Chapter 58

It's over seven thousand and five hundred words again, and it's been more than a thousand words in two days. Ryan is a decent person. Additionally, I want to thank liyitaoqq for becoming an apprentice, and once again, thank my old friend Yuedaxiwushuang for the votes.

Also, I'm asking for favorites. If you think this book is worth reading, please take the trouble to favorite it. Thank you all!

"Also, clean up all this mess." Cook was heartbroken, knowing that he only had ten gold coins left on him. Although he had other things, they weren't money, so Cook had to loudly scold the innkeeper.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Sir, I offended you earlier, please explain to the adults upstairs." The tavern owner, seeing Melif the killer walk upstairs, leaving only a small thug downstairs, slowly got up, then reached into his chest and painfully pulled out more than a dozen gold coins, secretly passing them to Cook while speaking.

Cook was stunned by the owner's action, then saw the dozen gold coins and immediately smiled: "Mm, our lord won't bother with people like you. Quickly prepare hot water and food. Remember, there are four mages upstairs. Do you know what mages should eat?"

"Yes, yes, we have fresh milk, juice, roasted chicken, and the best snowflake bread, with sweet honey inside." The innkeeper was stunned by Cook's words. Four mages, oh my! So the innkeeper hurriedly nodded and said.

"Mm, then go prepare it, and bring the food upstairs. And without permission, no one else is allowed upstairs." Cook hummed, clearly the innkeeper had received mages before, so what he said was true.

"Yes, yes." The innkeeper, though heartbroken, faced a high-level mage who could instantly cast fireballs. However, when the innkeeper saw the dead bodies on the ground, he became excited again.

After all, the equipment and wealth on these people would surely benefit him. Moreover, the guard squad killed by Melif was escorting dozens of slaves, who were imprisoned in the cellar behind the inn. This was also money, so the innkeeper prepared with great care.

"Hey! Don't you have a decent maid here?" Cook, seeing Mitch serving as a maid upstairs, felt uncomfortable and hurriedly came downstairs to ask.

"Maid?" The tavern owner was confused. The tavern did have maids, but they were part-time, mostly dancers and bar girls.

"Someone to serve, clean, and don't bring those dancers to make up the numbers!" Cook looked at a few provocatively dressed women in the inn and said again.

"Yes, yes, yes!" The innkeeper finally understood, guessing that the female mages upstairs needed someone to take care of them. The innkeeper immediately thought of his daughter, who, though only twelve, could definitely serve. If she was chosen by a mage to become a maid, the innkeeper felt a surge of excitement and quickly nodded.

"Then hurry up and find her. We won't mistreat her." Cook, seeing the innkeeper's lack of action, immediately shouted.

"Yes, yes, I'll send someone right away." The innkeeper quickly called a helper and gave him some instructions, and the helper rushed out of the inn in the rain.

"Del, I heard there was a fight in the inn. Is that true?" Just as Cook went upstairs, several fully armed soldiers entered the inn, apparently the town's security team.

"Captain Rody, no one fought, but there was a massacre. The mage just pointed a finger, ..." The innkeeper, worried about what the mages might think of his daughter, immediately whispered to Rody when he saw him.

"Really? Just for a room, he killed people?" Rody's face turned green. According to Del, this mage was definitely a high-level mage.

Del shrugged and said, "Who knows? I keep my distance from mages." Del didn't know that Melif was already furious and was further provoked by the harassment.

"But, with nearly ten deaths, it needs to be registered." Rody then said hesitantly.

"Hmph, register what? They were just a bunch of spies. Here's my badge, see it clearly?" Cook, who had just come downstairs, heard this and immediately slapped a badge on the table.

"Sir, I didn't know you were from this family. I apologize, I apologize." Rody carefully examined the badge, which was just a copper magic attendant badge, but the information it conveyed made Rody's legs tremble. The badge indicated that its owner belonged to the Hesek family. While most people might not know the Hesek family, if they mentioned Melif Hesek, everyone would understand. The Hesek family was just a count, but Melif's wife was from the Claris family, the empire's top noble family and a magic family. So Rody's legs trembled uncontrollably, and he quickly apologized, even gritting his teeth to take out a bag of gold coins and secretly pass it to Cook.

"Sure, sure, but our lord doesn't want to be disturbed, as he's not in a good mood recently." Cook, without showing any emotion, weighed the bag and put it away, then nervously glanced at the staircase.

"Mm, the lord is right, no one will disturb him." Rody knew that Melif and his wife were missing, and now understood why the Hesek family was so angry. As for not being disturbed, that was a small matter.

Seeing Rody almost fawningly leave the inn, Del secretly rejoiced, glad that they hadn't offended these people. After all, the town's security officer had real power, and even the mayor had to respect him, as he had the muscle.

