Your Majesty's money, why don't you engrave my name on it?

"And then you can get several more months of pay? Don't even think about it!" Angelita paused, panting and laughing, "I have no problem! Just... just give me some time to get used to it!"

"Then you have to adapt quickly." Leslaufer nodded, raised his hand sideways, and pointed to the building complex that had already appeared in the distance. "We are almost there, the town of Kiranda."

The town of Kilanda is located just north of the battlefield where the two marquises, Marek and Queeg, fought. It is the first and last town they will see in the territory of Marek. Arriving here means that Leslaufer and Angelita have completely avoided the possibility of being tracked by Marek and are about to leave Marek's sight.

Although the Marquis does not live here, the location at the junction of several noble territories and built along the river has made the town of Kiranda quite prosperous over the past two centuries. However, because of this, it has also been coveted by many bandits and thieves.

The civil war between the Emperor's Imperial Army and the Grand Duke's Imperial Faction brought a lot of income here. A large number of mercenaries and adventurers gathered in the town of Kiranda. Of course, the number of prying eyes also increased proportionally.

People who wanted to enter the town and those who wanted to leave formed two long lines at the town entrance which had been widened as much as possible. The guards were anxiously checking for possible criminals. Some were refused entry, while more were let go, and the guards' pockets were also getting fatter.

However, when a man in blood-stained armor and a woman in a gray skirt came to the front of the team, the guard wisely did not extend his hand.

"From the battlefield?" A guard who was about the same age as the mercenary looked at Leslaufer. "I heard you fought a fierce battle a while ago."

"But we won, may the gods bless us, may His Majesty bless us," Leslaufer nodded. "But my daughter is terrified, and I can't let her live in the tents with the military families anymore."

Angelita shrank her neck and gave the guard a shy smile. Dust and sweat had stained her face, but the arrangement of her features could never lie - she was very beautiful.

"How lovely," the guard nodded, "Two silver coins as a deposit, and you can go in."

"But man, where is your wife? It's not easy to take care of a little girl alone. What if one day--" The guard stopped talking. The other party brought his family with him, which meant that he was a mercenary. Mercenaries knew the horror of the battlefield better than the locals like them, so there was no need for him to remind them.

"Thank you," Leslaufer handed over the silver coins he had prepared long ago. "But fortunately, she has grown up. The most difficult time is over, isn't it?"

"Yes, the most difficult time..." The guard was affected by Leslaufer's tired smile hidden under the blood, and couldn't help but think of his family, so that he didn't ask the questions that he should have raised as soon as they met.

For example, why the father and daughter have different hair colors, and why the mercenary didn't answer where his wife went.

Leslaufer and Angelita walked into Kiranda smoothly. The princess took steps as if they were filled with lead and led the way towards the tavern sign that was waving at her in the wind.

"Tavern" is just a general term, and the number of local drinkers is usually several times or even dozens of times that of foreign travelers. In fact, most taverns have two floors plus a cellar, where wine and food are stored on the bottom floor, and the second floor is for people to rest.

As for the first floor, in addition to meeting the guests' requirements for drinks and food, some of them also usually have the function of issuing and handing over commissions. After all, the tavern is a very suitable place to talk about various things.

But Angelita didn't want to talk about anything right now. She just wanted to eat and drink a lot and then have a good sleep - preferably until she woke up naturally.

That is a treatment that is almost never enjoyed in the palace!

Reslaufer did not follow immediately. He looked around and found that the area around the Empire's tavern was much more peaceful than that of Ampiri or even Inassus. There were no signs of street fights, and the people coming and going were all from the Empire, or at least humans, which saved him a lot of trouble.

It looked like Angelita was going to order food herself. Leslaufer didn't think there could be anything wrong with that. When he stepped into the tavern, he subconsciously approached the crooked wooden board by the door. There were thirteen or fifteen flyers randomly nailed on it. Most of them were commissions left by the residents of Kiranda Town. Only a few of them had their addresses strictly left, and most of the others said things like "Looking for the tavern owner" or "Just give me a call".

With such rough content, it was hard to expect the handwriting to be good or even all the words spelled correctly, but even so, Leslaufer still found a few quite interesting commissions on it. If they stayed here long enough and the commissions had not been taken away, they might be a good option to make extra money.

Help you sleep by the way.

However, just as Reslaufer was picking and choosing, he suddenly heard the rare high voice of Her Royal Highness the Princess:

"Boss, please give me a rosemary roast lamb rack! Rice pudding with less cinnamon! A serving of salted caviar - and, by the way, can I have a small glass of pear wine and some sweet rose candy?"

