Chương 127: A Plea for Help from Alden

Black tea, desserts, and a gentle maid.

It must be said, the lives of the nobility were truly decadent.

Having not eaten sweets in a long time, Frillie and Philon didn't hesitate at all when faced with a large plate of food presented by the old butler, Gabel.

The two of them had stomachs that seemed to have no bottom.

Zain and Shutark, who were standing nearby, were both stunned.

Xia En leisurely sipped his tea.

It's alright, surprisingly not very bitter.

In his past life, he never liked drinking tea because no matter how good the tea was, it would always leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

But the tea in this world is surprisingly good.

Lord Alden did not return for the next two or three days.

The group had no choice but to stay there temporarily.

Philon and Zain would visit the comatose boy from time to time and work with the monks in the mansion to treat him, but the boy showed no signs of waking up.

Later, many soldiers wounded in battle arrived at the mansion.

Zain and Philen then helped the monks take care of the wounded.

Using boredom as an excuse, Frillie obtained several magic books from the butler, Gabel, and spent all day curled up on the sofa, reading and enjoying desserts.

Every time Xia En passed by, she would see Xia En eating.

The maid standing beside her would change her plate every now and then and hand her a glass of juice.

This extravagant lifestyle left him in awe.

this day.

Shane and Shutark had nothing to do and were just wandering around the mansion.

The two men stood in front of the huge portrait of [Wilt], marveling at how much they looked alike; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were twins.

"It might really be your long-lost brother."

"They're just from the same village as the Warriors—" From the butler, Gabel, they already knew that Lord Alden's ancestors, like Shutark, came from the Village of Warriors. Many years ago, they went north to fight against the demons and settled there afterward.

According to Frilian's description, the Alden family has been fighting against the demons for generations.

They are a true warrior family.

While the two were chatting.

Lord Alden, whom we haven't seen for many days, has returned.

The man, with a cold and stern expression, strode through the doorway, handing his long sword to the maid as he went. At the same time, he ripped off his blood-stained cloak and threw it to the old butler, Gabel, who was standing nearby.

Then, he took a few steps to the bottom of the stairs, looked up at Shane and Shutark, and said, "Thank you for saving [Wilt]. I hope you can keep this a secret and stay here for a month."

Even though he was standing below, looking up at the two people, his words still carried the air of a superior, brooking no refusal.

"Lord Alden, this puts us in a very difficult position."

"The pay will be doubled."

"This isn't about payment. I'm sorry, but we have very important travel plans and can't stay here," Shane said firmly.

Upon hearing this, Lord Alden looked carefully at Shane's face.

Suddenly the topic changed.

"The ruby necklace around your neck, is that the emblem of the Granat family?"

Xia En looked down.

Yes, I am wearing a necklace given to me by Countess Granat. It is a family heirloom and a symbol of the family.

Surprisingly, Lord Alden recognized this emblem.

"Count and Countess Guranat were my travel companions—you look very much like their son."

As he spoke, Lord Alden glanced at Shutark next to Shane.

"While it doesn't quite match the resemblance between this boy and Wilt, it's enough."

As he spoke, he suddenly knelt on one knee and gave Shane a standard knightly salute.

With a respectful attitude and solemn tone, the speaker said, "The Alden family here formally requests your assistance. We are willing to offer you a year's worth of trade tax revenue from the fortified city of Frisch as our reward, and request that you, as the representative of Count Granat, stay here for one month to demonstrate the friendship between our two families."

As Lord Alden knelt, all the servants standing in the mansion's hall immediately knelt down and bowed respectfully.

Xia En was stunned.

This turn of events was completely unexpected for him.

Just then, Zain and Philen returned. The two of them came from the other end of the stairs and stopped in their tracks, looking somewhat puzzled, after seeing the scene.

Even Frillie, who was originally eating dessert upstairs, somehow ended up at the other end of the stairs.

Everyone witnessed this strange scene.

At the bottom of the stairs, Lord Alden knelt on one knee and continued, "A few months ago, the old troops of the bloodstained war god Livale gathered outside the city of Frisch, intending to destroy it."

"This fortified city is the defensive center of the entire region and cannot be lost. Previously, when Wilt led his troops to resist the enemy's vanguard, they were ambushed. Even though he used himself as bait to draw away the enemy's main force, the casualties among his soldiers were still heavy."

"Before our lost troops are recovered, in order to boost morale and give the people confidence, I need to show them the friendship and support from [Guranat]."

With that, Lord Alden raised his right hand, clenched his fist, and struck his heart.

"Please allow me to formally request your assistance, asking that you, as the representative of Earl Granat, stay here for one month."

After Lord Alden finished speaking, the entire mansion fell silent.

Everyone looked at Xia En.

Shane looked at Lord Alden kneeling at the bottom of the stairs.

To be honest, he was a little shocked.

This seemingly arrogant and rude lord has actually gone to such lengths for this city— In a daze, he thought of Count and Count Granat, who were equally indomitable.

Could it be a partner from an adventure we once shared?

No wonder.

"Okay, I'll accept your request for help."

Lord Alden breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Shane's reply.

Everyone in the mansion breathed a sigh of relief.

The lord stood up, his tone no longer as cold as before, "The annual trade tax of [Frich] is about 10 gold coins, which will be paid in full when you leave."

Xia En nodded.

However, he immediately realized something was wrong.

and many more.

"Does Frisch only receive 10 gold coins in trade tax revenue per year?"

The old steward, Gabel, explained in a timely manner, "Dear Mr. Shane, although Frisch is the largest defensive and trading center in this region, Lord Alden has always implemented a minimum tax policy. Therefore, our tax revenue often falls short of our expenditure. Ten gold coins is already calculated based on the highest income in previous years, and these ten gold coins can only be raised by selling at least 10% of the fortress's reserve materials."'

"" Xia En remained silent.

His gaze then fell upon Philon.

Philon immediately weighed the backpack behind him and gestured a number to Shane.

Xia En nodded.

They still have plenty of funds on hand.

There's no need to watch the defending army sell off their reserves just for a few gold coins.

"In that case, we'll forgo the 10 coins. However, please allow us to take all the magic books that Frilian has borrowed from Lord's study these past few days."

Upon hearing this, Frilian's eyes lit up, and she looked at Shane with great affection.

Lord Alden asked his old butler, Gabel, "How many copies?"

Gabel looked helpless.

"All of them."

"————" Xia En smiled.

"Deal?"

6'