Mr. Galen is Ten Thousand Times Stronger Than You

Dark Night?

He figured it referred to the horse.

Although he didn't think he'd hit the horse, what if they demanded compensation for the horse's emotional distress?

He Xi, whose pockets were as empty as his name suggested, tugged Bruce towards the carriage.

The coachman opened the door for them.

The interior was more spacious and comfortable than it appeared from the outside, with a thick, soft carpet.

The young lady named Annis was observing them with curious eyes.

"Sit down," she gestured to the seat opposite with her chin, her posture elegant yet undeniably commanding. "Your dog, it's interesting. What's its name?"

"Bruce."

Bruce seemed unimpressed by the carriage's incense, letting out a loud sneeze unceremoniously.

"Bruce..." she repeated, her full, cherry-red lips curving slightly. "Where are you two headed?"

"Rose Town," He Xi replied truthfully, his confusion growing.

"Oh? Going to be an adventurer?" Annis's eyes sparkled with further amusement. "Perfect, I also need to go to the edge of the Gray Mist Forest for some business. It seems we can travel together for a while."

Her words were casual, yet they seemed to have already made the decision for He Xi.

He Xi hadn't intended to travel with a stranger.

Even if she seemed wealthy.

He looked up at the carriage roof from inside, noting no dents or damage.

Annis seemed to read his mind and let out a soft scoff. "This carriage, of course, wouldn't be damaged by your flimsy branch."

She frowned slightly, then after a moment's thought, found an excuse. "But... you... you woke me from my nap!"

She then declared righteously, "Since I'm awake now, it's hard for me to fall back asleep. You can keep me company and chat to pass the time on this journey.

When we reach Rose Town, I'll pay you a reward. Consider it... hiring you as a temporary bodyguard. After all, judging by your appearance, you must be some kind of professional, right?"

After she finished, she muttered quietly, "Heaven knows who calls themselves a capable person these days..."

He Xi didn't quite catch her muttering but latched onto a keyword and quickly asked, "How much is the reward?"

Annis fumbled in her small bag, then produced a gleaming, golden coin, holding it between two fingers and dangling it before He Xi's eyes.

It was about three centimeters in diameter, still shimmering with an alluring luster in the dim carriage light.

"One Gold Shield," she said nonchalantly, "until Rose Town."

He Xi's eyes widened.

Gold Shield! He'd only ever heard of them since he'd transmigrated; he'd never actually seen one!

His mind began to race with calculations.

As far as he knew, one Gold Shield could be exchanged for about 100 Silver Scales, and one Silver Scale for about 100 Copper Nails.

Normally, one Copper Nail could buy a piece of black bread that would fill one's stomach.

Silver Scales and Copper Nails both weighed around 3 grams, but their shapes differed: Copper Nails were thin and long, like a carpenter's nail; Silver Scales were irregular thin pieces, shaped like fish scales.

But this Gold Shield in front of him was a perfect circle!

Its thickness was similar to a one-yuan coin from his previous life, and its diameter was even larger, over three centimeters.

It was said that one Gold Shield weighed 30 grams.

He Xi even felt an urge to take it into his hand immediately and feel its mythical weight.

30 grams of gold! Even before transmigration, that would be worth over twenty thousand yuan!

Without hesitation, he said, "No problem, esteemed Miss Annis. From now on, I am your bodyguard—Galen."

"Galen?" Annis murmured the name against her lips, then nodded, seemingly satisfied. "It sounds like a warrior's name."

"Uh... sort of."

"So, Galen, where are you from?"

To avoid explaining what obscure corner of the world Prent was, He Xi casually mentioned a larger place name.

"Holder."

Annis's pupils dilated slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and asked perfunctorily, "Holder?"

"The capital of Nordholt County," He Xi added.

"Oh..." Annis feigned understanding, then pouted, her tone laced with a hint of disdain. "I remember now, there seems to be such a county. But I heard it's nothing but farmers there, not even decent adventurers. What kind of commissions could you get in a place like that?"

He Xi decided to remain silent.

Holder City was, after all, the capital of a Count's territory, and it did have an Adventurer's Guild, albeit a small one... Of course, in this young lady's mental map, it was probably equivalent to "the countryside."

Annis looked at his somewhat reserved demeanor. Despite his ragged clothes, he had a striking appearance.

Her interest on her face grew even more.

Just then—

"Dede-dede... Dede-dede..."

A rapid sound of horse hooves approached from afar.

Immediately after, a loud voice pierced through the carriage window:

"Miss Annis, why is there the scent of a stranger in the carriage? Did you let someone in again without my permission?"

Upon hearing this voice, the interest that had appeared on Annis's face from their recent conversation instantly vanished, replaced by undisguised irritation.

She abruptly threw aside the carriage curtain and yelled at the burly man on the tall warhorse outside:

"Odin! Do I need your permission to let someone into my carriage?"

The man outside the window was about thirty years old, clad in a set of fine chainmail, with a neatly trimmed brown beard on his chin and sharp eyes.

He reined in his horse, riding parallel to the carriage, and said sternly, "I accepted the escort commission, so I must be fully responsible for your safety!"

"I don't need it!" Annis retorted unceremoniously. "I don't know how you tricked my steward, but I repeat, I'll let whoever I want in!"

Odin ignored Annis and directly addressed the coachman in a commanding tone, "Fred, stop the carriage now, immediately! Make that unknown person get out!"

The carriage's speed slowed down in response.

"Who told you to stop?" Annis's cheeks flushed with anger. "Fred, keep going! Go faster! Or I'll dock all your salary this month!"

The poor coachman was caught in the middle, in a difficult position. The carriage first slowed down, then suddenly jolted and began to accelerate.

A flash of anger crossed Odin's eyes, and he squeezed his thighs hard against his horse's belly!

"Hee-ly-ly—"

The warhorse beneath him suddenly accelerated, charging to the front of the carriage, and with a sharp turn, firmly blocked the path in the middle of the road.

The tall warhorse was like a wall, blocking the carriage's way.

"Whoa—!"

The coachman had no choice but to tighten the reins again, and the carriage jolted to a halt.

The inside of the carriage shook violently, and Annis was thrown forward by the inertia, crashing into He Xi's arms.

She steadied herself, her chest heaving with anger. Although the amplitude was limited, her delicate apricot eyes seemed about to spew fire.

"Odin!! You're fired! Immediately! Right now! Get out of my sight!"

She extended her slender finger, pointing at He Xi, who looked innocent and bewildered inside the carriage, from a distance:

"From now on! He is my new bodyguard!"

"Mr. Galen!"

"He's ten thousand times stronger than you!"