Chapter 25

"Thank you, little sister Lucia, I finally got rid of those six people." Nalasha took out a lollipop and handed it to Lucia.

"Is it for your butler? This candy looks interesting, with its spiral pattern."

Lucia, who was not lacking in intelligence, clearly knew that Nalasha wanted those six people dead. She just played along, but she was not concerned about the deaths of the six thugs. She was more interested in studying the candy, which had five different colors.

Nalasha leaned in and whispered, "The lollipop was made by my brother Murong. To be honest, Murong's specialty is not lollipops but cooking. If you help me one more time, I'll treat you to a meal, as a trade."

"Really? Justice-loving Lucia loves helping others. Is it about taking down the Bunier Chamber of Commerce? Lucia can do it." Lucia licked the lollipop, finding it delicious. The five colors corresponded to five different flavors, and she smiled happily as she spoke.

As the granddaughter of a duke, Lucia was certainly not a naive country girl. She knew that the other party was using her, but the use was straightforward, the purpose was singular, and there was a reward.

Most importantly, the other party could also fly. Even if she didn't help, she believed her grandfather would step in. So why not have another companion to play with? Nalasha was much stronger than the others.

There were many flying mages, but only this one was about her age. She was also beautiful, with delicious lollipops and even better meals.

Nalasha, guided by Gong Sun Murong, knew what to do. She said to Lucia, "We don't want to kill people anymore. Since it's a chamber of commerce, let's take it down commercially. Let's take some of their money first, and split it fifty-fifty, okay?"

"It's your butler who owes them money." Lucia reminded her, already interested.

"Yes, we owe them money, but not their house or the things in it. They occupied the house, and when they did, wouldn't they break something? How much is that thing worth? I wanted to sell it to the duke's granddaughter and even took a deposit, but..."

"The thing is broken, how sad." Lucia played along.

"Half and half." Nalasha proposed again.

"Plus the delicious meals made by your brother Murong."

"Deal."

Then the group changed direction, and Lucia got into the carriage.

The six dead people were accused of assaulting the duke's granddaughter, and no one raised any objections.

Life is so fragile, just like the six dead people who didn't care about the feelings of Stover Rodney's wife and son.

******

No matter how prosperous a place is, it cannot eliminate the poor areas.

Most of the houses in Celeste's capital were two stories or more.

However, in the northwest corner of the capital, there was a cluster of low houses and shacks, a typical slum area.

Rodney's home was here, living in two shacks that he bought from others, one for sleeping and one for selling cheap goods.

Despite his talent and ability, Rodney could not change his living conditions. He could not trade with others like he did with his master because he had no capital. He only had a carriage, which he rented, and he could not rely on his own capital to buy and sell.

The neighbors in the slum area were more jealous and cold. Although Rodney had good relationships in the area, how much money could the neighbors provide to support him?

As soon as he had a little money, someone would come to collect debts, not giving him any chance to breathe.

He knew that the other party cared not about the twenty gold coins but enjoyed bullying him. After all, he used to be a noble's butler. A butler, now living in humiliation and meekness.

Human nature, in the end, is that simple.

But no one's life is always plain; there are always some ups and downs, pain or joy.

Rodney's mood was now calm. He had experienced too much, losing or gaining, all part of life. He did not want to deliberately forget, as it was impossible, nor did he want to specifically mention it, as it was meaningless.

As a natural person, he returned, greeting every household on the street. Some comforted him, some encouraged him, some sympathized with him, and some offered suggestions.

There was no mockery or provocation.

Moses and the others were amazed. This was an absolute ability or a unique personal charm. So his family escaped before the Bunier Chamber of Commerce came, and even after they reached the square, someone left their post to protect them.

The residents of the slum area in the northwest corner of the capital learned that Rodney had found a new master and gave him deep blessings while envying him.

The strong men around Rodney were clearly powerful warriors, and there were two children in fancy clothes. If his new master was kind, he would likely be willing to pay off Rodney's twenty gold coin debt. Rodney was worth it.

The living environment in the slum area, or rather the survival environment, was not good. The roads were narrow, and larger vehicles could not enter.

Even carts had to adjust the wheels to barely pass, and the wheels often fell into the narrow, shallow sewage ditches on the side of the road.

Flies flew everywhere, and the stench was nauseating, even when breathing through the mouth. Garbage was piled up everywhere, and the low shacks forced tall adventurers to lower their heads.

"Rodney, take us to your home." Nalasha held Lucia's hand and said to the butler.

