Early the morning of the second day back in Grand Town, Carl walked out of the house and squinted slightly at the people who were walking towards him not far away, facing the glimmer of the morning sun.

It was none other than Pete Path, the secretary of the Mercenary Association in Gran Town. Since the unexpected death of the association's president, Gregor-sama, this young man, who has only been an officer for less than a year, has been rumored to be the next president of Gran Town.

Pete Paz is a young man with freckles on his cheeks and dark brown hair, always with a smile on his face, and a harmless look at humans and animals, but those who are familiar with Pete know that this person is a demon who eats people and does not spit out bones. Often between words, you can dig a big hole for the other party. The attitude towards mercenaries is also very resolute.,As long as it's a mercenary who offends him, he'll be harassed when he takes the task.,But I know he's stumbling up.,But I can't find any evidence.。

There was an adventurer who was tired of Pete's usual appearance and wanted to teach him a lesson, but the next day the corpse of the adventurer who had been making a fuss in the tavern yesterday was found in the stinking ditch outside the town of Gran.

With such notoriety, Pete became the most daring of the adventurers near the small town of Gran.

Carl and Pete knew each other at a very young age, because Pete was adopted by Kalenezzi, and the two played together since childhood, but the relationship between the two was average, Carl didn't like Pete's character very much, and Pete also hated Carl's attitude towards Kalenezzi, thinking that Carl did not respect his adoptive father enough.

Since the death of the dead ghost father and the beginning of his own expedition on the mainland, Carl has no contact with Pete again. So I was surprised by Pete's initiative today.

"Are you going to let me stand here and talk to you about things?" Pete still had the same squinting and smiling expression, looking without any hostility, but Carl knew that such Pete was the most dangerous.

"It's not a wise thing to invite a venomous snake into a room that could bite at any moment. Karl sneered. "Oh, really?" said Pete, with a smile on his face, "Uncle Barnack would be sad to know that you treated me like this." Treat even those who can't be friends, and you shouldn't make them your enemies!"

Hearing Pete's words, Carl reluctantly turned sideways and made way for Pete to enter his home.

Seeing Pete walk to the wine cabinet with fine wine and take out a bottle of favorite whiskey and pour himself a glass as if he had entered his own home, the helplessness on Carl's face became even more obvious. Pete is such a person, he will always make people who don't like him very frustrated and annoying, but you can't do anything to him yet, because there will always be a lot of reasons or things you need in his hands.

Sure enough, after drinking a glass of whiskey, Pete sat down at the table and asked with a smile, "Don't you ask why I came to you?"

"If you have something, please leave, I want to have a good day. Karl rolled his eyes.

"Then please take a look at this. Pete ignored Carl's attitude and took out a parchment scroll from the spatial ring and handed it to Carl.

Karl gave Pete a puzzled look, then took the parchment roll. After a cursory glance, Carl frowned, "Why did you find me?"

It turned out that Pete handed Carl a task commission from the Mercenary Association, and asked Carl to complete the task by name.

Among the various tasks issued by the Mercenary Association, there is a kind of task that the client specifically entrusts to a specific person to complete. And this kind of task is usually the acquaintance and trust of the client and the entrustee, and it is more common in the commission with large mercenary groups.

But like this, it's still rare for Carl not to know who the principal is. That's why Carl has this question.

"I don't know. Pete shrugged.

"Then there is no need for me to agree to this commission!" Karl refused without hesitation.

"Don't you want to know what the man offered?" Seeing Karl's refusal, Pete asked unhurriedly. "No matter what reward the other party promises, it's better not to accept such a commission from an unknown source, if it's a trap set by someone in front of me, then wouldn't I be a dead end?"

"I wouldn't make such a low-level mistake and want to kill you, but there are many ways to do it, after all, my father taught me more than just how to deal with mercenaries who have no brains. Pete ignored Carl's finger scolding. Continued: "The principals are the Cortis family of the Alverian Empire. I don't know how they found out about you and will identify you for this task, but what I do know is that the Cortis family has no ill will towards you. And judging from the location of the mission, it is not the Cortis family's sphere of influence. If they want to have a plot against you, they won't look for such a place. ”

How did they find me?

Carl had heard a little about the Cortis family, which was a more legendary family. The Cortis family began as pirates and raiders, and the reign of Haireddin Cortis the Redbeard coincided with the Alverian Empire's war against the neighboring kingdom of Yavit.

Redbeard Hayreddin defected to the Alverian Empire, became a general of the Imperial Navy, and played a key role in the war to destroy the Kingdom of Yavit, helping the Alverian Empire to take the Kingdom of Yavit at the lowest cost. Eventually, with his exploits, Redbeard Hayreddin became a three-star admiral of the Alverian Empire.

Although he became a general of the Empire, the red-bearded Hayreddin did not abandon his old profession, but with the support of the Alverian Empire, he intensified his plundering of countries hostile to the Empire. In this way, the Cortis family became the premier family of the Alverian Empire.

