." The man who had just spat stood up.

  By the moonlight, it was now clear that the two were Rubens and Javelle. After the banquet ended, the two old acquaintances accompanied each other back to their residence.

  Taking deep breaths of the night air, Rubens' head gradually cleared up and they continued on their way. As they walked, Javier said: "In any case, thank you for taking this commission. If it weren't for you saving our face, the Blue Wolf Mercenary Corps wouldn't have suffered such a great loss."

  Rubens smiled quietly: "You're just like that girl, telling me this. Regardless of the human relationship or not, the remuneration given by your Lovell Chamber of Commerce has always been the most generous, how could I not accept."

  He said, "However, I still don't quite understand why you're paying such a huge price for this broken-down town. You know our mercenary fees and the compensation afterwards aren't small amounts either. If word gets out, it'll probably scare those country bumpkins half to death."

  Javier smiled and said, "You should be clear about our current situation in Lowell, shouldn't you?"

  Rubens frowned: "Of course, now everyone in Dinar knows that the king is very unhappy with you."

  "So, Lord Reed has always wanted to pave a way in Veronica for the possible changes that may occur in the territory in the future. And Haidington can be said to be the hope that Lord Reed unintentionally planted, so this price is absolutely worth it."

  "Because we believe that in the future, we can get a thousand times more return from here."

  "No wonder, this amount of money is indeed negligible for the Lovell Chamber of Commerce, which is now rich and powerful." Rubens shrugged: "But what if this place is still swallowed up by Lavite in the end?"

  Javier said nonchalantly, "Then go find the next one. Doing business has no guaranteed profits anyway. But for now, its growth has exceeded our expectations."

  Rubens looked at Javier in surprise: "You're actually so optimistic? Have you forgotten that battle? These guys have offended a formidable opponent, and from an investment perspective, the risk here is not ordinary."

  Javier didn't answer him but instead asked back: "So what do you think of this place?"

  "Small, broken, poor, and militarily indefensible - it's really terrible."

  "And then?" Javier asked with a smile, as if he had expected Rubens to say that.

  Rubens grumbled and said, "However, the only consolation is that there's a decent port here, with some prospects for development. Of course, it also relies on your big tree."

  However, what really caught my attention is that there is a vibrant atmosphere here. Although they are poor and facing great enemies, the people here have not given up, but instead try every means to break through the difficulties to survive, which is really admirable.

  "To be honest, it really is like 20 years ago when I first arrived in Lowell and the atmosphere I felt back then."

  "So, don't you think there's no future here now?" Javier smiled and said.

  It wasn't until now that Rubens realized he had been had, shaking his head with a wry smile: "So this is what you wanted to say. Alright, I admit I was a bit rash earlier, but there's no shameless lord like yours around here."

  Javier also smiled: "I can hardly imagine that there will be a second person like Lord, but this world is not just for one kind of person to succeed. For example, that young man named Raymond has many surprising aspects, and Lord Reid decided to support him at all costs because he saw his potential."

  "Indeed, that kid is not simple." Rubens stroked his chin, and suddenly he seemed to remember something, hastily saying: "Right, his sword, isn't it Cres's..."

  Javier nodded: "That's right, it's the sword that Manson imitated. I don't know how it ended up in his hands, maybe he really has some fate with our territory."

  After all, it's just a sword, Rubens just said that, and didn't think deeply about it. He stroked his chin and said: "Speaking of Kres, that guy is probably unbeatable on the continent of Moji now. He can make money like a wealthy nation, and use swords to an absurd degree, your territory really produces some amazing guys."

  Javier chuckled, "I happened to hear Lord Reid mention it last time. Lady Julie was blaming him for not taking care of the children and was very dissatisfied. So, Lord Kres has not gone out for training for a long time. Even Mozhina's strongest can't withstand a woman's anger. But anyway, Lord Kres is also an earl and a nobleman after all. It's not like him to be wandering around outside every day."

  "He's already gone back, and when I return to Mochi, I'll go find him for a drink." Rubens said: "The last time we received the quest to annihilate the cannibal tribe, if it wasn't for coincidentally running into him, our mercenary group would have been wiped out ahead of schedule. Seeing him use his sword, I'm even more glad that I chose an axe as my weapon, otherwise I really would have lost confidence."

  Two people walked while talking about all sorts of gossip in Lowell territory.

  Javier suddenly said: "Right, how many men in your mercenary group can fight now?"

  "Stop joking, almost everyone is lying in bed, and the few with lighter injuries are also struggling. Even I, now have difficulty wielding a sword." Rubens shifted his shoulders, gritting his teeth: "What? You don't think I'm going to risk my life for you that quickly, do you?"

  "I'd like to take a trip to the Kingdom of Gasparde, I'll need some guards." Javier replied.

  Rubens was taken aback: "What, you going there for?"

  Javier pointed to his own head: "A merchant's intuition. Don't forget that I came here to expand the trade route, and when the original rules are broken, it is our best opportunity to make money."

  "I don't understand what you're saying." Rubens grumbled, "Go find that kid Raymond, his swordsmanship is pretty good. The cat girl and the Bimon person by his side are also powerful warriors."

  "It seems it's come to this." Javier nodded: "As for you, I can only wish you a speedy recovery."

  "Never mind, I don't dare to accept the blessings of a black-hearted businessman."

  "Haha, without us black-hearted businessmen, where would your mercenary groups get their business?"

  In the midst of their argument, the two gradually walked into the streets and alleys of Haikou on that evening.

