Chapter 58: An Invitation from the Kayler Family

  What happened to the Red Eagle Mercenary Corps made Rode somewhat puzzled and also secretly vigilant. Although this kind of thing would be just an accident in someone else's eyes, Rode always felt that something was wrong, just like Shana said, the other party paid a deposit of 150 gold coins, which is too much money to just play with people for fun.

  There must be a problem behind it.

  Although Rude thought so, he didn't let Lije go to investigate the Red Eagle side. After all, the previous incident with Barney made the atmosphere between the two mercenary groups a bit awkward. Rude didn't want to cause any more trouble, so he had Old Wark return to the Mercenaries' Guild to "resume his old business".

  "I hope you can help me pay attention to the recent movements of the association."

  Sitting in front of the slightly old wooden desk in the study, Luo De was writing and drawing on paper while quietly saying to Old Woke.

  "Take a look at whether there's anything particularly strange recently, if there's any abnormality, tell me immediately. Also, I hope you can help me take a look inside the association and find an MT."

  "What's that? Never heard of it."

  "The person who can stand at the forefront of the team in times of crisis."

  Rod tapped his forehead and corrected himself.

  "Remember, no more than two people at most. Although our mercenary group has very few people now, what we need most at present is not to expand our manpower, but the grinding and teamwork among us."

  "A person who can stand at the forefront of the team in times of crisis..."

  At Rod's request, Old Walker narrowed his eyes, stroking the uneven beard on his chin, and began to ponder.

  "Hmm... I do have someone in mind, but kid, I think you'll have to pay a pretty penny."

  "How much?"

  Rod raised his head and looked at the old man sitting in front of him, while Old Walker shrugged and smiled with a grin.

  "Three hundred gold coins."

  "So expensive?"

  Upon hearing this, Rod furrowed his brow. This time, the total reward for completing the task was only 500 gold coins, and Old Wark wanted to take away more than half of it. This made Rod very suspicious. To think that mercenaries themselves didn't cost much to hire, a skilled mercenary joining a mercenary group would at most cost around a hundred or so gold coins. There were even many mercenaries who didn't want money, but instead wanted to join those mercenary groups. Old Wark and Marlin belonged to this type, the former had only asked for 50 gold coins, while the latter didn't need money at all, what she lacked was battle experience. So Marlin hadn't asked Rod for money either. And now, Old Wark actually wanted to spend 300 gold coins to hire someone?

  Seeing the look of surprise on Rod's face, Old Walker stroked his beard and revealed a happy smile. Since he joined the mercenary group, Rod would occasionally make sarcastic remarks about him, and now was finally an opportunity to get revenge. Of course, Old Walker wasn't just talking nonsense, after all, this was also his own mercenary group now, and he hadn't become so muddle-headed that he'd make his own team uncomfortable. It's just... heh heh, you get what you pay for, if you want the best, then you have to spend a bit more money.

  "Alright."

  But contrary to Old Wok's expectations, Rod, apart from the initial shock, did not get angry or scold like others. Instead, he pulled out a drawer and took out a money bag and threw it on the table.

  "There are five hundred gold coins inside, you take them."

  "Huh?"

  But when faced with Rode's actions, Old Walker's expression stiffened.

  "Hey kid, isn't this the payment for our last job? You're giving it all to me?"

  "It doesn't matter, anyway there's no need for money at the moment, since you want to use it, just take it and use it."

  This time, facing Old Woke's nervous inquiry, Rod didn't even lift his head. He picked up the paper in front of him and replied casually. Although 500 gold coins were not a small amount in Old Woke's eyes, they were nothing to Rod. After all, during his tenure as the guild leader, the gold coins that passed through his hands were counted in millions. These 500 gold coins weren't even enough for Rod to splash some water around. Besides, Rod wasn't worried that Old Woke would squander the money. If he really did, no big deal, he could just deduct the loss from his salary.

  If Old Walker knew what Rod had in mind, he would certainly reconsider his suggestion. Unfortunately, people's hearts are isolated from their bellies, so in Old Walker's eyes, Rod's magnanimous behavior made him reevaluate this kid who had been sulking all day without a good word to say.

  "Don't worry, kid."

  Old Walker picked up the money bag, and a rare serious expression appeared on his face.

  "I guarantee I will bring back someone you'll be satisfied with."

