Chương 27: The Phoenix Family and Big Gold Tooth

"This idea is terrible, so drawn out and completely impractical, it shows someone's usual despicable and shameless nature... That's what Zoya said~" Grace fiddled with her nails for a while, then smiled and said to Richard, "As for me, I really like this idea. How shall we begin?"

Richard rolled his eyes and replied:

"The best way to ruin a mercenary leader's reputation is to make his mercenary group suffer a defeat, especially a shameful one."

"So, let's start by investigating what Jostein's mercenary group has been up to lately."

"The more they do, the more flaws they'll reveal..."

Once they made up their minds, Richard and Grace quickly finished their breakfast and got up to get to work.

This time, they not only asked the adventurers inside the tavern, but also went outside to ask the street vendors and coachmen for information.

Finally, Richard, for the first time in a long time, used his charm on an old sailor seeking pleasure in the harbor, and then, with the help of a money offensive, successfully got the answer he wanted from him:

"Jostein's mercenary group? Oh, you mean the Grimm mercenary group? They're providing services to the Phoenix family..."

Hearing this, Richard couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Birds of a feather flock together."

Grace, being from out of town, asked curiously, "Is there anything special about this family?"

Richard whispered in Grace's ear, explaining:

"Phoenix is a free port, without a king overhead. Instead, there are six local nobles and a lord elected by them."

"The Phoenix family is one of them, and the most notorious one."

"Their ancestors were knights of the Empire. They fled to Phoenix City because they chose the wrong side in the struggle. They started a loan shark business with their fists and wealth. After growing it to the point of becoming the ruler of the city, they proclaimed themselves barons and took over the tax collection of the shops in the city."

"To put it bluntly, their family is now a bunch of tax officials."

"They both collect loan sharking interest and act as tax collectors—just putting those words together should give you an idea of what kind of people they are, right?"

"The Cinderella family deserves half the blame for their misfortune, and to be fair, they're far from being the worst off."

"No one in the old Phoenix city doesn't hate them."

I see, I understand.

Grace nodded.

Across from him, the old sailor continued:

"... The Phoenix family once bought a mine overseas. Every year at this time, the raw gemstones produced by the mine would be transported to Phoenix City. After being counted and initially processed, they would be transported to the Empire for sale."

"During this period, these raw ores would be stored in the port's 'Big Gold Tooth'—a warehouse named for its brass doors that gleamed in the sunlight like a pair of front teeth."

"Since it's a warehouse, it needs to be guarded, and that's the job the Green Mercenary Group does."

"Originally, this was the job of the Swordfish Mercenary Group, but because they asked for a price increase, the Phoenix family turned to the Green Mercenary Group instead—you know, newly formed mercenary groups often ask for lower prices."

Richard curled his lip.

Good grief, there's even a "If you don't do it, someone else will" segment...

Finally, the old sailor sighed, "The leader of the Swordfish Mercenary Group must be regretting it to death. As for Jostein Green, that guy really got lucky."

Richard pressed further, "Why do you say that?"

The old sailor spat out a mouthful of saliva:

"Is that even a question? Because guarding Big Gold Tooth is a notoriously easy job!"

"Please, that's the Big Gold Tooth! The walls are several meters thick, the doors are forged by dwarves, and there are countless protective spells. Ha, it hasn't been breached for hundreds of years, and I doubt anyone will be able to do it for the next hundred!"

"I can defend too..."

Just as the old sailor was about to continue speaking, in the distance, a red and white striped flag was raised on a sloop moored in the harbor.

That's a call flag commonly used by merchant ships in the Gulf region. Its purpose is to notify the sailors on shore that it's time to return to the ship and prepare for departure.

"Damn it, how come it's so fast? I haven't even taken off yet!"

Upon seeing the flag, the old sailor rose with a grumble, bid farewell to Richard and Grace, and headed towards the ship.

It is estimated that he will not be able to set foot on dry land for a long time to come.

Richard silently repented for a fraction of a second for delaying the old sailor's takeoff, then pulled Grace along, intending to check on the situation near Big Gold Tooth.

Once you know where the other person is, the next step is to "see for yourself".

Looking at it this way, it's been a full three days...

Three days later, in the afternoon.

In front of the warehouse called Big Gold Tooth, which stands on the shore like a coastal fortress.

