novelraw Chapter 155 : Chapter 155
Chapter 155 : Chapter 155
Chapter 155. Jack Reed (1)
With Swift Sword Knight Anton’s inclusion confirmed, Evan began visiting various parts of the capital to secure the consent of his other chosen attendants.
Though he’d mentioned the list to the Princess, he hadn’t yet obtained their agreement.
They’ll come if I persuade them well.
Thus, Evan set out to convince them in person, starting with Mei, the head of the Viper Organization.
Entering the Viper’s stronghold once more, he made his proposal.
“Mei, join me as an attendant to the Empire.”
“No way. Why would I do something that doesn’t pay well?”
Mei rejected Evan’s offer outright.
Her top priority in life was always money.
While she’d do anything for the right price, crossing the sea to the Empire wasn’t particularly appealing at the moment.
“I’ll pay generously to have you as my attendant. Will three thousand gold satisfy you?”
“Deal. I’m in!”
On the flip side, with enough money, she’d go anywhere, even to hell itself.
“But you’ll pay upfront, right?”
Mei’s eyes sparkled as she asked.
Three thousand gold was among the highest single payments in her career.
Plus, the job seemed relatively low-risk, merely accompanying him—a golden opportunity.
“Three thousand upfront?”
“Yes!”
But Evan wasn’t that easy.
“No, I’ll give you one thousand now. The remaining two thousand when we return.”
“Hmm… How about fifteen hundred upfront? Exactly half. It’s industry standard.”
“Fine. Fifteen hundred.”
Evan handed her a pouch of gold he’d prepared.
He’d come expecting to pay up to fifteen hundred.
—Clink!
The pleasant sound of gold coins clinking brought a radiant smile to Mei’s face.
“Hehe.”
“You love money that much?”
In his past life, Evan had lived in abject poverty.
Though he’d handled some wealth in his later years, he’d never felt truly affluent.
In this life, as a noble, he lived in luxury
and even possessed the national treasure, the Fire Dragon Orb, but he didn’t pursue money with the same greed as Mei.
Perhaps because he already had everything.
I’ve never seen someone so obsessed with money.
To Evan, money was a means, not an end—unlike Mei.
“Running an organization of this scale, you must have more wealth than most noble families.”
“True, but the more money, the better, right?”
Mei’s words were true, so Evan nodded quietly.
“You’re not wrong. But do you really just hoard money without a purpose?”
“No, not really. Just between us, Duke, there’s something I want to buy with it.”
“What’s that?”
“An island. A decently sized, peaceful island.”
Mei smiled unconsciously, as if the thought alone brought her joy.
“An island? From what I know, islands aren’t that expensive. You’d need to buy it under a noble’s name, but that’s not too hard.”
Financially, Mei’s current wealth could likely afford it.
But Evan hadn’t considered something.
“Oh, Duke, I don’t want to live like a castaway. I want to build proper houses, farm fields, and live peacefully with others.”
“You want to build a village and be its chief?”
“Exactly. I want us to live together in a place like that.”
Having lived her life in the shadows, Mei dreamed of spending her final days on a peaceful island under a bright sea.
To achieve that dream, she needed vast sums, which explained her obsession with money.
“That’s a pretty good dream. It’ll cost a lot, though.”
Hearing her, Evan fell into a moment of reflection.
What if he’d lived such a life in his past life?
Of course, it was an unattainable dream.
“I support you. I hope you achieve that dream.”
“With the three thousand gold you’re giving me, I’m dozens of steps closer!”
“…”
Seeing Mei dream so purely of happiness, Evan almost regretted involving her in this dangerous mission.
Am I dragging her into something dangerous for no reason?
But it was too late to retract the offer.
Seeing her joy at the money he’d given her, Evan could only hope they’d both return safely.
“I’ll be going. I’ll contact you soon.”
“Oh, right. Who else are you taking as attendants?”
“Next, I’ll meet the Count.”
Though Evan spoke vaguely, Mei caught on immediately.
“You mean that pale Count?”
“Yes. There’s no one better to have along.”
“Will he agree easily? I’ve heard his kind are too proud to follow others.”
“Don’t worry. We’re already bound by a contract.”
