"Could you be... the legendary Gargoyle?"
Mudrock's voice trembled slightly, but Vera answered decisively.
"No, why would you think that?"
Having received a negative answer, Mudrock looked at the colossus, hesitant to speak, when Vera realized what was happening:
"Is it because of this?"
With a wave of his hand, the Wandering Soul Core detached and swiftly flew back to Vera's side.
The colossus, having lost its core, collapsed with a roar, turning back into ordinary soil and rocks.
"That's thanks to it, it has nothing to do with me."
The Wandering Soul Core, happier after receiving the "praise," began to chuckle and hover above the heads of the curious mercenaries.
Shining's gaze followed the other person, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
She was not ignorant of the "Dead Souls" branch; she had even witnessed it firsthand.
But the emotions of those Dead Souls were highly unified in a negative chaos.
Such a lively creature is truly unique.
The Wandering Soul Core seems to enjoy being the center of attention.
It flew around once, noticed Liz, the only one not watching it, and swooped down to land on the girl's head, bouncing gently twice.
Liz, who was using Originium Arts to comfort the wounded, paused slightly, then greeted them softly:
"Um... hello?"
Having received a response, the Wandering Soul Core flew away contentedly, circling around the Crown that had disappeared above Vera's head.
"W, what are you looking at?"
Rice, standing to the side, was somewhat puzzled by W's slowness, based on his understanding of the guy.
When the eldest sister ruffled Liz's hair, W should have put on a gritted-teeth expression.
From the moment the Wandering Soul Core appeared, W's gaze was fixed on the top of Vera's head.
Rice followed her gaze—
Hmm, the boss's horns are really pretty... but is it really necessary to stare at them for this long?
As W and Rice moved, some mercenaries also subconsciously looked up at Vera's head.
The increasing attention quickly made Vera uncomfortable.
Thinking it was because of the Wandering Soul Core, Vera stretched out her hand and grabbed it in her palm.
"?"
The Wandering Soul Core posed a question mark, but quickly understood what it meant, transforming into a stream of air that wrapped around Vera's forearm.
At this point, Liz had also completed her final treatment.
At the mercenaries' enthusiastic invitation, the somewhat awkward Mudrock's Squad also joined this impromptu rainy meal.
But when everyone saw the ingredients, the members of the Mudrock's Squad couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Is this... so lavish?"
Although Mudrock treats his team members extremely well, never skimping on anything and distributing resources fairly, making him a model of conscience in the mercenary world.
However, Mudrock himself dislikes fighting and mostly accepts missions involving guarding, exploration, or relatively "peaceful" construction work.
The low commission rates, coupled with the low casualty rate, have resulted in a long-term shortage of funds for the team as a whole.
Faced with this unexpected feast, the Mudrock's Squad was at a loss and dared not approach the food.
This restrained demeanor immediately drew a disapproving glare from the cook.
"What do you mean? You suspect I poisoned your food?"
Before the Mudrock's Squad could explain, Vera's veteran mercenaries were already laughing and tearing them down:
"You think you have the guts to poison him? I remember when he was captured, he was practically scared to death, wasn't he?"
The cook blushed and said firmly:
"[Sarkaz profanity!] I actually downloaded it!"
Upon hearing this, the Mudrock's Squad instinctively took a half-step back.
"I put a whole pot of this in there—as a sign of respect for the boss! What? Any objections?"
[Sarkaz curse!] You bootlicker!
The mercenaries' faces darkened, but they hesitated to attack because the other party was still cooking.
The Mudrock's Squad blended in with the relaxed atmosphere, and Vera casually handed Mudrock a plate of grilled meat.
"Try it."
"Thanks..."
Mudrock took the skewer, and then, under Vera's questioning gaze, held it to his chest.
"What are you doing...?"
"Ah?"
Mudrock froze, the roasted meat stuck in his chest.
Is there a problem?
Vera's eyebrow twitched slightly:
"You even wear protective gear while eating? Don't you find it... inconvenient?"