  "What? You want me to escort you to Gasperad?"

  The next day, Raymond was discussing the independent battalion with Rudes and others when he heard Javier's request and couldn't help but be surprised.

  Javier nodded: "I originally wanted to ask the Green Wolf Mercenaries, but they don't have anyone available, so I was hoping you could help me."

  The Lovell Guild owes a great debt of gratitude to Haidington, especially for this time's resistance against the invasion. Now that Javier has spoken up to request, it is only natural that Raymond would not refuse.

  However, with the attention of the Ravit Federation diverted, Haidington got a chance to catch his breath. Now that the independent legion was just established, there were many problems waiting to be solved such as recruitment, training and equipment, if he left...

  It seems that Rudz noticed Raymond's concern and said, "Young master, what we need to do now is just some preliminary preparation work. The recruitment of soldiers can be left to Shawn, and I can complete the training work. You can go ahead."

  Javier said: "Rubens also promised that during your stay in Headington, he will help you train soldiers."

  "That's it," said Raymond, nodding his head, "How many people do you need?"

  Javier said, "I plan to go in the name of Lowell Commercial House, but I'm worried that Lavierte's people will make a move on us. Fortunately, we're in Gasperd, so they shouldn't be too blatant. Bringing around 30 people should be enough, though it would be better if we had a few more good hands."

  "Raimund thought for a moment and said: "Lutz is going to stay and assist with the training, so Bastart you come with me."

  "Meow, it's great! I can finally leave here and go out to play!" The cat girl exclaimed.

  "Who told you it was for fun? Never mind... Anyway, once we're over there, everything will be done according to my orders."

  He said, turning to Shirlinus: "You come too; your archery will be useful."

  "Let's go." The elf agreed very generously.

  "With the three of us, we should be able to handle any situation," Raymond said to Javier.

  "Wait, I'm going too." Freddy said unexpectedly at this time.

  "You can't even fight, what's the point of going?" Hilnis said with restraint.

  Freddie gave him a cold look: "Are you kidding me? At that time, all the countries on this continent will gather in Gasperd. There's no better opportunity to collect intelligence than this."

  "Alright, alright, you're right." Hillnis hastily raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, clearly not intending to provoke this eccentric person.

  "What about things here now that you're leaving?" Raymond asked.

  "I'll leave it to Olsen. After all, it's just a matter of attracting some attention, and compared to the opportunity to directly interact with the upper echelons of various countries, it's nothing." Freddie said with sparkling eyes.

  Knowing he still had a thing for nobility, Raymond could only say: "Alright then, you can come with us too."

  "So you go and arrange everything that's needed for the long trip, we'll provide all of it. It's best if we can set off as soon as possible," Javier said before hastily taking his leave.

  Two days later, Raymond drew off with thirty men-at-arms, and escorted two wagons, with Bastert and Hillnis, from Headington towards the Kingdom of Gasprad.

  Two carriages, one carrying Javier and Freddie, the other loaded with goods that Javier brought to Orate City to lubricate his connections, were almost blinded by the dazzling treasures according to the guards who helped load the goods onto the carriage.

  However, just as they were about to leave Headington, Rubens suddenly grabbed Harriott, who was struggling desperately, and handed him over to Raymon.

  "Let this guy go exercise too."

  Thus, there was another extremely depressed person in the team.

  "Ugh, why does that guy always have to stare at me?" Halott complained discontentedly along the way.

  "I think he's probably gay, has a crush on you, so he always targets you, just to get your attention." Hillnis squeezed her eyes and said: "Actually, I've always thought that the way he looks at you is different from others."

  It's really hard to imagine that a spirit would say something like this...

  "I know I'm good-looking, but not so good-looking that it would attract that kind of person, right?"

  "Alas, it's hard to say what the world of Kisama is like. Brother, good luck to you." Hillnis sighed and patted Harlot on the shoulder.

  Then Zhang opened his mouth and thought desperately about every detail of Rubens' conversation with himself, while Harlot, who was getting more and more frightened as he thought, naturally didn't notice the elf's almost distorted face.

  "Young master, what is 'gay'?"

  "Shut up!"

  "If Rubens heard that, neither of you would be alive." At this time, the curtain of the carriage was pulled open, and Javier poked his head out and said lightly.

  "Where are we now?"

  A native Hadinton soldier acting as a guide replied: "We're almost at Farak City, we'll be staying there tonight."

  Haidington is located in the southeastern part of the Veronica continent. To go to the Kingdom of Gasparde, the nearest route is to cross the Manash mountain range in the north and enter the south of Gasparde, then head to the capital city of Orlate.

  Farak is located at the foot of the Mana mountain range and it is also the closest town to Haidenton, apart from Auston. The three towns are positioned like a triangle with Farak being the top point.

  Fararak City is rich in crystal and has some very poor quality fire opal mines, making it the wealthiest of the three towns. Due to its location, neither bandit gangs nor the Ravite Federation's invasions have reached it.

  Later that day, the convoy arrived at Farakk. Unlike Haidnton by the sea, Farakk was a city built around several large crystal mines, with the main part of the town situated on a flat area at the foot of the mountain and surrounded by dense forests.

  But what's truly important to this city is the mining area at the foot of the mountain, where extremely pure crystals are produced, making them excellent materials for alchemy and Farlake's main source of income.

  The entire city of Farak is very clean, with trees shading the streets and houses built from massive stone blocks, giving a fresh and heavy visual impression.