Chương 94: Social Master Holcher

"Mr. Targaryen!"

Holcher said, "To be honest, I usually like and respect bards the most. But seeing you today, I feel a sense of closeness to you. This closeness is like a surging river, endless and unstoppable, like the overflowing emerald river—" Richard: "Huh?"

No, straighten your back first.

Besides, if you're going to praise someone, could you at least use a different set of words? There are still elves living along the banks of the Emerald River; you can't just overuse them every day!

Just as Richard was about to open his mouth to complain, Holcher made another move.

He opened the pouch at his waist, took out five gold coins, and handed them to Richard, saying, "Mr. Targaryen, please accept these!"

Richard: "Ah!"

Why are they giving money directly?! Is this the legendary "friendship fee"?

Unbearable!

Richard slapped his forehead, quickly reached out and pushed the gold coin back, then tried to pull Holcher up with all his might.

Holcher raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by Richard's strength, which seemed to surpass that of the rookie soldiers in the team.

He then straightened up and said, "Mr. Targaryen, I mean it with all my heart—"

"Then I truly and sincerely don't want it—" Richard took Holcher's hand, found a place to sit down, and, displaying his acting skills, gave him a stern pep talk.

For the sake of those 19 points of charm, Holcher finally gave up his exaggerated performance and became more candid in his words.

Upon seeing this, Richard asked, "Why would you do this? Logically, shouldn't you be in love with the princess, jealous of her attitude towards me, and therefore want to cause me trouble?"

Holcher Bear tilted his head.

"Like His Highness? We're not worthy of that! We're all mercenaries who know our place!"

"As for jealousy—well, I am indeed a little jealous."

"We don't have the guts to cause you trouble, but we certainly have the guts to suck up to you, and a lot of them."

Richard was confused again.

"Where do I look like a thigh?"

Holcher curled his lip: "You are indeed a bit lacking in strength, but you have His Highness's favor. It's the scenario of a noblewoman raising a bard. I've seen it all before. There are all sorts of elaborate schemes in the Empire."

After saying this, he realized it was a bit inappropriate and quickly added, "Mr. Targaryen, that's not what I meant. It's just, uh, well, I'm really terrified of being ripped off by the nobles."

"When I was working for an imperial nobleman, I accidentally angered him. After that, I never received the final payment, which made it impossible for me to pay off several debts. The mercenary group almost disbanded."

"Fortunately, Her Highness the Princess came to my door at that time and offered a generous deposit, which relieved me."

"That's why I'm counting on Her Highness right now, and that's why I'm trying every possible way to please her. I came to see you today, Mr. Targaryen, hoping you could put in a good word for her—" It turned out to be the case.

There's something wrong with the economy.

Speaking of which, teammates who are in debt are usually not very reliable and are easily tempted by money by the enemy — wait, Isabella is the richest princess? Oh, then that's not a big problem.

Considering your honest and simple nature, and how you don't even know how to give a compliment, I only chatted with you for a few minutes, and you were already so readily open and honest with me.

In an instant, Richard's mind raced with a number of thoughts, and his impression of Holcher improved considerably.

He has no interest in sycophants, but he is not averse to people who are honest and simple but are forced to flatter him.

At that moment, he said to Holcher, "Buddy, you're wrong. I'm not a bard that Her Highness keeps. The reason I have her respect is because I fought alongside her."

"Your Highness—I'll just speak plainly about Isabella. She's different from the nobles you've met before; she's a true paladin!"

"You don't need to say flattering words. Just stick to your conscience and be loyal to your duty, and she will respect you. There won't be any problem with the final payment. As long as you successfully send Aisha to the Empire, I believe she will not be stingy with the reward."

Richard rambled on and on.

Holcher nodded, seemingly finally changing his mind.

But just then, the tent flap was lifted again, and Baron Jon of the Peigotti family walked in.

He gave Holcher a strange look, then said to Richard, "Mr. Targaryen, His Highness requests your presence in her tent."

Richard blinked.

Now? In the middle of the night—wait.

He realized something was wrong, and the next second he felt Holcher's burning gaze, the meaning of which was very clear: You still say you're not a bard kept by a rich lady?

Oh no, at least half of what I just said was a waste of time — With things having come to this point, Richard had no choice but to persuade Holcher to leave first, and then go with Jon to Isabella's tent.

As soon as I stepped outside, I heard someone burst into laughter that they couldn't hold back.

Turning around, I saw Grace indeed.

"You've been eavesdropping the whole time, haven't you?"

"Of course, how could I miss such a fun scene?"

As she spoke, she followed Richard on her own: "I have a feeling what's coming next is going to be interesting. I have to keep eavesdropping!"

Richard rolled his eyes.

Jon, who was leading the way, frowned slightly.

Actually, he's also very curious about Richard's relationship with Isabella.

However, as a true imperial nobleman, he differed from Holcher. He had heard of Isabella's style of doing things and could tell that Richard was no ordinary bard.

But just how extraordinary is he that he could be treated differently by His Highness, a genius paladin?

I'll have to investigate this when I have time.

Jon didn't voice these questions, but he showed Richard more respect in his conversation.

After turning a corner, the group arrived at Isabella's tent.

Jon bowed and took his leave, while Grace, in front of Amelie who was guarding the door, lay down by the crack to eavesdrop, which made the latter a little angry.

Richard ignored all of that and went straight inside.

"Let me guess, Holcher went to see you, didn't he?"

Upon meeting, he was greeted by Isabella's slightly mischievous face.

"You didn't eavesdrop like Grace did, did you?"

"It's not that bad, it's just that his expression was too easy to guess."

This is true.

Richard nodded, then told Isabella about his conversation with Holcher.

Isabella thought for a moment, then said, "I understand. Here's what we'll do: I'll have Amelie pay the remaining balance tomorrow, and promise them double the bonus if the job is done."

Ok, Ok.

As expected of a wealthy and powerful princess, she didn't try to prove her character to the other side, but instead solved the problem directly and bluntly.

Richard sighed, then looked up to find Isabella holding a mahogany sword sheath with elven-style patterns, handing it to him.

"This is?"

"A gift~" >