"This...?"
Mudrock's voice trailed off, sounding somewhat embarrassed.
"For safety reasons, I've been wearing this protective suit for a long time, and it might smell a bit unpleasant inside..."
"Do grown men really care about this?"
A single sentence left Mudrock bewildered, Vera, somewhat amused, pointed to her own mercenary:
"The environment in Kazdel might be cleaner if you're wearing a protective suit than if you're not."
"Look at them, they even sleep in armor, and it's not a big deal, is it?"
"Um... thank you for your kindness." Having said that, Mudrock felt it inappropriate to refuse again.
Under Vera's calm gaze, she raised her hands and grasped her protective suit helmet.
"Click"
Under Vera's incredulous gaze, Mudrock removed the entire head.
"..."
Vera's expression froze as she stared at the empty head, pondering the information Vane had provided.
Does Kazdel have a race of headless riders?
"Ah! The team leader has taken off his protective suit!"
The exclamations from the Mudrock's Squad members drew everyone's attention.
Mudrock, who was about to continue his actions, froze in place. Vera glared at the group, and the mercenaries immediately looked away.
Relieved, Mudrock gently pulled open her protective suit.
Contrary to expectations, Vera was greeted by the fresh scent of earth.
"It smells nice."
With a casual remark, Vera turned her gaze back, and what came into view was a Sarkaz girl with white hair and red eyes.
The girl's cheeks flushed slightly, and she clutched a piece of roasted meat somewhat helplessly.
Vera: "..."
Vera rubbed her eyes in confusion and tried to change the camera angle, while Mudrock's ears turned red.
Who are you?
Everyone's attention was drawn back to the beautiful young Sarkaz woman, and they all shared the same question.
"Team leader?"
"What's wrong?"
The mercenaries from Mudrock's Squad called out hesitantly, and Mudrock instinctively turned around.
The crowd gasped in astonishment upon hearing the confirmation.
"The team leader is a woman?!" xN
After a moment of chaos, everyone reluctantly accepted this extremely shocking fact.
"Such a tall body, it was all filled with mud?" Ines exclaimed in astonishment.
"As expected, even so-called 100% accurate intelligence is not credible."
"Even we don't know about this!"
One of the mercenaries from the Mudrock's Squad retorted, while another mercenary stroked his chin and said...
"But this makes sense... the occasional appearance of mysterious Sarkaz women in the party. I thought I was dreaming at the time."
"I knew it... Is that so strange?"
Mudrock looked somewhat dejected and silently put his protective suit back on.
"Is it better this way...?"
"No, no, no! That's not what we meant at all!" the Mudrock's Squad quickly reassured them.
"I'm just so surprised! A team leader is a team leader, no matter what!"
Watching this farce unfold, Vera shook her head and turned to Hedley, saying:
"Have all the pests on the list been eliminated?"
"Yes."
Vera remained silent for a moment, the campfire casting flickering light on her visor.
"Rest now, prepare for a forced march tomorrow morning."
The once noisy camp quickly quieted down, and the mercenaries' smiles vanished.
They knew that the brief period of peace was about to end.
Hedley asked in a deep voice:
Are you... ready?
"Certainly."
Vera took the list from Hedley and tossed it into the campfire in front of her.
"Babel Tower and the Military Commission should have received the message that we are elusive and they cannot find us, but there is one place they will definitely go."
"The Scar Market."
Hedley picked up the conversation, but his brows furrowed.
Logically, if there had been contact, the Scar Eye should have provided them with information.
Like the pests on the list, Scar Eye would assign his subordinates to provide them with information in various areas.
If the Babel Tower and the Military Commission have truly arrived, there's no reason why there shouldn't be any news.
Could it be... that Scar Eye betrayed us?
Hedley voiced his doubts, and Vera's response was...
"He doesn't have the guts."
Vera summoned a Berserk Boar and sat down beside it.
"However, there is indeed something unusual... Let's ask about it in person when the time comes."
