Ways to Make Money

Lu En wanted to ask whether this Black Robe was in his right mind.

Only Freljordians could survive in Freljord—this was common knowledge.

Even if outsiders merely traveled normally there, they were often attacked by ferocious beasts lurking in the shadows.

Not only that, the barbarians beyond the border were built like Monsters; one person could take on an entire squad of Imperial Soldiers!

There were also Beast Spirit Walkers who wielded supernatural powers, as well as the Bearman Tribe blessed by Demigods. Anyone who could survive there without understanding the laws of survival possessed strength at least on par with an Imperial general!

Lu En did not believe that some suspicious person he had casually encountered on the road could be as powerful as he claimed. Did he think he was the Hand of Noxus?

"I understand your desire to enlist, but the finest quality of an Imperial Soldier is honesty." Lu En gave a light cough.

"I can overlook the issue of your identity. The Empire welcomes every young person who wishes to enlist, but unfortunately, I cannot help you."

"Why?" Ato asked. "Don't you work for a government office? You should know where the Recruitment Office is."

"You aren't from Jue Wuo Fortress, so you don't know the situation here."

"Our Jue Wuo Fortress is an important source of ore for the Empire. With special Imperial approval, the people of Jue Wuo Fortress do not have to join the military."

"I can only tell you this in private. Unless it's necessary, who would want to face the danger of death on a battlefield? It's best not to go to war. There is no Recruitment Office in Jue Wuo Fortress."

Ato came to a realization. "Then what should I do? The war is about to begin. If I don't join the military soon, it'll be too late."

Lu En suggested, "Every day, large quantities of ore are shipped south from Jue Wuo Fortress. You can follow them to the Immortal Fortress, as long as you can offer satisfactory payment."

"Payment..." Ato scratched his head, only then realizing that he had no source of income in this world!

At first, on Sarah's ship, she had taken care of all three meals. In Freljord, he could hunt Beasts. There had never been anywhere he needed to spend money.

But after arriving in civilized society, the importance of money immediately became apparent!

"How do I make money... Right, Officer, does Jue Wuo Fortress have any wanted criminals with huge bounties on their heads?"

Lu En glanced at Ato and replied, "Of course. And they're very easy to find."

"There is a place in the eastern district that is beyond the city-state's jurisdiction. Rodrigue, the highest-bounty criminal in Jue Wuo Fortress, is there. He occupies a corner of the city-state, and there's nothing we can do about him."

"You want to claim his bounty? I advise you not to do that. Rodrigue is a Mage, but because his bounty is so high, quite a few people confident in their own strength have gone to challenge him. In the end, not a single one returned."

Ato breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as I know where he is, that's enough. It saves me the trouble of looking for him. I don't have much time to waste. Thank you for telling me, Officer."

Lu En frowned, but he said nothing further to dissuade him.

It was mealtime, and he had left his office to find somewhere to eat lunch.

After ending his conversation with Ato, he patted his stomach and walked into a small shop nearby. He ordered lunch, ate it at an unhurried pace, and prepared to return to work.

On the way, he saw the Black Robe again. This time, there was a black cloth sack in the other man's hand.

"We meet again, Officer. I'd like to know where I can collect the bounty?" the Black Robe asked.

Lu En stared at the cloth sack in his hand. A faint smell of blood drifted from within.

Could Rodrigue be dead? Killed by this young man? How long had I spent eating? Was it even half an hour?

Lu En's breathing grew heavier.

Within that half hour, he had run from the western district to the eastern district, killed Rodrigue, then run back to this street to wait for me?

"...Is Rodrigue in there?" Lu En asked with difficulty.

"I think so." Ato scratched his head.

"Although I don't know what he looks like, he was the only person there who could use magic. He was wearing Mage robes, and the staff in his hand could summon lightning. But fortunately, I was a little stronger than him."

"Come with me."

The street was not the place to verify this. Lu En quickened his pace. An outsider who had never seen Rodrigue yet could describe his abilities must have seen him in person and fought him.

Where had this Black Robe come from? Was going to Freljord really just training for him? Did he truly possess the strength of an Imperial general?

Lu En led Ato into a four-story building, took out a key to unlock an office door, then closed it again once Ato had entered.

Ato placed the black cloth sack on the table, revealing a head whose face still bore an expression of disbelief.

"It really is Rodrigue..."

Upon seeing that all-too-familiar face, Lu En's last shred of hope vanished.

This Black Robe was terrifyingly strong!

Ato looked around. "What is this place?"

"It's a government office of Jue Wuo Fortress, and it's also where you collect bounties. Our regional Officer is here. Wait a moment. I'll go get Mr. Valrokan."

Lu En wiped his face with his sleeve and fled the room as if he were escaping.

Not long afterward, an elderly man with completely white hair and beard entered.

He spotted Rodrigue's head on the table at once, quickly stepped forward, and examined it closely for a moment.

"It really is Rodrigue..." The old man turned to Ato. "Young man, did you do this?"

"That's right. I did it for the bounty."

"What is your name? Did you bring any identification documents?"

Ato thought for a moment. "Harris's identification papers were lost while he was training in Freljord."

The old man nodded slightly. "I am Valrokan, the regional Officer of Jue Wuo Fortress. Harris, you have solved a major problem for us."

"Relying on his knowledge of magic, Rodrigue carved out a territory for himself in Jue Wuo Fortress, gathering men and forming the largest gang here. We put out a bounty long ago, but no one had ever succeeded."

"Lu En said you wanted to enlist. Jue Wuo Fortress indeed has no Recruitment Office."

"But to show our gratitude, I can arrange for you to board a mining ship transporting Iron Thorn Ore to the Immortal Fortress. You will not need to pay the fare, and Rodrigue's bounty will be handed over to you as well."

Ato let out a breath. "Thank you for your help."

"It is nothing." Valrokan waved a hand. "Not only did you kill Rodrigue, but you also wish to join the military. The Empire will be proud of you."

What a pity—I wasn't helping either side. I was only joining the army to hitch a ride to Ionia... Still, Ato outwardly went along with Valrokan.

At that moment, Lu En walked in, carrying a rather heavy Leather Case.

"Your bounty." Valrokan took the Leather Case and handed it to Ato. "You may count it. This money is enough to turn an ordinary person into a wealthy man."

Ato opened the case. Inside, stacks of banknotes were arranged neatly, carrying the scent of fresh ink.

No matter where you were, money was always a good thing...