Chapter 229 - 155: Element Combination?
The day’s activities weren’t over yet. Next, they were going to have a big feast.
They went straight to the largest hotel in Silver Stream City—the Richard Grand Hotel. Landon ordered a huge spread of dishes, many of which included expensive Magic Beast Meat and rare, high-energy fruits and vegetables. The meal was worth as much as 3 Gold Coins.
Landon had paid for their baths earlier, so it wouldn’t be right to let him treat them again. However, when Lin Mo offered to pay for everything, Landon couldn’t accept that either. So, in the end, they split the bill. Since Lin Mo’s group was smaller, he paid 1 Gold Coin.
With their bellies full... well, they hadn’t drunk any alcohol since they were going on an adventure tomorrow. In any case, after eating and drinking their fill, the group went their separate ways to rest, waiting to gather the next morning.
...
「Back to that afternoon」
In the meeting room of the City Lord’s Mansion, Bishop Fletcher of the Holy Light Church, Chairman Vick of the Adventurer’s Association, City Lord Beixila, and a group of the city’s high-ranking officials were all gathered for a meeting.
A rather young-looking nobleman was the first to speak. "Lord City Lord, forgive my bluntness, but this rescue mission needs to happen quickly!"
Someone at his side immediately chimed in, "Yes, every moment we delay, the greater the chance those innocent girls will be harmed..."
"Calm down, Torren."
A white-haired elder stroked his beard and looked at the young man who had first spoken. "You must understand, the underground passage we suddenly discovered is very likely a purpose-built trap. Ultimately, we can’t even be certain if the kidnapped girls are in there at all."
"Isn’t that all the more reason to quickly dispatch a rescue team to search it thoroughly!"
Torren grew even more agitated, slamming his hand on the table as he shot to his feet.
"And if the bunker is a trap, will you take responsibility for the resulting losses?"
Another middle-aged man frowned deeply. "You must realize, this matter isn’t just about Goblins; it’s also likely connected to Lawrence. Why are you in such a rush? Could it be you’re Lawrence’s mole, trying to make us lose our people for nothing?"
"You!"
Torren’s face flushed red with uncontrollable anger, and it looked as though he was about to strike.
"Torren, this is a meeting hall, not a dueling ground."
Beixila stopped his impulsive action at just the right moment. Then she turned to the middle-aged man who had spoken. "Joel, you’re not a child anymore. After being an officer for so many years, don’t you know what should and shouldn’t be said? There’s no need to bicker with a young man."
"My apologies, Lord City Lord."
Joel lowered his head. "But recently, the Guard’s losses have been..."
Beixila took a deep breath upon hearing this. "I know, Joel. You trained those soldiers yourself, so I understand your caution. But some things simply must be done."
Joel remained silent, offering no reply.
"City Lord, this matter is indeed a bit strange," Fletcher reminded her.
"I’m aware of that, Bishop Fletcher."
Beixila nodded. ’Indeed, the appearance of these bunkers was rather abrupt, as if they had been intentionally revealed to them.’
But—
"The citizens of Silver Stream City might be in those bunkers. Even if we know it’s a trap, we must try!"
"But..."
"I’ve already recalled the Silver Armor Guard and the Shadow Squad."
"What about the investigation deep in the forest...?"
Fletcher frowned.
’These units were originally tasked with investigating the situation inside the forest and finding the root of the problem.’
"Leave it to Flora."
Vick spoke up from the side. "That child has grown into an exceptionally powerful Mage. Also, after I’ve arranged everything for this current task, I will also head to the core area of Loran Forest to investigate."
"Chairman Vick..."
Beixila looked at him with some surprise.
"Haha, I may be a bag of old bones, but I’m not so old that I can’t swing a sword. The Goblins, Lawrence, and that damned Undead Mage... all this trouble, one wave after another, has really worn this old man out. It’s about time I got moving and taught them a lesson!"
"That’s Chairman Vick for you!"
Joel gave him a thumbs-up. "I remember back when I was just a kid, you were one of the top Adventurers in our city."
’And also one of the most hot-tempered.’
’Back then, Chairman Vick had been an impetuous young man, even more hot-headed and straightforward than Torren.’
"And you’re talking about me? Weren’t you a notorious troublemaker yourself when you were young?"
Vick shot him a glare. "Have you forgotten how you got into the City Guard? You weren’t even a Professional back then, yet you dared to pick a fight with the Guards... You got caught, strung up, and beaten. A few days later, before your wounds had even fully healed, you went looking for ’revenge’. If the old captain hadn’t seen your potential, you’d probably still be in a jail cell right now!"
Joel scratched his head and laughed sheepishly. "I was young and reckless back then..."
’Young people are all like that—straightforward, decisive, and quick to act. Torren is the same way now. Once you get older, you have more and more to consider, and your rough edges gradually get smoothed away.’
"Torren."
As he was thinking, he looked over at Torren. "For this bunker rescue operation, how would you like to try leading a team?"
’Arguments were arguments, but he still thought highly of the kid.’
’Although he was of noble birth, he didn’t have many of the typical airs of a nobleman. Instead, he was more like an Adventurer.’
’In fact, he really was doing the work of an Adventurer, nothing like his father, the director who assists the Lord in handling the various political affairs of Silver Stream City.’
’While his talent and status made it unlikely for him to join the ordinary City Guard, he had the potential to become a member, or even the leader, of an elite unit.’