Translator: AnubisTL
The sun had fully risen, but it failed to dispel the gloom that still hung over Golden Harbor.
The nobles' hurried and chaotic preparations for escape continued. Horses whinnied, wheels creaked, and the scene was one of utter pandemonium.
Amidst the chaos, an undeniable anxiety and despair lingered.
"With only these guards, we'll never reach the capital safely!" A duke, accustomed to a life of luxury, now stood with a cold sweat beading on his forehead, his voice trembling. "We could encounter magical beasts in the wilderness or orc vanguard forces at any moment! This is a suicide mission!"
"But who else can we rely on?" another viscount asked desperately, his eyes scanning the panicked crowd with a look of utter helplessness.
The city guard had already collapsed, the nobles' private soldiers were insufficient in number, and the adventurers had either fled or were demanding exorbitant prices that offered no guarantee of safety.
All eyes, as if by unspoken agreement, turned toward the distant villa, piled high with orc corpses like a mountain.
There, "Jack," who had displayed transcendent power the previous night, became their only hope.
After a hurried and hushed discussion, Golden Harbor's most prominent nobles—including the venerable Earl Reinhardt, the fabulously wealthy Baron Fabio, and General Brandon, who held the last military authority—formed an emergency delegation.
They straightened their disheveled robes, forced down their fear, and plastered humble smiles on their faces as they cautiously approached Dawnlight Manor.
When they arrived at the villa's entrance, Jieming had already dealt with the affairs inside and was standing at the gate, his gaze calm as he watched them approach.
His long robe was spotless, a stark contrast to the bloody slaughterhouse behind him.
"Lord Jack!" Earl Reinhardt stepped forward first. Despite his age, he bowed deeply, his posture even more reverent than when facing the king.
"We are forced to trouble you again, my lord. But the survival of our families is at stake. We beg your understanding."
"Earl Reinhardt, what is your business?" Jieming's tone was flat.
Earl Reinhardt straightened up, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face, quickly replaced by resolute determination.
He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself, and said in a solemn voice, "My Lord, last night you single-handedly turned the tide and saved our families. We will never forget this debt of gratitude! But as you know, the orc army is about to besiege Golden Harbor, making it a doomed city. We must abandon it and flee to the royal capital."
He glanced at Baron Fabio and General Brandon, who stood beside him, their faces etched with anxiety, and continued, "However, the journey from Golden Harbor to the royal capital is long and fraught with peril. We may encounter unknown magical beasts along the way, not to mention orc pursuers and ambushes. Though our families possess some private soldiers, they... they are far from sufficient to face such dangers."
"Therefore..." Baron Fabio interjected, rubbing his hands together eagerly, his plump face pleading, "Therefore, we implore you, my Lord! We implore you to... to escort us to the royal capital! If you agree, our families will pledge every last resource as compensation!"
General Brandon stepped forward, his posture deferential despite his former command of vast armies. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Your courage is rare in this world! If you will escort us safely to the royal capital, our families will not only offer ten thousand gold and silver, but also all our treasured magical items and ancient texts! Upon our arrival, we will introduce you to the royal family and cabinet nobles, securing you the most prestigious title and even a fiefdom! This journey will not disappoint you!"
Gold, magical items, rare treasures, titles, fiefdoms, and even direct introductions to the royal family.
These temptations, enough to drive any adventurer to madness, now surged toward Jieming like a tide.
They offered the full extent of resources available to top-tier nobles.
Jieming listened quietly, his expression flickering. He tried to maintain his composure, but a trace of greed involuntarily surfaced.
The shrewd nobles caught this subtle reaction. They exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with anticipation.
As long as desire remained, there was always a way. In this world of vast disparities in individual strength, the wealth accumulated by nobles across generations far surpassed the imagination of ordinary people.
What if his desires are grand? they thought. We can always find ways to satisfy him!
Yet none of them noticed the complete absence of emotion in Jieming's eyes.
As he gazed at the group before him, the thoughts in his mind surged like the tide.
This was a perfect opportunity, an ideal chance!
As "Jack," he had established his authority in Golden Harbor by eliminating numerous petty criminals, but his identity still lacked a proper explanation.
Now, accepting the nobles' escort mission and becoming a "Guardian Hero" was the perfect way to legitimize his identity, making himself both reasonable and legal!