***
The next person to persuade was the vampire noble, Gaiard.
He required no special reward or motivation.
Their relationship was already bound by the Blood Oath.
“Damn you! Agreeing to that contract was the worst mistake of my life. To be dragged around like a leashed dog!”
“So you’re refusing? I’d rather not force you, but it’d be nice if you came willingly.”
The Blood Oath formed at the Coast of the Dead was a contract with some degree of coercion.
The stronger party subjugates the weaker.
Normally, a human would be subjugated by a vampire, but in this rare case, the vampire Gaiard was bound to Evan.
Evan used this contract to persuade him.
“If possible, don’t make me invoke the contract’s power.”
“Then don’t take me!”
“I can’t do that. I’ll definitely need your strength this time.”
“You said it’s a delegation. Not a fight. Why do you need my strength?”
“Well, things don’t always go as planned, do they?”
“…You’re hiding something.”
Gaiard saw through Evan’s surface excuse of being a delegation attendant, sensing a hidden purpose.
“What’s going on in that filthy head of yours? Is this about that Emperor you mentioned before?”
“Correct. And ultimately, it’s for the kingdom’s sake, just as Queen Bellain served the kingdom.”
“Don’t dare speak her name so lightly.”
At the mention of his former lover, the Queen, Gaiard’s expression grew complex.
The two stood silently, gazing at the moonlit night sky.
Finally, Gaiard spoke.
“How dangerous is this plan of yours?”
“…It might be so dangerous I won’t return.”
“Do the others know this?”
“No. If they did, they’d all cling to me to stop me.”
“Then why tell me?”
“Because you’d probably welcome my death. Because of the contract.”
At Evan’s blunt words, Gaiard burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! For once, you’ve said something worthwhile.”
“…”
Still, Gaiard looked into Evan’s eyes seriously.
“…You’re serious. You’re prepared to die?”
“Of course. Dealing with the Empire requires accepting that level of risk.”
Evan’s attitude stirred something deep within Gaiard.
“Fine. I’ll go. If I can see you die, I’ll gladly join.”
“So we’re settled?”
“Yes. Come find me when it’s time to leave. We’ll go together.”
Having secured Gaiard’s agreement, Evan set off to meet his final attendant, Jaina.
From the window, Gaiard watched Evan’s retreating figure, lost in thought.
Prepared to die? He’s not one to bluff… Is there something in the continent across the sea more dangerous than Bakan?
Having lived for centuries, Gaiard had stayed only within the kingdom’s borders.
To him, the Empire was an unknown world known only through writings and tales.
But after his time with Evan at the Coast of the Dead,
his curiosity and fighting spirit for the powerful beings from that unknown realm began to stir.
Above all, if Evan, who defeated the mighty Bakan, was prepared for death, Gaiard wanted to witness that challenge himself.
***
With Gaiard on board, only Jaina Vaberin remains.
Unlike the others, Jaina was tied to many relationships.
While Mei and Gaiard had no family ties, Jaina was the daughter of a noble family.
Convincing her would likely require the Vaberin Family’s approval or at least their tacit consent.
Given that the Vaberin Family sent Jaina to Lansed Academy, she might be a cast-off child… Or maybe the opposite.
Sending a noble family’s daughter across the sea seemed, to Evan, a matter requiring complex persuasion.
But when he sat down with Jaina, he quickly realized his concerns were entirely unnecessary.
“Alright. If the Lafard Family is going, there’s no reason the Vaberin Family can’t.”
Meeting in a corner of the plaza, Jaina agreed as if it were the most natural thing.
Her ease surprised Evan, making him want to confirm her intentions.
“You don’t need to check with your family?”
“Why? They’ll probably welcome it. It’s the King’s official delegation. That’s practically being treated as His Majesty’s equal. It’s an honor for the family.”
“That’s a relief then…”
“And personally, I’m curious about the Empire.”
Jaina wanted to broaden her horizons and grow stronger by Evan’s side.
“If we’re done, I’m off. I was in the middle of training.”
“Alright, if you’re in, what more is there to say?”
“Get back safely. See you on departure day.”
Jaina sent Evan off and crossed the plaza toward her quarters.
—Step, step.
And someone was stealthily following her.