Preparation

Preparation

After finishing their meal, Rota and the other three chatted for a while. Just as they were about to leave, Reid suddenly called out to Rota.

"Elder Kizaru, since you happen to be here this time, we've run into something that needs your help."

The moment Rota heard that Reid and the others needed his help, he took it seriously. They were his companions, after all. If they had a problem, he had to step in.

"Go on, tell me what the problem is. Since I'm here, I'll take care of it for you~"

Hearing Rota's response, the knot in the hearts of Reid and the other two immediately loosened. This matter had troubled them for several days.

"Elder Kizaru, it's like this. Tongbao Pavilion should first develop from a merchant association, and that's where the problem comes in."

"What problem is that~?" Rota listened closely.

"To establish a merchant association, we first need to register it. Otherwise, without official recognition, it'll be difficult for the association to develop even if we set it up."

It was not difficult to understand. An officially certified merchant association was naturally more desirable than one without certification.

"That is indeed the case. Did something go wrong with the registration~?" Rota voiced his guess.

Reid nodded helplessly. "Yes, that's exactly the problem. When we went to register, they told us we needed a noble of at least baron rank to sponsor us. The three of us don't have any titles!"

At that, Rota understood. In plain terms, the nobles wanted to monopolize merchant associations. That way, they would only grow wealthier. Quite the scheme.

"That is quite a problem. But since I'm here, it'll be easy to handle~"

Rota's words immediately put Reid and the other two at ease. That was their trust in him. As long as Rota stepped in, they felt reassured.

"Regarding those Heavenly Dou Nobles you mentioned before, I plan to deal with them after finishing this mission. You should be able to take over those huge sums of money soon~"

Wind Concealment and Jin Ling were deeply moved. They already felt satisfied that Rota had taken the matter to heart.

"Where is this certification agency?"

"That certification agency belongs to the Star Luo Empire's royal family. It's in the grand building beside the central square in Star Luo Imperial City." Reid told Rota where the certification organization was located.

"I see. Then I know where it is. You should come along too~"

"Yes, sir!" Reid and the other two answered together.

Since they had nothing else to do, Rota did not waste any time and directly led the three of them toward the certification agency.

The central square was the most famous square in Star Luo Imperial City, and also its most prosperous area. The people who could make a living here were generally wealthy and influential.

Inside the certification agency, several uniformed staff members were chatting and laughing.

"Did you hear? Those three people who came last time actually wanted to register a merchant association. I really don't know what they were thinking. They have neither money nor status, yet they think they can just walk in here whenever they want!"

"Exactly! Those shabby fools should get as far away as possible."

Even now, the staff members were still mocking Reid and the other two. Their character was truly awful.

Rota had already entered the certification agency with the three of them. The staff stopped chatting, and just as they were about to receive them, they noticed Reid and the others.

Their smiles instantly vanished, replaced by arrogant, conceited expressions. "You three again? What, still not convinced, so you brought someone to help you—"

One of the staff members hesitated when he saw Rota's appearance. He was tall, and his attire looked exceptionally lavish.

The Marine Admiral's cape draped behind Rota, raising his bearing by several levels at once.

"How should we address you, sir?" The staff member seemed to realize something. He looked at Reid and the other two, who appeared to be the man's attendants.

At that moment, the staff member's heart churned. Could I really have provoked someone important? Even so, he forced himself to stay calm. It's fine, it's fine. I've never seen this man among the Star Luo nobles. He probably isn't anyone important!

"You may call me Elder Kizaru. I am an elder of Spirit Hall~" Rota took out the Elder Token that identified him.

"An elder of Spirit Hall!" The staff member became deeply uneasy. Spirit Hall's power was no weaker than that of the Star Luo Empire, and a Spirit Hall elder enjoyed treatment equal to that of nobles.

"Elder... Kizaru... welcome to our humble establishment... Today, this really is..." The staff member wanted to slap himself. Why was his trembling mouth so useless?

"There's no need to say anything else. I came today mainly to seek justice for my companions~ I heard you've taken very good care of them~"

Rota bent down and stared at the staff member. His strange smile made the man feel as though his very soul was trembling.

"What... what are you talking about, sir?" The staff member still seemed unaware of his mistake and continued to play dumb.

Rota found this helpless. Did this fellow really think Rota had come to demand an explanation without knowing anything?

"I advise you to be honest. Dishonest children can die, you know~" Rota slowly said in a threatening tone.

The staff member finally could not endure Rota's aura any longer and surrendered. "Sir, I'm truly sorry. What happened last time was my fault. I apologize to your companions!"

"Seeing that you're still young, I'll give you a piece of advice. Don't underestimate anyone. They may turn out to be hidden big shots. If my companions truly wanted to kill you, it would be effortless for them~"

The staff member nodded like a pecking chicken, terrified that Rota might not see his sincerity.

"Very good. Then you should be able to complete the task you failed to complete last time now, yes~?"

The staff member was nearly in tears. He said in a trembling voice, "N-no problem. I'll make sure to serve all of you properly!"

After receiving a thorough lesson from Rota, the staff member who had previously mocked Reid and the other two was now completely subdued.

"Alright, the organization you wished to establish, Tongbao Pavilion, has been registered. You are now an officially certified organization." The staff member did not want to see Rota for even another moment. He felt as though he could be scared to death at any time.

"Then let's go~"

Seeing that the lesson had been delivered, Rota led Reid and the other two out of the certification agency.

"Elder Kizaru, you were so cool today! That guy finally got what was coming to him~"

"Yeah, yeah! The moment Elder Kizaru stepped in, that guy was no different from a groveling grandson."

"As expected of our most handsome Elder Kizaru!"

Hearing the three of them praise him, Rota felt a little pleased. He rather enjoyed it. Still, as for the word "handsome," he would rather not. Rota knew his own limits. With his current appearance, it was already good enough if he did not scare people.

If they wanted to talk about "handsome," then they probably had some misunderstanding of the word.

"Alright, you don't need to praise me so much. This is just basic stuff~"

After he said that, the three of them admired Rota even more.

Although Rota tried his best to stop their praise, Reid and the others simply would not listen.

Rota had no choice, so he stopped bothering with them.