Chapter 126: Chapter 124: Employment

The morning sun rose completely, yet it failed to dispel the gloom shrouding Golden Harbor.

The nobles’ hurried and chaotic preparations for escape continued, with horses neighing, and wheels squeaking, creating a scene of utter turmoil.

Amidst the chaos, there was an unmistakable sense of anxiety and despair.

“With just these guards, there’s no way we’ll reach the capital safely!” A marquis, usually living in luxury, was now sweating, his voice trembling, “The magical beasts in the wilderness and the beastman vanguard could attack at any moment! We’re heading to our deaths!”

“But apart from them, who else can we rely on?” Another viscount looked around desperately, his eyes full of confusion.

The city guard army had already collapsed, the private soldiers of the nobles were not strong enough, and adventurers had either already fled in this dire situation.

Even if someone asked for exorbitant rewards, they still couldn’t guarantee enough security.

Everyone’s gaze ultimately fell on that distant villa, piled high with beastman corpses like a mountain.

There, the “Jack” who displayed extraordinary power last night, became their only hope.

After a hasty and quiet discussion, the most prominent nobles of Golden Harbor, including the esteemed Count Reinhart, the wealth-laden Baron Fabio, and General Brandon, who still held the last military power, formed a temporary delegation.

They tidied their disheveled robes, forcibly suppressing their inner fear, and put on their most humble smiles as they cautiously approached the Dawn Mansion.

Upon reaching the villa’s entrance, Jeming had already dealt with matters inside and was standing at the door, looking at them with a calm gaze as they approached.

His robe was spotless, in stark contrast to the bloody chaotic scene behind him.

“Lord Jack!” Count Reinhart stepped forward first, despite his age, respectfully bowing deeply, showing more reverence than even when facing the King.

“We disturb you again, out of helplessness. But this concerns the survival of our families, we hope for your understanding.”

“Count, what brings you here?” Jeming asked in a calm tone.

Count Reinhart straightened himself, a brief flicker of embarrassment crossed his face, soon replaced by determination.

He took a deep breath, as if making a decision, and spoke solemnly: “My lord, last night, you turned the tide and saved our families. We will never forget this favor! But you also know, the beastman army is approaching the city, and Golden Harbor is a city on the brink of collapse, we have no choice but to abandon it and escape to the Royal Capital.”

He glanced at the anxious Baron Fabio and General Brandon next to him and continued, “However, the journey from Golden Harbor to the Royal Capital is long and fraught with danger. Along the way there may be unknown magical beasts, and we could be ambushed by beastman chasers. Although our families have some private soldiers, they… they are far from enough to confront real dangers.”

“Therefore…” Baron Fabio took over, rubbing his hands anxiously, his plump face full of pleading, “Therefore, we implore you, my lord! We beg you to… to escort us to the Royal Capital! If you are willing to assist, our families are willing to give everything as compensation!”

General Brandon also stepped forward, though he was once a general holding great power, at this moment, he could only bow with cupped fists: “Your prowess, my lord, is unparalleled in the mortal world! If you can escort us safely to the Royal Capital, our families are not only willing to offer thousands of gold and silver, but also all our family’s treasured magic items and ancient secret treasures! Once we reach the capital, we are willing to introduce you to the royal family and cabinet dignitaries, and secure for you the most prestigious title, perhaps even a fiefdom! My lord, this journey will not disappoint you!”

Gold, magic items, secret treasures, titles, fiefdoms, even direct introductions to the royal family.

These temptations, which on any other day would drive an adventurer mad, now surged towards Jeming like a tide.

What they could offer was the highest resources that the top nobles could mobilize.

Jeming listened to their conditions quietly. His expression shifted slightly, seemingly trying to maintain calm, yet he inadvertently showed a hint of greed.

The few individuals, being astute human beings, precisely captured this moment, exchanging glances privately and revealing expressions of delight.

As long as there is desire, it can be dealt with. In this world where individual power disparity is vast, the wealth accumulated by nobility over generations is far beyond ordinary imagination.

What’s a little more desire? There are ways to satisfy him!

However, none of them noticed the lack of any emotional fluctuation in Jeming’s eyes.

Staring at the few before him, Jeming’s thoughts surged like tides.

This was an excellent opportunity, a perfect opportunity!

Establishing his might in Golden Harbor under the guise of “Jack,” he had slain many villains, but his identity did lack a sufficiently reasonable explanation.