My princess!

Chapter 20 Father and daughter?

"No."

The food that Angelita ordered was not too excessive. Imperial people usually did not eat breakfast, had a small lunch and a large dinner. The dishes she requested were all written on the tavern's menu board.

However, the boss who was wiping the wine glasses behind the counter didn't even look up and only gave her a one-word reply.

"What did you say?" Angelita rapped her knuckles on the counter. "Aren't these listed on your menu besides the rose candy?!"

"I wrote it. We have rose candy," the tavern owner said calmly, "but we don't sell it to you. At least not to you."

"What's the reason? What's the reason?"

"A whole rosemary roast lamb rack, fifty-three silver coins," the innkeeper slowly quoted the price, "Rice pudding, eight silver coins, a glass of pear wine, two silver coins, I can give you rose sugar for free, but the most expensive thing is the caviar -"

"Forty-five silver coins for a teaspoon. Girl, you should also consider your father. It's not easy for anyone to make money these days."

As he spoke, the tavern owner glanced at Leslaufer at the door intentionally or unintentionally. It seemed that he, like the guards at the town entrance, mistook him and Angelita for a father and daughter.

If it was Reslaufer who ordered this meal, he wouldn't have said a word, but... this meal was worth more than one gold coin. If the other party took out new coins, he would have to charge at least five new coins to make a profit - and this was obviously only the food for one person!

"Is there any problem with this?" Angelita blinked and looked at the boss behind the counter innocently.

It was just one gold coin. The palace dinner was even more luxurious than this, even the one she had at Marquis Marek's place was the same. She felt that she had been very restrained.

This isn't a country farmhouse, it's a pub! Why can't she have a good meal?!

"Serve as she says, my friend." Seeing this unexpected standoff, Raslaufer had to step forward to help both sides. Two gold coins spun from his hands and fell onto the counter. "Add a roast goose, stuffed to the brim, two bottles of local brandy, and the rest as you wish. There should be enough left for a room, right?"

"We just came back from the battlefield and walked in the wilderness for many days. We are both exhausted."

"Yes, yes. Then you two wait a moment. There are empty seats over there." The boss put away the two gold coins on the counter with some surprise, immediately changed his attitude, and went to the kitchen to urge the chef to prepare the dishes.

Henry III's gold coins! No wonder his daughter asked so boldly. Her father must be a man with a strong background, not just a mercenary!

A few days ago, he'd heard the retired mercenaries and the city's artisans complaining about how they were being paid in the new currency! And this man actually dared to spend Imperial gold coins!

Seeing this, the other drinkers also glanced at Reslaufer, but those gazes, filled with various emotions, quickly shifted away with the clash of wine glasses and cutlery. Anyone with a decent eye could see that this mercenary with his daughter was not to be trifled with.

The mottled bloodstains on his body were proof of this, and if that wasn't enough, they couldn't see many scars on the man's exposed face!

"What's wrong with the people in this town?!"

When the two of them sat down at a table in the corner, Angelita pulled her hair frantically. "Do we look alike?! Why do they all think I'm your daughter?"

"Even the money for hiring you was paid by Mr. Boll and me! Logically, you should be my son!"

"For your reputation, Angrita," Leslaufer leaned the greatsword against the wall and took off the sword from his waist and placed it on the table. "Even if 'your son' is already two years old this year, others will spread gossip about you and the giant."

"Pfft! What nonsense are you talking about!" Although she was the one who started the conversation, Angelita's face immediately turned red. "I've never even seen what a giant looks like!"

"It's best if you haven't seen it. You'll have nightmares for days. Hill giants are all fat and don't care about hygiene." At this time, a waiter had already brought up Angritta's pear wine and Reslaufer's brandy. Angritta didn't touch it, while Reslaufer opened a bottle and drank it like water.

"Didn't you say you don't drink?" Angelita rolled her eyes, deciding to give Raslaufer some verbal embarrassment. "Then what are you doing now?"

The mercenary raised an eyebrow: "What's that in front of you?"

"I never said I don't drink!" Angelita replied immediately, "And pear wine isn't considered wine. It's just an...alcoholic beverage! Besides, I only ordered a small glass!"

A small cup, but it cost two silver coins, more than the two bottles of Raceloff put together.

"Well said. Can this locally brewed brandy be considered wine?" Reslaufer shook the bottle in Angarita's direction. It did smell of alcohol, but not very strong. "It's just water. You haven't tasted Inassus's drink. That's considered wine."

