"The Great Alchemist himself is the most unscrupulous alchemist! He loves to use these techniques to scam meals and drinks, gather intelligence, and bribe guards. The gold he creates is stable and lasts a long time, making it difficult for victims to notice immediately. Even if they find out later, who dares to cause him trouble? Don't forget, he's the head of the Alchemy Academy at the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy! A Legendary High-Tier Great Wizard, a walking magic cannon, who's willing to risk offending him or even risk death over such matters?"
"Pfft~ that does sound extremely unscrupulous." Laine couldn't help but laugh.
"Laine, you should take a look at the bounty board in Marinburg. I'm sure you can find a bounty on Gailte, but have you seen anyone dare to take it?" Veronica gently linked her arm with Laine's, whispering, "Sometimes I think it's truly impressive, it's like he can do anything he wants."
"But I won't allow you to do the same." Laine glanced at the Jialan Witch, and Veronica nodded lightly, her promise to the man in front of her was that she wouldn't cross the line.
"So..." Amelia suddenly spoke up, her voice soft and regretful, "When we were signing the contract, I advised the vice-captain against signing so hastily, but he thought that might upset the Great Wizard, and if he was upset, he might find someone else."
Having said that, the girl seemed to have made up her mind, softly saying to Laine, "Mr. Laine, could you please save the Blood Axe Mercenary Corps? I know you have the ability to help us, I beg you."
Laine frowned. Instinctively, he didn't want to agree. He'd already been pressured once in this matter by that Wandering Knight named Aik, and what would he gain from helping this mercenary corps?
There are as many mercenary groups like Blood Axe in Marinburg as there are fish in the sea. Given Laine's current status and reputation, getting a mercenary group to help him would be easy. If Blood Axe cannot demonstrate their value, he wouldn't step in to help.
Laine has never been a do-gooder, and the matter of the Blood Axe Mercenary Corps is not something he would consider trivial.
"The arbitration result is out." Veronica indicated that this matter could be discussed later.
Sure enough, the Sea God Priest ruled against Blood Axe, leaving Vice-Captain Viert looking ashen. He stammered to the priest, "I don't have enough money to pay the ship fee right now."
"Hmph! You have the nerve to board a ship with no money?!" Seeing his victory, the captain's attitude turned arrogant again, "I don't care, pay the ship fee immediately. There are so many of you, you can surely scrape together the money. If there's really no money, draw lots among yourselves to see who gets sold to the slave market."
"You! Bastard!" Viert cursed in anger, "Heartless scum with money-stuffed brains!"
"Silence! Silence!" The Sea God Priest slammed the gavel hard, signaling everyone to be quiet. The Sea God Knights in the arbitration court also drew their scimitars, and the show of force calmed everyone present.
"The total ship fee is twenty-five Gold Dinars and sixteen Silver Coins. Forget the Silver Coins, you can pay with Gold Marks or Gold Crowns as well... How about that, Priest?" The captain first loudly stated the ship fee, then "generously" indicated he would waive the smaller change for the mercenaries, before humbly seeking the Sea God Priest's approval.
Clearly, this wasn't his first time dealing with such matters; the captain was already a pro. The most update n0vels are published on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
But the Blood Axe Mercenary Corps couldn't come up with the money. The mercenaries pooled all their last copper plates together, collecting less than ten Gold Dinars.
Seeing this, Amelia took out all her savings since becoming a mercenary, giving four Gold Dinars to Viert.
It was still not enough, still short of ten Gold Dinars. Otherwise, the mercenaries would either have to take on very dangerous tasks through the church's mediation or someone would end up sold as a slave.
So Amelia made one last effort; to protect the mercenary corps that saved her life, she walked to Laine and softly said, "Could you please do me this favor? I will surely repay your kindness."
Then Amelia whispered something in High Gothic Language into Laine's ear.
Laine's eyes widened.
Amelia, could speak High Gothic Language?!