Mercenary Wars

Chapter 165 Ellie
Tens of minutes later.

After the two sides completed the loot trade, Gaucano bought some materials needed for herbalism and alchemy.

"Let me count them. There are 114 gold coins and 51 silver coins in total." The grocer finally handed over two money bags, then added, "If you have any more of these spoils later, you can come back to me."

"it is good."

The two parted ways after the transaction was completed.

However, Gao Jiano had only taken a few steps when a commotion and screams suddenly came from a small grove of trees not far away.

"She's dead!"

"You're finished, old John!"

I told you not to do that!

"You're like a mad donkey! She was just begging you to spare her life!"

"Pharmacist, Pharmacist, please come quickly!"

A flustered voice reached Gaucano's ears from behind.

Gao Jiano turned his head and saw a man with his pants not even pulled up properly rushing over.

The man's face was filled with terror, his breathing rapid, and he stammered incoherently, "Master Pharmacist... she, she seems to be dead, please go and see her!"

“For Mosa’s sake!” he added immediately, his expression pleading.

Gaucano sighed and walked toward the grove, where he soon spotted a naked woman in the grass.

The woman, with long, wavy blonde hair and a beautiful face, lay motionless on the ground.

Upon seeing the woman's appearance, Gao Jiano paused briefly, then a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He knew this woman—Ellie.

When he rescued Casca in the Tidal Lands, the first person he met outside was Ellie.

Although they had only met once, Gaucano had a very good memory, so he still remembered what the other person looked like and even their name.

He never expected that Ellie was a prostitute. He didn't know if she was originally like that, or if some later event had led her to this state.

Gao Jiano pondered for a moment, then reached out and touched it.

[Race: Farallo]

[Level: Level 3]

[Status: normal]

Is the status normal?
Gao Jiano frowned slightly, hesitated briefly, and then placed his hand on Ellie's mouth and nose.

Not breathing, but in normal condition.

A strange look appeared on Gao Jiano's face.

Just then, a madam arrived, surrounded by several burly men.

When she saw Ellie on the ground, she immediately rushed over to her and burst into tears, crying, "My poor girl, Mosa, why did you take her away!"

At the same time, a burly man with a square face grabbed old John by the neck and demanded, "What do you say we do now?"

"I..." Old John's face turned pale. "I didn't mean to, I... I can pay for it!"

"How much compensation?"

"Two hundred silver coins... no, three hundred silver coins!"

"Pah! Do you think you're in this? This is an eighteen-year-old life! Look at her, how young and beautiful she is!" The square-faced, burly man spat directly in Old John's face and then said, "More money!"

“Otherwise we’ll tell the fortress sheriff!” a bald, burly man added.

Old John looked even more pale.

The fortress sheriff and the town sheriff are not the same people. And given that it's wartime, the sheriff's attitude is unlikely to be lenient. He opened his mouth, his voice trembling, and asked, "Would four hundred silver coins be alright?"

"Six hundred!" the square-faced, burly man said without a doubt.

"I……"

The burly, square-faced man repeated, "Six hundred!"

"Then six hundred silver coins it is." Old John had no choice but to agree.

He then untied the money pouch at his waist, took out six gold coins, clenched them reluctantly in his hand, and then handed them over with a pained expression.

The purse, though missing six gold coins, didn't look much different; it was still bulging. However, it now contained only silver and copper coins, with the latter being more numerous.

They finally made a fortune on the battlefield, but before they could even enjoy it, it was gone!
"Alright, you can get lost now!" The square-faced, burly man dismissed Old John.

The madam wiped away tears that seemed to exist, and looked up at Gaucano politely, saying, "Apothecary, thank you for your help, but since she's already dead, there's no need to trouble you any further... I still need to dress Ellie, so please leave."

Gaucano did not respond, but silently estimated the time in his mind.

He was certain that Ellie wasn't dead, but had only faked her death.

Normally, the state of apparent death can only last for about six minutes. Once the six minutes are up, the person in apparent death must resume breathing, otherwise the apparent death will turn into real death.

Just wait a little while, and you should be able to see Ellie's reaction.

"What do you want to do?" The bald, burly man was immediately enraged and strode aggressively toward Gaucano.

However, the square-faced, burly man reached out and quickly pulled him aside, whispering a few words in his ear.

Hearing his companion's whisper, the bald, burly man's expression immediately changed.

He first glanced at Gao Jiano's apothecary robes, then looked him up and down, his expression instantly changing from arrogant to timid, and he subconsciously took a step back.

The madam was puzzled.

Just as she was about to say something, a series of rapid breaths suddenly sounded. It was Ellie who finally couldn't hold back anymore, and she opened her eyes and gasped for breath.

Gao Jiano remained calm: "I don't want to meddle, I just have a few questions for Ellie. Could you please leave for a moment?"

The madam's face broke into a look of sudden realization that left Gao Jiano utterly speechless: "Oh, you're her—"

“A friend of a friend,” Gao Jiano interrupted.

The square-faced, burly man whispered a few words in the madam's ear, then led a few men away.

Before leaving, he smiled at Gaucanó, his expression revealing a mixture of flattery, fear, and admiration.

After they left, only Gaucano and Ellie remained.

Ellie's breathing gradually calmed down, and she asked in confusion, "Who are you?"

Judging from her expression, she probably doesn't remember anything from back then.

This is not surprising. After all, the two only met briefly and exchanged a few words. Three or four years have passed, so they shouldn't have much of an impression of each other.

Gao Jiano could remember mainly because he was mentally and intellectually superior, at least much more so than Ellie.

“Do you remember when I saved Casca in the Tidal Lands a few years ago?” he asked.

Ellie thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "I remember now!"

Gao Jiano hesitated for a moment: "You... have been doing this all along?"

Ellie nodded frankly: "Of course, as a girl born in the pleasure district, I knew I was destined for this line of work when I was seven years old."

Gao Jiano was speechless: "How is Casca doing lately?"

“It’s the same old story, getting beaten up in the ring every day.” Ellie sighed. “We were born at the same time and in the same place, except she’d rather take punches than serve a man.”

(End of this chapter)