"So, do you want to take on this task?" Pete shook the parchment roll in his hand, still with a smile on his face.

Looking at Pete's underwhelming appearance, Karl thought that he really didn't have anything to do recently, and the news provided by the Dwarven Kingdom that was suspected to be the tomb of Julius Caesar, with his current strength was not enough to go, so there should be nothing wrong with taking on other small tasks.

"Well, I took the commission. Karl thought for a moment, then took the task parchment from Pete's hand. "Isn't it good to just get to the castle?" Karl asked casually. "That's right, the mission is for you to explore an ancient castle, and I'm sure it's not a problem for a large mercenary who can explore the ruins of Kuskes. ”

After saying that, Pete didn't care about Carl's ugly expression, and stood up and walked towards the door. "Actually, this commission is not entrusted to you at all, but it just so happens that I saw this commission, so I will just come over and tease you. Pete, who walked to the door, said this and disappeared into the door frame.

Looking at the half-whiskey glass on the table, a flame erupted from Karl's fingers. Pete doesn't just have a nasty personality, he also uses your dislike of him to create traps and then make you unsuspecting to step in. Looking at the parchment roll in his hand, a wry smile appeared on Carl's face, this time he lost.

By the time Carl stepped into the glowworm light, it was already about ten o'clock in the morning, and there were already some adventurers drinking in the small part of the tavern. "Boss, still as usual, a cherry pie with more cherries. Karl sat down on the bar chair and said to Callenezzi, who was wiping his glasses at the bar.

Then Carl turned to Vilia beside him and said, "Vilia, I have a commission here, I don't know if you want to go with me?"

"Why, Carl, you've just completed the commission for the ruins of Kuskes, and you don't want to rest and complete your next mission?" said Kalenezzi at the bar.

"It's not a good thing that your filial adopted son did, he came to the door early in the morning, saying that there was a task entrusted to me, and it turned out to be just an ordinary task!" said Karl angrily.

"Hahaha, you kid must have been deceived by this guy Pete, it looks like Pete is becoming more and more like me!" Kalenezzi had a satisfied expression.

"I refuse!" Vilia said suddenly. "What? Vilia, what are you talking about?" Carl thought he had misheard, and hurriedly asked again.

"Carl, I'm sorry, I can't go with you this time. For I need to return to the kingdom of Oresian. Velia explained.

"What is it, do you need me to go back with you?" asked Karl with concern.

"It's not a big deal, it's just an internal matter of the half-elves, but I have to deal with it. Vilia continued, "When I have taken care of this matter, I will return to the small town of Glen and go with you to the Alverian Empire to find the tomb of Julius Caesar." ”

"When will you go?"

"I'm afraid it's now. Kalenezzi suddenly looked at the door of the tavern and spoke. Karl turned his head and saw two tall half-elves, dressed in elven armor, with long swords at their waists and long bows on their shoulders, walking towards the bar.

"My lord, the host would like you to return to Dhanasir. The two half-elves walked up to Vilia and knelt down respectfully.

Seeing her compatriots, Veria behaved very flatly, just hummed lightly, and didn't say anything. Carl just thinks that Vilia is such a character, and she treats everything very coldly. But carelessly, he didn't notice the struggle in Velia's eyes. Kalenezzi at the bar shook his head when he saw Karl's performance. Carl is good at everything, but when it comes to treating men and women, he is still a fool.

"What if I refuse?" said Velia suddenly

"When you left Darnasir, the master said that if you refused to return, then the master would consider you to have betrayed Darnasir, and my lord's previous promise would be null and void. ”

Although Carl didn't know what the agreement between Vilia and the Lord that the two half-elves were talking about, what he could know was that this agreement was extremely important, otherwise he would not have threatened Vilia. However, Karl wondered why Vilia was reluctant to return to Darnasir.

"Please think carefully. The two half-elves replied without any emotion.

"Velia. Carl put his hand on Vilia's shoulder and shouted softly.

"Human, take your hand off the shoulders of adults. Seeing Carl and Vilia act so intimately, one of the half-elves said in an unkind tone, while his right hand was already on the saber at his waist.

"Why? you still want to do something with me?" Karl smirked as he looked at the half-elf in front of him, much taller than himself.

"That's enough, Kuns and Barandy, I'll return to Danasir with you. Just as Carl and the half-elf were about to make a move, Vilia suddenly shouted. "Yes, sir!" said the half-elf who wanted to do it with his right hand, Barandi, leaving his sword with his right hand.

"Carl. Vilia called out to Carl softly, then reached out and took Carl's hand and placed a pendant in the palm of Carl's hand. "Put this away. ”

Looking at the familiar pendant in his hand, Carl seemed to know something, "Veria, if you don't want to, then no one can take you away from me!" The ordinary dagger was already in his hand, and Carl said with a determined expression.

"Carl, don't worry about me, this time I went back to deal with the internal affairs of the kingdom. I look forward to your return from your expedition to find me in Danasir. Veria smiled, and then said to Karlenezzi and Amerigo beside her at the bar, "Old Calle, Master Amerigo, goodbye." ”

After saying that, Vilia walked quickly to the door of the Firefly Light Tavern, so resolute that there was no trace of memorial.