Several members of the Grimm mercenary group were huddled in the shade to avoid the sun.

Ethan Green, the mercenary group's quartermaster and Jostein's cousin, wiped the sweat from his double chin and chatted with the other two mercenaries beside him:

"Honestly, I think the only purpose of us standing here is to act as scarecrows..."

The two men glanced at the sturdy gate behind them and laughed as well.

But before they could join in with their witty remarks, a dark-skinned, stern-faced middle-aged man walked over from the side and said in a deep voice:

"The scarecrow will not abandon its post."

The two mercenaries shrank back, obediently stepped out of the shadows, and continued standing in the corner of the wall not far away.

Ethan squinted and recognized the man as Henry, the vice-captain of the mercenary group, who was also the seasoned mercenary his brother had hired.

He withdrew the corner of his mouth and said calmly:

"It's just a few minutes of rest, it shouldn't be a problem, right? This is Big Gold Tooth, no one's stupid enough to try and break in."

Henry raised an eyebrow: "It's because of ideas like yours that cracks appear on those smooth eggs..."

"Hey, you bastard..."

In fact, Ethan knew in his heart that Henry was a qualified deputy commander.

But he really disliked the other person's attitude!

They completely disregarded him!

Why should he? Just because he has connections? I got connections through my own abilities!

Feeling the surge of emotions within him, Ethan took two steps forward, wanting to have a proper argument with Henry.

At that moment, the warehouse door opened, and Jostein Green, the leader of the mercenary group, walked out.

"Oh, Jostein!"

"Boss."

Ethan and Henry immediately stopped arguing and greeted him together.

Jostein nodded at them with satisfaction.

He could tell that the two of them were not getting along.

However, he felt that this was exactly what he needed; internal conflicts made it easier for him to act as the authoritative arbitrator.

Besides, watching them is interesting in itself, isn't that what they call the joy of having power?

In short, there's no need to intervene; let them continue tearing each other apart.

What harm could there be?

As for himself, he should hurry to the Pleasure Cave and enjoy the decadent pleasure one more time!

At that moment, Jostan said some nonsense like "You have to listen to the vice commander in action" and "But Henry, you also have to be more considerate of the brothers," then patted the two men on the shoulder and left the warehouse with his follower Duru and two guards.

Ethan and Henry exchanged a glance, each letting out a cold snort, and said nothing more.

And so, under the protection of the Grimm Mercenary Group, it seemed that Big Gold Tooth would spend another peaceful day as usual...?

Unbeknownst to everyone, their every move was observed by the two people sitting at an outdoor restaurant eating fries a hundred meters away.

Richard watched his enemy's figure disappear at the end of the road, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said to Grace:

"We can probably summarize now."

"The daily guard consists of twelve warriors and two spellcasters. The warriors are scattered around the warehouse, while the spellcasters are on the roof. Oh, and there's also the vice commander, who patrols every ten minutes."

"The overall atmosphere is rather relaxed, except for the deputy commander who is a little more serious."

"Jostein is only around during the day; he goes to find women with skills at night... Ha, he hasn't changed for three days in a row, he's got quite an addiction."

Grace chimed in, "It's just like a bard."

"That's right... no, no, Grace, that's pure stereotype!"

Richard turned around and complained to Miss Copper Dragon.

The latter shrugged, shooed away a seagull that tried to snatch the fries, and asked instead:

"So, have you figured out how to make them suffer a humiliating defeat? Hmm, let me guess, now that you've investigated this far, you're probably planning to do something to that gold-toothed building, aren't you?"

"But allow me to warn you beforehand that while the mercenaries were indeed lax, the old sailor's description of the warehouse was not exaggerated."

"In the past three days, besides the thick walls and gates, I also discovered a secret lock, a dwarven mechanism, and a teleportation-preventing array. Tsk tsk... Even if I let little sister Zoya out and let her dismantle it, she would break two teeth."

Richard smiled, his eyes narrowing.

Miss Copper Dragon, so this is how you see this place.

It's completely different here.

At that moment, Richard activated his Eye of Insight, revealing Big Gold Tooth's interface.

【Name: The Main Entrance of Big Gold Tooth (Can be charmed)】 Rank: Rare Note: Sometimes, what lies behind it is not as valuable as the thing itself.

拆？

Why should I bother?

As a poet, I always let the other side make the moves!