NOVPUBChapter 330: Chapter 293: The Strange Little Beggar_2
Rude’s words also contained a sense of pride, subtly showcasing the strength of the Mercenary Guild.
After all, as the newly-established Mercenary Guild in Ward City, it practically represented official management over mercenaries from all around Dillon Kingdom, a fact carrying different significance.
“Mm.”
Lis simply responded in a light tone, picking up a piece of Golden Knife Fish and gently dipping it in the sauce before placing it in his mouth.
The texture of Golden Knife Fish differed from other sea fish, being firmer and more intensely flavored, and under a seasoning similar to soy sauce from his previous life, the taste was quite good.
It was also one of the few types of sea fish Lis had preferred to eat during his marine adventures in his previous life.
...
Unfazed by hitting a snag, Rude maintained a grin and continued to strike up conversation without concern.
Lis engaged intermittently, ensuring the situation didn’t become awkward.
Moments later, after Lis had finished the dish of Golden Knife Fish and drank a gulp of cold Cold Barley Wine,
he wiped his mouth and looked at Rude, who sat opposite him, and said,
“I actually have something that I’d like to ask your help with, Manager.”
“This is also why I came to the Mercenary Guild to sell materials.”
“Oh?”
Rude perked up with interest, sitting up a bit straighter.
“I had been traveling around Dillon Kingdom before, having just crossed the Corea Hills.”
“I also heard that one could take ships from Ward City to the southern Boditch Kingdom, and that sparked my interest, prompting me to hurry over.”
“However, I don’t have any experience in sea voyaging, so I’d like to trouble you, Rude, to keep an eye out for any reliable ships setting sail southward soon.”
Lis nodded, stating his purpose for being there.
“I see…”
“If I may be so bold, are you planning to travel to Boditch Kingdom by ship alone, Mr. Lis?”
“Yes.”
Upon confirmation, Rude nodded, his evaluation of Lis’s abilities rising a notch.
To Rude, Lis’s request wasn’t surprising; truth be told, the majority of mercenaries recently arrived in Ward City were here for the purpose of voyaging to Boditch Kingdom.
Rude was quite curious as to how this mercenary in front of him had managed to cross the Corea Hills alone, as passing through the Luoxue Mountains should then theoretically be no challenge for him.
Nonetheless, Rude had professional ethics and refrained from probing too deeply.
“There are many merchant ships sailing to Boditch Kingdom lately, but most of them are departing for Boditch for the first time, and though the crew is trained, they are still not entirely reassuring.”
“Since you’ve already mentioned it, I won’t hide the truth from you, Lis.”
“It would be best to board those merchant ships that have successfully returned from Boditch Kingdom, as those are seasoned veterans.”
“However, those merchant ships belong to big guilds and haven’t hired too many mercenaries.”
“Because they are safer, spots on those ships are also quite in demand among mercenaries.”
Rude pondered for a moment before speaking earnestly.
He couldn’t afford not to take it seriously, for it was clear from the mercenary’s intention; he offered those Magical Beast Materials at a low price, all to secure a reliable place on a merchant ship.
If the task couldn’t be completed, then that deal would naturally fall through.
Being new to Ward City and wanting to save time in finding the right ship, he definitely preferred the convenience of the Mercenary Guild’s assistance.
“I know, that’s why I’m here, isn’t it?”
Lis’s face revealed a slight smile as he looked at Rude, the Manager.
“So please, do help me look, focusing on those that have returned from Boditch Kingdom.”
“As you know, I’m not short on money, so buying a spot with Gold Coins is no issue.”
“I understand.” 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
Rude breathed a sigh of relief; finding the newest departures actually would be quite troublesome.
But troublesome was all it would be—wasn’t this precisely what the favors he accumulated over time were for?
After all, compared to that, the commission from this gentleman’s trade was tangible Gold Coins!
In a little while, Theodore, the servant from earlier, approached, handing Lis the tallied bill.
