met free Chapter 3 The Banker and His Missing Daughter
Chapter 3 The Banker and His Missing Daughter
"My dear Jules, I truly need your help!"
If the people of Ris were to see Lisanzo Rojaer now, they would be horrified. This renowned Rissian banker, tycoon, and plantation owner is now humbly pleading with Jules, the commander of the White Legion, in his courtyard.
"My daughter, Seraphim, went missing three days ago on Bloodwave Cape Road. I beg you, Jules, help me, I promise you more gold coins..."
Jules took a deep breath.
[This is troublesome. We are mercenaries, not your Sheriff of Ries! You come to us, the White Legion, with something that even Sheriff Ries can't handle?] Jules thought to himself.
Dude, we're executioners, not meticulous sheriffs!
I have no problem letting my men plunder, kill, and even participate in bloody sieges.
But if you ask them to meticulously analyze the case, visit each household to gather evidence, and find your missing daughter...
The Seven Gods, they can't do it!
This was the first reason Jules refused Lisandro's appointment: the White Legion were not suited to be sheriffs apprehending bandits; they were better suited to desperate charges on contested plains, the roar of longswords, and the tremors of a knight's charge, not to be sheriffs apprehending bandits.
And the second point...
Jules cherished his title of "the trustworthy one".
In terms of pure strength, the White Legion is only a second-rate mercenary group, but it always manages to secure a large number of client orders. This is largely due to the reputation of "The Keeper of Faith" Jules.
Everyone knows that Jules the Keeper of the Faith is a man of his word; unless he dies, the White Legion will carry out their employer's mission. In the mercenary market of the Controversial Lands, Jules the Keeper of the Faith's reputation is worth thirty heavily armed knights!
It was this prestigious reputation that allowed him, a second-rate legion, to consistently land top-notch jobs.
If you accept and fail in this unlikely search for Lisangzhuo, the reputation of "Keepers of Trust" will be tarnished. Future employers will think: If you can't even find a girl, how can you be expected to win tough battles?
This is detrimental to the White Army's future order intake.
[But... I can't refuse either!] Jules thought to himself.
From a financial perspective, Lisandro Rogal was the largest banker, landowner, and sea merchant in the area, and Rogal Bank's financial resources were comparable to Braavos' Iron Vault.
Lisangzhuo would certainly not be stingy with money for the person who helped him find his daughter.
The White Legion will then gain Lisangzhuo's absolute favor. Lisangzhuo might even offer them a long-term employment contract, ensuring the legion will have no worries about food and drink and will receive a long-term meal ticket. What else is there to say?
In terms of connections, the White Legion will gain unimaginable prestige upon completing this mission...
Just when Le was pondering the situation and was caught in a dilemma, he was caught between two options.
"Boss! Tiberius is awake!" Vito barged into the room, dragging Tiberius into the room with him.
"He's recovering well, eating and drinking well, and he's still very handsome!" Vito chuckled, ruffling Tiberius's dark hair. "He just finished a whole pot of beef stew in red wine."
Tiberius secretly glanced at his uncle, Jules the "Keeper of Faith".
Jules' most striking feature was his eyes. Despite being a mercenary nearing forty, his grey eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and when they looked directly at you, you would involuntarily back away.
As for his face, it was as stiff as an oak statue, with rough skin, deep nasolabial folds, and an aura of imposing authority.
However, Tiberius also noticed that his uncle seemed to be bound by his new attire—his hand, which was always used to gripping the hilt of his sword, now seemed unsure where to place it on his purple silk robe.
"Vito!" Jules snapped. "Didn't you see Lord Lisandro was talking to me? Why did you suddenly barge in!"
"Oh, boss, your nephew, our White Legion's future assassin, 'Lightning' Tiberius,' has woken up, so I was thinking of bringing him over to see you." Vito rubbed his hands awkwardly. "Weren't you just saying why Tiberius hadn't woken up yet...?"
Vito certainly hadn't expected Jules to be talking to the White Army's patron, otherwise he wouldn't have barged in so brazenly.
"Ah, this is..." Lisandro immediately smiled warmly at Tiberius, even though he had just been pleading with Jules for the White Army to save his daughter.
“Tiberius, Tiberius Mod,” Jules introduced to Lisandro. “My nephew, he killed a Minion with a javelin when the Minions were plundering your cargo ships.”
"What a little hero!" Lisangzhuo laughed and echoed. "The warriors of the Seven Gods must have been watching you, which gave you the courage and strength to kill that Ironman. Your uncle will be proud of you; now you are a true man."
[As expected of a wealthy man with immense riches, his eloquence is truly remarkable.] Tiberius thought to himself. [His words are so pleasant.]
"Well then, Commander Jules, I'll be going now." Lisanzhuo stood up and left the room.
"Commander, what happened?" Vito asked with a sheepish grin.
"His daughter went missing on Bloodwave Cape Avenue." Jules pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Bloodwave Cape Avenue!" Vito exclaimed. "That's the place where dozens of travelers have gone missing? Seven Gods, then why did he come here...?"
"He came to me begging us, asking our White Legion to help him find his missing daughter." A hint of sorrow appeared on Jules' face.
"But we all know that people always disappear in that godforsaken place, Bloodwave Cape. The entire Riss sheriff conducted a massive search recently, deploying hundreds of hunting dogs, thousands of the best hunters, and skirmishers. Thousands of people searched Bloodwave Cape repeatedly, but found nothing!"
"One sheriff bluntly stated: 'These missing men have probably become sacrifices to the Lord of Light. Otherwise, why can't we find the hideout of the bandits who might have kidnapped them, no matter how many times we search?'"
Vito grinned. "Commander, it's great that you refused Lisandro... After all, your integrity is the gold standard of our legion. I don't want the name of 'The Keeper of Faith' Jules to be tarnished by a mission that can't be completed at all!"
How could the White Legion possibly solve a puzzle that even the entire Ries couldn't handle? Besides, they were mercenaries, not sheriffs.
Jules nodded. "That's why I refused Lisandro. Finding his missing daughter is far too difficult, and I'm not confident I can complete his mission. If I fail, our legion's reputation might be tarnished."
But then Tiberius's voice suddenly rang out.
"No, quite the opposite, Uncle. We should accept Lisandro's contract and help him find his daughter. This has nothing to do with so-called credit, but rather with whether the Legion will be completely wiped out in the near future after the war with Valantis!"