"Excuse me... are you talking about the Babel Tower?"
Mudrock's voice came, and Vera lazily asked in return:
"Is there a second Babel Tower?"
Mudrock, having received the answer, fell silent for a moment before replying.
"It's best to avoid getting involved in the battle between Babel Tower and the Military Commission right now..."
Faced with the questioning looks from the crowd, Mudrock explained
"The Military Commission has issued a mobilization notice; all mercenaries must either join or leave."
"That's why we're preparing to leave Kazdel."
"The battle between the two sides may be reaching its most intense point. Joining now..."
Mudrock didn't finish speaking, but everyone understood what he meant.
"Thank you for the information," Hedley responded first, then explained.
"However, we have no intention of joining either side."
Vera nodded and gave more specific reasons:
"I'm just planning to go to the Babel Tower to find someone, and while I'm at it... um, to treat my family's Oripathy."
Mudrock breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of happiness on his face.
She didn't want to see her benefactor drawn into the quagmire of war, even if the other side seemed very powerful.
"Then, as a token of my gratitude..."
Mudrock stood up and bent over, and the team members followed suit.
"Please allow us to escort you and your team to your destination."
"Escort... us?"
Vera's mercenaries exchanged bewildered glances; some wanted to laugh but held it back, while others hesitated, their expressions quite interesting.
Are you kidding me? They swept through a list of "pests" that strike fear into the hearts of many mercenary groups; would they need an escort?
Seeing what the mercenaries meant, Mudrock's expression gradually became serious.
"I know your team is very strong. I... am indeed not good at fighting."
He raised his hands, and black magical light condensed.
A shield as thick as rock enveloped everyone.
Vera glanced sideways and tried tapping it; the solid feel it produced caught her eye.
"But if it's about protection..." Mudrock's voice continued, tinged with a rare confidence.
"I think I can still be of some use."
Everyone was surprised to sense the shields on their bodies, and finally focused their attention on Vera.
"No need for thanks, I will pay you."
Mudrock was stunned. Just as he was about to refuse, his hand was grasped.
"No need to refuse, you should say now..."
Vera shook Mudrock's hand and chuckled:
"It's a pleasure doing business with you."
"Has Theresa not returned yet?"
A emotionless voice echoed in the space, but the owner of the voice didn't even raise his head.
"His Highness has not yet returned, but I think there is no need to worry."
"It's best not to say this outside, unless you want to be hung on the bridge by those followers."
"That would only work if those little brats could find me."
Despite being completely covered up, Sarkaz wasn't intimidated. Instead, he skillfully rummaged through the pile of documents and pulled out a bag of snacks.
That's the last pack...
The voice that had been soothing turned somewhat melancholic, and Scout's outstretched hand froze in place.
Haven't you eaten again?
Scout quickly deduced from the consumed snacks that the person in front of him hadn't eaten, and sighed in exasperation.
"My God... You really need to rest for a bit, Dr. Kal'tsit will kill me if she finds out!"
"Since they're both not here, I'll have to handle these documents myself."
Even though the person in front of me wasn't moving very fast, the documents on the table were being cleared away at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"You go and rest first, there's just a little more to finish here."
"These documents are nowhere near as important as your health!"
Scout clearly wasn't going to listen to the other person's excuses. He went behind the desk, intending to forcibly pull the person away, but the other person grabbed the desk and dragged him along with it.
"Well--"
Scout sighed, his eyes gradually hardening.
"My dorm has the latest brand of instant noodles."
Whoosh--
Seeing his boss suddenly appear by the door, Scout couldn't help but feel sorry for his inventory.
But more than those things, he was worried about the nagging of a certain green lynx.
"Don't tell Dr. Kal'tsit that I gave you this food..."
"Of course not. By the way, does your dorm have hot water?"
Scout leaped from behind the desk, and the two walked away arm in arm.
"Of course, so would you like to demonstrate how to make instant noodles with your mouth... Doctor?"
"As you wish."