So Karl asked about the mission.
"The task is simple. Go to East City and pick up two civilians to Hope City, then accompany them to the outskirts of the Barrens."
Karl raised an eyebrow: "Is it really that simple?"
Ilya nodded without hesitation.
"It's that simple."
It's a bit strange.
Karmo stroked his chin, his eyes fixed on Ilya.
From then on, he noticed every slight change in her expression.
"Why not just have the explorers from East City send it over?"
"You know, even with a fast horse, it takes ten to fifteen days to get from Hope City to East City. So the round trip takes a lot of time."
"It would be better to let the explorers from East City take on the first half of the mission, escort them to Hope City, and then have us accompany them to the outskirts of the Barrens."
"Isn't this a win-win situation?"
They can both avoid wasting unnecessary time and still get a share of the profits.
Karl's words certainly make sense, but what can we do when the reward for this mission is the Pearl of East?!
This is the Pearl of East!
She can obtain the treasure that many explorers dream of simply by escorting two civilians!
It was so easy; just thinking about it now fills her with uncontrollable excitement.
So, you want her to collaborate with other explorers?
Dream on!
She had a hard time getting this task in private.
To force her to cooperate with others and hand over a portion of the ownership of the East Pearl?
Don't even think about it!
She would rather travel long distances to pick up and drop off than cooperate with anyone else.
Furthermore, to prevent any mishaps during the mission, she decided to send two of the most powerful members of her group to pick them up.
Unfortunately, because she had taken on several missions recently, there were only a handful of people left in the group, and it was impossible to find enough people to join.
Just as she was still hesitating about who to bring back first, Carl and Lady bumped into her.
It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early.
Ilya made her decision without hesitation: it would be the two of them.
Moreover, since their mission failed, this is a good way to make up for it.
Thinking of this, Ilya's gaze towards Karl remained unwavering.
"Why do you care so much? Are you the one who takes on the mission or am I?"
"Anyway, you have to go to East City to pick them up for this mission, no questions asked!"
"I think today is fine. After lunch, you can set off as soon as possible!"
Ilya finished speaking without taking a breath, giving Karl no time to think.
"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say!"
Ilya stood up, and even though she was shorter than Karl, she was in no way inferior in terms of presence.
She lifted the hem of her long black dress and slowly walked past Karl.
"Next, finish your meal properly, and then don't linger."
"Oh, right,"
Seemingly remembering something, Ilya turned around and lightly tapped her finger at Karl and Lady, who were still standing there.
"The damage to the long table just now will be counted against you. I will deduct this amount from your pay at the end of the month."
After saying that, without waiting for Karl and Lady to be still in a daze, Ilya left gracefully.
No, didn't Ilya destroy this long table herself?
Why should they be held responsible?!
By the time the two tried to retort, even the hem of Ilya's skirt was no longer visible.
"Really, Ilya is still so stingy!"
Seeing this, Lady muttered a complaint.
They even have to ask someone to make up for this small amount of money!
"Don't—"
Even after all this, Lady still hasn't learned her lesson and continues to speak so recklessly.
Just as Karl was about to stop it, a blade of wind flew in from outside the door.
While Lady was still complaining with her head down, Wind Blade approached silently and slashed a hole in Lady's right arm.
"hiss--"
Lady gasped, and without thinking, immediately covered the injured area on her right arm with her left hand.
Carl quickly went forward to check on Lady's injuries.
Fortunately, Ilya only wanted to teach Lady a lesson, so the wind blade only left a shallow wound with a little blood flowing out.
Carl estimated that, given Lady's own healing abilities, such a wound would scab over in no time.
"Let's see if you dare say that again," Carl breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help but admonish Lady, "It's already a fait accompli, why are you still complaining about it?"
This injury was completely unnecessary!
Lady knew Carl was right, of course, but he just couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark.
Therefore, when Karl spoke, he did not refute him, but simply avoided Karl's gaze.
He clearly knows, but he'll still do it again next time.
Carl, of course, knew Lady's nature, and after speaking, he didn't expect to get a reply from him, so he automatically changed the subject.
"We'd like to go have dinner with Joshua. After dinner, we'll have to hit the road."
Ilya said to leave as soon as possible, so they should leave early!
Carl put his arm around Lady's shoulder, and the two walked side by side toward the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Joshua had already prepared lunch.
Although it wasn't very elaborate, it was quite a feast for Lady and her companion, who had been traveling through wind and rain.
The aroma of roasted meat, the rich and delicious cheese and spinach soup, and the soft and fluffy bread with its wheaty fragrance.
There aren't many varieties, but the quantity is large.
Carl and Lady thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
After swallowing the last bite of bread, Carl and Lady stood up.
Joshua couldn't help but wonder, "Are Carl and Lady still going out?"
After returning explorers had eaten and drunk their fill, they would usually ask Joshua to prepare hot water.
That way, they can take a shower and then get a good night's sleep.
Neither Carl nor Lady made this request, so is there something else?
Joshua, filled with curiosity, sat on a low stool, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed at the two.
The two paused in their steps, and Lady even turned back and walked towards Joshua.
He reached out and ruffled Joshua's hair, his face still bearing that unchanging smile.
"Karl and I are setting off again. Hopefully, when we see you next time, our little Joshua will have become an explorer!"
Joshua was taken aback: "Will it take a long time?"
Lady didn't answer, and turned to leave with Carl.
However, just as the two were about to disappear from Joshua's sight, Lady turned her back to him, reached out and waved goodbye.
Carl and Lady shouldered their still-unpacked luggage and headed towards the "Explorer".
Hope City and East City are quite far apart, and the first thing the two did before setting off was to rent a swift horse.
Of course, since this is for a mission, Ilya will pay the rental fee later.
At least I don't have to pay for this myself!
Lady was somewhat relieved that Ilya hadn't gone to extremes in her stinginess.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com