Now, accepting the nobles’ escort mission, becoming a “Guardian Hero,” was the best way to legitimize and legalize his identity!

Moreover, the capital of the Human Kingdom is one of the core cities on the Elorcia Plane. It’s not only the political and military center of the human kingdom but also the place where the divine power faith network of the mortal world is most concentrated.

Countless followers pray there, with divine halls standing there.

This is an excellent opportunity for him to delve into the divine power faith network of the Elorcia Plane, to observe the deeper influence of divine spirits in the mortal world.

Moreover, his previous actions were enough to ensure that everything would unfold as he envisioned.

He slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over the tense and despairing nobles in front of him, his lips slightly curved into a faint smile.

“Since the esteemed Counts, Barons, and Generals are so enthusiastic…” Jeming’s voice slowly rose, carrying a unique, unquestionable magnetic quality, “then I will take this ’business’ deal.”

Hearing Jeming’s affirmative response, immense joy burst forth on the faces of the noblemen.

Count Reinhart trembled, his lips quivering, almost moved to tears, “Wonderful! Wonderful! My lord! You are the savior of our families!”

“However…” Jeming’s voice sounded again, pulling them back to reality from exhilaration, with an undiminished indifference, and instead carried a somewhat chilling oppressive feel, “my remuneration is not something measured by ordinary riches you speak of.”

Count Reinhart immediately grew nervous, “Please, my lord, speak your terms! Whatever our families can provide, we shall not spare!”

“My terms are simple.” Jeming’s eyes were sharp, sweeping over every noble present, “First, during the escort, I am to hold the highest command over the group, including the travel route, camp locations, defense deployment, and even dealing with any violators of orders. Your private soldiers and mercenaries must fully obey my commands without any disobedience.”

These words made the nobles’ faces change slightly; this effectively meant placing their families’ life and death entirely in Jeming’s hands.

But recalling his terrifying battle prowess from last night and the pressing threat of the chasing beastmen, they could only grit their teeth and nod in agreement.

“Second, all resources, wealth, and magic items encountered along the way that do not belong to your personal families shall belong to me. This includes any spoils obtained from the beastmen,” Jeming added.

The use of these supplies was not substantial to him, but they could enrich his “persona.”

“This… this is natural! My lord, as the leader, all spoils naturally belong to you!” Baron Fabio hastily expressed.

“Third,” Jeming’s eyes were profound, deliberately pausing, causing the nobles’ hearts to leap, “upon arrival in the royal capital, I require you to use all your connections to secure royal commendation for me.”

This condition seemed somewhat strange at first, but the nobles exchanged glances, each nodding with an expression of “as expected”.

They had investigated “Jack” long ago, only to find no useful information.

No matter how they looked at it, the intelligence from the past depicted him as just an ordinary adventurer.

Even though the spies’ reports appeared genuine, they couldn’t link it to the powerful figure before them.

Adding his actions since arriving at Golden Harbor, the nobles there naturally took Jack as some “informant” placed by certain nobles.

Moreover, it was highly likely he was an informant for nobles of other kingdoms.

During their discussion earlier, General Brandon also shared his views.

He observed from the surrounding battle traces that although this “Jack” had formidable strength, he seemed not to possess any formidable combat skills.

This fit well with his assumed origin: the most important trait of an informant is secrecy, not sheer strength.

Conversely, if an informant becomes too powerful, it could provoke suspicion and jealousy from the main family—just like this “Jack”.

Judging from Jack’s past actions, he was likely arranging setups in advance at Golden Harbor.

But no doubt, the beastman invasion probably disrupted his plans.

So, what’s the best way for an informant, suspected by the main family and with failed missions, to get out?

Obviously, it’s to clear their identity!

Therefore… this must be his real objective!

But it doesn’t matter, as it benefits them too, as long as he agrees to escort them, everything else is negotiable.

“This… this is not difficult! My lord! We will spare no effort to achieve this for you!” Count Reinhart promised almost without hesitation.

In their view, such a request was far easier to satisfy than titles and gold coins.

“Very well.” Jeming smiled faintly, with a trace of satisfaction in his smile, “In that case, let’s prepare to set off quickly. I am ready at any moment to depart, but I wouldn’t want you still dithering when the main force of the beastmen arrives.”

Glancing at the huge package Jeming had beside him, the nobles also smiled.

It seemed he too had long planned to leave this place.

This is great!

The same goals ensure aligned interests.

“Rest assured, we are fully prepared and ready to depart at any time!”

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