…?
Jenny’s small face gradually turned red.
She was already sixteen this year, indeed at the age to start thinking about marriage.
“D-Don’t tease me, Miss Rick!”
But…finding someone like that in such a short time, how could it be possible?
Yes, yes, that’s exactly the expression.
I’m not kidding—you really have potential.
Seeing Jenny’s mix of annoyance and shyness, Elea subconsciously licked her lips.
Perhaps…this little girl was indeed a pure-hearted maiden, and Elea had misjudged her earlier?
Jenny wasn’t a “green tea,” but rather…an underdeveloped green tea.
“Ahem, so what’s your plan?”
Elea changed the subject.
“This mercenary group that Mr. Blue Raven is organizing—aren’t you going to join?”
Though it was dangerous—fighting, exploring abandoned mines, improving strength, and all that—it didn’t align with Jenny’s values or way of doing things.
But thinking it over carefully…
Joining the mercenary group would mean her relationship with these people would go beyond mere acquaintanceship; they’d become comrades-in-arms.
Moreover, with so many noble heirs bringing their guards, even if they went to the No. 13 Mining
District, the chances of encountering danger would be minimal.
So, in a way, this event, or even the formation of this mercenary group, could be seen as a major opportunity to build emotional bonds and expand her network!
Such an opportunity, and she could take advantage of it for free…only a fool would pass it up.
Having affirmed her decision in her mind, Jenny let out a long breath.
“I’ll join!”
Looks like she’s thought it through seriously.
Elea nodded slightly.
This was, after all, her first time interacting with people from this world, aside from family and subordinates, since her reincarnation.
(The goddess didn’t count as human.)
As expected, no one here was a fool—everyone had their own considerations and plans~
“Smart decision.”
Step, step, step…
As the two chatted, they followed the group of over twenty people downstairs to the guild’s business counter.
Under the warm greeting of the receptionist, Mr. Blue Raven and Elea’s cheap cousin, wearing a golden mask, entered a room ahead.
The others waited outside until, about ten minutes later, the two emerged.
The process that followed was quite simple: those who wanted to join the mercenary group just needed to write their names on the roster.
After writing “Rickwood Dingzhen” on the roster, Elea briefly glanced at the other names.
At least the two people she knew had used their real names.
That made sense—hiding their identities offered them no advantage.
By revealing who they were, they could gain more respect and influence within the group.
As for the group leader’s name…it was written as [Vaughnson Blue Raven].
Though it seemed like a pseudonym, it was clear at a glance that this was Mr. Blue Raven.
However, even Jenny, who was quite knowledgeable, didn’t know which noble family “Vaughnson” belonged to.
Finally, the mercenary group consisted of 23 people, including Elea.
If each person brought four or five guards, that would make a hundred-person mercenary group, right?
With such numbers, even in Crystal City, they could barely rank among the top mercenary groups—especially since the guards brought by these noble heirs wouldn’t be mediocre.
To effortlessly assemble such a strong team…as expected, it was a clever move.
“Now, everyone, welcome to the Blue Raven Mercenary Group. From now on, we are comrades, advancing and retreating together during our time in the group…”
Up ahead, Blue Raven—or rather, Mr. Vaughnson—had already removed his mask.
This guy appeared to be a man in his thirties, though his actual age was likely younger.
He smiled warmly and kindly.
Most people had already started addressing him as “Leader.”
“Then let’s head home to process today’s information and have our families prepare. Three days from now, we’ll meet again in the same private room, on time.”
After some polite exchanges and mutual compliments, Vaughnson wrapped up with his final remarks.
Everyone nodded in agreement, and at this moment…it was also the perfect time to chat, build rapport, and establish relationships within the group!
Jenny was itching to step forward and strike up a conversation with a particularly noble and gentlemanly-looking man, already thinking about how to form a small clique centered around herself within the group…
But…step, step, step.
A faint, elegant fragrance wafted by her side.
Turning her head, she saw Miss Rickwood, with her white hair and red eyes, walking away without any intention of talking to anyone.
“Eh…Miss Rick!?”
Jenny hesitated for a second but still chose to run to Elea’s side.
To be honest…
Jenny didn’t even know why she ran over—it was almost an instinctive move.
If there was something special about Miss Rickwood…it was her eyes, right?
They gave Jenny an overwhelming…almost oppressive feeling.
It was as if, from the moment she first saw her, she had already been…tamed?
No, no, no!
Tamed?
Why would she even think something so strange…?
“Um, Miss Rick, where are you…going next?”
Jenny asked instinctively.
Where to next?
The corner of Elea’s mouth curled slightly under her mask.
Wait three days?
What a joke—she wanted to know what these people were up to now!
However…the girl glanced sideways at Jenny standing beside her.
“You want to follow me?”
Eh?
Follow…you?
What kind of question was that?
Jenny was momentarily confused.
As she had just been thinking, even she didn’t know why she had run over to this Miss Rickwood.
But…her instincts had always been reliable.
“Um, what is Miss Rick planning to do?”
Just to be safe, Jenny instinctively asked again.
“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Just follow me quietly.”
But…she was promptly rebuffed by this Miss Rick, whom she had just met.
Ugh…
I’m not your servant…
Feeling a slight twinge of dissatisfaction, Jenny glanced back at the other group members chatting among themselves, then at the figure of Rickwood, who was still walking toward the gathering area on her own.
In the end, she chose to trust her initial instinct.
Taking three steps in two, she hurried to catch up with Elea, leaving the noisy place behind.
“Nolan, Nolan?”
Meanwhile, at the center of the group, Nolan Seredon, the fifth son of Viscount Seredon, who had already removed his golden mask, was frowning slightly as he watched Elea’s retreating figure.
He was oblivious to the calls from those around him.
“Nolan?”
Smack!
It wasn’t until Blue Raven patted his shoulder that he flinched slightly and turned to look at his friend.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Vaughnson asked, puzzled, following Nolan’s line of sight.
But the area was crowded with people, and there didn’t seem to be anything particularly noteworthy.
“Ah..nothing. I just thought I saw a somewhat familiar figure, but one I don’t really want to recall,” Nolan said uncertainly, scratching his head.