Chapter 59

The incident involving the Red Eagle Mercenary Group left Rod somewhat puzzled and also put him on high alert. Although such an event might be seen as an accident by others, Rod felt that something was amiss. As Shana had said, the client had paid a deposit of 150 gold coins, and it seemed too extravagant to think that such a large sum was just for a bit of fun.

There must be something wrong behind this.

Although Rod thought this, he did not ask Liss to gather information about the Red Eagle. After all, the previous incident with Barney had made the atmosphere between the two mercenary groups somewhat awkward. Rod did not want to complicate things, so he asked Old Walker to return to the Mercenary Guild to "resume his old profession."

"I hope you can help me keep an eye on the guild's recent activities."

Sitting at the slightly old wooden desk in his study, Rod wrote and drew on a piece of paper while calmly speaking to Old Walker.

"See if there's anything particularly strange recently. If there's any abnormality, let me know immediately. Also, I hope you can help me find an MT within the guild."

"An MT? I've never heard of it."

"Someone who can stand at the front of the team in times of crisis."

Rod tapped his forehead and then corrected himself.

"Remember, no more than two people. Although our mercenary group is small in number, what we need most right now is not to expand our ranks, but to improve our teamwork and cooperation."

"Someone who can stand at the front of the team in times of crisis..."

Hearing Rod's request, Old Walker squinted his eyes, stroked his sparse beard, and began to think.

"Hmm... I do have someone in mind, but boy, I think you'll have to pay a lot of money."

"How much?"

Rod looked up at the old man sitting in front of him, and Old Walker shrugged, then grinned.

"Three hundred gold coins."

"So much?"

Hearing this, Rod frowned. The total reward for the last mission was only five hundred gold coins, and Old Walker was asking for more than half of it. This really puzzled Rod. After all, hiring mercenaries didn't usually cost much. A skilled mercenary joining a mercenary group would at most cost a hundred gold coins. Many mercenaries would even join without pay to be part of certain mercenary groups. Old Walker and Marin were like this; the former only asked for fifty gold coins, and the latter, who was not short of money, just lacked combat experience, so she didn't ask Rod for any payment. Now, Old Walker was willing to spend three hundred gold coins to hire someone?

Seeing the surprise on Rod's face, Old Walker stroked his beard and smiled happily. Since joining the mercenary group, Rod had often made sarcastic remarks to him, and now he finally had a chance to get back at him. Of course, Old Walker wasn't just talking nonsense. After all, this was his mercenary group now, and he wasn't so senile as to cause trouble for his own team. However... hehe, you get what you pay for. To get the best, you have to spend more.

"Alright."

But to Old Walker's surprise, apart from the initial surprise, Rod did not react with anger, frustration, or cursing like others. Instead, he opened a drawer, took out a money bag, and threw it on the table.

"There are five hundred gold coins in it. Take it."

"Eh?"

Old Walker's expression froze at Rod's action.

"Hey, boy, isn't this the reward from our last mission? You're giving it all to me?"

"It's fine. We don't have any immediate need for money. Since you need it, take it."

This time, in response to Old Walker's anxious inquiry, Rod didn't even look up. He picked up a piece of paper in front of him and answered indifferently. Although five hundred gold coins were a lot to Old Walker, to Rod, they were nothing. During his time as the guild master, he had handled millions of gold coins. Five hundred gold coins were not even enough to make a ripple. Besides, Rod wasn't worried that Old Walker would waste the money. If he did, Rod could simply deduct the loss from his pay.

If Old Walker knew what Rod was thinking, he would reconsider his suggestion. Unfortunately, people's thoughts are hidden, and Old Walker saw Rod's generosity as a sign of respect for this usually stern and unsmiling young man.

"Don't worry, boy."

Old Walker picked up the money bag and, for once, showed a serious expression.

"I promise to bring back someone who will satisfy you."

Saying this, Old Walker paused, then a strange smile appeared on his old face.

"I guarantee you won't waste your money."

"I hope so."

Because Rod's attention was focused on the paper in front of him, he didn't see the strange smile on Old Walker's face. But at that moment, Rod put down his pen and folded the paper.

"Is there anything else?"

"Right, I want to ask, when are we going on our next mission?"

"I've already accepted it. We'll set out in a couple of days."

"In a couple of days?"

Hearing Rod's answer, Old Walker frowned.

"Will I have time to gather information at the guild?"

"This time, only Marin and I are going."

Rod shook his head and replied.

"Liss needs to focus on learning new spirit techniques, and you have your own tasks. So, this time, it's just the two of us. Don't worry, we're just going to the Twilight Forest to collect some alchemical plants. It's a two-star mission, not very difficult. So, you don't need to worry about anything, just do your job."

Saying this, Rod glanced at the noble lady sitting in another corner of the study, who was reading a book. Sensing Rod's gaze, Marin smiled proudly and smugly, which made Rod sigh inwardly.

In fact, Rod didn't plan it this way. He originally intended to go alone to take the opportunity to dig up the high-quality equipment buried in the Twilight Forest. However, when Marin learned about this, she firmly refused Rod's request. For her, the most important thing was to go out and gain experience through adventures. She was tired of the boring life in Deepstone City. So, under Marin's strong insistence, Rod finally agreed to take her along. After all, Marin was now a member of the mercenary group, and with her mid-level mage abilities, she could handle any unexpected situations.

"Alright, I understand."

Old Walker nodded in understanding and then stood up.

"I'll prepare and then go to the guild to check the situation... If you need to find me, the usual place, the usual spot."

After saying this, Old Walker was about to leave, but at that moment, a knock on the door interrupted him. Liss pushed open the door and entered the study.

"Mr. Rod, this was just delivered by the Keller family."

With a hint of nervousness and confusion, Liss handed Rod the letter. It was an elegant invitation, with a gold-embossed emblem and a luxurious family crest, indicating the status and prestige of its sender.

"The Keller family?"

Rod frowned in confusion and then reached out to take the invitation from Liss.

"Do we know these people?"

Hearing Rod's question, Liss's face showed a strange expression.

"Uh... Mr. Rod, have you forgotten?"

"What?"

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

"No impression."

Rod answered decisively, clearly having completely forgotten about it. This left Liss speechless. She stuck out her tongue slightly but decided not to say more. After all, the encounter had been somewhat unpleasant at the time. Liss had thought they wouldn't have any further contact, but now the Keller family had come to them again. She wondered what they wanted this time.

"The head of the Keller family has invited me to a dinner and to thank me for saving his daughter."

By this time, Rod had finished reading the invitation and placed it on the table.

"Does anyone want to go with me?"

Hearing Rod's invitation, Old Walker was the first to turn and leave the room, waving at Rod as he went.

"I'm not going to sit around drinking tea with those bored nobles. I'll be off. Boy, don't worry, I'll complete your commission."

"I, I also..."

Liss said, her face showing a hint of embarrassment as she took a few steps back.

"I'm currently learning new spirit techniques. I think... I can't spare the time right now."

"Marin?"

Seeing that Old Walker and Liss were not going, Rod looked at the noble lady quietly reading a book nearby. Facing Rod's gaze, Marin thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Although I have no interest in spending time with those nouveau riche, it might be nice to go out for a change... Liss, you should come too."

"Eh? Me? But..."

"Spirit techniques aren't learned in a day, and... you haven't attended such a tea party in a long time, right? It might be good to relax a bit, don't you think?"

"This... I..."

Hearing Marin's suggestion, Liss's face became even more awkward. She glanced at Rod, who showed no reaction, and then sighed in relief, nodding reluctantly.