Haidong and Anpiri's "drinks" were even stronger, but for Reslaufer, they were just right for keeping warm in the local area. Drinking them outside would be too hard on his throat and stomach.

"It seems you've been to many places." Just as Reslaufer and Angarita were chatting casually while eating as their meals were served, a voice suddenly interrupted them, "Or perhaps you are from Inassus yourself?"

Ok?

Reslaufer put down the cutlery in his hand, moved his fingers to the scabbard beside him, then slowly turned half his body, raised his wine glass and looked at the stranger who came over to chat with him on his own initiative.

He was a young man in his early twenties. Like most nobles of the Matt Dynasty, he had black hair and palm-colored eyes, and wore an exquisite dark blue coat. However, Reslaufer noticed one thing: his ears were different from those of ordinary humans. The ends of his ears were narrow like Amantha's, but not as sharp.

"Half-elf?" He looked at the other party again to confirm his judgment.

"Few people can tell the difference between an elf and a half-elf. You are indeed knowledgeable and perceptive." The young man, who had no beard to hide his elven ancestry, smiled and nodded. He looked harmless. He bowed slightly in a friendly manner towards Angelita's seat. "Miss, do you mind if I take a seat and chat with your father?"

Angelita gracefully put down her half-drunk pear cider on the table, then let out a sharp blast: "Are you blind?! He! Is not my father!"

Chapter 21: The Half-Elf

The half-elf youth was startled by Angrita's sudden outburst and looked at Reslaufer somewhat at a loss. Even though the half-elf was famous for his mediation and negotiation skills, he had no idea how to continue with this opening.

Based on his observations just now, there shouldn't be any conflicts between these two people... right?

"This is my niece," Leslough pulled out a chair beside her. "She has...something wrong at home, so I'm taking care of her."

"She doesn't like being mistaken. Please take a seat."

"Oh, oh," the half-elf sat down as Leslaufer did. After a long pause, he couldn't help but blurt out, "Then your brother—"

"You can't move him. He's so young," the mercenary sighed seriously. "All he has left is his upper body. I've never even seen his wife."

Angelita rolled her eyes. She was sure that even if Mr. Boll used his mind detection function on this guy, he would not be able to tell that he was lying! Because when he said this, his eyes were fixed on a new coin!

He was talking about the bust of her horrible father! As for her mother—how could this guy have seen her?!

"...Your condolences." The half-elf could no longer think of other words to express his sympathy. Isn't this too tragic?!

No wonder, no wonder this man doted on this girl so much, even accepting a gold coin for a meal... But with that, their lives probably wouldn't be very comfortable. After all, as far as he knew, a cavalryman's monthly salary was only thirty or forty gold coins. In other words, his chances of persuading the other party would be greatly increased.

"It's been years, so let's not talk about it," Leslaufer said, changing the subject. "I'm Leslaufer, indeed from Inassus, but my niece and her mother are both from the Empire—what about you?"

"Ah, how rude! I forgot to introduce myself," the half-elf quickly put on a smile and extended his hand enthusiastically. "Buddy, Buddy Antich, a native of Kiranda."

Badit specifically pointed out his surname. Although the name Antichi was widely used within the empire, it had a special origin. Their ancestors were primarily people from the empire before the Maite dynasty. After the first emperor of the Maite dynasty ascended the throne, the old nobles, dissatisfied with the new dynasty's rule, uniformly changed their surnames to Antichi, meaning "ancient" in the language of the time, to distinguish themselves from the upstarts of the Maite dynasty.

But that is all in the past. In the current empire, many people and even families with the surname Antichi have become nobles again, and they have long stopped having conflicts with the Matt Dynasty.

The problem is that, whether before or after the Matt Dynasty, the Empire has always been a country with humans as the main race. Neither elves nor half-elves can be regarded as citizens of the Empire here - a half-elf should not inherit such a surname, otherwise Amantha would have exchanged it for a dozen noble titles long ago.

"Just like your brother, my mother also, haha, fell in love with my father, who was also an elf," Buddy laughed a little awkwardly, "and also like your brother, my mother was... not very lucky."

"My father was a shrewd hunter. His favorite thing to do was go on adventures. After my mother passed away, he didn't want to have a son like me anymore. It took too long for him to go up the mountain and down the river," Buddy shook his head. "Days passed after my mother's death. On the third day, he came to his senses and married a dancer again, leaving me, still a child, to be taken care of by my grandmother."

"So I took my grandmother's last name and changed it to Antichi."

Leslaufer thought for a moment and asked the waiter to bring Buddy another bottle of brandy. "I'm sorry to hear that, really."