Lis just glanced at the paper and saw the final conversion price was 13,000 Gold Coins, he nodded without any objection.
Lis didn’t take the Gold Coins directly, instead, he asked Rude to convert them into Low-level Magic Gems and Elemental Crystals.
Few people carry a large amount of Gold Coins on them, even if they have space storage equipment.
Because the actual conditions of each country are different, it is almost impossible to replace precious metals with paper money as Lis did in his previous life.
Even the Wealth Goddess cannot achieve this.
However, it is said that some regions in other continents have a similar system, but Lis had never been there; it was only hearsay.
After Lis left, Rude did not immerse himself in the joy of receiving his commission like Theodore did.
There are still tasks to be completed; the money felt hot in his hands.
Rude didn’t doubt Lis’s strength or the possible force behind him; those were just part of the reason.
Take money for work, take what you deserve, don’t do anything extra, this is how he became the Manager of the Mercenary Guild.
…
Lis came out of the Mercenary Guild somewhat unsure where to go next.
The remaining time was spent waiting for Rude to find him a merchant ship so he could arrive in the Boditch Kingdom as smoothly as possible.
At this moment, the Boditch Kingdom was in an extremely tense time of war, facing an invasion from the Feis Kingdom. Caught unprepared at first, by the second year, they had barely organized a defense.
This was also inseparable from the corruption of the upper echelons of the Boditch Kingdom.
The Feis Kingdom’s army, like an unstoppable force, had already occupied most of the Boditch Kingdom’s western territory, though their speed had inevitably slowed down.
After all, it was newly occupied enemy territory, and the Feis Kingdom intended to occupy it long-term, not merely plunder and retreat, naturally needing to allocate manpower to pacify the people and stabilize the territory.
Even so, this was only because the Royal Family of the Boditch Kingdom had completely lost the hearts of the people, and few were willing to fight to the death for those nobles who only knew how to exploit them.
Calculating the time, the Feis Kingdom’s army should be nearing the Gedo River Valley, the richest region of the Boditch Kingdom and where the Royal Capital, Luminous Stone City, is located.
However, that was also where the Boditch Kingdom’s strongest forces were. The Feis Kingdom’s army had been in a standoff there for a long time, so Lis didn’t have to worry about missing the action.
Just as Lis was aimlessly wandering the streets of Ward City, intending to find an inn to rest, he noticed something peculiar.
As Lis was about to enter a decent-looking inn on the roadside, from the corner of his eye, he noticed a small figure squatting in the shadow of a nearby wall.
It appeared to be a ten-year-old child wearing only a tunic that barely covered the body. The original color of the clothing was indiscernible, stained with the muddiness of the streets, with specks of black muddy water still dripping drop by drop.
The weather hadn’t completely warmed up yet, and the sea breeze blew, causing the small figure to shiver in its hiding spot.
A beggar?
That doesn’t seem right!
Lis grew curious. Ward City was a recently established seaport city without any natives.
Moreover, it was far from the other cities of the Dillon Kingdom; it seemed impossible for a beggar to have the capability to cross the Corea Hills to reach Ward City.
Not to mention a child!
Lis thought about it and decided to approach and ask.
This was a habit from his previous life in gaming. Encountering unusual situations often meant a hidden quest.
And this was the fun of gaming!
Lis didn’t go into the inn but instead walked toward the corner where the child was.
Seemingly noticing someone approaching, the beggar child lifted his head, his face dark with dirt but his eyes full of fear and exhaustion.
Seeing Lis approach, he got up and tried to flee.
But soon he found his body uncontrollable, even his toes a few inches off the ground, floating in mid-air.
“Quick response!”
Lis was even more curious; he used [Mage’s Hand] to hold the little beggar in mid-air.
“What are you trying to do?”
The sharp voice unique to children rang out, struggling in vain.
Lis stood in front of him and suddenly felt the face of this little beggar looked familiar.
Hmm?
Another future big figure?