"How was it?" On the second floor, Alice and Melif were sitting together. After Alice took a bath, her fiery red hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she was wearing the best nightgown the tavern provided, revealing her white, jade-like feet. Melif had also bathed, but looked somewhat listless. In his hand was a pale blue fireball, showing everything happening downstairs. Melif asked.

"He doesn't feel like a teenager, but more like a man in his thirties." Alice frowned and said.

"Mm, this kid not only has talent but also knows how to handle people. Since I didn't show up when we entered the inn, look at how he managed everything perfectly, even paying attention to the food." Melif nodded.

"Hmph, you're embarrassed, aren't you? In the future, people will say a great mage like you ate for free." Alice didn't give Melif any face and huffed.

"Heh!" Melif could only heh, then put away the fireball. It was just a mental projection, a small use of mental power.

Alice then frowned, worriedly saying, "Is he too greedy?"

"Ha ha, if he were greedy, he would have taken out the dragon egg for everyone to sign a contract. If he were greedy, he wouldn't have mentioned the branch of the Tree of Life. If he were really greedy, he could have escaped before we met in the underground river. With a dragon egg, he wouldn't have to worry about finding a patron." Melif chuckled and asked.

Alice, hearing Melif's words, nodded and said, "Mm, so he's not greedy. But to become our family's son-in-law isn't easy. There's still the matter of my father."

"I'm not worried about your father. Cook has excellent talent. Did you notice that there's almost no magic fluctuation from him? Even when casting spells, the fluctuation is only a third of others. And since returning from the Yarlan Empire, he has cast seventy-eight healing spells without meditating. And you heard, he's a natural apprentice alchemist. Just using four different fruits, he knocked out the third prince of the Ceylon Empire and captured the famous Ceylon Fox. Of course, there was some luck involved, but do you think your father would push such a person away?" Melif listed the points one by one.

"Uh! This kid is really something. I almost forgot. But what about Conknee? Should we report it, or?" Alice was stunned by Melif's words, recalling that the kid had indeed done some astonishing things.

"Ha ha, that's easy. Conknee is still poisoned, and whether she can be cured is still a question. Besides, even if we report it, what reward would there be? Our family doesn't lack for rewards. This failure of Cassi has almost cost us all our influence in the military. If Conknee is cured by that kid, I don't mind her continuing as his maid." Melif smiled.

"Roll! What maid? I think you men have no good intentions." Alice whispered.

"You, Conknee is a great knight at least, and most importantly, she has a brilliant mind for war. If that kid has her assistance, who in the new generation of the empire could be his match? As for status, would she dare to compete with Lily?" Melif quickly explained.

Alice, hearing Melif's words, was somewhat moved. While the Claris family was a magic family, they still needed to eat, dress, and socialize, all of which required money. In this society, without power and influence, even with money, it could be taken away. That's why Cassi was the deputy commander of the Mammoth Corps, but his lack of strategy cost the family all its influence in the military.

"Let's wait and see what Father decides." Alice thought for a while and said.

"Mm, I'll call the kid in and give him some instructions. What to say and what not to say, we need to make it clear." Melif agreed but then added.

"Mm, you go. I'm a bit tired." Alice was still thinking about the impact of this great harvest on the family: the dragon egg, the branch of the Tree of Life, a military god-level figure, a naturally awakened Mitch, and a highly talented Cook. Thinking about it, she couldn't help but laugh, clearly moved by the profound impact of this harvest.

"Cook, Cook! It's up to you whether you have the ability to be our family's son-in-law. If you don't, ha ha!" Alice said softly after a while.

Cook was now sitting opposite Melif. Melif looked at Cook and found the kid wasn't very good-looking, but Melif didn't care. Men don't look at appearance, Melif knew. Melif withdrew his gaze and coughed, asking, "Cook, you're now Lily's guardian knight, so you've officially entered the Hesek family. Your life is now intertwined with the Hesek family. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir." Cook felt Melif's gaze as if it could penetrate his soul. He only relaxed slightly when Melif spoke, understanding what Melif meant.

"So, how do you plan to handle Conknee?" Melif felt it was strange. Conknee had recently commanded millions of troops and caused the Mammoth Knights to lose three hundred men, a thousand years of the empire's effort, and now he was asking a guardian knight of his family how to handle her.

"Of course, to exchange for military merit and rewards?" Cook hesitated and answered.

"Ha ha, Cook, tell me, what military merit would you get by handing Conknee over?" Melif smiled and asked.

"At least a viscount, right?" Cook scratched his head, knowing she was a five-star general.

"Ha ha, ha ha, viscount, Cook, you're too naive. Do you think anyone can get a noble title?" Melif laughed.

"She's a five-star general, though?" Cook was confused.

"Ha ha, Cook, let me put it this way. If you hand Conknee over, a baron's title is certain, and you'll definitely get a military position or wealth, but not a viscount." Melif chuckled.

"How is that possible?" Cook asked in surprise.

"Because a viscount has the right to participate in the noble council, that's why!" Melif said coldly.