  At this point, Old Walker paused for a moment, and then a strange smile appeared on his old face.

  "I guarantee this money will absolutely not be wasted."

  "I hope so."

  Because Rod's attention was focused on the paper in his hand, he didn't notice the strange smile on Old Walker's face. At this moment, Rod also put down the pen in his hand and folded up the paper.

  "Anything else?"

  "By the way, I wanted to ask, when are we going on a mission next?"

  "I've already accepted it, I'll set off in two days."

  "In two days?"

  At Rod's answer, Old Wulfgar scowled.

  "So I still have time to go to the association to gather information?"

  "This time, the mission is just Marin and me."

  Rod shook his head and replied.

  "Lilith needs to focus on learning new spirit techniques for a while, and you have your own tasks to do, so just the two of us will go this time. Don't worry, we're only going to the Dusk Forest to collect some alchemy plants, it's a two-star task, not too difficult. So don't worry about anything, just focus on doing your own thing."

  As he said that, Rode glanced at the noble young lady sitting in another corner of the study, reading a book. Marlin noticed Rode's gaze and revealed a proud and complacent smile, which made Rode involuntarily shake his head and sigh inwardly.

  In fact, Road didn't plan to do so. He originally only planned to go alone, just to take the opportunity to dig out those top-notch equipment buried in the Twilight Forest. However, Marlin refused Road's request after learning about it, because for a girl, the most important thing is to go out and accumulate experience, she has had enough of the boring life in Deep Stone City, and obviously didn't care about this. Under Marlin's strong request, Road finally agreed to take her on the road, after all, Marlin was also a member of the mercenary group now, plus her mid-level mage strength, even if something unexpected happened, it could be solved well.

  "Alright, I understand."

  Old Walker nodded in understanding and then stood up.

  "So I'll get ready and then go take a look at the association... If you have something to find me, same place, same position."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Old Walker was about to get up and bid farewell, but just then the knocking sound suddenly rang out. Next, Lijie pushed open the large door and walked into the study.

  "Mr. Rhodes, this was just brought by someone from the Keller family."

  With a hint of tension and confusion, Lijie handed the letter in her hand to Rode. It was an exquisite invitation letter with embossed gold logos and magnificent family crests that showed the identity and status of its owner.

  "Keller family?"

  Rod's brow furrowed in puzzlement as he took the invitation from Lijie.

  "Do we know these guys?"

  When Rude asked, Liche's face immediately showed a strange expression.

  "Uh... Mr. Lode, you forgot?"

  "What?"

  "When we returned to Deepstone Castle from the Twilight Forest, didn't you save a young lady..."

  "I don't remember anymore."

  Rode answered decisively, and judging from his appearance, he had obviously completely forgotten about the other party. This also left Lijie stunned, she slightly stuck out her tongue, but still decided not to say anything more. After all, at that time, both sides were also somewhat unpleasant, originally Lijie thought that after this, there would be no more contact between them, but did not expect that at this time, the Kailer family actually came knocking on the door again. It's also unknown what they want to do this time.

  "The head of the Kailer family invited me to dinner and thanked me for saving his daughter."

  At this time, Luo De had already finished reading the content of the invitation letter and casually placed it on the side table.

  "Who's going with me?"

  Upon hearing Lord's invitation, Old Walker turned around and walked out of the room, waving his hand at Lord as he left.

  "I won't bother with drinking tea and idling away with those noble old men, I'll take my leave first. Don't worry, kid, I guarantee I'll complete your request."

  "I, I am also......"

  Lijie said with a few awkward smiles on her face, and quietly took a few steps back.

  "I'm currently learning a new skill, I think... I won't be able to take time off for a while."

  "Marlene?"

  Since Old Wolk and Lidge didn't plan to go, Rod looked at the noble young lady sitting next to him reading a book quietly. Facing Rod's gaze, Marlin thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

  "Although I'm not really interested in hanging out with those country bumpkins, it's not bad to go out and clear my head occasionally... Lijie, you come too."

  "Huh? Me? But......"

  "Refining one's skills doesn't happen overnight, and... you haven't attended a tea gathering like this in a long time either, why not go relax for a bit?"

  "This... I..."

  Upon hearing Marlene's suggestion, Lijie's face turned even more awkward. She stole a glance at Rode and saw that he didn't show any reaction, which made her feel relieved. Then she nodded reluctantly.