She did not show any disgust, her crystal-like shoes stepping on the ground covered with various garbage, and her white dress hem seemed to be stained with sewage, making it hard to bear looking at it.

Lucia hesitated slightly when she entered, then looked at Nalasha, bit her lip, and followed with a calm expression.

Her guards were tense but also very admiring.

Rodney looked at his young mistress and then at the ninth princess, suddenly feeling that the entire duchy was full of hope, gradually moving towards the sun.

So he said loudly, "Respected, my young mistress, and Princess Lucia Gers."

His voice carried far, and the residents of the slum area were first shocked, then their eyes shone with a different light.

The one in the red dress was the ninth princess of the duchy, a born mage... Lucia Gers?

She, she came here? To this dirty place? And she was smiling at them, these 'lowly' people?

Her smile was so beautiful, her eyes so clear, her sanctity filled every corner.

The residents here made way, bowing their heads respectfully and piously, watching as Lucia Gers walked step by step towards Rodney's home.

******

Twenty minutes later, when Gong Sun Murong and his group arrived at Rodney's home, the Bunier Chamber of Commerce had not received any news.

They were still waiting for the people they sent to bring back Rodney's wife and son, and they were still wreaking havoc.

The shacks were gone, and the furniture inside was destroyed. Some had set fire to Rodney's clothes and other flammable items, smoke rising thickly. They did not care if it caused a fire in the entire area.

Laughter and curses came from their throats, their expressions so satisfied, their demeanor so excited, as if they were having a great time, the scene filled with a festive atmosphere.

Until they saw Stover Rodney, his family, and the group of people following behind, they paused all their activities, surprised and a bit uneasy.

Stover Rodney's eyes were calm, as if the destruction was not his home, the burning not his belongings. His wife and son were indifferent, as there was nothing left in the house, and the few items of sentimental value were already with them. Smash, burn.

"Rister Bunier, can you tell me why?" Rodney asked softly, addressing a middle-aged man with a well-proportioned figure and wearing a fine velvet suit.

The middle-aged man had regular features, and if not for his previous cruel appearance, anyone seeing him for the first time would think he was a gentle, polite noble, especially his blue eyes, which could draw you in.

The middle-aged man, called Rister Bunier, was now looking at the two little girls in red and white.

He felt immense pressure, quickly calculating in his mind. This was a slum area, a dirty poor area, where two beautiful, well-dressed girls should not appear. Clearly, they came with Stover Rodney, so...

"Look who's here? The noble's butler, Stover Rodney, and his beautiful wife and cute son. Oh, let's guess, what is the butler here for?"

Before Rister Bunier could speak, one of the people who had been involved in the destruction laughed mockingly.

Rister Bunier cursed the fool in his heart and had to force a smile, explaining to Rodney, "I'm sorry, Rodney. You know, you owe our chamber of commerce money, and we haven't seen you for a while. We came to collect the interest for this month, but... as you can see, you and your family were gone, so..."

"So you destroyed my home? And sent people to capture my wife and son?" Rodney continued.

"No, absolutely not. No one went to capture your wife and son. As for your home, we are willing to compensate, deduct it from the interest, or forgive part of the debt?"

Rister Bunier denied one of the facts and seemed very reasonable.

His fear and worry did not come from Rodney.

Moses then approached with a bag of gold coins, "Pay the debt. My master is paying the debt for Rodney. You need to hand over the promissory note."

Rister Bunier's smile instantly disappeared, his expression becoming complex, but he quickly forced a grim smile, "Really? That's great. Congratulations, Rodney, congratulations on finding a new master. I'm sure you understand that the chamber of commerce doesn't have much circulating money, so we had to come to collect. Oh, to celebrate your finding a new master, our chamber of commerce is willing to forgive some of your debt. You..."

"Pay the debt, the promissory note." Moses, with a bearded face, grimaced and shook the bag of gold coins, urging.

Rister Bunier was very regretful but had to hand over the promissory note as requested.

His hands were trembling, unsure if he would face retaliation after today. Looking at the two girls, Rodney's new master was clearly not a merchant but a noble. He needed to find out more and send a gift that would satisfy the other party.

Rister Bunier's thoughts were not wrong, but he did not expect the retaliation to come not tomorrow or in the distant future.

Just as he received the gold coins and handed over the promissory note, he saw the little girl in the white dress suddenly run to the ruins and shout to the other girl, "Princess Lucia, it's over. The magical items I wanted to give you were smashed by them. Look, it's this one."

Rister Bunier saw the girl called Princess Lucia nervously float and fly over.

His world instantly turned dark.

ps: Favorites and recommendations are very important for a new book.

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