Cook immediately understood. In short, it was about the right to vote. Barons didn't have that right. Nobles weren't decided by the emperor alone but by the noble council. Even if the emperor nominated someone dozens of times, if the council disagreed, it was in vain.

"Military positions are good too." Cook said softly.

"Ha ha, kid, you're too naive. So many generals and big shots in the military were slapped hard by the Ceylon Empire. You, a small fry, have achieved such great merit. As long as you're alive, you're openly slapping their faces. If you really want to join the military, ha ha, that's asking for death." Melif chuckled.

"Damn!" Cook wasn't stupid. Hearing Melif, he immediately understood. If he joined the military, he would probably die a miserable death. Cook's face turned green.

But then Cook had a flash of inspiration. He had Melif as a patron, but what did Melif mean by this? So Cook, pretending to be very distressed, asked, "Sir, I'm still young, you decide for me!"

"It's simple. There is no Conknee. She's your maid." Melif smiled inwardly, as Cook's reaction was normal for a young man who hadn't seen the world.

"Sir, but, but." Cook was puzzled. What was wrong with Melif? Was there some plot? So he stammered.

"Conknee can't leave you now, or she'll die from the poison. As for power and titles, once you cure her, with her help, you won't lack for merit." Melif said calmly.

Cook, hearing Melif, felt he was touching on Melif's thoughts. After careful consideration, he found Melif's words made sense. With Conknee, he would have plenty of merit.

"Also, about the dragon egg, don't reveal it. And the branch of the Tree of Life, give it to me. I'll handle it for you. Of course, we won't take your things for free. The dragon egg and the branch of the Tree of Life are priceless treasures. Our family will give you a five-thousand-hectare estate outside the capital and two buildings on the bustling Roland Street in the capital. This is a small compensation. Additionally, our family will recommend you to the Magic Academy in the Magic City, the top academy on the continent with dozens of departments and thousands of subjects. You can choose what you want. After graduation, our family will recommend you for a military position." Melif threw out these benefits in one breath.

Cook was stunned. A five-thousand-hectare estate, how much land was that, and it was near the capital. Two buildings on the bustling Roland Street in the capital, and the opportunity to further his studies. Cook felt it was worth it, really worth it, so he nodded enthusiastically, "Good, good, good!"

"Then it's settled. When we return, just say you got lost in the forest." Melif felt very satisfied. After all, how much were these things worth? A branch of the Tree of Life was worth much more.

"Sir, but I've already promised to make a flute for Mike with the branch of the Tree of Life, and wands for Mitch and Lori, and I want a bow for myself, and something for Big Mouth and Little Bad, and a necklace for Conknee." Cook took the initiative to give Conknee a necklace.

"No problem!" Melif waved his hand.

"Then I'll take my leave, sir." Cook, excited, wanted to leave.

"Mm, but, you can only enter the Magic Academy in the Magic City as Lori's guardian knight, so you'll only have the status of an auditor." Melif nodded and then explained.

"I understand, I understand!" Cook didn't care about the academy, only about the estate and the luxurious buildings on Roland Street.

"Ha ha, sorry, it's my turn to leave!" Cook was still jumping with excitement in the corridor when Melif came out and chuckled.

Cook, seeing Melif, blushed and slipped into his room. Then he opened the door, looked around, and seeing no one, meowed twice and slipped into his room.

"Done?" Alice, seeing Melif come in, quickly asked.

Melif put his arm around Alice's shoulder and said, "Done. I used an estate and two buildings on Roland Street. The kid doesn't know how much it costs to maintain an estate outside the city and buildings on Roland Street, and this also ties his family firmly to the capital."

"You, I think you're getting old. Cook is Lori's guardian knight. If he can't pay, we will. But his family is tied to the capital." Alice said irritably.

Melif, hearing Alice, slapped his forehead and said, "Oh, we need to find a source of income for the kid!"

"Ha ha, do you think these calculations matter? If he really becomes your son-in-law, you'll be paying for everything." Alice said irritably.

"Hmph, son-in-law, he has to be satisfactory first." Melif coldly hummed. It was also fortunate that Melif and Alice were mages, so they didn't have deep prejudices about family backgrounds. If they were ordinary nobles, they wouldn't be so easy to talk to. Moreover, Melif's family was originally a small, declining noble family. But Melif was discovered to have talent as a fire mage, so he became a student of Alice's father. Somehow, he and Alice got together. So when they noticed Lori's affection for Cook, they didn't oppose it. Of course, Cook's talent, good performance, and outstanding abilities were key reasons. Not to mention, if Cook was willing, many great families would cry and beg to marry their daughters to him for a dragon egg. In short, it was a matter of interests.

"Ha ha! But I wonder how Father is doing. After all, it's the Mage Guild!" Alice leaned on Melif's shoulder, chuckled, and then said worriedly.

"Yes