Moreover, the capital of the human kingdoms, Elosia, was one of the most central cities in the Elosia Plane. It served not only as the political and military hub but also as the place where divine power and faith were most concentrated in the mortal world.
Countless believers offered prayers there, and major temples stood tall.
This was precisely the opportunity he needed to deeply study the Elosia Plane's Divine Power Faith Network and observe the deeper influence of divine beings in the mortal realm.
Coupled with his earlier actions, everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned.
He lifted his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping over the group of nervous and desperate nobles before him. A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved his lips.
"Since you Earls, Barons, and Generals are so generous..." Jieming's voice resonated slowly, carrying a unique, undeniable magnetism. "...then I accept this 'business transaction.'"
Upon hearing Jieming's affirmative response, the nobles' faces erupted in wild jubilation.
Earl Reinhardt's lips trembled as he nearly burst into tears. "Wonderful! Wonderful! My Lord! You are the savior of our families!"
"However..." Jieming's voice cut through their ecstasy, pulling them back to reality. His tone remained utterly indifferent, yet carried a chilling sense of pressure that sent shivers down their spines. "...my compensation cannot be measured by the common wealth you speak of."
Earl Reinhardt immediately tensed. "My Lord, name your price! As long as our families can provide it, we will not hold back!"
"My demands are simple," Jieming said, his sharp gaze sweeping across the assembled nobles. "First, during the escort, I will have absolute command of the entire group. This includes determining the route, campsites, defensive arrangements, and the right to punish any who disobey my orders. Your private soldiers and mercenaries must obey my commands without the slightest hesitation."
At these words, the nobles' expressions shifted slightly. This effectively placed the fate of their families entirely in Jieming's hands.
But considering his terrifying combat prowess the previous night and the imminent threat of the orc pursuit, they could only grit their teeth and nod in agreement.
"Second, all supplies, wealth, and magical items encountered along the way—any spoils of war that do not belong to your private families—will be mine. This includes all trophies taken from the orcs," Jieming added.
The materials themselves held little value for him, but they could enhance his "persona."
"Of course, my lord! You are the leader of this operation, so all spoils of war naturally belong to you!" Baron Fabio hastily declared.
"Third," Jieming said, his gaze deep. He deliberately paused, making the nobles' hearts pound in their chests, "Upon reaching the royal capital, I want you to use all your connections to secure royal commendation for me."
The condition seemed peculiar, but the nobles exchanged glances, their eyes conveying a silent "As expected."
They had investigated "Jack" thoroughly long ago, but naturally found nothing of value.
By all accounts, his past appeared to be that of an ordinary adventurer.
Though the intelligence gathered by spies seemed credible, it failed to align with the formidable warrior before them.
Furthermore, Jack's actions since arriving at Golden Harbor led the local nobles to naturally conclude that he was a "sleeper agent" planted by some noble house—most likely from another kingdom.
During their earlier discussion, General Brandon had also voiced his opinion.
He observed that despite Jack's immense power, the traces of battle suggested he lacked any remarkable combat techniques.
This, he reasoned, fit perfectly with the man's background: the primary purpose of a sleeper agent was secrecy, not strength.
Conversely, if a sleeper agent became too powerful, it could even invite suspicion and fear from their patron—just like this "Jack."
Observing Jack's previous actions, it was highly likely he had intended to make some preparations in Golden Harbor beforehand.
However, the orc invasion had undoubtedly disrupted his plans.
What would be the best way for an operative who had failed his mission and incurred the suspicion of his masters to extricate himself?
To clear his name, of course!
So... this must be his true objective!
But it didn't matter; it was beneficial for them as well. As long as he was willing to escort them, everything could be negotiated.
"This... this is no trouble at all, my lord! We will do our utmost to secure all of this for you!" Earl Reinhardt promised almost without hesitation.
In their eyes, this request was far easier to fulfill than obtaining a title or gold.
"Very well," Jieming said with a faint smile, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "In that case, prepare to depart swiftly. I am fully ready to leave at any moment, but I don't want to be lingering here when the main orc force arrives."
Glancing at the massive package Jieming had placed beside him, the nobles chuckled.
It seemed he had also planned to leave long ago.
This was good!
When both sides shared the same objective, their interests would remain aligned.
"Rest assured, we are fully prepared and can depart at any moment!"
(End of the Chapter)
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