Feeling that the pendant in the palm of her hand still carried Vilia's body temperature, and when she looked up again, there was no longer Vilia in the tavern. "Old Kale, should I leave Vilia behind. Karl said with some dismay. The moment Velia left, Carl felt as if a piece of his heart was missing.

Although the time with Vilia was brief, it was only a few adventures. But it was these adventures that had always been a very happy time in Carl's heart. In the process of getting along with Vilia, Carl can temporarily forget his original personality and return to the same way he was when he was with Daddy Dead.

However, as soon as Vilia walked like this, Carl felt that a part of his body was also taken away.

"Carl, if you regret the result because you didn't try, then you're a coward. If you don't want to accept this outcome, then try to change it and don't let it become your regret. ”

Hearing Kalenezzi's words, Karl seemed to have figured out something, and without the slightest hesitation, Karl directly took out the enemy sword from the spatial ring, and then went straight to the exit of the tavern.

Looking at the door panel that was still shaking, Kalenezzi's face was full of smiles, "Carl, this kid, has finally opened his mind once." ”

"Vilia, you are not allowed to leave!" Carl, who had just rushed out of the tavern, shouted when he saw Vilia not far away. At the same time, Carl leaped forward, holding his sword, and stabbed at the two half-elves beside Vilia.

Seeing Karl take the initiative, the half-elves Kunsi and Bairandi, who had long been dissatisfied with Carl's actions, one pulled a bow and an arrow, and the other held a long sword and prepared to fight.

"Carl, stop!" Vilia shouted anxiously at this, trying to stop the two-engine fight.

"Vilia, I can't let you go, or I'll regret it!" Karl dodged the flying arrows sideways, and then fought with Barandi who was wielding a sword.

As descendants of humans and elves, half-elves not only inherited elves' superb bow and arrow skills, but also became stronger and more suitable for the use of long swords due to human blood.

As the master of Danasir and the captain of the guard of Thrandi Light Chaser, the king of the Half-Elf Kingdom, Barandi is known for his super-high swordsmanship, whether it is a dirty half-orc or a cunning dark elf, no one has survived a single move under Barandi's sword.

Under Barandi's fierce attack, Carl is losing and retreating, and there is a Kuns, a Danasir's archery master, who is threatening Carl, and Carl's situation is becoming more and more difficult.

With a crisp crash, the sword in Carl's hand was already stuck on the ground and swaying, and the tip of Barandi's sword was also against Carl's throat.

"Barandi, put the sword down!" Veria said from behind Barandi. "My lord, please forgive me for not being able to answer your orders. This person has threatened the safety of adults and intends to desecrate your holy body. As the guardian of the glory of Annecyr, I must kill this man. The sword in Barandi's hand had stabbed into Karl's throat, and a trail of blood flowed from the tip of the sword and dripped onto the ground.

"Barandi, in the name of Erin Looth, I order you to lay down your weapons. Velia pulled Erin Looth's bowstring full and aimed it at Barandi.

"My lord, do you really want to kill your own people for the sake of a human?" said the sword in Barandi's hand as if it had no intention of stopping, and the tip of the sword continued to push into Carl's throat.

"Barandi, I said lay down your arms. "An arrow of light has formed on Erin Loth's bowstring, as long as Barandi is unwilling to put down the long sword in his hand, then the light arrow will shoot into Barandi's heart in the next second.

"My lord, I will tell my master the truth about today's situation!" Barandi played a graceful sword flower and stood with Kuns.

Vilia was relieved to see Barandi withdraw her sword, and before she could carry Erin Ross back behind her back, Vilia saw Carl collapse to the ground.

"How are you, Carl?" Vilia hurriedly ran to Carl's side and took Carl from the ground into her arms. Seeing Vilia's behavior, Barandi wanted to step forward to stop it, but Kuns on the side shook his head to stop Barandi, Barandi sighed and didn't move forward.

"Vilia......" Carl wanted to say something, but the pain from the wound in his throat prevented him from saying the word Vilia.

Seeing that the wound in Carl's throat was still bleeding, Vilia hurriedly took out a bottle of healing potion from the spatial ring. Just as Vilia was about to feed Carl in, Karl suddenly grabbed Vilia's hand and shook his head.

Carl laboriously lifted the pendant that Vilia had given him, then smashed it hard into his heart, smiling at Vilia.

"Carl......" Seeing Carl's actions, Vilia's tears couldn't stop flowing.

"My lord, please don't waste time on a human, it's time for us to go!" Just as Vilia was about to say when, Barandi on the side seemed to be unable to stand the behavior between Vilia and Carl any longer, and stopped him.

After bowing her head and leaving a kiss on Karl's forehead, Vilia placed Carl on the ground and said to Barandi, who was still trying to say something, "Let's go." ”

Karl, who was lying on the ground, looked at the clear blue sky with empty eyes, for a long, long time......