All Business

"My nephew is quite the prominent figure within our Northern Legion, a true standout among men. He's already a Sir, and not to mention, the second in line to inherit a Barony.

Someone as distinguished as yourself naturally harbors benevolent intentions, wouldn't you agree?"

Sir Ramai's flattery left Ergons somewhat bewildered, but he still listened.

"It seems this ransom broker has suffered a loss. The private duel between those two nobles escalated a bit too far, leaving no room for negotiation between them.

However, the victorious noble, as a nobleman, has basic decency. He wished to return the four female dependents to his opponent but feared it would be misunderstood as an insult.

So, he entrusted this widely recognized intermediary, known for his high character and good reputation, with the task – for a fee, of course.

It just so happened that two of these four young ladies were engaged. Due to their capture, the men have already begun the process of breaking off the engagements.

Therefore, the defeated lord, in a fit of anger, declared he no longer wanted them, treating them as if they had died in battle."

Only then did Ergons start to grasp the situation.

Sir Ramai tried his utmost to conceal his lewd intentions behind his smile, but he couldn't appear as righteous and noble as he claimed.

"So, this intermediary, in order to avoid a loss, found himself in a difficult position.

As a broker of high character and good reputation, he couldn't bring himself to send these four young ladies to a 'greenhouse.'

However, due to cash flow problems, his own household was on the verge of ruin. He urgently needed to find a chivalrous and upright individual, a man of impeccable character, someone who could be trusted to pay the ransom upfront.

Naturally, he also hoped that the nobleman who paid the ransom would grant the four girls their freedom. This would not only create a beautiful story and save a near-bankrupt, outstanding merchant, but the helper would also gain respect and friendship from afar."

Ergons didn't believe a single word he said, though there were things he couldn't voice.

Sir Ramai dared to bring this up himself, so Ergons didn't need to worry about it.

"As for this remote village, the highest standards are naturally required for the accommodation of these four individuals. However, the best place would undoubtedly be your own residence. Thus, inevitably, you would have to voluntarily give up your own tent and find separate lodging elsewhere, proving yourself a gentleman.

But in gratitude for your benevolent rescue, if any of those young, impressionable maidens took the initiative, it would be an unforgettable anecdote, not something to be faulted. Even if it were to spread, it would merely be a beautiful tale for the bards to sing of."

Ergons was truly hearing someone describe purchasing favors in such a refined and elegant manner for the first time. His words were full of morality and benevolence, yet his heart was filled with depravity.

However, from a standpoint of acting justly and helping those in need, he did have to lend a hand. If for no other reason than to help this ransom broker, who had an excellent reputation throughout the four provinces of the Newman region, out of his predicament, he had to help.

As the second heir to the barony, who preferred to do good deeds anonymously, he couldn't appear in person. With that, Sir Ramai chuckled and left.

He also took three thousand Denar with him, along with Adamson, who carried the money bag.

As night deepened, Sir Ergons stood by his tent, gazing at the crescent moon in the sky, which was neither perfectly curved nor perfectly round. In the cold moonlight, following the large figure of Adamson, four figures shrouded in black hooded cloaks appeared within his sight.

Compared to the massive Adamson, who was over seven feet tall, these four withered figures, like small quails, were so pitiable.

"Young Master, we're back. The money's gone. Sir Ramai advanced 170 gold coins and 47 silver coins."

"Why didn't he come?"

"He said he had other matters to attend to and didn't want to disturb you. He told me to bring these girls back to find him, saying he had something to discuss with me. Young Master, should I go?"

Hearing this, Ergons' eyes flickered. He sized up the simple, foolish giant, suppressing a smile, and said, "Go. You won't get cheated without you there."

As the傻大个 (foolish giant) was about to leave, he remembered to add, "You and Young Ramai can come over tomorrow morning. Stay at Sir Ramai's camp tonight!"

"Ah? If you don't have anyone with you..."

"Go, be obedient!"

Adamson thought about his young master's various miraculous abilities and felt there was nothing to worry about. He left, not fully understanding.

From then on, all twenty-two people Ergons had brought with him were taken away by acquaintances and friends. Their motives for taking them away were obvious.

On one hand, it was to curry favor with him. On the other hand, it was to subtly probe for information.

However, their intentions didn't matter. He had important matters to attend to now.

He looked at the four young girls, who were still trembling, not even daring to remove their hoods.

Ergons already knew their basic backgrounds. Through the acquaintance interface, the personal and family situations of these four girls were clear at a glance.

They were indeed relatives of Viscount Sebastian René Predal, who had been defeated in the South Newman Province a few days prior. However, there was one detail that didn't match the rumors: none of them had fiancés, and none of them had the surname Predal. They were the children of the Viscount's sisters-in-law, and the castle that was captured didn't belong to the Viscount.

So, the information deviated somewhat from the rumors.

But this was enough.

These four trembling young girls had no idea that their identities had been completely revealed by a mysterious power, without them having spoken a single word.

Ergons didn't care about the girls' thoughts. His first question was unexpected.

"Where is your uncle-in-law?"

These four girls, who had endured days of hardship and constant fear of their uncertain fate, were stunned by this question.

Seeing their state, it seemed unlikely he would get the real information. He might as well use the System!

"Can I ask something?"

Bana Brimer, who had entered the System's Q&A, didn't want to answer at first. However, a mysterious force compelled her to reply, "What do you want to ask?"

"I want to ask you about someone's whereabouts."

"Whose whereabouts do you want to know?"

"I want to know where Viscount Predal is?"

Bana blurted out without hesitation, "He was just defeated in a lord's private battle. I imagine he's lying low in Erdonseck City, South Newman Province, right now."

Having received the answer she wanted, she opened the System's map and found Erdonseck City, which was over a thousand miles away in a straight line.

"If I say I can send you to your uncle, will you join my party and travel with me?"