"Nothing compares to your story," Buddy said sincerely, clinking his bottle with the mercenary. "Now that I've finished my story, let's get down to business."

"My grandmother passed away some time ago, and I inherited her wealth, as well as the legacy left by my mother. My pointy-eared father didn't take a penny of it. Originally, nothing was out of the ordinary. But just last week, an accident happened when I took over my grandmother's estate outside of town."

"It's an old building that's been there for many years," Buddy recalled the scene. "It's my grandmother's childhood memory, so even though she no longer lived there, she never sold it. I went there to see if I could renovate it. Whether I keep it or sell it, it will eventually be lived in again. But when I walked into the living room, I heard strange noises coming from the ground, as if someone was smashing something."

A typical "paranormal event." Leslough didn't interrupt and continued to listen to Buddy.

"...Of course I was scared and ran away, right? But after I ran out, I thought carefully: what if there weren't ghosts inside, but living people? There's chaos and war right now, and many soldiers don't have the same sentiments as you. They might turn into bandits and robbers, or even worse, cultists! What if they occupy my grandmother's manor?"

"I had to find a way to get it back! I drew my sword and sneaked back!" Buddy patted the scabbard at his waist. There was only a scabbard there, and the sword was missing. "Then, things happened 'just as I expected'."

"A bunch of bandits?" Angelita's eyes widened. "You managed to escape back, you must be quite skilled!"

"Where?" the half-elf laughed bitterly. "I didn't see anyone at all! I sneaked down to the cellar, and not long after I got there, I saw a fire deep down and heard the sounds of drinking and boasting. I jumped so hard that I made quite a noise!"

"Where would I dare to stay any longer? I'd just drop my sword and run!"

"Not brave enough, but at least he's smart," Leslaufer nodded. "So you're looking for someone to help you take back the manor? I didn't see your commission on the board at the entrance of the tavern."

"How could I dare to post something like this, my friend?" Buddy finished the bottle of wine and spread his hands. "Who knows if those people will come into town? Will they see the commission I posted? Then it will be all over!"

"I can only sit here and watch day after day, waiting to see if a suitable candidate comes along. And you—you must be quite skilled after coming back from the battlefield. The fact that you're out there with your niece shows you're not a bad person. And your expenses don't seem low, so I guess... you wouldn't refuse a job like this, right?"

Chapter 22 Similarity

Leslaufer felt a small leather boot kicking his calf under the table. When he looked at Angelita, he clearly saw a little flame of excitement in her eyes!

This poor kid seems to be afraid of nothing but humans! She wasn't afraid at all when she met the wizard before, but now she's even getting excited about a few bandits she's never even met!

"We need to discuss this," Reslaufer said. He didn't agree immediately, but he didn't refuse either. After all, he did have a need for this. "No matter what the result is, I will give you an answer. How about that?"

"That's great. Here's my address." The half-elf nodded quickly, stood up, handed over a small card, and left in a hurry.

"Is this the life of an adventurer?" Angelita put down her cutlery and stood up, craning her neck to see the business card in Reslaufer's hand. "There really are quests in the tavern! Just like in the stories!"

"It's a story, just like reality. Don't get it the other way around." Leslough looked at the back of the head. "You're still blaming me. I think you're a little bit off, aren't you? Why are you so excited? We just arrived in Kiranda."

"They're just bandits, what's the big deal?" Angelita said, sitting back in her seat nonchalantly. "You're so powerful, you can just send them off easily."

"And I'm doing this for your own good."

"I'm not that anxious," said Rathlough, with a nasal voice. "You really want me to go? Then you better stay out of the tavern."

"I don't want to stay in the tavern! I want to go with you!" Angelita was immediately dissatisfied. "Have you forgotten our agreement? What can I learn in the room?"

That's what it was for.

Reslaufer nodded. "But generally, this kind of training begins with wooden stakes and dummies, using training wooden swords and shields. Are you sure you want to skip this step?"

"That's too slow," Angelita said, as expected, adhering to her usual attitude of helping herself these days. "Then when can I take action on my own?"

"And they're just people, real people and fake people, is there such a big difference?"

"...I think it's at least bigger than the difference between a real wolf and a real person," Leslaufer poured the last sip of brandy into his mouth. "Never mind, whatever you want - do you have your own weapons?"

Angelita pulled her small dagger out of her boot, but was pushed back by Leslaufer even faster.

"You want to be caught with such a big gem?" Reslaufer warned in a low voice, then returned to normal volume. "You want such a small dagger? You can hardly kill a rabbit with it!"